Showing posts with label NYFCC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYFCC. Show all posts

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 19th to 30th, 2023 - Update #32

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety:  "Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier,"  actor Sebastian Stan is playing young Donald Trump in a movie titled “The Student” from Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi (“Holy Spider”).  Emmy winner Jeremy Strong ("Succession") will play Trump's awful mentor, attorney/fixer, Roy Cohn, and actress Maria Bakalova will portray Trump's first wife and mother of his spawn, Ivana Trump.

DISNEY - From VarietyNoah Hawley's "Alien" series for FX continues to fill out its main cast.  The recent additions are Babou Ceesay, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diêm Camille, and Adrian Edmondson.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  It’s official.  The upcoming fifth season of the CBS sitcom, "Bob Hearts Abishola" will be its last.  The fifth season will premiere Mon., Feb. 12th, and the series finale will air Monday, May 13th, the network said today (Wed., Nov. 29th).

From Variety:  Celebrity chef, Guy Fieri, has signed a new three-year deal with the Food Network that is worth $100 million.

MOVIES - From DeadlineEthan Hawke and the original cast of the hit horror film, The Black Phone (2022), are returning for "Black Phone 2."  The film is set for a June 27, 2025 theatrical release date.

AWARDS - From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th.  Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

ANIMATION - From IGN:  The streaming service, Max, is removing from its library the rest of the classic "Looney Tunes" cartoons shorts and also the 2011-13 Cartoon Network animated sitcom, "The Looney Tunes Show" and the 2003 live-action/animated hybrid film, Looney Tunes: Back in Action.  This move is effective December 31st, 2023.  The first half of the "Looney Tunes" animated shorts were removed back in December 2022.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Actor Timothy Olyphant is joining the cast of FX's "Alien" television series, which is being overseen by Noah Hawley (FX's "Fargo").

From Variety:  Cast member Cailee Spaeny says that the standalone "Alien" franchise film, "Alien: Romulus," is set between the first two films in the series, "Alien" (1979) and Aliens (1986). Directed by Fede Alvarez, the standalone film is due in theaters Aug. 16th, 2024.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/24 to 11/26/2023 weekend box office is Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" with an estimated take of 28.8 million dollars.

MUSIC - From Variety:  The legal dispute between Grammy-winning recording duo, Daryl Hall & John Oates, seems to revolve around John Oates wanting to sell his share of Hall & Oates' joint venture, Whole Oates Enterprises, to music publishing and talent management company, Primary Wave.

POLITICS - From Politico:  Actor Hill Harper is known for his roles on the former CBS series, "CSI: NY" and ABC's "The Good Doctor," but now he is a political candidate seeking to win a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan in 2024.  A recent report says that a wealthy donor offered Hill 20 million dollars to instead mount a primary challenge to Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) for her U.S. House seat.  Hill, who revealed the plot, says he declined the offer.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:   Oscar-winning actor, Jamie Foxx (Ray), is being sued for an alleged sexual assault that happened in 2015. An unidentified woman has accused Foxx of placing his hands on an her waist, then moving them under her top. He then allegedly began rubbing the plaintiff’s breasts, dragging her to a secluded area of the rooftop at Catch NYC & Roof, where he touched other areas of her body.  The case was filed under New York state's "Adult Survivors Act," which provides a one-year window for sexual assault plaintiffs to file civil claims, regardless of the statute of limitations. That window closes on Thursday, Nov. 23rd and has led to a flurry of lawsuits claiming sexual assaults.

JAMES BOND - From Deadline:  Christopher Nolan (Tenet) said that there is no truth to the rumors that he is directing the next James Bond film.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Hot actress Jenna Ortega is not returning for "Scream 7" after starring as "Tara Carpenter" in Scream (2022) and "Scream 6" (2023).  Her departure is related to scheduling and reportedly has nothing to do with the recent firing of Melissa Barrera, who played Tara's sister, "Sam Carpenter."

From Deadline:  "Scream 7" director Christopher Landon says that the firing of Melissa Barrera from the film was not his choice to make.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The first post-strikes bidding war for a TV pitch will apparently be for a proposed television series that re-imagines the film 1962 film, "Cape Fear," and its 1991 remake, also entitled "Cape Fear."  Martin Scorsese, director of the remake, Stephen Spielberg, and Nick Antosca are attached as executive producers.

MOVIES - From Deadline: Universal Pictures is developing a new film in its "Jason Bourne" franchise with Edward Berger, the director of the Oscar-winning "All Quiet on the Western Front" set to direct. Universal will reportedly approach series star, Matt Damon, about reprising the role of Jason Bourne before they approach anyone else.

