Review: "Taken 2" Does Not Suffer from Middle Film Blues

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 1 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Taken 2 (2012)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  France; Language:  English
Running time: 92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sensuality
DIRECTOR: Olivier Megaton
WRITERS: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen (based on characters created by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen)
PRODUCER:  Luc Besson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Romain Lacourbas (director of photography)
EDITORS: Camille Delamarre and Vincent Tabaillon
COMPOSER: Nathaniel Méchaly

ACTION/THRILLER

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Shergedgia, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, D.B. Sweeney, and Luke Grimes

The subject of this movie review is Taken 2, a 2012 French thriller, directed by Olivier Megaton, produced by Luc Besson, and starring Liam Neeson. The film is a sequel to the 2008 film, Taken.  In Taken 2, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills finds himself facing off against the father of a man he killed while hunting for his kidnapped daughter in Paris (as seen in the first film).

Early in Taken 2, former CIA operative, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), is still trying to find ways to get closer to his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace).  This time, it is by helping her pass her driving test, which she has already failed at least twice.  Meanwhile, Bryan's ex-wife and Kim's mother, Lenore (Famke Janssen), is having severe marital problems.  All three of them are about to have worse problems than they expect.

Over in Europe, specifically in Tropojë, Albania, funerals are being held for the Parisian-based, Albanian mobsters Bryan killed for kidnapping Kim in the first film.  Murad (Rade Shergedgia) is a mob boss and the father of Marko, one of the dead men.  Bryan killed Marko by electrocution, and Murad vows to capture Bryan, to bring him to the men's graves, and to kill him there.  They track Bryan to Istanbul, Turkey, where he is vacationing with Lenore and Kim.  Murad and company launch an attack and are able to abduct Bryan and Lenore.  Before Bryan can kick their attackers' asses, however, Kim will have to free his ass.

I had put off seeing Taken for about three years.  I saw it shortly before Taken 2 was released.  I put off seeing Taken 2 for three years, and decided to see it in time for the release of Taken 3.  When I finally saw Taken, I had to admit that it easily surpassed my expectations.  Taken was and remains a terrific thriller, a feisty little revenge flick that plays like a big-time, big studio thriller.

Now, that I have finally seen Taken 2, I have to admit that it surpassed my expectations.  It received such negative reviews that I avoided seeing it in a movie theater.  Taken 2 is not quite as good as Taken, but it isn't far off.  Like the original, Taken 2 strains credulity, and Liam Neeson's Bryan Mills does stuff that takes him into the fantasy realm of Jason Bourne films.  In this sequel, Bryan seems a little less human and more robotic than he was in the original movie.

Still, I like that Maggie Grace's Kim plays a bigger part.  Here, Grace approaches playing the action sidekick with the same terrified energy she used to play the first film's victim.  Yeah, Taken 2 is still a Liam Neeson vehicle, but it seems less so because of what Maggie Grace and even Famke Janssen (an underrated actress) bring to the film.  The always good  Rade Shergedgia (whose last name seems to have multiple spellings) manages to steal quite a bit of this film for himself.  So I am once again taken in by a Taken film.  Taken 2, like the first, is a tasty fast-food film.

7 of 10
B+

Sunday, January 11, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

BET Networks to Air "The Book of Negroes" in February 2015

BET Networks Opens an Exciting New Chapter with the Airing of Its First-ever Miniseries “The Book of Negroes” Premiering Monday, February 16, 2015 at 8 PM ET/PT

The Three Day Television Event is Brought to Life by Leading Actress Aunjanue Ellis, Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Oscar & Emmy Winner Louis Gossett Jr., and Leading Actor Lyriq Bent

The Six-hour Miniseries, “The Book Of Negroes,” Is Based on the Critically Acclaimed Best-selling Novel by Lawrence Hill

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This Black History Month, BET launches its first-ever event miniseries “THE BOOK OF NEGROES,” a six-part historical drama in the tradition of Roots, based on Lawrence Hill’s award-winning, Oprah Winfrey-listed novel (known in the United States as Someone Knows My Name). The highly anticipated television event will run over the course of three consecutive nights in two-hour installments starting Monday, February 16, 2015 at 8 PM ET/PT.

“THE BOOK OF NEGROES” depicts the extraordinary life journey of Aminata Diallo (Aunjanue Ellis) – an indomitable African woman who cuts a swath through a world that is pre-disposed to underestimate her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa and subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate her way through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova Scotia and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone before ultimately securing her freedom in England at the dawn of the 19th century. Produced by Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment, Entertainment One (eOne) and Idelwild Films, the star-studded cast features lead actress Aunjanue Ellis (Ray, The Help), Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men), Oscar and Emmy winner Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots, Boardwalk Empire), Lyriq Bent (Rookie Blue), Oscar nominee Jane Alexander (The Cider House Rules), Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line) and Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle). The highly anticipated event miniseries of THE BOOK OF NEGROES from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment, Entertainment One (eOne), and Idlewild Films is executive produced by Damon D'Oliveira (What We Have), Clement Virgo ("The Wire") who also served as co-writer & director, Carrie Stein and Margaret O'Brien.

The Book of Negroes is a historical document which records names and descriptions of 3,000 African-American slaves who had to work for the British army during the American Revolution in order to qualify for their freedom and were evacuated by the British by ship to points in Nova Scotia. The book was assembled by Samuel Birch under the direction of Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester. African Americans who escaped to the British during the American Revolutionary War became the first settlement of Black Canadians. Other Black Loyalists were transported to settlements in several islands in the West Indies and some to London. Recorded in 1783, this 150-page document is the only one to have ever recorded Black Americans in a large, detailed scope of work. Learn more about this seminal document from the author Lawrence Hill at http://www.bet.com/video/the-book-of-negroes/2014/exclusives/what-is-the-book-of-negroes.html.

EPISODIC BREAKDOWN OF THE BOOK OF NEGROES MINISERIES:

Hour 1 Premiering Monday, February 16 at 8 PM ET/PT

On her way home from delivering a baby, twelve year-old Aminata Diallo is kidnapped and her parents killed. Forced to march across West Africa to the Atlantic Ocean, she is looked after by Chekura (Lyriq Bent), a young boy sold to help the slavers. They grow close and are put on the same slave ship. Due to her language and midwifery skills, the Ship’s Doctor values Aminata, though she quickly falls in with the other slaves. Aminata relays information and weapons from above deck to the men, leading to a failed uprising. Upon her arrival in Charleston, SC, she is separated from Chekura and sold to Robinson Appleby, an Indigo Plantation owner. Georgia, a caring older woman, nurses her back to health.

Hour 2 Premiering Monday, February 16 at 9 PM ET/PT

Aminata, now grown beautiful, healthy, and literate, is the flower of Robinson Appleby’s Indigo plantation. After several seasons of deflecting Appleby’s advances, Aminata marries Chekura and has his child. Appleby, infuriated, sells her and her child to separate owners. Her new owners, a Jewish Indigo Trader and his wife, Solomon and Rosa Lindo, are more trusting: they treat her as a servant rather than a slave. But after Rosa’s death and the revelation that Solomon brokered the sale of her child, Aminata’s trust is broken. Lindo, desperate for a distraction to ease his grief, sets sail to New York with Aminata, who plots her escape to freedom.

Hour 3 Premiering Tuesday, February 17 at 8 PM ET/PT

Soon after arriving in New York, the American Revolution breaks out, allowing Aminata to escape Solomon Lindo with the help of an influential Black innkeeper named Sam Fraunces (Cuba Gooding Jr.). She soon settles into a Black ghetto called Canvas Town and befriends several locals, teaching them to read and write, while also delivering babies for the British. Chekura arrives in New York, only to leave again after the British Forces offer freedom to any man who fights the Americans. When Aminata finds Chekura has been injured at the Battle of Saratoga she enlists Sam to help smuggle him across enemy lines. Although she succeeds, she returns to find that, with American victory in New England, Slave owners will be returning North to look for escaped slaves.

Hour 4 Premiering Tuesday, February 17 at 9 PM ET/PT

As peace is declared slavers return to New York in search of runaway slaves. Aminata is offered a job by Cpt. John Clarkson of the British Navy to help recruit Black Loyalists to join them in Nova Scotia as free citizens. With renewed vigour, she begins registering thousands into The Book Of Negroes. When it is finally her turn to go, authorities stop her, as a slaver has made a claim upon her. Convinced it is Solomon Lindo returned to New York, she lets Chekura go ahead and is held for trial. In court, it is revealed that Robertson Appleby has made the claim against her, but she is exonerated at the last moment by the testimony of Lindo, who vouches he gave Aminata her freedom. After being freed, she arrives in barren Nova Scotia to find no sign of Chekura.

Hour 5 Premiering Wednesday, February 18 at 8 PM ET/PT

Aminata arrives pregnant in Shelburne, Nova Scotia and is taken in by Daddy Moses (Louis Gossett Jr.). She is surprised to find that work and food are scarce, with the British failing to deliver the land they promised in New York. After losing her baby to a cholera epidemic, she writes an appeal to the British abolitionists on behalf of Daddy Moses and the blacks of Birchtown. Then Aminata manages to find a job as a Printing Assistant. As the open hostility towards black residents comes to a head after the death of a white citizen, Cpt. John Clarkson, a key abolitionist, arrives offering an escape for the black community to a settlement in Sierra Leone. Just as Aminata begins to recruit her community, Chekura arrives and is reluctant to embark on yet another long journey. A violent race riot breaks out in Shelburne, and Chekura is convinced to join his wife on her homeward journey. They set sail with Daddy Moses, bound for Africa.

Hour 6 Premiering Wednesday, February 18 at 9 PM ET/PT

After arriving in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Loyalists discover that a previous group of settlers had been sacked and raided by the local ruler. As a result Aminata becomes more engrossed in the idea of returning to her village of Bayo. The local tribes, however, are unwilling to support her and Aminata must enlist the help of Dr. Falconbridge, a longtime resident of Freetown, to approach a group of slave traders to guide her and Chekura inland. They are soon double-crossed and Aminata is forced to flee for her life. After a local tribe takes her in and nurses her back to health, she realizes she must let go of her dream of returning to Bayo, and sets out to London to tell her life story to the world.

For more information on THE BOOK OF NEGROES go to bet.com/bookofnegroes. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #bookofnegroes.

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, the First Network Designed For Black Women; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

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2015 Producers Guild Award Nominations Announced - Complete List

On Monday, January 5, 2015, the Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced the motion picture and long-form television nominations for the 26th Annual Producers Guild Awards. The categories include: The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures; The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures; and The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television. The feature documentary film category and other television category nominations were previously announced by the PGA in late 2014.

All 2015 Producers Guild Award winners will be announced on Saturday, January 24th, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. This year, the Producers Guild will present special honors to the following:  Jon Feltheimer (Milestone Award); Mark Gordon (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television); Gale Anne Hurd (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures); the HBO television motion picture, The Normal Heart (Stanley Kramer Award); and production company Plan B Entertainment (Visionary Award).

The 2015 Producers Guild nominated films and television programs are listed below in alphabetical order by category, along with producers. The producers’ names for each nominated production are listed in alphabetical order and are not necessarily the proper order of credits.

2015 (26th Annual) Producers Guild Award nominations:

The theatrical motion picture nominees are:

The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures:

Ø American Sniper (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Producers: Bradley Cooper, p.g.a., Clint Eastwood, p.g.a., Andrew Lazar, p.g.a., Robert Lorenz, p.g.a., Peter Morgan, p.g.a.

Ø Birdman (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole

Ø Boyhood (IFC Films)
Producers: Richard Linklater, p.g.a., Cathleen Sutherland, p.g.a.

Ø Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics)
Producers: Megan Ellison, p.g.a., Jon Kilik, p.g.a., Bennett Miller, p.g.a.

Ø Gone Girl (20th Century Fox)
Producer: Ceán Chaffin, p.g.a.

Ø The Grand Budapest Hotel (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Producers: Wes Anderson & Scott Rudin, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales

Ø The Imitation Game (The Weinstein Company)
Producers: Nora Grossman, p.g.a., Ido Ostrowsky, p.g.a., Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a.

Ø Nightcrawler (Open Road Films)
Producers: Jennifer Fox, Tony Gilroy

Ø The Theory of Everything (Focus Features)
Producers: Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten

Ø Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics)
Producers: Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook, David Lancaster

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures:

Ø Big Hero 6 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
Producer: Roy Conli, p.g.a.

Ø The Book of Life (20th Century Fox)
Producers: Brad Booker, p.g.a., Guillermo del Toro, p.g.a.

Ø The Boxtrolls (Focus Features)
Producers: David Bleiman Ichioka, p.g.a., Travis Knight, p.g.a.

Ø How To Train Your Dragon 2 (20th Century Fox)
Producer: Bonnie Arnold, p.g.a.

Ø The LEGO Movie (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Producer: Dan Lin, p.g.a.


The television nominees are:

The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television:

(The Long-Form Television category encompasses both movies of the week and mini-series.)

