Support Leroy on Patreon:
SCANDAL - From THR: Celebrity sex offender and financier, Jeffrey Epstein, 66, has been arrested for sex trafficking of minors.
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TELEVISION - From THR: There has been an arrest (reportedly the handyman) in the strange case of the death of Dennis Day, 76, who was one of the founding members of the "Mickey Mouse Club."
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SCANDAL - From Deadline: The divorce between Amazon co-founders Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos has been finalized. MacKenzie gets 19.7 million shares of Amazon, which represent a 4% stake in Amazon and are valued at $38.3 billion. Jeff Bezos, who remains the founder and CEO, holds a 12% Amazon stake worth $114.8 billion, leaving him still the world’s wealthiest person.
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STREAMING - From HitFix: Netflix says it will cut down on depictions of people smoking cigarettes and such in its productions.
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BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: "Aladdin" has crossed the $900 million mark at the global box office.
POLITICS - From YahooNews: Captain America's Chris Evans tweets a July 4th message to counter President Trump's rhetoric.
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SCANDAL - From Deadline: The young man who accused Kevin Spacey of groping him has dropped his civil suit. The criminal case continues... for now.
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BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: "Spider-Man: Far From Home" looks to set a Marvel Cinematic Universe record for Wednesday box office.
From Patreon: My review of "Spider-Man: Far From Home."
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ECO - From BBC: A young female fox traveled 2176 miles from Norway to Canada, leaving scientists speechless.
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SCANDAL - From YahooEntertainment: Disgraced actor Jeremy Piven says that he is #MeToo collateral damage.
From YahooEntertainment: Speaking of which, in May, Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush won his defamation suit against Australia's Nationwide News which reported sexual harassment allegations against the actor.
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DISNEY - From Variety: R&B singer, Halle Bailey (Chloe x Halle), has been cast as Ariel in Disney's live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid."
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STREAMING - From Variety: Director J.A. Bayona ("Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom") will direct to episodes of Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" TV series.
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COMICS-FILM - From Variety: Warner Bros. is in talks with Andy Muschietti, director of "It," to direct its film, "The Flash," based on the DC Comics' character.
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COMICS-TELEVISION - From THR: "The Walking Dead" comic book series, which spawned AMC's "The Walking Dead" TV series, ends with a surprise finale.
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MOVIES - From ET: Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are spotted filming the third installment of "Bill and Ted" film.
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ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which hands out the "Oscars," has announced the names of the 842 people invited to join the Academy. Half of the invitees are women. Current Academy membership counts 8,946 active members, with 8,733 eligible to vote on the Oscars. The total membership including retired members is 9,794. This year’s number falls short of 2018’s record of 928 invitations.
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MOVIES - From Deadline: Director Baz Lurhman is about to start testing young actors for his "Elvis Presley" film. The contenders are Ansel Elgort, ("The Fault in Our Stars" and "Baby Driver"), Miles Teller ("Fantastic Four," "Top Gun: Maverick"), Austin Butler (Quentin Tarantino’s "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood") Harry Styles (the former lead singer of the boy-band, One Direction, "Dunkirk").
BOX OFFICE - From THR: Movie theater box office is down midyear 2019 ten percent from midyear 2018.
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MUSIC - From YahooMusic: Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman talks about his late band mate, Brian Jones. On Wednesday, July 3rd, it will be the 50th anniversary of Jones' death.
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MOVIES - From Deadline: Wes Ball talks about "Mouse Guard," his $170 million film for Fox that was a casualty of the Disney/Fox deal, when Disney later decided not to finance the film.
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STREAMING - From Deadline: Netflix is near a deal with Warner Bros. TV to produce a television series based on the legendary DC Comics series, "The Sandman," which was written and co-created by Neil Gaiman. Gaiman would executive produce the series.
TRAILERS AND VIDEO:
From EW: Here is the first trailer for the "Rabid," a remake of the 1977 David Cronenberg film. The remake, directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, will premiere at Frightfest in August.
From YouTube: Here is the first official trailer for director Rian Johnson's whodunit, "Knives Out."
OBITS:
From Variety: Actor Paul Benjamin died at the age of 81, Friday, June 28, 2019. Benjamin played "ML," one of the "men on the corner" in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing." Another memorable role was "A Trip Upstate," the 11th episode in Season 2 of "In the Heat of the Night" in which Carroll O'Connor's Chief Bill Gillespie makes a trip upstate to witness the execution of Benjamin's George Brownlow, at the request of Brownlow.
From THR: Legendary French cinematographer, Pierre Lhomme, has died at the age of 89, Thursday, July 4, 2019. He was known for his work shooting films by such directors as Jean Pierre-Melville, Jean Eustache, Chris Marker, and James Ivory. He won two Cesar Awards.
From Variety: Comedian and actor, Arte Johnson, has died at the age of 90, Wednesday, July 3, 2019. He was best known for appearing on the 1960s-1970s sketch comedy show, "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1968-73). He won an Emmy Award for his work on the series and was nominated three more times.
From NFL: Former NFL quarterback Jared Lorenzen has died at the age of 38, Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Lorenzen, a standout of the University of Kentucky, was a back-up quarterback on the 2007 New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII 17 to 14 against the then-undefeated New England Patriots.
Showing posts with label Geoffrey Rush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geoffrey Rush. Show all posts
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 7th to 13th, 2019 - Updated #20
Support Leroy on Patreon:
MOVIES - From Deadline: Apparently, there is going to be a sequel to the 2018 "Tomb Raider" reboot film, which now has a writer.
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SCANDAL - From Deadline: Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, who has been besieged by accusations of inappropriate behavior, has won his defamation lawsuit in Australia against publisher, Nationwide News, which is owned by the deplorable Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. The Sydney, Australia newspaper, "Daily Telegraph," (owned by Nationwide) first published an article accusing Rush of inappropriate behavior towards a former co-star in 2017.
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MUSIC - From Yahoo: Courtney Love and her band Hole's album, "Live Through This," is 25 years old.
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TELEVISION - From Variety: Maestro Ryan Murphy has unveiled the titles of "American Horror Story" Season 9. it is "AHS 1984."
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MOVIES - From Deadline: "Avengers: Endgame" directors, brothers Anthony & Joe Russo, have signed a deal to oversee the refurbishment ("spiritual creative architects") of properties in the MGM library.
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COMICS-FILM - From TheRinger: This article offers a profile of actor David Harbour, who is the new "Hellboy" and is currently starring in Netflix's "Stranger Things."
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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: The death certificate for the slain rapper, Nipsey Hussle (March 31, 2019), has been released. Details for the public memorial service, Thurs., April 11th, 2019, have also been released.
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TELEVISION - From Deadline: AMC is ending its TV series, "Preacher," after the upcoming fourth season.
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MANGA-FILM - From ComicBook: Apparently, the film "Akira" have major changes from its source material, the legendary manga, "Akira."
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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap: Warner Bros. starts working on a sequel to its new hit film, "Shazam."
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TELEVISION - From Variety: AMC gives up more details on its third "Walking Dead" TV series.
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STREAMING - From TheWrap: Netflix has announced that the Beyonce documentary, "Homecoming," will be released April 17th. "Homecoming" is the documentary about Beyonce's "Coachella 2018" performance.
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 4/5 to 4/7/2019 weekend box office is Warner Bros./DC Comics' superhero flick, "Shazam!," with an estimated take of 53.4 million dollars.
From Patreon: A review of "Shazam!"
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MUSIC - From YahooFinance: Beyonce's deal with Adidas could be really big for the German sportswear giant.
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MOVIES-MUSIC - From ShadowandAct: April 13th is the date attached to Donald Glover, Rihanna, and Letitia Wright's "Guava Island."
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MOVIES - From TheWrap: The site offers a review of director Rashid Johnson's "Native Son," an update on Richard Wright's seminal novel of the same title.
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BUSINESS - From Deadline: The WGA (Writers Guild of America) and ATA (Association of Talent Agencies) have reached an extension so that both parties can keep working on a new franchise agreement.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: First teaser trailer for "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker."
OBITS:
From ESPN: Former NFL player and coach, Forrest Gregg, has died at the age of 85, Friday, April 12, 2019. Known as the "Iron Man" for his then-record consecutive games played streak, Gregg was a part of six NFL championships, including two Super Bowl wins with the Green Bay Packers and one with the Dallas Cowboys. As a coach, Gregg led the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl XVI, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers.
From NFL: Forrest Gregg (Hall of Fame Class of 1977) through the years in this photo essay.
--------------------------------
From THR: The actor, Seymour Cassel, has died at the age of 84, Sunday, April 7, 2019. Cassel was a favorite of the late director, John Cassavetes, appearing in at least six of his films. Cassel earned a best supporting actor nomination for his role in Cassavetes' "Faces." He also appeared in three of director Wes Anderson's films.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Apparently, there is going to be a sequel to the 2018 "Tomb Raider" reboot film, which now has a writer.
---------
SCANDAL - From Deadline: Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, who has been besieged by accusations of inappropriate behavior, has won his defamation lawsuit in Australia against publisher, Nationwide News, which is owned by the deplorable Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. The Sydney, Australia newspaper, "Daily Telegraph," (owned by Nationwide) first published an article accusing Rush of inappropriate behavior towards a former co-star in 2017.
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MUSIC - From Yahoo: Courtney Love and her band Hole's album, "Live Through This," is 25 years old.
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TELEVISION - From Variety: Maestro Ryan Murphy has unveiled the titles of "American Horror Story" Season 9. it is "AHS 1984."
-----------
MOVIES - From Deadline: "Avengers: Endgame" directors, brothers Anthony & Joe Russo, have signed a deal to oversee the refurbishment ("spiritual creative architects") of properties in the MGM library.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From TheRinger: This article offers a profile of actor David Harbour, who is the new "Hellboy" and is currently starring in Netflix's "Stranger Things."
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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: The death certificate for the slain rapper, Nipsey Hussle (March 31, 2019), has been released. Details for the public memorial service, Thurs., April 11th, 2019, have also been released.
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TELEVISION - From Deadline: AMC is ending its TV series, "Preacher," after the upcoming fourth season.
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MANGA-FILM - From ComicBook: Apparently, the film "Akira" have major changes from its source material, the legendary manga, "Akira."
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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap: Warner Bros. starts working on a sequel to its new hit film, "Shazam."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: AMC gives up more details on its third "Walking Dead" TV series.
----------
STREAMING - From TheWrap: Netflix has announced that the Beyonce documentary, "Homecoming," will be released April 17th. "Homecoming" is the documentary about Beyonce's "Coachella 2018" performance.
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 4/5 to 4/7/2019 weekend box office is Warner Bros./DC Comics' superhero flick, "Shazam!," with an estimated take of 53.4 million dollars.
From Patreon: A review of "Shazam!"
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MUSIC - From YahooFinance: Beyonce's deal with Adidas could be really big for the German sportswear giant.
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MOVIES-MUSIC - From ShadowandAct: April 13th is the date attached to Donald Glover, Rihanna, and Letitia Wright's "Guava Island."
----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap: The site offers a review of director Rashid Johnson's "Native Son," an update on Richard Wright's seminal novel of the same title.
---------
BUSINESS - From Deadline: The WGA (Writers Guild of America) and ATA (Association of Talent Agencies) have reached an extension so that both parties can keep working on a new franchise agreement.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: First teaser trailer for "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker."
OBITS:
From ESPN: Former NFL player and coach, Forrest Gregg, has died at the age of 85, Friday, April 12, 2019. Known as the "Iron Man" for his then-record consecutive games played streak, Gregg was a part of six NFL championships, including two Super Bowl wins with the Green Bay Packers and one with the Dallas Cowboys. As a coach, Gregg led the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl XVI, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers.
From NFL: Forrest Gregg (Hall of Fame Class of 1977) through the years in this photo essay.
--------------------------------
From THR: The actor, Seymour Cassel, has died at the age of 84, Sunday, April 7, 2019. Cassel was a favorite of the late director, John Cassavetes, appearing in at least six of his films. Cassel earned a best supporting actor nomination for his role in Cassavetes' "Faces." He also appeared in three of director Wes Anderson's films.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 8th to 14th, 2018 - Update #14
Support Leroy on Patreon:
MOVIES - From Deadline: Gabriel Luna is the new Terminator in "Terminator 6." Natalia Reyes and Diego Boneta also join the film.
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TELEVISION - From THR: A guide for the beginning of Season 4 of "Fear the Walking Dead."
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CELEBRITY - From THR: Will Ferrell has been injured in a serious car accident.
