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Thursday, March 27, 2025
Review: "THE BEEKEEPER" Swarms with Vicarious Vigilante Fun
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 1st to 8th, 2025 - UPDATE #9
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:
Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).
TREATS: From AnotherCookie?: There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.
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NEWS:
CELEBRITY - From Variety: The chief medical officer for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator announced the probable causes of death for the Oscar-winning actor, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Arakawa died Feb. 11th of "hantavirus," a potentially deadly virus transmitted by mice. Hackman likely died a week later (likely Feb. 18th) of cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's disease as a significant factor. Arakawa was last seen on surveillance cameras in public on Feb. 11th. On February 26, 2025, police officers found Hackman and Arakawa's bodies in their home which is located in a gated community.
TELEVISION - From Deadline: CBS has cancelled "FBI" spinoffs, "FBI: Most Wanted" (six seasons) and "FBI: International" (four seasons). "FBI," now in its seventh season, has been picked up through its ninth season.
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 2/28 to 3/2/2025 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' Captain America: Brave New World with an estimated take of 15 million dollars.
OSCARS - From AMPAS: The Oscars are tonight (Sun., March 2nd). Here is a nomination list for the 2025 / 97th Academy Awards ... if you are interested.
MOVIES - From Variety: Jason Statham will return for "The Beekeeper 2," the sequel to his January 2024 worldwide hit "The Beekeeper."
OBITS:
From Deadline: American voice actor and comedian, George Lowe, has died at the age of 67, Sunday, March 2, 2025. Lowe is best known for voicing the character, "Space Ghost," more than any other actor. He was the voice of "Space Ghost" on and off for about 30 years from 1994 to 2024, most notably on Cartoon Network's animated talk show parody, "Space Ghost Coast to Coast."
From Variety: Dolly Parton has announced that her husband, businessman Carl Thomas Dean, has died at the age of 82, Monday, March 3, 2025. The couple had been married on March 30, 1966. Dean was rarely seen in public with Parton, and they were a very private couple.
From Deadline: American actress, record producer, songwriter, and soul and R&B singer, Angie Stone, has died at the age of 63, Saturday, March 1, 2025, having been killed in an automobile accident. Stone released her debut solo album, "Black Diamond," in 1999. It, along with her 2001 follow-up, "Mahogany Soul," were certified gold. Her R&B hits included "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" (1999), "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (2001), "More Than a Woman" (2002), a duet with R&B singer, Joe. She appeared in such films as "The Hot Chick" and "The Fighting Temptations" (2003) and she guest-starred on such TV series as "Moesha" and "Girlfriends." Stone was a three-time Grammy Award nominee.
From Deadline: American policeman, novelist, and television creator, Joseph Wambaugh, has died at the age of 88, Friday, February 28, 2025. Wambaugh spent 14 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He mined that experience for such novels as "The New Centurions" (1971), which was adapted into film in 1972, and "The Blue Knight" (1973), which was also a 1973 TV miniseries. Wambaugh wrote the screenplay adaptations for his novels, the nonfiction, "The Onion Field" (1973), and "The Black Marble" (1978). Wambaugh also created the acclaimed former NBC police drama, "Police Story" (1973-78).
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MOVIE AWARDS:
From Variety: The winners at the 2025 / 97th Academy Awards have been announced. "Anora" wins five awards, including "Best Motion Picture of the Year."
From Deadline: The winners at the 2025 / 56th NAACP Image Awards have been announced. Keke Palmer was named "Entertainer of the Year." Tyler Perry and Netflix's "The Six Triple Eight" won four awards including "Outstanding Motion Picture" and "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture" (Kerry Washington).
From Deadline: The Screen Actors Guild has announced the winners at the 2025 / 31st SAG Awards. "Conclave" won the top prize, "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture."
From Variety: The winners the 2025 / 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) have been announced. "Conclave" won "Best Film" and "Outstanding British Film."
From Deadline: The winners at the 2025 / 36th Producers Guild of America Awards have been announced. "Anora" wins the awards' top prize, "The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures."
From Deadline: The winners at the 2025 / 77th Annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced. Sean Baker and his team won the top prize, "Theatrical Feature Film," for his film "Anora."
From THR: The winners for the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes have been announced. "Emilia Perez" won "Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy" and "Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language." "The Brutalist" won "Best Motion Picture - Drama." "Wicked" won in the new category, "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement." "Flow" won "Best Motion Picture - Animated."
From AMPAS: The nominations for the 2025 / 97th Academy Awards have been announced the winners will be announced Sunday, March 2, 2025.
