Justin Bieber Announces 5th Studio Album, CHANGES, set for February 14th, 2020 Release
Changes Tour—Presented by T-Mobile—Hits the Road in North America With Special Guests Kehlani & Jaden Smith
American Express Pre-sale Began January 30th, 2020
Public on Sale Friday, February 14th
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grammy Award®-winning global superstar Justin Bieber, announced his 5th studio album CHANGES will arrive February 14th, 2020, via RBMG/Def Jam Recordings, along with the official public on-sale for tickets to the Changes Tour, presented by T-Mobile with special guests Kehlani and Jaden Smith. The tour, promoted by AEG Presents, kicks off in Seattle at the CenturyLink Field on Thursday, May 14th, 2020. Tickets for the tour go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 14th at Noon local time at justinbiebermusic.com.
CHANGES – already receiving early buzz as “futuristic R&B/pop,” “trap-soul jams,” and “a new vocal plateau” – is available now for pre-order/pre-save with the new track “Get Me” featuring Kehlani, and will be released to all DSP partners on February 14th. Special collectors-edition CDs will be available at Target, where each CD will contain one of two exclusive fold-out posters.
As the official wireless partner for the Changes Tour, T-Mobile and Justin Bieber continue their successful partnership, forged in 2017 with their #UnlimitedMoves Super Bowl campaign. T-Mobile customers can get access to stage-front tickets at every U.S. tour stop, even the sold-out shows! Un-carrier customers can snag their Reserved Tickets starting 30 days prior to each show at first day prices – just another way T-Mobile thanks its customers simply for being customers.
Fans will have several opportunities to purchase tickets for the Changes Tour in advance of the February 14th public on-sale.
American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Thursday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. local time through Thursday, February 13th at 10:00 p.m. local time.
A limited number of exclusive VIP Packages will also be available starting January 30th at 10 a.m. These exceptional offers can include an amazing selection of reserved seated tickets, custom merchandise and much more.
And on Monday, February 3rd, 2020, 10:00 a.m. local time, the Justin Bieber official online store will begin offering CHANGES album pre-sales, the Changes Tour pre-sales, and exclusive merchandise.
Additionally, $1.00 from each ticket purchased will be donated to the Bieber Foundation which is committed to supporting mental health wellness.
In step with the premiere of the “Justin Bieber: Seasons” YouTube Originals docuseries, Justin is once again ruling the airwaves and dominating the charts. He made radio history when his new single "Yummy" netted the highest number of official adds ever in a debut week. The track has now surged to over 300 million streams globally.
Over the course of his career, Bieber has amassed over 50 billion streams and over 60 million album equivalent sales worldwide. Justin’s Grammy Award®--winning 2015 album Purpose has sold over 21 million copies worldwide. The Purpose Tour sold out 64 U.S. and 52 international tour dates, thrilling fans around the world with Justin’s dynamic, must-see live performance.
THE CHANGES TOUR DATES:
Date
City
Venue
May 2020:
May 14, 2020
Seattle, WA
CenturyLink Field
May 17th
Portland, OR
Moda Center
May 19th
Sacramento, CA
Golden 1 Center
May 22nd
Santa Clara, CA
Levi's® Stadium
May 26th
San Diego, CA
Pechanga Arena San Diego
May 29th
Pasadena, CA
Rose Bowl Stadium
June 2020:
June 2nd
Las Vegas, NV
T-Mobile Arena
June 5th
Glendale, AZ
State Farm Stadium
June 9th
Salt Lake City, UT
Vivint Smart Home Arena
June 13th
Denver, CO
Empower Field at Mile High Stadium
June 16th
Lincoln, NE
Pinnacle Bank Arena
June 19th
Chicago, IL
Soldier Field
June 21st
Minneapolis, MN
Target Center
June 24th
Milwaukee, WI
American Family Insurance Amphitheater during Summerfest
June 27th
Arlington, TX
AT&T Stadium
June 30th
New Orleans, LA
Smoothie King Center
July 2020:
July 2th
Houston, TX
NRG Stadium
July 6th
Kansas City, MO
Sprint Center
July 8th
Tulsa, OK*
BOK Center
July 11th
Nashville, TN
Nissan Stadium
July 13th
St. Louis, MO
Enterprise Center
July 15th
Little Rock, AR
Simmons Bank Arena
July 18th
Atlanta, GA
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 21st
Miami, FL
AmericanAirlines Arena
July 25th
Tampa, FL
Raymond James Stadium
July 27th
Columbia, SC
Colonial Life Arena
July 29th
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum
Aug. 2020:
August 1st
Philadelphia, PA
Lincoln Financial Field
August 4th
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena
August 6th
University Park, PA
Bryce Jordan Center
August 8th
Columbus, OH
Ohio Stadium
August 12th
Louisville, KY
KFC Yum! Center
August 14th
Cleveland, OH
FirstEnergy Stadium
August 16th
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
August 18th
Lexington, KY
Rupp Arena
August 21st
Landover, MD
FedExField
August 24th
Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center
August 26th
Albany, NY
Times Union Center
August 29th
Detroit, MI
Ford Field
Sept. 2020:
September 1st
Ottawa, ON
Canadian Tire Centre
September 3rd
Québec City, QC
Videotron Centre
September10th
Toronto, ON
Rogers Centre
Sepetember 14th
Montreal, QC
Bell Centre
September 17th
Foxboro, MA
Gillette Stadium
September 26th
E. Rutherford, NJ
MetLife Stadium
*Jaden Smith will not appear on the Tulsa date
----------------
Showing posts with label Jaden Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jaden Smith. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 21st to 30th, 2019 - Update #29
Support Leroy on Patreon:
BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: The final total on the opening weekend for "Avengers: Endgame" is 357.1 million dollars in domestic box office. Of course, the film was the #1 at the 4/26 to 4/28/2019 weekend box office.
----------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: CBS is renewing classic game show, "The Price is Right" for the 2019-20 season. It is also renewing the entirety of its daytime lineup for next season. 2019-20 will also be "The Price is Right's" 48th season, and the show will hit 9000 episodes in October 2019.
----------
MOVIES/OBIT - From Variety: The film writer-director-producer John Singleton has died at the age of 51, Monday, April 29, 2019. In 1992, Singleton became the first African-American nominated for a best director Oscar for his 1991 film, "Boyz n the Hood," one of two nominations he received for the film. He also directed films such as "Poetic Justice," "Shaft" (2000), and the second film in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, "2 Fast 2 Furious." He had been hospitalized when he suffered a stroke on April 17th, from which he never recovered.
From Variety: Word is that director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood"), who suffered a stroke just short of two weeks ago, will be taken off life support, today, Monday, April 29, 2019.
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 4/26 to 4/28/19 weekend box office is "Avengers: Endgame" with an estimated take of 350 million dollars. The film's global box office take is an estimated 1.2 billion dollars.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Guillermo del Toro says a director should always try to exceed the film's production budget.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Friday, April 26th, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary release of Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning film, "Alien," which birth a film franchise. James Cameron, the director of the beloved and Oscar-winning sequel, "Aliens," talks about where the franchise sent wrong.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From THR: Fox has settled a lawsuit that was brought by the family of Joi Harris, a stuntwoman who was killed will committing a stunt on the set of "Deadpool 2."
----------
MOVIES - From THR: Disney studio chief Alan Horn is scrapping many film projects that were in development at Fox before the Disney/Fox merger was complete.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Oscar nominated writer-director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood") suffered a stroke last week (April 17th). Apparently, he is worse off than initially reported. Singleton “is currently hospitalized in a coma and is unable to provide for his personal needs” after suffering a "major stroke."
----------
BOND - From Variety: Recent Oscar-winner, Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhapsody"), will be the villain in the still untitled 25th James Bond film, referred to as "Bond 25."
----------
MOVIES - From EOnline: Oscar-nominated actor, Demian Bichir ("A Better Life"), has announced that his wife, Canadian actress and model, Stefanie Sherk, has died at the age of 37.
----------
BLM - From YahooNews: On June 7, 1998, three white supremacists in Texas beat a 49-year-old black man, James Byrd Jr., chained him to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged him for three miles, tearing his body apart. On Wednesday, April 24th, 2019, Texas executed 44-year-old John William King for that crime. He is the second to be executed for killing Byrd; ringleader Lawrence Russell Brewer was executed in 2011. A third man received life in prison.
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Come May 2019, there will be no cancellations at the The CW. All of the series' scripted dramas are returning for the 2019-20 broadcast season.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to star in Guillermo del Toro's next film, "Nightmare Alley." This new film will reportedly be closer to the 1946 novel than its 1947 film adaptation.
----------
MOVIES - From THR: James Wan and Gary Dauberman, the masterminds behind "The Conjuring" universe of films, are bringing Stephen King's 1975 novel, "Salem's Lot," to the big screen. The book has previously been adapted for television via a 1979 miniseries for CBS and a 2004 miniseries for TNT.
----------
CELEBRITY - From ComicBook: Writer-director, Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), responds to a fan's accusation that he is "kissing Disney's ass."
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The number win film at the 4/19 to 4/21/2019 weekend box office is "The Curse of La Llorona" with an estimate take of 26.5 million dollars.
From YahooEntertainment: A man has seen Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" a record 116 times.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: David Leitch, director of "Deadpool 2" and "Hobbs & Shaw," has signed a first-look deal with Universal. His wife and longtime producing partner, Kelly McCormick, is a partner in the deal.
----------
BROADWAY - From THR: Phylicia Rashad won a Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Play," for her performance in the revival of "A Raisin in the Sun." Now, the veteran actress will make a Broadway directing debut in Spring 2020 by directing the play "Blue."
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Jimmy Kimmel will present a live 90-minute prime time event on ABC that will pay tribute to Norman Lear’s groundbreaking comedy series, "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (both of which originally aired on CBS). An original episode from each iconic Lear comedy will be re-created. "Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All In The Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’" will air Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 8-9:30 PM ET. Woody Harrelson will play Archie Bunker, with Marisa Tomei as wife Edith in the recreation of All In The Family. Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes take the roles of George and Louise Jefferson in the All in the Family spinoff, The Jeffersons. James Burrows will direct the special.
----------
MUSIC - From RollingStone: Rapper-turned-actor, Will Smith, joined his son Jaden Smith, who dabbles in both, onstage at Coachella.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From Newsarama: "Avengers: Endgame" directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, are working on a documentary about Marvel Comics' legend, Stan Lee.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: This is the first official trailer for the Will Smith film, "Gemini Man." Directed by Ang Lee, the film debuts October 11, 2019.
OBITS:
From MeTV: The actor Richard Erdman died at the age of 93, Saturday, March 16, 2019. Erdman appeared in over 160 film and TV roles. He had a memorable role in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" ("A Kind of Stopwatch"), and his career ran for 1944 to 2017. In recent years, he had a regular role in the NBC comedy, "Community." I wanted to mention Erdman's passing, which I missed, because I was a fan. My favorite role of his is probably the 1951 Film-Noir movie, "Cry Danger," which starred the great Dick Powell. - Leroy Douresseaux
From THR: The actor, Larry "Flash" Jenkins, has died at the age of 63, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Jenkins was best known for his appearances in the films, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Edtv."
From Variety: The actor, Ken Kercheval, has died at the age of 83. Kercheval was best known for his portrayal of "Cliff Barnes" on CBS' long-running evening soap, "Dallas." Kercheval and Dallas' star, the late Larry Hagman," were the only actors to appear in all 14 seasons of Dallas (1978-1991), although Kercheval's Barnes was a recurring character.
From THR: Film producer, Steve Golin, has died at the age of 64, Sunday, April 21, 2019. At the 88th Academy Awards, Golin won an Oscar for producing "Spotlight" (2015), one of four producers on the film who received a statuette. Golin was actually competing against himself that night, as another film he produced, "The Revenant," was also up for the best picture Oscar.
From Deadline: Noted paranormal investigator and author, Lorraine Warren, has died at the age of 92, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Warren and her late husband, Ed Warren (who died in 2006), are known to film audiences because of they are the subjects of the films, "The Conjuring" and "The Conjuring 2," which were based on real-life events in the lives of Lorraine and Ed.
BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: The final total on the opening weekend for "Avengers: Endgame" is 357.1 million dollars in domestic box office. Of course, the film was the #1 at the 4/26 to 4/28/2019 weekend box office.
----------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: CBS is renewing classic game show, "The Price is Right" for the 2019-20 season. It is also renewing the entirety of its daytime lineup for next season. 2019-20 will also be "The Price is Right's" 48th season, and the show will hit 9000 episodes in October 2019.
----------
MOVIES/OBIT - From Variety: The film writer-director-producer John Singleton has died at the age of 51, Monday, April 29, 2019. In 1992, Singleton became the first African-American nominated for a best director Oscar for his 1991 film, "Boyz n the Hood," one of two nominations he received for the film. He also directed films such as "Poetic Justice," "Shaft" (2000), and the second film in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, "2 Fast 2 Furious." He had been hospitalized when he suffered a stroke on April 17th, from which he never recovered.
From Variety: Word is that director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood"), who suffered a stroke just short of two weeks ago, will be taken off life support, today, Monday, April 29, 2019.
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 4/26 to 4/28/19 weekend box office is "Avengers: Endgame" with an estimated take of 350 million dollars. The film's global box office take is an estimated 1.2 billion dollars.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Guillermo del Toro says a director should always try to exceed the film's production budget.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Friday, April 26th, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary release of Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning film, "Alien," which birth a film franchise. James Cameron, the director of the beloved and Oscar-winning sequel, "Aliens," talks about where the franchise sent wrong.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From THR: Fox has settled a lawsuit that was brought by the family of Joi Harris, a stuntwoman who was killed will committing a stunt on the set of "Deadpool 2."
----------
MOVIES - From THR: Disney studio chief Alan Horn is scrapping many film projects that were in development at Fox before the Disney/Fox merger was complete.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Oscar nominated writer-director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood") suffered a stroke last week (April 17th). Apparently, he is worse off than initially reported. Singleton “is currently hospitalized in a coma and is unable to provide for his personal needs” after suffering a "major stroke."
----------
BOND - From Variety: Recent Oscar-winner, Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhapsody"), will be the villain in the still untitled 25th James Bond film, referred to as "Bond 25."
----------
MOVIES - From EOnline: Oscar-nominated actor, Demian Bichir ("A Better Life"), has announced that his wife, Canadian actress and model, Stefanie Sherk, has died at the age of 37.
----------
BLM - From YahooNews: On June 7, 1998, three white supremacists in Texas beat a 49-year-old black man, James Byrd Jr., chained him to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged him for three miles, tearing his body apart. On Wednesday, April 24th, 2019, Texas executed 44-year-old John William King for that crime. He is the second to be executed for killing Byrd; ringleader Lawrence Russell Brewer was executed in 2011. A third man received life in prison.
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Come May 2019, there will be no cancellations at the The CW. All of the series' scripted dramas are returning for the 2019-20 broadcast season.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to star in Guillermo del Toro's next film, "Nightmare Alley." This new film will reportedly be closer to the 1946 novel than its 1947 film adaptation.
----------
MOVIES - From THR: James Wan and Gary Dauberman, the masterminds behind "The Conjuring" universe of films, are bringing Stephen King's 1975 novel, "Salem's Lot," to the big screen. The book has previously been adapted for television via a 1979 miniseries for CBS and a 2004 miniseries for TNT.
----------
CELEBRITY - From ComicBook: Writer-director, Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), responds to a fan's accusation that he is "kissing Disney's ass."
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The number win film at the 4/19 to 4/21/2019 weekend box office is "The Curse of La Llorona" with an estimate take of 26.5 million dollars.
From YahooEntertainment: A man has seen Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" a record 116 times.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: David Leitch, director of "Deadpool 2" and "Hobbs & Shaw," has signed a first-look deal with Universal. His wife and longtime producing partner, Kelly McCormick, is a partner in the deal.
----------
BROADWAY - From THR: Phylicia Rashad won a Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Play," for her performance in the revival of "A Raisin in the Sun." Now, the veteran actress will make a Broadway directing debut in Spring 2020 by directing the play "Blue."
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Jimmy Kimmel will present a live 90-minute prime time event on ABC that will pay tribute to Norman Lear’s groundbreaking comedy series, "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (both of which originally aired on CBS). An original episode from each iconic Lear comedy will be re-created. "Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All In The Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’" will air Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 8-9:30 PM ET. Woody Harrelson will play Archie Bunker, with Marisa Tomei as wife Edith in the recreation of All In The Family. Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes take the roles of George and Louise Jefferson in the All in the Family spinoff, The Jeffersons. James Burrows will direct the special.
----------
MUSIC - From RollingStone: Rapper-turned-actor, Will Smith, joined his son Jaden Smith, who dabbles in both, onstage at Coachella.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From Newsarama: "Avengers: Endgame" directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, are working on a documentary about Marvel Comics' legend, Stan Lee.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: This is the first official trailer for the Will Smith film, "Gemini Man." Directed by Ang Lee, the film debuts October 11, 2019.
OBITS:
From MeTV: The actor Richard Erdman died at the age of 93, Saturday, March 16, 2019. Erdman appeared in over 160 film and TV roles. He had a memorable role in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" ("A Kind of Stopwatch"), and his career ran for 1944 to 2017. In recent years, he had a regular role in the NBC comedy, "Community." I wanted to mention Erdman's passing, which I missed, because I was a fan. My favorite role of his is probably the 1951 Film-Noir movie, "Cry Danger," which starred the great Dick Powell. - Leroy Douresseaux
From THR: The actor, Larry "Flash" Jenkins, has died at the age of 63, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Jenkins was best known for his appearances in the films, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Edtv."
From Variety: The actor, Ken Kercheval, has died at the age of 83. Kercheval was best known for his portrayal of "Cliff Barnes" on CBS' long-running evening soap, "Dallas." Kercheval and Dallas' star, the late Larry Hagman," were the only actors to appear in all 14 seasons of Dallas (1978-1991), although Kercheval's Barnes was a recurring character.
From THR: Film producer, Steve Golin, has died at the age of 64, Sunday, April 21, 2019. At the 88th Academy Awards, Golin won an Oscar for producing "Spotlight" (2015), one of four producers on the film who received a statuette. Golin was actually competing against himself that night, as another film he produced, "The Revenant," was also up for the best picture Oscar.
From Deadline: Noted paranormal investigator and author, Lorraine Warren, has died at the age of 92, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Warren and her late husband, Ed Warren (who died in 2006), are known to film audiences because of they are the subjects of the films, "The Conjuring" and "The Conjuring 2," which were based on real-life events in the lives of Lorraine and Ed.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 1st to 5th, 2017 - Update #29
Support Leroy on Patreon.
TELEVISION - From YahooTV: FOX News "personality" Eric Bolling is the latest FOX white male in trouble for sexual harassment of female co-workers.
----------
TELEVISION - From ShadowandAct: Scripps Network has bought Black-oriented television network, "Bounce TV."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Whoopi Goldberg is returning this fall for Season 21 of "The View."
----------
COMICS-FILM - From TheTrackingBoard: Jeff Robinov's Studio 8 has optioned the independent comic book series, "Black," for film. The series is set in a world where only African-Ameicans have super powers.
----------
TELEVISION - TheTrackingBoard: Teagan Croft is the first cast member of "Titans," based on the comic book from DC Comics.
----------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: NBC's "Will & Grace" revival has been renewed for a second season before the first season makes it debut (set for September 28th).
----------
MOVIES - From THR: Jaden Smith to star in director Crystal Moselle's film about female skateboarders in New York City.
----------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: Sylvester Stallone will appear in the upcoming season of NBC's much talked about series, "This is Us."
----------
TELEVISION - From Vulture: The "Divergent" novel series is comprised of three books. The third book, "Allegiant," was supposed adapted into two films. The first film, also entitled "Allegiant," was a box office disappointment, and it seems that Lionsgate is not making the second part, to be called "Ascendant." Starz is developing "Ascendant" as a TV series, instead.
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Vin Diesel's One Race Television is working on a reboot of NBC's classic TV series, "Miami Vice."
----------
COMICS-FILM - From CinemaBlend: Dave Bautista, who plays "Drax" in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, says he will appear in a film adaptation of Valiant Comics' "Eternal Warrior" comic books.
----------
DISNEY - From THR: Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to voice "Scar" in Disney's live-action remake of its animated classic, "The Lion King" (1994), which will be directed by Jon Favreau.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooStyle: President and Mrs. Obama send newlywed couple a moving note of congratulations.
----------
JAMES BOND - From YahooCelebrity: Halle Berry does not think that James Bond should be played by a woman. Berry was a co-star in the 2002 Bond film, "Die Another Day."
----------
MOVIES - From ThePlaylist: Scott Cooper to write and direct "Hellhound on His Trail," about the hunt for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports: NBA Legend/G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan says that Kobe is higher on the all-time list than LeBron James.
----------
TELEVISION - From YahooTV: ABC's long-running sitcom, "The Middle," will end after this coming season, its ninth.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies: Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp" begins production and releases a teaser video.
----------
MOVIES - From BleedingCool: Ian McShane joins the "Hellboy" film franchise reboot, "Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Amazon is developing a TV series from Aaron McGruder (creator of "The Boondocks") and super-producer Will Packer ("Girls Trip") that will deal with a post-slavery reparations America.
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Leah Remini is reuniting with her "King of Queens" cast mate, Kevin James, on his recent CBS comedy, "Kevin Can Wait." In order to do that, the character played by Erinn Hayes in "Kevin Can Wait" will be killed off.
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: 50 Cent is threatening to take his hit show, "Power," from Starz.
---------
TELEVISION - From Vulture: Jason Bateman says Season 5 of "Arrested Development" begins next week for Netflix.
---------
ANIMATION - From YahooMovies: Sony's "The Emoji Movie" may be the worst reviewed movie of the year.
----------
LGBTQ - From YahooNews: A federal judge orders the FBT to probe records of a 1950 program to purge LGBT federal workers from their jobs, as per Executive Order 10450 by then President Dwight Eisenhower.
----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports: Legendary Major League Baseball player Pete Rose had sex with an underage girl, according to court documents.
----------
HEALTH - From Propublica: Could "Agent Orange" exposure in Vietnam be behind Senator John McCain's (a Vietnam War prisoner of war) battle with brain cancer?
----------
CELEBRITY - From Mashable: Mark Hamill sends a sweet DM to a fan trying to verify an old Hamill autograph.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooMovies: Idris Elba would like to be in a third "Magic Mike" film, is one happens. "Magic Mike" star, Matthew McConaughey, thinks so, too.
OBIT:
From People: The British actor Robert Hardy has died at the age of 91, Thursday, August 3, 2017. Harry Potter fans know Hardy for playing Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in four "Harry Potter" films.
From Variety: The film and television music composer, Daniel Licht, died at the age of 60, Wednesday, August 2, 2017. He was best known for composing the music for all eight seasons of Showtime's serial killer drama, "Dexter." He composed music for two of the films in the "Children of the Corn" series.
TELEVISION - From YahooTV: FOX News "personality" Eric Bolling is the latest FOX white male in trouble for sexual harassment of female co-workers.
----------
TELEVISION - From ShadowandAct: Scripps Network has bought Black-oriented television network, "Bounce TV."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Whoopi Goldberg is returning this fall for Season 21 of "The View."
----------
COMICS-FILM - From TheTrackingBoard: Jeff Robinov's Studio 8 has optioned the independent comic book series, "Black," for film. The series is set in a world where only African-Ameicans have super powers.
----------
TELEVISION - TheTrackingBoard: Teagan Croft is the first cast member of "Titans," based on the comic book from DC Comics.
----------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: NBC's "Will & Grace" revival has been renewed for a second season before the first season makes it debut (set for September 28th).
----------
MOVIES - From THR: Jaden Smith to star in director Crystal Moselle's film about female skateboarders in New York City.
----------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: Sylvester Stallone will appear in the upcoming season of NBC's much talked about series, "This is Us."
