TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews: Zoe Saldana

Showing posts with label Zoe Saldana. Show all posts

Friday, May 5, 2023

Review: James Gunn Delivers a Series Best in the Great "GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 20 of 2023 (No. 1909) by Leroy Douresseaux

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Running time: 150 minutes (2 hours, 30 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive/drug references and thematic elements

DIRECTOR: James Gunn

WRITERS: James Gunn (based on the Marvel Comics characters)

PRODUCER: Kevin Feige

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Henry Braham (D.o.P.)

EDITORS: Fred Raskin and Greg D'Auria

COMPOSER: John Murphy

SCI-FI/FANTASY and ACTION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Chukwudi Iwuji, Sean Gunn, Will Poulter, Nico Santos, Miriam Shor, Elizabeth Debicki, Sylvester Stallone, Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, Gregg Henry, and the voices of Linda Cardellini, Seth Green, Maria Bakalova, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a 2023 science fiction, comedy, and action-adventure film written and directed by James Gunn and produced by Marvel Studios. It is the third film in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy film series, following 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It is also the 32nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Vol. 3 finds the Guardians fighting to save one of their members from his creator, a mission that may destroy the Guardians whether they are successful or not.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens on Knowhere, the strange space station where the Guardians of the Galaxy have established their headquarters. Their leader, Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), mourns the loss of his girlfriend, Gamora (Zoe Saldana). The alien warlord, Thanos, killed Gamora (as seen in Avengers: Infinity War), but an alternate universe version of her appeared (as seen in Avengers: Endgame). This new Gamora does not love Peter, and she associates with The Ravagers, which was once essentially Peter's surrogate family.

The group has bigger troubles ahead. The Guardians are being targeted by the “Sovereign” empress Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), someone with a grudge against them (as seen in Vol. 2). She sends her son, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), to attack the Guardians, and he grievously wounds Rocket (voice of Bradley Cooper). To save Rocket, Peter and his fellow Guardians: Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Nebula (Karen Gillan), and a reluctant Gamora, must confront The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), the Counter-Earth scientist who created Rocket.

The original Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the surprise hits of 2014, if not the surprise hit of the year. Vol. 2 was a fun sci-fi-action movie and a surprisingly thoughtful character melodrama. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 does everything the first two films did well and amplifies that. Vol. 3 is the series' funniest film, and I found myself laughing throughout it. That still surprises me because this movie has some pretty dark moments, especially concerning The High Evolutionary, who is superbly played with volcanic intensity and unremitting cruelty by the most excellent Chuckwudi Iwuji.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of Marvel Studios' best films in years. I think it works for three reasons. First, the film's production values and special effects are impressive. The CGI-created environments, backdrops, sets (interiors and exteriors), space-ways, worlds, etc. are so dazzling in scope, color, and imagination that they surpass the impressive work of the first two films, especially the second film. The entire entire “Orgoscope” sequence is an eye-popping collection of inventiveness. Even the menagerie of people, creatures, and robots exceeds the first two film, probably combined.

The acting is quite good, and that makes me want to engage the characters even more. Chris Pratt gives his best tern as Peter Quill/Star-Lord – drama, pathos, big emotions, and the sarcasm and quips are still here – but with edginess. This is the first time that I really hoped that Star-Lord would be a long term MCU character. It is so shocking that Zoe Saldana can convince me that she is a different Gamora. Karen Gillan as Nebula and Pom Klementieff as Mantis do superb work with the character arcs that the story gives them. As Drax the Destroyer, Dave Bautista makes the character seem not extraneous for the first time. Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as always are winning in their voice roles as Groot and Rocket, respectively, with Diesel bringing some extra to Groot this time.

The third reason Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is so damn good is writer-director James Gunn. This is Gunn at the peak of his powers. Honestly, I liked Vol. 2 so much that I didn't think he could top himself, but he does with this third film. I did find Vol. 3 a little dry and too dark in the beginning, but once it grabbed me, it would not let go.