SCANDAL - From Variety: Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon has been dropped by her agency, UTA, after she made controversial comments at a pro-Palestine rally in New York on Nov. 17th.

From ComingSoon:  Actress Melissa Barrera, who has starred in Scream (2022) and "Scream 6" (2023), as "Sam Carpenter," has reportedly been fired from the upcoming "Scream 7" due to comments the actress made regarding the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

MOVIES - From DeadlineDoug Liman is set to direct Paramount hot-anticipated reimagining of "The Saint."  Rege-Jean Page ("Bridgerton") is set to star in and executive produce the film.  "The Saint" first appeared in Leslie Charteris' 1920 novels and is best known for the 1960s British TV series starring Roger Moore.

MOVIES - From DeadlineKim Kardashian is attached to star in and produce the film, "The 5th Wheel," which is apparently a hot movie package.

TELEVISION - From DeadlineCBS' venerable family-cop drama, "Blue Bloods" is coming to an end with its upcoming 14th season.  10 episodes will air during the upcoming midseason, beginning Feb. 16th. The final eight episodes will run Fall 2024.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/17 to 11/18/2023 weekend box office is Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" with an estimated take of 44 million dollars.

CELEBRITY - From TheNewYorker:  The venerable culture magazine interviews legendary Hong Kong director, John Woo, who talks about his upcoming nearly dialogue free revenge thriller, "Silent Night."

MOVIES - From Deadline: "Rocky" and "Creed" franchise producer, Irwin Winkler, has said that "Creed IV" is in the works, with franchise star and Creed III director Michael B. Jordan to helm it.

GOLDEN GLOBES - From Deadline:  The 2024 / 81st annual Golden Globes will move to CBS from the Globes previous home, NBC.  The awards show will also stream on Paramount+ and on the CBS app.  The 81st Golden Globes will air on CBS  Sun., Jan. 7th, 2024.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Film, television, and Broadway (on and off-) actress, Frances Sternhagen, has died at the age of 93, Monday, November 27, 2023.  She won two Tony Awards ("The Good Doctor," "The Heiress") and was nominated five other times.  She was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, twice for her best known TV role, that of "Esther Clavin," the mother of "Cliff Clavin," on the former NBC sitcom, "Cheers." Sternhagen appeared in such films as "Outland" (1981), "Misery" (1990), and "Doc Hollywood" (1991), to name a few.

From TheCarterCenter:  Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has died at the age of 96, Sunday, November 19, 2023.  A passionate champion of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights, Mrs. Carter passed at her home in Plains, Georgia. She died peacefully, with family by her side.  Mrs. Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is now 99 years old. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”  She is survived by her children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A grandson died in 2015.

From AP:  A timeline of key moments from former First Lady Rosalyn Carter's 96 years

AWARDS:

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 89th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) was named "Best Film of 2023."  Christopher Nolan won "Best Director" for his film, "Oppenheimer."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th.  Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

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ACTORS STRIKE:

From Variety:  SAG-AFTRA has released the full 128-page contract that ended the actors strike on Nov. 8th, with union leaders urging members to vote yes on the deal by the Dec. 5th ratification deadline.

From Deadline:  Actor Matthew Modine says that he voted against SAG-AFTRA's tentative deal to end the actors strike, and that he will vote against the full agreement, which will be released today, Fri., Nov. 24th.

From Deadline:  SAG-AFTRA has produced a summary of its "2023 Tentative Agreement" that ended the 118-day long actors' strike. SAG-AFTRA members can begin voting on the agreement tomorrow, Tues., Nov. 14th. The voting can continue until the first week of December.

From IndieWire:  The site takes a look at the details of the tentative agreement between SAG-AFTRA (the actors' union) and the AMPTP (the Hollywood studios) that ended the 118-day actors' strike.

From Deadline:  The SAG-AFTRA national board, by a majority vote, approved the tentative agreement reached with the AMPTP to end the actors' strike.  Now, the actors vote...

From Variety:  The Hollywood studios have agreed to adjust language on artificial intelligence (AI) in their contract negotiations with SAG-AFTRA to end the 117-day actors' strike.

From THR:  SAG-AFTRA is evaluating the studios' "last, best and final offer" to end the actors' strike.

From Deadline:  The studios have delivered a new contract deal to SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, and more strike talks are scheduled to be held this weekend.