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TELEVISION - From TVLine: There is trailer for Ryan Murphy's LGBTQ-themed musical-dance drama, "Pose."
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DISNEY - From THR: Donnie Yen has joined the cast of Disney's live-action remake of its animated film "Mulan."
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MOVIES - From Variety: Warner Bros. cuts final ties with Brett Ratner and RatPac-Dune Entertainment.
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BOND - From Variety: Daniel Craig says that his next project is "Bond 25," the next James Bond film.
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MOVIE - From Collider: Joaquin Phoenix kinda talks about being in a comic book movie, specifically Todd Phillips's proposed "Joker" solo movie.
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STAR TREK - From IndieWire: Trekkers know who Captain Pike is. Well, CBS All Acess' "Star Trek: Discovery" has cast its Pike, actor Anson Mount.
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SCANDAL - From THR: Attorney claims that Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush barely eats and has become housebound since accusations that he was inappropriate with a female co-star were leveled against him in December 2017.
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POLITICS - From NYTimes: Charles M. Blow writes "Horror of Being Governed by 'Fox & Friends'."
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 4/6 to 4/8/2018 weekend box office is "A Quiet Place" with an estimated take of $50 million.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Halle Berry has been signed on for a remake of the 1985 film "Jagged Edge." The courtroom thriller starred Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges, Peter Coyote, and Robert Loggia (who earned an supporting Oscar nomination for his role).
TELEVISION - From Variety: National Geographic is developing a TV series based on the Oscar-nominated, hit film, "Hidden Figures."
OBITS:
From Variety: Czech-born film director Milos Forman has died at the age of 86, Friday, April 13, 2018. Forman won the "Best Director" Oscar twice, for directing "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and "Amadeus" (1984). He also directed one of my favorite film, "Valmont" (1989).
From TheColumbian: Japanese filmmaker, Isao Takahata, died at the age of 82, Thursday, April 5, 2018. Takahata founded the legendary animation company, Studio Ghibli, with Hayao Miyazaki in 1985. He received an Oscar nomination for his 2013 animated film, "A Tale of Princess Kaguya."
From THR: Actress from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, Mary Hatcher, died at the age of 88, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Hatcher was a co-star of Hollywood luminaries Mickey Rooney (in the film, "The Big Wheel") and Desi Arnaz (in "Holiday in Havana").
MOVIES - From Deadline: Gabriel Luna is the new Terminator in "Terminator 6." Natalia Reyes and Diego Boneta also join the film.
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TELEVISION - From THR: A guide for the beginning of Season 4 of "Fear the Walking Dead."
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CELEBRITY - From THR: Will Ferrell has been injured in a serious car accident.
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TELEVISION - From TVLine: There is trailer for Ryan Murphy's LGBTQ-themed musical-dance drama, "Pose."
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DISNEY - From THR: Donnie Yen has joined the cast of Disney's live-action remake of its animated film "Mulan."
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Warner Bros. cuts final ties with Brett Ratner and RatPac-Dune Entertainment.
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BOND - From Variety: Daniel Craig says that his next project is "Bond 25," the next James Bond film.
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MOVIE - From Collider: Joaquin Phoenix kinda talks about being in a comic book movie, specifically Todd Phillips's proposed "Joker" solo movie.
----------
STAR TREK - From IndieWire: Trekkers know who Captain Pike is. Well, CBS All Acess' "Star Trek: Discovery" has cast its Pike, actor Anson Mount.
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SCANDAL - From THR: Attorney claims that Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush barely eats and has become housebound since accusations that he was inappropriate with a female co-star were leveled against him in December 2017.
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POLITICS - From NYTimes: Charles M. Blow writes "Horror of Being Governed by 'Fox & Friends'."
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 4/6 to 4/8/2018 weekend box office is "A Quiet Place" with an estimated take of $50 million.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Halle Berry has been signed on for a remake of the 1985 film "Jagged Edge." The courtroom thriller starred Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges, Peter Coyote, and Robert Loggia (who earned an supporting Oscar nomination for his role).
TELEVISION - From Variety: National Geographic is developing a TV series based on the Oscar-nominated, hit film, "Hidden Figures."
OBITS:
From Variety: Czech-born film director Milos Forman has died at the age of 86, Friday, April 13, 2018. Forman won the "Best Director" Oscar twice, for directing "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and "Amadeus" (1984). He also directed one of my favorite film, "Valmont" (1989).
From TheColumbian: Japanese filmmaker, Isao Takahata, died at the age of 82, Thursday, April 5, 2018. Takahata founded the legendary animation company, Studio Ghibli, with Hayao Miyazaki in 1985. He received an Oscar nomination for his 2013 animated film, "A Tale of Princess Kaguya."
From THR: Actress from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, Mary Hatcher, died at the age of 88, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Hatcher was a co-star of Hollywood luminaries Mickey Rooney (in the film, "The Big Wheel") and Desi Arnaz (in "Holiday in Havana").
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 1st to 9th, 2017 - Update #38
Support Leroy on Patreon.
SCANDAL - From Deadline: Bryan Singer's former lover talks about being "pulled into the director’s orbit of on-set visits, expensive private dinners, ready access to drugs and alcohol and sexual encounters with an ever-revolving cast of multiple participants."
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STAR TREK - From THR: Sir Patrick Stewart said that he would return to his signature role, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, for a Quentin Tarantino-directed "Star Trek."
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SCANDAL - From ThePlaylist: Director Bryan singer talks about being fired from "Bohemian Rhapsody" and being sued over rape allegations and more.
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STAR TREK - From Deadline: The Quentin Tarantino-J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" movie will be R-rated. Mark L. Smith ("The Revenant") is in the lead to be the writer.
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MOVIES - From THR: Ryan Reynolds will star in the live-action Pokemon movie, "Detective Pikachu."
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MOVIES - From TheNewYorkTimes: The paper names its best films of 2017
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CELEBRITY - From TheWrap: Top 20 highest paid actors in Hollywood are...
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STREAMING - From ShadowandAct: The Jordan Peele reboot of "The Twilight Zone" for CBS's streaming service, CBS All Access, is happening. Simon Kinberg and Marco Ramirez will also produce the series.
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COMICS-FILM - From ThePlaylist: Marvel Studios mastermind Kevin Feige is ready to play with the X-Men characters... if Disney/21st Century Fox deal goes through.
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MOVIES - From THR: Dexter Fletcher, director of "Eddie the Eagle" will replace the fired Bryan Singer as the director of the Queen biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody."
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MOVIES - From Variety: James Mangold ("Logan") to direct yet another film about Patty Hearst.
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MOVIES - From TheWrap: "Life, Itself," a film by "This is Us" creator, Dan Fogelman, lands at Amazon.
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BUISNESS - From CNBC: Disney and Fox are closing in on a deal which would give Disney Fox's studio and television production assets, leaving Fox with its news and sports assets. Fox's Nat Geo, Star, regional sports networks, movie studios and stakes in Sky and Hulu, among other properties may also be part of the potential $60 billion deal. Fox would also hold onto its news and business news divisions, broadcast network and Fox sports. Comcast is also a player interested in these Fox assets. Sony and Verizon are also said to be interested.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From ScreenRant: Is the "Demon Bear" the villain in Fox's X-Men spinoff flick, "The New Mutants."
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MOVIES - From BleedingCool: Bryan Singer's production company, Bad Hat Harry, is moving off the 20th Century Fox lot. Singer's long-term, first look deal with Fox expired this past October, and Fox declined to renew it.
----------
LGBTQ - From TheDailyBeast: Writer Ira Madison III discusses the much-talked about gay romance drama, "Call Me By Your Name," starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer.
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SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast: Talk show host and actor Dustin Hoffman have a heated exchange over sexual misconduct allegations against Hoffman.
----------
STAR TREK - From THR: Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams team up for a "Star Trek" movie.
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MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Misha Green, the creator of the late WGN America series, "Underground," is developing a remake of the 1973 blaxploitation film, "Cleopatra Jones."
----------
MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Michael B. Jordan's film, "Just Mercy," which is being compared to "To Kill a Mockingbird," is due November 2018.
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MOVIES - From THR: 20th Century Fox has fired Bryan Singer ("X-Men") as director of the Freddie Mercury (of the rock band Queen) biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody," because of his on-set behavior, including not showing up for work for over a week.
From BleedingCool: Bryan Singer claps back on Fox firing him from "Bohemian Rhapsody." He said that he was dealing with his own health issues and that of a parent.
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TELEVISION - From BleedingCool: On Christmas Day, the BBC will broadcast the first episode of its six-episode adaptation of Neil Gamain's novel, "Anansi Boys." Gaiman introduces the characters.
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 12/1 to 12/3/2017 weekend box office is Pixar's "Coco" with an estimated take of $26.1 million.
From THR: Pixar's "Coco" repeats at weekend box office champion with an estimated haul of $26.1 million.
From Variety: James Franco's "The Disaster Artist" tops specialty box office.
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SCANDAL - From Variety: Oscar-winning Geoffrey Rush resigns as president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against him.
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MOVIE AWARDS - From Variety: The Los Angeles Film Critics Association names "Call Me By Your Name" its best picture of 2017. Guillermo del Toro and Luca Guadagnino.
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COMICS-STREAMING - From DenofGeek: Here is a first look at Brenton Thwaites as "Robin," in "Titans," the TV series based on DC Comics' Teen Titans comic books.
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COMICS-FILM - From CinemaBlend: Haley Atwell returns as "Agent Sharon Carter," in the the animated TV series, "Marvel's Avengers: Secret Wars."
From DenofGeek: A schedule of upcoming "X-Men" franchise films to be released over the next few years.
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MOVIES - From WMagazine: A superb Daniel Day-Lewis piece in which the actor talks about leaving acting after his upcoming film, "Phantom Thread."
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STREAMING - From TheWrap: The "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" horror series is moving from The CW to Netflix.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Quentin Tarantino's upcoming so-called "Charles Manson movie" gets a release date, August 9, 2019, the 50th anniversary of Manson family cult members killing of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, the day after cult members killed actress Sharon Tate and four others.
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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist: The "Masters of the Universe" movie is on again, this time with writer David S. Goyer as director. You do know "Masters of the Universe," He-Man and all that? [I find Goyer to be a mixed bag - good or ugly, and who really wants a frickin' "Masters of the Universe" movie. - Leroy]
COMICS-FILM - From TheRinger: Marvel Studios has what everyone wants, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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CELEBRITY - From CNN: Britain Prince Harry and his wife to be, African-American actress, Meghan Markle, undertook their first official event together, a "walkabout" in the English city of Nottingham.
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MOVIE AWARDS - From TheWrap: The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) names "Lady Bird" its "Best Picture of 2017."
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: First official teaser trailer for "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."
OBIT:
From THR: The actor and singer, Jim Nabors, has died at the age of 87, November 30, 2017. Nabors was best known for playing the character "Gomer Pyle" in two hit TV series. Nabors appeared in Pyle in 23 episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and later in "Gomer Pyle, USMC" (1964-69). Nabors also recorded almost 30 albums, with about six being certified gold or platinum. [Rest in peace. - Leroy.]
SCANDAL - From Deadline: Bryan Singer's former lover talks about being "pulled into the director’s orbit of on-set visits, expensive private dinners, ready access to drugs and alcohol and sexual encounters with an ever-revolving cast of multiple participants."
----------
STAR TREK - From THR: Sir Patrick Stewart said that he would return to his signature role, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, for a Quentin Tarantino-directed "Star Trek."
----------
SCANDAL - From ThePlaylist: Director Bryan singer talks about being fired from "Bohemian Rhapsody" and being sued over rape allegations and more.
----------
STAR TREK - From Deadline: The Quentin Tarantino-J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" movie will be R-rated. Mark L. Smith ("The Revenant") is in the lead to be the writer.
----------
MOVIES - From THR: Ryan Reynolds will star in the live-action Pokemon movie, "Detective Pikachu."
----------
MOVIES - From TheNewYorkTimes: The paper names its best films of 2017
----------
CELEBRITY - From TheWrap: Top 20 highest paid actors in Hollywood are...
----------
STREAMING - From ShadowandAct: The Jordan Peele reboot of "The Twilight Zone" for CBS's streaming service, CBS All Access, is happening. Simon Kinberg and Marco Ramirez will also produce the series.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From ThePlaylist: Marvel Studios mastermind Kevin Feige is ready to play with the X-Men characters... if Disney/21st Century Fox deal goes through.
----------
MOVIES - From THR: Dexter Fletcher, director of "Eddie the Eagle" will replace the fired Bryan Singer as the director of the Queen biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody."
