Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 14th to 20th, 2021 - 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:  Edgar Wright ("Baby Driver") will co-write and direct a new film adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel, "The Running Man" (published under the pen name Richard Bachman).  It will not be a remake of the 1987 film adaptation of the novel, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Thanks to various sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, Hollywood power house, Brett Ratner, has not directed a film since 2014's Hercules.  He is ready to make his comeback with a biopic of disgraced musical act, "Milli Vanilli." 

DISNEY - From YahooEntertainment:   Disney's new animated film, "Raya and the Last Dragon" introduces the first Southeast Asian Disney princess and heroine.

TELEVISION - From BleedingCool:  AMC and streaming service Shudder are developing a horror anthology series that showcases horror stories from Black directors and writers.

AWARDS - From Deadline: The nominations for the 2021 / 21st annual Black Reel Awards have been announced.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  CBS has cancelled its long-running sitcom, "Mom," after eight seasons.  The finale is set for May 6th, 2021.

From Deadline:  CBS is ending "NCIS: New Orleans" after seven seasons.  The series finale will end May 16th, 2021.

TRAILER - From YouTube:   This is the first  "official restricted trailer" for the "Mortal Kombat" reboot, which arrives on HBO Max April 16, 2021.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  Ashley Judd is sharing photos and details about her recent African misadventure, which included shattering her leg in a jungle in the Congo last week.

MOVIES - From Variety:   Oscar-winning will produce and star in a film about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman.  Oscar-winning screenwriter, John Ridley, will write and direct the film.

STREAMING - From ShadowandAct:   Netflix's Kevin Hart-Wesley Snipes drama series, "True Story," adds Lauren London, Will Catlett and more new cast.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Keke Palmer will star in director Jordan Peele's next film.  Little is known about the film, and Oscar-nominated actor, Daniel Kaluuya, is in negotiations to also star in the film.

MOVIES - From IndieWire:   Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese takes aim at streaming’s lack of curation and core: "cinema Is being devalued by content."

AWARDS - From Deadline:   The nominations for the 2021 / 73rd annaul Writers Guild of America Awards have been announced.

DISNEY - From Vulture:   Disney unveils new "Cruella" poster featuring Emma Stone.

POLITICS - From Truthout:  An alarming revelation from a Republican senator, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, on Wednesday night suggests that former President Donald Trump continued to incite his mob of loyalists during the Capitol breach on January 6 even after learning that his then-vice president, Mike Pence's life was in danger.

MOVIES - From CBR:  As Zack Snyder awaits the release of his new film, "Zack Snyder's Justice League," he talks about developing a faithful adaptation of the King Arthur legend.

DISNEY - From THR:   Digital TV Research says that the streaming service, Disney+, will have more subscribers in 2026 than Netflix's streaming service.  However, it says that Disney+ will only have more subscribers than Netflix in only one country - India.

MUSIC - From CNN:   Rapper Nicki Minaj's father, 64-year-old Robert Maraj, dies in hit-and-run that occurred in Mineola, Long Island, police say.

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:   The winner of the 2/12 to 2/14/2021 weekend box office is "Croods: A New Age" with an estimated take of 2.66 million dollars.  The film, from DreamWorks Animation, was originally a Thanksgiving 2020 release.

From Variety:   The Chinese New Year led to a record-breaking holiday weekend at the Chinese box office - 775 million dollars.  "Detective Chinatown 3" lead the way with a record 424 million dollar debut.

From Deadline:  Director Nate Parker's "American Skin" becomes distributor, Vertical Entertainment's highest grossing PVOD (premium video on demand) release.

From Deadline:   "The Mauritanian," "The World To Come," and "Willy’s Wonderland" battle at the specialty box office.

CRIME - From YahooNews:  Attacks on older Asians stoke fear as Lunar New Year begins

CULTURE - From CNN:  People reflect on losing parents to the QAnon conspiracy.

COMICS TO MOVIES - DC CINEMA - From YouTube:   There is a new trailer (Sun., Feb. 14th) for the film now known as "Zack Snyder's Justice League."

MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:   This year is the 30th anniversary of the release of the eventual "Best Picture" Oscar winner, "Silence of the Lambs."  Star Jodie Foster admits in a new interview that she was afraid of co-star Anthony Hopkins, who played the infamous "Hannibal Lecter."

MUSIC - From Variety:   In the wake of accusations of sexism and misogyny against Justin Timberlake regarding his treatment of former girlfriend Britney Spears, and the “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl in 2004, he has apologized to both women in an Instagram post.

OBITS:

From Deadline:   Stage, film, and television actor, Christopher Pennock, has died at the age of 76, Friday, February 12, 2021.  He is best know for playing "Gabriel Collins" on the final season of the former ABC soap opera, "Dark Shadows" (1966-1971).  Pennock also appeared in numerous other daytime and primetime soap operas, including "General Hospital," "The Young and the Restless," and "Knots Landing," to name a few.

From YahooSports:   Former NFL player, Vincent Jackson, has died at the age of 38, Monday, February 15, 2021.  He was found dead in a hotel in Brandon, a suburb of Tampa, Florida.  He played 12 years in the NFL as a wide receiver, first for the San Diego Chargers (2005-2011) and then, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-2016).  He was a three-time Pro Bowl player (2009-2011).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 7th, 2019 - Update #27

Support Leroy on Patreon:

STREAMING - From THR:  Patty Jenkins signs a TV deal with Netflix.

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MOVIES - From BlackFilm:  Michael Ealy talks executive producing and starring in the soon to be released remake of the 1990 film, "Jacob's Ladder."

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MOVIES - From THR:  Here is a list of Fall 2019 horror films.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  Gabrielle Union will produce a drama-comedy for cable giant, Spectrum.  Union is already starring in the "Spectrum Originals" series, "L.A. Finest."

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AWARDS - From THR:  The 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival has come to a close.  The "Golden Lion" went to director Todd Phillps and his film, "Joker."  The "Silver Lion" went to director Roman Polanski and his film, "An Officer and a Spy."

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Haley Atwell is joining the next "Mission: Impossible" film.  Atwell is best known for her appearances in "Captain America: The First Avenger" and its ABC TV spinoff, "Agent Carter."

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STREAMING - From Deadline:   Darren Criss will star in and executive produce Ryan Murphy's Netflix drama series, "Hollywood."  Criss won an Emmy and several other awards for playing spree killer Andrew Cunanan in Murphy's "The Assassination Gianni Versace."

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CULTURE - From YahooHuffPost:  "Barbie Death Camp," the Burning Man festival - go, read.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Actor Sean Connery reports that he and his wife rode out Hurricane Dorian from his mansion in the Bahamas.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Isaiah Mustafa talks about the transition from professional football to acting, including a role in "It: Chapter Two."

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TELEVISION - From THR: Milo Ventimiglia ("This is Us") will portray motorcycle daredevil, the late Evel Knievel for a USA Network miniseries.

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STREAMING - From THR:  Hulu and MGM have the screen rights to the "The Testaments," the upcoming book sequel to Margaret Atwood's novel, "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985).  Hulu is currently streaming an Emmy-winning TV adaptation of "The Handmaid's Tale."

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STREAMING - From TVGuide:  Netflix is ending its comedy series, "Grace and Frankie" (starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda), after its upcoming seventh season.  By reaching a seventh season, "Grace and Frankie" will become Netflix's longest-running series to date.