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 DiCaprioMeryl StreepOprah 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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Saturday, December 19, 2020

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 13th to 19th, 2020 - Update #25

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

Support Leroy on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BLM - From WashPost:   The Rev. William H. Lamar IV is the pastor of the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. that was attacked on Sat., Dec. 12th, 2020 by members of the racist group, the "Proud Boys."  The "Boys" were in Washington for a pro-Trump rally/riot.  Rev. Lamar wrote an opinion piece for the "Washington Post" entitled "My church will replace our Black Lives Matter sign. Will America replace its racist myth?" One of the quotes is "...that White men can employ violence to take what they want and do what they want and call that criminality justice, freedom and liberty."

COVID-19 - From CNN:  US sees record Covid-19 cases as CDC advisory group votes to recommend Moderna vaccine

CELEBRITY - From THR:   Inside Johnny Depp's self-made implosion.

CULTURE - From YahooEntertainment:   The last "Blockbuster" video rental store keeps chugging along and is the subject of a new documentary, "The Last Blockbuster."

AWARDS - From THR:  The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) names "First Cow" its best film of 2020.

STREAMING - From YahooEW:   New set photos from "Coming 2 America," Netflix's sequel to the classic Eddie Murphy film, "Coming to America," include an image of Wesley Snipes.

MOVIES - From DirtyMovies:   There will be another entry in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" film franchise in 2021.  "Dirty Movies" analyzes what went wrong with the last two entries.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  NBC is working on a reboot of its classic legal comedy, "Night Court" (1984-1992), with Warner Bros. Television.  John Larroquette, who won several Emmy Awards for the show, will return as "Dan Fielding," and Melissa Rauch ("The Big Bang Theory") will play the role of Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Judge Harry Stone (played by the late Harry Anderson).

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  ABC is in early development on "Pine Valley," a prime time follow-up to its daytime soap opera, "All My Children," which ended its run on the network in 2011.

TELEVISION-BLM - From Variety: "Heroes" Was Supposed to Be Leonard Roberts’ Big Break. Instead, It Nearly Broke Him. An African-American actor speaks about his poor treatment on the set of the former NBC series.

TOM CRUISE - From Deadline:   Tom Cruise Goes Off On Crew After Covid Breach On ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ London Set – Hear The Audio.

From YahooMovies:  Apparently, five crew members have quit "Mission: Impossible 7" over Tom Cruise's tirade against them for allegedly breaking COVID-19 protocol.
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SPORTS-BLM - From MLB:   Major League Baseball has long celebrated the legacy of the Negro Leagues. But for the first time, MLB is officially recognizing that the quality of the segregation-era circuits was comparable to its own product from that time period.  Addressing what MLB described as a “long overdue recognition,” Commissioner Rob Manfred on Wednesday bestowed Major League status upon seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948. The decision means that the approximately 3,400 players of the Negro Leagues during this time period are officially considered Major Leaguers, with their stats and records becoming a part of Major League history.

COVID-19 - From GuardianUK: US Covid Deaths Pass 300,000 as First Americans Receive Coronavirus Vaccine

MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:  As we acknowledge the 25th anniversary of Michael Mann's film, "Heat," which starred Oscar-winners, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, we revisit an interview in which Pacino talks about his friendly rivalry with De Niro.

STREAMING - From Deadline:   Lily James and Sebastian Stan (Marvel Studios "Winter Soldier") will play model/actress Pam Anderson and rock musician Tommy Lee in Hulu's biopic about the infamous celebrity couple.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Chris Pine is in talks to star in "Dungeons & Dragons" for eOne and Paramount Pictures.  Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are set to direct from a script they wrote.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:   Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians are dropping "Indians" from their name.  Here are the possibilities for a new name, including a Negro League name.

BLM - From Deadline:  Tyler Perry has donated $100,000 to the legal defense fund for Kenneth Walker, the boyfriend of Breonna Taylor, the medical worker murdered in her apartment by members of the Louisville Metro Police Department.

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:   The winner of the 12/11 to 12/13/20 weekend box office is "The Croods: A New Age" with an estimated take of 3 million dollars.

COVID-19 - From YahooNewsAP:  Trucks with first batches of COVID-19 vaccine in US get ready to roll

CHRISTMAS - From YahooNews:  Rare planetary conjunction means a rare "Christmas Star" will light up the night for the first time since the year 1226.

OBITS:

From THR:   American dancer, actress, and choreographer, Ann Reinking, has died at the age of 71, Saturday, December 12, 2020.  She is best known for her association with the Broadway musical, "Chicago," both as an actress (1977 and 1996) and as a choreographer (1996).  In 1997, she won a "Tony Award for Best Choreography" for the 1996 revival of "Chicago."  Reinking was nominated for a Tony three other times.

From Variety:  The spy-turned-spy-novelist, John le Carre, has died at the age of 89, Saturday, December 12, 2020.  During the 1950s and 1960s, le Carre (born David John Moore Cornwell) worked the British "Security Service" (MI5) and "Secret Intelligence Service" (MI6).  By the time he left the service, le Carre has already published three novels, including the international bestseller, "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" (1963).  Ten of his novels have been adapted into film, including 2001's "The Constant Gardener," which became the 2005 Oscar-winning film.

From RollingStone:  Iconic country music singer, Charley Pride, has died at the age of 86, Saturday, December 12, 2020 of complications of COVID-19.  Pride was a pioneering African-American country musician and is one of only three Black members of the "Grand Old Opry," and he was inducted into the "Country Music Hall of Fame" in 2000.  In 1971, at the "Country Music Association Awards, Pride won the "Entertainer of the Year" award.  Pride was a three-time Grammy Award winner, and received the "Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2017.

From RollingStone:   10 essential Charley Pride songs, according to Rolling Stone.
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From Deadline:  The actress Marguerite Ray has died at the age of 89, November 18, 2020.  Ray was the first African-American regular on the CBS soap opera, "The Young and the Restless," playing the role of Mamie Johnson from 1980 to 1990.  Ray was also a regular on "Sanford" (1980-81), NBC's sequel series to "Sanford and Son."
 
 
 


Friday, December 7, 2018

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 1st to 8th, 2018 - Update #24

Support Leroy on Patreon:

MARVEL - From Deadline:  "Avengers 4" has a trailer, a poster, and a title, "Avengers: Endgame."

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AWARDS - From Deadline:  The 61 annual Grammy Awards nominations have been announced.  Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar and the "Black Panther" movie soundtrack leads the nominations.

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OSCARS - From Deadline:  Kevin Hart was named as host of the 2019 Academy Awards ceremony in Feb. 2019.  He has now stepped down as host after anti-LGBTQ social media posts he made a decade ago came to light.

From Deadline:  The LGBTQ advocacy organization, GLAAD, did not want Kevin Hart to step down as host of the 2019 Oscars ceremony.  They wanted him to step up at the ceremony for a teachable moment.

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AWARDS - From Variety:  The 76th Annual (2019) Golden Globe Awards nominations have been announced.  This link leads to a complete list of nominees.

From YahooEntertaiment:  Snubs and surprises in the 2019 Golden Globe nominations.

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MOVIES - From Collider:  There will be a female-driven reboot of those "21 Jump Street" movies.  Tiffany Haddish is in talks to star in the reboot.

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MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The "Men in Black" sequel/reboot has a title, "Men in Black International," and a logo.

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STAGE - From Deadline:  Tyler Perry is in trouble with the actors' unions, SAG-AFTRA, over casting non-union actor in his upcoming stage play, "Madea's Farewell Play Tour."

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OSCARS - From EOnline:  Kevin Hart is hosting the 2019 Oscars.  The 91st Academy Awards ceremony will air Sunday, February 24, 2019.

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HEALTH - From GetPocket:  Why you shouldn't exercise to lose weight, explained with 60+ studies

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Universal Pictures is working on a film inspired by the music of the late singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Prince.

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MOVIE AWARDS - From THR:  The New York Film Critics Circle announced their 2018 film awards.  Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" was named "Roma" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  2018 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards announced.  "Eighth Grade" named "Best Film."

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ANIMATION - From Variety:  Nominations for the 46th Annie Awards have been announced.  "Incredibles 2" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet" lead nominees.

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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Wes Anderson is adding cast members to his upcoming film, "The French Dispatch," which is a love letter to journalists and is apparently not the French musical people want it to be.  Timothee Chalamet and Benecio del Toro are among new cast members.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 11/30 to 12/2/2018 weekend box office is "Ralph Breaks the Internet" with an estimated take of $25.75 million.

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is getting a lot of buzz, and Sony Pictures Animation is already considering a sequel and also a spin-off featuring all the female heroes in the Spider-Man universe.

From Variety:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" team talks about diversity and also modern heroes for a modern world.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Blumhouse and Sony Pictures' "Fantasy Island" film is currently scheduled to be released on Feb. 28th, 2020.  The film is based on the ABC TV series, which ran from 1977 to 1984.

