Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 17th to 23rd, 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).

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Robert Pattinson has been cast in Christopher Nolan's next film which begins shooting in several countries across Europe. Pattinson was previously in Nolan's wonderful film, "Tenet."

CELEBRITY - From THR:  "The Hollywood Reporter" names their 10 hottest young stars in Hollywood."

CABLE - From Deadline:  Comcast is spinning off all its linear cable networks (except "Bravo") into a separate company apart from NBCUniversal. The castoffs... err... I mean spinoffs include MSNBC, CNCB, E!, Syfy, and USA, to name a few.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Season 5 of the CBS hit, "The Equalizer," will introduce two guest characters with the potential to spun off into their own series.

MOVIES - From Esquire:  Although "The Equalizer 3" (which I still haven't seen) suggests that the series is done, Denzel Washington confirms that "The Equalizer 4" and "The Equalizer 5" are in development.

STREAMING - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Javier Bardem will star as the villain, "Max Cady," in the Apple TV+ series, "Cape Fear."  Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, who directed the 1991 film version of "Cape Fear," are among the series executive producers.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/15 to 11/17/2024 weekend box office is Amazon/MGM Studios' "Red One" with an estimated take of 34 million dollars.

From Variety:  Director Edward Berger's awards-season favorite, "Conclave," is making money at the domestic box office.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  During the press tour for "Gladiator II," Denzel Washington explains why he made some clunkers (bad films) after earning an Oscar nomination for his role in "Malcolm X" (1992).

From WorldofReel:  Denzel Washington says that he has spoken to director Paul Thomas Anderson ("Licorice Pizza") about working together.

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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.

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. 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 Oct 20th to 26th, 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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ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  A New Mexico judge refused to resurrect the state's case against Alec Baldwin for the 2021 accidental shooting death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

MOVIES - From Variety:  A nice story recently making the rounds is that actress-producer Eva Longoria saved the original "John Wick" (2014) film with six million dollars in funding 24 hours before the project was scheduled to shutdown for lack of money.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Disgraced and imprisoned former studio boss and Oscar-winning film producer, Harvey Weinstein, has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Rising "Scream Queen," Lauren Lavera ("Terrifier") will star next to two-time Oscar-nominee, Djimon Hounsou, in the horror film, "The Monster."  The film will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman of the "Saw" franchise.

MOVIES - From Variety:  85-year-old actor and former U.S. Marine, Scott Glenn, talks about being in the new thriller, "Eugene the Marine."

MOVIES - From Deadline: Colman Domingo will make his directorial debut with "Scandalous," a drama from Miramax.  The film will focus on the real-life clandestine love affair between film star, Kim Novak, and singer/dancer and film star, Sammy Davis Jr. in 1957. Sydney Sweeney will play Novak, and David Jonsson will play Davis.

MOVIES - From THR:  Tom Holland (Sony/Marvel's "Spider-Man" films) has reportedly been cast in Christopher Nolan's next film project, which remains top secret and is scheduled for 2026 release.

From Variety:  Tom Holland says getting the call that he'd been cast in Christopher Nolan's next film was the "phone call of a lifetime" and compared it to landing the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Sony/Marvel series a decade ago.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 10/18 to 10/20/2024 weekend box is Paramount Pictures' "Smile 2" with an estimated take of 23 million dollars.

From SilverScreenBlog:  "Silver Screen Blog" reviews "Smile 2."

From ReviewsonReels:  "Reviews on Reels" reviews "Smile 2."

STAR TREK - From Deadline:  "Star Trek: Section 31" will debut on Paramount+ January 24, 2025. It is the "Star Trek" movie starring Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh in a reprisal of her "Star Trek: Discovery" role as "Emperor Philippa Georgiou."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director Denis Villeneuve says he'll start on a third "Dune" film probably "sooner than he thinks."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  British cinematographer, Dick Pope, has died at the age of 77, Tuesday, October 22, 2024.  Pope was best known for his association with English writer-director, Mike Leigh, beginning with the 1990 film, "Life Sweet," and continuing through Leigh's recent "Hard Truths."  Pope was twice nominated for an Oscar in the category of "Best Cinematography," for the films, "The Illusionist" (2006) and Mike Leigh's "Mr. Turner" (2014).

From Deadline:  Actor Ron Ely has died at the age of 86, Tuesday, September 29, 2024.  His daughter did not announced his death until today (Wed., Oct. 23rd).  Ely is best known for starring as "Tarzan" in the former NBC television series, "Tarzan," which ran for two seasons from 1966 to 1968.  He also starred in the title role in the 1975 film, "Doc Savage: Man of Bronze."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Oct 6th to 12th, 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:

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

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Writer-director Chris Sanders confirms that DreamWorks Animation is developing a sequel to his current hit animated feature, "The Wild Robot."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Netflix will not give a third season to "Unstable," the comedy series starring and co-created by Rob Lowe and his son, John Owen Lowe.

From Deadline:  Netflix is developing a TV series based on Jane Austen's beloved 1813 novel, "Pride and Prejudice," which has been previously adapted for film and television many, many, many times.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Three characters from "The Big Bang Theory" may lead a spinoff series for Max.  The series, which is still in early development, would feature comic book store owner, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), geologist Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn), and Stuart's girlfriend, Denise (Lauren Lapkus).

MOVIES - From THR:  Christopher Nolan's next project after his Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer" will also find its home at Universal Pictures.  Matt Damon is in talks to star in the film.  The title and subject matter of the 2026 film remain unannounced.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Although its third season does not arrive until 2025, Amazaon's "Jack Reacher" has been approved for a Season Four.

From Variety:  "Jack Reacher" star, Alan Ritchson, to star in the film adaptation of "Counting Miracles," from bestselling author, Nicholas Sparks.

SCANDAL - From RNS:  The preeminent sex pests of the late Rev. Jerry Faldwell's empire, his son, Jerry, Jr., and Junior's wife, Beckie, are back in the good graces of the empire.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  In November (2024), Poland’s "Camerimage Film Festival" will host what it has described as a tribute debut screening of the Alex Baldwin Western film, "Rust," to honor the late Ukrainian cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.  Hutchins was killed in an accidental shooting on the set of "Rust," where she was the cinematographer. Some in the Director of Photography / cinematography community find the idea of screening the film in Hutchins' honor distasteful.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 10/4 to 10/6/24 weekend box office is Warner's Bros. Pictures' "Joker: Folie a Deux" with an estimated take of 40 million dollars.

MOVIES - From JoBlo:  Katy O'Brian ("Love Lies Bleeding," "Twisters") is supposedly joining Glen Powell in the remake of the 1987's "The Running Man," which will be co-written and directed by Edgar Wright.

POLITICS - From RollingStone:  Grammy-winning recording artist, Bruce Springsteen, endorses the VP Kamala Harris-Gov Tim Walz ticket for President of the United States.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 22nd to 31st, 2024 - UPDATE #16

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:

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/27 to 8/29/2024 weekend box office is Universal/DreamWorks Animation's "The Wild Robot" with an estimated haul of 35 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Season 2 of the Paramount+ series, "Tulsa King," has opened to series record views.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney has initiated another round of layoffs... I mean, "cost-saving initiatives" of corporate staffers.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  20th Television has closed a first-look deal with Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance and their Bassett Vance Productions to develop and executive produce comedy, drama, limited series and TV movies for linear networks and streamers, with an emphasis on platforms across Disney Entertainment Television.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/20 to 9/22/2024 weekend box office is Warner Bros. Pictures' Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with an estimated take of 26 million dollars.

OSCARS:

From Deadline:  The site has a roundup of international films that have been submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to compete in the category, "Best International Feature Film" at the 97th Academy Awards.

From Deadline:  Brazil has selected Walter Salles' "I’m Still Here" to represent it in the "Best International Feature Film" at the 97th Academy Awards.

From Deadline:  India has selected "Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies)" as its candidate for the "Best International Feature Film" category at the 97th Academy Awards. 

NETFLIX/ANIMATION - From Deadline: Netflix is starting again with its animated adaptation of table-top game Magic: The Gathering, after departing with previous creative talent in 2019 and again in 2021.  The new showrunner will be Terry Matalas, who was recently named showrunner of Marvel’s a "Vision" series for Disney+.

OBITS:

From ESPN:  Congolese-American basketball player and humanitarian, Dikembe Mutombo, has died at the age of 58, Monday, September 30, 2024 after a battle with brain cancer.  After a career at Georgetown University, Mutombo was drafted by the Denver Nuggets of the NBA as the fourth pick in the first round of the 1991 NBA Draft.  He won the "Defensive Player of the Year Award" four times, a record he shares with two other players.  He played with Philadelphia 76ers in 2001 when they lost the 2000-01 NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers. Mutombo was elected in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.  After his career ended, Mutombo worked extensively for charitable and humanitarian causes, including starting the "Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, to improve living conditions in his home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

From Variety:  American actor, songwriter, and country singer, Kris Kristofferson, has died at the age of 88, Saturday, September 28, 2024.  Among his songwriting credits are such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee" and originally recorded by Roger Miller (1971) and "Help Me Make it Through the Night," which he originally recorded.  He was a member of the American country music supergroup, "The Highwaymen" (1985-95) with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.  As an actor, he is best known for "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid," "A Star is Born" (1976), "Lone Star" (1996), and the "Blade" film trilogy (1998-2004).  Kristofferson was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards and won three.  He was also nominated for a "Best Original Score" Oscar for the 1980 film, "Songwriter."

From Deadline:  Hollywood reacts to the passing of Kris Kristofferson.

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From Deadline:  American actor Drake Hogestyn has died at the age of 70, Saturday, September 28, 2024. He died one day before his 71st birthday (Sept. 29th) of complications from pancreatic cancer.  Hogestyn, was best known for playing the role of "John Blake" in the former NBC/ now Peacock soap opera series, "Days of Our Live," from 1986 to 2009 and from 2011 to the present in over four thousand episodes.

From Variety:  The English film, television, and theatrical actress, Maggie Smith, has died at the age of 89, Friday, September 27, 2024.  Modern audiences know her for the role of "Minerva McGonagall" in the "Harry Potter" film franchise" and for the role of Countess Violent Crawley in the "Downton Abbey" (2010-15) TV series and films.  Smith was nominated for six Academy Awards and won twice: "Best Actress" ("The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," 1969) and "Best Supporting Actress" ("California Suite," 1978).  She also won four Emmy Awards, four British Academy Film Awards, and a Tony Award.

From EW:  Whoopi Goldberg pays tribute to her friend and "Sister Act" co-star, Maggie Smith, who died Fri., Sept. 27th.

From Deadline:  Maggie Smith, a career in photos.

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From Deadline:  American film and television actor, John Ashton, has died at the age of 76, Thursday, September 26, 2024, after a battle with cancer.  Ashton is best known for the role of Sgt. John Taggart in "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984), "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987), and as "Chief John Taggart" in "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" (2024).  He also had memorable roles in "Some Kind of Wonderful" (1987) and "Midnight Run" (1988), to name a few.  Ashton also appeared in numerous TV series, including "Dallas," "M*A*S*H," and "Starsky & Hutch" to name a few.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 15th to 21st, 2024 - UPDATE #10

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Ryan Murphy's latest Netflix thriller is "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," which focuses on real-life brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, who murdered their parents, Jose and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez in 1989. One person who isn't a fan of the show, Erik Menendez.

MOVIES - From Collider:  Mel Gibson will start shooting, "The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection," the sequel to his 2004 box office smash, The Passion of the Christ, in early 2025.  He is reportedly currently scouting locations in Europe.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Netflix has dropped the first teaser for "Splinter Cell: Deathwatch," an animated series adaptation of "Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell" video game created by Ubisoft.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon has ordered a second season of the Nicole Kidman-Jamie Lee Curtis lead drama, Scarpetta, based on Patricia Cornwell's bestselling "Kay Scarpetta" novels.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Emmy-winner Archie Panjabi will join the BBC/Disney+ "Doctor Who" Season 2 as an unnamed villain.

POLITICS - From USAToday:  This is the reason Donald Trump is really mad at Grammy-winning mega-star, Taylor Swift.  She endorsed the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket for President and Vice-President.

EMMYS - From Variety:  At the 2024 / 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, FX's "Shogun" dominates, winning a total of 18 awards, including "Outstanding Drama Series."  In the comedy category, FX's "The Bear" dominates with 11 wins, but Emmy for "Outstanding Comedy Series" goes to Max's "Hacks."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/13 to 9/15/2024 weekend box office is Warner Bros. Pictures' Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with an estimated take of 51.6 million dollars.

BLM/NFL - From Guardian UK and RSN:  NFL player and Miami Dolphins wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, learned he isn’t allowed to do what White People do.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  English stage, television, and film actor and voice performer, David Graham, has died at the age of 99, Friday, September 20, 2024.  Graham may be best known for performing the "Dalek" voices on the British TV classic, "Doctor Who," from 1963 to 1979.  He also performed several voices on Gerry Anderson's "Thunderbirds" (1965-66).  Graham is best known as the voice of "Grandpa Pig" for the British preschool animated series, "Peppa Pig."

From THR:  American musician and singer, Tito Jackson, has died at that age of 70, Sunday, September 15, 2024.  Tito was best known as the brother of Janet Jackson and the late Michael Jackson.  Tito was an original member of the pop and R&B musical group, "The Jackson Five" (later known as "The Jacksons"), acting as the group's guitarist and backup singer.  Tito recorded at 16 studios albums with the group, and he recorded two solo studio albums.  He received three Grammy Awards nominations for his work with The Jackson 5/The Jacksons.  Tito's sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, formed the R&B group, "3T."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 8th to 14th, 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:

DISNEY - From THR:  This is the story of Scott and Diana Anderson, the couple expelled from the ultra-exclusive and secretive Disneyland club, "Club 66."

STREAMING - From Deadline:  New cast members have been announced for Paramount+'s "Jon Benet Ramsey" series, based on the infamous murder case from Christmas 1996 in Boulder, Colorado.  The new cast includes Garrett Hedlund and Emily Mitchell..

2024 CREATIVE ARTS EMMYS:

From THR:  A list of "Night 2" winners (Sun., Sept. 8th)

From THR:  A list of "Night 1" winners (Sat., Sept. 7th)

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL - From THR:  At the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Spanish film director, Pedro Almodovar wins the top prize, the "Golden Lion," for his film, "The Room Next Door."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/6 to 9/8/2024 weekend box office is Warner Bros.' Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with an estimated take of 110 million dollars.

AMAZON - From Variety:  Amazon Studios is developing a spinoff of its popular "Reacher" series. Details are still being kept secret.

TELEVISION - From PBS:  Geoff Bennett of PBS interviews Meg James of "The Los Angeles Times" about the Disney/DirectTV carriage dispute.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American actor, film producer, and race car driver, Chad McQueen, has died at the age of 63, Wednesday, September 11, 2024.  McQueen was the only son of the iconic late actor, Steve McQueen.  He is best known for playing the character, "Dutch," in two of the 1980s "The Karate Kid" movies.

From Deadline:  American actor, James Earl Jones, has died at the age of 93, Monday, September 9, 2024.  Earl was known for his iconic voice and for his work in theatre.  He famously provided the voice of iconic villain, "Darth Vader," in the original "Star Wars" films.  He made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove" (1964).  He would go on to make memorable turns in such films as "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), "Matewan" (1987), "Coming to America" (1988), and "The Lion King" (1994, 2019).  One of his most famous film roles was as the reclusive writer, "Terence Mann," in the 1989 film, "Field of Dreams."  In 2011, he received an Honorary Academy Award for "Lifetime Achievement."  He won two Primetime Emmy Awards from eight nominations. He won a Daytime Emmy Awards and nominated one other time.  He won the "Best Actor in a Play" Tony Award twice and was nominated two other times. He also one a "Special Tony Award" for lifetime achievement.

From Deadline:  James Earl Jones: a life and career in photos.

From Variety:  Denzel Washington pays tribute to James Earl Jones, saying "He is who I wanted to be."

From THR:  Kevin Costner pens a tribute to his "Field of Dreams" co-star, the late James Earl Jones who died today, Mon., Sept. 9th.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 7th, 2024 - UPDATE #10

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From PBS:  Geoff Bennett of PBS interviews Meg James of "The Los Angeles Times" about the Disney/DirectTV carriage dispute.

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  Director Tim Burton's new film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, earns 12 million dollars in Thursday preview showing.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Fox is cancelling the "9-1-1," spinoff, "9-1-1, Lone Star," at the end of this, it's fifth season, for which there will be 12 episodes.  The original, "9-1-1," moved to ABC and has been renewed for an eighth season.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Peacock has ordered a contemperoary television series adaptation of the 1989 horror-comedy, "The 'Burbs," which starred Tom Hanks and the late Carrie Fisher.  Keke Palmer will star and executive produce. Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy") is also one of the executive producers.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Glenn Close's portrayal as the character "Alberta" in Lee Daniel's Netflix film, "Deliverance," has people talking.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/30 to 9/1 Labor Day weekend box office (3-day totals) is Disney/Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine with an estimated take of 15.2 million dollars.

MOVIES - From THR:  "The Hollywood Reporter" profiles actress Naomi Ackie who is hot right now, including for her turn in Zoe Kravitz's Blink Twice.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Star couple, Daneel and Jensen Ackles are producing a sequel/reboot of the former The WB/The CW series, "One Tree Hill" (2003-12), for Netflix.

THE APPRENTICE:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Kinematics, the film financier backed by disgraced former Washington Redskins owner, Dan Snyder, has exited the Donald Trump biopic, "The Apprentice."  James Shani, one of the film's executive producers, has bought Kinematics interest in the film via his Rich Spirit.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The Donald Trump movie, "The Apprentice," is still headed for a Fall release.  Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Trump's mentor, the late Roy Cohn, the already controversial film is slated for an October 11th release... maybe.

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL:

From THR:  Actor Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult say the both went to a "dark place" for the neo-Nazi crime thriller, "The Order" (based on a true story). The film is due Dec. 2024.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 25th 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).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES/BOOKS - From TheNewYorker and RSN:  "Remembering a Childhood in the South Bronx" by Al Pacino, an excerpt from his memoir, "Sonny Boy."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The next "Jurassic World" film has a title and some first-look photos.  "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is due July 2, 2025.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  "John Wick" franchise director, Chad Stahelski, is developing author Jonathan Maberry's "Joe Ledger" novel series for television.

VENCIE FILM FESTIVAL - From Deadline:  In Venice to receive the Venice Film Festival's "Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award," Sigourney Weaver talks about her work in the "Alien" and "Avatar" franchises.  She looks back at her career and talks about upcoming films.

From Deadline:  At the Venice Film Festival 2024, director Tim Burton talks about his new film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," which makes its premiere.

From Deadline:  The critics are talking about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice after its Venice Film Festival premiere.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  What's coming to Netflix in September 2024? How about "Uglies," which is based on Scott Westerfeld's dystopian novel series, on Sept. 13th.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Actress Erika Alexander, who starred as "Maxine Shaw" in in the former Fox sitcom, "Living Single," is partnering with "WeScreenplay" to bolster opportunities for underrepresented voices and marginalized people.  Alexander and her production partner, Ben Arnon, are working with "WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Labs" to offer a series of workshops, mentorship programs, and writing labs designed to empower writers from diverse backgrounds.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/23 to 8/25/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" with an estimated take of 18.3 million dollars.

From Deadline:  "Inside Out 2" becomes the first animated film to cross the one-billion dollar mark in overseas box office.  It is currently at 1.003 billion dollars.

From Deadline:  The 15th anniversary release of the 2009 animated film, Coraline, is among the top performers at the indie box office.

TELEVISION - From THR:  Angela Bassett speaks on why she initially declined the offer to narrate National Geographic's Emmy-nominated documentary miniseries, "Queens."  The series examines animal matriarchies from Costa Rica to the Congo.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Chick-Fil-A is developing its on streaming service. It will apparently focus on "family-friendly" unscripted series.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 18th to 24th, 2024 - UPDATE #13

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 Deadline:  Oscar-winning Alejandro G. Iñàrritu’s untitled movie with Tom Cruise continues to add to its stellar cast.  The Warner Bros and Legendary Entertainment film now includes such cast members as Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons and Sophie Wilde. Oscar winner Riz Ahmed is in final negotiations to join the cast.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Ted Danson's upcoming Netflix comedy, "A Man on the Inside," now has a premiere date of November 2024 and some first-look photos.

FESTIVALS - From Deadline:  The Santa Barbara Film Festival 2024 (Oct. 18-24) will hold a retrospective on the films of Denis Villeneuve.

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Skydance, which really covets Paramount Global, encourages the company's board to ignore American businessman Edgar Bronfman, Jr.'s 6 billion dollar offer.

From Deadline:  American businessman and media executive, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., makes his move to obtain Paramount Global with a 4.3 billion dollar offer.

KAMALA - From Deadline:  Director and Oscar-nominated film producer, Reginald Hudlin, has directed the short biopic film that will be shown just before Vice-President Kamala Harris gives her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, May 22, 2024. Hudlin and his wife, Chrisette, are friends of VP Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/16 to 8/18/2024 weekend box office is 20th Century Studios' Alien: Romulus with an estimated take of 41.5 million dollars.

From EW:  How Alien: Romulus resurrected the late Ian Holm, who starred in "Alien," for a new character.

MUSIC/POLITICS - From RSN:  A "Rolling Stone" list of music acts that don't want Donald Trump using their music.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  "The Union" director Julian Farino explain why Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry never kiss in the newly released Netflix feature.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Colin Firth is looking to join Emily Blunt in Steven Spielberg's next film, which is due May 2026. The unnamed film would be Spielberg's first major summer release in years.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American media personality and television talk show host, Phil Donahue, has died at the age of 88, Sunday, August 18, 2024.  Donahue was best known for "The Phil Donahue Show," later renamed "Donahue."  It began in Dayton, Ohio and the ended after a 29-year run in New York City in 1996. It was the first talk show format to include audience participation.  Donahue returned to TV with the MSNBC talk show, "Donahue," which began in July 2002 and was cancelled in February 2003, apparently because Donahue opposed the then imminent U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003.  Donahue was nominated for 20 Daytime Emmy Awards for hosting his talk show, and won eight times.  He also received two special Daytime Emmys.

From THR:  Iconic French actor, Alain Delon, has died at the age of 88, Sunday, August 18, 2024.  His style, looks, and movie roles made him one of the biggest actors of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and made him an enduring star of European cinema.  Among his best known films are "Purple Noon" (1960), "The Leopard" (1963), "Le Samourai" (1967), and "Un Flic" (1972).  Although he moved to Hollywood briefly in the mid-1960s, and made several films, including "Once a Thief" (1965) and "Lost Command" (1965), he was never able to crack the American audience.

From Deadline:  "Deadline" looks back at the career of French film icon, Alain Delon, with an overview of his best films.

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

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OBITS:

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

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

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 21st to 31st, 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:

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Layoffs at Disney Entertainment Television have begun with 140 people let go. National Geographic lost 60 employees - 13 percent of its staff.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  NBC expects to surpass 1.25 billion dollars in advertising sales from its broadcast of the Paris Olympics. It previously reached 1.25 billion in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

MOVIES - From BBC:  The site looks at the "10 best films to watch in August," from Alien Romulus to "The Crow."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 7/26 to 7/28/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine with an estimated take of 205 million dollars.

From Variety:   Deadpool vs. Wolverine had a 96 million dollar opening day (Fri., July 26th). It's the largest for an R-rated film and the sixth largest of all time.

From THR:  Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" has now surpassed Disney's "Frozen II" as the all-time highest grossing animated film at the global box office.  It's 1.462 billion dollars passed the "Frozen" sequel's 1.451 billion dollars. 

STAR TREK - From Deadline:  Akiva Goldsman says that "Star Trek" might be staged as a musical.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed that it has hired former Netflix Chairman of Film and former Vice Chairman of Universal, Scott Stuber, to revive the "United Artists" label for them.  Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner also tried to revive United Artists about 16 years ago.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Apple Original Films has won the auction for the rights to adapt author Jonathan Tropper's short story, "The Corsair Code." Tropper will adapt the story, which is attached to actor Chris Hemsworth.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  AMC and AMC+'s "The Terror" Season 3 rounds out its cast with CCH Pounder, Judith Light, and Stephen Root.

POLITICS - Variety:  Hollywood donors feel tremendous enthusiasm for Democratic Presidential candidate, Vice-President Kamala Harris.

From THR:  Netflix's Reed donates $7 million dollars to VP Kamala Harris' election campaign.

FILM FESTIVALS - From Deadline:  The full lineup of films for the 81st Venice Film Festival have been announced, and among the big names is "Joker: Folie a Deux."  The festival runs from August 28th to September 7th, 2024.

From Deadline:  The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival announced its full lineup of "Galas 2024" and "Special Presentations 2024," and which amounts to 63 films from 25 countries.  Many include films are from celebrated directors and star some of the biggest names in domestic and international cinema.  TIFF 2024 runs September 5th to 15th, 2024.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Recent Oscar winner Brendan Fraser ("The Whale") will portray Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower in Working Title and Studiocanal‘s upcoming D-Day movie, "Pressure."

AMAZON - From Deadline:   Amazon Prime Video has taken another big leap into the UK film and TV industry by acquiring Bray Film Studios, the 70-year-old studios where "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is filmed.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/19 to 7/21/2024 weekend box office is Universal's "Twisters" with an estimated take of 80.5 million dollars.

POLITICS - From Variety:  President Joe Biden has ended his re-election bid.

From TheAtlantic or RSN:  Just in cast you'd forgotten J.D. Vance's critique, "Opioid of the Masses," of his now running mate, Donald Trump, here are two sources where you can enjoy it.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999), director Stanley Kubrick's final film.  The film starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who were married at the time of the film's production and release.  Recently, Kidman talked about how Kubrick found inspiration in the marriage for his film.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Paramount+ has cancelled "Halo," its video game adaptation, after two seasons.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 7th to 13th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

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:

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Today (Fri., July 12th) in New Mexico, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter trial against Alec Baldwin. Baldwin has been charged in the 2021 accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."  Judge Sommer accused the state of repeatedly failing to disclose key evidence to Baldwin's defense team.  The trial was dismissed without prejudice meaning it cannot be refiled.  The already-convicted armorer on the film, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed could also be released from prison.

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin racks up a win early in his trial on involuntary manslaughter charges.  Baldwin is being tried for the shooting death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, in 2021 on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

POLITICS - From TheNewYorkTimes:  George Clooney says that he loves President Joe Biden, but that Biden has got to go... with friends like this...

STREAMING - From Variety:  Halle Berry and Glenn Close is joining Ryan Murphy's Hulu legal drama, "All's Fair," which will star Kim Kardashian.  Berry and Close will join Kardashian as executive producers.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/5 to 7/7/2024 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 75 million dollars.

BUSINESS - From Variety:  David Ellison meets the press in the way of his company, Skydance Media, gobbling up Paramount Global.

From Deadline:  David Ellison's Skydance Media and its backers are taking over Paramount Global with an 8 billion dollar investment.  Ellison will be chairman and CEO of the merged companies, and the deal is expected to be closed by mid-2025.

From Deadline:  A special committee of Paramount Global board members has given a key approval vote to Skydance Media's bid to gain the controlling share of National Amusements Inc., the parent company of Paramount.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinki talk about next summer's blockbuster film, "F1," starring Brad Pitt.

From WorldofReel:  There is a first poster for director Joseph Kosinski's "F1," which stars Brad Pitt. The film is due Summer 2025. Kosinski directed the megahit, "Top Gun: Maverick."

OBITS:

From Variety:  American television fitness guru and personality and author, Richard Simmons, has died at the age of 76, Saturday, July 13, 2024.  Simmons was best known for his extensive line of self-help books and videos related to exercise and weight-loss.  His best known series is probably the "Sweatin' to the Oldies," initially released on videocassette.  He gained fame as a fitness guru after opening his exercise studio, "The Anatomy Asylum," in 1974.  By the late 70s and into the early 1980s, he began consistently appearing on television.  From 1980-84, he hosted "The Richard Simmons Show," which was nominated for seven Daytime Emmy Awards and won four.  After the series ended, Simmons continued to make numerous TV and public appearances.  Beginning in 2014, Simmons largely became a recluse.

From THR:  American film and television actress and TV producer, Shelley Duvall, has died at the age of 75, Thursday, July 11, 2024.  Early on in her career, Duvall was the protege of director, Robert Altman, who discovered her, and she appeared in several of his films, including "Brewster's McCloud" (1970) and "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971), and "Nashville" (1975).  Known for playing eccentric roles, she starred in "Popeye" (1980), the adaptation of the famed newspaper comics strip and animated cartoon series.  Duvall's most famous role may be that of the tormented wife, "Wendy Torrance," opposite Jack Nicholson's "Jack Torrance" in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980).  As a producer she earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on children's programming.

From Variety:  The magazine's Owen Gleiberman writes a remembrance of actress Shelley Duvall, who died Thurs., July 11th.

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

From Deadline:  American actor and voice artist and former child star, Benji Gregory, has died at the age of 46, Thursday, June 13, 2024.  Gregory is best known for the role of "Brian Tanner" on the former NBC sitcom, "Alf" (1986-90). Gregory also performed voice roles on such animated series as "Pound Puppies" and the "Back to the Future" animated series.

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

From Deadline:  American film producer, Jon Landau, has died at the age of 63, Friday, July 5, 2024.  Landau was best known for his association with writer-director James Cameron and was the COO of Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment.  Landau shared the "Best Picture" Oscar win with Cameron for the 1997 film, "Titanic."  He also received "Best Picture" Oscar nominations for "Avatar" (2009) and "Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022).

From Deadline:  In mourning the death of his close friend and collaborator, Jon Landau, James Cameron says "a part of myself has been torn away."

From Deadline:  Hollywood is shocked by the death of Oscar-winning producer Jon Landau ("Titanic), and they salute his vision, achievements, and kindness.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 23rd to 30th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

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:

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/28 to 6/30/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 57.4 million dollars.

MOVIES - From THR:  Denis Villeneuve's next film from Warner Bros. will arrive in 2026.  It could be the third film in the "Dune" series, "Dune: Messiah."

TELEVISION - From Variety:  Actor Jared Padalecki says goodbye to his series, "Walker," on The CW.  And he has harsh words for the "cheap" network.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  The Los Angeles Lakers' new coach, JJ Reddick, meets the press.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The "Harry Potter" television reboot series is taking shape under the guidance of a duo from HBO's hit, "Succession."  Francesca Gardiner will write and Mark Mylod will direct the series.  The series is due in 2026.

From Deadline:  The "Harry Potter" TV series and the "IT" prequel series, "Welcome to Derry," are headed to HBO as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming "rethink."

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety:  Recent Oscar-nominee, Lily Gladstone, is among 487 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Reminiscing about his past with the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, actor Judge Reinhold had signed onto the 1984 original film when the project was an action movie with Sylvester Stallone set to star.  The film later become a comedy starring Eddie Murphy.  The new film, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" is due on Netflix July 3rd.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/21 to 6/23/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 100 million dollars.

From THR:  "Inside Out 2's" 100 million dollars in box office is the all-time record for an animated feature film. That is also the seventh-biggest weekend for any film.

REMEMBRANCE - From Jacobin:  Apparently, the recently deceased actor, Donald Sutherland, was a man on the political left and he never abandoned those principles.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Jonathan Majors has come in from the cold. He will star in the revenge thriller, "Merciless." The film will be directed by Martin Villeneuve, the younger brother of "Dune" director, Denis Villeneuve.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Actor, musician, and comedian, Martin Mull, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, June 27, 2024.  He is best known for roles in such satirical series as "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and "Fernwood 2 Night" and it continuation, "America 2 Night."  He had recurring roles in the former ABC sitcoms, "Rosanne" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."  He was a lead in the sadly, short-lived Fox comedy, "The Cool Kids."  His best known film role may be as "Colonel Mustard" in 1985's "Clue."  He as nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on HBO's "Veep."

From Variety:  American film and television actor, Bill Cobbs, has died at the age of 90, Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  A prolific actor, Cobbs appeared in such films as "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984), "New Jack City" (1991), "The Bodyguard" (1992), "Ghosts of Mississippi" (1996), and "Night at the Museum" (2006), to name a few.  A frequent presence on numerous TV series, he appeared on such series as "I'll Fly Away," "The Drew Carey Show," and "Star Trek: Enterprise."  He was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on the Canadian children's television series, "Dino Dana," winning the award in 2020.

From Deadline:  American television executive, Jamie Kellner, has died at the age of 77, Friday, June 21, 2024.  Kellner helped founded two broadcasts networks, the Fox Broadcasting Company (1986), and The WB (1994).  Later, he would succeed Ted Turner as head of Turner Broadcasting System (2000).  Among the TV series Kellner helped develop were "The Simpsons," "Married... with Children," and "In Living Color" at Fox and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dawson's Creek" at The WB.

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, Spencer Milligan, has died at the age of 86, Thursday, April 18, 2024.  He was best known for playing, "Rick Marshall," the father of Will and Holly Marshall, during the first two seasons on the children's live-action, sci-fi TV series, "Land of the Lost" (NBC, 1974-75).