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CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  Eddie Murphy is reportedly planning to return to stand-up comedy in 2020, via a tour.

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STREAMING - From THR:  Will Poulter ("We're the Millers") has been named one of the leads in Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" series.

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AWARDS - From THR:  The nominations for the 2019 E! People's Choice Awards have been announced.

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CELEBRITY - From THR:  In a wide-ranging interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Scarlett Johansson talks about a lot of things.  But this interview may be remembered for her support of #MeToo casualty, director Woody Allen.

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OBAMA - From THR:  President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are having trademark issues of their company's name, "Higher Ground Productions."

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STREAMING - From Deadline:  Television series mastermind, Ryan Murphy, is planning an impressive slate of programs as part of his Netflix deal.  That includes a TV adaptation of the Broadway musical, "A Chorus Line" and a biography of iconic designer, Halston, with Ewan McGregor in the lead role.

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STREAMING - From TheWrap:  AppleTV has scrapped plans to produce the Richard Gere drama, "Bastards."

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 8/3 to 9/1/2019 weekend box office (the Labor Day weekend and the final weekend of Summer 2019) is "Angel Has Fallen" with an estimated take of 11.57 million dollars.

From Deadline:  After Disney slaughtered its rivals at the summer box office, they ask, "what is theatrical."

From Variety:  Even with big hits like "The Lion King" and "Avengers: Endgame," the North American box office experienced a two percent decline in Summer 2019 (4.32 billion dollars) from Summer 2018 (4.41 billion dollars).

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CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  Actor-comedian Kevin Hart reportedly suffers "major back injuries" in a car accident in Calabasas, CA early Sunday morning, Sept. 1st.

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MOVIES - From TheDailyBeast:  At the Venice Film Festival, Spike Lee defends Nate Parker, who is at the festival screening his latest, "American Skin."

From Variety:  Director Nate Parker apologizes for being tone-deaf about the resurfacing of rape allegations against him in 2016 during the promotion of his film, "The Birth of a Nation."

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FILM FESTIVAL - From YahooNews:  At the Venice Festival, controversy swirls around the film, "An Officer and a Spy," and its director Oscar-winner Roman Polanski.  Polanski was convicted for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1978, and he has been a fugitive from the U.S. since then.  Some believe his inclusion is out of touch in the #MeToo era.

OBITS:

From Variety:   The actress Carol Lynley has died at the age of 77, Tuesday, September 3, 2019.  She is best known for her appearances in "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) and Blue Denim, both the original play in 1958 and its 1959 film adaptation.  She also appeared in the 1972 TV movie, "The Night Stalker," which led to the short-lived ABC series, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1974-75).

From YahooMusic:  The Grammy-winning songwriter, LaShawn Daniels, has died at the age of 41, Tuesday, September 3, 2019.  Daniels was a frequent collaborator of Grammy-winner, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and wrote or co-wrote songs for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga.  Daniels won the "Grammy Award for Best R&B Song" for Destiny Child's "Say My Name" in 2001.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  The first trailer for "Bad Boys for Life" the third film in the "Bad Boys" film franchise.  The film is due January 17, 2020.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 25th to 31st, 2019 - Update #26

Support Leroy on Patreon:

POLITICS - From TheIntercept:  The Best Movie Ever Made About the Truth Behind the Iraq War Is “Official Secrets” says "The Intercept."

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BOX OFFICE - From YahooEntertainment:  Yahoo takes a look at the Summer 2019 box office winners and losers.

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POLITICS - From RSN:  "The Only Way to Take Our Country Back Is One Person at a Time" by Jane Fonda.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Dennis Quaid and Madalen Mills joins Queen Latifah in the film adaptation of the children's book, "The Tiger Rising."

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  James Cameron talks about returning to "Terminator," the franchise he created in the new film, "Terminator: Dark Fate."

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Anthony Michael Hall will appear in the 2020 film, "Halloween Kills."  He will portray "Tommy Doyle," who was one of the two children Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) was babysitting in the original "Halloween."

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CELEBRITY/SCANDAL - From YahooEntertainment:  Apparently, the late and legendary actor, Marlon Brando, one confronted his close friend, Michael Jackson, about child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson.  Now, a podcast is claiming that it has obtained audio of an interview that Brando allegedly gave to the Los Angeles District Attorney Office about those allegations.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  Oscar-nominated actress Naomi Harris ("Moonlight") star in the miniseries, "The Third Day," for HBO-Sky.

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is now a "professor practice" in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas, Austin.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  An employee at Old Navy’s Philadelphia store accused the company of purposefully sidelining people of color during a taping of Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” saying white employees were bused in from other stores for the day of the shoot.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Himesh Patel ("Yesterday") has joined Chris Nolan's much-anticipated 2020 film, "Tenet."

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  In Europe, film festivals are screening films from directors beset by #MeToo problems like Roman Polanski and Nate Parker.  In the U.S. and Canada, festivals have steered clear of those directors.

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STREAMING - From Deadline:  Netflix will release Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman" to theaters November 1, 2019 and will begin streaming it November 27th.

From Deadline:  Netflix has announced both the theatrical and streaming release dates for its award-contending Fall films, including "Dolemite is My Name" and "Marriage Story."

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Viola Davis will portray First Lady Michelle Obama in a one-hour drama, "First Ladies," that Showtime has on fast-track development.  Davis will also be one of the executive producers on the project.

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AWARDS - From Indiewire:  If you care, this link is to a list of the winners at last night's 2019 MTV Video Music Awards (the VMA's).  The night's top award, "Video of the Year," went to Taylor Swift for "You Need to Calm Down."

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 8/23 to 8/25/2019 weekend box office is "Angel Has Fallen" with an estimated take of 21.25 million dollars.

From Variety:  In international box office news, "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" has a 102 million dollar debut in China.

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DISNEY - From Indiewire:  Using information gleaned at the D23 Expo, the writer of this article talks about 9 potential monster hit films upcoming from Disney.

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MOVIES - From Indiewire:  John Carpenter doesn't expect the "Halloween" franchise to end anytime soon.  “As long as there’s money in this, I wouldn’t count on an ending,” [Hell, I expect at least one more reboot of the series in the next decade. - Leroy]

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PIXAR - From Variety:  At D23 Expo, Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey were announced as the leads in the upcoming Pixar animated film, "Soul."  The film is set for June 19, 2020.

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DISNEY - From BlackFilm:  Janelle Monae is creating new music for Disney's live-action remake of "Lady and the Tramp."

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STREAMING - From Variety:  There is news on the "Breaking Bad" movie based on the AMC TV series.  it will be released on Netflix October 11, 2019.  It will be titled "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie."  It was star multiple Emmy winner Aaron Paul.

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DISNEY - From From YahooHufffPost:  Here is a first look at Oscar-winner Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil in the film, "Cruella," which will not debut until May 28, 2021.

OBITS:

From THR:  The actress Valerie Harper has died at the age of 80, Friday, August 30, 2019.  Harper is best known for playing the character, Rhoda Morgenstern, for which she won four Emmys.  She first played the character on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" for 92 episodes from 1970 to 1977, and she played the character in a spinoff series, "Rhoda," from 1974 to 1978.