----------
TELEVISION - From Vulture: The "Divergent" novel series is comprised of three books. The third book, "Allegiant," was supposed adapted into two films. The first film, also entitled "Allegiant," was a box office disappointment, and it seems that Lionsgate is not making the second part, to be called "Ascendant." Starz is developing "Ascendant" as a TV series, instead.
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Vin Diesel's One Race Television is working on a reboot of NBC's classic TV series, "Miami Vice."
----------
COMICS-FILM - From CinemaBlend: Dave Bautista, who plays "Drax" in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, says he will appear in a film adaptation of Valiant Comics' "Eternal Warrior" comic books.
----------
DISNEY - From THR: Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to voice "Scar" in Disney's live-action remake of its animated classic, "The Lion King" (1994), which will be directed by Jon Favreau.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooStyle: President and Mrs. Obama send newlywed couple a moving note of congratulations.
----------
JAMES BOND - From YahooCelebrity: Halle Berry does not think that James Bond should be played by a woman. Berry was a co-star in the 2002 Bond film, "Die Another Day."
----------
MOVIES - From ThePlaylist: Scott Cooper to write and direct "Hellhound on His Trail," about the hunt for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports: NBA Legend/G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan says that Kobe is higher on the all-time list than LeBron James.
----------
TELEVISION - From YahooTV: ABC's long-running sitcom, "The Middle," will end after this coming season, its ninth.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies: Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp" begins production and releases a teaser video.
----------
MOVIES - From BleedingCool: Ian McShane joins the "Hellboy" film franchise reboot, "Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Amazon is developing a TV series from Aaron McGruder (creator of "The Boondocks") and super-producer Will Packer ("Girls Trip") that will deal with a post-slavery reparations America.
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Leah Remini is reuniting with her "King of Queens" cast mate, Kevin James, on his recent CBS comedy, "Kevin Can Wait." In order to do that, the character played by Erinn Hayes in "Kevin Can Wait" will be killed off.
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: 50 Cent is threatening to take his hit show, "Power," from Starz.
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TELEVISION - From Vulture: Jason Bateman says Season 5 of "Arrested Development" begins next week for Netflix.
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ANIMATION - From YahooMovies: Sony's "The Emoji Movie" may be the worst reviewed movie of the year.
----------
LGBTQ - From YahooNews: A federal judge orders the FBT to probe records of a 1950 program to purge LGBT federal workers from their jobs, as per Executive Order 10450 by then President Dwight Eisenhower.
----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports: Legendary Major League Baseball player Pete Rose had sex with an underage girl, according to court documents.
----------
HEALTH - From Propublica: Could "Agent Orange" exposure in Vietnam be behind Senator John McCain's (a Vietnam War prisoner of war) battle with brain cancer?
----------
CELEBRITY - From Mashable: Mark Hamill sends a sweet DM to a fan trying to verify an old Hamill autograph.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooMovies: Idris Elba would like to be in a third "Magic Mike" film, is one happens. "Magic Mike" star, Matthew McConaughey, thinks so, too.
OBIT:
From People: The British actor Robert Hardy has died at the age of 91, Thursday, August 3, 2017. Harry Potter fans know Hardy for playing Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in four "Harry Potter" films.
From Variety: The film and television music composer, Daniel Licht, died at the age of 60, Wednesday, August 2, 2017. He was best known for composing the music for all eight seasons of Showtime's serial killer drama, "Dexter." He composed music for two of the films in the "Children of the Corn" series.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
BET Announces 2017 "BET Awards" Nominations
BET Networks Announces Official Nominees for the 2017 “BET Awards”
Beyoncé Tops with Seven Nominations While Bruno Mars Takes Five, Followed by Chance the Rapper, Solange and Migos with Four a Piece
“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 25 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles at 8 P.M. ET
@BETAWARDS #BETAWARDS
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ:VIA.B), today announced the nominations for the 2017 "BET Awards" taking place at Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 25, 2017. This year’s broadcast marks 17 years of unexpected performances, trailblazing moments, super dope talent, and entertainment’s most provocative players. The iconic show continues to be a cultural rule breaker steeped in reinvention with some of the most memorable moments in Award show history.
In 2016, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar surprised guests with a groundbreaking performance of “Freedom,” Sheila E. and Mayte Garcia performed during the Prince Lifetime Achievement Award tribute and Jesse Williams brought the audience to their feet with his dynamic and ever-viral Humanitarian Award acceptance speech. The “BET Awards” has set the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking broadcasts.
Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Kendrick Lamar for “Freedom,” ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for Lemonade. Bruno Mars follows with five nods including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ and ‘Video of the Year’ for “24K Magic.” Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.’ Chance the Rapper and Migos receive four nominations as well, Chance the Rapper nominated for ‘Best Male Hip-Hop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and Migos for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their #1 hit “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert.
BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across over 19 categories with the 2017 "BET Awards" nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.
The complete list of nominees for the 2017 "BET Awards" are:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
BEYONCÉ
KEHLANI
MARY J. BLIGE
RIHANNA
SOLANGE
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BRUNO MARS
CHRIS BROWN
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER
Best Group
2 CHAINZ & LIL WAYNE
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
FAT JOE & REMY MA
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD
Best Collaboration
BEYONCÉ FT. KENDRICK LAMAR - FREEDOM
CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. 2 CHAINZ & LIL WAYNE - NO PROBLEM
CHRIS BROWN FT. GUCCI MANE & USHER - PARTY
DJ KHALED FT. BEYONCÉ & JAY Z - SHINING
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
RAE SREMMURD FT. GUCCI MANE - BLACK BEATLES
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
BIG SEAN
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DRAKE
FUTURE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
CARDI B
MISSY ELLIOTT
NICKI MINAJ
REMY MA
YOUNG M.A.
Video of the Year
BEYONCÉ - SORRY
BIG SEAN - BOUNCE BACK
BRUNO MARS - 24K MAGIC
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY
Video Director of the Year
BENNY BOOM – KEHLANI “CRZY”
BRUNO MARS & JONATHAN LIA – BRUNO MARS “THAT’S WHAT I LIKE”
DIRECTOR X – ZAYN MALIK “LIKE I WOULD”
HYPE WILLIAMS – TYGA “GUCCI SNAKES FT. DESIIGNER”
KAHLIL JOSEPH & BEYONCÉ KNOWLES-CARTER – BEYONCÉ “SORRY”
Best New Artist
21 SAVAGE
CARDI B
CHANCE THE RAPPER
KHALID
YOUNG M.A.
Album of the Year
24K MAGIC - BRUNO MARS
4 YOUR EYEZ ONLY - J. COLE
A SEAT AT THE TABLE - SOLANGE
COLORING BOOK - CHANCE THE RAPPER
LEMONADE - BEYONCÉ
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CECE WINANS – NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE
FANTASIA FT. TYE TRIBBETT – I MADE IT
KIRK FRANKLIN FT. SARAH REEVES, TASHA COBBS & TAMELA MANN – MY WORLD NEEDS YOU
LECRAE – CAN’T STOP ME NOW (DESTINATION)
TAMELA MANN – GOD PROVIDES
Best Actress
GABRIELLE UNION
ISSA RAE
JANELLE MONÁE
TARAJI P. HENSON
VIOLA DAVIS
Best Actor
BRYSHERE Y. GRAY
DENZEL WASHINGTON
DONALD GLOVER
MAHERSHALA ALI
OMARI HARDWICK
YoungStars Award
ACE HUNTER
CALEB MCLAUGHLIN
JADEN SMITH
MARSAI MARTIN
YARA SHAHIDI
Best Movie
FENCES
GET OUT
HIDDEN FIGURES
MOONLIGHT
THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Sportswoman of the Year Award
GABBY DOUGLAS
SERENA WILLIAMS
SIMONE BILES
SKYLAR DIGGINS
VENUS WILLIAMS
Sportsman of the Year Award
CAM NEWTON
LEBRON JAMES
ODELL BECKHAM JR.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
STEPHEN CURRY
Centric Award
FANTASIA - SLEEPING WITH THE ONE I LOVE
KEHLANI - DISTRACTION
MARY J. BLIGE - THICK OF IT
SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY
SYD - ALL ABOUT ME
YUNA - CRUSH FT. USHER
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
BEYONCÉ - SORRY
BRUNO MARS - 24K MAGIC
DRAKE - FAKE LOVE
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
RAE SREMMURD FT. GUCCI MANE - BLACK BEATLES
THE WEEKND FT. DAFT PUNK – STARBOY
Best International Act: Europe
BOOBA (France)
MHD (France)
CRAIG DAVID (UK)
EMELI SANDÉ (UK)
GIGGS (UK)
SKEPTA (UK)
STORMZY (UK)
WILEY (UK)
Best International Act: Africa
AKA (South Africa)
BABES WODUMO (South Africa)
DAVIDO (Nigeria)
NASTY C (South Africa)
STONEBWOY (Ghana)
TEKNO (Nigeria)
WIZKID (Nigeria)
MR EAZI (Nigeria)
The 2017 “BET Awards” will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in the UK on Tuesday, June 27th at 9:00pm BST, in Africa on Tuesday, June 27th at 8:00pm CAT, and in France on Wednesday, June 28th at 9:00pm CEST. Fan voting for the "Best International Act: Europe" and "Best International Act: Africa" categories opens today and will close on May 26. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the 2017 “BET Awards” live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application. The iOS and Android app, which also features current and classic BET television series, documentaries, standup comedy and legendary musical performances, will carry a live feed of the red carpet and the Awards, and is available for download now in the iTunes and Google Play stores for $3.99 a month following a seven-day free trial.
The “BET Awards” will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles from June 22-25, 2017. BET.com/betawards is the official site for the “BET Awards” and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. VIP Packages for the 5th year of the BET Experience weekend are better than ever and now on-sale. In addition to VIP amenities throughout the weekend and incredible seats for STAPLES Center shows, three levels of BETX VIP Packages offer guests the only opportunity to purchase tickets to the highly-anticipated BET Awards, broadcast live from Microsoft Theater. Last year the in-demand VIP Packages sold out, so guests are encouraged to purchase now before the allotment is depleted. Full package amenities and pricing for the Diamond, Platinum and Gold VIP Packages can be found by visiting BETExperience.com or by calling (877) 234-8425.
General tickets for the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® are on sale now at http://www.axs.com/betexperience.
Download the BETX '17 app powered by AT&T, the #1 source for everything BETX, including real-time event updates, full schedules, BET Fan Fest wristbands, daily prizes, ticket giveaways, live streams and much more.
Follow the BET Experience on Twitter @betexperience for the latest and greatest and join the hottest conversation by using #BETX. Feel free to also check us out online at http://www.betexperience.com.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ:VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA®
BET Networks, an entertainment powerhouse, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company and developer/operator of L.A. LIVE, have teamed up once again to create the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 22 - 25, 2017 presented by Coca-Cola®. This four-day festival will be filled with music concerts taking place at The Novo by Microsoft and STAPLES Center; BET Fan Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center including seminars, celebrity basketball games, celebrity meet & greets; and other special appearances. The weekend will be capped off with the “BET Awards” on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Microsoft Theater.
ABOUT AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran and multi-Image Award® winner Jesse Collins. Collins has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Most recently Collins was the executive producer of the critically-acclaimed film, The New Edition Story, a biopic on the boy band that aired as a 3-part mini-series on BET in January 2017 and posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. Collins has also produced award-winning programming including the BET Awards, BET Honors, UNCF’s An Evening of Stars, ABFF Honors, Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards, is a consulting producer for the iconic GRAMMY Awards and executive producer of BET’s hit TV series, Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart and VH1 shows Dear Mama and Hip Hop Squares with Ice Cube. Will Smith, Beyoncé, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince and Mariah Carey are a few of the myriad of superstar talent that Collins has worked with through the years. Follow Jesse Collins Entertainment @JesseCollinsEnt on Twitter and Instagram and go to http://www.jessecollinsent.com/ for more information on the company.