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DISNEY - From Collider:  Tom Hanks is being eyed to play Geppetto in Disney's live-action remake of its classic animated feature, Pinocchio, which "Paddington" director Paul King is scheduled to direct.

MOVIES - From Collider:  11 genre movies to watch for in 2019.

OBITS:

From THR:  The actor Wright King died at the age of 95, Sunday, November 25, 2018.  Movie fans may remember King for the kiss he received from Vivien Leigh's "Blanche DuBois" in Elia Kazan's film, "A Streetcar Named Desire."  Classic TV fans will remember him as "Jason Nichols," the deputy sheriff turned sidekick of Steve McQueen's bounty hunter character, "Josh Randall" in 11 episodes of the CBS Western, "Wanted: Dead or Alive."

From THR:  The actor, dancer, and singer, Ken Berry, has died at the age of 85, Saturday, December 1, 2018.  Berry was a popular television actor from the 1960s to the 1980s and may be best known for his stint on the 1965-67 ABC series, "F Troop."  Others may know him for his role as "Venton Harper" in the 1980s series, "Mama's Family."  Of note, Leonard Nimoy of "Star Trek" helped start Berry's career in Hollywood.

From ABC:  The 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, has died at the age of 94, Friday, November 30, 2018.  Elected in 1988, Bush's term ran from 1989 to 1993.  Bush also served two terms as the Vice-President to the 40th U.S. President, Ronald Reagan.


Thursday, December 1, 2016

New York Film Critics Circle Names "La La Land" Best Picture of 2016

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.”  Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2017 to honor 2016 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover.  The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

2016 NYFCC Awards:

Best Picture
La La Land

Best Director
Barry Jenkins - Moonlight

Best Screenplay
Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea

Best Actress
Isabelle Huppert – Elle; The Things to Come

Best Actor
Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea

Best Supporting Actress
Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea; Certain Women

Best Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali - Moonlight

Best Cinematographer
James Laxton - Moonlight

Best Animated Film
Zootopia

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary)
O.J.: Made in America

Best Foreign Language Film
Toni Erdmann

Best First Film
Kelly Fremon Craig - The Edge of Seventeen

Best First Film
Trey Edward Shults - Krisha

Special Award:
Thelma Schoonmaker & Julie Dash - Daughters of the Dust (25th Anniversary Restoration)

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Wednesday, December 2, 2015

New York Film Critics Circle Names "Carol" Best Picture of 2015

This film critics group was founded in 1935.  The New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.”  Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2015 to honor 2014 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover.  The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

2015 NYFCC Awards:

Best Picture
Carol

Best Director
Todd Haynes - Carol

Best Screenplay
Phyllis Nagy - Carol

Best Actress
Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn

Best Actor
Michael Keaton - Spotlight

Best Supporting Actress
Kristen Stewart - Clouds of Sils Maria

Best Supporting Actor
Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies

Best Cinematographer
Edward Lachman - Carol

Best Animated Film
Inside Out

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary)
In Jackson Heights

Best Foreign Language Film
Timbuktu (Mauritania)

Best First Film
László Nemes - Son of Saul

Special Award
William Becker and Janus Films

Special Award
Ennio Morricone

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Monday, December 1, 2014

New York Film Critics Cricle Chooses "Boyhood" as Best Picture of 2014

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.”  Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2015 to honor 2014 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover.  The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

2014 NYFCC Awards:

Best Picture: Boyhood

Best Director: Richard Linklater – Boyhood

Best Screenplay: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Actress: Marion Cotillard - “The Immigrant,” and also “Two Days, One Night”

Best Actor: Timothy Spall - Mr. Turner

Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette – Boyhood

Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

Best Cinematographer: Darius Khondji - The Immigrant

Best Animated Film: The LEGO Movie

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary): Citizenfour

Best Foreign Film: Ida (Poland)

Best First Film: Jennifer Kent - The Babadook

Special Award: Adrienne Mancia

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

"American Hustle" Tops 2013 New York Film Critics Circle Awards

by Amos Semien

American Hustle, the new film from director David O. Russell, is "Best Picture" of 2013, according to the New York Film Critics Circle.  The film won three awards, including honors for the screenplay (written by Russell and Eric Singer) and supporting actress for Jennifer Lawrence.  Lawrence won the best actress Oscar earlier this year for her performance in Russell's Silver Linings Playbook.  Steve McQueen won directing honors for 12 Years a Slave.  Robert Redford won "Best Actor" for his much talked about performance in the film, All is Lost.  Cate Blanchett continues the tradition of actress honored for their work in Woody Allen film, winning "Best Actress" for Blue Jasmine.