This film has a heart – a center that is about the struggle to help a friend or family member no matter how bad his or her troubles might be or even if he or she resists and rejects the help. In Vol. 3, Gunn makes all the characters unique individuals with wants, needs, goals, conflicts, and melodrama. However, the best thing that Gunn does is accept that even the most intense relationships change, so he lets some of the characters move on. The result is a last act for the ages and a closing sequence that recalls the beginning of the original film and leaves the viewer with the warmest feelings.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens in the U.S. today, May 5, 2023. That is 15 years and a few days after the release of the first MCU film, Iron Man (2008). Vol. 3 exemplifies something that I just realize runs throughout Marvel Studios' film. In almost all of them, a dominant theme is the formation of surrogate families. Friends, enemies, heroes, and sometimes even the villains come together in a unit that is more than just a group of friends; they are family. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn gives us the end of one version of the family as it evolves into something larger. What makes Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 an amazing film is that it is as heartwarming as it is exciting and thrilling. Yes, there are big, mesmerizing action set pieces, but by the end, I really believe that these guys love one another. I could watch it forever.

9 of 10

A+

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

Friday, May 5, 2023

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Saturday, January 21, 2023

Review: "AMSTERDAM" is a Movie That Follows the Right God Home

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 4 of 2023 (No. 1893) by Leroy Douresseaux

Amsterdam (2022)

Running time: 134 minutes (2 hours, 14 minutes)

MPA – R for brief violence and bloody images

WRITER/DIRECTOR: David O. Russell

PRODUCERS: David O. Russell, Christian Bale, Matthew Budman, Anthony Katagas, and Arnon Milchan

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Emmanuel Lubezki (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Jay Cassidy

COMPOSER: Daniel Pemberton

DRAMA/COMEDY/HISTORICAL

Starring: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Timothy Olyphant, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Ed Begley, Jr., Beth Grant, and Robert De Niro

Amsterdam is a 2022 comedy, period drama, and historical film from writer-director David O. Russell. The film is based on the 1933 United States political conspiracy “the Business Plot,” which involved a secret plan to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and to install a dictator in its place. Amsterdam follows three friends who seek to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death and apparent murder of a retired U.S. general.

Amsterdam introduces Burt Berendsen M.D. (Christian Bale), a physician and surgeon. In 1918, his estranged wife, Beatrice Vandenheuvel (Andrea Riseborough) and her parents, who don't really care for Burt because he is “half-Jew,” bully him into enlisting to fight in World War I. While stationed in France, Burt befriends an African-American soldier, Harold Woodman (John David Washington).

Later, after being severely injured in battle, Burt and Harold are nursed back to health by Valerie Bandenberg (Margot Robbie), an eccentric American nurse and artist who makes art out of shrapnel removed from the soldiers. Burt and Harold befriend Valerie and follow her to Amsterdam, the capitol of the Netherlands. There, they live together and Harold and Valerie engage in a budding romance. First, Burt returns to New York City to be with his wife, and then, Harold returns to begin his career as an attorney.

In 1933, Burt owns his own medical practice that caters to veterans of WWI, and he still remains friends with Harold. Things begin to change for them when they discover that General Bill Meekins (Ed Begley, Jr.), who was important to Burt and Harold during the war, has died. His daughter, Elizabeth Meekins (Taylor Swift), believes that her father was murdered. Soon, Elizabeth herself is murdered, and Burt and Harold are blamed. Seeking to clear themselves, they begin to investigate the mystery surrounding General Meekins before his death, which leads to their reunion with Valerie. She had also returned to America and is living in seclusion with her wealthy brother, Tom Voze (Rami Malek) and his wife, Libby (Anya Taylor-Joy).

The three friends find themselves in a conspiracy involving another retired military officer, Marine Corps General Gil Dillenbeck (Robert De Niro). And everything is heading for a showdown at an event that is very important to Burt, the 14th Annual New York Veterans Reunion Gala.

Yeah, dear readers, the synopsis of the film's plot is a bit longer than I would like it to be. Although Amsterdam's narrative only runs a little under two hours and ten minutes, the film has enough subplots, characters, and settings to fill a television miniseries. Actually, a miniseries version of Amsterdam with the same cast would be orgasmic – well, at least for me it would.

Anyway, most of you, dear readers, are familiar (to one extent or another) with the event known as the “January 6 United States Capitol attack.” On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, a (mostly) white mob attacked the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The members of mob were comprised of supporters of then-President Donald Trump, and they were seeking to keep Trump in power by preventing a joint session of the U.S. Congress from counting the electoral college votes to formalize the victory of President-elect Joe Biden.

That event led journalists, historians, and writers to recall other insurrections and attempts to overthrow a democratically elected U.S. government. The Business Plot is one of them. It has also been referred to as “the Wall Street Putsch” because the people behind it were allegedly wealthy American businessmen. They hoped to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt by creating a fascist organization comprised of World War I veterans that would be led by Marine Corp General Smedley Butler, a hero of WWI and a veteran of several military conflicts. After this military led coup and overthrow of the government, the plotters would install Butler as a dictator.

Butler, upon whom Amsterdam's Gen. Dillenbeck is based, himself is the one who revealed the Business Plot. At the time, some of the press considered the Business Plot to be hoax, although a congressional committee investigating the plot believed that it was discussed and at least partially planned.

Amsterdam is a film that is kind of like a fairy tale version the Business Plot with Burt (ostensibly the story's lead character), Harold, and Valerie as the gallant trio fighting the mysterious bad guys. In this manner, the film is filled with conniving wizards (rich businessmen), evil knights (the killers of Gen. Meekins), and menagerie of oddball characters and creature-types, which is a good way to describe even Amsterdam's heroic trio. As I said earlier, I think that the manner in which writer-director David O. Russell tells this story, it needs to be done in a longer form.

Still, one thing at which Russell really excels is in creating ensemble films featuring a cast that delivers stellar performances which in turn creates the most interesting cinematic characters. He has done that with a large ensemble, as in the case of his highly-acclaimed 2013 film, American Hustle, and with an intimate small ensemble, such as in his Oscar-winning 2012 film, Silver Linings Playbook.

Christian Bale delivers another amazing performance as Burt Berendsen. Margot Robbie is eccentric and delightful as Valerie, and John David Washington is dashing, bold, and stalwart as Harold. Robbie and Washington have excellent chemistry and thus, are convincing as a couple. Anya Taylor-Joy, beautiful and radiant as always, effortlessly slays in her turn as the vain and insecure attention-seeker, Libby Voze. Of course, Robert De Niro, as Gen. Dillenbeck, turns up the heat in the film's most pivotal moments.

Rami Malek, Chris Rock, and Zoe Saldana also shine in key supporting roles, and Taylor Swift's quick spin as Bill Meekins' daughter, Elizabeth, gives the film an early jolt. So the smaller roles help to make Amsterdam that much better as a top notch ensemble film.

In the film, the city of Amsterdam seems to represent a place where people can be their authentic selves while accepting that others must also be allowed to be their authentic selves, even if that might lead to clashes of personality and belief. Amsterdam is not perfect, but it is lovable because of its idiosyncratic way, and that makes me look forward to the next large ensemble film from the inimitable David O. Russell.

8 of 10

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Saturday, January 21, 2023

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Sunday, January 1, 2023

Review: "AVATAR: The Way of Water" is Indeed Too Long, But it is Never Boring

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 1 of 2023 (No. 1890) by Leroy Douresseaux

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Running time: 192 minutes (3 hours, 12 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and intense action, partial nudity and some strong language

DIRECTOR: James Cameron

WRITERS: James Cameron and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver; from a story by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, and Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno

PRODUCERS: James Cameron and Jon Landau

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Russell Carpenter (D.o.P.)

EDITORS: James Cameron, John Refoua, Stephen Rivkin, and David Brenner

COMPOSER: Simon Franglen

SCI-FI/FANTASY, ADVENTURE, DRAMA/WAR

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Jemaine Clement, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans Jr., Dileep Rao, and Matt Gerald

Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 science fiction-fantasy, action-adventure, drama and war film from director James Cameron. It is a direct sequel to the 2009 film, Avatar. In The Way of Water, the world of Pandora is under renewed threat from human invaders, forcing Na'vi Jake Sully to seek refuge for his family with a new tribe.

Avatar: The Way of Water opens on the habitable moon, Pandora (one of several moons orbiting a gas giant planet), a decade after the events of the original film. The former human who led the Na'vi fight that expelled the humans, Na'vi Jake Sulley (Sam Worthington), is now chief of the Na'vi “Omaticaya” clan. He raises a family with his mate, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), that includes sons, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo'ak (Britain Dalton); daughter, Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss); and two adopted children. They are a human boy named “Spider” (Jack Champion) and Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), a girl who was born from the inert avatar of Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), the late scientist who sided with Jake Sulley in his first battle with the humans.

However, to the dismay of the Na'vi, the human corporation, Resources Development Administration (RDA), has returned to Pandora. This time, RDA wants to prepare Pandora as a new home for humanity because the Earth is dying. RDA has even created new combatants, called “recombinants,” which are Na'vi avatars implanted with the minds and memories of human soldiers killed in the first conflict with the Na'vi. One of them is Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Jake and Neytiri's greatest human enemy and now leaders of the recombinants.

A year after the return, there is a confrontation between Jake's forces and Quaritch's forces. Jake realizes that the RDA has made him, as a former human soldier and traitor, the focus of their mission. To protect the Omaticaya clan, Jake and his family go into exile and retreat to the sea islands in hope of finding refuge with the “Metkayina” reef people. The family struggles to adjust to the new home, especially the children who are coming of age. And recombinant Quaritch and his squad are still hunting Jake, and they are willing to do anything to capture him.

When I reviewed the first Avatar film, I wrote that “Avatar is everything good that you have heard about it and more.” I can say the same for Avatar: The Way of Water, although I will not say it with the same intensity as other film critics and film reviewers. Some people seem to enter a kind of state of ecstasy when they talk about The Way of Water. I am not that crazy about it. Let us see how simply I can explain this.

When I first saw the original Avatar in theaters, I was blown away. It was like nothing that I'd ever seen before then. It was an epic science fiction film set on a strange new world, full of incredible creatures and environments. Plus, Avatar has a great group of villains in the form of the invading humans. However, as crazy as I was about it then, I have never watched the film in its entirety since. I can't make myself interested in even watching sections of the film.

Avatar: The Way of Water is full of wonderful new characters, new environments, and a strange new tribe, living in a water world of amazing creatures. I am impressed by how many intriguing new characters James Cameron and his co-writers have created for this film. But, as good as the film is, I am not “blown away” by it. I don't find it remotely as interesting as I found the first Avatar. However, like the first film, James Cameron does quite a bit of skewering of colonialism and militarism and of toxic wealth and capitalism.

Avatar: The Way of Water is a great, big science fiction epic full of fantastic visual special effects and CGI (computer-generated images). The motion-capture CGI that creates the Na'vi still makes the characters look and move awkwardly in some instances, but that does not ruin the characters. Also, despite what some are saying, I did not find the first two hours of this three-hour plus film boring. Yes, the last third of this movie is at least an hour of great, great action, but the first two hours also offer some thrilling and riveting action, engaging character drama, and eye-popping exploration of the reef world of the Metkayina.

Still, for me, the Avatar thrill left a long time ago, and Avatar: The Way of Water does not make it return. I think it is a really good film, but not a great film. But, hey, it might “blow you away,” dear readers.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Sunday, January 1, 2023

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Saturday, March 26, 2022

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 20th to 26th, 2022 - Update #22

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline: A24's recent horror film, "X," could be a budding horror movie franchise. A prequel film is apparently already close to being finished and preparations are being made for a sequel.

STAR TREK - From Variety: Actress Ito Aghayere talks about playing "Young Guinan" on the Paramount+ series, "Star Trek: Picard." "Guinan" is the classic "Star Trek: The Next Generation" character originally played by Oscar-winner, Whoopi Goldberg.

MOVIES - From People: Here are the first look photos of Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage as "Dracula" in Universal Pictures' horror-comedy, "Renfield," in which Nicholas Hoult plays the title role.

