Review: "KRAVEN THE HUNTER" Has a Beast in Aaron Taylor-Johnson

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 57 of 2024 (No. 2001) by Leroy Douresseaux

Kraven the Hunter (2024)

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

MPA – R for strong bloody violence, and language

DIRECTOR:  J.C. Chandor

WRITERS:  Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway; from a story by Richard Wenk (based on the Marvel Comics)

PRODUCERS:  Avi Arad, David B. Householter, and Matt Tolmach

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Ben Davis (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Chris Lebenzon and Craig Wood

COMPOSERS:  Evgueni Galperine, Sacha Galperine, and Benjamin Wallfisch

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION

Starring:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, Levi Miller, Billy Barratt, Tom Reed, Diaana Babnicova, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Damola Adelaja, and Russell Crowe

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

“Kraven the Hunter” has already established itself as having the lowest opening weekend debut of any film carry the Marvel brand, but it is a lot better than many of the other comic book films that came before it

Star Aaron Taylor-Johnson is indeed a star as he carries this film to victory, and he maximizes several intense scenes with co-star, Oscar-winner Russell Crowe

You don't have to be a fan of comic book movies to enjoy “Kraven the Hunter” because its intensity and its extreme and extremely violent action scenes and sequences are exceptionally entertaining

Kraven the Hunter is a 2024 action movie and superhero film from director J.C. Chandor.  The movie is based on the Marvel Comics character, Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven the Hunter, that was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #15 (cover dated: August 1964).  This is also the sixth film in “Sony's Spider-Man Universe” (SSU) series.  The film focuses on a hunter of men and his complex relationship with his father, a ruthless Russian crime lord, which starts him down the path to becoming the greatest hunter of men in the world.

Kraven the Hunter opens in Northern Russia at a prison.  Of particular interest is Prisoner #0864, but soon, prison security and imprisoned Russian gangster, Semyon Chorney (Yuri Kolokolnikov), will learn that this prisoner is really a legendary assassin known as “The Hunter.”  Who is “The Hunter?”

He is really Sergei Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the elder son of brutal Russian crime lord, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe).  Sixteen years before The Hunter killed Chorney, Nikolai took Sergei and his younger son, Dmitri, on a hunting expedition in Northern Ghana.  A terrible accident leaves Sergei near death until a local young woman intervenes in a manner that changes Sergei in ways he never imagined.

In the present day, Sergei goes by the name “Kraven.”  His activities as “The Hunter” have earned him the ire of many criminals.  Kraven has a kill-list, and once someone is on it, they don't get off until he kills them.  Kraven reunites with Calypso (Ariana DeBose), the young woman who saved him sixteen years earlier.  Now, an adult, Calypso is an attorney, and Kraven asks her to assist him in his activities as “The Hunter” by finding information on his targets.

However, Kraven himself is now being hunted.  Wannabe Russian crime boss, Aleksei Sytsevich (Alessandro Nivola), and his ally, “The Foreigner” (Christopher Abbott), have targeted Kraven's brother, Dmitri (Fred Hechinger), now an adult, as a way to trap their prey.  Kraven will have to prove to his enemies that he is indeed the world's greatest hunter and also its most dangerous apex predator.

Kraven the Hunter is sixth film in “Sony's Spider-Man Universe” line of films.  It follows Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), Morbius (2022), Madame Web (2024), and the recently release, Venom: The Last Dance (2024).  This film series stars characters and properties commonly associated with Marvel Comics' character, Spider-Man.  Sadly, media reports indicate that Kraven the Hunter will be the last entry in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, and that's a shame because Kraven the Hunter deserves a sequel.

Most movie actors could not have saved Kraven the Hunter, if it did indeed need saving, as industry and fan gossip indicated.  If we accept those arguments, dear readers, that Kraven the Hunter needed saving, then Aaron Taylor-Johnson is indeed this film's savior.  Taylor-Johnson is a talented young actor, and he can certainly portray the tough-guy hero or antihero in a way that seems genuine, if not outright real.

Without Taylor-Johnson, I think Kraven the Hunter would still be a really entertaining film.  The screenplay, regardless of whatever number of writers contributed to it, intrigued me.  Director J.C. Chandor deftly weaves the film's story across continents and through shifts in plot that keeps things so interesting and involved that I didn't have time to search for plot holes and inconsistencies.  Also, Russell Crowe as Nikolai Kravinoff makes his scenes with Taylor-Johnson's Kraven feel ultra edgy and especially dangerous.

With Taylor-Johnson, however, Kraven the Hunter, is not only a really entertaining film, but it is also an exceptional superhero spin-off comic book film.  As comic book and superhero movies go, Kraven the Hunter is kind of like a B-movie or, at least, a B-list film, but you, dear readers, don't have to be a comic book fan to enjoy the film or its star.  As Kraven, Taylor-Johnson has such animal magnetism; I wanted to see him be in action-mode and be violent.  Taylor-Johnson has true movie star qualities, such as charisma and presence, and girl, the camera absolutely loves him.  Seriously, Taylor-Johnson carries Kraven the Hunter past what most other actors would have done – all the way to whatever kind of cinematic glory a Spider-Man-adjacent film can have.

Marvel Comics fans will likely enjoy the fact that several Spider-Man-related characters appear in the film, some of them surprisingly so.  Still, this film is about Kraven the Hunter, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson makes every subplot, setting, and the other character bow down to his “king of the jungle” performance.  Kraven the Hunter is good, surprisingly and shockingly good, because its leading man knows how to be a beast.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Sunday, December 15, 2024

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

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Sony Pictures Drops "28 YEARS LATER" Teaser Poster

Sony Pictures has released a teaser poster for 28 Years Later, the follow-up to the zombie apocalypse films, 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007).

28 Years Later is directed by Danny Boyle, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Garland.  Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy reprises his role from the first film and stars alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding.

The film is due June 20, 2025.

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Sony Pictures Drops "28 YEARS LATER" Teaser Trailer

Sony Pictures has released a mysterious teaser trailer for 28 Years Later, the follow-up to the zombie apocalypse films, 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007).

28 Years Later is directed by Danny Boyle, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Garland.  Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy reprises his role from the first film and stars alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding.

The film is due June 20, 2025.  The morse code in the teaser apparently indicates "Tuesday."  I've posted the teaser below for your amusement:

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 10th to 16th, 2024 - UPDATE #9

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

JAMES BOND - From Deadline:  Regarding the casting of the next cinematic James Bond, series producer Barbara Broccoli said the next Bond will be a man, in his 30s, and not necessarily white.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Film director and Oscar-winning film producer, Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), talks about his private cancer diagnosis and his "full recovery." He also speaks on his new historical epic, "Blitz."

MOVIES - From Variety:  "Stranger Things" star, Finn Wolfhard, and his partner, Billy Bryk, will re-imagine the 1999 horror movie, "Idle Hands," for Sony.  Jason Reitman, who has directed Wolfhard in two "Ghostbusters" films, will produce.

MOVIES - From THR:  "The Hollywood Reporter" is confirming that Oscar-winning actress, Lupita Nyong'o, is joining the cast of Christopher Nolan's secret 2026 film project.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon is shutting down Freevee and is folding it into Prime Video.  Non-Prime members will still be able to access free streaming content.  The phase out will continue over the next couple of weeks.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Hulu offers a first-look at the sixth and final season of "The Handmaid's Tale."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/8 to 11/10/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance" with an estimated take of 16.225 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Sources tell "Deadline" that Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway and Emmy-winner Zendaya have been added to Oscar-winner Christopher Nolan's next film project, which is super-secret and due 2026. The film already includes Tom Holland, Matt Damon, and reportedly Lupita Nyong'o.

GODZILLA - From Variety:  Director Takashi Yamazaki will embark on another "Godzilla" film, following his 2023 Oscar-winner, "Godzilla Minus One."

MOVIE AWARDS:

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film.  Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations.  The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 British Independent Film Awards have been announced.  The Irish film, "Kneecap," leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 1st to 9th, 2024 - UPDATE #14

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  "Gladiator II" director Ridley Scott and star Paul Mescal will reunited in the film, "The Dog Stars." The film is due to start filming next spring.

GRAMMYS - Deadline:  The nominations for the 2025 / 67th annual Grammy Awards have been announced.  Beyonce leads the pack with 11 nominations.  The winners will be announced Sunday, February 2, 2025.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/1 to 11/3/2024 weekend box office is Sony Picture's "Venom: The Last Dance" with an estimated take of 26.1 million dollars.

From Deadline:  Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer speaks on the box office bomb that was the "Borderlands" movie.  "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong."

MOVIES - From Variety:  Actress-producer Eva Longoria reveals that she has made over 12 million dollars off her 6 million dollar investment in the 2014 film, "John Wick."  She says that she is still getting checks off the film a decade after her six million dollar investment saved the film from being cancelled. She says her only regret is not investing in the "John Wick" sequels.

MOVIES - From ScreenRant:  The site offers a first-look at actor Billy Zane as legendary actor Marlon Brando in the biopic, "Waltzing with Brando."

MOVIES/CELEBRITY - From THR:  Tom Cruise is very busy, including developing a sequel to his 1990 racing movie, "Days of Thunder."  Meanwhile, he and Paramount have some disagreements about "Mission: Impossible 8," which apparently has cost... 400 million dollars.

MOVIES - From THR:  Oscar-nominee William H. Macy has joined star Glen Powell in Edgar Wright's new film version of the Stephen King/Richard Bachman's novel, "The Running Man."

POLITICS/STREAMING - From YahooEntertainment:  Democratic politician and activist, Stacey Abrams told Yahoo Entertainment that she finds the argument that pop stars should stick to music “extraordinarily reductive.” Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are among the pop stars getting political. "We shouldn't expect entertainers to shut up and sing," Abrams says.  Abrams and actress and activist, Selena Gomez, have produced a new documentary, "Louder: The Soundtrack of Change" (now streaming on Max), that shows how female musicians have been involved in the fight for equal rights across generations.

OBITS:

From Variety:  American film and television actor and voice performer, Tony Todd, has died at the age of 69, Wednesday, November 6, 2024.  He was best known for playing the title role in the original "Candyman" films (1992 to 1999, and a cameo in the 2021 film) and in the "Final Destination" film franchise. Todd also appeared in such films as "Platoon" (1986), the 1990 version of "Night of the Living Dead," and "Wishmaster" (1997), to name a few.  His best known TV work was as "Kurn," the brother of series regular "Lt. Worf," on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" over four episodes.  Todd was also a prolific voice actor whose work appeared in numerous video games and in animated films and TV featuring DC Comics' characters.

From Deadline:  American singer and recording artist, Tyka Nelson, has died at the age of 64, Monday, November 4, 2024.  Nelson was the late recording artist Prince's only full sibling.  Nelson released four studio albums from 1988 to 2011 and had a Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1988 with "Marc Anthony's Song."

From Variety:  American record producer, recording artist, songwriter, bandleader, and film and television composer, Quincy Jones, has died at the age of 91, Sunday, November 3, 2024.  Jones may be best known for producing Michael Jackson's three most successful studio albums, "Off the Wall" (1979), "Thriller" (1982), and "Bad" (1987).  He provided the musical score for numerous films, including "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "The Italian Job," and "The Color Purple" (1985), to name a few. He also provided the theme for the TV series, "Hey Landlord" and "Sanford and Son."  Jones received 80 Grammy Award nominations and won 28 of them.  He won an Primetime Emmy Award for his work on the ABC miniseries, "Roots."  He won a Tony Award for the revival of the musical, "The Color Purple." Jones was nominated seven times for the Academy Award and received the "Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award."

From Deadline:  Entertainment industry tributes continue to pour in for legendary producer and recording artist, Quincy Jones.

From Variety:  "Variety" offers the 15 best examples of recording artists sampling the late Quincy Jones' music. The list includes Kanye West, The Weeknd, and Harry Styles.

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From THR:  American television actor, Alan Rachins, has died at the age of 82, Saturday, November 2, 2024.  Rachins was best known for playing attorney Douglas Brachman, Jr. on the former NBC legal drama, "L.A. Law" (1986-94) and for playing "Larry," Dharma's hippie father, on the former ABC sitcom, "Dharma & Greg" (1997-2002).  He also appeared in the notorious 1995 film, "Showgirls."  For his work on "L.A. Law," Rachins received a 1988 Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film.  Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations.  The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Oct 27th to 31st, 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).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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SPORTS - From ESPN:  The Los Angeles Dodgers (National League) win the 2024 World Series, beating the New York Yankees (American League), four games to one.

MUSIC/DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney has snatched the rights to broadcast and stream the Grammy Awards ceremony from CBS, which has been broadcasting the Grammy Awards for 50 years.  The 10 year deal will see the Grammy Awards broadcast on ABC and stream on Hulu and Disney+ beginning in 2027 and ending 2036.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Keenan Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans are uniting for the first time in 18 years (since 2006's "Little Man") for a return to the "Scary Movie" franchise.  The movie, which would shoot next year, is scheduled for a theatrical release.

SCANDAL - From YahooNews:  Actor, comedian, and voice performer, Jay Johnston, was sentenced to federal prison for one year and a day for his activities during the U.S. Capitol attack and riot on January 6th, 2021. Johnston is best known for his work on such television comedies as "Mr. Show with Bob and David" (HBO), "The Sarah Silverman Program" (Comedy Central), and the Fox Network's "Arrested Development" and "Bob's Burgers."

MOVIES - From THR:  Oscar-nominee Johnny Depp and Oscar-winner Penelope Cruz will team up for "Day Drinker," a thriller that is slated to be directed by Marc Webb ("The Amazing Spider-Man").

MOVIES/STAGE - From Deadline:  George Clooney is bringing his 2005 film, "Good Night, and Good Luck," to Broadway.  This time he will play legendary veteran journalist, Edward R. Murrow.  Actor David Strathairn played Murrow in the 2005 which Clooney directed. Performances will begin March 2025.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 10/25 to 10/27/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance" with an estimated take of 51 million dollars.

KAMALA - From TheAtlantic:  Film and television impresario, Tyler Perry, has apparently made a better closing argument for why people should vote for VP Kamala Harris instead of disgraced former president, Trump.  Perry says “It was so important for me to stand with a candidate who understands that we, as America—we are a quilt. And I could never stand with a candidate who wants America to be a sheet.”

From Variety:  Oscar-winning actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, releases a video endorsement of VP Kamala Harris for President.

LGBTQ - From Deadline: Gay actor, Luke Evans, says he can't think of another gay star getting the kind of macho roles he plays.  The Welsh actor has starred in "The Hobbit" and "Fast & Furious" films and is playing a tough, straight guy in Amazon's upcoming, "Criminal."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film and television actress, Terri Garr, has died at the age of 79, Tuesday, October 29, 2024.  Garr was best known for appearing in such films as Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstine" (1974), Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), and Sydney Pollack's "Tootsie" (1982).  She received a "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar nomination for her work in "Tootsie."  In television, Garr appeared in multiple episodes of "McCloud," "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour," and "Friend," to name a few.

From Deadline:  American television scriptwriter and producer, Jeri Taylor, has died at the age of 86, Thursday, October 24, 2024.  Taylor was best known for her work on television series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Voyager."  Taylor is credited with writing 13 episode of TNG; 3 episodes of DS9, and numerous episodes of "Voyager," which she co-created with Rick Berman and Michael Piller.  Taylor shared a Primetime Emmy nomination as a producer on the final season of "The Next Generation."  Taylor also wrote multiple episodes of such TV series as "Qunicy, M.E.," "Magnum P.I.," and "In the Heat of the Night," to name a few.

MOVIE AWARDS:

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film.  Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations.  The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 9th to 15th, 2024 - UPDATE #11

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:

MOVIES - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Russell Crowe explains why he turned down the role of "Aragorn" in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Viggo Mortensen eventually won the role.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Longtime TNT sports broadcaster, Charles Barkley, says that he is going to retire after the 2024-25 NBA season. The news comes as it seems TNT's parent, Warner Bros. Discovery, is going to lose its NBA rights to NBC.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson are circling roles in Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow's ("The Hurt Locker) next film for Netflix.

ANIMATION - From Variety:  Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema, and Sola Entertainment previewed 20 minutes of its upcoming anime feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”  Directed by Kenji Kemiyana ("Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex"), the footage received thunderous applause during the packed presentation on Tuesday at the Annecy Animation Festival.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Director Henry Selick is once again interested in a film adaptation to Neil Gaiman's 2013 novel, "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."  Selick also hopes to revive his failed Pixar project, "The Shadow King."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Yahya Abdul Mateen II will star in Netflix's TV adaptation of the 2004 Denzel Washington film, "Man on Fire."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/7 to 6/9/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' Bad Boys: Ride or Die with an estimated total of 56 million dollars.

From Deadline:  Bad Boys: Ride or Die leads the international box office with a debut of 48.6 million dollars. It's global box office haul is 104.6 million dollars.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Oscar-nominee Kristen Stewart will play ground-breaking American astronaut, Sally Ride, in the Amazon MGM Studios miniseries, "The Challenger."

MOVIES - From THR:  The film that will follow the recent hit, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," has a director.  It is Grant Sputore, who directed the 2019 Hilary Swank sci-fi flick, "I Am Mother."

OBITS:

From NBA:  American basketball player, coach, scout, and executive, Jerry West, has died at the age of 86, Wednesday, June 12, 2024.  He is best remembered for his association with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, including being a member of the 1971-72 NBA Championship team that went 69 wins and 13 losses.  That won-loss record was an NBA season record that stood until the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls won 72 games and lost 10 on the way to an NBA title.  West also won 8 titles as an executive, including five as a member of the Lakers front office and two as a member of the Golden State Warriors front office.  West is a three-time member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.  As a player, he was inducted as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Basketball team which won the gold medal and again as a player in 1980.  Later, this year (2024), he will be inducted as an NBA executive. West's silhouette is the basis for the NBA's logo.

From Deadline:  American journalist and television commentator, Howard Fineman, has died at the age of 75, Tuesday, June 11, 2024.  Fineman was best known for his work with the cable news network, MSNBC.

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POLITICS - 

From TheRoot:  "The Root" gives you "The Long Racist History of Donald Trump, from the 1970s to Now."

From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From Truthout:  On Thursday afternoon (May 30th, 2024), in "The People vs. Donald Trump" — the New York-based trial featuring, for the first time in United States history, an ex-president in a criminal proceeding— a jury of the former president’s peers delivered a unanimous verdict: that he was guilty of all crimes he was accused of committing. Trump becomes the first former President in US History to be convicted of a crime.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

Review: "BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE" is the Best Buddy Cop Action-Comedy in Decades

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 25 of 2024 (No. 1969) by Leroy Douresseaux

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)

Running time:  115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)

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

DIRECTORS:  Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah

WRITERS:  Chris Bremner and Will Beall (based on characters created by George Gallo)

PRODUCERS:  Doug Belgrad, Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, and Will Smith

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Robrecht Heyvaert (D.o.P.)

EDITORS: Dan Lebental and Asaf Eisenberg

COMPOSER:  Lorne Balfe

ACTION/CRIME/COMEDY

Starring:  Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Paola Núñez, Alexander Ludwig, Jacob Scipio, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, Rhea Seehorn, Tiffany Haddish, John Salley, Quinn Hemphill, Dennis Mcdonald, Tasha Smith and Joe Pantoliano

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the best entry in the series to date

The comic timing and humor of Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett is unleashed in his best work of comedy in ages. Lawrence gives this movie so much energy, and he kept the audience where I saw this film laughing almost the entire time.

Will Smith as Mike Lowrey is a solid action-movie hero. Smith, who is also quite funny in this film, makes sure that Bad Boys is truly an explosive, violent action flick.

I unequivocally recommend this film to fans of the “Bad Boys” series and to fans of both Smith and Lawrence.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a 2024 American action, crime, and buddy cop film directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, better known as “Adil & Bilall.”  It is the fourth entry in the Bad Boys film series, which began with 1995's Bad Boys, and it is a sequel to Bad Boys for Life (2020).  In Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Detectives Lowrey and Burnett, the “Bad Boys,” have to take on their own department and a group of professional killers in order to clear their late captain's name.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die opens four years after the event depicted in Bad Boys for Life, Detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) marries his physical therapist, Christine (Melanie Liburd).  However, at the reception, Detective Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) suffers a serious medical emergency, but worse is to come.

The FBI claims it has discovered a paper trail which proves that the late Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) was tied to drug cartels.  Determined to stop the posthumous tarnishing of Capt. Howard, Mike and Marcus discover that Mike's imprisoned son, Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio), has information that might help their case.  Eventually, Mike, Marcus, and Armando must join forces with new Miami PD Captain Rita Secada (Paola Núñez) and the remains of her “AMMO” (Advance Miami Metro Operations) unit – Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) and Dorn (Alexander Ludwig).  In order to clear Capt. Howard's name, however, Mike and Marcus' crew will have to take on a vicious killer, James McGrath (Eric Dane), and his secret mole inside the Miami PD.

I'd seen Bad Boys (1995) and Bad Boys II (2003), so I had to see Bad Boys for Life in preparation for Bad Boys: Ride or Die.  It is a good idea to see the 2020 film because quite a bit of its plot and many of its character carry over into the new film.  Being somewhat familiar with the Bad Boys film franchise will make the already enjoyable Bad Boys: Ride or Die even more enjoyable.

I think the thing that makes Bad Boys: Ride or Die such a joy to watch is that the team of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence seems to be re-energized.  In Bad Boys for Life, Lawrence looked a bit bloated and slow, but here in Ride or Die, he has recovered his comedy mojo.  Now, we get a Martin Lawrence that is like the Marty-Mar who was at the height of his powers in the 1990s.  He kept me and the audience with which I saw Ride or Die last night in stitches.  Lawrence was a constant barrage of comedy one-liners and comic riffs, and none of them seemed contrived.  I'm happy for him because Lawrence has not been this good in well over a decade.

Will Smith's notorious slap has apparently not delivered a knock out to his talents as a film actor and movie star.  I can't speak for the rest of y'all, dear readers, by I ain't canceling Will over that.  Smith is most solid as an action movie hero in the Bad Boys franchise, and he is at his best here.  Smith is quite funny himself, but as a gun-totting, pop-capping deliverer of justice and vengeance, Smith is as good as any other movie star.  In Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Will Smith is as sturdy and as robust as Bruce Willis was in Die Hard and in its best sequels.  As of right now, Smith is the king of action cinema.

Now, I won't act as if Bad Boys: Ride or Die is without problems.  The plot strains credulity; honestly, it us obvious that Capt. Howard is being framed, but in order for the narrative to work, the audience has to act as if such a scenario as this would happen.  Still, the directorial team of Adil & Bilall have made magic with their two entries in the Bad Boy series, and have delivered a new film that should thrill audiences throughout the summer movie season.  Bad Boys: Ride or Die even has a cameo by the series' original director, Michael Bay.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Friday, June 14, 2024

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

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Review: "BAD BOYS FOR LIFE" Takes a Bit to Come to Life

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 24 of 2024 (No. 1968) by Leroy Douresseaux

Bad Boys for Life (2020)

Running time:  124 minutes (2 hours, 4 minutes)

MPA – R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual references and brief drug use

DIRECTORS:  Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah

WRITERS:  Chris Bremner, Peter Craig & Joe Carnahan; from a story by Peter Craig & Joe Carnahan (based on characters created by George Gallo)

PRODUCERS:  Doug Belgrad, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Will Smith

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Robrecht Heyvaert (D.o.P.)

EDITORS: Dan Lebental and Peter McNulty

COMPOSER:  Lorne Balfe

ACTION/CRIME/COMEDY

Starring:  Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Paola Núñez, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano, Jacob Scipio, and Theresa Randle

Bad Boys for Life is a 2020 American action, crime, and buddy cop film directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, better known as “Adil & Bilall.”  It is the third entry in the Bad Boys film series, which began with 1995's Bad Boys, and it is a sequel to Bad Boys II (2003).  In Bad Boys for Life, Detectives Lowrey and Burnett, the “Bad Boys,” face off against a mysterious killer whose campaign of revenge is centered on Lowrey.

Bad Boys for Life opens in Mexico at the Santa Maria Ixcotel Prison.  There, Isabel Aretas (Kate del Castillo) escapes with the help of her son, Armando (Jacob Scipio).  Isabel is the son of the late cartel kingpin, Benito Aretas, and she wants revenge against the men who helped take down her husband twenty-four years ago.  Armando, a highly-skilled criminal, savvy fighter, and vicious killer, is the instrument of her revenge.

One of those men is Detective Lt. Michael “Mike” Lowrey (Will Smith), and Armando comes close to killing him.  Mike is a hard man to keep down, and he wants payback.  His boss, Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano), wants Mike to let a new, tech-driven police unit, called “AMMO” (Advance Miami Metro Operations), hunt the shooter.  Mike doesn't like that, especially as his former girlfriend, Lieutenant Rita Secada (Paolo Nunez), is head of AMMO.  Even worse, Mike's longtime partner, Det. Lt. Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), has retired and wants to stay that way.  But when things get worse, will the Bad Boys be forced to unite for one last ride?

I still laugh at the fact that the film that became 1995's Bad Boys was originally written for actor-comedians, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz.  Bad Boys would go on to become a signature entry in the filmographies of both eventual Oscar-winning actor, Will Smith (King Richard), and Martin Lawrence, who would go on to star in such films as Big Momma's House (2000) and Wild Hogs (2007).  The duo eventually reunited for 2003's Bad Boys II.  Because the fourth entry in the Bad Boys series, Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024), is about to be released, I decided to go back and watch and review the one film in the franchise that I had not seen in its entirety, Bad Boys for Life (2020).

A close friend told me that he thought Bad Boys for Life was bad.  I did find the first hour to be rather poorly developed.  After all, Lowrey and Burnett seem pretty slow in figuring out that the shootings of Lowrey and others are obviously related.  All these veteran cops and young, smart, new-school law enforcement are working on this case, and they are as clueless as can be.

However, in the film's second hour, directors Adil & Bilall make the most of their creative cohorts, especially their stunt coordinators, lighting department, and film editors in order to deliver a film that is fast-paced and slickly violent.  The filmmakers also bring out all of the colors and life in both the Miami and Mexican locations  Adil & Bilall do their best to summon the spirit of Michael Bay, the director of the first two films.  I wonder what he thought of the new directors' homage to his style.  I must say that Adil & Bilall eschew Bay's over-the-top theatrics for a slick visual, action style that is more focused on the characters than on sweeping shots and a deafening score and soundtrack.

In some ways, Bad Boys for Life is this series' best entry.  Yes, Martin Lawrence looks a little pudgy in the face, but his comic timing and humor eventual rev up.  Will Smith still looks lithesome and on the edge.  While it starts clunky, Bad Boys for Life doesn't show its age, but it does show that – surprisingly – there is still life in these cinematic bad boys.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Saturday, June 1, 2024

NOTES:

2021 Image Awards (NAACP):  1 win: “Outstanding Motion Picture” and 1 nomination: “Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture” (Will Smith)

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

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Review: "BAD BOYS II": What'cha Gonna Do 'Cept Watch This

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 114 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux

Bad Boys II (2003)

Running time:  147 minutes (2 hours, 27 minutes)

MPAA – R for strong violence and action, pervasive language, sexuality and drug content

DIRECTOR:  Michael Bay

WRITERS:  Ron Shelton and Jerry Stahl; from a story by Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley and Ron Shelton (based upon the characters created by George Gallo)

PRODUCER:  Jerry Bruckheimer

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Amir Mokri (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Roger Barton, Mark Goldblatt, and Thomas A. Muldoon

COMPOSER:  Trevor Rabin

ACTION/COMEDY/THRILLER/CRIME

Starring:  Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Gabrielle Union, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle, Jordi Molla, Gary Nickens, Jason Manuel Olazabal, John Salley, Henry Rollins, and Dan Marino

Bad Boys II is a 2003 American buddy-cop film and action-comedy from director Michael Bay.  It is a sequel to the 1995 film, Bad Boys, and is also the second film in the Bad Boys film series.  In Bad Boys II, loose-cannon Detectives Burnett and Lowrey investigate the flow of illegal drugs into Miami and end up on the middle of a battle for control of the ecstasy trade.

In a crowded field of auteurs, director Michael Bay (The Rock, Armageddon) strives to become the director god of action movies; indeed, he may already be there.  He returns for the sequel to Bad Boys, the film that put him on the map as a big time director of insane gunfights, fiery explosions, and slow motion ballets of unabashed violence.  And since we must not worship any god before the god, this Zeus of adrenaline films unleashes a film of wall-to-wall mayhem that overwhelms the audience to paranoiac exhaustion just to show us what he can do.

Bay is fortunate (if a god can ever be called fortunate) to have two talents who are very good at what they do, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith.  It’s ironic that these roles weren’t originally written for them, but the two actor/comedians have made the bad boys, Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Smith) of Bad Boys II, their own because Burnett and Lowrey could not exist without them.

The plot is a confused half-assed muddle involving stereotypical Russian, Cuban, Jamaican, and redneck drug dealers battling it out in Miami for control of the ecstasy trade.  If that wasn’t addled enough, Marcus’s sister, Sydney (the beautiful and sexy Gabrielle Union), is an undercover DEA agent caught in the middle of some mismanaged surveillance operation of a Russian and Cuban money-laundering scheme.

Smith and Lawrence are absolutely wonderful as the bad boys.  They have to be because they’re on a very short list of actors whom Michael Bay cannot overwhelm with his thunderous conflagrations of balls-to-the-walls violence.  Smith is pure bravado, sweating confidence with cartoonish machismo.  His physical bearing and rapid-fire delivery of his dialogue create a seamless presence in the film that leads you to believe that Smith is always Lowery, even when you know that a stunt guy has to step in every now and then.  He’s no bossy director’s action marionette or pretty boy A-list actor frontin’ like he’s all that.  Smith is all that.

When he has good material, Martin Lawrence is a riot act of physical and facial humor.  He’s a comedian, born to make us laugh despite his own personal demons.  Lately, he’s sold himself for movies that treat him like a minstrel, when he’s at his best skewering the mainstream.  In Bad Boy II, he reveals himself to be the best graduate of the Richard Pryor school of facial contortions, which Lawrence uses to grand effect to make us believe that the film’s juggernaut of violence actually scares him.

Even the overwhelming performances of Smith and Lawrence are almost no match for the overwhelming violence of Bad Boys II, but the actors are game.  They do an admirable job keeping up with the exploding body parts, flying corpses, decapitated corpses, defiled corpses, gunshot wounds, gratuitous ass shots, the bare breasts of a naked corpse, flying cars, disintegrating cars, exploding cars, car wrecks, car crashes, and flesh wounds to the buttocks.  There was a point early in the film when I was sure that Michael Bay was a fabulous artist of the absurd, cinema his canvas, and wanton violence his raw materials.  The action was great and invigorating, the violence was cathartic and deliriously funny, and I wanted to revel in the excess.  Lawrence and Smith were so on that I screamed with the kind of laughter I reserve for classic Richard Pryor, Mel Brooks, Marx Brothers, Lenny Bruce, and Burns and Allen.

After awhile, I realized that this was as much popcorn cinema as it was art.  I still believe that Bay is on to something.  One day, we will see him a great filmmaker who pushed the envelope with his inventiveness and imagination, but in Bad Boys II, he went too far too soon.  It’s more popcorn than an even an audience ravenously hungry for Circus Maximus bedlam can stomach.  With this film, Bay made the mistake that Martin Scorsese did with Gangs of New York:  end the picture early enough and he has a cinematic classic, a truly great film.  Overstay his welcome, and the director spoils his film.

As mean-spirited as this film gets, I’d still recommend this to die hard action fans and fans of Smith and Lawrence.  I’d only recommend that they just have a bib ready for when you spit up from overeating this cinematic pandemonium.

6 of 10

B

★★★ out of 4 stars

Edited:  Monday, July 1, 2024

NOTES:

2004 Image Awards (NAACP):  3 nominations: “Outstanding Motion Picture,” “Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture” (Will Smith), and “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture” (Gabrielle Union)

2004 Black Reel Awards:  1 nomination: “Film: Best Soundtrack”

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

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Review: "BAD BOYS" Has Had a Surprisingly Long Life

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 113 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux

Bad Boys (1995)

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

MPAA – R for intense violent action and pervasive strong language

DIRECTOR:  Michael Bay

WRITERS:  Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland, and Doug Richardson; from a story by George Gallo

PRODUCERS:  Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Howard Atherton

EDITOR:  Christian Wagner

COMPOSER:  Mark Mancina

ACTION/COMEDY/THRILLER/CRIME

Starring:  Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Tea Leoni, Joe Pantoliano, Tcheky Karyo, Theresa Randle, Marg Helgenberger, Nestor Serrano, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Saverio Guerra, Michael Imperioli, and Karen Alexander

As usual, a cog in the Hollywood system had written an action/comedy for Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey, two funny white men.  Perhaps, the white studio bosses never thought of persons of colors playing the parts and playing them not only well, but also better than the actors of the default skin color.  By happy accident, two tremendously talented comic actors, who also happened to be men of color inherited the parts, and, thus was born Bad Boys.  Lord knows, we can never again think of Lovitz and Carvey, two milky-white Americans, as proper for these roles, not that there’s anything wrong with one’s skin color being that white.

Bad Boys is a 1995 American buddy-cop film and action-comedy directed by Michael Bay.  Bad Boys focuses on two savvy, Black detectives who try to protect a witness to murder while also investigating the theft of heroin from their police precinct’s evidence room.

Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) are two hip detectives; at least they seem cooler than their Miami PD colleagues, but they can take the heat that comes with their job.  As the film begins, they’ve already made a major heroin bust, but a gang of well-equipped thieves breaks into the precinct’s evidence room and steals the dope.  Obviously, the raid is an inside job, so the precinct takes the blame.  Burnett and Lowrey’s Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) feels the heat and returns it to the boys, putting the onus on them to find the dope.  Making matters more complicated, they get saddled with protecting Julie Mott (Tea Leoni) a murder witness somehow connected to the smack thieves.

According to stories from the set of Bad Boys, director Michael Bay, Lawrence, and Smith hated the script, so they ad-libbed a lot of the dialogue.  This was Bay’s first feature film, but he’d made a name for himself directing music videos for Tina Turner and “Wilson Phillips” (among others) and commercials for Nike and Budweiser (among others).  Bay brings all the visual flair and clichés you could expect from music videos: quick-cut editing, dark alleyways full of steam, sexy chicks, and hot cars.  He mixed in car chases, tremendous explosions, cartoonish violence, and gunfights with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Smith and Lawrence brought the comedy and the hip sensibility to play the characters so over the top that you’d think they were heroes right out of a comic book.  It works to an extent.  Bad Boys is a very funny, exciting, and visually agile action movie.

If anything, it’ll be remembered for its African-American leads, unusual for an cop buddy movie/action flick.  Beyond that, Bay introduced his over the top visual style that he would bring all his heart-pounding, action vehicles:  slow motion camera buzzing around a posing action stud, panoramic shots of the sky, narrow escapes from devastating fire balls, etc.  Bad Boys is pleasant and fun, nothing important, but it stands out in the white bread world of Hollywood action romps.  Certainly, Lawrence and Smith are more believable as renegade cops than say, Josh Hartnett or Ben Affleck.

6 of 10

B

★★★ out of 4 stars

Edited:  Friday, June 28, 2024

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

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 14th to 20th, 2024 - UPDATE #19

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:

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures was an acquisition target just eight years ago... according to rumors.  Now, comes reports that Sony Pictures Entertainment is in talks with Apollo Global Management to make a move on acquire Paramount Global.  Currently Skydance/Redbird Capital is in exclusive talkes with Paramount Global's majority shareholder, National Amusements, about taking control of Paramount.

From THR:  Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has expanded his G-United Film and Television Inc empire into Louisiana by opening "G-Unit Studios" in Shreveport. It will be an in-house production facility.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Quentin Tarantino has changed his mind about making his previously announced film, "The Movie Critic," as his 10th and final film.  He has moved onto something else... at least for the time being.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Actors from the "Scream" film franchise show up to support fired "Scream 7" actress, Melissa Barrera, at the premiere of her new film, "Abigail."

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is partnering, through his Seth MacFarlane Foundation, with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation to fund the first-ever, curated restoration of historically significant animated shorts from the 1920s to 1940s.  Nine animated pics from Max and Dave Fleischer, the founders of Fleischer Studios and the creators of Betty Boop and Koko the Clown, are among the pieces that are being restored. 

MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  Steven Spielberg says his likely next project is "a UFO film based on his own original idea."  David Koepp is reportedly writing the screenplay.  Aliens has been a frequent Spielberg theme, from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) and "E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) to "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008).

MOVIES - From Variety:  At 81, Martin Scorsese is still ready to go.  He has planned his next two projects.  The first is a film about Jesus, who could be played by Andrew Garfield or Miles Teller, and would begin shooting later this year.  The second film is a biography of legendary singer and recording artist, Frank Sinatra.  The Sinatra pic would star Leonardo DiCaprio as Sinatra and Jennifer Lawrence as his second wife, Ava Gardner.

TELEVISION - From THR:  CBS has given a formal series order, "The Gates," which follows the lives of a wealthy African-American family in a posh, gated community.  The series, which debuts January 2025, is the first Black soap opera in 35 years.

SPORTS - From NBA:  The National Basketball Association (NBA) begins its playoffs today with the first two of three Western Conference "play-in" games tonight.  The Eastern Conference play-in games start tomorrow night.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/12 to 4/14/2024 weekend box office is A24's "Civil War" with an estimated box office of 25.7 million dollars.

AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards were announced Sunday night (April 14th).  "The Holdovers" written by David Hemingson won "Original Screenplay." The film was directed by Alexander Payne.  "American Fiction" written by Nord Jefferson and based on the novel, "Erasure"by Percival Everett. The film was also directed by Jefferson.

From Deadline:  At the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards, "The Price is Right" host, Drew Carey explains why he covered the costs of striking writers meals. He said "Everybody [the screenwriters] in this room made some actor a million dollars.

From Variety:  The 76th Writers Guild of America Awards are tonight, Sun., April 14th.  Actress Niecy Nash-Betts is hosting the Los Angeles end of the ceremony, which will not be broadcast.

From FoxLA11:  Here are the nominees for the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards.  Oscar winners "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" lead the film nominees.  "Succession" leads the television categories.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Blitz Bazawule, director of the recent version of "The Color Purple," has set up his next film, "Black Samurai," at Warner Bros.  The story will follow Yasuke, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of samurai conflict in 16th century Japan.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  Actress and Grammy-winning recording  Fantasia Barrino, has set up an entertainment company, Rock Soul Productions, with live event producer and artist manager, Yvonne McNair.  It will be a full-service operation with areas in management, production, and entertainment ventures.  Fantasia will be the company's CEO and Yvonne the president.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Tim Kring is developing "Heroes: Eclipsed," a new incarnation of his former NBC superhero serial drama, "Heroes" (2006-10).  Kring also created the follow-up for NBC, "Heroes Reborn" (2015-16).

OBITS:

From THR:  The film and television actress, Barbara O. Jones, has died at the age of 82, Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  Part of the "L.A. Rebellion" movement of black filmmakers in the 1970s, Jones may be best known for her role as the prostitute who returns home, "Yellow Mary" in Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust (1991).  She also starred in Haile Gerima's "Bush Mama" (1979) and as the wife of Muhammad Ali's character in the NBC TV miniseries, "Freedom Road" (1979).  Her TV career also included roles in such series as "Wonder Woman" and "Lou Grant."

From Deadline:  British special effects artist, Roger Dicken, has died at the age of 84, Sunday, February 18, 2024.  He shared an Oscar nomination in the category of "Best Visual Effects" for his work in the 1971 film, "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth."  He did freelance work on "2001: A Space Odyssey," for which he did receive a screen credit.  Dicken worked on the "chest buster" scene in Ridley Scott's "Alien" (1979).  Dicken also worked on such films as "Scars of Dracula" (1970) and "The Hunger" (1980).

AWARDS:

NAACP/BLM - From Deadline:  The 2024 / 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards came to a close.  Grammy-winning recording artist, Usher, won the "Entertainer of the Year."  "The Color Purple" continued with wins in the category of "Outstanding Motion Picture," "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture" (Fantasia Barrino), "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" (Coleman Domingo), "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture" (Taraji P. Henson).  The film also won in five other categories.

From Variety:  The winners at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards were announced.  "Oppenheimer" took the lead with seven wins, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy), and "Best Supporting Actor" (Robert Downey, Jr.).

From Deadline:  The winners for the 2024 / 24th annual Black Reel Awards were announced Jan. 16th, 2024.  "American Fiction" took home the top honor, "Outstanding Film," one of six trophies it won. "The Color Purple" won nine trophies, the most for a musical in the history of the Black Reel Awards.

From Variety: The nominations for the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" leads with 13 nominations, and "Poor Things" follows with 11.  The winners will be announced Sun., March 10th, 2024.

From Variety:  The Producers Guild of America has announced the winners for the 2024 / 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards.  "Oppenheimer" has won the top prize, the "Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures."

From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 77th BAFTA Film Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" wins seven awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From THR:   The Directors Guild of America has announced the winners at the 2024 / 76th DGA Awards.  Christopher Nolan won the top category, "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film of 2023," for his work on his blockbuster film, "Oppenheimer."

From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 51st Annie Awards have been announced.  "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" won six, including "Best Feature."  Its predecessor, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" also won six categories, including "Best Feature."

From AwardsWatch:  The NAACP has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 55th NAACP Image Awards.  By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the 55th NAACP Image Awards’ in select categories. Voting closes February 24th at 9:00 p.m. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories March 11–14th, which will stream via naacpimageawards.net.  The winners will be revealed during the two–hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET/ PT on BET and CBS.

From THR:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the winners at the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards.  "Poor Things," "Oppenheimer," and "Saltburn" win top prizes.

From Variety:   The nominees for the 2024 / 51st Annie Awards have been announced.  Netflix's "Nimona" leads the features categories with nine nominations.  The winners will be announced Sat., Feb. 17th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association has announced the 6th Annual LEJA Awards.  "Past Lives" won "Best Picture."  Actor Coleman Domingo won "Best Actor" for his role in "Rustin" and "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in "The Color Purple."

From AwardsWatch:  The Vancouver Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The London Critics Circle announced the winners of its 44th annual film awards. "The Zone of Interest" won three awards, including "Film of the Year" and "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) has won the 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy tied with Paul Giamatti for "The Holdovers").

From Variety:  The American Cinema Editors has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 74th Annual ACE Eddie Awards.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) has named its 2023 film awards. "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won three awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Studio Film." Celine Song's "Past Lives" won three, including "Best Independent Film."

From Variety:  The Motion Picture Sound Editors has revealed the nominations for the 71st annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards in categories spanning feature film, television, animation, computer entertainment and student productions.  The winners will be announced March 3rd.

From AwardsWatch: The Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers" won four awards, including "Best Picture."

From Variety:  The Visual Effects Society has announced the nominations for the 2024 / 22nd Annual VES Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Feb. 21st.

From AwardsWatch:  The North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Music City Film Critics Association has announces it MCFCA 2023 Film Awards.  Oppenheimer won seven awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Portland Critics Association (PCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From Deadline:  The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) announced the 15th annual African-Ameri an Film Critics Awards. "American Fiction" was voted the #1 film and won four awards, including "Best Comedy." Ava DuVernay's "Origin" was voted the #2 film and won three awards, including "Best Drama." 

From Deadline:  The winners of the 2024 / 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Barbie" wins four awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) revealed the nominees for the "2024 / 38th Annual ASC Awards" with categories in feature film, documentary, television and music video categories.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) announced the winners in 21 categories for the 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards.  Director Celine Song’s "Past Lives" was named the "Best Picture of 2023."

From AwardsWatch:  The Cinema Audio Society (CAS) has announced the nominations for the 60th CAS Awards.  The winners will be announced March 2nd.

From AwardsWatch:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the nominations for the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards. The winners will be announced Feb. 10th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) has announced it 2024 ASTRA Film Awards.  "Barbie" won eight awards, including "Best Picture.

From AwardsWatch:  The Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture."

From NSFC:  The National Society of Film Critics announce its 58th annual NSFC Awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture of 2023."

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 81st Golden Globes Awards ceremony was held Sun. night, Jan. 7th, 2024.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Motion Picture-Drama," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), "Best Actor-Drama" (Cillian Murphy), and "Best Supporting Actor-Motion Pictures" (Robert Downey, Jr.). "Poor Things" won "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Deadline:  NIGHT 2 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sun., Jan. 7th, 2024.  (Former) President Barack Obama and Keke Palmer were among the winners.

From Deadline:  NIGHT 1 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sat., Jan. 6th, 2024.  HBO's "The Last of Us" lead the night with 8 wins, including wins in both "Guest Actor in a Drama Series" categories: Nick Offerman (Guest Actor) and Storm Reid (Guest Actress).

From AwardsWatch:  The 5th annual DiscussingFilm Critics Awards were announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:   The Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards. "Past Lives" won three awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Celine Song).

From AwardsWatch:  The Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven honors, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association (COFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won six awards including "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese).

From AwardsWatch:  The Costume Designers Guild (Local 892) announced the official nominees list for the 26th CDGA (Costume Designers Guild Awards). The annual CDGA ceremony will take place Wed., Feb. 21st, 2024.

From Variety:   The British Academy has unveiled the results of the first round of voting across all 24 categories for the 2024 / 77th BAFTA Film Awards.  These results are known as "the longlists."  "Barbie," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Oppenheimer" all appeared on the longlist of 15 categories.  The nominations will be announced Jan. 18th, and the winners will be announced Feb. 18th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The Critics Association of Central Florida (CACF) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won 10 awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan). 

From AwardsWatch:  U.K. Film Critics Association (UKFCA) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From Variety: 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 led with five mentions in the film categories and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" led with four in the television categories. The winners will be announced Sunday, February 18, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Nevada Film Critics Society has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Hayao's Miyazaki's anime film, "The Boy and the Heron" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "American Fiction" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Cord Jefferson), and Best Actor (Jeffrey Wright).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Always trying to be difficult, it named "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" the "Best Picture."  It named Martin Scorsese "Best Director" for "Killers of the Flower Moon."

From AwardsWatch:  The Dublin Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Celine Song)"

From AwardsWatch:  The North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" wins five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Southeaster Film Critics Association (SEFCA) has announces its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won six awards, including "Best Pictuere," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthmos), "Best Actress" (Emma Stone"), and "Best Supporting Actor" (Mark Ruffalo).

From AwardsWatch:  The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC) has announced it 2023 film awards.  "Poor Things" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthimos), and "Best Actress" (Emma Stone).

From AwardsWatch:  The St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) has announced its 2023 awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy)

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) has named its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture."  Oppenheimer wins six, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) has named its 2023 films awards.  "The Holdovers" wins "Best Picture."  "Oppenheimer" wins four, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) have announced their 2023 film awards.  "The Zone of Interest" wins "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (for Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," one of two awards its won.  "Oppenheimer" wins five, including a "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 2024 / 24th annual Black Reel Awards have been announced.  "The Color Purple" leads with 19 nominations.  The winners will be announced Jan. 16th, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) have named "Killers of the Flower Moon" the "Best Film" of 2023.  Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics Society have named "Oppenheimer" the "Best Picture" of 2023, with the film's director, Christopher Nolan, winning "Best Director."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2023 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," and Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

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 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.

BEST PICTURE COUNT:

All of Us Strangers: 1

American Fiction: 3

Anatomy of a Fall: 2

Barbie: 2

The Boy and the Heron: 1

The Holdovers: 2

Killers of the Flower Moon: 9

Oppenheimer: 24

Past Lives: 9

Poor Things: 4

The Zone of Interest: 3

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