From Deadline: The winners at the 2025 / 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced. "Anora won "Feature," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2025 / 25th Vancouver Film Critics Circle (VFCC) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won "Best Picture" and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 7th Annual Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (LEJA) Film Awards have been announced. "Sing Sing" won "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" (Colman Domingo).
From AwardsWatch: GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has announced the winners of its Dorian Film Awards. "The Substance" has won five awards including "Film of the Year," "Film Performance of the Year" (Demi Moore), and "Film Director of the Year" (Coralie Fargeat).
From THR: The nominations for the 2025 / 36th Producers Guild of America Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced Sat. Feb. 8th.
From BBC: The nominations for the 2025 / 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) have been announced. "Conclave" leads with 12 nominations. The winners will be Sunday, Feb. 16th, 2025.
From Deadline: The nominations for the 2025 / 77th Annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced. In the awards' marquee category, "Theatrical Feature Film," the nominees are Jacques Audiard ("Emilia Perez"), Sean Baker ("Anora"), Edward Berger ("Conclave"), Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist"), and James Mangold ("A Complete Unknown"). The winners will be announced February 8th.
From EW: The Screen Actors Guild has cancelled the 2025 / 31st SAG Awards nominations announcement live-stream because of the current wildfires sweeing through the Los Angeles area. The nominations will be announced Thursday morning, January 9th via press release and on SAG Awards website. The SAG Award ceremony will be hired Feb. 23rd.
From AwardsWatch: The nominations for the 2025 / 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards have been announced. Netflix's "The Piano Lesson" leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced February 21st and 22nd.
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2025 / 22nd Annual International Cinephile Society (ICS) Awards have been announced. "All We Imagine as Light" has won "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Payal Kapadia), and "Best Ensemble."
From Deadline: The winners at the 2025 / 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced. "Anora" wins "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2025 / 45th London Critics Circle Film Awards were announced. "The Brutalist" was named "Film of the Year."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The International Press Academy has announced the winners at the 2025 / 29th Satellite Awards in Motion Pictures and Television. "The Brutalist" won "Motion Picture, Drama" and "Anora" won "Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has been named "Best Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Pittsburgh Film Critics Association (PFCA) Awards have been announced. This is the association inaugural awards announcement. "The Substance" was named "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Chicago Independent Critics (CIC) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won seven awards, including "Best Indepent Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore). "Dune: Part Two" won "Best Studio Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" wins "Best Movie About Women." Coralie Fargeat's "The Substance" wins "Best Movie By a Woman" (directing)
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the annual Portland Critics Association (PCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" won in 10 of the 13 categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" took four awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Wild Robot" won two awards - "Best Picture" and "Best Animated Feature."
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the Minnesota Film Critics Association (MNFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Music City Film Critics Association (MCFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won four awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) EDA Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has won "Best Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) Awards have been announced. "Challengers" has won "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Luca Guadagnino).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 DiscussingFilm's Global Film Critics Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" won "Best Picture."
From EW: The nominations for the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes have been announced. "Emilia Perez" leads with 10 nominations. The winners will be announced January 5, 2025 on CBS and Paramount+.
From THR: The winners at the 2025 National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won the award for "Best Picture" of 2024.
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) Awards have been announced. "Conclave" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Edward Berger), and "Best Actor" (Ralph Fiennes).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) Awards have been announced. "Conclave" has won three awards, including "Best Narrative Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Columbia Film Critics Association (COFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore),
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 29th Capri, Hollywood-International Film Festival Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" won six awards, including "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Critics Association of Central Florda (CACF) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 UK Film Critics Association (UKFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" won "Film of the Year" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Online Association of Female Film Critics (OAFFC) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" won six awards, including "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat). and "Best Leading Performance" (Demi Moore). "The Substance" shared the "Best Film" honor with "Anora."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Awards have announced. "The Beast" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Bertrand Bonello).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Nevada Film Critics Society (NFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC) Awards have been announced. "The Zone of Interest" was named "Best Film" and its director, Jonathan Glazer, won "Best Director." Although the film was released in Dublin this year, it was eligible for the Academy Awards in 2023.
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critic Association (DFWFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has won three awards: "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Southeastern Film Critics Associations (SFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat)
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has been named "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has been named "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Awards. "The Substance" has won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Leading Performance" (Demi Moore), and "Best Supporting Performance" (Margaret Qualley).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (RaMell Ross)
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won three awards, including "Film" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).