Follow on @BETAWARDS
---------------------
Beyoncé Tops with Seven Nominations While Bruno Mars Takes Five, Followed by Chance the Rapper, Solange and Migos with Four a Piece
“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 25 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles at 8 P.M. ET
@BETAWARDS #BETAWARDS
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ:VIA.B), today announced the nominations for the 2017 "BET Awards" taking place at Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 25, 2017. This year’s broadcast marks 17 years of unexpected performances, trailblazing moments, super dope talent, and entertainment’s most provocative players. The iconic show continues to be a cultural rule breaker steeped in reinvention with some of the most memorable moments in Award show history.
In 2016, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar surprised guests with a groundbreaking performance of “Freedom,” Sheila E. and Mayte Garcia performed during the Prince Lifetime Achievement Award tribute and Jesse Williams brought the audience to their feet with his dynamic and ever-viral Humanitarian Award acceptance speech. The “BET Awards” has set the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking broadcasts.
Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Kendrick Lamar for “Freedom,” ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for Lemonade. Bruno Mars follows with five nods including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ and ‘Video of the Year’ for “24K Magic.” Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.’ Chance the Rapper and Migos receive four nominations as well, Chance the Rapper nominated for ‘Best Male Hip-Hop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and Migos for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their #1 hit “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert.
BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across over 19 categories with the 2017 "BET Awards" nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.
The complete list of nominees for the 2017 "BET Awards" are:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
BEYONCÉ
KEHLANI
MARY J. BLIGE
RIHANNA
SOLANGE
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BRUNO MARS
CHRIS BROWN
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER
Best Group
2 CHAINZ & LIL WAYNE
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
FAT JOE & REMY MA
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD
Best Collaboration
BEYONCÉ FT. KENDRICK LAMAR - FREEDOM
CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. 2 CHAINZ & LIL WAYNE - NO PROBLEM
CHRIS BROWN FT. GUCCI MANE & USHER - PARTY
DJ KHALED FT. BEYONCÉ & JAY Z - SHINING
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
RAE SREMMURD FT. GUCCI MANE - BLACK BEATLES
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
BIG SEAN
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DRAKE
FUTURE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
CARDI B
MISSY ELLIOTT
NICKI MINAJ
REMY MA
YOUNG M.A.
Video of the Year
BEYONCÉ - SORRY
BIG SEAN - BOUNCE BACK
BRUNO MARS - 24K MAGIC
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY
Video Director of the Year
BENNY BOOM – KEHLANI “CRZY”
BRUNO MARS & JONATHAN LIA – BRUNO MARS “THAT’S WHAT I LIKE”
DIRECTOR X – ZAYN MALIK “LIKE I WOULD”
HYPE WILLIAMS – TYGA “GUCCI SNAKES FT. DESIIGNER”
KAHLIL JOSEPH & BEYONCÉ KNOWLES-CARTER – BEYONCÉ “SORRY”
Best New Artist
21 SAVAGE
CARDI B
CHANCE THE RAPPER
KHALID
YOUNG M.A.
Album of the Year
24K MAGIC - BRUNO MARS
4 YOUR EYEZ ONLY - J. COLE
A SEAT AT THE TABLE - SOLANGE
COLORING BOOK - CHANCE THE RAPPER
LEMONADE - BEYONCÉ
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CECE WINANS – NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE
FANTASIA FT. TYE TRIBBETT – I MADE IT
KIRK FRANKLIN FT. SARAH REEVES, TASHA COBBS & TAMELA MANN – MY WORLD NEEDS YOU
LECRAE – CAN’T STOP ME NOW (DESTINATION)
TAMELA MANN – GOD PROVIDES
Best Actress
GABRIELLE UNION
ISSA RAE
JANELLE MONÁE
TARAJI P. HENSON
VIOLA DAVIS
Best Actor
BRYSHERE Y. GRAY
DENZEL WASHINGTON
DONALD GLOVER
MAHERSHALA ALI
OMARI HARDWICK
YoungStars Award
ACE HUNTER
CALEB MCLAUGHLIN
JADEN SMITH
MARSAI MARTIN
YARA SHAHIDI
Best Movie
FENCES
GET OUT
HIDDEN FIGURES
MOONLIGHT
THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Sportswoman of the Year Award
GABBY DOUGLAS
SERENA WILLIAMS
SIMONE BILES
SKYLAR DIGGINS
VENUS WILLIAMS
Sportsman of the Year Award
CAM NEWTON
LEBRON JAMES
ODELL BECKHAM JR.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
STEPHEN CURRY
Centric Award
FANTASIA - SLEEPING WITH THE ONE I LOVE
KEHLANI - DISTRACTION
MARY J. BLIGE - THICK OF IT
SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY
SYD - ALL ABOUT ME
YUNA - CRUSH FT. USHER
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
BEYONCÉ - SORRY
BRUNO MARS - 24K MAGIC
DRAKE - FAKE LOVE
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
RAE SREMMURD FT. GUCCI MANE - BLACK BEATLES
THE WEEKND FT. DAFT PUNK – STARBOY
Best International Act: Europe
BOOBA (France)
MHD (France)
CRAIG DAVID (UK)
EMELI SANDÉ (UK)
GIGGS (UK)
SKEPTA (UK)
STORMZY (UK)
WILEY (UK)
Best International Act: Africa
AKA (South Africa)
BABES WODUMO (South Africa)
DAVIDO (Nigeria)
NASTY C (South Africa)
STONEBWOY (Ghana)
TEKNO (Nigeria)
WIZKID (Nigeria)
MR EAZI (Nigeria)
The 2017 “BET Awards” will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in the UK on Tuesday, June 27th at 9:00pm BST, in Africa on Tuesday, June 27th at 8:00pm CAT, and in France on Wednesday, June 28th at 9:00pm CEST. Fan voting for the "Best International Act: Europe" and "Best International Act: Africa" categories opens today and will close on May 26. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the 2017 “BET Awards” live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application. The iOS and Android app, which also features current and classic BET television series, documentaries, standup comedy and legendary musical performances, will carry a live feed of the red carpet and the Awards, and is available for download now in the iTunes and Google Play stores for $3.99 a month following a seven-day free trial.
The “BET Awards” will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles from June 22-25, 2017. BET.com/betawards is the official site for the “BET Awards” and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. VIP Packages for the 5th year of the BET Experience weekend are better than ever and now on-sale. In addition to VIP amenities throughout the weekend and incredible seats for STAPLES Center shows, three levels of BETX VIP Packages offer guests the only opportunity to purchase tickets to the highly-anticipated BET Awards, broadcast live from Microsoft Theater. Last year the in-demand VIP Packages sold out, so guests are encouraged to purchase now before the allotment is depleted. Full package amenities and pricing for the Diamond, Platinum and Gold VIP Packages can be found by visiting BETExperience.com or by calling (877) 234-8425.
General tickets for the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® are on sale now at http://www.axs.com/betexperience.
Download the BETX '17 app powered by AT&T, the #1 source for everything BETX, including real-time event updates, full schedules, BET Fan Fest wristbands, daily prizes, ticket giveaways, live streams and much more.
Follow the BET Experience on Twitter @betexperience for the latest and greatest and join the hottest conversation by using #BETX. Feel free to also check us out online at http://www.betexperience.com.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ:VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA®
BET Networks, an entertainment powerhouse, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company and developer/operator of L.A. LIVE, have teamed up once again to create the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 22 - 25, 2017 presented by Coca-Cola®. This four-day festival will be filled with music concerts taking place at The Novo by Microsoft and STAPLES Center; BET Fan Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center including seminars, celebrity basketball games, celebrity meet & greets; and other special appearances. The weekend will be capped off with the “BET Awards” on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Microsoft Theater.
ABOUT AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran and multi-Image Award® winner Jesse Collins. Collins has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Most recently Collins was the executive producer of the critically-acclaimed film, The New Edition Story, a biopic on the boy band that aired as a 3-part mini-series on BET in January 2017 and posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. Collins has also produced award-winning programming including the BET Awards, BET Honors, UNCF’s An Evening of Stars, ABFF Honors, Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards, is a consulting producer for the iconic GRAMMY Awards and executive producer of BET’s hit TV series, Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart and VH1 shows Dear Mama and Hip Hop Squares with Ice Cube. Will Smith, Beyoncé, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince and Mariah Carey are a few of the myriad of superstar talent that Collins has worked with through the years. Follow Jesse Collins Entertainment @JesseCollinsEnt on Twitter and Instagram and go to http://www.jessecollinsent.com/ for more information on the company.
Follow on @BETAWARDS
---------------------
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
2015 "BET Award" Nominees Announced; Winners Announced June 28th
BET Networks Announces Official Nominees for The “BET Awards” 2015
Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Lead with Six Nominations Followed by Beyoncé and Lil Wayne with Four
Sam Smith Receives Two Nods, and Newcomer FKA Twigs is Nominated for Best International Artist: UK
“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 28 from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA at 8 P.M. ET
#BETAWARDS
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB, VIA), today announced the nominations for the "BET Awards" 2015. Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj lead with an impressive six nominations. Chris Brown is nominated for ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ two separate nods in the ‘Best Collaboration’ category, two nominations in the ‘Video of the Year’ category and the ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Nicki Minaj is nominated ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ two nominations for ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money.
Beyoncé and Lil Wayne round it out with four nominations each. Beyoncé is nominated for ‘Best Female R&B / Pop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ and the coveted ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Lil Wayne is nominated for ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award,’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money. This year also marks a special milestone for the "BET Awards" as it celebrates its 15th anniversary live from the Nokia Theatre, Sunday, June 28, 2015.
“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes”
BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories with the "BET Awards" 2015 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.
“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Programming. “We congratulate all of the talent on their remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment and look forward to them joining us in celebrating 15 years of the BET Awards.”
The complete list of nominees for the "BET Awards" 2015 are:
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
BEYONCÉ
CIARA
JANELLE MONÁE
JHENÉ AIKO
K. MICHELLE
RIHANNA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
AUGUST ALSINA
CHRIS BROWN
JOHN LEGEND
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER
BEST GROUP
A$AP MOB
JODECI
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD
RICH GANG
YOUNG MONEY
BEST COLLABORATION
AUGUST ALSINA F/ NICKI MINAJ – NO LOVE (REMIX)
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 - IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA - LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS - NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND - GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE "SELMA")
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
BIG SEAN
COMMON
DRAKE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
WALE
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
AZEALIA BANKS
DEJ LOAF
IGGY AZALEA
NICKI MINAJ
TINK
TRINA
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
BEYONCÉ - 7/11
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 - IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA - LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS - NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND - GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE "SELMA")
NICKI MINAJ - ANACONDA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
BENNY BOOM
BEYONCÉ, ED BURKE & TODD TOURSO
CHRIS ROBINSON
FATIMA ROBINSON
HYPE WILLIAMS
BEST NEW ARTIST
BOBBY SHMURDA
DEJ LOAF
FETTY WAP
RAE SREMMURD
SAM SMITH
TINASHE
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST
DEITRICK HADDON
ERICA CAMPBELL
FRED HAMMOND
LECRAE
MALI MUSIC
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
BEST ACTRESS
GABRIELLE UNION
KERRY WASHINGTON
TARAJI P. HENSON
TRACEE ELLIS ROSS
VIOLA DAVIS
BEST ACTOR
ANTHONY ANDERSON
IDRIS ELBA
JUSSIE SMOLLETT
KEVIN HART
TERRENCE HOWARD
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
JACOB LATIMORE
JADEN SMITH
MO'NE DAVIS
QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS
ZENDAYA
BEST MOVIE
ANNIE
BEYOND THE LIGHTS
SELMA
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO
TOP FIVE
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
BRITTNEY GRINER
CANDACE PARKER
SERENA WILLIAMS
SKYLAR DIGGINS
VENUS WILLIAMS
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
CHRIS PAUL
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR.
