Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 1st to 8th, 2025 - UPDATE #7

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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NEWS:

AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2025 / 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced.  "Anora" wins "Best Picture."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Graham will direct Daniel Radcliffe and Lucas Hedges in the Vietnam War thriller, "Trust the Man."

GRAMMYS - From EW:  The winners at the 2025 / 67th Grammy Awards have been announced.  Beyonce won "Album of the Year" for her country album, "Cowboy Carter." Kendrick Lamar had the night's biggest haul, winning five awards, including "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year," for "Not Like Us," his diss track of fellow rapper, Drake.

From EW:  Beyonce finally won the coveted "Album of the Year" Grammy Award at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.  "The Queen B" had been passed over in her four previous nominations in that category (for the LPs: "Renaissance," "Lemondade," "Beyonce," and "I Am... Sasha Fierce."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 1/31 to 2/2/2025 weekend box office is Universal/DreamWorks Animation's "Dog Man" with an estimated take of 36 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Sideshow and Janus Films will release "The Shrouds," written and directed by David Cronenberg on Friday, April 18th in New York and Los Angeles.  It will expand nationwide on Friday, April 25th.  The horror drama film stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  In the wake of his acclaimed film, "Hard Truths," Mike Leigh will begin shooting his next film this year.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From THR:  The winners for the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes have been announced.  "Emilia Perez" won "Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy" and "Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language."  "The Brutalist" won "Best Motion Picture - Drama."  "Wicked" won in the new category, "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement."  "Flow" won "Best Motion Picture - Animated."

From AMPAS:  The nominations for the 2025 / 97th Academy Awards have been announced the winners will be announced Sunday, March 2, 2025.

From THR:  The nominations for the 2025 / 36th Producers Guild of America Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Sat. Feb. 8th.

From BBC:  The nominations for the 2025 / 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) have been announced.  "Conclave" leads with 12 nominations.  The winners will be Sunday, Feb. 16th, 2025.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2025 / 77th Annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced.  In the awards' marquee category, "Theatrical Feature Film," the nominees are Jacques Audiard ("Emilia Perez"), Sean Baker ("Anora"), Edward Berger ("Conclave"), Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist"), and James Mangold ("A Complete Unknown").  The winners will be announced February 8th.

From EW:  The Screen Actors Guild has cancelled the 2025 / 31st SAG Awards nominations announcement live-stream because of the current wildfires sweeing through the Los Angeles area.  The nominations will be announced Thursday morning, January 9th via press release and on SAG Awards website.  The SAG Award ceremony will be hired Feb. 23rd.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 2025 / 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards have been announced.  Netflix's "The Piano Lesson" leads with 14 nominations.  The winners will be announced February 21st and 22nd.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2025 / 45th London Critics Circle Film Awards were announced. "The Brutalist" was named "Film of the Year."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The International Press Academy has announced the winners at the 2025 / 29th Satellite Awards in Motion Pictures and Television.  "The Brutalist" won "Motion Picture, Drama" and "Anora" won "Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Awards have been announced.  "Dune: Part Two" has been named "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Pittsburgh Film Critics Association (PFCA) Awards have been announced. This is the association inaugural awards announcement.  "The Substance" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Chicago Independent Critics (CIC) Awards have been announced.  "The Substance" has won seven awards, including "Best Indepent Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore).  "Dune: Part Two" won "Best Studio Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Awards have been announced.  "Emilia Perez" wins "Best Movie About Women."  Coralie Fargeat's "The Substance" wins "Best Movie By a Woman" (directing)

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the annual Portland Critics Association (PCA) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" won in 10 of the 13 categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody). 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" won five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" took four awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody). 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) Awards have been announced.  "The Wild Robot" won two awards - "Best Picture" and "Best Animated Feature."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the Minnesota Film Critics Association (MNFCA) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" has taken five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody). 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Music City Film Critics Association (MCFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Dune: Part Two" has won four awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 2024 Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) EDA Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" has won "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) Awards have been announced.  "The Substance" has won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore). 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Challengers" has won "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Luca Guadagnino).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 DiscussingFilm's Global Film Critics Awards have been announced.  "Nickel Boys" won "Best Picture."

From EW:  The nominations for the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes have been announced.  "Emilia Perez" leads with 10 nominations.  The winners will be announced January 5, 2025 on CBS and Paramount+.