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: James Mangold ("Logan") to direct yet another film about Patty Hearst.
----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap: "Life, Itself," a film by "This is Us" creator, Dan Fogelman, lands at Amazon.
----------
BUISNESS - From CNBC: Disney and Fox are closing in on a deal which would give Disney Fox's studio and television production assets, leaving Fox with its news and sports assets. Fox's Nat Geo, Star, regional sports networks, movie studios and stakes in Sky and Hulu, among other properties may also be part of the potential $60 billion deal. Fox would also hold onto its news and business news divisions, broadcast network and Fox sports. Comcast is also a player interested in these Fox assets. Sony and Verizon are also said to be interested.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From ScreenRant: Is the "Demon Bear" the villain in Fox's X-Men spinoff flick, "The New Mutants."
----------
MOVIES - From BleedingCool: Bryan Singer's production company, Bad Hat Harry, is moving off the 20th Century Fox lot. Singer's long-term, first look deal with Fox expired this past October, and Fox declined to renew it.
----------
LGBTQ - From TheDailyBeast: Writer Ira Madison III discusses the much-talked about gay romance drama, "Call Me By Your Name," starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer.
----------
SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast: Talk show host and actor Dustin Hoffman have a heated exchange over sexual misconduct allegations against Hoffman.
----------
STAR TREK - From THR: Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams team up for a "Star Trek" movie.
-----------
MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Misha Green, the creator of the late WGN America series, "Underground," is developing a remake of the 1973 blaxploitation film, "Cleopatra Jones."
----------
MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Michael B. Jordan's film, "Just Mercy," which is being compared to "To Kill a Mockingbird," is due November 2018.
----------
MOVIES - From THR: 20th Century Fox has fired Bryan Singer ("X-Men") as director of the Freddie Mercury (of the rock band Queen) biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody," because of his on-set behavior, including not showing up for work for over a week.
From BleedingCool: Bryan Singer claps back on Fox firing him from "Bohemian Rhapsody." He said that he was dealing with his own health issues and that of a parent.
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TELEVISION - From BleedingCool: On Christmas Day, the BBC will broadcast the first episode of its six-episode adaptation of Neil Gamain's novel, "Anansi Boys." Gaiman introduces the characters.
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 12/1 to 12/3/2017 weekend box office is Pixar's "Coco" with an estimated take of $26.1 million.
From THR: Pixar's "Coco" repeats at weekend box office champion with an estimated haul of $26.1 million.
From Variety: James Franco's "The Disaster Artist" tops specialty box office.
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SCANDAL - From Variety: Oscar-winning Geoffrey Rush resigns as president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against him.
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MOVIE AWARDS - From Variety: The Los Angeles Film Critics Association names "Call Me By Your Name" its best picture of 2017. Guillermo del Toro and Luca Guadagnino.
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COMICS-STREAMING - From DenofGeek: Here is a first look at Brenton Thwaites as "Robin," in "Titans," the TV series based on DC Comics' Teen Titans comic books.
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COMICS-FILM - From CinemaBlend: Haley Atwell returns as "Agent Sharon Carter," in the the animated TV series, "Marvel's Avengers: Secret Wars."
From DenofGeek: A schedule of upcoming "X-Men" franchise films to be released over the next few years.
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MOVIES - From WMagazine: A superb Daniel Day-Lewis piece in which the actor talks about leaving acting after his upcoming film, "Phantom Thread."
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STREAMING - From TheWrap: The "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" horror series is moving from The CW to Netflix.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Quentin Tarantino's upcoming so-called "Charles Manson movie" gets a release date, August 9, 2019, the 50th anniversary of Manson family cult members killing of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, the day after cult members killed actress Sharon Tate and four others.
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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist: The "Masters of the Universe" movie is on again, this time with writer David S. Goyer as director. You do know "Masters of the Universe," He-Man and all that? [I find Goyer to be a mixed bag - good or ugly, and who really wants a frickin' "Masters of the Universe" movie. - Leroy]
COMICS-FILM - From TheRinger: Marvel Studios has what everyone wants, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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CELEBRITY - From CNN: Britain Prince Harry and his wife to be, African-American actress, Meghan Markle, undertook their first official event together, a "walkabout" in the English city of Nottingham.
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MOVIE AWARDS - From TheWrap: The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) names "Lady Bird" its "Best Picture of 2017."
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: First official teaser trailer for "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."
OBIT:
From THR: The actor and singer, Jim Nabors, has died at the age of 87, November 30, 2017. Nabors was best known for playing the character "Gomer Pyle" in two hit TV series. Nabors appeared in Pyle in 23 episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and later in "Gomer Pyle, USMC" (1964-69). Nabors also recorded almost 30 albums, with about six being certified gold or platinum. [Rest in peace. - Leroy.]
Friday, April 28, 2017
National Geographic Announces Second Season of "Genius"
National Geographic Announces Official Greenlight of Second Season of Scripted Anthology Series Genius
From Imagine Entertainment, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Fox 21 Television Studios, Next Profiled Genius Will Be Revealed During Season One Finale on June 20
Showrunner/Executive Producer Ken Biller and Executive Producer Gigi Pritzker On Board for Season Two
WASHINGTON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic announced today the official greenlight of a second season of the scripted anthology series Genius, which tells the untold stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators. The announcement comes as the first season is set to premiere tonight.
Season two will chronicle the life of another renowned mastermind and tell the untold narrative of the person behind the genius. The identity of this virtuoso will be revealed during the season one finale of Genius on June 20.
“We are thrilled to bring back Genius for a second season and establish National Geographic’s presence in scripted television. The Genius franchise has proved to be the epitome of the premium, smart and highly entertaining content that our brand embodies and our audience craves,” said CEO of National Geographic Global Networks Courteney Monroe.
“Season one of Genius tells the fascinating backstory of the influential physicist Albert Einstein, and we are excited to delve into the life of another brilliant icon in season two, continuing our successful partnership with National Geographic and Fox 21 Television Studios,” said executive producer Ron Howard. “But we also love a little mystery, so the world will have to wait until our season one finale on June 20 to see our big unveil of the season two genius.”
“Our friends at Nat Geo have been spectacular partners, and we’re excited to continue the journey with them next season,” commented Bert Salke, President of Fox 21 Television Studios. “Ron, Brian and Ken are master storytellers who have outdone themselves on this first installment, and considering the stellar work of our cast led by Geoffrey, Johnny and Emily, the bar for the franchise has been set incredibly high. But it is also so rich with possibilities, that we can’t wait to get to work identifying and profiling our next genius.”
“Einstein is a project that we have a long history with. It took several years of development, while diligently working to find the right avenue to tell this story,” added Pritzker. “Einstein lived a large and vibrant life during a tumultuous time in history. To be able to dive in with 10 hours of programming allowed us to tell the story of the man with the depth it deserved. It was a joy and we are thrilled to be partnered with Imagine and Nat Geo, and we look forward to future seasons of this series.”
Season two will again hail from Fox 21 Television Studios, whose recent “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” dominated every awards contest and critics’ list; Imagine Television and executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the team behind “24” and “Friday Night Lights”; OddLot Entertainment and executive producer Gigi Pritztker, which earlier this year produced the Academy Award-nominated film “Hell or High Water”; and show runner and executive producer Ken Biller. Also returning for season two are Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney from EUE/Sokolow as executive producers and co-executive producer Noah Pink.
Premiering Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 9/8c, the first season of Genius — based on Walter Isaacson’s book “Einstein: His Life and Universe” — reveals how Albert became Einstein, exploring his extraordinary professional achievements along with his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. Featuring Einstein’s lovers, enemies and fellow scientific luminaries, the all-star cast includes Geoffrey Rush (“The King’s Speech,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Shine”) as the celebrated titular scientist, Johnny Flynn (“Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Song One,” “Lovesick”) as Einstein in the years before he rose to international acclaim and Emily Watson (“The Theory of Everything,” “The Book Thief”) as his second wife — and first cousin — Elsa Einstein.
Genius season one is executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo, and co-produced by Anna Culp; showrunner, executive producer and writer is Ken Biller. From OddLot Entertainment, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane are executive producers and Melissa Rucker is co-producer. Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney from EUE/Sokolow are also executive producers. Writer Noah Pink, who adapted the series for television, is co-executive producer. For National Geographic, Carolyn G. Bernstein is executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production. The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television.
For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or or follow on Twitter using @NGC_PR.
About National Geographic Partners LLC:
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 128 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 171 countries and 45 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
About Fox 21 Television Studios:
Fox 21 Television Studios is a production unit housed within Fox Television Group that is devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions), the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson; the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Homeland,” starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin; the critically acclaimed “The Americans” (with FX Productions) starring Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell; “Dice,” from Scot Armstrong, Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Richard Shepard, Bruce Rubenstein and Andrew Dice Clay; “Queen of the South,” executive produced by David T. Friendly and Natalie Chaidez; and “Chance” from Kem Nunn, Alexandra Cunningham, Lenny Abrahamson, Michael London and Brian Grazer. Upcoming series include Genius (with Imagine, OddLot Entertainment and EUE/Sokolow) from Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, Sam Sokolow, Jeff Cooney, Ken Biller and Noah Pink; “Seven Seconds” from Veena Sud; and Ryan Murphy’s latest anthology, “FEUD: Bette and Joan,” starring Oscar winners Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon.
About Imagine Entertainment:
Imagine Entertainment was founded in 1986 by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer to create independently produced feature films, television programs and other original programming. Imagine Entertainment has been honored with more than 60 prestigious awards including 10 Academy Awards and 42 Emmy awards. Past productions include the Academy Award Best Picture winner “A Beautiful Mind” as well as Grammy Award Best Film winner “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years.” Additional films include “Get on Up,” “Rush,” “J. Edgar,” “Frost/Nixon,” “American Gangster,” “The Da Vinci Code,” “Apollo 13,” “8 Mile,” “Liar, Liar,” “Backdraft” and “Parenthood,” to name a few. Upcoming films include “Lowriders,” “The Dark Tower” and “American Made.” Television productions include Fox’s “Empire” and “24” franchise; Nat Geo’s MARS and Breakthrough; NBC’s “Parenthood” and “Friday Night Lights”; Fox’s and Netflix’s “Arrested Development”; and HBO’s “From the Earth to the Moon,” for which Howard and Grazer won the Emmy for Outstanding Mini-Series. Upcoming television productions include Fox’s “Shots Fired” and Nat Geo’s Genius. Howard and Grazer began their collaboration in 1985 with the hit comedies “Night Shift” and “Splash,” and continue to run Imagine Entertainment as chairmen.
About OddLot Entertainment:
Founded in 2001 by producer Gigi Pritzker, OddLot Entertainment is a film and television production company that develops, produces, finances and arranges distribution for quality commercial properties for the U.S. and international markets. OddLot teams with first-class filmmakers and provides them with resources that go far beyond equity investment to produce a range of high-quality films. Most recently, OddLot produced the Academy Award-nominated film “Hell or High Water,” written by Taylor Sheridan and starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, for CBS Films. OddLot’s past releases include the 2010 Academy Award-nominated drama “Rabbit Hole,” starring Nicole Kidman; “The Way Way Back,” starring Steve Carell; “Drive,” starring Ryan Gosling; the futuristic sci-fi film “Ender’s Game”; and Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, “Rosewater.” OddLot CEO Pritzker is part of a consortium that launched the film studio STX Entertainment founded by producer Robert Simonds. OddLot has a preferential co-producing, financing and development deal with STX. The company is based in Los Angeles, California, and is a subsidiary of Madison Wells Media, a diversified premium content company.
About EUE/Sokolow:
Founded in 2010 by producer/director Jeff Cooney and veteran television producer Sam Sokolow, EUE/Sokolow is an independent television studio that develops, finances, produces and arranges the distribution of premium television shows and content. EUE/Sokolow attracts high-end talent to develop television properties in a forward thinking business model designed for today’s global television marketplace. Recently, EUE/Sokolow independently produced pilot/presentations of “Co-Op”, a television show created by and starring Zachary Levi and written & directed by Nancy Hower & John Lehr; “Diplomatic Immunity”, a comedy starring Australian comedy troupe The Peloton; “Shalom Y’all”, a comedy by showrunner Caryn Lucas based on the work of Julia Fowler; “Win With Les”, starring Josh Lucas and created and written by Blair Singer; and are in development with Jaleel White and Pitbull’s Honey, I’m Home Inc on a currently untitled original digital series. Since opening their doors, Cooney & Sokolow have set up shows at HBO, ABC, NBC, Freeform, Nat Geo, TNT, E!, Lifetime Movie Network & OWN. EUE/Sokolow is a subsidiary of EUE/Screen Gems, whose infrastructure includes studio complexes in Atlanta, Wilmington and Miami that have been home to productions such as “Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” (Lionsgate), “Sleepy Hollow” (Fox), “Iron Man 3” (Marvel Studios), “Six” (A&E/History Channel), “The Conjuring” (New Line Cinema), “Under the Dome” (CBS), “East Bound and Down” (HBO).