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.”  Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2014 to honor 2013 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover.  The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

Here's the complete list of the 2013 Awards:

Best Picture - American Hustle

Best Director - Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave

Best Screenplay - Eric Singer & David O. Russell for American Hustle

Best Actress - Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine

Best Actor - Robert Redford for All Is Lost

Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle

Best Supporting Actor - Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club

Best Cinematographer - Bruno Delbonnel for Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Animated Film - The Wind Rises

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary) - Stories We Tell

Best Foreign Film - Blue is the Warmest Color

Best First Film - Ryan Coogler for Fruitvale Station

Special Award: Frederick Wiseman

http://www.nyfcc.com/


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

NY Film Critics Name "Zero Dark Thirty" Best Picture of 2012

If I'm not mistaken, the New York Film Critics Circle did manage to be the first film critics' organization to announce its awards for this year.  They were not last year.

They've named Zero Dark ThirtyKathryn Bigelow's movie about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, the "Best Picture" of 2012.  Bigelow, who also won the best director Oscar for The Hurt Locker, won the Circle's "Best Director" prize for Zero Dark Thirty.  Steven Spielberg's Lincoln was also a big winner, snagging three prizes, including acting honors for Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field.

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.” Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.

Here's the complete list of the 2012 winners:

Best Picture - Zero Dark Thirty

Best Director - Kathryn Bigelow for Zero Dark Thirty

Best Screenplay - Tony Kushner for Lincoln

Best Actress - Rachel Weisz for The Deep Blue Sea

Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Best Supporting Actress - Sally Field for Lincoln

Best Supporting Actor - Matthew McConaughey for 2 films: Bernie, Magic Mike

Best Cinematographer - Greig Fraser for Zero Dark Thirty

Best Animated Film – Frankenweenie

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary) - The Central Park Five

Best Foreign Film – Amour

Best First Film - David France for How to Survive a Plague

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

New York Film Critics Choose "The Artist" and Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.” Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications).

Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  Apparently, they moved things up this year to have more clout in the awards conversation. Will they?  Well, The Artist is a black and white silent movie, which may get Oscar nominations, but will critical acclaim give it a best picture win?  I have not seen The Artist, but I'd be super surprised if it won best picture.

Here's the complete list of the 2011 winners:

Best Picture - The Artist

Best Director - Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist

Best Screenplay - Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin for Moneyball

Best Actress - Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady

Best Actor - Brad Pitt for Moneyball, The Tree of Life

Best Supporting Actress - Jessica Chastain for The Tree of Life, The Help, Take Shelter

Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks for Drive

Best Cinematographer - Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary) - Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Best Foreign Film - A Separation

Best First Film - J.C. Chandor for Margin Call

Special Award -Raoul Ruiz

Friday, December 24, 2010

New York Film Critics Circle "The Social Network"

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.” Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films. The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held on Monday, January 10, 2011 to honor 2010 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover. The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

Here's the complete list of the 2010 winners:

Best Film – The Social Network

Best Director – David Fincher (The Social Network)

Best Screenplay – Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg (The Kids Are All Right)

Best Actress – Annette Bening (for The Kids Are All Right)

Best Actor – Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)

Best Supporting Actress – Melissa Leo (The Fighter)

Best Supporting Actor – Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)

Best Cinematography – Matthew Libatique (The Black Swan)

Best Animated Film – The Illusionist

Best Non-fiction Film – Inside Job

Best Foreign Language Film - Carlos

Best First Feature – Animal Kingdom

Monday, March 1, 2010

Countdown to Oscar 2010: The 2009 New York Film Critics Awards

At its website, the New York Film Critics Circle describes itself as "an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema."


The Circle was founded in 1935, and its membership includes critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and qualifying on-line general-interest publications. Every year in December the organization meets in New York to vote on awards for the previous calendar year's films.

The New York Film Critics Circle 2009 Awards:

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker

Best Screenplay: In The Loop

Best Actress: Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia

Best Actor: George Clooney - Up In The Air / Fantastic Mr. Fox

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique - Precious

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

Best Cinematographer: Christian Berger - The White Ribbon

Best Animated Film: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary): Of Time and The City

Best Foreign Film: Summer Hours (France)

Best First Film: Hunger - Steve McQueen (Director)

Special: Andrew Sarris

http://www.nyfcc.com/