From Deadline:  Television writer, Gordon Bressack, has died at the age of 68, Friday, August 30, 2019.  Bressack was best known for his work as a writer for animated television series.  He won three Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on "Animaniacs," "Pinky and the Brain," and "Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain."  Bressack was also a playwright.

From Variety:  Film magazine writer and documentary filmmaker, Andrew Horn, died at the age of 66, Saturday, August 24, 2019.  He wrote for "Variety," among other publications, and his documentary films includes one on 1980s rock band, Twisted Sister, entitled "We are Twisted F--cking Sister."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 18th to 24th, 2018 - Update #16

Support Leroy on Patreon:

MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Nate Parker ("The Birth of a Nation") will direct "Black & Blue," a biopic of decorated LAPD officer, Ralph Waddy.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  Ryan Murphy says that Fox is ready for spinoffs from his hit medical drama, "9-1-1".

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MOVIES - From TheRinger:  The Disney Decade - the House of Mouse took over movie going in the 21st century.

COMICS-FILM - From ThePlaylist:  "Deadpool 2" reshoots add "a secret cameo" to the film.

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STREAMING - From Reuters:   Exclusive: Amazon's internal numbers on Prime Video, revealed

From TheRinger:  To Win the Streaming Wars, Amazon Will Need to Take More Risks

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NATURE - From Vox:  It's the first day of Spring 2018; here are six things to know about the first day of the spring equinox.

From Space.com:  The first day of Spring 2018 as seen from space.

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MUSIC - From YahooEntertainment:  Three "retro" musical acts (Jimi Hendriz, David Byrne, and Judas Priest) enter the "Top Ten" on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week.

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MOVIES - From YahooTheWrap:  Steven Spielberg says that the fifth Indiana Jones film will begin production in April of 2019.

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POLITICS - From CNN:  Activist and actress Cynthia Nixon has announced that she will enter the New York gubernatorial race.  Nixon is best known for her roll as Miranda Hobbes in the television and later film series, "Sex in the City."  Nixon will challenge current New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the state's Democratic primary in September of this year.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 3/16 to 3/18/2018 weekend box office is Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" with an estimated take of $27 million.  This is the film's fifth consecutive week at #1.

From YahooAP:  "Black Panther" becomes the first film since "Avatar" (2009) to be #1 at the weekend box office for 5 consecutive weeks.  Before "Avatar," the last film to accomplish that feat was "The Sixth Sense" (1999).

From Variety:  "Tomb Raider" reboot tops international box office with $84.5 million.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Jim Carrey's Sarah Sanders (White House press secretary) painting creates a controversy.

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OBITS:

From DeadlineTV:  The actress DuShone Monique Brown has died at the age of 49, Friday, 23, 2018.  She was best known for her role as "Connie" on NBC's "Chicago Fire."

From Bloomberg:  Charles Lazarus, the founder of Toy 'R' Us, has died at the age of 94, Thursday, March 22, 2018.  Lazarus founded the company as a children's furniture store, and began the company's modern incarnation in 1957.  Toys 'R' Us is currently closing its operations in the United States.

From TheBostonGlobe:  Television personality and entertainer, Frank Avruch, has died at the age of 89, Wednesday, March 21, 2018.  A long time personality at WCVB-TV, Avruch is best known as one of the men who performed "Bozo the Clown."  Avruch played the character from 1959 to 1970.

Review: "The Birth of a Nation" Offers a Counter Narrative

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 2 (of 2018) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

The Birth of a Nation (2016)
Running time:  120 minutes; MPAA – R for disturbing violent content, and some brief nudity
DIRECTOR:  Nate Parker
WRITERS:  Nate Parker; from a story by Nate Parker and Jean McGianni Celestin
PRODUCERS:  Nate Parker, Kevin Turen, Jason Michael Berman, Preston L. Holmes, and Aaron L. Gilbert
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Elliot Davis (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Steven Rosenblum
COMPOSER:  Henry Jackman

HISTORY/DRAMA/BIOGRAPHY

Starring:  Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Junior, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Dwight Henry, Aja Naomie King, Esther Scott, Roger Guenveur Smith, Gabrielle Union, Tony Espinosa, Jayson Warner Smith, Jason Stuart, and Chiké Okonkwo

The Birth of a Nation is a 2016 historical film and slave drama from director Nate Parker, who has the film's starring role.  A joint American and Canadian production, The Birth of the Nation is a fictional account and dramatization of the Black American slave Nat Turner (October 2, 1800 – November 11, 1831), his life, and the rebellion of slaves and free Blacks that Turner led in Southampton County, Virginia on August 21, 1831.

The Birth of a Nation takes its name from from D.W. Griffith's 1915 silent movie and KKK propaganda film.  In Birth of a Nation 2016, Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South, orchestrates an uprising.  The film received some of its financing from professional basketball players and NBA stars Michael Finley and Tony Parker.  Among the film's executive producers are Oscar-winning filmmaker, Edward Zwick (Shakespeare in Love), and screenwriter and director David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight and Blade film franchises).

The Birth of a Nation opens in the antebellum South, where Elizabeth Turner (Penelope Ann Miller) teaches a Black child slave, Nat (Tony Espinosa), to read.  Years later, Nat Turner (Nate Parker) is not only a field slave (picking cotton), but he is also a literate slave preacher.  A friend tells Nat's White slave owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), that other White slave owners need something to suppress their Black slaves, whom they believe to be unruly, disobedient, and indignant.  That friend suggests that Nat's preaching, popular with many of the slaves, could earn the financially strained Turner money from owners that want a slave preacher who can preach their slaves into submission.

As he travels with his owner, however, Nat sees countless atrocities committed by White masters against their Black slaves, many of the same that are committed against himself and the slaves at Turner's and other plantations.  Seeing himself as God's chosen instrument of freedom, Nat gathers trusted followers and prepares for a sign to lead a rebellion.

The 21st century has seen a rise in the number of African-Americans and people of color behind the camera in the American film industry.  The result is two great American films about slavery, one being the “Best Picture” Oscar-winner, 12 Years a Slave.  A second is The Birth of a Nation from writer-director Nate Parker.  However, this film was overshadowed by Parker's past (alleged rape charges that led to a trial in which Parker was acquitted – 1999 to 2001).

It is a shame that controversy overshadowed a film that is one of best of the decade, but it is also a truly unique film.  There are many powerful performances in this film:  Parker as Nat Turner, Penelope Ann Miller as Elizabeth Turner; Aunjanue Ellis as Nancy Turner; Aja Naomi King as Cherry Turner; Esther Scott as Bridget Turner; and Colman Domingo as Hark Turner.

For all those fine performances, what makes The Birth of the Nation 2016 unique is that it is like a folk tale or a fairy tale, as much as it is a period drama or biographical film.  Parker and Jean McGianni Celestin, who co-wrote the film's story, seem to approach Nat Turner as both a figure of history and of myth.  African-Americans, Black slaves, and White people (slave owners and otherwise) had and have different interpretations of Turner and his rebellion.

Thus, The Birth of the Nation 2016 clearly demarcates the line between good and evil; kindness and hate; and good and greed.  However, the righteousness of, the success of, and/or the meaning of Nat Turner's actions and his rebellion are left up to interpretation.  One can say the same about this film because it is a bold vision that demands the viewer grapple beyond viewing it as entertainment or as a pastime.  It is a story about the story of our nation, the good ol' U.S. of A, and how one sees the nations will affect how one views this film.

This film is built on powerful visuals that tell the story, more than it is the script that tells the story.  The visuals are not about sensation, but are about narrative.  The Birth of a Nation 2016 is a counter-myth to the story of the United States of America.

9 of 10
A+

Friday, January 5, 2018


NOTES:
2017 Black Reel Awards:  6 nominations: “Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture” (Nate Parker), “Outstanding Director, Motion Picture” (Nate Parker), “Outstanding Screenplay, Motion Picture” (Nate Parker), “Outstanding Ensemble” (Andrea Craven, Craig Fincannon, Lisa Mae Fincannon, Mary Vernieu, and Michelle Wade Byrd), “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female” (Aja Naomi King), and “Outstanding Score” (Henry Jackman)

2017 Image Awards:  6 nominations:  “Outstanding Motion Picture,” “Outstanding Independent Motion Picture,” “Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture” (Nate Parker), “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture” (Aja Naomi King), “Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture-Film” (Nate Parker), and “Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture-Film” (Nate Parker)


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 19th to 25th, 2017 - Update #32

Support Leroy on Patreon.

BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "Coco" pushing past "Justice League" at holiday box office.

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POLITICS - From WashPost:  The complete list of President Trump and the women accusing him of sexual misconduct. [I think they may have missed some. - Ed.]

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FOOD - From NPR:  What The Industry Knew About Sugar's Health Effects, But Didn't Tell Us

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MOVIES - From IndieWire:  First footage from "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," features Chris Pratt playing with a baby raptor.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  Jude Law will play the male lead in Marvel's "Captain Marvel" opposite Brie Larson as Captain Marvel.  Law's specific role is unknown.

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BLM - From Newsweek:  Three years ago a Cleveland police officer killed a Black boy who had a toy gun.  Newsweek takes a look at that toy.

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MUSIC - From YahooMusic:  On the 20th anniversary of his passing, here are six songs inspired by the death of INXS lead singer, the late Michael Hutchence.

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PIXAR - From THR:  Pixar boss John Lasseter becomes the latest boss man who has to disappear because of his sexually abusive behavior.

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AWARDS - From TheWrap:  Producers Guild names its nominees for best nonfiction (or documentary) films of 2017.

From TheWrap:  2017 NAACP Image Award nominees announced.

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HOLOCAUST - From YahooNews:  102-year-old Holocaust survivor who thought his entire family died meets nephew he didn't know existed.

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AWARDS - From TheWrap:  2017-18 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations have been announced.

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CRIME:  From TheNewYorker:  A former journalist has created "The Serial-Killer Detector."

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COMICS-FILM - From YahooEntertainment:  Marvel "Runaways" debuts on the streaming service, Hulu, today.  Yahoo critic Ken Tucker reviews the early episodes of the series.

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SCANDAL - From YahooNews:  CBS fires veteran television news host and interviewer Charlie Rose, in the wake of sexual misconduct accusations made against him in a Washington Post article.  Rose was a correspondent for the venerable TV news show, "60 Minutes" and hosted its weekday morning news, "CBS This Morning."

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BLM - From YahooNews:  Ex-cop Shannon Kepler, who abandoned his daughter and then shot her African-American boyfriend to death, gets 15 years in prison for the shooting.

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SCANDAL - From WashPost:  Exalted television news host and celebrity interviewer, Charlie Rose, has been accused of sexual harassment by eight women.  Rose's various gigs have been suspended or shut down.

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MOVIES - From IndieWire:  "Vanity Fair" has plot details about Quentin Tarantino's next film (referred to as "#9").

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SCANDAL - From EW:  Armie Hammer called out what he perceives as a double standard in the way eventual Oscar winner Casey Affleck and Nate Parker, whose Oscar hopes were dashed, were treated in the wake of past sexual misconduct against each man being revived.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 11/17 to 11/19/2017 weekend box office is Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment's "Justice League" with an estimated take of $96 million.

From WeGotThisCovered:  "Thor: Ragnarok" rocks past $700 million in worldwide box office.

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SCANDAL - From TheGuardian:  Harvey Weinstein had a secret hit list that he was going to use to quash or manage his sex scandal.

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CIVIL RIGHTS - From CNN:  Jesse Jackson has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

From YahooNews:  This article looks at the many roles of Rev. Jesse Jackson.  Jackson announced on Friday, Nov. 17th that he has been treated for Parkinson's disease for the past two years.

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BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "Justice League" opens with $96 million in box office, about $14 million less than forecasts.

From TheWrap:  DC Comics film fans want a release of "Justice League" that is original director Zach Snyder's cut of the film.  Snyder left the film earlier this year after the sudden death of his daughter.  Joss Whedon finished the film, also doing some reshoots.

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TERROR - From Alternet:  Area north of Denver, Colorado rocked by terror attack in Walmart.

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POLITICS - From ALdotcom:  Said in defense of Alabama U.S. Senate candidate "Judge" Roy Moore, "More women are sexual predators than men."

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TELEVISION - From YahooTV:  Highlights from Chance the Rapper hosting "Saturday Night Live," on November 18, 2017.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures wins domestic and international distribution rights to next film, his ninth which is due in 2019.

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CULTURE - From TheNewYorker:  "How to Get Rich Playing Video Games Online"

OBITS:

From THR:  Former teen idol, recording star, and actor, David Cassidy, has died at the age of 67, Tuesday, November 21, 2017.  Cassidy arose to fame in the early 1970s playing "Keith Partridge" on the ABC series, "The Partridge Family" (1970-74) about a suburban family that doubled as a pop music band.  After the show, Cassidy continued a successful recording career, and was a huge concert draw in the 1970s.  He remained a popular concert attraction later in life.

From the NewEnglandPatriots:  Former NFL wide receiver, Terry Glenn, died at the age of 43, Monday morning, November 20, 2017.  Glenn played his first six seasons with the Patriots and caught Tom Brady's first touchdown pass.  Glenn spent one year with the Green Bay Packers and the last five years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys.

From PEOPLE:  Actress and music legend Della Reese has died at the age of 86, Sunday, November 19, 2017.  Reese was best known for her playing "Tess" on "Touched by an Angel," for which she earned two Emmy Award nominations.  Reese also released several albums and hit songs and was nominated for three Grammy Awards.

From YahooNews:  Notorious cult leader and mass murder, Charles Manson, has died at the age of 83, Sunday, November 19, 2017.  A hippie cult leader, Manson orchestrated the gruesome murder of seven people including actress Sharon Tate, and his ugly mug became the face of evil in America.

From THR:  The actor Earle Hyman has died at the age 91, Friday, November 17, 2017.  The classically trained and admired actor of stage, television, and film may have been best known for playing "Russell Huxtable," the father of Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show."  He was also the voice of "Panthro" on the 1980s animated series, "ThunderCats."

From RollingStone:  Country music singer and songwriter, Mel Tillis, died at the age of 85, Sunday, November 19, 2017.  He was the "CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1976 and he is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

From Deadline:  The actress Ann Wedgeworth has died at the age of 83, Thursday, November 16, 2017.  She was known to generations of TV viewers as the lusty divorce, Lana Shields, in "Three's Company."  She appeared in numerous TV shows, including "Evening Shade" and the soap opera, "The Edge of Night."  Wedgeworth won a Tony Award for her role in "Neil Simon's Chapter Two."

From WashPost:  Edward S. Herman, a media critic and economist, died at the age of 92, Saturday, November 11, 2017.  He co-wrote the book, "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media" (1988) with scholar and political activist, Noam Chomsky.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 8th to 14th, 2017 - Update #19

Support Leroy on Patreon.

COMICS-FILM - From ThePlaylist:  Hugh Jackman and James Mangold share tidbits from the making of "Logan."

----------
AWARDS - From THR:  With his nod for "Achievement in First-Time Feature Film," Nate Parker and "Birth of a Nation" earn their first major Hollywood film award nomination.

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OBIT - From IndieWire:  The author and filmmaker, William Peter Blatty, has died at the age of 89, Thursday, January 12, 2017.  His most famous work is the best-selling and legendary novel, The Exorcist.  It was adapted into a hugely popular and legendary film (by director William Friedkin), and Blatty won an Oscar for writing the screenplay adaptation of his novel.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  Remember this controversy from awhile back:  actor Joseph Fiennes was supposed to portray pop music icon Michael Jackson in an episode of the Brit TV series, "Urban Myths?"  We apparently, the episode was filmed but will not be aired by European pay TV company, Sky.

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  Davis S. Goyer and Justin Rhodes will write Warner's "Green Lantern Corps" movie.  The film will feature both popular DC Comics Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart.

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TELEVISION - From IndieWire:  Fresh off his Golden Globe win for "Atlanta," Donald Glover signs large overall developmental deal with FX, but "Atlanta" is not coming back until 2018.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  FX has renewed "American Horror Story" for an additional two seasons, which would take it through Season 9.

----------
COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies:  Emmy-winner Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones") may join Marvel's "Avengers" films as fan-favorite character, "Pip."

----------
TELEVISION - From Variety:  The third season of John Ridley's critically-acclaimed series, "American Crime" (ABC), will focus on immigration.

----------
MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  Natalie Portman reveals that Ashton Kutcher was paid three times what she was for their 2011 film, "No Strings Attached."

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STAR WARS - From YahooMovies:  The one-billion dollar Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has a home - Los Angeles.

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AWARDS - From YahooCelebrity:  Meryl Streep earns her 15th BAFTA nomination - in the wake of being called overrated by President-elect Donald Trump.

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BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  With the release of the final weekend box office numbers, we learn that the winner of the 1/6 to 1/8/2017 weekend is "Hidden Figures" with a tally of $22.8 million, that is about of $700,00 "Rogue One's" final.

From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 1/6 to 1/8/2017 weekend box office is "Rogue One" with an estimated take of $21.97 million.  However, "Hidden Figures" is a close second with $21.8 million, and the release of actual totals may change which film holds the top spot.

----------
CELEBRITY -From YahooCelebrity:  The cause of actress Debbie Reynolds's death is released, while her daughter Carrie Fisher's cause death is described as inconclusive.

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TELEVISION - From IndieWire:  The release date for David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" revival miniseries is May 21, 2017 at 9 p.m. on Showtime.

----------
MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  J.J. Abrams says he will avoid remakes and reboots after being involved in such films via Star Wars, Star Trek, Mission:Impossible, and "Westworld" for TV.

----------
AWARDS - From TheWrap:  At the 2017 Golden Globes, "La La Land" wins a record 7 Globes.

From CNN:  Meryl Streep criticizes President-elect Trump in her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes - without even mentioning Clownstick's name.

From LATimes:  Watch the video and read the transcript of Meryl Streep's Golden Globe speech.

From YahooCelebrity:  Apparently, Tom Hiddleston had to apologize for his acceptance speech.

----------
COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Entertainment's reclusive CEO Isaac Perlmutter looks like a cheap hood gangster in this photo with President-elect Fuckface Von Clownstick.

From BleedingCool:  Now, Ike may play a role in the Clownstick administration.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Another Sundance film has been bought before its festival debut.  A24 has bought "A Ghost Story" directed by David Lowery (who directed Disney's remake, "Pete's Dragon") and stars Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.

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COMICS-ANIMATION - From EW:  There is a vague teaser for "Marvel's Spider-Man," Disney XD's upcoming Spider-Man animated series, which will replace "Ultimate Spider-Man."

From BleedingCool:  Matt Ryan played DC Comics' "John Constantine" in the short-lived NBC series, "Constantine."  He is reportedly returning to the role for an animated series.

----------
CULTURE - From YahooBeauty:  Why men have body issues now more than ever - the muscular, superhero body.

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AWARDS:  From Variety:   At the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) International Awards "La La Land" wins two awards, "Best Picture" and "Best Actress" (Emma Stone).

2017 Directors Guild Award Nominations for "Feature Films" Announced

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) is the entertainment labor union that represents film and television directors.  The DGA gives out the Directors Guild of America Award each year to honor outstanding achievement.

The DGA announced the nominees in the “Feature Film” category for the 69th Annual DGA Awards on Thursday, January 12, 2017.  In addition, Mr. Paris Barclay, President of the Directors Guild of America announced the five nominees for a new category, which debuted last year, recognizing the achievement of first-time feature film directors and showcases up-and-coming feature film talent.  The winners in all DGA categories will be announced at the 69th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

2017 / 69th Annual DGA Award nominations (for feature films released in 2016):

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film
   
DAMIEN CHAZELLE
La La Land
(Lionsgate)

Mr. Chazelle’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Michael Beugg
    First Assistant Director: Peter Kohn
    Second Assistant Director: Paula Case
    Assistant Unit Production Manager: Bart Lipton
    Second Second Assistant Director: Brett Robinson
    Additional Second Assistant Director: Dodi Rubenstein

This is Mr. Chazelle’s first DGA Award nomination.
   
GARTH DAVIS
Lion
(The Weinstein Company)

Mr. Davis’s Directorial Team:

    First Assistant Director: Chris Webb
    First Assistant Director: Ananya Rane (India Unit)
    Second Assistant Directors: Mark Ingram (Australia Unit), Sunny Tiku (India Unit), KP Singh (India Unit), Shaunak Kapur (India Unit)

This is one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Davis. He is also nominated in the First-Time Feature Film category for Lion. He was previously nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials in 2009 for “Shadow Puppets,” U.S. Cellular.

BARRY JENKINS
Moonlight
(A24)

Mr. Jenkins’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Jennifer Radzikowski

This is Mr. Jenkins’s first DGA Feature Film Award nomination.
   
KENNETH LONERGAN
Manchester by the Sea
(Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions)

Mr. Lonergan’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Declan Baldwin
    First Assistant Director: Michael J. Moore
    Second Assistant Director: David Blazina
    Second Second Assistant Directors: Tim LaDue, Scooter Perrotta

This is Mr. Lonergan’s first DGA Award nomination.

DENIS VILLENEUVE
Arrival
(Paramount Pictures)

Mr. Villeneuve’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Stan Wlodkowski
    First Assistant Director: Donald L. Sparks
    Second Assistant Director: Brigitte Goulet
    Second Second Assistant Director: Karine P. Labelle

This is Mr. Villeneuve’s first DGA Award nomination.

DGA Awards Medallion Small Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film (for the year 2016)

GARTH DAVIS
Lion
(The Weinstein Company)

Mr. Davis’s Directorial Team:

    First Assistant Director: Chris Webb
    First Assistant Director: Ananya Rane (India Unit)
    Second Assistant Directors: Mark Ingram (Australia Unit), Sunny Tiku (India Unit), KP Singh (India Unit), Shaunak Kapur (India Unit)

This is one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Davis. He is also nominated in the Feature Film category for Lion. He was previously nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials in 2009 for “Shadow Puppets,” U.S. Cellular.

KELLY FREMON CRAIG
The Edge of Seventeen
(STX Entertainment)

Ms. Fremon Craig’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Brendan Ferguson
    Production Manager: Dan Clarke
    First Assistant Director: James Bitonti
    Second Assistant Director: Daniel Mansfield

This is Ms. Fremon Craig’s first DGA Award nomination.

TIM MILLER
Deadpool
(Twentieth Century Fox)

Mr. Miller’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: John J. Kelly
    First Assistant Director: James Bitonti
    Second Assistant Director: Daniel Mansfield

This is Mr. Miller’s first DGA Award nomination.

NATE PARKER
The Birth of a Nation
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Mr. Parker’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Mark Moran
    First Assistant Director: Tomas Deckaj
    Second Assistant Director: Mark C. Stevens
    Second Second Assistant Director: Scott Bowers

This is Mr. Parker’s first DGA Award nomination.

DAN TRACHTENBERG
10 Cloverfield Lane
(Paramount Pictures)

Mr. Trachtenberg’s Directorial Team:

    Unit Production Manager: Robert J. Dohrmann
    First Assistant Director: Jason Blumenfeld
    Second Assistant Director: Paul B. Uddo
    Second Second Assistant Director: Jonathan M. Warren
    Location Manager: Batou A. Chandler

This is Mr. Trachtenberg’s first DGA Award nomination.

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

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 1st to 8th, 2016 - Update #28

Support Leroy on Patreon.

NEW YORK COMIC CON 2016:

From Newsarama:  Creator Robert Kirkman at "The Walking Dead" NYCC panel.

From BleedingCool:  Kate Beckinsale says that Marvel is doing something with "Blade."

From BleedingCool:  More from DC Comics' "Rebirth" NYCC panel.

----------
MOVIES - From Variety:  The Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, John Boyega thriller, "The Circle," has a release date, April 28, 2017.

----------
JAMES BOND - From Vulture:  Maybe Daniel Craig isn't ready to stop being Bond.

----------
CELEBRITY - From Guardian:  In a video, Robert DeNiro says that he'd like to punch Donald Trump in the face.

----------
BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "The Girl on the Train" will likely be the winner of this weekend's box office.

----------
COMICS-FILMS - From Variety:  Forest Whitaker joins Marvel's "Black Panther."

----------
MOVIES - From IndieWire:  How Mel Gibson helped Nate Parker on "Birth of a Nation."

----------
MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Amy Adams returning for "Disenchanted," the sequel to "Enchanted."

----------
MOVIES - From Variety:  "Blade Runner 2049" is the name of the "Blade Runner" sequel.

----------
POLITICS - From TheDailyBeast: Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone says that the administration of President Obama is the worst for whistleblowers.

----------
MUSIC - RollingStone:  Bruce Springsteen talks about a number of subjects in this interview, including Black Lives Matter.

----------
MOVIES:  From WarofthePlanet:  The website for next year's "War for the Planet of the Apes."

----------
COMICS-FILM - From YahooSports:  Some people are complain the Marvel-Netflix's "Luke Cage" is too Black...

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COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies:  The DVD release of "Suicide Squad" to contain a cut of the film with 13 extra minutes.

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MUSIC - From RollingStone:  The songwriter, Rod Temperton, died last week in London at the age of 66.  He may be most famous for his collaborations with Michael Jackson including naming Michael's record-setting LP, "Thriller" as well as penning the title track and two more songs for the album.

----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Disney has set a release date for its live-action 3D remake of "Mulan," November 2, 2018.

----------
MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  The Oscar-winning film-scoring team of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will score Peter Berg's film, "Patriots Day."

----------
MOVIES - From Variety:  Chloe Moretz will join Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton in a remake of Italian horror master, Dario Argento's "Suspiria."

----------
TELEVISION - From SlashFilm:  A teaser has been released for the upcoming "Twin Peaks" revival on Showtime next year.

----------
MOVIES - From YahooNews:  Finally, Nate Parker, director of the buzzy "Birth of a Nation," is saying what he should have said a long time ago about the "rape charges" he once faced.

----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 9/30 to 10/2/2016 weekend box office is "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" with an estimated take of $28.5 million.

----------
CELEBRITY - From TheWrap:  Kirk Douglas celebrates his 100th birthday early Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the 95th anniversary of the Motion Picture Television Fund.  Douglas' actually birthday is December 19th.  I have a feeling that he will live past 100.

---------
ECO - From TheGuardian:  Leonardo DiCaprio takes his new documentary film, "Before the Flood," to the White House to screen for President Barack Obama.

----------
CRIME - From YahooNews:  The 6-year-old boy who was shot at Townville Elementary in South Carolina on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 has died of his injuries.

----------
MOVIES - From YahooNews:  New image of Emma Watson and Dan Stevens from Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast."

----------
MOVIES - From Variety:  Lee Daniels, the Oscar-nominated director of "Precious," is making a movie musical about his life.

TEASER:

From YahooMovies:  First trailer for "Jackie" with Natalie Portman.

From Deadline:  First teaser for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" which lands in 2017.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 10th, 2016 - Update #39

Support Leroy on Patreon.

MOVIES - From Variety:  At the Toronto International Film Festival, "Birth of a Nation" debuts with a standing ovation, in spite of the ongoing controversy about its director.  Cause it's time to move on.

----------
MOVIES - From Variety:  Natalie Portman as First Lady Jackie Kennedy is all the buzz at Toronto.

----------
GREED - From Money:  5300 Wells Fargo employees fired in massive fake account scam against customers.

----------
TELEVISION - From Variety:  Vin Diesel developing a "first responders" drama for NBC.

----------
MOVIES - From TheVillageVoice:  Charles Burnett's "To Sleep with Anger" reawakens.

----------
MOVIES - From Deadline:  Meryl Streep and J.J. Abrams come together for the TV project, "The Nix."

----------
MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal and Focus Features wins the rights to Paul Thomas Anderson's next film, which will reunite him with Daniel Day-Lewis.

----------
ECO - From EcoWatch:  Leonardo DiCaprio and three stars from the "Justice League" movie, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher, join the protest against the "Dakota Access" pipeline.

----------
OBIT - From Variety:  The drag icon, "The Lady Chablis" has died Thursday, September 8, 2016.  She appeared in John Berendt's bestselling novel, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and also in Clint Eastwood's 1997 film adaptation of the novel.  Her age is unknown.

----------
MOVIES - From HitFix:  Apparently, "The Crow" reboot is moving forward, maybe with Jason Momoa in the lead.  I think the whole thing is a bad idea.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Johnny Depp to headline a thriller about the murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.

----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling in talks to join "A Wrinkle in Time," to be directed by Ava DuVernay.