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From Imagine Entertainment, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Fox 21 Television Studios, Next Profiled Genius Will Be Revealed During Season One Finale on June 20
Showrunner/Executive Producer Ken Biller and Executive Producer Gigi Pritzker On Board for Season Two
WASHINGTON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic announced today the official greenlight of a second season of the scripted anthology series Genius, which tells the untold stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators. The announcement comes as the first season is set to premiere tonight.
Season two will chronicle the life of another renowned mastermind and tell the untold narrative of the person behind the genius. The identity of this virtuoso will be revealed during the season one finale of Genius on June 20.
“We are thrilled to bring back Genius for a second season and establish National Geographic’s presence in scripted television. The Genius franchise has proved to be the epitome of the premium, smart and highly entertaining content that our brand embodies and our audience craves,” said CEO of National Geographic Global Networks Courteney Monroe.
“Season one of Genius tells the fascinating backstory of the influential physicist Albert Einstein, and we are excited to delve into the life of another brilliant icon in season two, continuing our successful partnership with National Geographic and Fox 21 Television Studios,” said executive producer Ron Howard. “But we also love a little mystery, so the world will have to wait until our season one finale on June 20 to see our big unveil of the season two genius.”
“Our friends at Nat Geo have been spectacular partners, and we’re excited to continue the journey with them next season,” commented Bert Salke, President of Fox 21 Television Studios. “Ron, Brian and Ken are master storytellers who have outdone themselves on this first installment, and considering the stellar work of our cast led by Geoffrey, Johnny and Emily, the bar for the franchise has been set incredibly high. But it is also so rich with possibilities, that we can’t wait to get to work identifying and profiling our next genius.”
“Einstein is a project that we have a long history with. It took several years of development, while diligently working to find the right avenue to tell this story,” added Pritzker. “Einstein lived a large and vibrant life during a tumultuous time in history. To be able to dive in with 10 hours of programming allowed us to tell the story of the man with the depth it deserved. It was a joy and we are thrilled to be partnered with Imagine and Nat Geo, and we look forward to future seasons of this series.”
Season two will again hail from Fox 21 Television Studios, whose recent “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” dominated every awards contest and critics’ list; Imagine Television and executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the team behind “24” and “Friday Night Lights”; OddLot Entertainment and executive producer Gigi Pritztker, which earlier this year produced the Academy Award-nominated film “Hell or High Water”; and show runner and executive producer Ken Biller. Also returning for season two are Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney from EUE/Sokolow as executive producers and co-executive producer Noah Pink.
Premiering Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 9/8c, the first season of Genius — based on Walter Isaacson’s book “Einstein: His Life and Universe” — reveals how Albert became Einstein, exploring his extraordinary professional achievements along with his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. Featuring Einstein’s lovers, enemies and fellow scientific luminaries, the all-star cast includes Geoffrey Rush (“The King’s Speech,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Shine”) as the celebrated titular scientist, Johnny Flynn (“Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Song One,” “Lovesick”) as Einstein in the years before he rose to international acclaim and Emily Watson (“The Theory of Everything,” “The Book Thief”) as his second wife — and first cousin — Elsa Einstein.
Genius season one is executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo, and co-produced by Anna Culp; showrunner, executive producer and writer is Ken Biller. From OddLot Entertainment, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane are executive producers and Melissa Rucker is co-producer. Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney from EUE/Sokolow are also executive producers. Writer Noah Pink, who adapted the series for television, is co-executive producer. For National Geographic, Carolyn G. Bernstein is executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production. The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television.
For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or or follow on Twitter using @NGC_PR.
About National Geographic Partners LLC:
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 128 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 171 countries and 45 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
About Fox 21 Television Studios:
Fox 21 Television Studios is a production unit housed within Fox Television Group that is devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions), the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson; the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Homeland,” starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin; the critically acclaimed “The Americans” (with FX Productions) starring Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell; “Dice,” from Scot Armstrong, Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Richard Shepard, Bruce Rubenstein and Andrew Dice Clay; “Queen of the South,” executive produced by David T. Friendly and Natalie Chaidez; and “Chance” from Kem Nunn, Alexandra Cunningham, Lenny Abrahamson, Michael London and Brian Grazer. Upcoming series include Genius (with Imagine, OddLot Entertainment and EUE/Sokolow) from Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, Sam Sokolow, Jeff Cooney, Ken Biller and Noah Pink; “Seven Seconds” from Veena Sud; and Ryan Murphy’s latest anthology, “FEUD: Bette and Joan,” starring Oscar winners Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon.
About Imagine Entertainment:
Imagine Entertainment was founded in 1986 by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer to create independently produced feature films, television programs and other original programming. Imagine Entertainment has been honored with more than 60 prestigious awards including 10 Academy Awards and 42 Emmy awards. Past productions include the Academy Award Best Picture winner “A Beautiful Mind” as well as Grammy Award Best Film winner “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years.” Additional films include “Get on Up,” “Rush,” “J. Edgar,” “Frost/Nixon,” “American Gangster,” “The Da Vinci Code,” “Apollo 13,” “8 Mile,” “Liar, Liar,” “Backdraft” and “Parenthood,” to name a few. Upcoming films include “Lowriders,” “The Dark Tower” and “American Made.” Television productions include Fox’s “Empire” and “24” franchise; Nat Geo’s MARS and Breakthrough; NBC’s “Parenthood” and “Friday Night Lights”; Fox’s and Netflix’s “Arrested Development”; and HBO’s “From the Earth to the Moon,” for which Howard and Grazer won the Emmy for Outstanding Mini-Series. Upcoming television productions include Fox’s “Shots Fired” and Nat Geo’s Genius. Howard and Grazer began their collaboration in 1985 with the hit comedies “Night Shift” and “Splash,” and continue to run Imagine Entertainment as chairmen.
About OddLot Entertainment:
Founded in 2001 by producer Gigi Pritzker, OddLot Entertainment is a film and television production company that develops, produces, finances and arranges distribution for quality commercial properties for the U.S. and international markets. OddLot teams with first-class filmmakers and provides them with resources that go far beyond equity investment to produce a range of high-quality films. Most recently, OddLot produced the Academy Award-nominated film “Hell or High Water,” written by Taylor Sheridan and starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, for CBS Films. OddLot’s past releases include the 2010 Academy Award-nominated drama “Rabbit Hole,” starring Nicole Kidman; “The Way Way Back,” starring Steve Carell; “Drive,” starring Ryan Gosling; the futuristic sci-fi film “Ender’s Game”; and Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, “Rosewater.” OddLot CEO Pritzker is part of a consortium that launched the film studio STX Entertainment founded by producer Robert Simonds. OddLot has a preferential co-producing, financing and development deal with STX. The company is based in Los Angeles, California, and is a subsidiary of Madison Wells Media, a diversified premium content company.
About EUE/Sokolow:
Founded in 2010 by producer/director Jeff Cooney and veteran television producer Sam Sokolow, EUE/Sokolow is an independent television studio that develops, finances, produces and arranges the distribution of premium television shows and content. EUE/Sokolow attracts high-end talent to develop television properties in a forward thinking business model designed for today’s global television marketplace. Recently, EUE/Sokolow independently produced pilot/presentations of “Co-Op”, a television show created by and starring Zachary Levi and written & directed by Nancy Hower & John Lehr; “Diplomatic Immunity”, a comedy starring Australian comedy troupe The Peloton; “Shalom Y’all”, a comedy by showrunner Caryn Lucas based on the work of Julia Fowler; “Win With Les”, starring Josh Lucas and created and written by Blair Singer; and are in development with Jaleel White and Pitbull’s Honey, I’m Home Inc on a currently untitled original digital series. Since opening their doors, Cooney & Sokolow have set up shows at HBO, ABC, NBC, Freeform, Nat Geo, TNT, E!, Lifetime Movie Network & OWN. EUE/Sokolow is a subsidiary of EUE/Screen Gems, whose infrastructure includes studio complexes in Atlanta, Wilmington and Miami that have been home to productions such as “Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” (Lionsgate), “Sleepy Hollow” (Fox), “Iron Man 3” (Marvel Studios), “Six” (A&E/History Channel), “The Conjuring” (New Line Cinema), “Under the Dome” (CBS), “East Bound and Down” (HBO).
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Thursday, August 18, 2016
Geoffrey Rush is Albert Einstein in "Genius"
Academy Award-Winning Actor Geoffrey Rush to Star as Albert Einstein in GENIUS from National Geographic Channel, Imagine Television and Fox 21 Television Studios
Newcomer Johnny Flynn Set to Star as Young Einstein
Production Begins Next Month on 10-Episode Anthology Series with Academy Award-Winner Ron Howard to Direct First Episode
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Academy Award-, Golden Globe-, Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Geoffrey Rush (“The Kings Speech,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Shine”) has been cast in National Geographic Channel’s upcoming global anthology series GENIUS, from Fox 21 Television Studios (“Homeland,” “The People v. O.J. Simpson”), Imagine Television (“24,” “Empire”), OddLot Entertainment and EUE/Sokolow. Rush will star as Albert Einstein in the first-ever scripted series for the network. The story is based on Walter Isaacson’s critically acclaimed biography of the celebrated scientist, and the first episode will be directed by Imagine’s Ron Howard, his first time directing a scripted prime-time drama. Production begins next month in Prague, and will air in 2017 on the National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and 45 languages.
“It’s a testament to Ron, our team of creative partners and this fantastic material that we have put together such a powerhouse cast, led by the great Geoffrey Rush”
Joining Rush in the cast is Johnny Flynn (“Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Song One,” “Lovesick”), who will play Einstein in the years before he rose to international attention and acclaim. Through 10 episodes, GENIUS will chart how an imaginative, rebellious patent clerk, who couldn’t get a teaching job or a doctorate, unlocked the mysteries of the atom and the universe. Each episode will explore Einstein’s extraordinary scientific achievements, along with his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships.
“The caliber of the GENIUS cast lives up to the show’s title,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production, National Geographic Channel. “The supremely talented Geoffrey Rush is dream casting for the role of Albert Einstein, and Johnny Flynn not only is an incredible talent but also bears more than a passing resemblance to Rush. We couldn’t be more excited to get them to work with Ron and the rest of the team.”
“It’s a testament to Ron, our team of creative partners and this fantastic material that we have put together such a powerhouse cast, led by the great Geoffrey Rush,” commented Bert Salke, president of Fox 21 Television Studios. “This truly has all the ingredients to be a special series.”
“National Geographic’s unwavering commitment to excellence and their support and passion for this project has helped us attract talent such as Geoffrey and Johnny. My excitement for this project grows every day, and I cannot wait to get started,” added Howard.
After more than two decades as a stage and film actor, Australian-born Geoffrey Rush burst into the mainstream with the role of a lifetime as piano prodigy David Helfgott in “Shine,” for which he received an Academy Award, Golden Globe award, BAFTA award and Australian Film Institute Award. Since then he has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable talents, with critically acclaimed roles in “Shakespeare in Love,” “Quills,” “The Kings Speech” and the “Pirates of Caribbean” franchise. He also won an Emmy award for his performance in the titular role of the television movie “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,” and a Tony Award for lead actor in a play for Broadway’s “Exit the King.”
British actor and musician Johnny Flynn was nominated as the London Newcomer of the Year at the 2012 What’s On Stage Awards for his performance in “The Heretic” (Royal Court) and went on to gain his first Olivier Award nomination for “Jerusalem” (West End) that year. More recently, Johnny starred in Martin McDonagh’s huge hit “Hangmen” originating at the Royal Court and transferring to the West End. Other theater credits include “TWELFTH NIGHT/RICHARD III” with Mark Rylance (Globe/West End) and “THE LOW ROAD” (Royal Court). He co-starred with Anne Hathaway in the feature film “Song One,” for which The Hollywood Reporter called his performance “captivating” when it premiered at Sundance in 2014, and also appeared in the features “Clouds of Sils Maria” and “Love Is Thicker Than Water.” Flynn has had roles on several British television series, including “Lovesick” and “Brotherhood.” He is also the lead singer of the English folk band Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, which has released three albums.