From AwardsWatch: The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced the nominations in the category of "Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures." The winners at the 2025 / 39th Annual Producers Guild Awards will be announced Saturday, February 8, 2024.
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won six awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (RaMell Ross). "Sing Sing" has won "Best Actor" (Colman Domingo) and "Best Supporting Actor" (Clarence Maclin).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has been named "Best Picture." The films four total wins including for "Best Director" (Brady Corbet) and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Chicago Film Critics (CFC) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has won "Best Picture."
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Awards have been announced. "Sing Sing" won "Best Picture," won of three awards it received.
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Michigan Movie Critics Guild (MMCG) Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Picture," one of its four wins.
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Atlanta Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Film," one of four awards it won.
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Washington Area Film Critics Association Awards have been announced. "Wicked" has won the award for "Best Feature."
From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 49th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Picture." Marianne Jean-Baptiste (for "Hard Truths") became the first Black woman to win a lead performance honor in the groups history.
From AwardsWatch: The winners for the 2024 / 27th British Independent Film Awards have been announced. The Irish film, "Kneecap," wins "Best British Independent Film."
From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) have been announced. "Anora" wins "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison), and "Best Original Screenplay."
From AFI: The American Film Institute has named its top ten films and television series. Among the films honored are "Dune: Part Two," "Nickel Boys," and "Wicked."
From THR: The winners at the 2024 / 37th European Film Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" wins the award for "European Film." It also won the directing (Jacques Audiard), writing (Audiard), and actress (Karla Sofia Gascon) honors.
From NBR: The National Board of Review has named its 2024 film honorees. "Wicked" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (for John M. Chu).
From Deadline: The nominations for the 2025 / 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced. Cannes 2024 Palme d'Or winner, "Anora," and "I Saw the TV Glow" each lead with six nominations apiece. The winners will be announced Saturday, February 22, 2025.
From Deadline: The winners of the 2024 / 90th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. Director Brady Corbet's three-hour epic, "The Brutalist," has won "Best Film" and its star, Adrian Brody, has won "Best Actor."
From Variety: The winners at the 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards have been announced. Writer-director Aaron Schimberg's "A Different Man" has won the "Best Feature" award.
From Deadline: The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film. Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations. The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.
From Deadline: The nominations for the 2024 / 27th British Independent Film Awards have been announced. The Irish film, "Kneecap," leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Review: "MEG 2: THE TRENCH" is Truly Megilicious
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 22nd to 31st, 2023 - Update #29
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:
MOVIES - From Deadline: Quiver Distribution announced they have completed production on the military action/science fiction film, "Agent Recon." It features legendary martial arts expert and action film and TV hero, Chuck Norris (The Expendables 2, "Walker Texas Ranger"). Quiver and will launch sales at the 2023 American Film Market (AFM), which takes place Oct. 31st to Nov. 5th.
AMAZON - From Deadline: Michael B. Jordan's production company, Outlier Society, will join Amazon MGM Studios to develop Rebecca Yarros' fantasy novel series, "The Empyrean," for television.
From Variety: Amazon MGM Studios is in the early stages of developing a TV series based on the 1982 film, "Poltergeist."
MOVIES - From THR: David Robert Mitchell is ready to make a sequel to his hit horror film, It Follows (2014). Mitchell is taking "They Follow" to the 2023 American Film Market (AFM), where film people try to find buyers for new films and projects. The fun starts Oct. 31st and ends Nov. 5th.
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 10/27 to 10/29/2023 weekend box office is "Five Nights at Freddy's" with an estimated take of 78 million dollars.
From THR: It's 78 million dollar opening weekend gives "Five Nights at Freddy's" the largest box office opening for a Halloween weekend.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Jason Statham will star in the film, "Levon's Trade," directed by David Ayer from a script by Sylvester Stallone.
STREAMING - From Deadline: On Fri., Oct. 27th, Spectrum SportsNet and the Los Angeles Lakers announced the launch of "Spectrum SportsNet+." This is a new direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service that will deliver a 24/7 feed of Spectrum SportsNet programming, including live Lakers games and behind-the-scenes Lakers content. Now available, it is free to existing Spectrum SportsNet customers. Others will pay $19.99 a month or $179.99.
DISNEY - From THR: Disney releases a first-look at its film, "Disney's Snow White," a live-action version of its classic animated feature film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937). The other news is that the film is moving to a 2025 release date from its original March 2024 release date. This will be first of many release date changes as the Hollywood actors' strike continues.
AMAZON - From THR: Amazon's ad revenue soars to $12 billion - in the third quarter.
