Monday, May 6, 2019

"Game of Thrones" Bosses to Receive Honor at Austin Film Festival 2019

Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to Receive “Outstanding Television Writer” Award at 2019 Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference, the premier film festival that champions the writers’ contribution to film, television, and new media, is thrilled to announce David Benioff and D.B. Weiss as the recipients of the “Outstanding Television Writer” Award at the 26th Annual Austin Film Festival, October 24-31, 2019.

Benioff and Weiss are the award-winning co-creators, writers, executive producers, and showrunners of the critically-acclaimed HBO series, "Game of Thrones," based on the bestselling book series by George R.R. Martin. With a record-breaking 47 Emmy Awards, one Peabody Award, and an average of 30 million viewers per episode, the series has altered the landscape of episodic storytelling, setting a new bar for the caliber of narrative and cinematic production in modern television.

Benioff and Weiss have also found great success in the worlds of film and literature. D.B. Weiss is the author of the fiction novel Lucky Wander Boy. David Benioff adapted his first novel, The 25th Hour, into a feature film directed by Spike Lee. His second novel, City of Thieves, has been translated into thirty-five languages, and stories from his collection, When the Nines Roll Over, appeared in Best New American Voices and The Best American Nonrequired Reading. His screenplays include The Kite Runner, Brothers, Troy, and Stay.

Benioff and Weiss will accept the award on Saturday, October 26 during the Awards Luncheon, and participate in Conference programming at the 26th Writers Conference. Past recipients of this award have included Vince Gilligan, Marta Kauffman, Norman Lear, and Keenen Ivory Wayans.

AFF will present over 150 panels on the art and craft of storytelling, featuring a slate of prominent industry professionals working in film, television, and new media. Benioff and Weiss join a growing roster of panelists including Megan Amram, Alec Berg, Christina Hodson, David Mandel, and Alex Tse, with more panelist and awardee announcements to come.


ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
Austin Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television and new media. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts. www.austinfilmfestival.com

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Friday, May 3, 2019

"Wizard World" Adds Four Pop Culture Conventions to 2019 Calendar

Wizard World Adds Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Bay Area to 2019 Calendar

Boise Event Cancelled; Return to Los Angeles (June 8), Pittsburgh (July 26-28), First Ever Bay Area (Oakland, Nov. 22-24), New Venue for Tulsa (Sept. 6-8) Event; 2019 Schedule Currently at 15 Shows
April 22, 2019 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wizard Entertainment Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) announced the addition of four events to the 2019 calendar of Wizard World pop culture conventions, including the return to Los Angeles (June 8 at Sony Pictures Studio Lot, Culver City, Calif.), fifth visit to Tulsa, Okla. (Sept. 6-8 at Renaissance Tulsa), third event in Pittsburgh (July 26-28, David L. Lawrence Convention Center), and first trip to the Bay Area (Oakland, Calif., Nov. 22-24, Oakland Convention Center). The Boise, Idaho, event, originally set for July 19-21 will not be held, bringing the current 2019 Wizard World calendar to 15 shows.

    @wizardworld adds shows in L.A., Tulsa, Pittsburgh, Bay Area to bring 2019 calendar to 15 events

The Tulsa show will mark the sixth straight year that Wizard World has produced a show in Oklahoma. The Cox Business Center in Tulsa served as the venue in 2014 through 2016 and in 2018, while the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City hosted the convention in 2017. Wizard World last held an event in Southern California at Wizard World Anaheim in 2011, in the “Bay Area” at San Jose in 2015 and produced events in Pittsburgh in 2015 and 2016. Fans holding tickets to the Ghostbusters Fan Fest (June 7-8) will also be admitted to the concurrent Wizard World Los Angeles event.

The 2019 Wizard World convention schedule (including shows held to date) is as follows (*denotes new for 2019, not held in 2018):

    January 4-6, New Orleans, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
    February 22-24, Portland, Ore., Oregon Convention Center
    March 8-10, Cleveland, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
    April 5-7, St. Louis, America’s Center
    *June 7-8, Ghostbusters Fan Fest Presented By Wizard World, Sony Pictures Studio Lot in Culver City, Calif.
    *June 8, Los Angeles, Sony Pictures Studio Lot, Culver City, Calif.
    June 13-16, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Convention Center
    *July 26-28, Pittsburgh, David L. Lawrence Convention Center
    August 22-25, Chicago, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
    September 6-8, Tulsa, Okla., Renaissance Tulsa (*new location)
    September 20-22, Sacramento, Calif., Cal Expo (*new location)
    October 18-20, Columbus, Ohio, Greater Columbus Convention Center
    October 25-27, Madison, Wis., Alliant Energy Center
    November 8-10, Austin, Texas, Austin Convention Center
    *November 22-24, Bay Area (Oakland, Calif.), Oakland Convention Center

The rosters of celebrities and artists at each city are still being formed; those, as well as entertainment and programming schedules, will be announced closer to each respective date.

Wizard World events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

Wizard World is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening at each show.


About Wizard Entertainment, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard Entertainment, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, tech, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming and entertainment takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard Entertainment has also teamed with Sony Pictures Entertainment to find the next generation of movies as well as to engage in a number of strategic initiatives. Additional initiatives may include an augmented touring schedule of Wizard World shows, fixed-site installations, curated e-commerce, and the production and distribution of content both in the U.S. and internationally. Fans can interact with Wizard Entertainment at www.wizardworld.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The 2019 Wizard World convention schedule is available at: http://www.wizardworld.com/comiccon.

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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Third "Fantastic Beasts" Film Due November 2021

The Wizarding World Journey Continues as the Third Fantastic Beasts Film is Slated for November 12, 2021

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures has announced the release date for the third “Fantastic Beasts” film—inviting audiences to return to the cinematic Wizarding World on November 12, 2021. The release date marks the opening of the next installment of one of the Studio’s key properties. The announcement was made today by Ron Sanders, President, Worldwide Theatrical Distribution and Home Entertainment.

    “We all believe this release date will give the filmmakers time and space to allow their artistry to truly flourish and deliver the best possible film to our fans.”

Sanders said, “J.K. Rowling created an awe-inspiring universe that has captivated people of all ages, taking us on an extraordinary magical journey. Warner Bros. is so proud to be the cinematic home of the Wizarding World and is excited about the future of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise. We look forward to bringing the third chapter of the five-film series to audiences around the globe in November 2021.”

Production on the new film is expected to begin in Spring 2020.

“We are incredibly excited about and have confidence in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series,” Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated. “We all believe this release date will give the filmmakers time and space to allow their artistry to truly flourish and deliver the best possible film to our fans.”

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Negromancer May Take You 2019

It's May 2019!  Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.

Support me on Patreon.

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.

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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

VIZ Media Announces "VIZ Originals" Portfolio Reviews

VIZ ORIGINALS TO HOST PORTFOLIO REVIEWS AT LEADING 2019 POP CULTURE CONVENTIONS

Opportunity For Artists And Writers To Show Their Works To The Team Behind VIZ’s New Original Graphic Novel Imprint

VIZ Media reaches the next stage in the development of its VIZ Originals imprint! Aspiring artists and writers are invited to apply for portfolio reviews taking place at some of North America’s biggest pop culture shows. The VIZ Originals imprint will develop innovative, English-language creator-owned graphic novel content for a global market, and is committed to supporting independent artists and helping them execute their creative visions.

VIZ Originals portfolio review sessions will be led by Executive Editor, Fawn Lau, and will occur during the following 2019 shows:

Toronto Comics and Arts Festival - May 11-12, 2019

Anime Central - May 17-19, 2019

Anime Expo - July 4-7, 2019

Comic-Con - July 17-21, 2019

New York Comic Con - October 3-6

Anime NYC - November 15-17, 2019

Individuals MUST be at least 18 years old and already a registered/ticketed attendee. A VIZ Originals portfolio review appointment does not include show admittance. To be considered, please complete the online form at viz.com/originals.

To give VIZ Originals the best idea of your talents and the scope of your work, please provide a portfolio that demonstrates:

Artists:
    Samples of sequential works that best highlight your art style and storytelling
    Best works that showcase composition, character expressions, and scene details
    Include finished pieces, not only sketch or concept work
    Include original character art pieces – some fan work is acceptable

Writers:
    Samples of sequential works that highlight writing and story development
    Samples and lists of creative writing work – prose and fan work is acceptable

VIZ Originals looks to collaborate with talented independent artists, creators and writers to develop original stories that ignite the imagination. Its titles will showcase dynamic paneling, skillful black and white artwork and compelling, diverse stories for both young adult and adult readers.

For more information on the VIZ Originals imprint, please visit viz.com/originals.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 21st to 30th, 2019 - Update #29

Support Leroy on Patreon:

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  The final total on the opening weekend for "Avengers: Endgame" is 357.1 million dollars in domestic box office.  Of course, the film was the #1 at the 4/26 to 4/28/2019 weekend box office.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  CBS is renewing classic game show, "The Price is Right" for the 2019-20 season.  It is also renewing the entirety of its daytime lineup for next season.  2019-20 will also be "The Price is Right's" 48th season, and the show will hit 9000 episodes in October 2019.

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MOVIES/OBIT - From Variety:  The film writer-director-producer John Singleton has died at the age of 51, Monday, April 29, 2019.  In 1992, Singleton became the first African-American nominated for a best director Oscar for his 1991 film, "Boyz n the Hood," one of two nominations he received for the film.  He also directed films such as "Poetic Justice," "Shaft" (2000), and the second film in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, "2 Fast 2 Furious."  He had been hospitalized when he suffered a stroke on April 17th, from which he never recovered.

From Variety:  Word is that director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood"), who suffered a stroke just short of two weeks ago, will be taken off life support, today, Monday, April 29, 2019.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 4/26 to 4/28/19 weekend box office is "Avengers: Endgame" with an estimated take of 350 million dollars.  The film's global box office take is an estimated 1.2 billion dollars.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Guillermo del Toro says a director should always try to exceed the film's production budget.

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MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:   Friday, April 26th, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary release of Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning film, "Alien," which birth a film franchise.  James Cameron, the director of the beloved and Oscar-winning sequel, "Aliens," talks about where the franchise sent wrong.

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  Fox has settled a lawsuit that was brought by the family of Joi Harris, a stuntwoman who was killed will committing a stunt on the set of "Deadpool 2."

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MOVIES - From THR:  Disney studio chief Alan Horn is scrapping many film projects that were in development at Fox before the Disney/Fox merger was complete.

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MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:  Oscar nominated writer-director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood") suffered a stroke last week (April 17th).  Apparently, he is worse off than initially reported.   Singleton “is currently hospitalized in a coma and is unable to provide for his personal needs” after suffering a "major stroke."

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BOND - From Variety:  Recent Oscar-winner, Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhapsody"), will be the villain in the still untitled 25th James Bond film, referred to as "Bond 25."

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MOVIES - From EOnline:  Oscar-nominated actor, Demian Bichir ("A Better Life"), has announced that his wife, Canadian actress and model, Stefanie Sherk, has died at the age of 37.

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BLM - From YahooNews:  On June 7, 1998, three white supremacists in Texas beat a 49-year-old black man, James Byrd Jr., chained him to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged him for three miles, tearing his body apart.  On Wednesday, April 24th, 2019, Texas executed 44-year-old John William King for that crime.  He is the second to be executed for killing Byrd; ringleader Lawrence Russell Brewer was executed in 2011.  A third man received life in prison.

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Come May 2019, there will be no cancellations at the The CW.  All of the series' scripted dramas are returning for the 2019-20 broadcast season.

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MOVIES - From Variety: Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to star in Guillermo del Toro's next film, "Nightmare Alley."  This new film will reportedly be closer to the 1946 novel than its 1947 film adaptation.

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MOVIES - From THR:  James Wan and Gary Dauberman, the masterminds behind "The Conjuring" universe of films, are bringing Stephen King's 1975 novel, "Salem's Lot," to the big screen.  The book has previously been adapted for television via a 1979 miniseries for CBS and a 2004 miniseries for TNT.

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CELEBRITY - From ComicBook:  Writer-director, Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), responds to a fan's accusation that he is "kissing Disney's ass."

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The number win film at the 4/19 to 4/21/2019 weekend box office is "The Curse of La Llorona" with an estimate take of 26.5 million dollars.

From YahooEntertainment:  A man has seen Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" a record 116 times.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  David Leitch, director of "Deadpool 2" and "Hobbs & Shaw," has signed a first-look deal with Universal.  His wife and longtime producing partner, Kelly McCormick, is a partner in the deal.

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BROADWAY - From THR:  Phylicia Rashad won a Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Play," for her performance in the revival of "A Raisin in the Sun."  Now, the veteran actress will make a Broadway directing debut in Spring 2020 by directing the play "Blue."

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:   Jimmy Kimmel will present a live 90-minute prime time event on ABC that will pay tribute to Norman Lear’s groundbreaking comedy series, "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (both of which originally aired on CBS).  An original episode from each iconic Lear comedy will be re-created.  "Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All In The Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’" will air Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 8-9:30 PM ET.  Woody Harrelson will play Archie Bunker, with Marisa Tomei as wife Edith in the recreation of All In The Family. Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes take the roles of George and Louise Jefferson in the All in the Family spinoff, The Jeffersons.  James Burrows will direct the special.

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MUSIC - From RollingStone:  Rapper-turned-actor, Will Smith, joined his son Jaden Smith, who dabbles in both, onstage at Coachella.

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COMICS-FILM - From Newsarama:  "Avengers: Endgame" directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, are working on a documentary about Marvel Comics' legend, Stan Lee.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  This is the first official trailer for the Will Smith film, "Gemini Man."  Directed by Ang Lee, the film debuts October 11, 2019.

OBITS:

From MeTV:  The actor Richard Erdman died at the age of 93, Saturday, March 16, 2019.  Erdman appeared in over 160 film and TV roles.  He had a memorable role in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" ("A Kind of Stopwatch"), and his career ran for 1944 to 2017.  In recent years, he had a regular role in the NBC comedy, "Community."  I wanted to mention Erdman's passing, which I missed, because I was a fan.  My favorite role of his is probably the 1951 Film-Noir movie, "Cry Danger," which starred the great Dick Powell. - Leroy Douresseaux

From THR:  The actor, Larry "Flash" Jenkins, has died at the age of 63, Thursday, April 25, 2019.  Jenkins was best known for his appearances in the films, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Edtv."

From Variety:  The actor, Ken Kercheval, has died at the age of 83.  Kercheval was best known for his portrayal of "Cliff Barnes" on CBS' long-running evening soap, "Dallas."  Kercheval and Dallas' star, the late Larry Hagman," were the only actors to appear in all 14 seasons of Dallas (1978-1991), although Kercheval's Barnes was a recurring character.

From THR:  Film producer, Steve Golin, has died at the age of 64, Sunday, April 21, 2019.  At the 88th Academy Awards, Golin won an Oscar for producing "Spotlight" (2015), one of four producers on the film who received a statuette.  Golin was actually competing against himself that night, as another film he produced, "The Revenant," was also up for the best picture Oscar.

From Deadline:  Noted paranormal investigator and author, Lorraine Warren, has died at the age of 92, Thursday, April 18, 2019.  Warren and her late husband, Ed Warren (who died in 2006), are known to film audiences because of they are the subjects of the films, "The Conjuring" and "The Conjuring 2," which were based on real-life events in the lives of Lorraine and Ed.


Monday, April 29, 2019

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 1, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL180487    ALIENS TP DUST TO DUST    $17.99
FEB190350    AVATAR TSU TEYS PATH #4 CVR A WHEATLEY    $3.99
FEB190351    AVATAR TSU TEYS PATH #4 CVR B STANDEFER    $3.99
MAR190338    BEASTS OF BURDEN PRESENCE OF OTHERS #1 (OF 2)    $3.99
MAR190293    BLACK HAMMER 45 FROM WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3 CVR A KINDT    $3.99
MAR190294    BLACK HAMMER 45 FROM WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3 CVR B COWAN HU    $3.99
JAN190437    CALL OF DUTY ZOMBIES 2 TP    $17.99
MAR190358    GIRL IN THE BAY #4 (MR)    $3.99
JAN190441    HALO OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $24.99
JAN190475    HOUSE OF FEAR TP ATTACK OF KILLER SNOWMEN & OTHER STORIES (C    $12.99
NOV180269    JURASSIC WORLD FALLEN KINGDOM COLORING BOOK TP    $14.99
DEC180405    OLIVIA TWIST HC HONOR AMONG THIEVES    $19.99
JAN190414    QUANTUM AGE TP FROM WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER VOL 01    $19.99
JAN190427    STRANGER THINGS TP VOL 01 OTHER SIDE    $17.99
JAN198507    TERMINATOR SECTOR WAR #4 (OF 4) CVR A    $3.99
JAN198508    TERMINATOR SECTOR WAR #4 (OF 4) CVR B YOUNG    $3.99