From THR:  The winners at the 2025 National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won the award for "Best Picture" of 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) Awards have been announced.  "Conclave" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Edward Berger), and "Best Actor" (Ralph Fiennes).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Conclave" has won three awards, including "Best Narrative Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Columbia Film Critics Association (COFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore), 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 29th Capri, Hollywood-International Film Festival Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" won six awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Critics Association of Central Florda (CACF) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" has been named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 UK Film Critics Association (UKFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" won "Film of the Year" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Online Association of Female Film Critics (OAFFC) Awards have been announced.  "The Substance" won six awards, including "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat). and "Best Leading Performance" (Demi Moore).  "The Substance" shared the "Best Film" honor with "Anora."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCCA) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Awards have announced.  "The Beast" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Bertrand Bonello).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Nevada Film Critics Society (NFCS) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" has taken six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody). 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC) Awards have been announced.  "The Zone of Interest" was named "Best Film" and its director, Jonathan Glazer, won "Best Director."  Although the film was released in Dublin this year, it was eligible for the Academy Awards in 2023.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critic Association (DFWFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" has won three awards: "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 2024 Southeastern Film Critics Associations (SFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" has been named "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) Awards have been announced.  "The Substance" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat)

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Awards have been announced.  "The Substance" has been named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" has been named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 2024 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Awards.  "The Substance" has won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Leading Performance" (Demi Moore), and "Best Supporting Performance" (Margaret Qualley).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Nickel Boys" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (RaMell Ross)

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won three awards, including "Film" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch:  The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced the nominations in the category of "Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures." The winners at the 2025 / 39th Annual Producers Guild Awards will be announced Saturday, February 8, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody). 

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Awards have been announced.  "Dune: Part Two" has won six awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards have been announced.  "Nickel Boys" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (RaMell Ross). "Sing Sing" has won "Best Actor" (Colman Domingo) and "Best Supporting Actor" (Clarence Maclin).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" has been named "Best Picture."  The films four total wins including for "Best Director" (Brady Corbet) and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Chicago Film Critics (CFC) Awards have been announced.  "The Brutalist" has won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Awards have been announced.  "Sing Sing" won "Best Picture," won of three awards it received.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 2024 Michigan Movie Critics Guild (MMCG) Awards have been announced.  "Anora" was named "Best Picture," one of its four wins.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 2024 Atlanta Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  "Anora" was named "Best Film," one of four awards it won.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Washington Area Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  "Wicked" has won the award for "Best Feature."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners of the 49th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  "Anora" was named "Best Picture."  Marianne Jean-Baptiste (for "Hard Truths") became the first Black woman to win a lead performance honor in the groups history.

From AwardsWatch:  The winners for the 2024 / 27th British Independent Film Awards have been announced.  The Irish film, "Kneecap," wins "Best British Independent Film."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2024 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) have been announced.  "Anora" wins "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison), and "Best Original Screenplay."

From AFI:  The American Film Institute has named its top ten films and television series.  Among the films honored are "Dune: Part Two," "Nickel Boys," and "Wicked."

From THR:  The winners at the 2024 / 37th European Film Awards have been announced.  "Emilia Perez" wins the award for "European Film."  It also won the directing (Jacques Audiard), writing (Audiard), and actress (Karla Sofia Gascon) honors.

From NBR:  The National Board of Review has named its 2024 film honorees.  "Wicked" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (for John M. Chu).

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2025 / 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced.  Cannes 2024 Palme d'Or winner, "Anora," and "I Saw the TV Glow" each lead with six nominations apiece.  The winners will be announced Saturday, February 22, 2025.

From Deadline:  The winners of the 2024 / 90th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  Director Brady Corbet's three-hour epic, "The Brutalist," has won "Best Film" and its star, Adrian Brody, has won "Best Actor."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards have been announced.  Writer-director Aaron Schimberg's "A Different Man" has won the "Best Feature" award.

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film.  Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations.  The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 27th British Independent Film Awards have been announced.  The Irish film, "Kneecap," leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, December 8, 2024.

BEST PICTURE WINNER COUNT:

From AwardsWatch:  This link will take you, dear readers, to "AwardWatch's" article, "Who Won What? - The 2024/2025 Film Award Precursor Guide."

"Anora": 17 wins (Atlanta Film Critics Circle; Austin Film Critics Association; Boston Society of Film Critics; CACF; Critics Choice Awards; DFWFCA; Georgia Film Critics Association; IFCA; LAFCA; Michigan Movie Critics Guild; North Dakota Film Society; OAFFC; NTFCA; Philadelphia Film Critics Circle; Satellite Awards; SFBAFCC; SFCA)

"The Beast": 1 win (Florida Film Critics Circle)

"The Brutalist": 13 wins (AWFJ; BOFCA; Chicago Film Critics; Golden Globes-Drama; HFCS; London Critics Circle; MNFCA; Nevada Film Critics Society; NYFCC; Phoenix Critics Circle; Phoenix Film Critics Circle; Portland Critics Association; Satellite Awards)

"Challengers": 1 win (GWNYFCA)

"Conclave":  2 wins (North Carolina Film Critics Association; Oklahoma Film Critics Circle)

"A Different Man": 1 win (Gotham Awards)

"Dune: Part Two" - 6 wins (Chicago Independent Critics; LVFCS; Music City Film Critics Associations; St.LFCA; UKFCA)

"Emilia Perez":  4 wins (Capri, Denver Film Critics Society; Hollywood-International Film Festival Awards; European Film Awards; Golden Globes-Comedy or Musical; WFCC)

"Kneecap": 1 win (British Independent Film Awards)

"Nickel Boys": 4 wins (AAFCA; DiscussingFilm; National Society of Film Critics; TFCA)

"Sing Sing": 1 win (San Diego Film Critics Society)

"The Substance": 9 wins (Chicago Independent Critics; COFCA; Indiana Film Journalists Association; KCFCC; NYFCO; OAFFC; Pittsburgh Film Critics Association; Seattle Film Critics Society; WFCC)

"Wicked": 2 wins (National Board of Review; WAFCA)

"The Wild Robot":  1 win (Utah Film Critics Association)

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 1st to 8th, 2023 - Update #18

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  "GQ Magazine" has removed its recent article about Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav from its website after Warner objected to the article, which referred to Zaslav as "the most hated man in Hollywood."

From Variety:  Oops. The editor who was involved in pulling the article that was critical of Warner CEO David Zaslav is also producing a movie at Warner Bros. Discovery...

MOVIES/TRAILERS - From Variety:  Paramount and Apple have released the second trailer for Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone.  The Apple Original film has set its wide theatrical release for October 20th, and will subsequently stream on Apple TV+.

MOVIES - ScreenRant:  "Ghostbusters" star Ernie Hudson has confirmed that the "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" sequel has completed filming. If all goes well in post-production, the film could see a release at the end of this year or sometime in the spring, says Hudson.

From Deadline:  Quentin Tarantino has shot down hopes for a third entry in his "Kill Bill" series.

STREAMING - From THR:  Daniel Radcliffe, who came to fame for portraying "Harry Potter" in seven films, is not looking for a return in Max's in-development streaming series adaptation of the Potter novels.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Victor Ginzburg’s timely sci-fi horror "Empire V," which is described as a social parody of Russia being controlled by vampires, will make its world premiere at Montreal’s Fantasia Fest this July.  Sony Pictures planned to release the film in Russia, but the film was banned.

NETFLIX - From THR:  Netflix acquired the film and TV rights to the late author, C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" books series.  Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Greta Gerwig, is attached to direct two "Narnia" films.

SCANDAL - From Variety:  Kevin Spacey's trial for sexual assault in the United Kingdom at Southwark Crown Court in London.  One of Spacey's alleged victims compared him to "John Doe," the serial killer that Spacey played in the 1995 Morgan Freeman-Brad Pitt thriller, "Seven."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/30 to 7/2/2023 weekend box office is Disney/Lucasfilm's "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" with an estimated take of 60 million dollars.

From Here:  A review of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" by Leroy Douresseaux.

From Variety:  "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" has a 70-million dollar debut at the international box office.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Here is a list of the on-air talent who have been laid off/fired at ESPN.

From Deadline:  ESPN on-air talent react to being laid off/fired.

ANIMATION - From THR:   The latest revival of the former Fox animated series (1999-2003) and Comedy Central animated series (2008-13), "Futurama," will begin July 24th on Hulu.

WRITERS STRIKE:

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline:  WGA is picketing the New York City filming location of the 12th series of FX's "American Horror Story" (entitled "Delicate") after series co-creator Ryan Murphy threaten litigation against an east coast strike captain.

From THR:  TV super-producer, Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

From Deadline:  The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

From Deadline:  Writers Strike puts the spotlight back on the challenge from writers for animation productions to be covered by the WGA.

From THR:  Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline:  Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.  The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke.  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline:  Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline:   President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline:  Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline:  Retaliation!  Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike.  Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline:  Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline:  The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline:  What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline:  The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 27th to 31st, 2022 - Update #37

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Bruce Willis' family have announced that the two-time Emmy Award-winning actor is retiring due to health related issues.

WILL SMITH/CHRIS ROCK - From Variety:  Will Smith walks onstage at the 94th Academy Awards and slaps Chris Rock in the face for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

From Variety:  The Academy has said that Will Smith was asked to leave the 94th Academy Awards ceremony after slapping presenter Chris Rock, but he refused.  The Academy has started disciplinary proceedings against Smith.

From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Will Smith formally apologizes to comedian Chris Rock for slapping him during the 94th Academy Awards show.

From Variety:  Chris Rock says that he is "still kind of processing what happened."

From Variety:   "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe says that he is "dramatically bored" with hearing people's opinion about "THE SLAP."

From Variety:  Will Smith won the "Best Actor" Oscar for portraying the father of tennis stars, Venus and Serena Willaims, Richard Williams, in the biopic, "King Richard."  In regards to Smith slapping Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Academy Awards, Richard says, "We don't condone anyone hitting anyone else."