POLITICS - From Medium: Former President Barack Obama offers "Thoughts on Israel and Gaza."
BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: There is a new film in The Hunger Games franchise. "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" looks to have a strong box office debut.
MUSIC - From Variety: Taylor Swift, SZA, and Morgan Wallen lead the nominations for the 2023 Billboard Music Awards. The winners will be announced Nov. 19th.
MOVIES - From Variety: While promoting his new film, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Martin Scorsese comments on fellow director Quentin Tarantino's impending retirement.
SCANDAL - From Deadline: In a hearing today (Wed. Oct. 25th), New York Supreme Court Judge Michael Gaffey denied a defense motion to dismiss the domestic abuse charges that actor Jonathan Majors (Creed III) is facing. Judge Gaffey set a start date of November 29th for the trial.
MOVIES - From Deadline: "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two," starring Tom Cruise, changes its release date from June 28, 2024 to May 23, 2025.
NETFLIX - From Deadline: Filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry has struck a new, multi-year first-look deal with Netflix that will see him write, direct and produce features for the streamer. Perry signed a deal with Amazon Studios in November 2022 to write, direct and produce four features for Prime Video.
AMAZON - From Deadline: "Good Omens" hopes to be renewed for a third and final season on Amazon Prime. If it renewed, co-showrunner Douglas Mackinnon will not return. The series is based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
SCANDAL - From Deadline: During his stand-up performance at the TD Garden in Boston on Thurs., Oct. 19th, comedian Dave Chappelle addressed the events in Israel-Palestine and the audience reacted with cheers, jeers, and walk-outs.
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 10/20 to 10/22/2023 weekend box office is "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" with an estimated take of 31 million dollars.
DISNEY - From ScreenRant: Disney has confirmed "Zootopia 2," the sequel to its 2016 Oscar-winning hit, Zootopia. The sequel may not arrive in theaters until 2028.
OBITS:
From Variety: Television and film actor, Matthew Perry, has died at the age of 54, Saturday, October 28, 2023. Perry was best known for the role of "Chandler Bing" in the long-running former NBC sitcom, "Friends" (1994-2004), a role for which he received one Primetime Emmy nomination in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series." Perry would receive two more Emmy nominations for his guest role in the former NBC drama, "The West Wing" (2003) and another Emmy nomination for his starring role in the television film, "The Ron Clark Story" (2006, TNT). His final Emmy nod came as an executive producer on HBO Max's "Friends: The Reunion" special (2021).
From Deadline: In a joint statement to "People," the five surviving leads of the former NBC sitcom, "Friends": Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer said “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
From Deadline: Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, paid an emotional tribute to his former classmate, "Friends" actor, Matthew Perry, who died on Sat., Oct. 28th. They both attended Rockcliffe Park Public School in Ottawa, Canada.
From Deadline: The Hollywood "breaking news" site, "Deadline," has a page dedicated to the recently deceased "Friends" actor, Matthew Perry.
From Deadline: Richard Roundtree (1942-2023) - a life in photographs.
From Deadline: Samuel L. Jackson offers a remembrance of his late co-star, Richard Roundtree.
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ACTORS STRIKE:
From Deadline: Striking actors are set to meet the studios today for Halloween negotiations, but they are still "far apart on key issues."
From Variety: SAG-AFTRA (actors) and AMPTP (studios) will resume strike negotiations tomorrow (Tues., Oct. 24th).
From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher says that the offer from top-earning Hollywood actors to chip in some money to help end the strike "isn't legally compatible with the union's contract.
From Deadline: Top earning Hollywood actors want to chip in some money to end the SAG-AFTRA strike.
From Deadline: George Clooney, Emma Stone, Ben Affleck, Tyler Perry and Scarlett Johansson were among a group of top talent guild members that spoke Tuesday (Oct. 17th) with guild president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland for a detailed debrief, we hear.
From Deadline: The movie studios via AMPTP have suspended their talks with striking actors via SAG-AFTRA. The snag seems to be that actors want "2 precent of potential profits" on streaming.
From Variety: SAG-AFTRA (the actors) and AMPTP (the studios) are to resume strike talks Wed., Oct. 11th, as the actors strike enters Day 88.
From Deadline: The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Hollywood studios CEOs met for strike talks for the first time since the actors went on strike July 14th. They plan to meet again, Wed., Oct. 4th.
BREAKING - From Deadline: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end its strike after nearly five months. The parties finalized the framework of the deal Sunday when they were able to untangle their stalemate over AI and writing room staffing levels.
From WGAContract: The WGA contract page has additional information on the settlement.
From WGAContract: A summary of the new agreement.
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From Deadline: The actors’ strike is now in its 63rd day. Now, SAG-AFTRA leaders are ramping up their rhetoric against the studio heads, accusing them in the latest issue of the "SAG-AFTRA Magazine" of “behaving like petty tyrants,” “would-be feudal lords” and “land barons in feudal times.”
From Deadline: Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra says that Hollywood unions need to embrace AI.
From Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav says the industry must focus and fight to resolve the writers and actors strikes.
From Deadline: Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes. Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.
From Deadline: If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.
From Variety: International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.
From Variety: Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."
From Deadline: Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.
From Variety: Halted film productions due to the writers and actors strikes are costing each Hollywood studio at least 600,000 dollars per week.
From Variety: Said at a strike meeting: “Without a transformative change in SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the AMPTP, the acting profession will no longer be an option for future generations of performers, and actors already working in the industry will need to pursue other careers in order to survive.”
From Deadline: If you are a "social media influencer" who is NOT a member of SAG-AFTRA, you can be barred from future membership for promoting a film or television series during the actors' strike.
From Variety: The SAG/AFTRA strike begins in New York and Los Angeles. Hollywood actors began striking today, Fri., July 14th.
From Deadline: The site has the video of the powerful strike speech given by SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, the actress best known for CBS' former sitcom, "The Nanny."
From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.
From Deadline: The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.
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Friday, May 19, 2023
Review: "FAST X" is Too Fast, Too Furious For One Movie
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 7th to 13th, 2023 - Update #21
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:
TELEVISION - From Deadline: ABC has cancelled the Hilary Swank-led drama, "Alaska Daily," after one season.
MOVIES - From THR: Oscar-nominee, Willem Dafoe, is joining "Beetlejuice 2," which is due Sept. 2024.
TELEVISION - From THR: The CW has cancelled "The Winchesters," the prequel to its long-running fantasy drama, "Supernatural," after one season. The broadcast network also cancelled "Kung Fu" after three seasons.
From CBR: Executive producer, Jensen Ackles, is not ready to let "The Winchesters" die in the wake of its cancellation by The CW.
MOVIES - From CBR: Despite saying that he would NOT, Dwayne Johnson apparently does appear as his character "Luke Hobbs" in the upcoming "Fast X."
MOVIES/TRAILERS - From EW: There is a trailer for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3." The film is due in theaters Sept. 8, 2023.
DISNEY - From Variety: Disney+ is adding Hulu content for a "one-app experience" to begin later this year. The price for Disney+ will increase, also.
CANNES - From Deadline: FilmNation is bringing is Maria Callas biopic starring Angelina Jolie to the Cannes film market. Callas was a Greco-American opera singer (soprano) who was one of the most influential of the 20th century.
TELEVISION - From Deadline: NBC's "Night Court" reboot welcomes back actress Marsha Warfield, who starred as "Roz" in the original series.
SCANDAL - From CBSNews: A federal jury in New York City found former President Donald Trump liable for battery (sexual abuse) and defamation in a civil trial stemming from allegations he raped the writer, E. Jean Carroll, in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. She was awarded $5 million total in damages.
MOVIES - From Variety: "Beetlejuice 2" is set for release September 6, 2024. Original stars Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder return. Jenna Ortega, the star of Netflix's "Wednesday," will play the daughter of Ryder's character, "Lydia Deetz."
SCANDAL - From THR: Marvel Studios star, Jonathan Majors ("Kang the Conqueror") appears in court virtually to answer the assault charges against his girlfriend from March 25th.
MOVIES/TRAILERS - From Variety: Warners Bros. has released a trailer for "Met 2: The Trench," a sequel to the 2018 hit, "The Meg." Both films star Jason Statham.
AMAZON - From Deadline: Amazon Studios has formed Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, which will license Amazon original and the MGM library to the international market.
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: Th e winner of the 5/5 to 2/7/2023 weekend box office is Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" with an estimated total of 114 million dollars.
From Here: A Negromancer movie review of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" by Leroy Douresseaux.
TELEVISION - From Deadline: CBS has uncancelled "S.W.A.T." The police drama will return for a seventh and final season.
From Deadline: A surge in ratings could not save "S.W.A.T." from being cancelled by CBS. The last episode of this current season (the 6th) will serve as the series finale.
OBIT:
From Variety: The Spanish-born American graphic artist, Frank Kozik, has died at the age of 61, Saturday, May 6, 2023. He designed the album cover art for Queens of the Stone Age's 1998 debut album, "Queens of the Stone Age" and for The Offspring's 1998 LP, "Americana." He also designed concert posters for such musical acts as Butthole Surfers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Soundgarden, to name a few.
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WRITERS STRIKE:
From Deadline: President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.
From Deadline: Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.
From Deadline: Retaliation! Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike. Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.
From Deadline: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.
From Deadline: Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.
From Deadline: The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.
From Deadline: What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?
From Deadline: The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 10th, 2022 - Update #20
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:
D23 - From TheWrap: "Indiana Jones 5" trailer brings down the house at D23, Sat., Sept 10th.
From Variety: At the Disney Legends Award Ceremony at the D23 Expo on Friday, Sept. 9th, the late actor, Chadwick Boseman, was officially named a "Disney Legend." His brother, Derrick Boseman, gave an emotional acceptance speech.
DISNEY - From Deadline: Former Disney boss, Robert "Bob" Iger, predicts a reckoning for streaming services, the death of linear and satellite TV, and a "smaller and scarred" movie industry.
AMAZON - From THR: The cast of Prime Video’s "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is united in speaking out about racist threats that non-white performers from the show have apparently faced.
OBAMAS - From CNN: Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama's official White House portraits were unveiled during an emotional ceremony at the White House on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
SCANDAL - From TheWrap: If you are interested, the site has a timeline and explanation of the drama behind the upcoming film, "Don't Worry Darling, directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles.
From Variety: Connected to "Don't Worry Darling," Harry Styles addresses the story that he spit on co-star Chris Pine during an interview.
CELEBRITY - From Variety: Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence talks motherhood, the Hollywood pay gap, and falling out with her "Republican family" over the fall of "Roe v. Wade."
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 9/2 to 9/4/2022 weekend box office is Sony/Marvel Studios' re-release, "Spider-Man: No Way Home," with an estimated take of 6 million dollars.
From Here: The Negromancer review of "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
From Variety: "Top Gun: Maverick" has passed "Black Panther" has the fifth-highest grossing film in North America.
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EMMY AWARDS - From THR: Creative Arts Emmys: Night 1 (Sat., Sept. 3rd) - A winner's list
From THR: At Saturday's "Creative Emmy Arts," former President Barack Obama won his first Emmy. It was in the category "Outstand Narration" for "A World of Wonder" episode of "Our Great National Parks." Obama is the second U.S. President to win an Emmy, but the first to win in a competitive category. Dwight D. Eisenhower won the "Governor's Award" in 1956.
From THR: The Disney+ live-action/animation hybrid film, "Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers," won the Emmy Award for "outstanding television movie" during the second night of the 2022 Creative Arts Emmys.
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MOVIES - From VanityFair: The site has a Fall 2022 movie preview guide with "34 Films to Watch Out For"
CELEBRITY - From GQUK: British comedy and television legend, Lenny Henry, talks about becoming a major player in fantasy streaming series, like Netflix's "The Sandman" and Amazon's "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."
FILM FESTIVALS - From Variety: At the 79th Venice Film Festival, director Todd Field's "Tar," which stars Cate Blanchett gets a six-minute standing ovation.
MOVIES - From Deadline: MGM has bought the Miramax film project, "The Beekeeper," from director David Ayer ("Suicide Squad") and starring Jason Statham. It will begin filming in late September and the entire cast has not been finalized.
OBITS:
From BBC: The Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 96, Thursday, September 8, 2022. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of the House of Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British monarch (70 years and 214 days) and second longest recorded of a monarch of a sovereign nation. Her son, Charles Philip Arthur George, is now Charles III, King of the United Kingdom and of the Commonwealth realm.
From BBC: Queen Elizabeth II - a life in pictures.
From TheNewYorkTimes: American journalist and television anchorman, Bernard Shaw, has died at the age of 82, Wednesday, September 7, 2022. Shaw was the founding anchor of CNN, being the lead anchor from 1980 until his retirement in March 2001. Shaw was also a former U.S. Marine who served during the Vietnam War.
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BRITTNEY GRINER:
From TheDailyBeast: Legendary NBA bad boy and champion (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls), Dennis Rodman claims that he has been given permission to go to Russia and help free imprisoned hostage, WNBA star, Brittney Griner.
From Vox: Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.
From ESPN: A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th. Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.
From ESPN: The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.
From RSN: "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack
From ESPN: Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.
From CBSSports: The Brittney Griner situation explained.
From RSN: According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple."