Naruto Movie, "Road to Ninja" Hits Theatres in August 214

VIZ MEDIA AND ELEVEN ARTS PRESENT THE THEATRICAL PREMIERE OF ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE FEATURE FILM IN OVER 45 MAJOR U.S. CITIES IN AUGUST

The World’s Most Popular Ninja Returns In His Newest Action-Packed Feature Film Adventure

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, partners with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS to invite anime fans across the U.S. to attend a special theatrical premiere of ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE (dubbed) in a host of major cites starting on Friday, August 29TH.

The new film, which is the sixth in the massively popular NARURTO SHIPPUDEN feature film series, will premiere in more than 45 cities throughout the U.S. including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle and other major locations. Tickets will go on sale starting Friday, July 11th. Additional ticket information and a complete list of theatre locations are available at:

http://www.elevenarts.net/th_gallery/naruto-roadtoninja.

In the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature film, long ago, a mysterious masked shinobi unleashed the Nine-Tailed Fox onto the Village Hidden in the Leaves to spread chaos and destruction. But the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife Kushina Uzumaki sealed the Tailed Beast into their newborn son, Naruto, to save the village, foiling the shinobi’s plan.

Years later, Naruto and his friends succeed in driving away the infamous Akatsuki, who have mysteriously returned from the dead. Upon returning to the village, the young shinobi are praised by their families for completing a dangerous mission. Reminded of how alone he is, Naruto begins to wonder what it’s like to have parents, when a strange masked figure appears before him – the same masked shinobi responsible for the death of his parents!

“ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE dives into the past and takes viewers on a fateful adventure depicting how Naruto and Sakura prevent one of their mortal enemies from stealing the Nine-tailed Fox Demon sealed inside the young ninja and fans will not want to miss this special opportunity to catch all the action in this special multi-city theatrical premiere,” says Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media Senior Marketing Manager, Animation.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

Additional information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About ELEVEN ARTS:
ELEVEN ARTS is the Los Angeles based film distribution company that has brought many acclaimed Japanese films, live-action and animated features, to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS’s major live-action titles include Japan Academy Awards winner Memories of Tomorrow (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director (with The Twilight Samurai in 2004) Yoji Yamada’s samurai film Love and Honor. ELEVEN ARTS is also a respected distributor of popular animation titles such as the Evangelion franchise, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings/ Part 2: Eternal/ Part 3: Rebellion, TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: The Rising, and Short Peace. For additional information, go to www.elevenarts.net.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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Shooting Begins on 3D Tarzan Film Due in 2016

Tarzan Swings into Action as Filming Begins on the New 3D Action Adventure

Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, and Christoph Waltz are starring in the Jerry Weintraub production under the direction of David Yates

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ new Tarzan 3D action adventure, starring Alexander Skarsgård (HBO’s “True Blood”) as the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters, including “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 & 2,” is directing. Jerry Weintraub (“Behind the Candelabra,” the “Ocean’s” trilogy) is producing the film, together with David Barron (the “Harry Potter” films, upcoming “Cinderella”). Susan Ekins, Nikolas Korda, David Yates, Mike Richardson and Bruce Berman are serving as executive producers.

The feature also stars Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson (“Pulp Fiction,” the “Captain America” films), Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond,” “Gladiator”), Oscar nominee John Hurt (“The Elephant Man,” the “Harry Potter” films), and two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds,” “Django Unchained”).

It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan (Skarsgård) left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane (Robbie) at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the Belgian, Captain Leon Rom (Waltz). But those behind the murderous plot have no idea what they are about to unleash.

The adventure is being shot at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, as well as on location around the UK.

Collaborating with Yates behind the scenes, the creative team includes director of photography Henry Braham (“The Golden Compass”), Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig (“Dangerous Liaisons,” “The English Patient,” the “Harry Potter” films), editor Mark Day (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 & 2”), and Oscar-nominated costume designer Ruth Myers (“Emma,” “Unknown”).

A Jerry Weintraub production, the Tarzan action adventure is slated for release on July 1, 2016, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

Frank Miller, Adam West Among Stars Celebrating 75 Years of Batman at San Diego Comic-Con

DC Entertainment Celebrates 75 Years of Batman with All-Star Panels at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 Featuring Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns and More

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Present Unparalleled Line-Up of Batman Events Including ‘Gotham’ Premiere, ‘Assault on Arkham’ Premiere, Cape-Cowl-Create Art Exhibit, and a Star-Studded 1960s Batman TV Panel

Comic-Con 2014

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DC Entertainment (DCE) will descend upon Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 (July 24 to 27, 2014) with a terrific line-up of all-star panels, can’t-miss events, and exclusive reveals, all to celebrate the milestone 75th anniversary of the world’s most popular Super Hero – DC Comics’ Batman. Celebration highlights include a pair of panels that will bring together a spectacular collection of Batman talent, a once-in-a-lifetime art exhibit, and a rare look at some of the most famous Batman film costumes in history.

The centerpiece to DCE’s plans includes two can’t-miss panel events where heralded names from Batman lore will join forces for an ultimate fan experience.

• Batman 75: Legends of The Dark Knight – In celebration of Batman’s 75-year history, join comic icons Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, DCE Co-Publisher and renowned Batman artist Jim Lee (BATMAN: HUSH), DCE Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns (BATMAN: EARTH ONE), current BATMAN creative team, writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, along with vintage superstar BATMAN team writer Denny O’Neill and artist Neal Adams in an in-depth discussion on the legendary character’s explosive adventures in comics both past and present. Thursday 3:30-4:30pm Room 6BCF

• Batman 75th Anniversary – Delve into how Batman has been brought to life in comics, TV, movies and video games with Lee, Johns, BATMAN ’66 MEETS THE GREEN HORNET co-writer and KROQ radio personality Ralph Garman, the legendary voice of Batman Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Arkham Knight), producer and writer Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series), and Peter Girardi, Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros Animation. Saturday 4-5:00pm Room 6BCF

The celebration also continues with a staggering collection of must-own items and exciting events from DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

    Celebrate the long-awaited home entertainment debut of Batman: The Complete Television Series with a can’t-miss panel featuring Batman on-screen legends Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar. Thursday 6-7pm Hall H

    For the supreme Batman fan experience, DC Entertainment’s interactive 4,500 square foot booth (#1915) will hold costumes donned by those who famously brought the legendary hero to life on film including Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and Christian Bale. Plus, the booth will host signings with top talent including Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, John Romita Jr., Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and more, along with a full slate of free giveaways, fan events and on-stage demonstrations.

    Attend the world premiere of Warner Bros. Television and FOX’s upcoming show Gotham during the star-studded “A Night of DC Entertainment” Hall H panel on Saturday evening from 8:00–11:00 p.m. Gotham tells the origin story of some of DC Comics’ greatest Super-Villains and vigilantes, following Detective Jim Gordon’s rise to power in a dangerously corrupt city that would spawn iconic characters such as The Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler and a young Bruce Wayne. The Gotham premiere is part of the action-packed three-hour WBTV/DC Entertainment panel that will also highlight Arrow, The Flash and Constantine, with Arrow star Stephen Amell serving as master of ceremonies. Saturday 8-11pm Hall H

    Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Batman at Comic-Con by unveiling life-size recreations of The Dark Knight’s iconic cowl headpiece and cape from the upcoming “Batman: Arkham Knight” videogame in the Hard Rock Hotel’s Legends Room. The Dark Knight’s iconic mantle will be re-imagined by top artists and celebrities including Zack Snyder (Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice), Mister Cartoon, Buff Monster, Zso (Sara Blake), Apex, Michael Hsiung, Will Arnett (The Lego Movie) Jeff Lemire and Ivan Reis. The “Cape/Cowl/Create” exhibition will be open to the public Friday through Sunday. Exhibit hours are 12-7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

    Join the cast and creators of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s highly anticipated world premiere of Batman: Assault on Arkham animated film including the definitive voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy. Based on the best-selling video game series, Batman: Arkham, this action-packed film takes place between the Batman: Arkham Origins video game and Batman: Arkham Asylum video game. Friday 7-9:00pm Ballroom 20

    Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games present an inside look at LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham with an animated panel discussion featuring exclusive first look at new gameplay, content reveals and announcements by TT Games Game Director Arthur Parsons and Executive Producer Phill Ring, along with a stellar line-up of voice talent from the game. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham will also be playable for consumer hands-on throughout the show. Sunday 1-2 pm Room 6BCF

    The Caped Crusader will tower over Gotham on the cover of Comic-Con 2014’s official Souvenir Book and on a must-own, Con exclusive t-shirt in a spectacular design penciled and inked by Lee.

    Join the writers and artists behind current Batman universe titles including BATMAN team Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Marc Andreyko (BATWOMAN), Brian Buccellato (DETECTIVE COMICS), Pat Gleason (BATMAN AND ROBIN), Greg Pak (BATMAN/SUPERMAN), and Peter Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN) for a special panel to discuss what’s in store for the World’s Greatest Detective.

    DC Collectibles will reveal a stellar new line of action figures based on the highly anticipated videogame from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Batman: Arkham Knight. Also, make sure to stop by Diamond retailers on the show floor to purchase DC Collectibles’ Harley Quinn convention exclusive statue.

    Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) joins the celebration at the DC Comics booth with fan-focused showcases, exclusives, and giveaways from key licensing partners each day of Comic-Con at 11am and 3pm. On Thursday, WBCP and partworks publisher Eaglemoss will present their line of Batmobiles throughout the ages; Friday will bring fan-favorite clothing company Black Milk to the stage with a display of its Batman and DC Comics Super Heroes-inspired line of female-focused apparel; Saturday, or Harley Quinn Day, will see WBCP and Hot Topic launch the new Hot Topic-exclusive Harleen lifestyle collection in a fashion show parade, while calling all Harley Quinn cos-players at Comic-Con to the DC Comics booth to join the fun; and Sunday, new WBCP and DC Comics partner, Schleich, will premiere its new DC Comics collectible figure line, with Batman at the forefront. Additionally, dozens of WBCP partners will be a-buzz around the Comic-Con show floor with exclusives and can’t-miss giveaways over the course of the show.

    Warner Archive Collection presents “A Batman for all Seasons” on Sunday at Noon. Join producer James Tucker, producer/director Brandon Vietti, WAC Podcast hosts Matthew Patterson and DW Ferranti and surprise guests, as they examine Batman iterations and oddities throughout history, from early films like “Public Defender” and the Batman cartoons, to new versions of the character, the off-kilter takes and new media. Sunday 12-1pm Room 7AB

    Fans will be able to pick up a wide variety of items exclusively available at this year’s Comic-Con - including variant cover editions of some of DC Comics’ most popular series. The Graphitti Designs booth (#2314) will offer variant editions of BATMAN #32, GRAYSON #1, and two versions of HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL #1.

Can’t make the Con? DC Entertainment’s website is the go-to place for behind the scenes coverage and in-depth interviews.

Download the DC Entertainment Events App on Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store to stay up to speed on all DC Entertainment signings and panels at San Diego Comic-Con.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

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"Black Dynamite" Cast and Creator DVD Signing on Tuesday, July 15th

Meet the Cast & Creators of Black Dynamite Tuesday, July 15th, 2014 at Amoeba Music in Hollywood!

WHO:
Michael Jai White, voice of 'Black Dynamite', Creator, Producer, Writer (“Arrow”), Carl Jones, Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Director (“The Boondocks”), Tommy Davidson, voice of 'Cream Corn’ ( "In Living Color") and Byron Minns, voice of ‘Bullhorn', Creator, Writer.

WHAT & WHY:
In anticipation of Adult Swim's Black Dynamite: Season One debuting on Blu-ray and DVD July 15th, there will be a signing event at Amoeba Music in Hollywood with filmmakers and voice talent from the top-rated Adult Swim TV series and 2009 live–action film!

WHERE:
Amoeba Music
Address: 6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 245-6400

WHEN:
Tuesday, July 15th
DVD Signing: 6:00pm – 7:30pm PST

Black Dynamite Season Two Premieres October 2014 on Adult Swim

Black Dynamite, the 30-minute animated series, is back for a second season on Adult Swim. Based on 2009’s critically acclaimed feature film, the Black Dynamite animated series further chronicles the exploits of the central character, Black Dynamite, and his crew. Under the direction of Executive Producer Carl Jones (The Boondocks), the series features the voice talents of Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Kym Whitley and Byron Minns, all of whom starred in the feature film.

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Black Dynamite Makes Its Explosive Blu-Ray™ and DVD Debut In All-New Adult Swim Release, Black Dynamite Season One

Available July 15, Series’ Inaugural Blu-ray and DVD Release Includes 10 First Season Episodes Plus Behind-The-Scenes Featurette Original Pilot and Video Commentaries

This July, bust out your best polyester pants suit because Black Dynamite and his crew are about to explode onto the scene in all-new Blu-ray and DVD release, Black Dynamite Season One. The inaugural home entertainment release from the top-rated Adult Swim series will be available to own on July 15, 2014. Featuring all ten 30-minute episodes from the series’ first season, the Blu-ray and DVD release also contains a host of bonus content including the original pilot, a behind-the-scenes featurette and video commentaries with series creator Carl Jones (The Boondocks) and cast members. Black Dynamite Season One will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 on Blu-ray and $29.98 on two-disc DVD set, with a retailer pre-order date of June 10.

The series’ titular character Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White) is a 1970s renaissance man with a kung-fu grip. He is a lover and a fighter who is not afraid to leap before he looks. His sidekick extraordinaire is Bullhorn, the brains and cunning that complements Black Dynamite’s hard-hittin’, bone-crushin’ style. Providing comic relief on the mean streets is Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson) and classing up the place is the gorgeous Honey Bee (Kym Whitley).

Based on 2009’s critically-acclaimed feature film, the Black Dynamite animated series further chronicles the exploits of the central character and his crew. Under the direction of Carl Jones, the series features the voice talent of Michael Jai White (For Better or Worse, The Dark Knight, Why Did I Get Married?), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color, Bamboozled), Kym Whitley (The Cleveland Show, Brian McKnight Show), and Byron Minns (Mongo Wrestling Alliance), all of whom starred in the feature film. The animated series is produced by Ars Nova, with Jon Steingart, Carl Jones, and Jillian Apfelbaum as executive producers. Brian Ash is co-executive producer. Scott Sanders, Michael Jai White and Byron Minns are producers. Monica Jones is associate producer. Lesean Thomas is creative producer/supervising director. Original music is provided by Adrian Younge. Black Dynamite is being animated by Titmouse, Inc.

The series’ first season, which aired on Adult Swim during the summer of 2012, was the top-rated show in its timeslot for both adults and men 18-34, with more than five million adults and three million men tuning in to get a piece of Black Dynamite, according to Nielsen Media Research. The second season of the series will debut this summer on Adult Swim.

Black Dynamite Season One Basics:
Street Date: July 15, 2014
Blu-ray SRP: $39.99
DVD SRP: $29.98
Blu-ray UPC Code: 883929277032
DVD UPC Code: 883929277049
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
Feature Running Time: 264 minutes

About Warner Home Video:
With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

About Adult Swim:
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network among persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 99 million U.S. homes.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for July 6 to July 12, 2014 - Updated #10

NEWS:

From MotherJones:  United Nations website announces that Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame is a celebrity goodwill ambassador and the site crashes.

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From Variety:  Colin Farrell in Season 2 of hit HBO drama, "True Detective."

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From TheWrap:  66th (2014) Prime Time EMMY NOMINATIONS! have been announced.  Seth Meyers will host the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony which will be broadcast live on NBC, Sunday, August 25th, 2014.

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From CBS:  Halle Berry talks about why she did "Extant."

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From MSNMovies:  Christopher Nolan penned an editorial for the Wall Street Journal.  MSN provides highlights.

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From Yahoo:  Some people just cannot wait for December 18, 2015.

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From WebProNews:  Sigourney Weaver reveals plot details for "Ghostbusters 3."  Of course, plot details and release dates keep changing.

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From CBRSpinoff: Guillermo del Toro hints at changes in "Pacific Rim 2."

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From EW:  New Star Wars Episode VII cast additions:  Brit male Pip Andersen and American female Crystal Clarke.

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From SlashFilm:  Video of Kevin Smith talking about his visit to the London set of Star Wars Episode VII.  He cries about the visit - lucky bastard.

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From Variety:  Transformers: Age of Extinction leads surprisingly bad 4th of July weekend (July 4 tp July 6, 2014).

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From Yahoo:  Robert De Niro talks about his recent flops and his gay father, Robert De Niro, Sr. to Katie Couric.

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From WeGotThisCovered:  Is Mark Wahlberg the new Six Million Dollar Man?


COMIC BOOK MOVIES:

From WeGotThisCovered:  Did Warner Bros. Hire Kevin Smith to write a fake "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice" script?


COMICS NEWS:

From the ComicBookBin:  Black soul - yes. Black soles - ugh!


FILM and TV TRAILERS:

From FOX:  Exodus: Gods and Kings, which is due December 2014.

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From YouTube:  Gone Girl directed by David Fincher with Ben Affleck and the fab Rosamund Pike.  Tyler Perry plays an attorney. (October 3, 2014)

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"Gotham," the Fall 2014 TV series on FOX, has a new Villains trailer.  The series is set in pre-Batman Gotham City.

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OBITS:

From TheWrap:  Paul Apted, the son of director Michael Apted, died of Friday, July 4, 2014.  Apted worked as a sound editor on such films as The Fault in Our Stars and The Wolverine.  Negromancer sends condolences to Apted's family and friends.


MISC:

From YahooSports:  LeBron James returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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From Yahoo:  Newspaper headline refers to President Obama with the "N-word," but it's actually for a pro-Obama editorial.

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From BehindtheSteelCurtain:  Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown, works out with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.  Below is a picture the movie star and NFL star that The Rock tweeted from his Twitter account, @TheRock.

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STARZ Celebrates 11 Emmy Nominations for the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards

STARZ Receives a Network Record of 11 Emmy® Award Nominations Including “The White Queen” for Outstanding Miniseries and Chiwetel Ejiofor for Lead Actor in a Miniseries

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--STARZ miniseries and original series were nominated for a network record of 11 Emmy® nominations this morning at the 66th Primetime Emmy® nomination announcement at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood, Calif. The network garnered one nomination in the Outstanding Miniseries category for its original miniseries, “The White Queen” and Chiwetel Ejiofor received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for “Dancing on the Edge.”

    “We proudly congratulate our nominees on being recognized for their exceptional achievements.”

"We thank the Television Academy for honoring five of our programs with a total of 11 nominations, which represents a new record for our network," said Starz CEO, Chris Albrecht. "We proudly congratulate our nominees on being recognized for their exceptional achievements."

Complete nominations include:

“The White Queen”

Outstanding Mini Series
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Movie
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score)

“Dancing on the Edge”
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

“Black Sails”
Outstanding Special and Visual Effects in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
Outstanding Sound Editing
Outstanding Main Title Design

“Da Vinci’s Demons”
Outstanding Special and Visual Effects in a Supporting Role

“Magic City”
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of March 31, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.3 million subscribers, including 21.9 million at STARZ, and 34.4 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air over 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

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Review: "Pompeii" an Enjoyable Historical Spectacle

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 31 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Pompeii (2014)
Running time:  105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense battle sequences, disaster-related action and brief sexual content
DIRECTOR:  Paul W.S. Anderson
WRITER:  Janet Scott Batchler and Lee Batchler, and Michael Robert Johnson
PRODUCERS:  Paul W.S. Anderson, Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer, and Don Carmody
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Glen MacPherson (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Michele Conroy
COMPOSER:  Clinton Shorter

HISTORICAL/DRAMA/ACTION/ADVENTURE

Starring:  Kit Harrington, Emily Browning, Carrie-Anne Moss, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kiefer Sutherland, Jessica Lucas, Jared Harris, Joe Pingue, Currie Graham, Sasha Roiz, Dalmar Abuzeid, and Dylan Schombing

Pompeii was an ancient Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania.  Pompeii and the surrounding area (including another town) were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Pompeii is a 2014 historical drama and disaster film from director Paul W.S. Anderson, perhaps best known for his work on the Resident Evil film franchise.  Theatrically released in 3D, this film is a German and Canadian co-production.

Pompeii is set during the last two or three days before Vesuvius destroys the city.  The film focuses on a slave-turned-gladiator who finds himself in Pompeii and fighting to protect a nobleman’s young daughter from a corrupt Roman Senator, while nearby, Mount Vesuvius rumbles ominously.

Pompeii opens in Brittania in 62 AD.  Roman soldiers brutally wipe out a tribe of Celtic horsemen, and a young Celtic boy named Milo (Dylan Schombing) watches as his parents are murdered.  By 79 AD, the boy is a grown man known as “The Celt” (Kit Harrington), who is a Roman slave and talented gladiator.

Milo is taken to Pompeii during the “Festival of the Vinalia” in order to entertain the crowds.  He has an encounter with Cassia (Emily Browning), the daughter of Pompeii's ruler, Marcus Severus (Jared Harris) and his wife, Aurelia (Carrie-Anne Moss).  Milo and the young woman are drawn to each other.  However, Milo must focus his attention on Atticus (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a champion gladiator who wants to use “the Celt” to gain his freedom.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Senator Quintas Attius Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland), a close ally of Roman emperor, Titus, changes everyone’s plans.  All that planning might be why Pompeii’s people and visitors are ignoring the noise and rumbles coming from Mount Vesuvius, which towers over the area.

In the history of films set in or during the Roman Empire, Pompeii won’t be memorable.  It’s no Gladiator (2000), nor is it even on the level of a recent favorite of mine, The Eagle (2011).  Pompeii is a sword and sandal film that mixes several genres, including action-adventure, romance, the disaster film, the swashbuckler, and the historical, among others.  Each of those genres offers something enjoyable to watch in Pompeii, but overall this film is not well acted, directed, or written.

It looked to me like some of the film’s actors were struggling not to laugh during scenes when they were supposed to convey anger or pain.  Kit Harrington as Milo the Celt is cute, but he is not much of an actor, at least here.  Emily Browning as Cassia is seemingly quite passionate about this film and gives it her best effort.  Why should you watch this movie?  I don't know.

I found myself enjoying Pompeii.  I have always liked Roman Empire movies, so obviously I was going to give this film a chance.  I am glad that I did, but I won’t lie and pretend that this is an especially good film.

5 of 10
C+

Tuesday, July 08, 2014


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