From Variety:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has confirmed that Chris Rock has declined to file a police report regarding Oscar-winner Will Smith slapping him during the 94th Academy Awards.

From THR:  The actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, calls Will Smith's slap of Chris Rock to be "unacceptable."

From People:  Of the Oscar slap, "Aquaman" Jason Momoa says that he is shocked that Will Smith slapped Chris Rock and that "There's a tipping point for everyone."

From Variety:  Celebrities react to the Oscar bitch slap heard around the world.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 3/25 to 3/27/2022 weekend box office is "The Lost City" with an estimated take of 31 million dollars.

From Deadline:  The film, "RRR," sets opening day records in its home country of India.  Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, the film also makes an impact at the international box office.

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OSCARS - From ABC7:  A list of nominees for the 2022 / 94th Academy Awards.

From CNN:  A complete winners list from the 2022 / 94th Academy Awards.

WINNERS:

Best Picture

CODA

Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

Directing

The Power of the Dog

Jane Campion

Actress in a Leading Role

Jessica Chastain

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Actor in a Leading Role

Will Smith

King Richard

Actress in a Supporting Role

Ariana DeBose

West Side Story

Actor in a Supporting Role

Troy Kotsur

CODA

Animated Feature Film

Encanto

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

CODA

Screenplay by Siân Heder

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Belfast

Written by Kenneth Branagh

Documentary Feature

Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein

International Feature Film

Drive My Car (Japan)

A C&I Entertainment/Culture Entertainment/Bitters End Production

Makeup and Hairstyling

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

Costume Design

Cruella

Jenny Beavan

Cinematography

Dune

Greig Fraser

Production Design

Dune

Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos

Film Editing

Dune

Joe Walker

Music (Original Score)

Dune

Hans Zimmer

Best Sound

Dune

Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

Best Sound

Dune

Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

Visual Effects

Dune

Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer

Music (Original Song)

“No Time To Die” from No Time to Die

Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

Live Action Short Film

The Long Goodbye

Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed

Animated Short Film

The Windshield Wiper

Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

Documentary Short Subject

The Queen of Basketball

Ben Proudfoot

From Deadline:  How to watch the Oscars on TV (ABC) and online (in some markets - abc.com and the ABC app.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Michael Bay criticizes some of the CGI in his upcoming action film, "Ambulance."

TELEVISION/BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Tammy Williams is the owner of a new television studio in Atlanta, making her the first Black woman to own a $135 million studio and post-production facility

OBIT:

TAYLOR HAWKINS:

From RollingStone:  Singer-songwriter and rock musician, Taylor Hawkins, has died at the age of 50, Friday, March 25, 2022 in a hotel in the town of Chapinero in Bogota, Columbia.  Hawkins was best known as the drummer of the band, "Foo Fighters." The band announced Hawkins as its new drummer in March 1997, and in addition to being the drummer, Hawkins wrote songs, provided vocals, and played piano and guitar.  He first appeared on the Foo Fighters third album "There is Nothing Left to Lose" (1999).  His side-projects included the bands, "Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders" and "The Birds of Satan."

From Deadline:  This link leads to the entertainment "breaking news" site's "Taylor Hawkins page."

From CNN:  The Attorney General’s Office of the South American nation of Columbia released a preliminary “forensic medical study” Saturday following the death of Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins.  The report said a urine toxicology test was carried out on Hawkins and 10 substances were found, including THC, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids.  Hawkins died Friday, March 25th at a hotel in the town of Chapinero in the Columbian capital of Bogota.

From EW:  Fellow drummers: Sheila E., Travis Barker (Blink 182), and Lars Ulrich (Metallica) pay tribute to Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins.

From YahooEntertainment:  Music industry legends such as Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, and Axl Rose react to the death of Taylor Hawkins, the drummer of the Foo Fighters.

From Deadline:   Shocked fans and music industry mourn the death of Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins, at the age of 50 on Fri., March 25th.

From Deadline:  Watch a video of Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins, last ever performance with the Foo Fighters.  At the Lollapalooza Festival in Argentina on March 20th, Hawkins sang a cover version of the song, "Somebody to Love," by "Queen," a band Hawkins loved.

From Deadline:  Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins had 10 substances in his system at the time of his death...

From CBSBoston:  The organizers of the music festival, Boston Calling, said they will keep fans updated following the death of Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins.  The band was among the headliners scheduled for the festival which is to be held May 27th-29th at the Harvard athletic complex.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 16th to 22nd, 2022 - Update #21

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The release dates for "Mission: Impossible 7" and "Mission: Impossible 8" have been pushed back again.  The Tom Cruise-starring films will move to July 14, 2023 and June 28, 2024.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Writer-director Michael Mann and novelist Meg Gardiner have written "Heat 2," a novel that will act as both a prequel and sequel to Mann's 1995 classic crime film, "Heat."  The film follows the conflict between an LAPD detective, played by Al Pacino, and a career thief, played by Robert De Niro.

ANIMATION/NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Beloved animated duo, "Wallace & Gromit," will return in 2024 for the first time since the 2008 Oscar-nominated short, "A Matter of Loaf and Death."  Netflix will stream the film in all non-U.K. territories, which will be handled by the BBC.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney is apparently working on a live-action version of its 1970 animated feature film, "The Aristocats."

OSCARS - From Deadline:  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the 276 feature films that are eligible for consideration in the "Best Picture" category at the 94th Oscars, which are set to air live March 27, 2022 on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

DISNEY+ - From Deadline:  Disney+ has picked up a basketball-themed coming of age drama, "The Crossover."  20th Television is producing with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Jamal Henderson of The SpringHill Company are executive producing.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director Adam McKay ("Don't Look Up") and screenwriter Billy Ray ("Captain Phillips") have together for "J6," a film about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

TECH - From Variety:  Space Entertainment Enterprise (S.E.E), the company co-producing Tom Cruise’s upcoming space movie, plan to launch a sports arena and production studio in zero gravity by 2024.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Robert Pattinson ("Twilight," "The Batman") is in talks to star in "Mickey7," the next film from Oscar-winning director, Bong Joon Ho ("Parasite").

STREAMING - From Variety:  Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" series has a full title, "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."  It starts streaming on Amazon Prime Sept.2, 2022.

MOVIES - From ETCanada:  "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe play Grammy Award-winning recording artist, actor, and music video director, "Weird Al" Yankovic in a biographical film.

MUSIC - From AZCentral:  Rock and pop music icon, Debbie Harry, talks about her memoir, "Face It," with writer Ed Masley.  The book traces her life from topping the music charts with seminal 1980s band, "Blondie," to beyond.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 1/14 to 1/16/2022 weekend box office is "Scream" with an estimated take of 30.6 million dollars.

From Negromancer:  My review of "Scream" 2022.

SCANDAL - From Vulture:  "The Undoing of Joss Whedon" is a feature and interview from New York Magazine's "Vulture" site that goes into great details about the scandals of writer-director Joss Whedon ("Marvel's Avengers," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  "South Park" will begin its 25th season on Wed., Feb. 2nd on Comedy Central.

MOVIES/TV - From THR:  The "Heat Vision" column looks at the coming year in genre films and television series, especially superhero and science fiction productions.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   NBC has given a pilot order to a reboot of its beloved former TV series, "Quantum Leap" (1989-93).

OBITS:

From THR:   Stand-up comedian, actor, and game show host, Louie Anderson, has died at the age of 68, Friday, January 21, 2022.  Although he was best known for his stand-up act, Anderson often appeared in television and film.  He won a Primetime Emmy Award and was nominated twice more for his work on the FX series, "Baskets" (2016-19)  He won two Daytime Emmys for his performance on his children's animated TV series, "Life with Louie" (1994-98).  Anderson was also the first host of the third revival of the game show, "Family Feud," from 1999-2002.

From Deadline:  Film and television producer, Mace Neufeld, has died at the age of 93, Thursday, January 20, 2022.  Neufeld began as a talent agent, managing such stars as Don Knotts and Don Adams.  After starting as a producer of TV series, Neufeld executive produced the legendary horror film, "The Omen" (1976).  Neufeld is best known for producing several films based on novels by the late Tom Clancy:  "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Patriot Games" (1992), "Clear and Present Danger" (1994), "The Sum of All Fears" (2002), and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014).  Most recently he produced "The Equalizer" films starring Denzel Washington.

From Variety:  The French actor, Gaspard Ulliel, has died at the age of 37, Wednesday, January 19, 2022.  In 2004, Ulliel won the Cesar Award (French Oscars) for "Most Promising Actor" for the 2004 film, "A Very Long Engagement."  He won the "Cesar Award for Best Actor" for his lead role in the 2016 film, "It's Only the End of the World."  Ulliel was set to play the character "Anton Mogart / Midnight Man" in the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "Moon Knight."

From Variety:  American fashion journalist and creative director, Andre Leon Talley, has died at the age of 73, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.  Talley is best known for his association with "Vogue" magazine.  From 1988-95, he was the magazine's first African-American male creative director.  He was also "Vogue's" editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013.  Regarded as a "fashion icon," Talley championed diversity in the fashion industry.  He also served on the judging panel of the TV series, "America's Next Top Model" for few cycles (seasons) in 2010 and 2011.

---------------------------

AWARDS:

From Deadline:  Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," was named the "Best Picture" of 2021 at the 13th annual African American Film Critics Association Awards.  The Western tied with "King Richard" for most wins with four.  Will Smith was named "Best Actor" for "King Richard."