BROADWAY - From Deadline: A Broadway musical is being developed based on the 1983 film, "Trading Places." Aneesa Folds will play Eddie Murphy's role, and Bryce Pinkham will play Dan Aykroyd's role.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: The CW has given early renewals to 7 of its 19 scripted dramas. Owners Warner Media and ViacomCBS has put The CW up for sale, with Nexstar being among the suitors.

STREAMING - From Deadline: HBO Max's "Sex in the City" sequel, "And Just Like That..." has been renewed for a second season.

NETFLIX - From Deadline: Actress Christina Ricci, who played "Wednesday Addams," in two 1990s "Addams Family" films directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, will play a major role in Netflix's series, "Wednesday." The nature of her role is still a secret. Jenna Ortega will play Wednesday in the series.

OSCARS - From Deadline: At the 94th Academy Awards, Beyonce will indeed perform her Oscar-nominated song, "Be Alive" (from "King Richard" and co-written with DIXSON) via satellite from a Compton tennis court.

From Variety: Beyonce is in talks to perform her Oscar-nominated song, "Be Alive" (from "King Richard") live from the tennis courts in Compton, California during the 94th Academy Awards. The film focuses on Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends, Venus and Serena Williams, who learned to play tennis on those courts with Richard as their coach.

MOVIES - From Variety: The sequel to the 2021 hit, "Godzilla vs. Kong," will start filming in Australia later this year.

OSCARS - From BBC: The BBC's website has produced a video that presents all the "Best Picture" nominees for the 94th Academy Awards in 59 seconds.

CELEBRITY - From Variety: This year's "Rase to Erase MS" gala will return to Fairmont Century Plaza hotel on May 20th and will feature music by "Nile Rogers & Chic" and a Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive fashion show.

MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Marvel Cinematic Universe star and New Orleans native Anthony Mackie has reportedly bought 20 acres in New Orleans East where he plans to start a movie studio. However, Mackie has reportedly officially said that it was too premature to discuss specifics of the deal.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 3/18 to 3/20/2022 weekend box office is "The Batman" with an estimated 36.8 million dollars.

From Here: Negromancer's review of "The Batman."

STAR TREK - From TheGuardian: Georgia gubernatorial candidate and voting rights champion, Stacey Abrams, made a cameo as "President of United Earth" on the Season 4 finale of "Star Trek: Discovery" (Paramount+). Some people were mad...

TELEVISION - From Deadline: The daytime syndicated talk show "Maury" will be ending after the current season, apparently a mutual decision between the host, Maury Povich, and NBCUniversal Syndication Studios. Povich is reportedly retiring. The last original episodes will air through September 2022, after which repeats of the show will continue to air in syndication

AWARDS - From Deadline: "CODA" wins the top award, "Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures," at the 2022 / 33rd Producers Guild Awards.

AVATAR - From Variety: "Avatar 2" star Zoe Saldana said that after watching 20 minutes of the film, she cried.

CANNES - From Deadline: Not only will "Top Gun: Maverick" make its premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, but its star Tom Cruise will also feted with a "career retrospective" special tribute.

OBITS:

From RollingStone: Singer-songwriter and rock musician, Taylor Hawkins, has died at the age of 50, Friday, March 25, 2022 in a hotel in Bogota, Columbia. Hawkins was best known as the drummer of the band, "Foo Fighters." The band announced Hawkins as its new drummer in March 1997, and in addition to being the drummer, Hawkins wrote songs, provided vocals, and played piano and guitar. He first appeared on the Foo Fighters third album "There is Nothing Left to Lose" (1999). His side-projects included the bands, "Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders" and "The Birds of Satan."

From CNN: American diplomat and former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, has died at the age of 84, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Albright was the first female U.S. Secretary of State, serving from 1997 to 2001, during President Bill Clinton's second term, the 64th Secretary of State. She was also the 20th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (1993-97). Albright was born in Czechoslovakia and immigrated to the U.S. with her parents in 1948.

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94TH ACADEMY AWARDS:

OSCARS - From Variety: The nominations for the 2022 / 94th Academy Awards have been announced. "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 nominations. The winners will be revealed March 27th.