Ø American Horror Story: Coven & Freak Show (FX)
Producers: Brad Buecker, Dante Di Loreto, Brad Falchuk, Joseph Incaprera, Alexis Martin Woodall, Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, Jennifer Salt, Robert M. Williams Jr., James Wong

Ø Fargo (FX)
Producers: Adam Bernstein, John Cameron, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Michael Frislev, Noah Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Chad Oakes, Kim Todd

Ø The Normal Heart (HBO)
Producers: Jason Blum, Dante Di Loreto, Scott Ferguson, Dede Gardner, Alexis Martin Woodall, Ryan Murphy, Brad Pitt, Mark Ruffalo

Ø The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (PBS)
Producers: Paul Barnes, Pam Baucom, Ken Burns

Ø Sherlock (PBS)
Producers: Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Beryl Vertue, Sue Vertue


[In late 2014, the Producers Guild of America announced the Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture, Television Series and Non-Fiction Television Nominations. The following list now includes complete producer credits.]

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures:

Ø The Green Prince (Music Box Films)
Producers: John Battsek, Simon Chinn, Nadav Schirman

Ø Life Itself (Magnolia Pictures)
Producers: Garrett Basch, Steve James, Zak Piper

Ø Merchants of Doubt (Sony Pictures Classics)
Producers: Robert Kenner, Melissa Robledo

Ø Particle Fever (Abramorama/BOND 360)
Producers: David E. Kaplan, Mark A. Levinson, Andrea Miller, Carla Solomon

Ø Virunga (Netflix)
Producers: Joanna Natasegara, Orlando von Einsiedel

The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama:

Ø Breaking Bad (AMC)
Producers: Melissa Bernstein, Sam Catlin, Bryan Cranston, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Mark Johnson, Stewart Lyons, Michelle MacLaren, George Mastras, Diane Mercer, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett

Ø Downton Abbey (PBS)
Producers: Julian Fellowes, Nigel Marchant, Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge

Ø Game Of Thrones (HBO)
Producers: David Benioff, Bernadette Caulfield, Frank Doelger, Chris Newman, Greg Spence, Carolyn Strauss, D.B. Weiss

Ø House Of Cards (Netflix)
Producers: Dana Brunetti, Joshua Donen, David Fincher, David Manson, Iain Paterson, Eric Roth, Kevin Spacey, Beau Willimon

Ø True Detective (HBO)
Producers: Richard Brown, Carol Cuddy, Steve Golin, Woody Harrelson, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Matthew McConaughey, Nic Pizzolatto, Scott Stephens

The Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy:

Ø The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Producers: Faye Oshima Belyeu, Chuck Lorre, Steve Molaro, Bill Prady

Ø Louie (FX)
Producers: Pamela Adlon, Dave Becky, M. Blair Breard, Louis C.K., Vernon Chatman, Adam Escott, Steven Wright

Ø Modern Family (ABC)
Producers: Paul Corrigan, Megan Ganz, Abraham Higginbotham, Ben Karlin, Elaine Ko, Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Morton, Dan O’Shannon, Jeffrey Richman, Chris Smirnoff, Brad Walsh, Bill Wrubel, Sally Young, Danny Zuker

Ø Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)
Producers: Mark A. Burley, Sara Hess, Jenji Kohan, Gary Lennon, Neri Tannenbaum, Michael Trim, Lisa I. Vinnecour

Ø Veep (HBO)
Producers: Chris Addison, Simon Blackwell, Christopher Godsick, Armando Iannucci, Stephanie Laing, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Frank Rich, Tony Roche

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television:

Ø 30 For 30 (ESPN)
Producers: Andy Billman, John Dahl, Erin Leyden, Connor Schell, Bill Simmons

Ø American Masters (PBS)
Producers: Susan Lacy, Julie Sacks, Junko Tsunashima

Ø Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (CNN)
Producers: Anthony Bourdain, Christopher Collins, Lydia Tenaglia, Sandra Zweig

Ø COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey (FOX/NatGeo)
Producers: Brannon Braga, Mitchell Cannold, Jason Clark, Ann Druyan, Livia Hanich, Steve Holtzman, Seth MacFarlane

Ø Shark Tank (ABC)
Producers: Becky Blitz, Mark Burnett, Bill Gaudsmith, Phil Gurin, Yun Lingner, Clay Newbill, Jim Roush, Laura Roush, Max Swedlow

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Competition Television:

Ø The Amazing Race (CBS)
Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Elise Doganieri, Jonathan Littman, Bertram van Munster, Mark Vertullo

Ø Dancing With The Stars (ABC)
Producers: Ashley Edens Shaffer, Conrad Green, Joe Sungkur

Ø Project Runway (Lifetime)
Producers: Jane Cha Cutler, Desiree Gruber, Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Jonathan Murray, Sara Rea, Teri Weideman

Ø Top Chef (Bravo)
Producers: Doneen Arquines, Daniel Cutforth, Casey Kriley, Jane Lipsitz, Hillary Olsen, Erica Ross, Tara Siener, Shealan Spencer

Ø The Voice (NBC)
Producers: Stijn Bakkers, Mark Burnett, John De Mol, Chad Hines, Lee Metzger, Audrey Morrissey, Jim Roush, Kyra Thompson, Mike Yurchuk, Amanda Zucker

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television:

Ø The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
Producers: Meredith Bennett, Tanya Michnevich Bracco, Stephen Colbert, Richard Dahm, Paul Dinello, Barry Julien, Matt Lappin, Emily Lazar, Tom Purcell, Jon Stewart

Ø Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
Producers: David Craig, Ken Crosby, Doug DeLuca, Gary Greenberg, Erin Irwin, Jimmy Kimmel, Jill Leiderman, Molly McNearney, Tony Romero, Jason Schrift, Jennifer Sharron, Seth Weidner, Josh Weintraub

Ø Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)
Producers: Tim Carvell, John Oliver, Liz Stanton

Ø Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO)
Producers: Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Marc Gurvitz, Dean Johnsen, Bill Maher, Billy Martin, Matt Wood

Ø The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
Producers: Rob Crabbe, Jamie Granet Bederman, Katie Hockmeyer, Jim Juvonen, Josh Lieb, Brian McDonald, Lorne Michaels, Gavin Purcell


[The following programs were previously announced in late 2014. They were not vetted for producer eligibility this year, but winners in these categories will be announced at the official ceremony on January 24th:]

The Award for Outstanding Sports Program:

Ø 24/7 (HBO)

Ø Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The Atlanta Falcons (HBO)

Ø Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The Cincinnati Bengals (HBO)

Ø Inside: U.S. Soccer's March To Brazil (ESPN)

Ø Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (HBO)

The Award for Outstanding Children’s Program:

Ø Dora The Explorer (Nickelodeon)

Ø Sesame Street (PBS)

Ø Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)

Ø Toy Story OF TERROR! (ABC)

Ø Wynton Marsalis: A YoungArts Masterclass (HBO)

The Award for Outstanding Digital Series:

Ø 30 For 30 Shorts (http://espn.go.com/30for30/shorts)

Ø Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee (http://www.crackle.com/c/comedians-in-cars-getting-coffee)

Ø COSMOS: A National Geographic Deeper Dive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkiFfAEB5M8)

Ø Epic Rap Battles Of History (http://youtube.com/erb)

Ø Video Game High School Season 3 (https://www.youtube.com/user/freddiew)


About the Producers Guild of America (PGA):
The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild has more than 6,700 members who work together to protect and improve their careers, the industry and community by providing members with employment opportunities, seeking to expand health benefits,promoting fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, as well as other education and advocacy efforts such as encouraging sustainable production practices. For more information and the latest updates, please visit Producers Guild of America websites and follow on social media:

Websites: www.producersguild.org, www.pgagreen.org, www.pgadiversity.org

Twitter: @ProducersGuild

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pga

Youtube: www.youtube.com/producersguild

Instagram: www.instagram.com/producersguild

Hashtag: #pgaawards

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More African-American Business Communities Join March to "SELMA" in Movie Theaters with #SelmaForStudents

Cities Across America Are Joining the Movement – Due to the Reaction in New York City, Major U.S. Cities Are Inspired to Follow and Raise Funds for Students to See “SELMA” for Free

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Inspired by the overwhelming success in New York City, prominent members of the African-American business communities in major cities across America have teamed with Paramount Pictures to create funds for students to see the Golden Globe-nominated film “SELMA” for free in participating theaters. The cities joining the effort will be announced Monday, January 12th, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

    “The response to our program in New York is better than we could have anticipated and we are truly moved by the generosity and outpouring of support”

The New York City program provided free admission for 27,000 of the city’s 7th, 8th and 9th grade students to see “SELMA” in participating local theaters. 27 African-American business leaders contributed to the fund and activated their network of contacts to put this program into motion, creating an impromptu and innovative public-private partnership for the greater good.

The students in these cities will provide a student ID or report card at any of the participating locations for free admittance. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. on January 12th and run through January 19th (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) or while tickets last.

“The response to our program in New York is better than we could have anticipated and we are truly moved by the generosity and outpouring of support,” said Charles Phillips, CEO, Infor and Viacom Director. “The story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s heroic efforts in Alabama during the civil rights movement is an important chapter in our country’s history – and one that still resonates deeply today. Due to the many generous donors, tens of thousands of students around the country will have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary film.”

The New York community has rallied to get the word out on “SELMA.” Major institutions including the New York City Department of Education, KIPP Schools, New York City Housing Authority, Schomburg Museum, Eagle Academy, Harlem Children Zone, Harlem Village Academy, Abyssinian Baptist Church, The Boys and Girls Club, the New York Public Library, and local radio stations are reaching out to students and informing them of this wonderful opportunity.

Theaters are reporting unprecedented calls for group screenings as entire classes want to attend together. In addition, many screenings are followed by discussions, and a recommended reading list has been compiled for further learning. This is a rare moment when a film has transformed into a cultural movement in recognition of a highly relevant message that touched many people.

Directed by Ava DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., “SELMA” has been nominated for four Golden Globes: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Song (“Glory” by Common and John Legend).

The film also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Common, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, with Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey as “Annie Lee Cooper.”

Paramount Pictures, Pathé, and Harpo Films present “SELMA.” Produced by Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey, the film is executive produced by Brad Pitt, Cameron McCracken, Diarmuid McKeown, Nik Bower, Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes and Nan Morales. The film is written by Paul Webb. “SELMA” is directed by Ava DuVernay.

“SELMA” is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s “SELMA” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Currently open in select cities, “SELMA” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, January 9th, 2015. To learn more about the film, go to www.selmamovie.com.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

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African-American Businesses Lead the March to "SELMA" in New York City Theaters

NEW YORK BUSINESS LEADERS TO BRING PARAMOUNT PICTURES’ “SELMA” TO 27,000 7th, 8th and 9th GRADE STUDENTS IN NEW YORK CITY WHEN IT OPENS JANUARY 9th

THE 27 AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEADERS CREATED A FUND FOR 27,000 STUDENTS TO SEE THE FILM FOR FREE AT PARTICIPATING NEW YORK THEATERS

Paramount Pictures announced today that it will partner with African-American business leaders in New York City to offer free admission to the Golden Globe-nominated film “SELMA,” from director Ava DuVernay, to 7th, 8th and 9th grade students in New York City.

Inspired by the film’s message of resilience and hope and its historical significance, 27 African-American leaders in the New York business community have come together to create a fund that will allow the city’s 7th, 8th and 9th grade students to see “SELMA” for free at participating theaters. The students will provide a student ID or report card at any of the New York City locations for free admittance. The effort will begin at 7:00 p.m. on January 8th and run through January 19th (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) or while tickets last.

Those contributing to the fund are:

Amsale Aberra and Neil Brown, Owners of The Amsale Group

Gerald Adolph, Senior Partner, Booz & Company and Gwen Adolph

Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO, Xerox and Lloyd Bean

Valentino D. Carlotti, Partner, Goldman Sachs Group

Ken Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express and Kathryn Chenault

Tony Coles, former CEO, Onyx Pharmaceuticals and Robyn Coles

Edith Cooper, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Human Capital Management, Goldman Sachs Group and Roger Taylor

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., President and CEO, TIAA-CREF and Annette L. Nazareth

Bruce Gordon, Chairman, ADT, former CEO NAACP and Tawana Tibbs

Charles J. Hamilton, Jr., Senior Counsel, Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf LLP and Pamela G. Carlton, President, Springboard

Vernon Jordan, Senior Managing Director at Lazard and Ann Dibble Jordan

Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks

Bill Lewis, Co-Chairman of Investment Banking, Lazard and Carol Sutton Lewis

Ed Lewis, founder of Essence Magazine and Carolyn Lewis

Tracy Maitland, CEO and Founder, Advent Capital Management and Kimberly Hatchett

Ray McGuire, Head of Global Banking, Citigroup and Crystal McCrary

Scott Mills, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, Viacom and Iva Mills

Adebayo Ogunlesi, CEO, Global Infrastructure Partners, Lead Director, Goldman Sachs and Dr. Amelia Quist-Ogunlesi

Richard Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity Partners and Laura Parsons

Charles Phillips, CEO, Infor, Viacom Director and Karen Phillips

Jonelle Procope, President, Apollo Theater and Fred Terrell, Vice Chairman of Investment Banking, Credit Suisse

Tamara Harris Robinson, CEO, Haramat Advisory Services

Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Global Inclusion Strategy, Viacom

Frank Thomas, The Study Group

John Utendahl, Vice Chairman, Deustche Bank Americas

Reginald Van Lee, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen

Ted Wells, Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Nina Wells

“Martin Luther King, Jr.’s momentous journey in Alabama is an important piece of American history,” said Bill Lewis, Co-Chairman of Investment Banking, Lazard. “We are passionate about bringing this story to New York City’s students and we encourage business leaders in other cities to organize similar programs so that more students around the country have the chance to see this powerful film about an epic chapter in American history.”

“Paramount is honored to partner with New York City’s deeply esteemed business men and women to give students in New York the opportunity to experience Ava DuVernay’s beautiful and moving masterpiece,” said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.

Commented Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the organization that litigated to obtain the right to march in Selma, “We are thankful for the generous support and leadership of the New York business community and Paramount Pictures in helping deliver ‘SELMA’ and Dr. King’s message to our future leaders.”

Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation stated “This coordinated effort from the New York business community demonstrates a commitment to education and the children of New York City. ‘SELMA’ is the right catalyst for this prominent group and it’s a model worth building on.”

A growing list of leading New York City institutions are supporting this project by communicating this plan and hosting screenings and discussions, including Harlem Children’s Zone, Abyssinian Baptist Church, Carver Bank, the Apollo Theater, KIPP Schools, Harlem School of the Arts and The New York Public Library.

“We thank the great organizations that quickly agreed to join this effort,” said Charles Phillips, CEO, Infor and Viacom Director. “‘SELMA’ is timely, thought-provoking art about a transformative period in our country and a story that speaks to generations.”

The participating New York City theaters are:

UA Kaufman Astoria Cinemas 14
Astoria

AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13
Bronx

Concourse Plaza Multiplex 10
Bronx

Alpine Cinemas 8
Brooklyn

Bam Harvey Theater
Brooklyn

Cobble Hill Cinemas 5
Brooklyn

Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinemas 14
Brooklyn

The Pavilion Theater
Brooklyn

UA Court Street 12
Brooklyn

UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14
Brooklyn

Williamsburg Cinemas 7
Brooklyn

Movieworld Cinemas 7
Douglaston

AMC Fresh Meadows 7
Fresh Meadows

UA Midway Stadium 9
Forest Hills

Regal Atlas Park Stadium 8
Glendale

Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas 15
Jamaica

AMC Loews 34th Street 14
New York

AMC Loews Kips Bay 15
New York

AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13
New York

AMC Empire 25
New York

AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9
New York

Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas 9
New York

City Cinemas East 86th Street Cinema
New York

Regal Battery Park Stadium 11
New York

Regal Union Square Stadium 14
New York

UA Staten Island Stadium 16
Staten Island

College Point Multiplex Cinemas 12
Whitestone

To reserve 25 or more student tickets during this program, please visit www.SelmaMovie.com/nycwhile tickets last.

Directed by DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., “SELMA” has been nominated for four Golden Globes: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Song (“Glory” by Common and John Legend).

The film also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Common, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, with Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey as “Annie Lee Cooper.”

Paramount Pictures, Pathé, and Harpo Films present “SELMA.” Produced by Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey, the film is executive produced by Brad Pitt, Cameron McCracken, Diarmuid McKeown, Nik Bower, Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes and Nan Morales. The film is written by Paul Webb. “SELMA” is directed by Ava DuVernay.

“SELMA” is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s “SELMA” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Currently open in select cities, “SELMA” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, January 9th, 2015. To learn more about the film, go to www.selmamovie.com

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of January 4th to 10th, 2015 - Updated #17

NEWS:

From YahooTV:  ESPN teams with Marvel Entertainment, Spike Lee, and Eva Longoria for new film series.

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From ShadowandAct:  Jordan Peele of the comedy team, "Key & Peele" is working on a horror movie with an interesting premise:  the "horror" of being a black man in today's America.

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From Variety:  For the third weekend in a row, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is the #1 film.  For the weekend of Jan. 2nd to 4th, 2015, the final film in The Hobbit trilogy won the weekend box office with an estimated take $21.9 million.


COMIC BOOKS:

From NerdReactor:  "Batman Vs. Superman" could be divided into 2 films, with the first debuting October 2015 and the second retaining the March 2016 release date.

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From NerdReactor:  DC Comics has a new Power Girl, and she is a young Black woman.

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From YahooTV:  Edward James Olmos joins "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

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From IBTimes:  Crazy "Iron Man 4" rumors.

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From HitFix:  "Daredevil" will hit Netflix on Friday, April 10th, 2015.

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From HitFix:  "Ant-Man" trailer.

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From Newsarama:  Scarlett Johannsen signs to play the lead in the adaptation of the manga/anime, Ghost in the Shell.


STAR WARS:

From YahooMovies:  Liam Neeson wouldn't mind a return to Star Wars.  I wouldn't mind his return either.

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From FlickeringMyth:  The latest news about the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" toys suggest that Darth Vader will return in some form.


REVIEWS:

From Indiewire:  What Clint Eastwood's American Sniper says about America.

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From TheIntercept: Another penetrating gaze at American Sniper


OBIT:

From Variety:  Samuel Goldwyn Jr., the son of legendary Hollywood mogul, Samuel Goldwyn, died at the age of 88 on Friday, January 9, 2015.  He won a Primetime Emmy for producing the 1988 Oscar ceremony.  He was nominated for a best picture Oscar as one of the producers of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

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From TheWrap:  The actor, Rod Taylor, died at the age of 84 on Wednesday, January 7, 2015.  He was best known for his roles in Alfred Hitchock's The Birds and in the 1960 film version of The Time Machine."

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From YahooMovies:  Khan Bonfils, the actor who played Jedi master "Saesee Tiin" Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, died in London on Wednesday, January 7, 2015.

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From YahooCelebrity:  I am a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.  Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak is suffering a personal loss.  His 15-year-old daughter, Alina, died Monday, January 5, 2014.

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From People: ESPN personality and longtime SportsCenter anchor, Stuart Scott, died at the age of 49, today, Sunday, January 4th, 2015.  He had been battling cancer since 2007.  Negromancer sends condolences to Stuart's family and friends.  I am kind of at a loss for words right now.

Chris Pine, J.J. Abrams Join 2015 Oscar Nominations News Conference

NOMINATIONS TO BE DELIVERED IN NEW TWO-PART PRESENTATION

CHRIS PINE AND ACADEMY PRESIDENT CHERYL BOONE ISAACS TO PRESENT NOMINATIONS IN 13 CATEGORIES INCLUDING BEST PICTURE

ALFONSO CUARÓN AND J.J. ABRAMS TO PRESENT SPECIAL EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT OF 11 CATEGORIES

GLOBAL LIVE STREAM AVAILABLE AT OSCARS.ORG/LIVE

Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced that actor Chris Pine, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and directors Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams, on Thursday, January 15, 2015 will announce the nominations in all 24 Oscar categories at a special two-part live news conference at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. 

“Each of the three years we’ve produced the show, we have attempted to refresh elements of the process and the telecast,” said Zadan and Meron. “This year, we’re honored to start a new tradition that celebrates the contributions of all the nominees by announcing all 24 categories. We’re thrilled that a distinguished actor and two world-class film directors are part of the initial launch.”

At 5:30 a.m. PT, Cuarón and Abrams will announce the nominees in the following categories: Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Film Editing, Original Song, Production Design, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects. 

At 5:38 a.m. PT, Pine and Boone Isaacs will take the stage to unveil the nominations for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay and Best Picture. 

“We’re delighted to have Chris, Alfonso and J.J. participate in the excitement of Nominations morning, which, for the first time, will highlight nominees in all categories,” said Boone Isaacs.  “This new approach enables the Academy to further recognize excellence across our entire industry and underscore the full spectrum of the arts and sciences of motion pictures.”

“We’re thrilled to have such exceptional talents present the nominations in a completely new format that furthers our mission and honors all of the artists who make movies,” said Dawn Hudson, Academy CEO.

The Nominations Announcement is a live news conference where more than 400 media representatives from around the world will be gathered.  The event will be broadcasted and streamed live on www.oscars.org/live.

Nominations information for all categories will be distributed simultaneously to news media in attendance and via the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com.

Pine’s starring role as Kirk in the 2009 feature “Star Trek” propelled him to worldwide prominence.  He reprised the character in the sequel “Star Trek Into Darkness.”  Pine’s other feature credits include “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “Horrible Bosses 2” and “Into the Woods.”  Pine will next be seen in “Z for Zachariah,” due out later this year, and “The Finest Hours,” due out in 2016.

Cuarón is an Academy Award®-winning filmmaker best known for his features “A Little Princess,” “Y Tu Mamá También,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Children of Men” and “Gravity.”  He most recently won Oscars® for directing and editing “Gravity” and received a Best Picture nomination as a producer on the film.  Cuarón also has earned an Original Screenplay nomination for “Y Tu Mamá También,” and Film Editing and Adapted Screenplay nominations for “Children of Men.”

Abrams is a director, screenwriter and producer whose credits include such feature films as “Mission: Impossible III,” “Star Trek,” “Super 8” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” as well as such television series as “Lost,” “Fringe” and “Person of Interest.”  He won two Emmy® Awards in 2005 for directing and executive producing “Lost.”  Abrams is currently directing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” producing “Mission: Impossible 5,” and executive producing the series “Roadies” for Showtime and “Westworld” for HBO.

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2014 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscars, produced by Zadan and Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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