Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama 2024 - Update #75

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

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NEWS:

THUNDERBOLTS - From EW:  "Entertainment Weekly" has an exclusive preview of Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts," including new images from the film.  Also, in the article, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus says that all the schemes of her character, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, will be revealed.

GOLDEN GLOBES - From CBR:  Kathryn Hahn has been nominated for her role of "Agatha Harkness" in the Disney+ series, "Agatha All Along."  Hahn received a nomiation in the category of "Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy" at the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes.  Hahn is the fourth actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to received a Golden Globe nomination following Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen in the Disney+ miniseries, "WandaVision," and Angela Bassett in the 2022 film, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."  Hahn's nomination that "Agatha All Along" received.

AVENGERS - From Deadline:  Sources are telling "Deadline" that actor Chris Evans, who played "Steve Rogers/Captain America," will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for "Avengers: Doomsday."  What role he will play is currently unknown.

FRANCHISE - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige says that the upcoming film, "Fantastic Four: First Steps" is about to wrap filming. He also says that "Avengers: Secret Wars" will set up the entry of the mutants and the "X-Men" into the Marvel Cinematic Universe."

ELIZABETH OLSEN - From Variety:  Actress Elizabeth Olsen, known for playing the "Scarlett Witch," in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, does not see conflict in making MCU films and independent films.  She describes being able to be in Marvel movies as insurance.

BLACK PANTHER 3 - From Deadline:  During the press interviews for the upcoming "Gladiator II," Denzel Washington let slip that he will have a role in "Black Panther 3."

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From YouTube:  Marvel just released the first official trailer for "Captain America: Brave New World," which is due in theaters February 14, 2025. The first "official teaser trailer" was released back in August (2024).

TRAILERS/DISNEY+ - From YouTube:  Disney+ gives a look ahead to the Marvel Studios productions that are scheduled to appear on the streamer in 2025.

SPIDER-MAN 4 - From Variety:  Tom Holland says that Sony/Marvel's "Spider-Man 4" begins filming next summer (2025).  He says "Everything's good to go" and "I can't wait."

BLADE - From Deadline:  Disney has removed Marvel Studios' "Blade" film from its 2025 release schedule.  It's November 7, 2025 release date has been given to 20th Century Studios' "Predator: Badlands."

DAREDEVIL - From Deadline:  Disney+ has set a March 4, 2025 date for the debut of Marvel Studios' "Daredevil: Born Again" series.

YOUNG AVENGERS - From Deadline:  "Deadline" looks at the the actors who have played characters that could be cast as the "Young Avengers."  That includes the most recent entry, actor Joe Locke as "Billy Maximoff"/"Wiccan" in Disney+/Marvel's "Agatha All Along."

TRAILER/THUNDERBOLTS - From YouTube:  Marvel has released a teaser trailer for its upcoming film, "Thunderbolts," which is due May 2, 2025.

SPIDER-MAN 4 - From Deadline:  The site is reporting that "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" director, Destin Daniel Cretton, is in early negotiations to direct the fourth Sony/Marvel "Spider-Man" film.

WANDAVISION - From THR:  Actor James Spader is reportedly set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He will reprise his voice role as the robotic villain, "Ultron," in a "WandaVision" spinoff that will focus on "Vision."  Terry Matalas, the showrunner of "Star Trek: Picard," will head the new series.

BLADE - From Variety:  Ryan Reynolds asks for more "Blade" in the wake of the reception the character received in "Deadpool & Wolverine." In the billion-dollar grosser, original "Blade" actor, Wesley Snipes, played the character.

X-MEN '97 - From THR:  Beau DeMayo, creator of Marvel's "X-Men '97," and Marvel Studios trade public comments about why he was fired from the series just before it debuted on Disney+

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Variety:  This Halle Berry-Storm/Blake Lively/Ryan Reynolds/Deadpool story has legs.

From Deadline:  "Deadpool & Wolverine" surpasses 1 billion dollars at the global box office

OBIT - From THR:  South African television and film star, Connie Chiume, has died at the age of 72, Tuesday, August 6, 2024.  Chiume is best known outside of South Africa her roles in Disney/Marvel Studios "Black Panther" (2018) and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022).  She also starred in Beyonce's "Black is King."

BLADE - From GuinnessWorldRecords:  According to Guiness World Records, Wesley Snipes has set to records for films based on Marvel Comics characters: "longest career as a live-action Marvel character" and longest gap between character appearances in Marvel films."

From CBR:  Wesley Snipes explains his "Blade: Trinity" feud with co-star, Ryan Reynolds. The two reunite in Disney/Marvel's global smash, "Deadpool & Wolverine."

AVENGERS - From Variety:  Word is that Robert Downey Jr. will get 100 million dollars plus luxurious amenities to return to Marvel Studios to play Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom. The Russo Brothers will reportedly get 80 million to direct two Avengers movies.

From YahooEntertainment: Not everyone is happy with Robert Downey Jr.'s "Doctor Doom payday.

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Deadline:  The box office estimates for Mon., Jan 29th say 24.3 million dollars for "Deadpool & Wolverine."  The would be a record for R-rated films.

From Deadline:  I thought I had lost Gambit forever, Channing Tatum, who plays the character in "Deadpool & Wolverine," says.  Tatum praises "Deadpool" star Ryan Reynolds for helping him rescue his chance to play the character.

AVENGERS - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios announces at San Diego Comic-Con that Anthony and Joseph Russo a.k.a. "the Russo Brothers" will return to Marvel to direct the fifth and sixth Avengers films, "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars."  The brothers directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From EW:  Wesley Snipes talks about his surprise return as Marvel's vampire hunter, "Blade," in "Deadpool & Wolverine."

From Deadline:  "Deadpool & Wolverine" grossed 38.5 million dollars in Thursday preview showings, a record for R-rated films and the eighth biggest day ever for previews showings.

From Deadline:  The site has a list of all the songs that you'll hear on the "Deadpool & Wolverine" soundtrack.

KEVIN FEIGE - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige answers five questions for "Deadline."

From THR:  Could Robert Downey, Jr. return as Tony Stark/Iron Man return to a Marvel Studios film the way Hugh Jackman has returned as Logan/Wolverine in "Deadpool vs. Wolverine?" Marvel boss Kevin Feige says it could happen.

DAREDEVIL & WOLVERINE - From THR:  Ryan Reynolds watched "Deadpool & Wolverine" with his nine-year-old daughter and his late 70-ish mother. And they loved it.

From THR:  Actress Emma Corrin says she took inspiration from "Willy Wonka" in order to play villain "Cassandra Nova" in "Deadpool & Wolverine."

FRANCHISE - From Deadline:   Marvel Studios Head of TV and Streaming Brad Winderbaum gave updates on several projects: the "Eyes of Wakanda" TV series, "Daredevil: Born Again," "Agatha All Along," and the animated "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige says that the "Fantastic Four" movie will be a period piece "set in a version of the 1960s."

COMIC-CON - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios is returning to "Hall H" at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. The convention runs July 25th to 28th.

SHE-HULK - From Deadline:  Tatiana Maslany, the star of the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "She-Hulk," says twerking with twerking with series guest-star, Grammy-winning recording artist, Megan Thee Stallion, was "the greatest moment in my life."

BLADE - From Deadline:  Mia Goth apparently has been cast in Marvel Studios' "Blade" film (due Nov. 2025). She addressed the films many delays by saying that they want to make a great movie.

From Deadline:  On social media, Wesley Snipes, the original big screen "Blade," is having a laugh at the troubles of Marvel Studios' "Blade" reboot, which is to star Mahershala Ali in the title role.  The project has now lost two directors and is on its sixth writer.

From Variety:  Yenn Demange has stepped down as director of Marvel Studios' long-in-development "Blade" reboot film. This is the second time a director has departed the project, with Bassam Tariq being the first.  Eric Pearson ("Black Widow," "The Fantastic Four") is now also the sixth writer to take a crack at the film's script.

AVENGERS - From Deadline:  As Disney/Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" prepares to overwhelm the box office in late July, the film's director, Shawn Levy, is apparently at the top of the list to direct the next "Avengers" movie.

X-MEN - From Deadline:  The latest news on Marvel Studios' "X-Men" film is that Michael Lesslie, the writer of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" is in negotiations to write the "X-Men" movie.

DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE - From CBR:  According to information on the AMC Theaters website, the running time on Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" is 127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes).  The film is due July 26th.

DAREDEVIL - From Deadline:  Actors Charlie Cox (Matt Murdoch/Daredevil) and Vincent D'Onofrio (Wilson Fisk/Kingpin) say that they are very much involved in the creative process of the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Daredevil: Born Again."  The series now has a target release date of March 2025.

FANTASTIC FOUR - THR:  "The Hollywood Reporter" is reporting that actor Ralph Ineson ("Game of Thrones," "The Witch") is in talks to play the character, "Galactus," in Marvel's "Fantastic Four" film.

From Deadline:  The site is reporting the Oscar-nominated actor, John Malkovich, has signed onto Marvel's "Fantastic Four" in role that is being kept under wraps.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From GamesRadar:  There is a photographic image of actor Danny Ramirez  as the character "Joaquin Torres," making its way around the interwebs.  Torres appeared in the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and Torres will apparently replace Sam Wilson as "The Falcon," because Wilson takes on the identity of Captain America and will star in "Captain America: Brave New World."

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige apparently advised Hugh Jackman against coming back as Wolverine for "Deadpool & Wolverine."

OBITUARY - From Deadline:  British art director and production designer, Ray Chan, has died at the age of 56, Tuesday, April 23, 2024.  Chan was best known for his work in art direction, production design, and additional photography for Marvel Studios, beginning with "Thor: The Dark World" (2013) to the upcoming "Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024).  He was nominated for five Art Directors Guild Awards and won twice.

ANT-MAN - From Variety:  Michael Douglas, who plays "Hank Pym" in Marvel Studios' "Ant-Man" movies asked Marvel to kill off his character in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." He says he pitched a "fantastic death."

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Deadline:  Director Shawn Levy explains that the next Marvel Studios' film, "Deadpool and Wolverine" is not "Deadpool 3."  "This is a two-hander character adventure," he says.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From EW:  The site has the first official photos from "Captain America: Brave New World."  There is a first-look of Anthony Mackie as "Sam Wilson/Captain America."  There is also a first look at Harrison as "Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross," the general who is now President of the United States.  The film is due Feb. 14, 2025.

IRON MAN - From ComicBook:  Recent Oscar-winner Robert Downey, Jr. ("Oppenheimer") says that he is willing to return to his role as "Tony Stark"/"Iron Man."  He hints that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige could have a plan could have a plan and that he says, "Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:   Sources have told "Deadline" that Emmy-winning actress, Julia Garner (Netflix's "Ozark") has been cast to play the Shalla-Bal version of the "Silver Surfer" in Marvel's upcoming "Fantastic Four" movie.

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN - From Variety:  New set photos have emerged from the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Daredevil: Born Again," reveals actor Jon Bernthal as "The Punisher," looking bloodied up.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - From Variety:  Although she is done (for now) playing "Gamora," actress Zoe Saldana thinks it would be a "huge loss" for Marvel Studios if they didn't bring back the "Guardians of the Galaxy."

BLADE - From ClutchPoints:  The latest news on Marvel's "Blade" film is that it starts film this Fall, according to info found on the website, "Production Weekly."

From Variety:  Aaron Pierre becomes the latest person to exit Marvel Studios' troubled "Blade" film.

From Vulture:  Alejandra Gularte offers, "Everything We Know About Marvel's Long-Delayed 'Blade'"

X-MEN '97 - From THR:  Beau DeMayo, the writer-producer who created "X-Men '97," for Disney+/Marvel, has been fired.  The series is a continuation of Fox's beloved Saturday morning animated series, "X-Men" (1992-97) and is set for a March 20th debut.

FRANCHISE - From THR:  Marvel Studios is "retooling," according to "The Hollywood Reporter."  For instance, the fifth Avengers film is no longer entitled, "Avengers: The Kang Chronicles."

IRON MAN - From USAToday:  Actor Robert Downy, Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man in several films for Marvel Studios, has won the "Best Supporting Actor" award at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards.  He won for portraying "Lewis Strauss" in director Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."  Fellow Marvel star, Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk, was also nominated in the same category for playing "Duncan Wedderburn" in the film, "Poor Things."

From Variety:  Actor Robert Downy, Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man in several films for Marvel Studios, has won the "Best Supporting Actor" award at the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards.  He won for portraying "Lewis Strauss" in director Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios has announced the cast of its reboot of the "Fantastic Four" franchise.  The planned 2025 will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). 

DEADPOOL 3 - From YouTube:  "Deadpool 3" is now officially "Deadpool & Wolverine," and it has a trailer.  The film is due July 26th, 2024.

From Polygon:  There are cameos a-plenty in the first "Deadpool & Wolverine" trailer.

THUNDERBOLTS - From THR:  According to "The Hollywood Reporter," actor Lewis Pullman (Apple TV+'s "Lessons in Chemistry," Top Gun: Maverick) will play whatever role actor Steven Yeun was supposed to play in the upcoming Marvel film, "Thunderbolts."  Yuen exited the film in early January (2024).

DEADPOOL 3 - From Variety:  Ryan Reynolds announced via Instagram today (Wed., Jan. 24th) that "Deadpool 3" has wrapped up filming.

GUARDIANS - From ComicBook:  "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" earned a "Best Visual Effects" Oscar nomination at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards.  The winners will be announced Sunday, March 10th, 2024.

DEADPOOL 3 - From Deadline:  Hugh Jackman has shared a video on Instagram of the workout he is using to get his "Wolverine body" back for his role in "Deadpool 3."

ECHO - From Time:  What to know before watching the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Echo."

THUNDERBOLTS - From Variety:  "Variety.com" says that it can confirm that actor Steven Yeun is no longer involved in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts" film.  Marvel never officially confirmed that Yeun was in the film, so it is unknown if Yeun's character was dropped or is being rethought.

DEADPOOL 3 - From Deadline:  Actor Ryan Reynolds finished 2023 by posting of photo of himself wearing the "Deadpool" costume on Instagram.

AWARDS - From AwardsWatch:  The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced nominations for the 11th MUAHS Guild Awards. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 received four nominations.  The winners will be announced Sunday, February 18, 2024.

KANG - From THR:  Marvel Studios has dropped actor Jonathan Majors from its roster of stars after the actor was convicted by a New York City jury of reckless assault in the third degree and also of harassment.  Majors had played "Kang the Conqueror" in two seasons of the Disney+ series, "Loki," and in the movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

BLACK PANTHER - From ComicBook:  Disney+ has announced a new animated series, "Eyes of Wakanda," set in the world of his film, Black Panther.  It is scheduled to debut sometime in 2024.

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

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU):

Review: Iron Man (2008)

Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Review: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Review: Thor (2011)

Review:  Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Review:  Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Review: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Review: Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Review:  Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Review: Ant-Man (2015)

Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Review: Doctor Strange (2016)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Review:  Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Review: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Review:  Black Panther (2018)

Review:  Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Review:  Captain Marvel (2019)

Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Review:  Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Review: Black Widow (2021)

Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Review: Eternals (2021)

Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Review: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 (2023)

Review: The Marvels (2023)

Review: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

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Click here for the 2023 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2022 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2021 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2020 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2019 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2018 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Oct 13th to 19th, 2024 - UPDATE #12

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

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ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety:  The HBO documentary, "Money Electric," tries to answer the questions, "Who invited Bitcoin?"

AMAZON - From Deadline:  The roles of John and Jane Smith will be recast in Season 2 of Amazon Prime's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."  Rumors have Oscar-and Grammy-winner Billie Eilish in the running to play "Jane Smith."  Donald Glover and Maya Erskine played the couple in Season 1.

MOVIES - From Variety:  In his new autobiography, "Sonny Boy," Al Pacino admits that he starred in movies he didn't relate to for the money.  The Oscar-winner apparently lost 50 million because of his corrupt accountant.

OSCARS - From Deadline:  The search for someone to hosts the 97th Academy Awards ceremony on ABC in 2025.  Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the stars of Disney/Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine," are in the mix.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 10/11 to 10/13/2024 weekend box office is Cineverse's "Terrifier 3" with an estimated take of 18.3 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are set to star in the film, "Song Sung Blue," about a couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band.  Craig Brewer is set to direct.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Two-time Oscar-winner, Anthony Hopkins, will next star in “Maserati: The Brothers,” an English-language biopic directed by Bobby Moresco about the family behind the "Maserati" brand of high-performance automobile.  Hopkins will play an Italian financier who bankrolls the Maserati brothers.  Italy is known for high-performance automobiles like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati.

MOVIES - From Variety:  "I, Robot" director, Alex Proyas, believes that Elon Musk copied designs from his film for an array of Tesla-brand vehicles, including the "Cybertruck" and "Robovan."

POLITICS - From RSN:  Grammy-winning recording artist, Neil Young, offers "Why I Love Kamala Harris" at the "Neil Young Archives."

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney+ bets big on a daily drama, "Return to Las Sabinas," that it originally commissioned for Disney+ Spain.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Coming off his Western epic, "Horizon," Kevin Costner will produce, co-write, and star in the thriller, "Headhunters."  Steven Holleran will direct.

MOVIES - From THR:  Henry Cavill has been cast in the live-action "Voltron" movie.  Director Rawson Marshall Thurber (Netflix's "Red Notice") will direct, and the film will begin shooting in Australia this fall.

MOVIES - From KLFY:  The third oldest movie theater in Louisiana, the "Queen Cinema" in Eunice, has new ownership.  Local siblings, the Jordans, have saved this local historic landmark.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 11th to 17th, 2024 - UPDATED #10

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From THR:  Noah Hawley, creator of FX's "Fargo" talks about the recent Season 5.  He also gives some info on "Alien: Earth," the FX's TV series based on the "Alien" film franchise.

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett, a federal judge in New York, has granted Fubo‘s request for Venu Sports, a planned sports bundle of Disney, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery channels, be blocked on antitrust grounds. It's a temporary injunction.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Netflix has renewed Guy Ritche's series, "The Gentlemen," for a second season.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  There is currently an ownership dispute over the 1985 cult horror-comedy, The Return of the Living Dead.

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Paramount Television Studios is closing amid cutbacks and layoffs at Paramount Global, which was recently "merged" Skydance.

AMAZON - From Variety:  Tyler Perry‘s latest film “Divorce in the Black” not only drew strong viewership, but according to Amazon, the soapy drama has also driven more sign-ups to Prime Video in the U.S. than any Amazon MGM Studios-produced movie to-date.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  The site recaps the highlights from the closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympics.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/9 to 8/11-2024 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" with an estimated take of 54.17 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Todd Haynes' gay romance movie starring Joaquin Phoenix is completely dead after Phoenix reportedly stormed off the set two weeks ago.

From THR:  Joaquin Phoenix's abrupt exit for director Todd Haynes' 1930s set gay romance may lead to legal action. However, it has already infuriated Hollywood's film producers.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Actor and television game show host, Peter Marshall, has died at the age of 98, Thursday, August 15, 2024.  Marshall was best known for hosting the TV game show, "The Hollywood Squares," from 1966- to 1981.  Six of his seven Daytime Emmy Awards nominations were for his work on the series, and he won four times.  He was also nominated twice for the Primetime Emmy Award for the series.  Marshall was also a World War II veteran.

From Deadline:  The film and television actress, Gena Rowlands, has died at the age of 94, Wednesday, August 14, 2024.  Rowlands is known for her collaborations with her late husband, actor/director John Cassavetes.  Two of the films they made together, "Woman Under the Influence" (1974) and "Gloria" earned Rowlands "Best Actress" Oscar nominations.  She would later come to the attention of younger audiences when she starred in her son, Nick Cassavetes' film, "The Notebook."  She won three Primetime Emmy Awards for her work in television movies. She received an Honorary Academy Award in 2015.

Review: "DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE" Brings the Friends and Family Vibe Back to Marvel

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 34 of 2024 (No. 1978) by Leroy Douresseaux

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Running time:  127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes)

MPA – R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore and sexual references

DIRECTOR:  Shawn Levy

WRITERS:  Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and Zeb Wells (based on Marvel Comics characters)

PRODUCERS:  Kevin Feige, Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, and Lauren Shuler Donner

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  George Richmond (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Shawn Reid and Dean Zimmerman

COMPOSER:  Rob Simonsen

SUPERHERO/COMEDY/ACTION

Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfayden, Jon Favreau, Rob Delaney, Morena Baccarin, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Aaron Stanford, and Leslie Uggams with Chris Evans, Jennifer Garner, Dafne Keen, Ray Parks, Channing Tatum, Blake Lively, Matthew McConaughey, and Wesley Snipes

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

--Once again, Ryan Reynolds' comic talent shines as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, making Deadpool & Wolverine the best Deadpool film.

--Hugh Jackman brings dramatic balance and heft to the wackiness of Deadpool & Wolverine, but Jackman also adds a deft comic touch to the strong bloody violence and rapid-fire coarse language.

--There are multiple cameos and short appearances, but the surprise appearances of four particular characters from earlier Marvel films make Deadpool & Wolverine a winner

Deadpool & Wolverine is a 2024 American superhero film and action-comedy directed by Shawn Levy and produced by Marvel Studios.  It is the 34th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  It is also the third entry in the Deadpool movie franchise.

The film is based on two Marvel Comics characters.  The first is Deadpool, a character created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, and that first appeared in New Mutants #98 (cover dated: December 1990).  The second is Wolverine, a character created by writer Len Wein and artists John Romita and Herb Trimpe and that first fully appeared in the comic book, The Incredible Hulk #181 (cover dated: November 1974).  In Deadpool & Wolverine the movie, a space-time organization has set Deadpool on a mission to save his own universe, so he brings in Wolverine to help him.

Deadpool & Wolverine basically begins on March 14, 2018.  That is the day that Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), the smart-mouthed mutant mercenary, approaches the Avengers organization about becoming a member of the Avengers.  It doesn't work, and Wade falls into a deep depression that takes a toll on his relationship with his beloved Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin).  It's also time to celebrate Wade's birthday, and his friends gather at the apartment he shares with Blind Al (Leslie Uggams).

In the middle of the revelry, agents of the “Time Variance Authority” (TVA) arrive to take Wade into custody.  At TVA headquarters, project head, Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfayden), informs Deadpool that his own Earth/universe, Earth-10005, is scheduled for destruction, but that he can live in another universe.  Determined to save his world, Deadpool rejects the offer and goes rogue.  He travels throughout the multiverse searching for a version of Wolverine that can help him save his Earth.  Eventually, Deadpool finds a variant of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) with a tragic past.

Deadpool and Wolverine spend more time cursing, fighting, and stabbing each other than they do world-saving.  However, they end up in a place called the “Void,” where they face its leader, the murderous and ultra-powerful mutant, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin).  Now,  Deadpool and Wolverine are forced together to save a universe, but luckily, they will find themselves joined by an unexpected, but familiar quartet of heroes.

In preparation for Deadpool & Wolverine, I decided to watch the earlier films:  Deadpool (2016), Logan (2017), and Deadpool 2 (2018), that lead up to the new film, to one extent or another.  However, viewers may find such films as Blade (1998), X-Men (2000), Elektra (2005), and Fantastic Four (2005) to be of most use, although Deadpool & Wolverine also references other films and television series based on Marvel Comics characters.

Deadpool & Wolverine is very much an R-rated comedy like the earlier Deadpool films, but there is more harshly explicit language and profanity galore.  There seems to be more gross sexual language in Deadpool & Wolverine than there has been in any other film ever distributed by the Walt Disney Company.  At times, it is a bit too much, but only a bit.

As he does in the other Deadpool films, Ryan Reynolds makes the comedy in Deadpool & Wolverine work, via his schtick.  Still, one must say that Reynolds' repertoire of clowning, buffoonery, and jestering have become a refined work of comic performance art.  I can honestly say that I never feel as if I have had too much of Reynolds as Deadpool.

On the other hand, in Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is the dramatic balance to Ryan as Deadpool.  Without spoiling anything, Jackman has some deep, emotional moments that require tears in his eyes.  Jackman also gets to be powerful, dark, edgy, and grieving as Wolverine without treading on the mournful Logan/Wolverine he gave us in the film, Logan.

There are some excellent supporting performances in Deadpool & Wolverine.  Emma Corrin is maniacally, gleefully wicked and evil as Cassandra Nova, and Matthew Macfayden is perfectly sleazy as the sinfully ambitious TVA functionary, Mr. Paradox.  The actors that comprise the quartet which assists Deadpool and Wolverine in their crucial assault on Nova's base are a delight, and one of them proves that his is the defining version of the superhero for whom he is most famous.  Many of us want to see him again, Disney.

Deadpool & Wolverine is Marvel Studios' funniest “Multiverse Saga” entry.  It is not without its faults, and it isn't the best Marvel multiverse film because that belongs to Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).  However, Marvel does with Deadpool & Wolverine what it should have done with some of its post-pandemic films:  have more substantial guest appearances from classic MCU characters and stars.  Most of the heroic things that Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman do in Deadpool & Wolverine are done better with friends. 

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Friday, July 26, 2024

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "DEADPOOL 2" is Funnier and Friendlier Than the Original

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 33 of 2024 (No. 1977) by Leroy Douresseaux

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Running time:  119 minutes (1 hour, 59 minutes)

MPAA – R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual references and brief drug material

DIRECTOR:  David Leitch

WRITERS:  Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Ryan Reynolds (based on Marvel Comics characters)

PRODUCERS:  Ryan Reynolds, Simon Kinberg, and Lauren Shuler Donner

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jonathan Sela (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Craig Alpert, Elisabet Ronaldsdottir, and Dirk Westervelt

COMPOSER:  Tyler Bates

SUPERHERO/COMEDY/ACTION

Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Julian Dennison, Morena Baccarin, Zazie Beetz, T.J. Miller, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Leslie Uggams, Eddie Marsan, Shioli Kutsuna, Jack Kesy, Michasha Armstrong, and Stefan Kapicic (voice) with Rob Delaney, Lewis Tan, Bill Skarsgard, Terry Crews, Brad Pitt, Alan Tudyk, Matt Damon, Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy, Evan Peters, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Robert Wellman

Deadpool 2 is a 2018 American superhero film and action-comedy from director David Leitch.  It is a spin-off film in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men film series and is the eleventh film overall in the series.  It is a direct sequel to Deadpool (2016) and is also the second entry in the Deadpool movie franchise.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics character, Deadpool, that was created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, and first appeared in New Mutants #98 (cover dated: December 1990).  Deadpool 2 finds the wisecracking Deadpool trying to protect a fiery young mutant from a time-traveling cyborg.

Deadpool 2 finds Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), the smart-mouthed mutant mercenary, doing what he likes to do – brutally slaughter bad guys.  However, his violent activities catch up with him at home, and tragedy befalls his beloved Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin).  Deep in grief and depression, Deadpool tries to kill himself, but is rescued by Colossus (voice of Stefan Kapicic), the giant mutant who has a body of organic steel.  Colossus still wants Deadpool to changes his ways and also wants him to join the X-Men – as a trainee.

On his first mission as a trainee, Deadpool and the X-Men, which includes Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and her girlfriend, Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna), travel to the “Essex House for Mutant Rehabilitation.”  There, they find one angry teenager, Russell Collins (Julian Dennison), in crisis.  He is a young mutant with pyrokinetic power, and he has given himself the unfortunate code name of “Fire Fist.”  Deadpool's attempt to save the young man has disastrous results, and now, Deadpool has to save Russell from Cable (Josh Brolin), a time-traveling cyborg who has arrived in the present determined to kill the teen.  So Deadpool forms his own X-team, called “X-Force,” with tragically hilarious and hilariously tragic results.

We are nearing the release of the latest Disney/Marvel Studios blockbuster movie, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).  I decided to watch and review the previous X-Men films:  Deadpool, Logan (2017), and Deadpool 2, that lead up to the new film.

Deadpool is humorous and silly, but it was primarily an action movie with drama and humor.  It heavily leans into brutally strong violence, frequent profane language, and explicit sexual references.  Deadpool 2 also has brutally strong violence, constant profane language, and some explicit sexual references.  However, Deadpool is a comedy, and everything serves the comedy, including the drama, superhero action, and even much of the killing.

As he does for Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds makes Deadpool, a film that could not exist without his schtick.  He is the spine of this film's comedy and is the reason so much of it works when it would be disastrous for other performers.  The supporting cast is good, but not great.  Josh Brolin has his moments as Cable, but the Cable is more of a prop than a persona.  Zazie Beetz creates moments for Domino to shine which otherwise wouldn't be there.  Julian Dennison is mostly convincing as the angry young mutant, Russell Collins, especially in the second half of the film.

I find Deadpool 2 a definite, delightful surprise. I never expected much of it because I really did not care for what I had previously seen.  Now, a full and patient viewing makes me think that Deadpool 2 is an occasion when the sequel surpasses the original.

7 of 10

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "DEADPOOL" Goes in Through the Back Door on the Superhero Film

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 31 of 2024 (No. 1975) by Leroy Douresseaux

Deadpool (2016)

Running time:  108 minutes (1 hour, 48 minutes)

MPAA – R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity

DIRECTOR:  Tim Miller

WRITERS:  Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (based on Marvel Comics characters)

PRODUCERS:  Ryan Reynolds, Simon Kinberg, and Lauren Shuler Donner

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Ken Seng (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Julian Clark

COMPOSER:  Tom Holkenborg

SUPERHERO/ACTION/COMEDY

Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Ed Skrein, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Gina Carano, Leslie Uggams, Stan Lee, and Stefan Kapicic (voice)

Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film and action-comedy from director Tim Miller.  It is a spin-off film in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men film series and is the eighth film overall in the series.  It is also the first entry in what would become the Deadpool movie franchise.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics character, Deadpool, that was created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, and first appeared in New Mutants #98 (cover dated: December 1990).  Deadpool the movie focuses on a wisecracking costumed antihero who seeks revenge against the man who left him hideously scarred after a series of experiments.

Deadpool introduces Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), a smart-mouthed mercenary and former special forces operative (“the merc with a mouth”).  Wade's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets and falls in love with Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin), a prostitute.  However, after a whirlwind romance, Wade discovers that he has terminal cancer, but as he is preparing to accept death, he learns of a lab run by the mysterious Ajax (Ed Skrein).  Ajax promises to not only cure Wade's cancer, but to also give him powers and make him a superhero.  Unfortunately, Ajax is a lying monster.

Although the experiments leave his face and body hideously disfigured, Wade is rendered virtually immortal when his mutant power activates and gives him incredibly accelerated healing powers.  Taking the name, “Deadpool,” Wade goes on a mission of revenge.  On the other hand, Colossus, the mutant who has a giant organic steel body, wants Deadpool to join the X-Men and become a superhero.  Will Deadpool become a good guy, or will he simply keep piling up dismembered and bullet-riddled bodies on the way to his reunion with Ajax?

We are nearing the release of the latest Disney/Marvel Studios blockbuster movie, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).  I had seen Deadpool and Deadpool 2, previously, but I had never reviewed them.  I decided that now is the time to foist my opinions upon you, dear readers.  I'm also going to watch and review, Logan (2017), the one X-Men movie I have been unable to finish. 

Gleefully profane in language and sexual content, Deadpool was a surprise to movie audiences upon its February 2016 original theatrical release.  It was an R-rated superhero movie, and it was proud of it.  At the time, movie audiences had seen plenty of movies featuring superheroes, ordinary heroes, and anti-heroes, in which the lead character brutally kills his adversaries.  None of those films had done it like Deadpool, although 2013's The Wolverine, had tried.

The foul language is in such abundance in Deadpool that there are moments when it all seems like too much, but even in those moments, I started laughing after being repulsed for a few seconds.  I think a movie has to be doing something right when it has even Emmy and Tony-winning actress, Leslie Uggams (as Blind Al), dropping F-bombs.

For all the credit I give director Tim Miller and film editor, Julian Clark, for this film's fast action and eye-popping dances of violence, actor Ryan Reynolds makes Deadpool work.  Yeah, the sex scenes are a bit too long and too over-the-top, but it never seems as if Wade Wilson/Deadpool is talking too much.  Reynolds makes Deadpool different and unique; he makes it work.  Eight years after its original theatrical release, Deadpool and its superhero cinema blasphemy still seem fresh.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

NOTES:

2017 Golden Globes, USA:  2 nominations: “Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” and “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Ryan Reynolds)

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Dec. 10th to 16th, 2023 - Update #18

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The finale episode of the CBS/NBC's "Magnum P.I." reboot starring Jay Hernandez will air Jan. 3rd, 2024 with the final two episodes (19 and 20 of Season 5) airing as a two-hour event from 9 to 11 EST.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Warner Bros. has won an auction for "Calamity Hustle," an action-comedy from writer-directors Adam & Aaron Nee. The film is currently set to star Ryan Reynolds and Channing Tatum.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The site has the screenplay for "Asteroid City" by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola available for reading.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Dwayne Johnson will play Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds barred era of UFC, in A24‘s "The Smashing Machine." The film will be directed by Benny Safdie of Uncut Gems fame.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon MGM Studios has won the "film pitch packet" for "Best of Enemies," a spy thriller set to star Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale.

MOVIES - From Deadine:  Actress Naomi Scott, who first gained fame as "Princess Jasmine" in Disney's live-action Aladdin (2019), will star in Paramount sequel to its 2022 horror hit, Smile.  The sequel is set to hit theaters Oct. 18th, 2024.

STREAMING - From Variety:  From 1993 to 2004 Tony Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce played "Dr. Niles Crane" on the former NBC sitcom, "Frasier."  He received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the role and won four of them. The series was recently rebooted for Paramount+ with series star, Kelsey Grammer, returning, but Pierce says that he did not return because he never really wanted to go back.

POLITICS - From Deadline:  "Biden Victory Fund" campaign co-chair, Jeffrey Katzenberg (co-founder of DreamWorks), says that the fund raised a record 15 million dollars during President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden's weekend visit to Los Angeles.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 12/8 to 12/10/2023 weekend box office is GKIDS' "The Boy and the Heron" with an estimated take of 12.8 million dollars.

From Deadline:  "The Boy and the Heron" is now the first original anime production to finish at the top of the domestic (North American) box office.

AMAZON - From THR:  David Alan Grier says playing a black Santa Claus in the Prime Originals holiday movie, Candy Cane Lane, reminded him of Marvel's Black Panther.

From Deadline:  Prime Video has released the first trailer for its upcoming series, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," based on the the 2005 Jolie-Pitt film, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  Premiere date is Feb. 2nd, 2024.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Journalist, historian, and documentary filmmaker, Cari Beauchamp, has died at the age of 74, Thursday, December 14, 2023.  Her 1998 biography, "Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and The Powerful Women of Early Hollywood," became a documentary she wrote and co-produced.  It premiered on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).  Beauchamp frequently appeared on TCM programming and at the annual TCM Classic Film Festival.

From Variety:   Film and television actor, Andre Braugher, has died at the age of 61, Monday, December 11, 2023.  Braugher was best known for his TV work.  He was "Detective Frank Pembleton" on NBC's former cop drama, "Homicide: Life on the Streets" and "Captain Raymond Hoult" on the former Fox/NBC sitcom, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."  Braugher was nominated for 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and won twice, once for his work on "Homicide."

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AWARDS:

From THR:   The winners at the 2023 / 49th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  The Holocaust historical drama, "The Zone of Interest," wins four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 29th annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced. "Barbie" leads with 18 nominations.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 81st annual Golden Globe Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Jan. 7th, 2024 on CBS and Paramount Plus.

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics have announced their 2023 LVFC Awards nominations.  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" are the leading vote getters.  The winners will be announced Wed., Dec. 13th.

From THR:  The winners at the 2023 European Film Awards have been announced.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won five awards including for "Best Film," "Best Director" (Justine Triet), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 National Board of Review film honors have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Film Institute (AFI) names its top ten films: American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, May December, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.  It also names its top ten television series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Beef, Jury Duty, The Last of Us, The Morning Show, Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Reservation Dogs, and Succession.

From AwardsWatch:  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" lead the nominations for "Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards," which are put on by the "Hollywood Creative Alliance" (formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association).  The winners will be announced Jan. 6th, 2024 in Los Angeles.

From Deadline:  At the 2023 / 26th British Independent Film Awards, director Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" won seven awards, including "Best British Independent Film."

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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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 1st to 5th, 2023 - Update #11

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Because of the strike, CBS has added the Paramount Network's "Yellowstone," Paramount+'s "SEAL Team," and the original UK version of "Ghosts" to its Fall 2023 schedule.

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Hasbro has confirmed the sale of film and television studio, Entertainment One (eONe), to a new owner, Lionsgate.

POLITICS - From YahooNew: Column: "Black people presiding over the downfall of Donald Trump is poetic justice" by Erika D. Smith

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The next installment of the "Scream" film franchise is in development.  Christopher Landon, director of "Happy Death Day," is scheduled to direct "Scream 7."

DISNEY - From ComicBook:  After the releases of the Blu-ray and DVD release of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" in Australia, Disney will no longer make Blu-ray and DVD releases available in that country.

SPORTS - From Deadline:  Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast on CBS Sunday, February 11, 2024.  However, there will be an alternate telecast on Nickelodeon, oriented towards kids audiences.

MOVIES - From Variety:  After his star, Joaquin Phoenix, said "I don't know what to do," director Ridley Scott sat with Phoenix for 10 days, talking about their film, "Napoleon," scene by scene.

OBITS:

From Variety:  The film and television actor, Mark Margolis, has died at the age of 83, Thursday, August 3, 2023.  He was best known for the role of the menacing "Hector Salamanca," on the former AMC series, "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul."  He received a 2012 Primetime Emmy nomination for the role. Margolis reportedly appeared in over 50 Off-Broadway plays.

From Variety:  Actor Angus Cloud has died at the age of 25, Monday, July 31, 2023.  Cloud is best known for his breakthrough role in the HBO series, "Euphoria" (2019-22).  He was not a professional actor when he was scouted by Euphoria's casting director.

From Variety:  "Variety" writer, Selome Hailu, talks about the day last summer that she spent with "Euphoria" actor, Angus Cloud, who died Mon., July 31st, 2023,

WRITERS/ACTORS STRIKE:

From Deadline:  Meeting for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. The Writers Strike will go on indefinitely.

From Deadline:  Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes.  Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From Deadline:  If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.

From Variety:  International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.

From Variety:  Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."

From Deadline:  Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.

From THR:  Production works at Warner Bros. Animation (66) and at Cartoon Network (22) have gone public with their attempt to unionize via The Animation Guild.

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:  Concerning the Hollywood writers strike (via the WGA), the Hollywood Studios (as represented by the AMPTP) is to let the writers go broke before resuming talks deep into the Fall.

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline:  WGA is picketing the New York City filming location of the 12th series of FX's "American Horror Story" (entitled "Delicate") after series co-creator Ryan Murphy threaten litigation against an east coast strike captain.

From THR:  TV super-producer, Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

From Deadline:  The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

From Deadline:  Writers Strike puts the spotlight back on the challenge from writers for animation productions to be covered by the WGA.

From THR:  Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline:  Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.  The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke.  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline:  Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline:   President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline:  Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline:  Retaliation!  Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike.  Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline:  Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline:  The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline:  What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline:  The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

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Review: Wild, Uneven "BULLET TRAIN" Has a Killer Last Act

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 66 of 2022 (No. 1878) by Leroy Douresseaux

Bullet Train (2022)
Running time: 127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes)
MPA – R for strong and bloody violence, pervasive language, and brief sexuality
DIRECTOR:  David Leitch
WRITER:  Zak Olkewicz (based on the novel by Kotaro Isaka)
PRODUCERS:  Antoine Fuqua, David Leitch, and Kelly McCormick
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jonathan Sela (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Elisabet Ronaldsdottir
COMPOSER:  Dominic Lewis

ACTION

Starring:  Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Sandra Bullock, Benito A Martinez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), Logan Lerman, Zazie Beetz, Masi Oka, Kevin Akiyoshi Ching, Johanna White, and Karen Fukuhara with Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds

Bullet Train is a 2022 action movie from director David Leitch.  The film is based on the 2010 novel from author Kōtarō Isaka, Maria Beetle (which was titled Bullet Train for its U.S. and U.K. Editions).  Bullet Train the movie takes place aboard a swiftly-moving bullet train where five assassins gradually discover that they have several things in common.

Bullet Train opens in Japan and introduces “Ladybug” (Brad Pitt), an assassin turned “snatch-and-grab man.”  In Tokyo, he enters a bullet train bound for Kyoto.  He is initially wary of accepting this job from his handler, Maria (Sandra Bullock), which involves him retrieving a briefcase that contains ten million dollars.  Also on the train is a young woman known as “Prince” (Joey King); the assassin brothers, “Lemon” (Brian Tyree Henry) and “Tangerine” (Aaron Taylor-Johnson); and the revenge-seeking Yuichi Kimura (Andrew Koji).

They are all passengers on this particular bullet train, directly and indirectly, because of “The Son” (Logan Lerman), the kidnapped son of the Russian-born Yakuza boss known as the “White Death” (Michael Shannon).  Ladybug, who is begrudgingly working this job, believes that it is bringing out the worst of the bad luck that he believes plagues him.  Gradually, he finds himself fighting off an ever-growing gathering of killers and miscreants.  And waiting for everyone at their final stop in Kyoto – at least for those that survive – is an ultimate showdown with the White Death and his hired killers.

Directly or indirectly, Bullet Train is a movie influenced by the films of Oscar-winning filmmaker, Quentin Tarantino.  The dialogue – full of chatter, threats, and banter – is supposed to come across as cool, but it is merely blather from a third or fourth or fifth generation take on a Tarantino screenplay.  The characters are also Tarantino retreads, and so are their actions and inaction.  Still, I must admit that I like some of them, especially Brad Pitt's Ladybug.

So is Bullet Train any good, you might ask?

Well, two-thirds of it is uneven and moves in fits and starts of violence and murder.  I was mostly uninterested, but there are some surprising cameos that captured my interest.  For instance, Zazie Beetz is the assassin, “The Hornet,” and recording artist, Bad Bunny, is the Mexican assassin, “The Wolf.”  Both, however, are barely in the film.  I think they would have improved Bullet Train a good bit had their roles been enlarged.

However, the first 80 or so mediocre minutes of this movie are worth it for the last 40 minutes.  It is as if Bullet Train suddenly explodes in its last act to reveal a much better movie that had been hiding inside the fairly awful movie.  Everything is better, even Brad Pitt, who keeps this movie from being an absolute disaster.  Sometimes, it is worth having a genuine movie star, like a Brad Pitt, star in a genre movie.  The first two-thirds of this movie deserves a grade of “C-” at best, but the last third deserves an “A.”  So I'll average that out to a “B,” and I will recommend Bullet Train because of its last act.  It really is spectacular, and it is a pay off for your patience.

6 out of 10
B
★★★ out of 4 stars

Saturday, October 29, 2022


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