LEBRON JAMES
MARSHAWN LYNCH
STEPHEN CURRY
COCA-COLA VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD
BEYONCÉ – 7/11
DEJ LOAF – TRY ME
KENDRICK LAMAR – i
NICKI MINAJ F/ DRAKE, LIL WAYNE & CHRIS BROWN - ONLY
RAE SREMMURD F/ NICKI MINAJ & YOUNG THUG – THROW SUM MO
THE WEEKND – EARNED IT (FROM THE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK)
CENTRIC AWARD
AVERY SUNSHINE – CALL MY NAME
JAZMINE SULLIVAN F/ MEEK MILL – DUMB
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK
SAM SMITH F/ MARY J. BLIGE – STAY WITH ME
THE WEEKND - EARNED IT (FROM THE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK)
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: AFRICA
AKA (SOUTH AFRICA)
FALLY IPUPA (DR CONGO)
SARKODIE (GHANA)
SAUTI SOL (KENYA)
STONEBWOY (GHANA)
THE SOIL (SOUTH AFRICA)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
YEMI ALADE (NIGERIA)
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: UK
FKA TWIGS
FUSE ODG
LETHAL BIZZLE
LITTLE SIMZ
MNEK
STORMZY
The “BET Awards” 2015 will premiere around the world on BET’s international network at 8:00pm GMT (check local listings).
Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Programming, Connie Orlando, BET’s Senior Vice President of Music and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the “BET Awards” along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The “BET Awards” will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. Live in Los Angeles from June 25-28, 2015. BET.com/Awards is the official site for the “BET Awards” and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. All information about the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® can be found at BETExperience.com. The BET Experience VIP Package offers the only way to purchase a “BET Awards” ticket, great seats to 3-nights of concerts at the Staples Center, and exclusive access to events at the free Fan Fest. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to BET.com/BETX.Follow the Experience on Twitter @betexperience.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins, the company’s CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Formerly Executive Producer/EVP of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins is an executive producer of Real Husbands of Hollywood, (now going into its 4th hit season) alongside industry icons Stan Lathan and Ralph Farquhar; and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince, Mariah Carey and many more.
BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA®
BET Networks, an entertainment powerhouse, and AEG, one of the leading entertainment companies in the world and developer/ operator of L.A. LIVE, have teamed up once again to create the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 25 - 28, 2015 presented by Coca-Cola®. This three-day festival will be filled with music and comedy concerts taking place at Club Nokia and STAPLES Center; “106 & PARK”; FREE BET Fan Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center including seminars, celebrity basketball games, celebrity meet & greets; and other special appearances. The weekend will be capped off with the “BET Awards” on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.
Follow us @BET_PR AND @BETAWARDS
---------------
Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Lead with Six Nominations Followed by Beyoncé and Lil Wayne with Four
Sam Smith Receives Two Nods, and Newcomer FKA Twigs is Nominated for Best International Artist: UK
“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 28 from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA at 8 P.M. ET
#BETAWARDS
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB, VIA), today announced the nominations for the "BET Awards" 2015. Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj lead with an impressive six nominations. Chris Brown is nominated for ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ two separate nods in the ‘Best Collaboration’ category, two nominations in the ‘Video of the Year’ category and the ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Nicki Minaj is nominated ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ two nominations for ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money.
Beyoncé and Lil Wayne round it out with four nominations each. Beyoncé is nominated for ‘Best Female R&B / Pop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ and the coveted ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Lil Wayne is nominated for ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award,’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money. This year also marks a special milestone for the "BET Awards" as it celebrates its 15th anniversary live from the Nokia Theatre, Sunday, June 28, 2015.
“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes”
BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories with the "BET Awards" 2015 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.
“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Programming. “We congratulate all of the talent on their remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment and look forward to them joining us in celebrating 15 years of the BET Awards.”
The complete list of nominees for the "BET Awards" 2015 are:
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
BEYONCÉ
CIARA
JANELLE MONÁE
JHENÉ AIKO
K. MICHELLE
RIHANNA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
AUGUST ALSINA
CHRIS BROWN
JOHN LEGEND
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER
BEST GROUP
A$AP MOB
JODECI
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD
RICH GANG
YOUNG MONEY
BEST COLLABORATION
AUGUST ALSINA F/ NICKI MINAJ – NO LOVE (REMIX)
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 - IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA - LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS - NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND - GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE "SELMA")
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
BIG SEAN
COMMON
DRAKE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
WALE
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
AZEALIA BANKS
DEJ LOAF
IGGY AZALEA
NICKI MINAJ
TINK
TRINA
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
BEYONCÉ - 7/11
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 - IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA - LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS - NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND - GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE "SELMA")
NICKI MINAJ - ANACONDA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
BENNY BOOM
BEYONCÉ, ED BURKE & TODD TOURSO
CHRIS ROBINSON
FATIMA ROBINSON
HYPE WILLIAMS
BEST NEW ARTIST
BOBBY SHMURDA
DEJ LOAF
FETTY WAP
RAE SREMMURD
SAM SMITH
TINASHE
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST
DEITRICK HADDON
ERICA CAMPBELL
FRED HAMMOND
LECRAE
MALI MUSIC
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
BEST ACTRESS
GABRIELLE UNION
KERRY WASHINGTON
TARAJI P. HENSON
TRACEE ELLIS ROSS
VIOLA DAVIS
BEST ACTOR
ANTHONY ANDERSON
IDRIS ELBA
JUSSIE SMOLLETT
KEVIN HART
TERRENCE HOWARD
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
JACOB LATIMORE
JADEN SMITH
MO'NE DAVIS
QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS
ZENDAYA
BEST MOVIE
ANNIE
BEYOND THE LIGHTS
SELMA
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO
TOP FIVE
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
BRITTNEY GRINER
CANDACE PARKER
SERENA WILLIAMS
SKYLAR DIGGINS
VENUS WILLIAMS
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
CHRIS PAUL
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR.
LEBRON JAMES
MARSHAWN LYNCH
STEPHEN CURRY
COCA-COLA VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD
BEYONCÉ – 7/11
DEJ LOAF – TRY ME
KENDRICK LAMAR – i
NICKI MINAJ F/ DRAKE, LIL WAYNE & CHRIS BROWN - ONLY
RAE SREMMURD F/ NICKI MINAJ & YOUNG THUG – THROW SUM MO
THE WEEKND – EARNED IT (FROM THE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK)
CENTRIC AWARD
AVERY SUNSHINE – CALL MY NAME
JAZMINE SULLIVAN F/ MEEK MILL – DUMB
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK
SAM SMITH F/ MARY J. BLIGE – STAY WITH ME
THE WEEKND - EARNED IT (FROM THE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK)
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: AFRICA
AKA (SOUTH AFRICA)
FALLY IPUPA (DR CONGO)
SARKODIE (GHANA)
SAUTI SOL (KENYA)
STONEBWOY (GHANA)
THE SOIL (SOUTH AFRICA)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
YEMI ALADE (NIGERIA)
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: UK
FKA TWIGS
FUSE ODG
LETHAL BIZZLE
LITTLE SIMZ
MNEK
STORMZY
The “BET Awards” 2015 will premiere around the world on BET’s international network at 8:00pm GMT (check local listings).
Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Programming, Connie Orlando, BET’s Senior Vice President of Music and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the “BET Awards” along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The “BET Awards” will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. Live in Los Angeles from June 25-28, 2015. BET.com/Awards is the official site for the “BET Awards” and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. All information about the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® can be found at BETExperience.com. The BET Experience VIP Package offers the only way to purchase a “BET Awards” ticket, great seats to 3-nights of concerts at the Staples Center, and exclusive access to events at the free Fan Fest. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to BET.com/BETX.Follow the Experience on Twitter @betexperience.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins, the company’s CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Formerly Executive Producer/EVP of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins is an executive producer of Real Husbands of Hollywood, (now going into its 4th hit season) alongside industry icons Stan Lathan and Ralph Farquhar; and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince, Mariah Carey and many more.
BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA®
BET Networks, an entertainment powerhouse, and AEG, one of the leading entertainment companies in the world and developer/ operator of L.A. LIVE, have teamed up once again to create the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 25 - 28, 2015 presented by Coca-Cola®. This three-day festival will be filled with music and comedy concerts taking place at Club Nokia and STAPLES Center; “106 & PARK”; FREE BET Fan Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center including seminars, celebrity basketball games, celebrity meet & greets; and other special appearances. The weekend will be capped off with the “BET Awards” on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.
Follow us @BET_PR AND @BETAWARDS
---------------
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
2014 Razzie Awards - Complete Winners aka Losers List
by Amos Semien
The Golden Raspberry Award or, as it is best known, the Razzie Award, is basically the opposite of the Academy Awards (the Oscars). This award honors the worst achievements in film in a calendar year, as determined by the paid membership of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation.
And now… the haters. The winners (or losers, if you will) of the 2014 Razzie Awards were announced Saturday, March 1, 2014, one day before the Academy Awards ceremony (or “Oscar eve”) – the traditional date for the Razzies.
After Earth and Movie 43 each won three awards. Movie 43, an anthology comedy film, was named “Worst Picture” of 2013. Grown Up 2, the Adam Sandler and pals film that was a sequel to an earlier Adam Sandler and pals film, had received nine nominations, but did not win any – apparently the biggest shutout in Razzie Award history.
2014 / 34th Annual Razzie Awards winners (for the year in film, 2013):
WORST PICTURE:
Movie 43 – Relativity Media
WORST ACTOR
Jaden Smith: After Earth
WORST ACTRESS
Tyler Perry: A Madea Christmas
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kim Kardashian: Tyler Perry’s Temptation
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will Smith: After Earth
WORST DIRECTOR:
The 13 People Who Directed Movie 43 (Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin Dunne, Peter Farrelly, Patrik Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Brett Ratner, and Jonathan van Tulleken)
WORST SCREEN COMBO
Jaden Smith & Will Smith on Planet Nepotism: After Earth
WORST SCREENPLAY
Movie 43: Written by 19 “Screenwriters” (Steve Baker, Ricky Blitt, Will Carlough, Tobias Carlson, Jacob Fleisher, Patrik Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Claes Kjellstrom, Jack Kukoda, Bob Odenkirk, Bill O'Malley, Matthew Alec Portenoy, Greg Pritikin, Rocky Russo, Olle Sarri, Elizabeth Wright Shapiro, Jeremy Sosenko, Jonathan van Tulleken and Jonas Wittenmark)
WORST REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL
The Lone Ranger – Walt Disney Pictures
http://www.razzies.com/
--------------------------------
The Golden Raspberry Award or, as it is best known, the Razzie Award, is basically the opposite of the Academy Awards (the Oscars). This award honors the worst achievements in film in a calendar year, as determined by the paid membership of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation.
And now… the haters. The winners (or losers, if you will) of the 2014 Razzie Awards were announced Saturday, March 1, 2014, one day before the Academy Awards ceremony (or “Oscar eve”) – the traditional date for the Razzies.
After Earth and Movie 43 each won three awards. Movie 43, an anthology comedy film, was named “Worst Picture” of 2013. Grown Up 2, the Adam Sandler and pals film that was a sequel to an earlier Adam Sandler and pals film, had received nine nominations, but did not win any – apparently the biggest shutout in Razzie Award history.
2014 / 34th Annual Razzie Awards winners (for the year in film, 2013):
WORST PICTURE:
Movie 43 – Relativity Media
WORST ACTOR
Jaden Smith: After Earth
WORST ACTRESS
Tyler Perry: A Madea Christmas
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kim Kardashian: Tyler Perry’s Temptation
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will Smith: After Earth
WORST DIRECTOR:
The 13 People Who Directed Movie 43 (Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin Dunne, Peter Farrelly, Patrik Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Brett Ratner, and Jonathan van Tulleken)
WORST SCREEN COMBO
Jaden Smith & Will Smith on Planet Nepotism: After Earth
WORST SCREENPLAY
Movie 43: Written by 19 “Screenwriters” (Steve Baker, Ricky Blitt, Will Carlough, Tobias Carlson, Jacob Fleisher, Patrik Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Claes Kjellstrom, Jack Kukoda, Bob Odenkirk, Bill O'Malley, Matthew Alec Portenoy, Greg Pritikin, Rocky Russo, Olle Sarri, Elizabeth Wright Shapiro, Jeremy Sosenko, Jonathan van Tulleken and Jonas Wittenmark)
WORST REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL
The Lone Ranger – Walt Disney Pictures
http://www.razzies.com/
--------------------------------
Saturday, March 1, 2014
2014 Razzie Award Nominations - Complete List
by Leroy Douresseaux
The 34th Annual Razzie Awards are tonight.
The Golden Raspberry Award or, as it is best known, the Razzie Award, is basically the opposite of the Academy Awards (the Oscars). This award honors the worst achievements in film in a calendar year, as determined by the paid membership of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation.
Unlike the Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and other awards, black and African-American performers and filmmakers are well represented in the Razzies. Razzie voters seem to have a particular hatred for Tyler Perry. That is why I often think of the Razzies as nothing more than a hater fest for jealous bitches and envious ho’s. I hear charges of nepotism concerning Will Smith and his son, Jaden, around the movie After Earth. Nepotism in Hollywood: is that a new thing? Really?
The nominations for 34th Annual Razzie Awards were announced weeks ago. The winners of the 2014 Razzie Awards will be announced, Saturday, March 1, 2014, one day before the Academy Awards ceremony (or “Oscar eve”). This is the traditional date for the Razzies, although the 32nd awards ceremony was held on April Fool’s Day.
2014 / 34th Annual Razzie Awards nominations (for the year in film, 2013):
WORST PICTURE
After Earth
Grown Ups 2
The Lone Ranger
A Madea Christmas
Movie 43
WORST ACTOR
Johnny Depp: The Lone Ranger
Ashton Kutcher: Jobs
Adam Sandler: Grown Ups 2
Jaden Smith: After Earth
Sylvester Stallone: Bullet To The Head, Escape Plan, Grudge Match
WORST ACTRESS
Halle Berry: Movie 43, The Call
Selena Gomez: Getaway
Lindsay Lohan: The Canyons
Tyler Perry: A Madea Christmas
Naomi Watts: Diana, Movie 43
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Lady Gaga: Machete Kills
Salma Hayek: Grown Ups 2
Katherine Heigl: The Big Wedding
Kim Kardashian: Tyler Perry’s Temptation
Lindsay Lohan: In-App-Propriate Comedy, Scary Movie 5
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Chris Brown: Battle Of The Year
Larry the Cable Guy: A Madea Christmas
Taylor Lautner: Grown Ups 2
Will Smith: After Earth
Nick Swardson: A Haunted House, Grown Ups 2
WORST DIRECTOR
The 13 People Who Directed Movie 43
Dennis Dugan: Grown Ups 2
Tyler Perry: A Madea Christmas, Temptation
M. Night Shyamalan: After Earth
Gore Verbinski: The Lone Ranger
WORST SCREEN COMBO
The Entire Cast of Groan-Ups, Too
The Entire Cast of Movie 43
Lindsay Lohan & Charlie Sheen: Scary Movie 5
Tyler Perry & EITHER Larry the Cable Guy OR That Worn-Out Wig & Dress: A Madea Christmas
Jaden Smith & Will Smith on Planet Nepotism: After Earth
WORST SCREENPLAY
After Earth: Screenplay by Gary Whitta and M. Night Shyamalan, Story by Will Smith
Grown Ups 2: Written by Fred Wolfe & Adam Sandler & Tim Herlihy
The Lone Ranger: Screen Story & Screenplay by Ted Elliott, Justin Haythe & Terry Rosso
A Madea Christmas: Written by Tyler Perry
Movie 43: Written by 19 “Screenwriters”
WORST REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL
Grown Ups 2
Hangover III
The Lone Ranger
Scary Movie 5
Smurfs 2
http://www.razzies.com/
---------------------------
The 34th Annual Razzie Awards are tonight.
The Golden Raspberry Award or, as it is best known, the Razzie Award, is basically the opposite of the Academy Awards (the Oscars). This award honors the worst achievements in film in a calendar year, as determined by the paid membership of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation.
Unlike the Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and other awards, black and African-American performers and filmmakers are well represented in the Razzies. Razzie voters seem to have a particular hatred for Tyler Perry. That is why I often think of the Razzies as nothing more than a hater fest for jealous bitches and envious ho’s. I hear charges of nepotism concerning Will Smith and his son, Jaden, around the movie After Earth. Nepotism in Hollywood: is that a new thing? Really?
The nominations for 34th Annual Razzie Awards were announced weeks ago. The winners of the 2014 Razzie Awards will be announced, Saturday, March 1, 2014, one day before the Academy Awards ceremony (or “Oscar eve”). This is the traditional date for the Razzies, although the 32nd awards ceremony was held on April Fool’s Day.
2014 / 34th Annual Razzie Awards nominations (for the year in film, 2013):
WORST PICTURE
After Earth
Grown Ups 2
The Lone Ranger
A Madea Christmas
Movie 43
WORST ACTOR
Johnny Depp: The Lone Ranger
Ashton Kutcher: Jobs
Adam Sandler: Grown Ups 2
Jaden Smith: After Earth
Sylvester Stallone: Bullet To The Head, Escape Plan, Grudge Match
WORST ACTRESS
Halle Berry: Movie 43, The Call
Selena Gomez: Getaway
Lindsay Lohan: The Canyons
Tyler Perry: A Madea Christmas
Naomi Watts: Diana, Movie 43
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Lady Gaga: Machete Kills
Salma Hayek: Grown Ups 2
Katherine Heigl: The Big Wedding
Kim Kardashian: Tyler Perry’s Temptation
Lindsay Lohan: In-App-Propriate Comedy, Scary Movie 5
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Chris Brown: Battle Of The Year
Larry the Cable Guy: A Madea Christmas
Taylor Lautner: Grown Ups 2
Will Smith: After Earth
Nick Swardson: A Haunted House, Grown Ups 2
WORST DIRECTOR
The 13 People Who Directed Movie 43
Dennis Dugan: Grown Ups 2
Tyler Perry: A Madea Christmas, Temptation
M. Night Shyamalan: After Earth
Gore Verbinski: The Lone Ranger
WORST SCREEN COMBO
The Entire Cast of Groan-Ups, Too
The Entire Cast of Movie 43
Lindsay Lohan & Charlie Sheen: Scary Movie 5
Tyler Perry & EITHER Larry the Cable Guy OR That Worn-Out Wig & Dress: A Madea Christmas
Jaden Smith & Will Smith on Planet Nepotism: After Earth
WORST SCREENPLAY
After Earth: Screenplay by Gary Whitta and M. Night Shyamalan, Story by Will Smith
Grown Ups 2: Written by Fred Wolfe & Adam Sandler & Tim Herlihy
The Lone Ranger: Screen Story & Screenplay by Ted Elliott, Justin Haythe & Terry Rosso
A Madea Christmas: Written by Tyler Perry
Movie 43: Written by 19 “Screenwriters”
WORST REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL
Grown Ups 2
Hangover III
The Lone Ranger
Scary Movie 5
Smurfs 2
http://www.razzies.com/
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Monday, October 14, 2013
Review: "After Earth" Offers a World of Thrilling Adventure
After Earth (2013)
Running time: 100 minutes (1 hour, 40 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and some disturbing images
DIRECTOR: M. Night Shyamalan
WRITERS: Gary Whitta and M. Night Shyamalan; from a story by Will Smith
PRODUCERS: James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, Caleeb Pinkett, and Will Smith
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Peter Suschitzky
EDITOR: Steven Rosenblum
COMPOSER: James Newton Howard
SCI-FI/ADVENTURE/DRAMA/THRILLER
Starring: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, Sophie Okonedo, Zoe Isabella Kravitz, Glenn Morshower, and Jaden Martin
It was panned by critics, and it was a box office disappointment – some would even say a box office bomb. However, I liked it. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. It is about as good as I had hoped it would be when I first heard about it.
I am talking about After Earth, the 2013 futuristic science fiction adventure-survival film from director M. Night Shyamalan. The film follows a teen boy who must embark on a perilous journey across a hostile future Earth in order to save himself and his father.
After Earth takes place 1,000 years after the human race had to abandon Earth because of an environmental cataclysm. Humanity eventually settles on a new world called Nova Prime. That settlement brings humanity into conflict with the S’krell, an alien race that wants to conquer Nova Prime. The S’krell’s secret weapon are the Ursa, large, blind, predatory creatures that hunts humanity by “smelling” human fear. Humanity is saved by The Ranger Corps, in particular, the legendary General Cypher Raige (Will Smith), who developed the technique that allows humans to successfully fight the Ursa.
The heroic Cypher, however, does not have a successful relationship with his son, Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith). They plan a trip together, but an unexpected event strands them on Earth, a now-quarantined planet. With Cypher gravely wounded, Kitai must locate a distress signal beacon, but to do that, he must travel cross terrain in which many plants, animals, and the climate are lethal to humans.
There are moments in After Earth, when Will and Jaden’s acting is suspect, but for the most part, they make their respective characters’ bonds and conflicts seem genuine. As Kitai, Jaden’s fear is palatable, and his anger, grief, and disappointed are authentic within the context of his story. I think some critics’ complaints of nepotism regarding this father-son acting team, specifically as it relates to After Earth, are dishonest. Fathers and sons have been appearing together in film for decades. What makes the Smiths so different that they are the target of such derision and resentment?
I also think that the way some critics are always out to attack director M. Night Shyamalan has gotten out of hand. He does an excellent job with After Earth, especially with a young actor like Jaden. Shyamalan creates a taut, riveting journey that begins generating a sense of impending doom from the time the Raiges leave Nova Prime to the final frames of the film. Whatever people might say about him, Shyamalan is the master of the gripping narrative, and he does some gripping with After Earth.
Worthy of note are two excellent supporting performances by Sophie Okonedo and Zoe Isabella Kravitz, especially the latter. Zoe is award-nomination worthy in her After Earth part, and it is a shame she does not appear in more films.
Visually, After Earth is a beautiful film, and its science fiction and futuristic concepts (such as the dialect spoken in the film) are inventive and interesting. James Newton Howard’s score is soaring and emotional; the perfect music for a film that is both an epic adventure and a tale of a ragged relationship between an estranged father and his son.
Bravo! I understand that After Earth is the first of a planned trilogy. If the second and third movies could be as good as the first, I hope that they are produced, despite this film’s box office results. Regardless of hyped box office expectations and of the politics of film critics and their resentments and prejudices, After Earth is a movie spectacular. This is a classic tale of man vs. nature, of man vs. himself, and of man vs. his dad who has way-high expectations. After Earth will stand the test of time.
8 of 10
A
Monday, October 14, 2013
The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
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Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Will and Jaden Smith to Be Newspapermen for a Day
Will Smith and Jaden Smith to Be Special Guests of Metro Newspapers
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metro US ("Metro") will feature famous father-and-son team Will and Jaden Smith as Special Guests on Monday April 22, 2013 both in-paper and online at www.metro.us, in advance of their action film “After Earth,” premiering June 7, 2013.
As Special Guests, Jaden and Will Smith will imagine what the Earth will look like hundreds of years from now; including environmental impact, advances in technology and transport, and media. The pair will sit for an exclusive Q&A with Metro. All content will run in Metro’s print and digital editions around the world.
“Metro strives to bring exciting exclusive content to readers both in print and online,” said Tony Metcalf, Metro US Editor-in-Chief, “to have Will and Jaden Smith, creating exclusive content just for Metro? No doubt Metro will be a very hot commodity on Apr 22nd. It’s an outstanding opportunity for advertisers, as well.”
In “After Earth,” a crash landing leaves teenager Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) and his legendary father Cypher (Will Smith) stranded on Earth 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape. With Cypher critically injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help, facing uncharted terrain, evolved animal species that now rule the planet, and an unstoppable alien creature that escaped during the crash. Father and son must work together and trust one another if they want to return home.
Check out the “After Earth” trailer on www.metro.us.
ABOUT METRO
Metro is the world’s largest newspaper – attracting a young, active audience of over 20 million daily in more than 100 cities worldwide. In the US, Metro was launched in 1999 and is now the #1 most read free daily nationwide with 1.3 million daily readers. Designed for a 20-minute read, Metro delivers news and entertainment to commuters Monday through Friday. Local, national and international news and features are presented without bias, showcasing a metropolitan attitude and style. To learn more, visit: www.metro.us
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metro US ("Metro") will feature famous father-and-son team Will and Jaden Smith as Special Guests on Monday April 22, 2013 both in-paper and online at www.metro.us, in advance of their action film “After Earth,” premiering June 7, 2013.
As Special Guests, Jaden and Will Smith will imagine what the Earth will look like hundreds of years from now; including environmental impact, advances in technology and transport, and media. The pair will sit for an exclusive Q&A with Metro. All content will run in Metro’s print and digital editions around the world.
“Metro strives to bring exciting exclusive content to readers both in print and online,” said Tony Metcalf, Metro US Editor-in-Chief, “to have Will and Jaden Smith, creating exclusive content just for Metro? No doubt Metro will be a very hot commodity on Apr 22nd. It’s an outstanding opportunity for advertisers, as well.”
In “After Earth,” a crash landing leaves teenager Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) and his legendary father Cypher (Will Smith) stranded on Earth 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape. With Cypher critically injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help, facing uncharted terrain, evolved animal species that now rule the planet, and an unstoppable alien creature that escaped during the crash. Father and son must work together and trust one another if they want to return home.
Check out the “After Earth” trailer on www.metro.us.
ABOUT METRO
Metro is the world’s largest newspaper – attracting a young, active audience of over 20 million daily in more than 100 cities worldwide. In the US, Metro was launched in 1999 and is now the #1 most read free daily nationwide with 1.3 million daily readers. Designed for a 20-minute read, Metro delivers news and entertainment to commuters Monday through Friday. Local, national and international news and features are presented without bias, showcasing a metropolitan attitude and style. To learn more, visit: www.metro.us
Friday, March 2, 2012
Shyamalan Begins Shooting "After Earth" with New Camera System
"After Earth" Is First Motion Picture to Be Shot with Sony's F65 Camera
Sony Pictures Entertainment's Upcoming Science Fiction Epic Gets True 4K Production Treatment Using Groundbreaking New Camera System
PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest film from the production company Overbrook Entertainment and acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan, "After Earth," scheduled for release next year by Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia Pictures, is the first major motion picture to be shot using Sony's groundbreaking F65 CineAlta(TM) digital production camera.
Shyamalan commented, "I couldn't be any happier with the F65, which is amazing since I'm a 'film guy' and I thought I'd die a 'film guy.' It's a digital media that's warm and has humanity in it which is obviously the most important thing to me."
"The F65 is like a great leap forward," said director of photography, Peter Suschitzky. "As soon as I did testing of the F65, I was immensely impressed by the amount of detail it captures, by its incredible flexibility, from low lights to high lights, and its great contrast range. It really is a camera for the future and I'm going to use it again on a number of films."
In January 2012, Sony began worldwide deliveries of the F65 camera to meet the incredibly high demand from production professionals. Approximately 400 units were pre-ordered, and several other high-profile productions are also planned to be shot with the F65.
"This movie is the perfect first project for the F65," said Alec Shapiro, senior vice president at Sony Electronics. "The combination of an innovative moviemaker and a script with incredibly high production values will test the limits of this camera and its powerful feature set. The result is sure to be a unique and visually immersive entertainment experience for the movie-going consumer."
The F65 camera's unprecedented 8K image sensor, with approximately 20 total megapixels, offers higher image fidelity than any other digital cinema production camera. With 16-bit Linear RAW file output capability, the F65 creates the gateway to an end-to-end 4K file-based mastering workflow.
In response to the strong interest in Sony's new F65 CineAlta(TM) camera from the filmmaking community, Sony Pictures Studios plans to host workshops on digital workflows supporting the F65. The workshops, beginning in March, are designed to educate qualified directors, cinematographers and other film industry professionals.
Sony Pictures Entertainment's Upcoming Science Fiction Epic Gets True 4K Production Treatment Using Groundbreaking New Camera System
PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest film from the production company Overbrook Entertainment and acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan, "After Earth," scheduled for release next year by Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia Pictures, is the first major motion picture to be shot using Sony's groundbreaking F65 CineAlta(TM) digital production camera.
Shyamalan commented, "I couldn't be any happier with the F65, which is amazing since I'm a 'film guy' and I thought I'd die a 'film guy.' It's a digital media that's warm and has humanity in it which is obviously the most important thing to me."
"The F65 is like a great leap forward," said director of photography, Peter Suschitzky. "As soon as I did testing of the F65, I was immensely impressed by the amount of detail it captures, by its incredible flexibility, from low lights to high lights, and its great contrast range. It really is a camera for the future and I'm going to use it again on a number of films."
In January 2012, Sony began worldwide deliveries of the F65 camera to meet the incredibly high demand from production professionals. Approximately 400 units were pre-ordered, and several other high-profile productions are also planned to be shot with the F65.
"This movie is the perfect first project for the F65," said Alec Shapiro, senior vice president at Sony Electronics. "The combination of an innovative moviemaker and a script with incredibly high production values will test the limits of this camera and its powerful feature set. The result is sure to be a unique and visually immersive entertainment experience for the movie-going consumer."
The F65 camera's unprecedented 8K image sensor, with approximately 20 total megapixels, offers higher image fidelity than any other digital cinema production camera. With 16-bit Linear RAW file output capability, the F65 creates the gateway to an end-to-end 4K file-based mastering workflow.
In response to the strong interest in Sony's new F65 CineAlta(TM) camera from the filmmaking community, Sony Pictures Studios plans to host workshops on digital workflows supporting the F65. The workshops, beginning in March, are designed to educate qualified directors, cinematographers and other film industry professionals.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Jaden Smith to Star in Untitled M. Night Shyamalan Film
I found some Will and Jaden Smith news, which I posted last week. Here, is the official version of that news from Sony Pictures:
JADEN SMITH TO STAR WITH WILL SMITH IN AN UNTITLED SCIENCE-FICTION ADVENTURE FOR COLUMBIA PICTURES AND DIRECTOR M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN
CULVER CITY, Calif., April 4, 2011 – Jaden Smith is set to star opposite his father, Will Smith, for director M. Night Shyamalan in an untitled sci-fi adventure, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures. Shyamalan and Will Smith will produce with James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith and Ken Stovitz, Smith’s partners at Overbrook Entertainment. The screenplay is by M. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta.
Set 1,000 years into the future, a young boy navigates an abandoned and sometimes scary Earth to save himself and his estranged father after their ship crashes.
Commenting on the announcement, Belgrad said, “Night is an outstanding filmmaker who has a tremendous vision for this science-fiction adventure story and we couldn't be more excited to be working again with Jaden after our experiences on The Pursuit of Happyness and The Karate Kid. We’re thrilled to have the two of them together on this project.”
Shyamalan added, "The chance to make a scary, science-fiction film starring Jaden and Will is my dream project."
JADEN SMITH is the twelve-year-old son of Will and Jada Smith. He most recently starred in the worldwide blockbuster The Karate Kid, which took in more than $350 million. Smith was nominated for a Teen Choice Award, an Image Award, and a Black Reel Award for his role. Prior to The Karate Kid, Smith starred opposite Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly in The Day the Earth Stood Still and won the 2009 Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor for his role in the film. He made his debut performance opposite his father in The Pursuit of Happyness, garnering an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Performance, a Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role - Male, a Black Reel Award, and nominations by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the NAACP Image Awards and the Teen Choice Awards.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN has directed nine feature films: Praying with Anger, Wide Awake, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village, Lady in the Water, The Happening, and The Last Airbender. The astronomical success of his chilling psychological thriller The Sixth Sense catapulted Shyamalan into the stratosphere of being one of the most sought after young filmmakers in Hollywood. The Sixth Sense has become one of the highest grossing films of all time and received a total of six Academy Award® nominations, including one for Best Picture, and two for Shyamalan for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. His most recent film, The Last Airbender was a worldwide hit, taking in more than $319 million globally.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.
JADEN SMITH TO STAR WITH WILL SMITH IN AN UNTITLED SCIENCE-FICTION ADVENTURE FOR COLUMBIA PICTURES AND DIRECTOR M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN
CULVER CITY, Calif., April 4, 2011 – Jaden Smith is set to star opposite his father, Will Smith, for director M. Night Shyamalan in an untitled sci-fi adventure, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures. Shyamalan and Will Smith will produce with James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith and Ken Stovitz, Smith’s partners at Overbrook Entertainment. The screenplay is by M. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta.
Set 1,000 years into the future, a young boy navigates an abandoned and sometimes scary Earth to save himself and his estranged father after their ship crashes.
Commenting on the announcement, Belgrad said, “Night is an outstanding filmmaker who has a tremendous vision for this science-fiction adventure story and we couldn't be more excited to be working again with Jaden after our experiences on The Pursuit of Happyness and The Karate Kid. We’re thrilled to have the two of them together on this project.”
Shyamalan added, "The chance to make a scary, science-fiction film starring Jaden and Will is my dream project."
JADEN SMITH is the twelve-year-old son of Will and Jada Smith. He most recently starred in the worldwide blockbuster The Karate Kid, which took in more than $350 million. Smith was nominated for a Teen Choice Award, an Image Award, and a Black Reel Award for his role. Prior to The Karate Kid, Smith starred opposite Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly in The Day the Earth Stood Still and won the 2009 Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor for his role in the film. He made his debut performance opposite his father in The Pursuit of Happyness, garnering an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Performance, a Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role - Male, a Black Reel Award, and nominations by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the NAACP Image Awards and the Teen Choice Awards.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN has directed nine feature films: Praying with Anger, Wide Awake, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village, Lady in the Water, The Happening, and The Last Airbender. The astronomical success of his chilling psychological thriller The Sixth Sense catapulted Shyamalan into the stratosphere of being one of the most sought after young filmmakers in Hollywood. The Sixth Sense has become one of the highest grossing films of all time and received a total of six Academy Award® nominations, including one for Best Picture, and two for Shyamalan for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. His most recent film, The Last Airbender was a worldwide hit, taking in more than $319 million globally.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Will Smith Joins Son Jaden on New M. Night Shyamalan Project
I don't know if you know, dear reader, but I'm something of a Will Smith fan. So I'm excited about this exclusive news from Deadline.
Will Smith will join son Jaden Smith on an untitled futuristic science fiction adventure film that will be directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who gave us The Sixth Sense, but also The Last Airbender. Shymalan wrote the script with Gary Whitta, and the project went under the title "One Thousand A.E." Jada Pinkett Smith will produce the film with Shyamalan. Go to the Deadline posting for more.
Will Smith will join son Jaden Smith on an untitled futuristic science fiction adventure film that will be directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who gave us The Sixth Sense, but also The Last Airbender. Shymalan wrote the script with Gary Whitta, and the project went under the title "One Thousand A.E." Jada Pinkett Smith will produce the film with Shyamalan. Go to the Deadline posting for more.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
2011 Empire Award Nomination List
The Empire Awards are named for Empire, Britain's best-selling film magazine. The Empire Awards are voted for entirely by the British film-going public.
The 2011 Jameson Empire Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, on Sunday, March 27.
Complete list of nominations for the 2011 Jameson Empire Awards:
Best Film
Inception
Kick-Ass
The Social Network
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
The King's Speech
Best British Film
127 Hours
The King's Speech
Kick-Ass
Four Lions
Monsters
Best Director
David Fincher (The Social Network)
Chris Nolan (Inception)
Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass)
Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception)
James Franco (127 Hours)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass)
Best Actress
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Noomi Rapace (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo)
Emma Watson (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1)
Olivia Williams (The Ghost)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Best Newcomer
Gareth Edwards (Monsters)
Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass/Let Me In)
Jaden Smith (The Karate Kid)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Mia Wasikowska (Alice In Wonderland)
Best Thriller
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Shutter Island
The Town
Black Swan
127 Hours
Best Horror
Let Me In
A Nightmare On Elm Street
The Last Exorcism
Paranormal Activity 2
The Crazies
Best Comedy
Four Lions
Get Him To The Greek
The Other Guys
Easy A
Toy Story 3
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Inception
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Kick-Ass
Alice In Wonderland
The 2011 Jameson Empire Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, on Sunday, March 27.
Complete list of nominations for the 2011 Jameson Empire Awards:
Best Film
Inception
Kick-Ass
The Social Network
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
The King's Speech
Best British Film
127 Hours
The King's Speech
Kick-Ass
Four Lions
Monsters
Best Director
David Fincher (The Social Network)
Chris Nolan (Inception)
Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass)
Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception)
James Franco (127 Hours)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass)
Best Actress
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Noomi Rapace (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo)
Emma Watson (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1)
Olivia Williams (The Ghost)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Best Newcomer
Gareth Edwards (Monsters)
Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass/Let Me In)
Jaden Smith (The Karate Kid)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Mia Wasikowska (Alice In Wonderland)
Best Thriller
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Shutter Island
The Town
Black Swan
127 Hours
Best Horror
Let Me In
A Nightmare On Elm Street
The Last Exorcism
Paranormal Activity 2
The Crazies
Best Comedy
Four Lions
Get Him To The Greek
The Other Guys
Easy A
Toy Story 3
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Inception
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Kick-Ass
Alice In Wonderland
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Black Film Critics Circle "The Social Network," But Spread the Love
There is a new film critics organization, the Black Film Critics Circle. This is how they describe themselves on their website:
Welcome to the Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC), a new film critic’s organization dedicated to honoring excellence of professionals in the film industry in U.S. and World Cinema.
BFCC is a professional organization of film critics working in all areas of the media to include print publications,broadcast television, radio and on-line outlets.
I'm curious to see how long they last. Like just about every critics organization, they chose The Social Network as their best picture,while also awarding it "Best Ensemble" and "Best Adapted Screenplay." They also liked Black Swan with two wins, director and actress (Natalie Portman) and The Fighter, giving supporting acting honors to Christian Bale (actor) and Melissa Leo (actress).
The group also handed out special awards. One of them is a surprise - a notice for Gareth Edwards, director of science fiction flick, Monsters, "for taking an original and organic approach to cinema that brings the industry back to its roots (visual storytelling) and favors creativity and resourcefulness over contrived storytelling and reliance on big budgets and mindless spectacle. 'Monsters' is a great look at how sci-fi is done right (human stories, not creature-features) by a director who just shot the film and THEN found the story to tell, with good visual effects employed economically to enhance the film - not define it."
THE WINNERS:
Picture: The Social Network
Director: Darren Afronosky, Black Swan
Actor: TIE
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
James Franco (127 Hours)
Actress: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Supporting Actor: Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan – Inception
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin – The Social Network
Best Documentary: Waiting For Superman
Best Foreign Film: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Best Animated Film: Toy Story 3
Best Ensemble: The Social Network
BFCC Pioneer Award - Haile Gerima
BFCC Rising Star/Best Newcomer Award - Jaden Smith
BFCC Special mention: Gareth Edwards for "Monsters"
TOP 10 Films:
1. The Social Network
2. Inception
3. Black Swan
4. The Fighter
5. TIE:
The Kids Are All Right
The Town
7. Toy Story 3
8. The King's Speech
9. Winter's Bone
10. The Ghost Writer
http://blackfilmcriticscircle.org/
Welcome to the Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC), a new film critic’s organization dedicated to honoring excellence of professionals in the film industry in U.S. and World Cinema.
BFCC is a professional organization of film critics working in all areas of the media to include print publications,broadcast television, radio and on-line outlets.
I'm curious to see how long they last. Like just about every critics organization, they chose The Social Network as their best picture,while also awarding it "Best Ensemble" and "Best Adapted Screenplay." They also liked Black Swan with two wins, director and actress (Natalie Portman) and The Fighter, giving supporting acting honors to Christian Bale (actor) and Melissa Leo (actress).
The group also handed out special awards. One of them is a surprise - a notice for Gareth Edwards, director of science fiction flick, Monsters, "for taking an original and organic approach to cinema that brings the industry back to its roots (visual storytelling) and favors creativity and resourcefulness over contrived storytelling and reliance on big budgets and mindless spectacle. 'Monsters' is a great look at how sci-fi is done right (human stories, not creature-features) by a director who just shot the film and THEN found the story to tell, with good visual effects employed economically to enhance the film - not define it."
THE WINNERS:
Picture: The Social Network
Director: Darren Afronosky, Black Swan
Actor: TIE
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
James Franco (127 Hours)
Actress: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Supporting Actor: Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan – Inception
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin – The Social Network
Best Documentary: Waiting For Superman
Best Foreign Film: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Best Animated Film: Toy Story 3
Best Ensemble: The Social Network
BFCC Pioneer Award - Haile Gerima
BFCC Rising Star/Best Newcomer Award - Jaden Smith
BFCC Special mention: Gareth Edwards for "Monsters"
TOP 10 Films:
1. The Social Network
2. Inception
3. Black Swan
4. The Fighter
5. TIE:
The Kids Are All Right
The Town
7. Toy Story 3
8. The King's Speech
9. Winter's Bone
10. The Ghost Writer
http://blackfilmcriticscircle.org/
Saturday, June 26, 2010
"The Karate Kid" is Still a Winner
The Karate Kid (2010)
Running time: 140 minutes (2 hours, 20 minutes)
MPAA – PG for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language
DIRECTOR: Harald Zwart
WRITERS: Christopher Murphey; from a story by Robert Mark Kamen
PRODUCERS: James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Ken Stovitz, and Jerry Weintraub
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Roger Pratt
EDITOR: Joel Negron
COMPOSER: James Horner
DRAMA/MARTIAL ARTS
Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Wen Wen Han, Zhenwei Wang Rongguang Yu, Zhensu Wu, Zhiheng Wang, and Luke Carberry
The Karate Kid 2010 is, of course, a remake of the 1984 film of the same name. The new film stars Jaden Smith (son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith) and international martial artist and actor, Jackie Chan. The new film is an absolutely lovable, well-made film that stands on its on and does the original proud. This time, however, kung fu, not karate, is the martial art of choice.
Twelve-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) moves to Beijing from Detroit with his mother, Sherry Parker (Taraji P. Henson), because of her new job. Dre experiences love-at-first-sight when he sees a young violinist named Mei Ying (Wen Wen Han), practicing in the park, and the feeling is mutual. However, Dre’s feelings for Mei Ying make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng (Zhenwei Wang), a kung fu prodigy and rival for Mei Ying’s affections.
Dre knows a little karate, but it is not enough to help this karate kid from America safely navigate his new home. Cheng uses kung fu to beat the crap out of him. Dre finds a friend and mentor in Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), the maintenance man of Dre’s apartment complex, after he rescues Dre from a beating. After a futile attempt to settle the dispute between Dre and Cheng peaceably, Mr. Han enters Dre in the “Open Kung Fu Tournament” where Dre may face off against his nemesis. Han begins to teach Dre real kung fu, but although he is being trained by a master, Dre realizes that surviving the tournament will be the fight of his life.
At its heart, The Karate Kid is a wonderful story about a teacher-student relationship that develops into a surrogate father-son bond. It is a superbly written (by screenwriter Christopher Murphey) example of a bond between two people in which each not only helps the other heal, but also soar to new heights of achievement and happiness.
The relationship between Dre and Mr. Han works so well because of the strong screen chemistry between Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Their performances make the characters’ actions and emotions seem authentic and sincere. They not only ground the story’s more fantastical moments, but they also give it a touch of goofy charm, which lightens the movie’s overall dark and sometimes edgy and grim atmosphere. Jaden has inherited his father, Will Smith’s cheeky cockiness, but the young actor seems like more of a natural talent, as if he doesn’t have to try as hard as his father.
In this film, Jackie Chan gives what is by far his best performance in an American production. Perhaps, I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Chan gives a complex, layered performance to create in Han, a complicated and inscrutable man. This is best exemplified in the scene in which Cheng’s Master Li (Rongguang Yu) and Mr. Han have a tense confrontation. Chan plays the scene with barely checked but mostly concealed fury. It is difficult to figure out what is going on in Mr. Han’s mind at that moment, and that’s the way Chan probably wanted it because it adds another layer of mystery to Han.
Fresh of the maligned Pink Panther 2, director Harald Swart has delivered a winner. This film, however, is as much a Chinese and American take on Rocky as it is a remake of The Karate Kid 1984, itself a teen, martial arts spin on 1976 Oscar winner for “Best Picture.” It is unsettling to see 12-year-olds beating each other up, as they do here, but The Karate Kid 2010 is excellent family entertainment. Its messages about setting goals and being open-minded and resilient make it even more of a winner.
8 of 10
A
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"The Pursuit of Happyness" a Sterling Debut for Jaden Smith
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Running time: 117 minutes (1 hour, 57 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some language
DIRECTOR: Gabriele Muccino
WRITER: Steven Conrad
PRODUCERS: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter, and Will Smith
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Phedon Papamichael, ASC
EDITOR: Hughes Winborne, A.C.E.
Academy Award nominee
DRAMA
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, Thandie Newton, Kurt Fuller, Dan Castellaneta, Brian Howe, James Karen, and Takayo Fischer
If an actor is going to star in an important, inspirational film that is based upon a true story of triumph over adversity, and that film is also bait for an Oscar nomination (or two), then, the least that actor can do is give a knockout performance. Will Smith does just that in his new movie, The Pursuit of Happyness.
In this fictional version of a true story, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet as a marginally employed salesman. Linda (Thandie Newton), the mother of his five-year old son, Christopher (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith), is struggling to keep the family afloat by earning income in a dry cleaning factory. When Linda finally buckles under the constant financial pressure, she leaves for New York, but Chris won’t let her take their son with her.
Bright, talented, and ambitious, Chris wins a spot as an intern at a prestigious San Francisco stock brokerage firm, but the internship doesn’t come with a salary. However, the internship might land Chris a coveted, high-paying position as a broker at the firm. In the meantime, without a paying job, Chris and Christopher are soon evicted from their apartment and later from a motel. Forced to live and sleep in shelters, bus stations, bathrooms, etc., Chris remains a committed and loving father to his son while working hard to be the one intern out of the six-month program who gets a job.
Will Smith gives a stinging performance in The Pursuit of Happyness (the misspelling of “happiness” is deliberate and relates to a pivotal scene), one that is free of the genial, cocky, smart-mouthed guy that usually shows up in a Smith performance. It’s rare to see a subtle performance that embodies in equal measure hope and despair or confidence and resignation. Smith is clearly as hungry to be taken seriously as an actor as his character Chris is hungry to get a good job, and that’s the obvious hook of the movie.
The Pursuit of Happyness is directed by a foreigner, Gabriele Muccino, an Italian who has received good notices for his recent films. Because Muccino is not an American, he probably understands the spirit of the American dream better than many Americans, but he also understands the universal elements of the tale, which Chris Gardner’s wants and desires and he and his son’s plight – homelessness and financial struggles are. Muccino and writer Steven Conrad quietly but decisively compare the way Chris lives to that of the people with whom he starts to associate once he begins his stockbroker internship. Muccino even gets in a few digs at America for being so wealthy, yet having so many homeless people that there aren’t enough shelters for them.
Still, in the end, any claim to greatness that this film has rest on Will Smith. Yes, his real life son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith is very good as Christopher Gardner. Thandie Newton also takes the small, almost throwaway part of Linda and makes it stick for as long as she and the character are in the story. But this is Smith’s show, and he makes the pain of a man trying to crawl out of the nightmarish cracks that riddle the American dream authentic.
If the audience isn’t paying attention, they’ll miss the best part of Smith’s performance – that even a man with nothing in terms of material wealth can still honor his commitment to his children and just be a great dad. Chris Gardener wants to have a really good job so that he can provide his son with the finer things in life. He doesn’t need to love his son any more than he already does, and his son says quite firmly at one point during their homelessness that Chris is a “good papa.” That makes the triumph of The Pursuit of Happyness even sweeter.
7 of 10
A-
Sunday, December 17, 2006
NOTES:
2007 Academy Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Will Smith)
2007 Black Reel Awards: 3 nominations: “Best Actor” (Will Smith), “Best Breakthrough Performance” (Jaden Smith), and “Best Film” (Will Smith, Teddy Zee, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter, Todd Black, and Jason Blumenthal)
2007 Golden Globes: 2 nominations: “Best Original Song - Motion Picture” (Seal-music/lyrics and Christopher Bruce-music for the song "A Father's Way") and “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Will Smith)
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