----------
TELEVISION - From RSN:  Fox News has settled with Gretchen Carlson in her sexual harassment suit against super-predator Roger Ailes.

----------
OBIT - From Variety:  The prolific TV director, Leslie H. Martinson, has died at the age of 101, Saturday, September 3, 2016.  He directed over 100 episodes of various TV series, but he is best known for directing the 1966 film, "Batman: The Movie."

----------
COMICS-FILM - From BleedingCool:  Set photos from "Spider-Man: Homecoming" may reveal the villain, "The Shocker."

----------
COMICS-FILM - From ETCanada:  Chadwick Boseman says "Black Panther" to be grittier than other Marvel movies.

----------
OBIT - From Variety:  The actor Hugh O'Brian has died at the age of 91, Monday, September 5, 2016.  He was best known for playing the lead in the popular ABC Western television series, "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955-61).

----------
CULTURE - From TheDailyBeast:  Nativists/racists attack Chobani for hiring Muslim refugees.

----------
DA LORD - From NPR:  Mother Teresa is now a saint.

----------
TELEVISION - From HitFix:  A look at the Ava DuVernay-created, Oprah Winfrey produced family drama, "Queen Sugar."

----------
JAMES BOND - From Indiewire:  Sony reportedly throws big money at Daniel Craig to return as James Bond for two more films, while the studio and Bond bosses prepare a transition for a younger, longer term successor.

----------
TELEVISION -  From EW:  Get a first look at "Ghost Rider" from "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

----------
OBIT - From YahooMusic:  Jerry Heller once managed seminal rap group, N.W.A.  He died at the age of 75 on Friday, September 2, 2016.  Heller's attorney says the N.W.A. biopic, "Straight Outta Compton," caused Heller's death.

From Uproxx:  Jerry Heller, of Ruthless Records and N.W.A., has died.

----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the three-day Labor Day 2016 weekend (9/2 to 9/4/2016) is "Don't Breathe" with an estimated take of $15.7 million.  The four-day weekend result will be released tomorrow.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Clint Eastwood's biopic, "Sully," gets a standing ovation at the Telluride Film Festival.  Eastwood had a relatively tough time getting it made.

----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gives first look at his "Jumanji" character, "The Smoldering Dr. Bravestone."

----------
MOVIES - From YahooCelebrity:  Gabby Sidibe's has lot a LOT of weight.

----------
MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  Why didn't the "Saints Row" film happen?

----------
CULTURE - From TheGuardian:  Comedian and actor Leslie Jones continues to face intense racism.

----------
OBIT - From TheAVClub:  The actor Jon Polito has died at the age of 65, Thursday, September 1, 2016.  He had a long and prolific career.  He played cops and was a favorite of the Coen Brothers, appearing in "Miller's Crossing" and "The Big Lebowski" to name a few.

----------
SPORTS - From RSN:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on those who insult Colin Kaepernick.

----------
SPORTS - From YahooNews:  When college football player, Travis Rudolph, sat at a lunchroom table with a lonely autistic boy named Bo Paske, it started a sensation.

From YahooSports:  Bo said it was like sitting on rainbows.

----------
MOVIES - From YahooNews:  For its DVD release, Paul Feig's all-female Ghostbusters reboot gets a new title, "Ghostbusters: Answer the Call."

----------
MEDIA - From YahooFinance:  Disney is a diversified media empire and is more than just Mickey Mouse, of course.

----------
COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is currently producing four comic books that re-imagine various characters from classic Hanna-Barbera animated television series.  "The Jetsons" will be getting the re-imagination treatment.

----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Fox Searchlight and Nate Parker will hold a press conference at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival for "The Birth of a Nation." Parker continues to deal with the controversy concerning a rape allegation from 17 (!) years ago.

----------
SPORTS - From YahooTV:  NFL executives and front office people boldly proclaim how much the hate Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, for not standing for the National Anthem.  But they do so by keeping their names off the record.  Both the NFL officials and the reporter and his media outlet are cowards.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  First trailer for "Underworld: Blood Wars." 'Bout time.

From YouTube:  "Morgan" opens today.  See her go from beautiful child to killer.

From YouTube:  "Kubo and the Two Strings" offers a time-lapse clip from the making of the film.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 28th to 31st, 2016 - Update #21

Support Leroy on Patreon.

TELEVISION - From TVLine:  Kerry Washington ("Scandal") is developing a drama about female LAPD cops for ABC.

----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Sean Penn and Mel Gibson are making a movie together.  Natalie Dormer joins the fray.

----------
MUSIC - From YahooMusic:  John Legend says "National Anthem" is a weak song.

----------
MOVIES - From EW:  Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, and Bryan Cranston lined up for Richard Linklater's next film.

----------
PIXAR - From EW:  Brad Bird gives a not-really-update on "The Incredibles 2."

----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports:  This Rodney Harrison opinion on Colin Kaepernick is whack and racist.

From YahooSports:  Undrafted Philadelphia Eagles rookie Myke Tavarres talked about joined Kaepernick's sit-out-the-national-anthem protest by agent.

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OBIT - From YahooMovies:  The actor Gene Wilder has died at the age of 83, Sunday, August 28, 2016.  He was known for his collaborations with Mel Brooks ("Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles") and Richard Pryor ("Silver Streak," "Stir Crazy").  He is fondly remembered for playing the title role in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

From YahooMovies:  Mel Brooks, a frequent collaborator of Mel Brooks, is among celebrities remembering Gene Wilder.

From EW:  Gene Wilder - a life in photos.

From YahooMovies:  Peter Ostrum, the actor who played "Charlie" in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," speaks about his memories of Gene Wilder, who played Willie Wonka.

----------
TELEVISION - From Variety:  Phylicia Rashad will join FOX's hit show, "Empire" this upcoming season.

----------
COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  Deathstroke will be the villain in Ben Affleck's standalone Batman villain.

----------
OBIT - From YahooMusic:  Flamboyant Mexican superstar singer-songerwriter, "Juan Gabriel" has died at the age of 66, Sunday, August 28, 2016.

----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The #1 movie at the 8/26 to 8/28/2016 weekend box office is newcomer, "Don't Breathe," with an estimated take of $26.1 million.

From YahooMovies:  Horror movie "Don't Breathe" knocks "Suicide Squad" out the top spot after a three-week run at number one.  The story of President Barack Obama and Michelle's first date, "Southside With You," had a middling opening, but performed well compared to expectations, apparently.

----------
BLACK LIVES MATTER - From YahooNews:  Dallas's top cop, Chief David Brown, tries on his Bull O'Connor draws and apparently likes it.

----------
TELEVISION - From HitFix:  NBC had horrid plans for "The Walking Dead" if they would have taken it.

----------
CRIME - From YahooNews:  Investigation into the shooting death of Nykea Aldridge continues.  Aldridge is the cousin of NBA superstar Dwyane Wade.

----------
MUSIC - From THR:  Beyonce to perform at 2016 MTV VMA (Video Music Awards).

----------
POLITICS - From teleSUR:  Racist Maine Governor Paul LePage said that "people of color" are the enemy and should be shot.

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  It is time for Nate Parker to stop explaining and talking about old rape allegations that have conveniently come up in time to sabotage "Birth of a Nation."

----------
MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Another actor on a kind of apology tour is Scott Eastwood of "Suicide Squad."  This time concerning the accidental death of his former girlfriend, the late model, Jewel Brangman.  Eastwood did not attend a memorial, nor do he offer condolences.  WTF, right?

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 14th to 20th, 2016 - Update #42

Support Leroy on Patreon.

MOVIES - From USWeekly:  Natalie Portman says the late Lauren Bacall did not like her.

----------
MOVIES - From TheGuardian:  Joseph Goebbels 105-year-old former secretary still playing dumb in the documentary, "A German Life."

----------
CRIME - From TheGuardian:  Police Will Be Required to Report Officer-Involved Deaths Under New US System.

----------
ECO - From RSN:  Politicians in Louisiana finally try to hold oil companies accountable for what they have done to the coast and marshes of the state.

----------
TELEVISION - From YahooCelebrity:  Steven Bochco, the creator of the seminal televisions series, "NYPD Blue," has a new memoir, "Truth is a Total Defense."  He details the antics of David Caruso, who was ostensibly the lead actor and star of the series, who left the series four episodes into the second season.

----------
COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies:  Zendaya is playing a character named "Michlle" or "M.J." in "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

From EW:  "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn addresses the fake controversy over Zendaya's casting as "M.J."

----------
OBIT - From Variety:  The actor Jack Riley has died at the age of 80, Friday, August 19, 2016.  He was known for his work on "The Bob Newhart Show" and for providing the voice of "Stu Pickles" on the "Rugrats" animated series.

----------
COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Vin Diesel confirms that the Guardians of the Galaxy will be in "Avengers: Infinity War."

----------
FILM - From Variety:  Ben Affleck is in talks with fox to star in and to direct a remake of "Witness for the Prosecution."

----------
COMICS-FILM - From WeGotThisCovered:  In "Spider-Man: Homeing," Bokeem Woodbine is apparently playing the villain, "The Shocker."

----------
MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (a "Harry Potter" spinoff) adds Zoe Kravitz.  She has a small role in the first film, but may have a bigger role in the sequel (due in 2018)/

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  Jared Leto joins "Blade Runner" sequel.

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OBAMA - From YahooNews:  Louisiana newspaper, The Advocate, is demanding that President Obama end his vacation at Martha's Vineyard and visit Louisiana because of the devastating flooding.  The Advocate never endorsed President Obama, and he never got more than 40 percent of the vote in La.  So call McCain and Romney.  By the way, I escaped the devastation and only have minor home issues, but in my area, some people did get it bad.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Ferrell and John C.. Reilly, the star duo of the film, "Step Brothers," reunited from a comic take on Sherlock Holmes in "Holmes & Watson."

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Leslie Odom, Jr. in talks to join Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express."  Odom won a Tony Award for "Best Actor" in his role as Aaron Burr in the smash musical, "Hamilton."

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OBIT - From TheWrap:  The film director, Arthur Hiller, has dies at the age of 92, Wednesday, August 17, 2016.  Hiller's best known film was "Love Story," and he was the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1993 to 1997.

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COMICS-TV - From EOnline:  Josh Schwartz, the man behind the hit TV shows, "Gossip Girl" and "The O.C.," will develop the Marvel Comic book, Runaways, as a TV series for Hulu.  Stephanie Savage, also of "Gossip Girl," will join him in the development.

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OBIT-POLITICS - From People:  The political pundit and TV host, John McLaughlin, has died at the age of 89, Tuesday, August 16, 2016.  He was the host of the "The McLaughlin Group," a political round table show on PBS, for 34 years.

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POLITICS - From RSN: Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore says:  "Trump Is Self-Sabotaging His Campaign Because He Never Really Wanted the Job in the First Place"

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Another victory by Sweden's women soccer team at the Olympics basically says "F'you!" to U.S. soccer whiner, Hope Solo.

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MOVIES - From CinemaBlend:  Kevin Bacon would not mind being Freddy Krueger.

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COMICS-FILM - From SFGate:  First look at "Spider-Man: Homecoming" poster.

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CULTURE - From Breitbart:  When he says "Dangerous Faggot Tour," he means "Clownish Cocksucker Tour."

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MOVIES - From THR:  The Nate Parker "rape case" from 17 years ago is now a new controversy.  The alleged victim's family says "...we are dubious of the underlying motivations that bring this to present light after 17 years, and we will not take part in stoking its coals..."  This smells like a hit on a strong Oscar contender from a Black filmmaker or about a Black historical figure, similar to hate campaigns against films like "Selma" and "The Hurricane."

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MOVIES - From EntertainmentWeekly:  Behold Pennywise the Clown's costume from next year's film, "It," based on the Stephen King novel.  I'm still not buying this dude as scary, and I was indeed scared of Pennywise when I read the original novel about 30 years ago.

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HEALTH - From IBT:  Is the Cure for Alzheimer's Already on the Market?

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  Amazon has greenlit a 10-episode "Jack Ryan" series, starring John Krasinski as Jack Ryan.  This is a "reinvention" of the character created by late author, Tom Clancy.  Krasinski would be the fifth actor to play the character on the big and small screen.

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MOVIES - From CinemaBlend:  A new image from the film version of Stephen King's "It," featuring the character "Richie Tozier."  The film is due in theaters September 2017.

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MOVIES - From BleedingCool:  Production has begin in Canada on Guillermo del Toro's next film, "The Shape of Water," his follow-up to "Crimson Peak."

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" has been cancelled, and its last episode will air, Thursday, August 18, 2016.  I'm so bitter right now.

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OBIT - From Variety:  The actor Fyvush Finkel has died at the age of 93, Sunday, August 14, 2016.  He was best known for his roles on the TV series, "Picket Fences" (for which he won an Emmy) and "Boston Public."

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CULTURE - From WashPost:  White Christian America is dying.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The #1 film at the 8/12 to 8/14/2016 weekend box office is "Suicide Squad" with an estimated take of $43.7 million.

From Variety:  The R-rated, animated comedy, "Sausage Party," has a strong debut, while "Suicide Squad" wins the weekend box office, although its gross plunged 67 percent from its debut last week.

From Variety:  "Suicide Squad" leads the international box office.

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, makes history by becoming the first man to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100 meter race.

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HISTORY - From PopularMechanics:  Bones found on a mountaintop in Greece may confirm that ancient Greeks practiced ritualistic cannibalism.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooCelebrity:  Kevin Hart got married this weekend.

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OBIT - From Deadline:  The actor Kenny Baker has died at the age of 81 (although some reports are listing him at 82 or 83).  The 3-foot, 8-inch actor is best known for playing R2-D2 in six Star Wars movies.  Baker also appeared in "The Elephant Man," "Time Bandits," and "The Goonies."

From Variety:  Hollywood remembers Kenny Baker.

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COMICS-FILM - From IndieWire:  Tilda Swinton says that "Doctor Strange" movie comes from " a very diverse place."

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SPORTS - From USAToday:  At the Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps ends his career with 23rd gold medal.


TRAILERS:

From FoxMovies:  The new (first?) trailer for the historical drama, "Hidden Figures," about the African-American women mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the Space Race.  The film is due in January 2017 and stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae.

From YouTube:  New one-minute "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" spot, entitled "Followed."