Each season of GENIUS will dramatize the fascinating stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators. The first season will be based on Walter Isaacson’s critically acclaimed book “Einstein: His Life and Universe,” adapted by writer Noah Pink. The series will be executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo, and co-produced by Anna Culp; from OddLot Entertainment, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane will executive produce and Melissa Rucker will co-produce; and Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney from EUE/Sokolow will also executive produce. Pink will also co-executive produce alongside showrunner Ken Biller. For National Geographic Channels, Carolyn G. Bernstein is executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production.
For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or follow on Twitter using @NGC_PR.
About National Geographic Channel
The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society’s mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.
About Fox 21 Television Studios
Fox 21 Television Studios is a production unit housed within Fox Television Group devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for the sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions); the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Homeland” starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin; the critically acclaimed “The Americans” (with FX Productions) starring Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell; Brannon Braga and Adam Simon’s “Salem”; and Howard Gordon’s “Tyrant.” New series include Fox 21 TVS’ “Dice,” from Scot Armstrong, Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Richard Shepard, Bruce Rubenstein and Andrew Dice Clay; “Queen of the South,” from M.A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller, David T. Friendly and Pancho Mansfield; and “Chance” from Kem Nunn, Alexandra Cunningham, Lenny Abrahamson, Michael London and Brian Grazer.
About OddLot Entertainment
OddLot Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based film and television production company that develops, produces, finances and arranges distribution for quality commercial properties for the U.S. and international markets. In addition, OddLot CEO Gigi Pritzker is part of a consortium that launched the next-generation film studio STX Entertainment founded by producer Robert Simonds. OddLot has produced the Academy Award-nominated drama “Rabbit Hole” starring Nicole Kidman; “The Way, Way Back” starring Steve Carell; “Drive” starring Ryan Gosling; the futuristic sci-fi film “Ender’s Game”; and Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, “Rosewater.”
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Newcomer Johnny Flynn Set to Star as Young Einstein
Production Begins Next Month on 10-Episode Anthology Series with Academy Award-Winner Ron Howard to Direct First Episode
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Academy Award-, Golden Globe-, Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Geoffrey Rush (“The Kings Speech,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Shine”) has been cast in National Geographic Channel’s upcoming global anthology series GENIUS, from Fox 21 Television Studios (“Homeland,” “The People v. O.J. Simpson”), Imagine Television (“24,” “Empire”), OddLot Entertainment and EUE/Sokolow. Rush will star as Albert Einstein in the first-ever scripted series for the network. The story is based on Walter Isaacson’s critically acclaimed biography of the celebrated scientist, and the first episode will be directed by Imagine’s Ron Howard, his first time directing a scripted prime-time drama. Production begins next month in Prague, and will air in 2017 on the National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and 45 languages.
“It’s a testament to Ron, our team of creative partners and this fantastic material that we have put together such a powerhouse cast, led by the great Geoffrey Rush”
Joining Rush in the cast is Johnny Flynn (“Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Song One,” “Lovesick”), who will play Einstein in the years before he rose to international attention and acclaim. Through 10 episodes, GENIUS will chart how an imaginative, rebellious patent clerk, who couldn’t get a teaching job or a doctorate, unlocked the mysteries of the atom and the universe. Each episode will explore Einstein’s extraordinary scientific achievements, along with his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships.
“The caliber of the GENIUS cast lives up to the show’s title,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production, National Geographic Channel. “The supremely talented Geoffrey Rush is dream casting for the role of Albert Einstein, and Johnny Flynn not only is an incredible talent but also bears more than a passing resemblance to Rush. We couldn’t be more excited to get them to work with Ron and the rest of the team.”
“It’s a testament to Ron, our team of creative partners and this fantastic material that we have put together such a powerhouse cast, led by the great Geoffrey Rush,” commented Bert Salke, president of Fox 21 Television Studios. “This truly has all the ingredients to be a special series.”
“National Geographic’s unwavering commitment to excellence and their support and passion for this project has helped us attract talent such as Geoffrey and Johnny. My excitement for this project grows every day, and I cannot wait to get started,” added Howard.
After more than two decades as a stage and film actor, Australian-born Geoffrey Rush burst into the mainstream with the role of a lifetime as piano prodigy David Helfgott in “Shine,” for which he received an Academy Award, Golden Globe award, BAFTA award and Australian Film Institute Award. Since then he has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable talents, with critically acclaimed roles in “Shakespeare in Love,” “Quills,” “The Kings Speech” and the “Pirates of Caribbean” franchise. He also won an Emmy award for his performance in the titular role of the television movie “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,” and a Tony Award for lead actor in a play for Broadway’s “Exit the King.”
British actor and musician Johnny Flynn was nominated as the London Newcomer of the Year at the 2012 What’s On Stage Awards for his performance in “The Heretic” (Royal Court) and went on to gain his first Olivier Award nomination for “Jerusalem” (West End) that year. More recently, Johnny starred in Martin McDonagh’s huge hit “Hangmen” originating at the Royal Court and transferring to the West End. Other theater credits include “TWELFTH NIGHT/RICHARD III” with Mark Rylance (Globe/West End) and “THE LOW ROAD” (Royal Court). He co-starred with Anne Hathaway in the feature film “Song One,” for which The Hollywood Reporter called his performance “captivating” when it premiered at Sundance in 2014, and also appeared in the features “Clouds of Sils Maria” and “Love Is Thicker Than Water.” Flynn has had roles on several British television series, including “Lovesick” and “Brotherhood.” He is also the lead singer of the English folk band Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, which has released three albums.
Each season of GENIUS will dramatize the fascinating stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators. The first season will be based on Walter Isaacson’s critically acclaimed book “Einstein: His Life and Universe,” adapted by writer Noah Pink. The series will be executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo, and co-produced by Anna Culp; from OddLot Entertainment, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane will executive produce and Melissa Rucker will co-produce; and Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney from EUE/Sokolow will also executive produce. Pink will also co-executive produce alongside showrunner Ken Biller. For National Geographic Channels, Carolyn G. Bernstein is executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production.
For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or follow on Twitter using @NGC_PR.
About National Geographic Channel
The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society’s mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.
About Fox 21 Television Studios
Fox 21 Television Studios is a production unit housed within Fox Television Group devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for the sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions); the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Homeland” starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin; the critically acclaimed “The Americans” (with FX Productions) starring Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell; Brannon Braga and Adam Simon’s “Salem”; and Howard Gordon’s “Tyrant.” New series include Fox 21 TVS’ “Dice,” from Scot Armstrong, Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Richard Shepard, Bruce Rubenstein and Andrew Dice Clay; “Queen of the South,” from M.A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller, David T. Friendly and Pancho Mansfield; and “Chance” from Kem Nunn, Alexandra Cunningham, Lenny Abrahamson, Michael London and Brian Grazer.
About OddLot Entertainment
OddLot Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based film and television production company that develops, produces, finances and arranges distribution for quality commercial properties for the U.S. and international markets. In addition, OddLot CEO Gigi Pritzker is part of a consortium that launched the next-generation film studio STX Entertainment founded by producer Robert Simonds. OddLot has produced the Academy Award-nominated drama “Rabbit Hole” starring Nicole Kidman; “The Way, Way Back” starring Steve Carell; “Drive” starring Ryan Gosling; the futuristic sci-fi film “Ender’s Game”; and Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, “Rosewater.”
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Friday, November 25, 2011
"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" a Good Trip
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
Running time: 137 minutes (2 hours, 17 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images
DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall
WRITERS: Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio; from a screen story by Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (based upon characters created by Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert, and Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio; suggested by the novel, On Stranger Tides, by Tim Powers, and based upon Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean)
PRODUCER: Jerry Bruckheimer
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dariusz Wolski (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: David Brenner, Michael Kahn, and Wyatt Smith
COMPOSER: Hans Zimmer
ACTION/FANTASY/ADVENTURE
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Sam Clafin, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Stephen Graham, Richard Griffiths, Greg Ellis, Damian O’Hare, Judi Dench, and Keith Richards
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a 2011 fantasy adventure film and pirate movie. It is also the fourth movie in the film franchise that began with Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003. This film draws its inspiration from the 1987 historical fantasy novel, On Stranger Tides, by Tim Powers. On Stranger Tides the movie has the world’s most infamous pirates on a quest to find the Fountain of Youth.
After failing to rescue his first mate, Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin McNally), Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is taken before King George II of England (Richard Griffiths). The King forces Jack to guide an expedition to find the Fountain of Youth. Much to his chagrin, Jack discovers that his old nemesis, Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), is heading the expedition.
Jack escapes and learns that someone is pretending to be him and is enlisting a crew for a rival expedition to find the Fountain. Then, he crosses paths with a woman from his past, the lovely Spaniard, Angelica (Penelope Cruz), and her father, the ruthless pirate, Blackbeard (Ian McShane), who uses voodoo magic and possesses supernatural powers and a magical sword. Kidnapped and taken aboard Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, Jack is forced to guide Blackbeard’s expedition to find the Fountain of Youth. This journey will take Jack places where nothing is as it seems and connect him with people who never tell the truth. And who is more dangerous – Blackbeard or Angelica?
I avoided going to the theatre this past summer to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides because, quite frankly, I’d had enough of the franchise. I liked the first film; really hated the second (Dead Man’s Chest); and really liked the third (At World’s End), but I was exhausted of the repeated showings of the films, especially the second and third, on various cable networks.
The first good move the filmmakers made with On Stranger Tides was to strip it down of characters and elements. It’s still ostentatious and is still filled with big set pieces, big action scenes, and big characters, and there are actors willing to give the kind of loud performances that bring these flamboyant characters to life.
After saying that, I know that it is hard to believe that it is possible for this gaudy, immodest Hollywood franchise to be stripped down. However, only three characters from the earlier films return for On Stranger Tides: Jack Sparrow, Hector Barbossa, and Joshamee Gibbs. Rather than have several subplots stretched over multiple locales, On Stranger Tides focuses on Sparrow, Barbossa, Blackbeard, and Angelica’s quest to find the Fountain of Youth, which involves only three locales: England, the sea, and Whitecap Bay (the area where the Fountain can be found). Screenwriters Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio basically create a straight line from mission start, the quest, and the goal – beginning, middle, and end – without too much in the way of side stories or sidetracks.
I think the addition of two fine actors, Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz as Blackbeard and Angelica respectively, was the move that paid off most for On Stranger Tides. Both are good characters and they add freshness to this franchise. It is as if On Stranger Tides exists outside the other films, which is a good thing. The audience doesn’t need to have seen the other films to enjoy this one. Indeed, some may need to forget the first three in order to give this lively and entertaining, big budget flick the benefit of the doubt.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is everything you liked about the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (exotic locales, eccentric characters, the supernatural, etc.) without a horde of characters. Now, there is no reason not to like it.
7 of 10
B+
Friday, November 25, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean 4 on DVD Tuesday, October 18th
Dive Deeper Into the Epic Quest to Find The Fountain of Youth
Johnny Depp is Back as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
Grossing Over $1 Billion at the Worldwide Box Office, One of the Biggest Films of All Time Sails Home on Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Blu-ray 3D™ on October 18th
The Walt Disney Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Films are proud to present the #1 worldwide box office success of 2011 - making over $1 billion globally - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in stunning high definition Blu-ray™, eye popping Blu-ray 3D™ (a first for the legendary franchise) and Movie Download on October 18, 2011.
Setting sail on an ocean full of hi-def adventures, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will debut in a Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy), a 2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD), and for the ultimate fan a 15-Disc Four Movie Collection. Additionally the movie will be available in 3D and High-Definition Movie Download.
The Limited Edition 5-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack includes hours of bonus materials offering fans a deeper dive inside Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides including immersive Disney Second Screen technology, exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, Fountain of Youth mythology, an extensive look at mermaids, bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, and much more.
In addition, the Pirates of the Caribbean 15-Disc Four Movie Collection offers fans more adventures than ever before. The Collection is packaged in an authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, and includes a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case that holds the Blu-ray™ discs and digital copies of ALL four Pirates of the Caribbean movies, along with the Blu-ray 3D™ disc and DVD of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Rob Marshall (Nine, Chicago), and written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, National Treasure 2, Mask of Zorro), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the latest addition to the incredibly successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that has for years entertained audiences of all ages with its thrilling adventures, hi-tech special effects and unique storylines.
Back as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp (Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Alice in Wonderland) returns leading a sensational cast of talents that includes Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech), Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and more.
The visually stunning film shot in high-definition 3D invites viewers to embark on an adventure-filled ride with Captain Jack Sparrow as he searches for the breathtaking Fountain of Youth. Along the turbulent trip, fans are forced to re-think their knowledge of fairytale creatures when they are introduced to a group of alluring yet precarious mermaids, traverse isolated islands and fight international enemies.
Details:
2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray™ + 1-Disc DVD) SRP = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
• Disney Second Screen
• Bloopers of the Caribbean
• Audio Commentary by director Rob Marshall
• LEGO Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick Tales
Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D™ + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy) SRP = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
All of the above features plus…
• Legends of On Stranger Tides
• In Search of the Fountain
• Last Sail/First Voyage
• Under the Scene: Bringing Mermaids to Life
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Intros by director Rob Marshall
Limited Edition 15-Disc Four Movie Collection SRP = $169.99 U.S./$189.99 Canada
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy )
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy )
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D +2-Disc Blu-ray+Digital Copy+1-Disc DVD)
• 1-Disc Blu-ray bonus disc that includes all-new never-before-seen short film “Wedlocked”
• Authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case.
• And much more…
High Definition Movie Download SRP = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
• Bloopers of the Caribbean
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Intros by director Rob Marshall
• LEGO Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick Tales
3D Movie Download SRP = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
Disc Specifications:
STREET DATE: October 18, 2011
Suggested Retail Prices: 2-Disc Combo Pack = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
5-Disc Combo Pack = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
15-Disc Four Movie Collection = $169.99 U.S./$189.99 Canada
High Definition Movie Download = $39.99 U.S./46.99 Canada
3D Movie Download = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
Feature Run Time: 136 minutes
Rating: U.S. = PG-13 (Not Recommended for Young Children & Frightening Scenes)
Canada = PG (Not Recommended for Young Children & Frightening Scenes) **Bonus Material Not Rated
Presentation: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = 1080p High Definition 2.40:1
DVD = Widescreen 2.40:1 – Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions
Audio/Language: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HD MA (48kHz/24-bit), English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 DVS Dolby Digital, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital (3D Blu-ray), French, Spanish 7.1 DTS0HD HR (Blu-ray)
DVD = English, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = English SDH, French, Spanish
DVD = English SDH, French Spanish **applies to film content only
Film Synopsis:
From Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes all the fun, epic adventure and humor that ignited the original. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. A tale of truth, betrayal, youth, demise — and mermaids! When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love or if she’s a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Forced aboard the ship of the most feared pirate ever, Jack doesn’t know who to fear more —Blackbeard (Ian McShane) or the woman from his past. Directed by Rob Marshall, it’s filled with eye-popping battle scenes, mystery and all-out wit.
Social Media:
For those who would like to stay connected with the world of Pirates are encouraged to:
• “Like” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PiratesoftheCaribbean
• Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DisneyPirates
• Visit the website and mobile site: www.disney.com/pirates
About Walt Disney Studios:
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit http://www.disney.com/.
Johnny Depp is Back as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
Grossing Over $1 Billion at the Worldwide Box Office, One of the Biggest Films of All Time Sails Home on Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Blu-ray 3D™ on October 18th
The Walt Disney Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Films are proud to present the #1 worldwide box office success of 2011 - making over $1 billion globally - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in stunning high definition Blu-ray™, eye popping Blu-ray 3D™ (a first for the legendary franchise) and Movie Download on October 18, 2011.
Setting sail on an ocean full of hi-def adventures, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will debut in a Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy), a 2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD), and for the ultimate fan a 15-Disc Four Movie Collection. Additionally the movie will be available in 3D and High-Definition Movie Download.
The Limited Edition 5-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack includes hours of bonus materials offering fans a deeper dive inside Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides including immersive Disney Second Screen technology, exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, Fountain of Youth mythology, an extensive look at mermaids, bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, and much more.
In addition, the Pirates of the Caribbean 15-Disc Four Movie Collection offers fans more adventures than ever before. The Collection is packaged in an authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, and includes a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case that holds the Blu-ray™ discs and digital copies of ALL four Pirates of the Caribbean movies, along with the Blu-ray 3D™ disc and DVD of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Rob Marshall (Nine, Chicago), and written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, National Treasure 2, Mask of Zorro), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the latest addition to the incredibly successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that has for years entertained audiences of all ages with its thrilling adventures, hi-tech special effects and unique storylines.
Back as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp (Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Alice in Wonderland) returns leading a sensational cast of talents that includes Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech), Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and more.
The visually stunning film shot in high-definition 3D invites viewers to embark on an adventure-filled ride with Captain Jack Sparrow as he searches for the breathtaking Fountain of Youth. Along the turbulent trip, fans are forced to re-think their knowledge of fairytale creatures when they are introduced to a group of alluring yet precarious mermaids, traverse isolated islands and fight international enemies.
Details:
2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray™ + 1-Disc DVD) SRP = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
• Disney Second Screen
• Bloopers of the Caribbean
• Audio Commentary by director Rob Marshall
• LEGO Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick Tales
Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D™ + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy) SRP = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
All of the above features plus…
• Legends of On Stranger Tides
• In Search of the Fountain
• Last Sail/First Voyage
• Under the Scene: Bringing Mermaids to Life
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Intros by director Rob Marshall
Limited Edition 15-Disc Four Movie Collection SRP = $169.99 U.S./$189.99 Canada
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy )
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy )
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D +2-Disc Blu-ray+Digital Copy+1-Disc DVD)
• 1-Disc Blu-ray bonus disc that includes all-new never-before-seen short film “Wedlocked”
• Authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case.
• And much more…
High Definition Movie Download SRP = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
• Bloopers of the Caribbean
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Intros by director Rob Marshall
• LEGO Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick Tales
3D Movie Download SRP = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
Disc Specifications:
STREET DATE: October 18, 2011
Suggested Retail Prices: 2-Disc Combo Pack = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
5-Disc Combo Pack = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
15-Disc Four Movie Collection = $169.99 U.S./$189.99 Canada
High Definition Movie Download = $39.99 U.S./46.99 Canada
3D Movie Download = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
Feature Run Time: 136 minutes
Rating: U.S. = PG-13 (Not Recommended for Young Children & Frightening Scenes)
Canada = PG (Not Recommended for Young Children & Frightening Scenes) **Bonus Material Not Rated
Presentation: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = 1080p High Definition 2.40:1
DVD = Widescreen 2.40:1 – Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions
Audio/Language: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HD MA (48kHz/24-bit), English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 DVS Dolby Digital, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital (3D Blu-ray), French, Spanish 7.1 DTS0HD HR (Blu-ray)
DVD = English, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = English SDH, French, Spanish
DVD = English SDH, French Spanish **applies to film content only
Film Synopsis:
From Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes all the fun, epic adventure and humor that ignited the original. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. A tale of truth, betrayal, youth, demise — and mermaids! When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love or if she’s a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Forced aboard the ship of the most feared pirate ever, Jack doesn’t know who to fear more —Blackbeard (Ian McShane) or the woman from his past. Directed by Rob Marshall, it’s filled with eye-popping battle scenes, mystery and all-out wit.
Social Media:
For those who would like to stay connected with the world of Pirates are encouraged to:
• “Like” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PiratesoftheCaribbean
• Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DisneyPirates
• Visit the website and mobile site: www.disney.com/pirates
About Walt Disney Studios:
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit http://www.disney.com/.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Review: "Shakespeare in Love" is Always a Delight (Happy B'day, Gwyneth Paltrow)
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Running time: 122 minutes (2 hours, 2 minutes)
MPAA – R for sexuality
DIRECTOR: John Madden
WRITERS: Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
PRODUCERS: Donna Gigliotti, Marc Norman, David Parfitt, Harvey Weinstein, and Edward Zwick
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Richard Greatrex
EDITOR: David Gamble
Academy Award winner
ROMANCE/COMEDY/DRAMA
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Ben Affleck, Judi Dench, Martin Clunes, Simon Callow, Imelda Staunton, Nicholas Le Prevost, and Joe Roberts with Rupert Everett
When Gwyneth Paltrow won the Oscar for “Best Actress in a Leading role” at the 1999 Oscar ceremonies, few were surprised. When the picture in which she starred, Shakespeare in Love, won the “Best Picture” Oscar, jaws around the world dropped; after all, the film to beat was Steven Spielberg’s oh-so-important, Saving Private Ryan. Well, Shakespeare in Love did beat it. Years later, I still would pick Ryan over Shakespeare, but Shakespeare in Love is a much better movie going experience. The film also won Oscars for “Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Judi Dench), “Best Art Direction-Set Decoration,” “Best Costume Design,” “Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score,” and “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.”
What’s the story that captured the hearts and imaginations of moviegoers, film critics, and award givers? It’s 1593, and young playwright William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is a mess. He’s out of ideas, suffering writer’s block, entangled in too many romantic or lustful intrigues, living far way from his wife and children, and he’s out of money. As he struggles to finish his new play, a comedy with the awkward title, Romeo and Ethel the Sea Pirate’s Daughter, he accidentally discovers his muse in a new actor, Thomas Kent (Gwyneth Paltrow). When Kent runs away from his admiring stare, Will Shakespeare chases after him and discovers that Kent is a she, Viola de Lesseps (Ms. Paltrow), the daughter of a wealthy commoner. It’s love at first sight for the both of them, but Viola’s father (Nicholas Le Prevost) has promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to a penniless nobleman, Lord Wessex (Colin Firth).
However, the engagement doesn’t temper their love and they carry on a clandestine affair that leads to the stage. Will gives the part of Romeo to Viola, but her gender remains a secret to him, while the other actors and the backers of the newly renamed Romeo and Juliet believe their Romeo is played by Thomas Kent. (In Elizabethan England, women are not allowed on stage, boys and young men with high voices play the parts of women.) Soon Will and Viola’s affair and secret will be painfully revealed to the world and to her angry husband-to-be.
Shakespeare in Love is light and frothy, but quite entertaining; it is very likely a delight to those familiar with William Shakespeare and his plays. However, the film gives Will such a contemporary spin that even the least informed about Shakespeare may very well like this. Now, for those without a clue, they will have to rely on the filmmaking and storytelling. As a romance, the film often works like a romance novel, or at best, historical fiction: lots of heat, lots of hot lovemaking, and a bit too much overwrought dialogue that too many times comes close to being pure purple prose.
The acting by the leads Ms. Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes is good, but not great. Fiennes’s performance ranges from overdone and pretentious to flamboyant and yearning. Seriously, Ms. Paltrow’s performance is hardly award-winning material, but that’s never stopped Oscar. Still, there’s something about the two of them that makes this work. It’s that intangible element or chemistry that takes everything shoddy or overdone about this film and makes it such a tasty confection, that you’ll come back again and again, even if you keep thinking that there seems to be an awful lot of air packed into this movie ice cream.
There are some very good performances: Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Geoffrey Rush, and Simon Firth. The music is quite good, sweet and pleasant to the ear. The production values give the viewer the sense that they have been transported to somewhere else, another world if not another time. Then again, that intangible something may be director John Madden who brought the ingredients together and made a dessert that deserves encore performances.
7 of 10
A-
NOTES:
1999 Academy Awards: 7 wins: “Best Picture” (David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick, and Marc Norman), “Best Actress in a Leading Role” (Gwyneth Paltrow), “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” (Judi Dench), “Best Art Direction-Set Decoration” (Martin Childs and Jill Quertier), “Best Costume Design” (Sandy Powell), “Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score” (Stephen Warbeck) and “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen” (Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard); 6 nominations: “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (Geoffrey Rush), “Best Cinematography” (Richard Greatrex), “Best Director” (John Madden), “Best Film Editing” (David Gamble), “Best Makeup” (Lisa Westcott and Veronica McAleer), and “Best Sound” (Robin O'Donoghue, Dominic Lester, and Peter Glossop)
1999 BAFTA Awards: 3 wins: “Best Film” (David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick, and Marc Norman), “Best Editing” (David Gamble), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Judi Dench); 12 nominations: “Asquith Award for Film Music” (Stephen Warbeck), “Best Cinematography” (Richard Greatrex), “Best Costume Design” (Sandy Powell), “Best Make Up/Hair” (Lisa Westcott), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Joseph Fiennes), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Geoffrey Rush), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Tom Wilkinson), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” (Gwyneth Paltrow), “Best Production Design” (Martin Childs), “Best Screenplay – Original” (Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard), “Best Sound” (Peter Glossop, John Downer, Robin O'Donoghue, and Dominic Lester), and “David Lean Award for Direction” (John Madden)
1999 Golden Globes: 3 wins: “Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical,” “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical” (Gwyneth Paltrow), and “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard); 3 nominations: “Best Director - Motion Picture” (John Madden), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Geoffrey Rush), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Judi Dench)
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Thursday, July 7, 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Crosses Billion Dollar Mark
Disney’s and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” Crosses $1 Billion in Global Box Office
Fourth installment becomes second “Pirates” film and fourth Walt Disney Pictures film to reach billion-dollar box office threshold
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney’s and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides crossed the $1 billion mark in global box office on July 2, only the eighth film in history to reach this threshold. This is The Walt Disney Studios’ fourth title to earn a place on this exclusive list, with no other studio achieving more than one. Five of the 10 biggest films of all time are now from The Walt Disney Studios.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films and The Walt Disney Studios, and directed by Rob Marshall, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the second film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series to accomplish this box-office feat; 2006’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was the Studios’ first billion-dollar film ever. Rounding out the Studios’ four billion-dollar earners are 2010’s Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has shown us just how strongly this story and these characters resonate with people the world over,” said Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “To reach $1 billion with any film is such a rare and exciting milestone, and I want to thank and congratulate Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Depp, Rob Marshall and the rest of our Pirates family on this incredible feat.”
After launching with the biggest international opening ever, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides now ranks as the #3 film of all time at the international box office and Disney’s biggest overseas release ever, with a total gross of $774 million (as of 7/4/11). The film sailed past the $500 million international threshold in a record-setting 14 days and is the biggest Pirates of the Caribbean installment in 59 territories. In Japan, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has passed $100 million USD, having spent its first 6 weeks at the top of the box office chart. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides became the highest-grossing Disney film ever released in the burgeoning Chinese and Russian markets in just nine and 11 days respectively, its opening weekend surpassing the entire gross of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End in each market.
“There can be no greater thrill or satisfaction than knowing that you’ve been fortunate enough to produce a series of films which have delighted millions all over the world,” said Jerry Bruckheimer. “The success of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a testament to the great talents of Johnny Depp and our wonderful cast, director Rob Marshall, screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and the entire company.”
Director Rob Marshall adds, “I am thrilled that Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has been embraced by the global audience in such a profound way. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to make a movie that reaches across the world.”
The four Pirates of the Caribbean films have earned a combined $3.68 billion in global box office, with the second, third and fourth claiming spots on the all-time top 10 list. Series star Johnny Depp – who also headlined Disney’s Alice in Wonderland – now has four films on that list, three of which have surpassed the billion-dollar threshold.
About “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides captures the fun, excitement and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in this action-packed adventure that finds him crossing paths (and swords) with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz). When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth. Along the way Jack must use all his wiles to deal with the barbarous Blackbeard and his crew of zombies, Angelica, the ravishing pirate with whom he shares a dubious past, and the beautiful, enchanting mermaids whose masterful cunning can lure even the most seasoned sailor to his doom. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the indestructible Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.
About “Pirates of the Caribbean”
In 1967, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride opened at Disneyland Park in California, quickly becoming one of the theme park’s most popular attractions and a natural inclusion in the planning of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland. More than three decades later, The Walt Disney Studios brought the attraction’s scenes to vibrant life in a film series that has reinvigorated the pirate and adventure genres, while The Walt Disney Company’s Interactive and Consumer Products divisions have parlayed the rich source material into a treasure trove of toys, clothes, home décor, books, video games and more.
Fourth installment becomes second “Pirates” film and fourth Walt Disney Pictures film to reach billion-dollar box office threshold
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney’s and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides crossed the $1 billion mark in global box office on July 2, only the eighth film in history to reach this threshold. This is The Walt Disney Studios’ fourth title to earn a place on this exclusive list, with no other studio achieving more than one. Five of the 10 biggest films of all time are now from The Walt Disney Studios.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films and The Walt Disney Studios, and directed by Rob Marshall, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the second film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series to accomplish this box-office feat; 2006’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was the Studios’ first billion-dollar film ever. Rounding out the Studios’ four billion-dollar earners are 2010’s Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has shown us just how strongly this story and these characters resonate with people the world over,” said Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “To reach $1 billion with any film is such a rare and exciting milestone, and I want to thank and congratulate Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Depp, Rob Marshall and the rest of our Pirates family on this incredible feat.”
After launching with the biggest international opening ever, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides now ranks as the #3 film of all time at the international box office and Disney’s biggest overseas release ever, with a total gross of $774 million (as of 7/4/11). The film sailed past the $500 million international threshold in a record-setting 14 days and is the biggest Pirates of the Caribbean installment in 59 territories. In Japan, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has passed $100 million USD, having spent its first 6 weeks at the top of the box office chart. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides became the highest-grossing Disney film ever released in the burgeoning Chinese and Russian markets in just nine and 11 days respectively, its opening weekend surpassing the entire gross of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End in each market.
“There can be no greater thrill or satisfaction than knowing that you’ve been fortunate enough to produce a series of films which have delighted millions all over the world,” said Jerry Bruckheimer. “The success of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a testament to the great talents of Johnny Depp and our wonderful cast, director Rob Marshall, screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and the entire company.”
Director Rob Marshall adds, “I am thrilled that Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has been embraced by the global audience in such a profound way. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to make a movie that reaches across the world.”
The four Pirates of the Caribbean films have earned a combined $3.68 billion in global box office, with the second, third and fourth claiming spots on the all-time top 10 list. Series star Johnny Depp – who also headlined Disney’s Alice in Wonderland – now has four films on that list, three of which have surpassed the billion-dollar threshold.
About “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides captures the fun, excitement and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in this action-packed adventure that finds him crossing paths (and swords) with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz). When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth. Along the way Jack must use all his wiles to deal with the barbarous Blackbeard and his crew of zombies, Angelica, the ravishing pirate with whom he shares a dubious past, and the beautiful, enchanting mermaids whose masterful cunning can lure even the most seasoned sailor to his doom. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the indestructible Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.
About “Pirates of the Caribbean”
In 1967, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride opened at Disneyland Park in California, quickly becoming one of the theme park’s most popular attractions and a natural inclusion in the planning of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland. More than three decades later, The Walt Disney Studios brought the attraction’s scenes to vibrant life in a film series that has reinvigorated the pirate and adventure genres, while The Walt Disney Company’s Interactive and Consumer Products divisions have parlayed the rich source material into a treasure trove of toys, clothes, home décor, books, video games and more.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Review: Colorful "Green Lantern" Film is Also a Bit Dim
Green Lantern (2011)
Running time: 105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action
DIRECTOR: Martin Campbell
WRITERS: Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim, and Michael Goldenberg; from a screen story by Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, and Marc Guggenheim (based upon the characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCERS: Greg Berlanti and Donald De Line
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dion Beebe
EDITOR: Stuart Baird
COMPOSER: James Newton Howard
SUPERHERO/SCI-FI/ACTION with elements of drama
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Taika Waititi, Temuera Morrison, Angela Bassett, Tim Robbins, Jay O. Sanders, and (voices) Clancy Brown, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Geoffrey Rush
Green Lantern is a 2011 superhero movie, and it is the fourth movie this year featuring a character that originated or made extensive appearances in comic books. Green Lantern has enough entertaining science fiction action and superhero theatrics, but not enough to hide the fact that the characters are either lame and onscreen too much or cool and onscreen too little.
First, some history: Green Lantern is a comic book superhero that first appeared in All-American Comics #16 (cover dated July 1940). The original version of Green Lantern was created by Bill Finger, the writer who essentially co-created Batman (but who doesn’t get official credit for that) and artist Martin Nodell. The original or “Golden Age” version of Green Lantern stopped appearing in comics by 1951.
In 1959, the modern version of Green Lantern, a space age and science fantasy revamp of the character, first appeared in the comic book, Showcase #22 (cover dated September-October 1959), in a story from writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane. This modern or “Silver Age” version of character is the one that stars in the new film, Green Lantern.
Green Lantern the movie focuses on brash test pilot, Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). Jordan’s bravado and recklessness has gotten him into trouble with his employer, Ferris Aircraft, and the company’s Vice-President, Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), who is also Hal’s girlfriend. However, his strong-willed nature brings him to the attention of the alien, Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison), who is a Green Lantern. The Green Lantern Corps is an intergalactic police force that uses the “green essence of willpower” to keep peace. Their power is focused through a green power ring.
Sur is mortally wounded in a battle with Parallax (Clancy Brown), the ultimate being of fear, whom Sur defeated and imprisoned long ago. Sur’s ring chooses Jordan as a worthy successor, but Sur’s fellow Green Lanterns do not find Jordan worthy. Jordan is the first human to become a Green Lantern, and Thaal Sinestro (Mark Strong), something of a leader among the Corps, quickly and brutally tests Jordan, leading the new Lantern to also doubt why the ring chose him. He will, however, have no choice but to be a Green Lantern. Parallax is coming to Earth to take revenge against Hal Jordan because he is Abin Sur’s successor and to destroy Earth because it is Jordan’s home.
Early in Green Lantern, the movie’s soundtrack (music and sound) is so loud that it is hard to understand what the characters are saying. At times, this movie is merely a sound and light show that occasionally dazzles, while generally assaulting your hearing. But I suspect this sort of thing will appeal to children, especially boys, who will like the noise and the special effects, which range from striking to embarrassingly second-rate.
Young viewers are the ones unlikely to notice the thinly written drama and how good actors play laughable, pathetic characters. Here, are some examples: Peter Sarsgaard as the comical bad guy Hector Hammond; Tim Robbins as Robert Hammond, an empty suit politician and Hector’s awful father; Blake Lively as Carol Ferris, who is the standard action movie hero arm-candy/cheerleader [Belief in yourself! Sniff Sniff. You can do it, my brave hero man]; and poor, always under-utilized Angela Bassett as the generic government flunky, Dr. Amanda Waller. Then, there is Mark Strong, who builds Sinestro into an intriguing character and worthy rival of Jordan’s Green Lantern, only to see the character reduced to speechmaking.
I like Ryan Reynolds, with his physique that looks like it was molded to be an action figure, but I don’t buy him as a test pilot or superhero. With his big teeth, seemingly sculpted by a dentist who really wanted to be an artist, Reynolds looks like he should be a junior executive in some corporate sales division.
With so much going against it, Green Lantern actually entertains with its big superhero set pieces and action sequences. On the other hand, the movie grinds to a halt whenever the actors pretend to be people instead of superheroes and strange beings. It’s this mixture of fun, goofy superhero action and tedious character drama that makes Green Lantern average at best. This movie needs to be a lavish sci-fi adventure (the goofy), but it doesn’t need the derivative character motivation and conflict [Daddy was mean to me! I can’t conquer my self-doubt and fear]. Green Lantern works in fits and starts. Sometimes, it impresses; sometimes, it is clunky and ineffective.
5 of 10
C+
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Review: Great Performances Help Deliver "The King's Speech"
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 35 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux
The King’s Speech (2010)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
Running time: 118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes)
MPAA – R for some language
DIRECTOR: Tom Hooper
WRITER: David Seidler
PRODUCERS: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Gareth Unwin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Danny Cohen (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Tariq Anwar
COMPOSER: Alexandre Desplat
Academy Award winner
DRAMA/HISTORICAL
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall, Eve Best, Freya Wilson, Ramona Marquez, Dominic Applewhite, Calum Gittins, Ben Wimsett, and Claire Bloom
The King’s Speech isn’t just any British historical drama. After all, it won the Academy Award as “Best Picture” of 2010. I don’t think it is as good as some of the British costume or period dramas from Merchant Ivory Productions (like Howard’s End and Remains of the Day) or even Shakespeare in Love (another best picture Oscar winner). However, this film about a king with a stammer and the man who helps him overcome it is a really good movie that I heartily recommend to fans of historical dramas.
The film begins in 1925. Prince Albert, Duke of York (Colin Firth) addresses a crowd, and his stammering speech clearly unsettles thousands of listeners. Known as “Bertie” to his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess of York (Helena Bonham Carter), and to his family, Prince Albert tries several unsuccessful treatments for his stammer and eventually gives finding a cure. The Duchess convinces Prince Albert to see Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an unorthodox Australian speech therapist living in London.
Logue’s pioneering treatment helps Albert, and the two men form an unlikely friendship. After Albert’s older brother, David, the Prince of Wales (Guy Pearce), steps down as King, Albert becomes King George VI and relies on Lionel even more. As war with Germany looms, George VI will need Logue’s help to deliver the King’s speech to Great Britain and the British Empire, a radio address that will assure the people’s confidence in their still-new king.
Tom Hooper, the director of The King’s Speech, was primarily known for his work directing for television (including the Emmy-winning, HBO miniseries, John Adams). However, the visual style he uses for The King’s Speech gives the film the grand feel of a historical epic, while simultaneously capturing the intimacy necessary for a character drama. Hooper is aided and abetted by art direction that brings the royal existence of the 1920s and 1930s to vivid life.
As well directed as The King’s Speech is, the core of the movie rests on the performances of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. This movie is essentially the tale of a troubled prince/king who is shown the way to victory by a curmudgeonly wizard, and, in that sense, Firth as the distressed royal and Rush as the stern but doting old mage are triumphant. I have been watching Firth for years, so I know that he is an excellent actor. Still, I almost totally believed that he was the sorely troubled King George VI, fighting a real stammer. What can I say about Rush other than that he is always good, but, as Logue, this is one of those performances that will be marked in his career as a peak in a great body of work.
Helena Bonham Carter is also quite good, making the most of her time on screen and even stealing a few scenes. Firth won an Oscar for his performance here, and Rush and Carter should have also won Oscars, although they did receive nominations. There is much to like about The King’s Speech, but this trio makes the film a classic among British historical dramas.
8 of 10
A
NOTES:
2011 Academy Awards: 4 wins: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Gareth Unwin), “Best Achievement in Directing” (Tom Hooper), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Colin Firth), and “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen” (David Seidler); 8 nominations: “Best Achievement in Art Direction” (Eve Stewart and Judy Farr), “Best Achievement in Cinematography” (Danny Cohen), “Best Achievement in Costume Design” (Jenny Beavan), “Best Achievement in Editing” (Tariq Anwar), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score” (Alexandre Desplat), “Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, and John Midgley), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Geoffrey Rush), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Helena Bonham Carter)
2011 BAFTA Awards: 7 wins: “Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film” (Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, and Gareth Unwin), “Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music” (Alexandre Desplat), “Best Actor” (Colin Firth), “Best Film” (Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin, and Iain Canning), “Best Screenplay-Original” (David Seidler), “Best Supporting Actor” (Geoffrey Rush), and “Best Supporting Actress” (Helena Bonham Carter); 7 nominations: “Best Cinematography” (Danny Cohen), “Best Costume Design” (Jenny Beavan), “Best Editing” (Tariq Anwar), “Best Make Up/Hair,” “Best Production Design” (Eve Stewart and Judy Farr), “Best Sound” (John Midgley-production mixer, Paul Hamblin-re-recording mixer, Martin Jensen-re-recording mixer, and Lee Walpole-supervising sound editor), and “David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction” (Tom Hooper)
2011 Golden Globes: 1 win: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Colin Firth); 6 nominations: “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Tom Hooper), “Best Motion Picture – Drama,” “Best Original Score - Motion Picture” (Alexandre Desplat), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Geoffrey Rush), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Helena Bonham Carter), and “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (David Seidler)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The King’s Speech (2010)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
Running time: 118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes)
MPAA – R for some language
DIRECTOR: Tom Hooper
WRITER: David Seidler
PRODUCERS: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Gareth Unwin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Danny Cohen (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Tariq Anwar
COMPOSER: Alexandre Desplat
Academy Award winner
DRAMA/HISTORICAL
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall, Eve Best, Freya Wilson, Ramona Marquez, Dominic Applewhite, Calum Gittins, Ben Wimsett, and Claire Bloom
The King’s Speech isn’t just any British historical drama. After all, it won the Academy Award as “Best Picture” of 2010. I don’t think it is as good as some of the British costume or period dramas from Merchant Ivory Productions (like Howard’s End and Remains of the Day) or even Shakespeare in Love (another best picture Oscar winner). However, this film about a king with a stammer and the man who helps him overcome it is a really good movie that I heartily recommend to fans of historical dramas.
The film begins in 1925. Prince Albert, Duke of York (Colin Firth) addresses a crowd, and his stammering speech clearly unsettles thousands of listeners. Known as “Bertie” to his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess of York (Helena Bonham Carter), and to his family, Prince Albert tries several unsuccessful treatments for his stammer and eventually gives finding a cure. The Duchess convinces Prince Albert to see Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an unorthodox Australian speech therapist living in London.
Logue’s pioneering treatment helps Albert, and the two men form an unlikely friendship. After Albert’s older brother, David, the Prince of Wales (Guy Pearce), steps down as King, Albert becomes King George VI and relies on Lionel even more. As war with Germany looms, George VI will need Logue’s help to deliver the King’s speech to Great Britain and the British Empire, a radio address that will assure the people’s confidence in their still-new king.
Tom Hooper, the director of The King’s Speech, was primarily known for his work directing for television (including the Emmy-winning, HBO miniseries, John Adams). However, the visual style he uses for The King’s Speech gives the film the grand feel of a historical epic, while simultaneously capturing the intimacy necessary for a character drama. Hooper is aided and abetted by art direction that brings the royal existence of the 1920s and 1930s to vivid life.
As well directed as The King’s Speech is, the core of the movie rests on the performances of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. This movie is essentially the tale of a troubled prince/king who is shown the way to victory by a curmudgeonly wizard, and, in that sense, Firth as the distressed royal and Rush as the stern but doting old mage are triumphant. I have been watching Firth for years, so I know that he is an excellent actor. Still, I almost totally believed that he was the sorely troubled King George VI, fighting a real stammer. What can I say about Rush other than that he is always good, but, as Logue, this is one of those performances that will be marked in his career as a peak in a great body of work.
Helena Bonham Carter is also quite good, making the most of her time on screen and even stealing a few scenes. Firth won an Oscar for his performance here, and Rush and Carter should have also won Oscars, although they did receive nominations. There is much to like about The King’s Speech, but this trio makes the film a classic among British historical dramas.
8 of 10
A
NOTES:
2011 Academy Awards: 4 wins: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Gareth Unwin), “Best Achievement in Directing” (Tom Hooper), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Colin Firth), and “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen” (David Seidler); 8 nominations: “Best Achievement in Art Direction” (Eve Stewart and Judy Farr), “Best Achievement in Cinematography” (Danny Cohen), “Best Achievement in Costume Design” (Jenny Beavan), “Best Achievement in Editing” (Tariq Anwar), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score” (Alexandre Desplat), “Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, and John Midgley), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Geoffrey Rush), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Helena Bonham Carter)
2011 BAFTA Awards: 7 wins: “Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film” (Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, and Gareth Unwin), “Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music” (Alexandre Desplat), “Best Actor” (Colin Firth), “Best Film” (Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin, and Iain Canning), “Best Screenplay-Original” (David Seidler), “Best Supporting Actor” (Geoffrey Rush), and “Best Supporting Actress” (Helena Bonham Carter); 7 nominations: “Best Cinematography” (Danny Cohen), “Best Costume Design” (Jenny Beavan), “Best Editing” (Tariq Anwar), “Best Make Up/Hair,” “Best Production Design” (Eve Stewart and Judy Farr), “Best Sound” (John Midgley-production mixer, Paul Hamblin-re-recording mixer, Martin Jensen-re-recording mixer, and Lee Walpole-supervising sound editor), and “David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction” (Tom Hooper)
2011 Golden Globes: 1 win: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Colin Firth); 6 nominations: “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Tom Hooper), “Best Motion Picture – Drama,” “Best Original Score - Motion Picture” (Alexandre Desplat), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Geoffrey Rush), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Helena Bonham Carter), and “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (David Seidler)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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Sunday, February 27, 2011
Christian Bale Wins Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "The Fighter"
Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter” WINNER
John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”
Christian Bale in “The Fighter” WINNER
John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Geoffrey Rush Wins "Best Supporting Actor" BAFTA
SUPPORTING ACTOR
GEOFFREY RUSH The King’s Speech WINNER
CHRISTIAN BALE The Fighter
ANDREW GARFIELD The Social Network
PETE POSTLETHWAITE The Town
MARK RUFFALO The Kids Are All Right
GEOFFREY RUSH The King’s Speech WINNER
CHRISTIAN BALE The Fighter
ANDREW GARFIELD The Social Network
PETE POSTLETHWAITE The Town
MARK RUFFALO The Kids Are All Right
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Review: Oscar-Nominee "Munich" Asks the Uncomfortable Questions (Happy B'day, John Williams)
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 4 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux
Munich (2005)
Running time: 164 minutes (2 hours, 44 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong graphic violence, some sexual content, nudity, and language
DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg
WRITERS: Tony Kushner and Eric Roth (based upon the book Vengeance by George Jonas)
PRODUCERS: Kathleen Kennedy, Barry Mendel, Colin Wilson, and Steven Spielberg
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Janusz Kaminski
EDITOR: Michael Kahn
COMPOSER: John Williams
Academy Award nominee
DRAMA
Starring: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler, Ayelet Zorer, Geoffrey Rush, Gila Almagor, Michael Lonsdale, Mathieu Amalric, Gila Almagor, and Lynn Cohen
Steven Spielberg’s Munich is set in the aftermath of the real life massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The story follows a secret assassination squad, led by a former Mossad (Israeli version of the CIA) officer named Avner (Eric Bana), assigned to track down and kill the 11 Palestinian terrorists and operatives, whom the Israeli government suspects of having planned the Munich attack. The film focuses on the personal toll this mission of revenge and retribution takes upon the team, and in particular, Avner.
Many have argued that Munich has taken both sides in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, but I must have missed something because I didn’t see it that way. I viewed the film as a narrative that with medical precision shows how much it costs men to engage in one act of murder after another. This isn’t about a war where the fighters kill (mostly) faceless men. Avner and his associates (which includes the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, playing a gung-ho, American cowboy-type, Israeli named Steve) have to hunt these men down. In that way, they get to see them as more than targets. Yes, they may be murderers, and clearly they involve themselves in operations aimed at killing Israelis in terrorist attacks, but these aren’t dogs that Avner and his team are hunting. Eventually, killing people and endangering innocents (collateral damage) gets to be too much for them. The explosions, the gore, and most of all the finality of death – always watching, knowing, and talking to people they have to kill.
Avner misses his wife and child, and he begins to mistrust his Israeli bosses, in particular Ephraim (the truly astounding chameleonic actor Geoffrey Rush). Eventually, Avner and his team find themselves competing against American interests, the CIA, and Soviet interests, personified by the KGB, who protect and provide both material and financial support to some Palestinian terrorists. So many of the parties involved see Avner’s mission as some kind of game, a war game for sure, but still a game of capture and defend territory. There are platitudes galore about striking back and sending a message, but in this narrative, only Avner understands that this is dirty work, expensive dirty work. The costs will run into the millions, and will also cost many lives – lives that must often be violently snuffed out if one side is to win and/or survive. One has to wonder what the result of terrorism and the retributive answer to it will be. As one of the characters concludes, “There is no peace at the end of this.”
Still, through Munich, one can tell that Spielberg clearly believes that Israel had to answer the Munich murders with retribution (as do I). He also clearly loves Israel. At one point in the film, Avner’s mother (Gila Almagor) says of the founding of Israel that they (Jews) had to take the land because no one would give it to them, and that they needed a place on earth where Jews could live with other Jews. Spielberg may very likely believe this, but in Munich, he uses film to question Israel using swift retribution for every attack against it, although I don’t think that Israel has always answered every attack against it.
Perhaps, that is why the film meanders. It’s too long, and on just a few occasions it is too preachy – a few of those being embarrassingly preachy. Munich’s resolution is also soft – if there is one. I get the point that the director wants to say that there are no easy answers for this situation, but in saying that, the movie lumbers towards the end like an out of shape and slightly over weight athlete. Munich does indeed take a side (Israel), but the movie wonders about the other side (the Palestinians). Spielberg doesn’t really try to have it both ways, but he muddles the water enough with differing points of view. Still, what is one the screen is outstanding, powerful, and mesmerizing. I could have an adjective field day, but with its engaging performances – Eric Bana is rugged, handsome, and shows his soul with this performance – and taut action (the assassinations are as riveting as anything in the best war and action movies), Munich is must-see cinema for any Spielberg fan and any fan of cinema.
8 of 10
A
Saturday, January 07, 2006
NOTES:
2006 Academy Awards: 5 nominations: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, and Barry Mendel), “Best Achievement in Directing” (Steven Spielberg), “Best Achievement in Editing” (Michael Kahn) and “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score” (John Williams), and “Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay” (Tony Kushner and Eric Roth)
2006 Golden Globes: 2 nominations: “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Steven Spielberg) and “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Tony Kushner and Eric Roth)
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