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2022 / 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced.

From Variety:  The snubs and surprises in the nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Variety:   At the 2022 / 79th Golden Globes, "The Power of the Dog" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and "West Side Story" wins "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Variety:  The National Society of Film Critics names the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the best film of 2021.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards were announced a few weeks ago. Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," has a record 20 nominations.  The winners will be announced February 27, 2022.

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association announced the nominations for their annual film awards.  Director Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 noms.  The winners will be announced Thurs., Jan. 6th, 2022.

From Deadline:  The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has named the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the "Best Picture" of 2021.

From Deadline:  The 2022 / 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have announced their nominations. "Zola" leads with six nominations. The winners will be announced Sun., March 6, 2022.

From THR:  The 2022 / 79th Golden Globes Awards nominations have been announced.  "Belfast" and "The Power of the Dog" lead with seven nominations each.  Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From GoldDerby:   The 2022 Critics Choice Awards nominations have been announced. "Belfast" and "West Side Story" leads with 11 nominations each. Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From Deadline:   The American Film Institute announced the "2021 AFI Awards" Top 10 list, and the list includes "Dune," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and "West Side Story."

From THR:  Director Aleem Khan's "After Love" tops the 2021 British Independent Film Awards, winning six awards, including "Best Film of 2021."

From Variety:   The New York Film Critics Circle has named the Japanese drama, "Drive My Car," as the "Best Film of 2021."

From Deadline:  The National Board of Review hands director Paul Thomas Anderson's "Licorice Pizza" it "Best Film" and "Best Director" awards.  Will Smith picks up the "Best Actor" award for "King Richard."

From THR:  Netflix’s "The Lost Daughter," directed by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, dominated the 2021 Gotham Awards in New York on Monday night (Nov. 29th).  The film won in four of the five categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Feature."

---------------------------------

"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:   Alec Baldwin has finally turned over his cell phone to police for their probe into the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's Western film, "Rust," last October in New Mexico.

From Variety:  One of the producers of tragic Western film, Rust, Emily Salveson, pushes tax shelters and hid income.

From THR:  "I let go of the hammer and 'Bang,' the gun goes off" says Alec Baldwin says in his first interview of the moment when a gun he was holding accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin will sit down with ABC's news-reading clown George Stephanopoulos for a one hour special tomorrow night to talk about what happened on the set of the movie "Rust."  It will be Baldwin’s first extensive interview about the shooting.

From Deadline:  Industry veteran, Thall Reed, the father of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Western, "Rust," may have handed the police a tip on why the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot to death on the set.

From THR:  A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday for a prop shop sheds light on how alleged live ammunition ended up on the set of the Western film, "Rust," where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October.

From Deadline:  A month after cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot and killed on the New Mexico set the movie Western, "Rust," by a prop gun “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, those closest to the cinematographer held a private ceremony and interred her ashes at an unknown location.

From Deadline:  Actor Daniel Baldwin defends his brother, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film, "Rust."  "Someone loaded that gun improperly," Daniel says.

From Deadline:  The newest lawsuit involving the tragic shooting on the set of the Western film, "Rust," has been filed by the film's script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, against Alec Baldwin, the producers, the production company, armorer Hanna Gutierrez Reed, and others.

From Deadline:  Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR:   In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR:   The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline:  Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of  “sabotaging the set.”

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" Crosses One Billion in Global Box Office

The Magic Continues as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” Crosses the Billion-dollar Mark at the Worldwide Box Office

The film’s hugely successful release in China pushes its global box office take past the billion-dollar milestone

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly two decades after first enchanting movie audiences, the first of the Harry Potter blockbusters, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” has crossed $1 billion at the global box office. The announcement was made by Andrew Cripps, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “We are thrilled to see ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ delight a new generation of audiences. The popularity of the film with moviegoers in China, who are discovering it for the first time, proves that the appeal of these stories is truly timeless and universal.”

The 4K 3D restoration of the beloved Wizarding World film opened in China on August 14, 2020 and has taken in an estimated $1,001,260,000 worldwide to date and still climbing. It is now the second film in the film series to reach the billion-dollar milestone following “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2,” which was released in 2011 and has grossed $1.34 billion globally. It is another benchmark for the enduringly popular film franchise, which has now earned $7.74 billion.

Andrew Cripps stated, “We are thrilled to see ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ delight a new generation of audiences. The popularity of the film with moviegoers in China, who are discovering it for the first time, proves that the appeal of these stories is truly timeless and universal.”

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” tells the story of a boy who, on his 11th birthday, learns that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. At Hogwarts, he finds the home and the family he has never had.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films/1492 Pictures/Duncan Henderson Production of a Chris Columbus film, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith and Julie Walters.

The film was directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the beloved novel Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. David Heyman produced the film, with Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan and Duncan Henderson serving as executive producers.

------------------------

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 7th to 13th, 2017 - Update #29

Support Leroy on Patreon.

TELEVISION - From YahooTV:  CBS has cancelled another of its series that is produced by Warner Bros, but that CBS does not own.  Last year, it was "Mike and Molly."  This season, CBS cancels "2 Broke Girls" after six seasons.

From YahooTV:  The stars of "2 Broke Girls" react to the cancellation of their series.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  FOX and Warner Bros. are joining on a live musical version of the classic MGM film, "A Christmas Story."  The three-hour television event will air on the Fox tnetwork in December.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Daniel Radcliffe continues to expand his resume of genres with an action comedy, "Gun Akimbo."  This news about the "Harry Potter" star was announced at Cannes.

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COMICS-ANIMATION - From SideshowToys:  Donald Glover (actor and creator of FX's "Atlanta") and his brother Stephen are joining FXX to create a "Deadpool" animated series that will debut in 2018 with 10 episodes.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  The major networks start announcing their TV series for the 2017-18 TV season at what are called "Upfronts."  Before these new "Upfronts," the networks have announced the cancellations of some current series, including Tim Allen's "Last Man Standing" at ABC and "Son of Zorn" and "Sleepy Hollow" at FOX.

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BOX OFFICE - From YahooMovies:  Apparently, Guy Ritchie's pricey "King Arthur: The Legend of the Sword" ($175 million production budget) is expected to be a box office disappointment or maybe even a flop.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooMovies:  The story of Johnny Depp and his money "woes."

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CULTURE - From YahooBeauty:  A dad, his daughter, and her half-naked doll.

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MUSIC - From YahooMusic:  According to Fortune magazines, Sean "Diddy" Comics still the richest hip hop star.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  John Ridley's L.A. Riots documentary, "Let It Fall," will try to capture Oscar interest.

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BLM - From ThinkProgress:  Madison County, Mississippi combines the best of Nazi Germany and the Jim Crow South.  Plan your vacation today!

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POLITICS - From TheNation:  Trumpism is really coming from the suburbs, not the trailer parks.

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AVATAR - From TheReelWord:  Cliff Curtis, who is more or less the lead actor in AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead," joins the cast of the "Avatar" sequels in a major role.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheReelWorld:  There apparently a reboot of the "Hellboy" film franchise without writer-director Guillermo del Toro and actor Ron Perlman, who guided two films to the screen.

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COMICS-FILM - From DenofGeek:  Who has what left on their Marvel Studios contract.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Russell Mulcahy, best known for his mid-1980s film, "Highland," has begun production on a biopic of notorious Hollywood legend, Errol Flynn.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 4/5 to 4/7/2017 weekend box office is Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" with an estimated take of $145 million.

From Variety:  "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" has a $145 million debut.

From Variety:  For the fifth year, a Marvel/Disney kicks off the box office in style.  This time, it's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."  This film's box office to date pushed the combined box office total of Marvel Studios films to over $11 billion dollars.

From Variety:  If Marvel has a sequel curse, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" breaks it.

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OBIT - From THR:  The actress Quinn O'Hara has died at the age of 76, Friday, May 5, 2017.  She was known for being a "sex kitten" in 1960s films like "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini" and "A Swingin' Summer."

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  Netflix renews its controversial "13 Reasons Why" for a second season.

CRIME - From RSN:  Schools continue to ignore K-12 sexual assualts committed by K-12 students.

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FILM - From BET:  In this video, actor Tyrese Gibson confirms that there will be a sequel to John Singleton's 2001 film, "Baby Boy."

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POLITICS - From GuardianUK:  President Trump's Civil War statement regarding Andrew Jackson the latest in a long line of right wing Republicans trying to downplay slavery and how absolutely important it was to the southern states.

----------
POLITICS - From VanityFair: Confederate States of America Attorney General Jeff Session is prosecuting a woman who rightfully laughed at him.

TRAILERS:

From TheReelWord:  First teaser trailer for Spike TV's new series, "The Mist," based on the Stephen King story.

From YahooMovies:  See the first official trailer for "Blade Runners 2049."  And it's visually striking.

From YahooMovies:  Viewers of the 2017 MTV Movie Awards were treated to new footage from the new film adaptation of Stephen King's "It."  See the creepy 98 minutes at the link at the front of this line.

Amazon Prime Video Extends Deal with Film Company, A24

Amazon Extends Deal with A24, Brings Moonlight, Winner of Three Academy Awards Including Best Picture to Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video will continue to be the exclusive premium subscription streaming service for critically-acclaimed films from A24 including Academy Award winning Moonlight, current theatrical hit 20th Century Women and Casey Affleck’s next film, A Ghost Story

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon Prime Video today announced the extension of an exclusive content agreement with A24, making Prime Video the only premium subscription home for all upcoming A24 films. Moonlight starring Mahershala Ali (House of Cards) is available on Amazon Video, and starting May 21, 2017, Prime members will be able to stream and download the Oscar winning film at no additional cost to their membership. Swiss Army Man starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), Cannes Jury Prize winner The Lobster starring Colin Farrell (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) and Rachel Weisz (Amazon Studios’ Complete Unknown) and Green Room starring Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) are already available to stream on Prime Video.

    “We are thrilled to be the exclusive subscription streaming service to offer customers Academy Award winner Moonlight”

“We are thrilled to be the exclusive subscription streaming service to offer customers Academy Award winner Moonlight,” stated Jason Ropell, VP, Worldwide Head of Motion Pictures for Amazon Studios. “We already have an incredible catalog of films from A24 like Room and Ex Machina that Prime members love to watch and we are happy to extend our relationship to continue to bring Prime members these award winning, prestige films. Collaborating with A24 in addition to creating our own Academy Award winning movies like Manchester by the Sea and The Salesman make Amazon Video a premiere platform for streaming films.”

Highly anticipated A24 films coming to Prime Video later this year include Academy Award nominated 20th Century Women from Mike Mills (Beginners) and starring Annette Bening (American Beauty) and Elle Fanning (Amazon Studios’ The Neon Demon), American Honey starring Sasha Lane (Hunting Lila) and Shia LaBeouf (Transformers), Free Fire starring Brie Larson (Room), Cillian Murphy (Inception) and Armie Hammer (Nocturnal Animals), The Lovers starring Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment) and Tracy Letts (Imperium) and It Comes at Night starring Joel Edgerton (Warrior) and Riley Keough (The Girlfriend Experience). Written and directed by David Lowery (Pete’s Dragon) and starring Casey Affleck (Amazon Studios’ Manchester by the Sea), A24’s A Ghost Story, will also land on Prime Video.

Amazon Prime members are already enjoying access to A24’s impressive library of titles including 2016 Oscar award winning films like Room with Brie Larson’s Best Actress performance as Ma and Amy, the Oscar winner for Best Documentary depicting the life and death of singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse as well as the thought-provoking supernatural horror film The Witch, Ex Machina, starring Golden Globe nominee Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) and Dark Places starring Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass).

Prime Video is available via the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/primevideo. In addition to unlimited streaming, Prime members can also download titles to mobile devices at no additional cost for offline viewing.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership
•     Amazon Channels: Over 100 video subscriptions to networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV and more, available to Amazon Prime members as add-ons to their membership – to view the full list of channels available, visit www.amazon.com/channels
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
•     Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
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About A24
Launched in the summer of 2012, A24 is a New York-based media company focused on the distribution, financing, development and production of feature films and television projects. Recently the company released Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, which just won 3 Academy Awards® at the 2017 Oscars - Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. The film also won a record-breaking 6 Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, and was honored with the Best Picture – Drama award at the 2017 Golden Globes.

Other recent film releases include Mike Mills’ funny and heartwarming 20th Century Women, nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar® and featuring a renowned central performance by Annette Bening; Yorgos Lanthimos' critical and commercial hit The Lobster, also an Oscar® nominee for Best Original Screenplay and starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz; Andrea Arnold’s highly acclaimed American Honey, starring Shia Labeouf, which won the Jury Prize at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival; the outrageous comedy Swiss Army Man, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano; and Robert Eggers’ horror smash The Witch, winner of 2 Independent Spirit Awards.

In 2015, A24’s releases included Room, winner of the Academy Award® for Best Actress for Brie Larson’s emotionally stunning performance; Amy, Asif Kapadia’s heart-wrenching portrait of Amy Winehouse which was a major commercial hit and won the Oscar® for Best Documentary; and Alex Garland's lauded directorial debut Ex Machina, a sci-fi smash starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander, which won the Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects.

In 2014, the company released Sundance breakout Obvious Child, featuring Jenny Slate, and Jonathan Glazer’s singular Scarlett Johansson film, Under the Skin. In 2013, the company released Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring, James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now, and Harmony Korine’s record-breaking Spring Breakers.

Upcoming titles include Trey Edward Shults’ It Comes at Night, a horror film starring Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, and Christopher Abbott that marks the eagerly anticipated follow-up to the director’s celebrated debut feature Krisha; David Lowery’s A Ghost Story, which stars Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara, and premiered at Sundance 2017 to rave reviews; Menahse, a heartwarming father/son story set in the Hasidic community and performed entirely in Yiddish; and Ben Wheatley’s wickedly funny action comedy Free Fire, starring Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, CillianMurphy, and Sharlto Copley, and winner of the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness Section of the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.

A24's television projects include The Carmichael Show which will soon be returning to NBC for its third season and USA's Playing House.

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