From Deadline: With his "Best Actor" nomination for "The Tragedy of Macbeth," Denzel Washington is the most nominated Black actor is Oscar history. He has been nominated in two acting categories a total of 10 times with two wins total.

From Variety: With her "Best Director" Oscar nomination for "The Power of the Dog," Jane Campion becomes the first woman nominated twice in that category. She was previously nominated in that category for "The Piano" (1993).

From Variety: With his three nominations today, Kenneth Branagh of "Belfast" becomes the first person to have been nominated in seven individual categories over his career.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From Variety: The American Society of Cinematographers held the 2022 / 36th Annual ASC Awards. Greig Fraser won the top award, "Feature Film," for his work on "Dune."

From Deadline: At the 58th annual Cinema Audio Society (CAS) Awards, "Dune" the "Live Action Motion Picture" prize.

From Deadline: The 2022 / 75th EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony was held in Lond, Sun., March 13th. "The Power of the Dog" was named "Best Film" and Jane Campion won "Best Director" for the film. Will Smith was named "Best Actor." "Dune" won five awards, dominated the "craft categories."

From Variety: The Directors Guild of America's 2022 74th annual DGA Awards were held on Sat., March 12th. Jane Campion won the top prize "Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Film" for directing "The Power of the Dog." She is the third woman to win the award and the second to have been nominated twice.

From Variety: The winners at the 2022 / 49th annual Annie Awards were announced, Sat. Mar. 12th. Netflix's "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" was named "Best Feature."

From Variety: At the 2022 / 27th annual Critics Choice Awards, director Jane Campion's Western film, "The Power of the Dog," is named is named "Best Picture."

From Deadline: The Visual Effects Society announced the winners at the 2022 / 20th annual VES Awards. "Dune" and Disney's "Encanto" led with four wins apiece.

From Deadline: The American Cinema Editors' 72nd Annual ACE Eddie Awards were held, Sat., March 5th. The top award, "Best Edited Feature Film (Dramatic)" went to "King Richard."

From Deadline: The 2022/ 26th annual Art Directors Guild Awards turns out to be a good party. "Dune" and "Nightmare Alley" are among the winners.

From Deadline: The winners at the 2022 / 28th annual SAG Awards. "CODA" wins the top prize, "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture."

From Variety: Here is a complete list of winners at 2022 / 53rd NAACP Image Awards in the film, television and music categories. Jennifer Hudson was named "Entertainer of the Year."

From Deadline: The 2022 / 9th annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards were announced. The Amazon film, "Coming 2 America" (the sequel to the 1988 film, "Coming to America"), led with three wins.

From Deadline: The 2022 BAFTA Film Awards nominations have been announced. "Dune" leads with 11 nominations. The winners will be announced March 13th.

From Deadline: The 2022 / 33rd annual Producers Guild of America Awards nominations have been announced. The winners will be announced Saturday, March 19th.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2022 / 74th annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced March 12th.

From COFCA: The Columbus Film Critics Association name "The Power of the Dog" the "Best Film" of 2021.

From Deadline: Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," was named the "Best Picture" of 2021 at the 13th annual African American Film Critics Association Awards. The Western tied with "King Richard" for most wins with four. Will Smith was named "Best Actor" for "King Richard."

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2022 / 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced.

From Variety: The snubs and surprises in the nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Variety: At the 2022 / 79th Golden Globes, "The Power of the Dog" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and "West Side Story" wins "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Variety: The National Society of Film Critics names the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the best film of 2021.

From AwardsWatch: The nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards were announced a few weeks ago. Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," has a record 20 nominations. The winners will be announced February 27, 2022.

From AwardsWatch: The Columbus Film Critics Association announced the nominations for their annual film awards. Director Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 noms. The winners will be announced Thurs., Jan. 6th, 2022.

From Deadline: The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has named the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the "Best Picture" of 2021.

From Deadline: The 2022 / 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have announced their nominations. "Zola" leads with six nominations. The winners will be announced Sun., March 6, 2022.

From THR: The 2022 / 79th Golden Globes Awards nominations have been announced. "Belfast" and "The Power of the Dog" lead with seven nominations each. Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From GoldDerby: The 2022 Critics Choice Awards nominations have been announced. "Belfast" and "West Side Story" leads with 11 nominations each. Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From Deadline: The American Film Institute announced the "2021 AFI Awards" Top 10 list, and the list includes "Dune," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and "West Side Story."

From THR: Director Aleem Khan's "After Love" tops the 2021 British Independent Film Awards, winning six awards, including "Best Film of 2021."

From Variety: The New York Film Critics Circle has named the Japanese drama, "Drive My Car," as the "Best Film of 2021."

From Deadline: The National Board of Review hands director Paul Thomas Anderson's "Licorice Pizza" it "Best Film" and "Best Director" awards. Will Smith picks up the "Best Actor" award for "King Richard."

From THR: Netflix’s "The Lost Daughter," directed by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, dominated the 2021 Gotham Awards in New York on Monday night (Nov. 29th). The film won in four of the five categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Feature."

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"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline: This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From THR: Alec Baldwin moves to shield himself from liability in the shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust." In an arbitration demand, he blames others for the death of Halyna Hutchins.

From People: Alec Baldwin says that certain lawsuits recording the Western film, "Rust," are targeted at "deep-pocket litigants" and that the suits are all about money.

From Deadline: Matt Hutchins, the husband of Halyna Hutchins, blames Alec Baldwin for Halyna's accidental shooting death on the set of the doomed Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline: The family and estate of Halyna Hutchins has filed suit against Alec Baldwin (who accidentally shot Hutchins), a slew of production companies and entities, producers, and key crew members involved in the Western film, "Rust," for her death.

From THR: A Republican New Mexico legislator, State Sen. Cliff Pirtle of Roswell, on Monday introduced a bill that would require all film set personnel who handle firearms to complete a safety course offered by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department. This is in the wake a cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, being fatally shot on the set of the Western, "Rust," last year by Alec Baldwin with a weapon he says he thought was not loaded with live ammunition.

From Deadline: Alec Baldwin and the other producers of the doomed Western film, "Rust," want a California judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them by the script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell.

From Deadline: Alec Baldwin has finally turned over his cell phone to police for their probe into the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's Western film, "Rust," last October in New Mexico.

From Variety: One of the producers of tragic Western film, Rust, Emily Salveson, pushes tax shelters and hid income.

From THR: "I let go of the hammer and 'Bang,' the gun goes off" says Alec Baldwin says in his first interview of the moment when a gun he was holding accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline: Alec Baldwin will sit down with ABC's news-reading clown George Stephanopoulos for a one hour special tomorrow night to talk about what happened on the set of the movie "Rust." It will be Baldwin’s first extensive interview about the shooting.

From Deadline: Industry veteran, Thall Reed, the father of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Western, "Rust," may have handed the police a tip on why the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot to death on the set.

From THR: A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday for a prop shop sheds light on how alleged live ammunition ended up on the set of the Western film, "Rust," where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October.

From Deadline: A month after cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot and killed on the New Mexico set the movie Western, "Rust," by a prop gun “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, those closest to the cinematographer held a private ceremony and interred her ashes at an unknown location.

From Deadline: Actor Daniel Baldwin defends his brother, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film, "Rust." "Someone loaded that gun improperly," Daniel says.

From Deadline: The newest lawsuit involving the tragic shooting on the set of the Western film, "Rust," has been filed by the film's script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, against Alec Baldwin, the producers, the production company, armorer Hanna Gutierrez Reed, and others.

From Deadline: Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR: In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR: The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline: Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of “sabotaging the set.”

From THR: Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers. She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin: An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions. Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline: Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR: Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting. He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR: The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline: Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR: Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline: "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film. They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline: "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline: The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline." The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR: The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through. The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline: The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust." As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR: "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline: The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline: The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN: Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety: Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety: The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

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Saturday, March 19, 2022

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 13th to 19th, 2022 - Update #20

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

UKRAINE - From TheAtlantic: From "The Atlantic": "I Have a Message for My Russian Friends" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The piece includes a story about Arnold's friendship with his childhood idol, Russian weightlifter, Yuri Petrovich Vlasov.

PIXAR - From Variety: Disney reportedly removed a "same-sex" kiss from its upcoming film, "Lightyear," about the inspiration for "Buzz Lightyear" from "Toy Story." In the wake of its "Don't Say Gay" controversy, Disney has restored the kiss.

AVATAR - From IGN: Actress Zoe Saldana says that James Cameron has solved "the underwater motion capture problem" in Avatar 2, which is due in theaters Dec. 16th, 2022.

MOVIES - From IGN: On a recent podcast, actress Courteney Cox confirms that she is returning for 2023's "Scream 6."

NETFLIX - From Deadline: Netflix has released new art related to its live-action "Resident Evil" TV series. The series will debut July 14th.

AMAZON - From Deadline: Amazon and MGM announced that their $8.5 billion merger deal has closed, Thursday morning, March 17, 2022. There is no news on what the new management structure will be.

NETFLIX - From Deadline: Mike Myers' new Netflix comedy series, "The Pentaverate," has a first-look trailer, first-look photos, and a premiere date, May 5th.

STAR TREK - From Deadline: Actor Paul Wesley has been cast in the role of "James T. Kirk" (first played by William Shatner) for the second season of the Paramount+ series, "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." The first season premieres in May.

MOVIES - From Deadline: "Top Gun: Maverick" will reportedly screen at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, which will take place from May 17th to May 28th.

From Deadline: Director Baz Luhrmann's splash Elvis Presley biopic, "Elvis," will also make its debut at Cannes. The film stars Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker.

ANIMATION - From Deadline: Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek are returning for DreamWorks Animation's "The Last Wish," a sequel to its 2011 hit, "Puss in Boots."

MEDIA - From YahooIndependentUK: Donald Trump lashes out at Time Warner Cable for dumping his favorite network, the news network, OAN (One America News).

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 3/11 to 3/13/2022 weekend box office is "The Batman" with an estimated take of 66 million dollars.

From Here: Negromancer's review of "The Batman."

BAFTA - From Deadline: The 2022 / 75th EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony was held in Lond, Sun., March 13th. "The Power of the Dog" was named "Best Film" and Jane Campion won "Best Director" for the film. Will Smith was named "Best Actor." "Dune" won five awards, dominated the "craft categories."

AWARDS - From Variety: The Directors Guild of America's 2022 74th annual DGA Awards were held on Sat., March 12th. Jane Campion won the top prize "Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Film" for directing "The Power of the Dog." She is the third woman to win the award and the second to have been nominated twice.

AWARDS/ANIMATION - From Variety: The winners at the 2022 / 49th annual Annie Awards were announced, Sat. Mar. 12th. Netflix's "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" was named "Best Feature."

DISNEY - From Deadline: by Nellie Andreeva - Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s toughest test yet: Disney’s “Worst Week” over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ response could lead to “Profound Change”

OBITS:

From YahooSports: Print, television and radio sports reporter, John Clayton, has died at the age of 67, Friday, March 18, 2022. Clayton is best known for his stint as an NFL reporter for ESPN from 1995 to 2017.

From NBCNews: Stage, film, and television actor, William Hurt, has died at the age of 71, Sunday, March 13, 2022. His film career began with Ken Russell's 1980 flick, "Altered States." That began an extraordinary run of critical and box office success in the 1980s, including three consecutive "Best Actor" Oscar nominations. He won for "Kiss of the Spider-Woman" (1985") and was nominated for "Children of a Lesser God" (1986), and for "Broadcast News" (1987). Most recently, he was known for portraying "Thaddeus Ross" in Marvel Cinematic Universe in five films, beginning with 2008's "The Incredible Hulk.

From Deadline: Singer and reality television personality, Traci Braxton, has died at the age of 50, Saturday, March 12, 2022. She was best known for appearing on the We TV reality series, "Braxton Family Values" (2011-20). She was also a member of the girl-group, "The Braxtons," which initially featured Traci's sister, seven-time Grammy Award winner, Toni Braxton.

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94TH ACADEMY AWARDS: