“Joker” Takes in More Than $800 Million at the Global Box Office, Becoming the Highest-Grossing R-Rated Film of All Time
The character’s first-ever standalone film is a stand-out around the world
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since its opening in early October 2019, Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and BRON Creative’s “Joker” has been a powerhouse across the globe, passing the milestone $800 million mark, making it the highest grossing R-rated film of all time worldwide at $804.4 million and counting. The announcement was made by Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
The film’s impressive opening weekend totals made “Joker” the biggest October opener of all time domestically, internationally and worldwide. Since then, domestically the film has grossed $264.1 million in just three weeks and can boast numerous October records, including largest pre-show, and largest Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It also earned the largest all-time opening for a drama, an R-rated DC film, a Todd Phillips film, a Joaquin Phoenix film, a Robert De Niro film, and a Village Roadshow film.
Internationally, “Joker” has garnered a total of $540.3 million and holds records for the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, the highest-grossing Warner Bros. film of all time in 14 markets, including Argentina and Mexico, and the highest-grossing DC film in 30 markets, including Italy, Spain, Russia, Argentina and Mexico.
In making the announcement, Emmerich stated, “Todd Phillips’s bold, creative vision is evident in every frame of ‘Joker,’ matched only by Joaquin Phoenix’s incomparable interpretation of this iconic character. What they and everyone who worked on this film created has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide. We congratulate them and our colleagues at DC on reaching this extraordinary benchmark, and I personally want to congratulate the entire Warner Bros. team on the roll-out of this film.”
About “Joker”
Forever alone in a crowd, Arthur Fleck seeks connection. Yet, as he trods the sooted Gotham City streets and rides the graffitied mass transit rails of a hostile town teeming with division and dissatisfaction, Arthur wears two masks. One, he paints on for his day job as a clown. The other he can never remove; it’s the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel he’s a part of the world around him, and not the misunderstood man whom life is repeatedly beating down. Fatherless, Arthur has a fragile mother, arguably his best friend, who nicknamed him Happy, a moniker that’s fostered in Arthur a smile that hides the heartache beneath. But, when bullied by teens on the streets, taunted by suits on the subway, or simply teased by his fellow clowns at work, this social outlier only becomes even more out of sync with everyone around him.
Directed, co-written and produced by Todd Phillips, “Joker” is the filmmaker’s original vision of the infamous DC villain, an origin story infused with, but distinctly outside, the character’s more traditional mythologies. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. Longing for any light to shine on him, he tries his hand as a stand-up comic, but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty and, ultimately, betrayal, Arthur makes one bad decision after another that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty, allegorical character study.
Three-time Oscar nominee Phoenix (“The Master,” “Walk the Line,” “Gladiator”) stars in the titular role alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “The Godfather: Part II”). The film also stars Zazie Beetz (TV’s “Atlanta,” “Deadpool 2”), Frances Conroy (TV’s “American Horror Story,” Hulu’s “Castle Rock”), Brett Cullen (“42,” Netflix’s “Narcos”), Glenn Fleshler (TV’s “Billions,” “Barry”), Bill Camp (“Red Sparrow,” “Molly’s Game”), Shea Whigham (“First Man,” “Kong: Skull Island”), Marc Maron (TV’s “Maron,” “GLOW”), Douglas Hodge (“Red Sparrow,” TV’s “Penny Dreadful”), Josh Pais (upcoming “Motherless Brooklyn,” “Going in Style”) and Leigh Gill (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”).
Oscar nominee Phillips (“Borat,” “The Hangover” trilogy) directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Oscar-nominated writer Scott Silver (“The Fighter”), based on characters from DC. The film was produced by Phillips and Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born,” “American Sniper”) under their Joint Effort banner, and Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff (“The Wolf of Wall Street”). It was executive produced by Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Aaron L. Gilbert, Joseph Garner, Richard Baratta, and Bruce Berman.
Behind the scenes, Phillips was joined by director of photography Lawrence Sher (“Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “The Hangover” trilogy), production designer Mark Friedberg (“If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Selma”), editor Jeff Groth (“War Dogs,” “The Hangover Part III”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Mark Bridges (“Phantom Thread,” “The Artist”). The music is by Hildur Guðnadóttir (HBO’s “Chernobyl,” “Sicario: Day of the Soldado”).
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in Association with BRON Creative, a Joint Effort Production, a Film by Todd Phillips, “Joker.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. This film has been rated R by the MPAA for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images.
www.joker.movie
-----------------------------
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Director Baz Luhrmann Finds His Priscilla Presley for His "Elvis" Film
(Olivia DeJonge photographic image by Rebecca Hitch)
Baz Luhrmann Casts Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley in His Untitled Elvis Project
DeJonge will star opposite Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker when cameras roll early next year on the eagerly anticipated film
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures announced that up-and-coming Australian actress Olivia DeJonge will play Priscilla Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s feature film about the iconic Elvis Presley.
“Olivia is capable of manifesting the complex depth and presence that has made Priscilla Presley an icon in her own right. She’s an extremely talented young actor and the perfect counterpoint to Austin’s Elvis.”
In the movie, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Luhrmann (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”) will explore the life and music of Elvis Presley, through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played in the film by two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (“Forrest Gump,” “Philadelphia”). The story will delve into their complex dynamic spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley.
Luhrmann, who is known to have a keen eye for discovering new faces, stated, “Olivia is capable of manifesting the complex depth and presence that has made Priscilla Presley an icon in her own right. She’s an extremely talented young actor and the perfect counterpoint to Austin’s Elvis.”
DeJonge has worked consistently in her native Australia and is known for her performances in the features “The Visit,” “The Sisterhood of the Night,” “Better Watch Out,” and this year’s “Stray Dolls,” which premiered in the U.S. at the Tribeca Film Festival. On television, she starred in the series “The Society,” “Will” and “Hiding.”
Luhrmann will direct from the current screenplay written by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Luhrmann will also produce, alongside multiple-Oscar winner Catherine Martin (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”), who will once again serve as production designer and costume designer on the film, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss. Andrew Mittman will executive produce.
Principal photography is set to get underway in early 2020 in Queensland, Australia with the support of the Queensland Government, Screen Queensland and the Australian Government’s Producer Offset program. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
-------------------
Friday, November 1, 2019
VIZ Media Announces Manga and Blu-ray Releases for November 2019
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW HOME MEDIA AND PUBLISHING RELEASES FOR NOVEMBER
CASTLEVANIA Season 2 Arrives Alongside Second Set Of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS; Deluxe Art Books For DRAGON BALL And TRANSFORMERS And New Manga Series Also Debut
VIZ Media announces the anticipated home media release of Season 2 of the hit Netflix Original Anime Series CASTLEVANIA. All 8 episodes of Season 2 will be available on Blu-ray and DVD and conclude Trevor Belmont’s battle with Dracula.
The finale of SAILOR MOON also arrives with the home media release of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS PART 2. Available for the first time ever in the U.S., catch the final, climactic 17 episodes of the series as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack or as a Standard Edition DVD set.
November’s publishing titles feature gorgeous new hardcover art books celebrating two of pop culture’s most iconic properties. DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY presents a definitive collection of art from Akira Toriyama’s iconic manga series. TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY explores 35 years of the blockbuster franchise through rare imagery and insights from Transformers expert Jim Sorenson. The deluxe, hardcover release also comes in a special, limited edition that includes a collector’s box, variant cover and five bonus frame-ready art prints.
Two new manga series also launch in print and digital editions this month. A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW is a tender, coming-of-age tale of a pair of high school girls who discover something special with each other in a small seaside town. LEVIUS/EST is the sequel to LEVIUS, the acclaimed sci-fi cyberpunk battle manga, and restarts Levius’s tale.
New Home Media Releases for November:
CASTLEVANIA SEASON 2
Blu-ray & Standard Edition DVD Sets
Blu-ray MSRP: $29.98 U.S. / $34.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $24.98 U.S. / $29.99 CAN Available November 5th
Trevor Belmont, last survivor of his house, is no longer alone, and he and his misfit comrades, Sypha Belnades and Alucard race to find a way to save humanity from extinction at the hands of the grief-maddened Dracula and his sinister vampire war council.
SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS PART 2
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack & Standard Edition DVD Sets
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN · Available November 12th
Although the popularity of the Idol group Three Lights is off the charts, Usagi hasn't realized that Seiya, Yaten and Taiki are the Sailor Star Lights. But with the number of Phage growing in the city, the purpose of star seeds is the biggest mystery that needs to be solved. Could the mysterious Chibi-Chibi hold the answer? The tide is turning, but not in Usagi's favor. Her allies are being overpowered, and altered timelines are confusing the fate she knows to be true: Mamoru is her true love, Neo Crystal Tokyo is her future kingdom and her fellow Guardians will be her eternal protectors...right? The ultimate battle with the chaotic Sailor Galaxia lies ahead, and the fate of all existence lies in the balance.
New Publishing Releases for November:
DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY By Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $46.99 CAN · Available November 12th
A comprehensive art book showcasing manga art, additional promotional material, creator commentary and notes/sketches/posters, from throughout the history of the original DRAGON BALL series, all featured in a beautifully slipcased hardcover book with a dust jacket.
TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY By Jim Sorenson
Standard Edition and Limited Edition
Standard Edition MSRP: $49.99 U.S. / $69.99 CAN · Limited Edition MSRP: $99.99 U.S. / $125.00 CAN · Available November 12th
One of the world’s most popular franchises, Transformers has been delighting fans since 1984. Now, in this deluxe hardcover celebration, Hasbro reveals behind-the-scenes production sketches, beautifully polished final art, and everything in-between. From the obscure to the iconic, this book features packaging artwork, animation models, video game designs, comic pages, and, for the first time ever, production artwork from all six Paramount live-action films! Lovingly curated by Transformers expert Jim Sorenson, this is the most comprehensive collection of Transformers imagery ever assembled.
The deluxe limited edition comes packaged in a beautiful collector’s box with an exclusive variant cover design and five gorgeous and frame-ready prints showcasing art from across the franchise!
A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW By Makoto Hagino
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Available November 12th
When her dad gets a job overseas, Konatsu Amano has to leave the Tokyo life she’s always known and relocate to a small seaside town to stay with her aunt. The move also means starting a new school surrounded by complete strangers, and it’s a lot to handle for a girl who has trouble with change. But on her first day in her new town, Konatsu is instantly drawn to Koyuki, an older girl who is the sole member of the Aquarium Club. Konatsu’s introverted tendencies are hard for her to overcome, but maybe she’s found something worth coming out of her shell for?
LEVIUS/EST By Haruhisa Nakata
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens - Available November 19th
It’s the 19th century, and the world has entered the Era of Rebirth, recovering from the devastating flames of war. The sport of Mechanical Martial Arts has galvanized the nations. Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal fighting—and killing—machines. Young Levius is one of those arena battlers, hell-bent on winning in order to simply survive.
LEVIUS/EST is the ongoing sequel series to LEVIUS, which is also published by VIZ Media and available now.
For additional information on anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.
--------------------
CASTLEVANIA Season 2 Arrives Alongside Second Set Of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS; Deluxe Art Books For DRAGON BALL And TRANSFORMERS And New Manga Series Also Debut
VIZ Media announces the anticipated home media release of Season 2 of the hit Netflix Original Anime Series CASTLEVANIA. All 8 episodes of Season 2 will be available on Blu-ray and DVD and conclude Trevor Belmont’s battle with Dracula.
The finale of SAILOR MOON also arrives with the home media release of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS PART 2. Available for the first time ever in the U.S., catch the final, climactic 17 episodes of the series as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack or as a Standard Edition DVD set.
November’s publishing titles feature gorgeous new hardcover art books celebrating two of pop culture’s most iconic properties. DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY presents a definitive collection of art from Akira Toriyama’s iconic manga series. TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY explores 35 years of the blockbuster franchise through rare imagery and insights from Transformers expert Jim Sorenson. The deluxe, hardcover release also comes in a special, limited edition that includes a collector’s box, variant cover and five bonus frame-ready art prints.
Two new manga series also launch in print and digital editions this month. A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW is a tender, coming-of-age tale of a pair of high school girls who discover something special with each other in a small seaside town. LEVIUS/EST is the sequel to LEVIUS, the acclaimed sci-fi cyberpunk battle manga, and restarts Levius’s tale.
New Home Media Releases for November:
CASTLEVANIA SEASON 2
Blu-ray & Standard Edition DVD Sets
Blu-ray MSRP: $29.98 U.S. / $34.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $24.98 U.S. / $29.99 CAN Available November 5th
Trevor Belmont, last survivor of his house, is no longer alone, and he and his misfit comrades, Sypha Belnades and Alucard race to find a way to save humanity from extinction at the hands of the grief-maddened Dracula and his sinister vampire war council.
SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS PART 2
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack & Standard Edition DVD Sets
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN · Available November 12th
Although the popularity of the Idol group Three Lights is off the charts, Usagi hasn't realized that Seiya, Yaten and Taiki are the Sailor Star Lights. But with the number of Phage growing in the city, the purpose of star seeds is the biggest mystery that needs to be solved. Could the mysterious Chibi-Chibi hold the answer? The tide is turning, but not in Usagi's favor. Her allies are being overpowered, and altered timelines are confusing the fate she knows to be true: Mamoru is her true love, Neo Crystal Tokyo is her future kingdom and her fellow Guardians will be her eternal protectors...right? The ultimate battle with the chaotic Sailor Galaxia lies ahead, and the fate of all existence lies in the balance.
New Publishing Releases for November:
DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY By Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $46.99 CAN · Available November 12th
A comprehensive art book showcasing manga art, additional promotional material, creator commentary and notes/sketches/posters, from throughout the history of the original DRAGON BALL series, all featured in a beautifully slipcased hardcover book with a dust jacket.
TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY By Jim Sorenson
Standard Edition and Limited Edition
Standard Edition MSRP: $49.99 U.S. / $69.99 CAN · Limited Edition MSRP: $99.99 U.S. / $125.00 CAN · Available November 12th
One of the world’s most popular franchises, Transformers has been delighting fans since 1984. Now, in this deluxe hardcover celebration, Hasbro reveals behind-the-scenes production sketches, beautifully polished final art, and everything in-between. From the obscure to the iconic, this book features packaging artwork, animation models, video game designs, comic pages, and, for the first time ever, production artwork from all six Paramount live-action films! Lovingly curated by Transformers expert Jim Sorenson, this is the most comprehensive collection of Transformers imagery ever assembled.
The deluxe limited edition comes packaged in a beautiful collector’s box with an exclusive variant cover design and five gorgeous and frame-ready prints showcasing art from across the franchise!
A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW By Makoto Hagino
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Available November 12th
When her dad gets a job overseas, Konatsu Amano has to leave the Tokyo life she’s always known and relocate to a small seaside town to stay with her aunt. The move also means starting a new school surrounded by complete strangers, and it’s a lot to handle for a girl who has trouble with change. But on her first day in her new town, Konatsu is instantly drawn to Koyuki, an older girl who is the sole member of the Aquarium Club. Konatsu’s introverted tendencies are hard for her to overcome, but maybe she’s found something worth coming out of her shell for?
LEVIUS/EST By Haruhisa Nakata
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens - Available November 19th
It’s the 19th century, and the world has entered the Era of Rebirth, recovering from the devastating flames of war. The sport of Mechanical Martial Arts has galvanized the nations. Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal fighting—and killing—machines. Young Levius is one of those arena battlers, hell-bent on winning in order to simply survive.
LEVIUS/EST is the ongoing sequel series to LEVIUS, which is also published by VIZ Media and available now.
For additional information on anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.
--------------------
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 20th to 31st, 2019 - Update #32
Support Leroy on Patreon:
COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap: Director Matt Reeves confirms that Jeffrey Wright will play "Commissioner James 'Jim' Gordon" in his upcoming film, "The Batman."
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Family and friends remember actor and comedian, John Witherspoon ("Friday," "The Wayan Bros.," and "The Boondocks"), who died Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
-----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: HBO is not going forward with the "Game of Thrones" prequel pilot starring Naomi Watts.
From THR: However, HBO has ordered a "Game of Thrones" prequel series, "House of the Dragon" that is set 300 years before "Game of Thrones." It is created by George R.R. Martin, the author of the "Game of Thrones" novels, and Ryan Condal
----------
BOX OFFICE - From THR: It turns out the ACTUAL winner of the 10/25 to 10/27/2019 weekend box office is "Malificent: Mistress of Evil" with a final take of 19.4 million dollars. "Joker," the previously announced winner had a final box office take of 19.2 million dollars instead of 18.9 million.
From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 10/25 to 10/27/2019 weekend box office is "Joker" with an estimated take of 18.9 million dollars.
From Patreon: My review of "Joker."
----------
SCANDAL - From TheWrap: Actor Jared Padalecki, who plays "Sam Winchester" on The CW's "Supernatural," has apparently been arrested for assaulting employees at his bar, "Stereotype," in Austin, Texas.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Australian director Baz Luhrmann has chosen Australian actress Olivia DeJonge to play Priscilla Presley in his Elvis Presley biopic for Warner Bros.
----------
DISNEY - From Vulture: Now, that it complete only 20th Century Fox, Disney is reportedly placing classic Fox movies in the "Disney vault," which is causing problems for repertory movie theaters.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Crispin Glover admits that he only took the job acting in "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" (the fourth film) for the paycheck.
----------
JAMES BOND - From Deadline: The 25th James Bond film, "No Time to Die," has wrapped up shooting. The film will open in the U.S. on April 8th, 2020.
---------
DISNEY - From THR: "Chernobyl" creator, Craig Mazin, has been hired to reboot Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise alongside veteran "Pirates" writer, Ted Elliot.
---------
ECO - From Variety: Actors Jane Fonda and Ted Danson were arrested during a climate change protest in Washington D.C. For Fonda, it is second recent climate protest arrest.
---------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Grammy-winning recording artist, Adele, shows off a slimmer look at Grammy-winner Drake's birthday party.
----------
AWARDS - From Deadline: The nominations for the 29th / 2019 Gotham Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 2nd.
----------
MOVIES - From RollingStone: Vin Diesel reveals that Grammy-winning singer Cardi B will appear in the 9th installment of the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Recording artist and choreographer, Paula Abdul, talks about choreographing the African dance scene during the aborted wedding that takes place early in the Eddie Murphy classic, "Coming to America."
----------
MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Andre Holland ("Moonlight") joins Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in the film adaptation of Nella Larsen's 1939 novel, "Passing."
----------
SCANDAL - From Deadline: Lori Loughlin facing an additional 10 years in jail because of an additional charge in the "college admissions scandal" (the FBI's "Operation Varsity Blues).
----------
OSCARS - From Deadline: The stars of "Ford v. Ferrari," actors Matt Damon and Christian Bale, will go head to head in the best actor Oscar race.
----------
CELEBRITY - From BET: Celebrated and reviled rap music impresario, Suge Knight, is serving 28 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. It has been reported that he has sold the rights to his life story to recording artist, actor, and TV personality, Ray J.
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 10/18 to 10/20/2019 weekend box office is "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" with an estimated take of 36 million dollars.
From THR: The Ang Lee-directed, Will Smith-headling "Gemini Man" could lose 75 million dollars for companies behind it.
From Deadline: "Joker" looks like it is headed to 900 million dollars in worldwide gross. That would make it the highest grossing R-rated film ahead of current record holder, "Deadpool," which grossed 783 million dollars.
----------
AWARDS - From Deadline: Tom Hanks will recevie the "Cecil B. DeMille Award" from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at the 77th Annual Golden Globes Awards on Jan. 5th, 2020.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence married Cooke Maroney Sat., Oct. 18th.
----------
POLITICS-BDS - From Truthout: Actor David Clennon wonders if he will be blacklisted because of his support of the Boycott Divest Sanction movement against Israel.
OBITS:
From Deadline: The actor and comedian, John Witherspoon, has died at the age of 77, October 29, 2019. His 42-year film and TV career began with a two appearances on "The Richard Pryor Show" (1977). His longest running TV gig was playing "John 'Pop' Williams" on "The Wayans Bros" (1995-99), and he also provided the voice of "Robert 'Grandad' Freeman" for the animated series, "The Boondocks" (2005-2014). His best known film role was as "Willie Jones" in Ice Cube's "Friday" film series.
From Deadline: Legendary Hollywood film producer, Robert Evans, has died at the age of 89, Saturday, October 26, 2019. He was best known as the producer of many films, including 1974's "Chinatown," for which he received an Academy Award nomination, his only Oscar nod. He also, notoriously, produced 1984's "The Cotton Club," a production that became entangled in a murder trial. Evans was also the head of production at Paramount Pictures from 1967 to 1974.
From NPR: Former congressman, U.S. Representative John Conyers, Democrat-Michigan, has died at the age of 90, Sunday, October 27, 2019. Conyers was the longest serving African-American member of Congress, 1965 to 2017.
From NFL and TheMercuryNews: Former NFL player, coach and executive,Willie Brown, has died at the age of 78, Monday, October 21, 2019, according sources with the Oakland Raiders, the team with which he is most associated. Brown played cornerback for the Denver Broncos (1963 to 1966) and the Oakland Raiders (1967 to 1978). Brown won three Super Bowl titles (XI, XV, and XVIII) with the Raiders, one as a player and two as a coach.
From THR: Television writer and producer, James Schmerer, died at the age of 81, Friday, October 4, 2019. Schmerer was known for writing episodes of TV series such as "Mannix," "CHiPs," "MacGuyver," and "The High Chaparral" (for which he was also a producer).
COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap: Director Matt Reeves confirms that Jeffrey Wright will play "Commissioner James 'Jim' Gordon" in his upcoming film, "The Batman."
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Family and friends remember actor and comedian, John Witherspoon ("Friday," "The Wayan Bros.," and "The Boondocks"), who died Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
-----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: HBO is not going forward with the "Game of Thrones" prequel pilot starring Naomi Watts.
From THR: However, HBO has ordered a "Game of Thrones" prequel series, "House of the Dragon" that is set 300 years before "Game of Thrones." It is created by George R.R. Martin, the author of the "Game of Thrones" novels, and Ryan Condal
----------
BOX OFFICE - From THR: It turns out the ACTUAL winner of the 10/25 to 10/27/2019 weekend box office is "Malificent: Mistress of Evil" with a final take of 19.4 million dollars. "Joker," the previously announced winner had a final box office take of 19.2 million dollars instead of 18.9 million.
From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 10/25 to 10/27/2019 weekend box office is "Joker" with an estimated take of 18.9 million dollars.
From Patreon: My review of "Joker."
----------
SCANDAL - From TheWrap: Actor Jared Padalecki, who plays "Sam Winchester" on The CW's "Supernatural," has apparently been arrested for assaulting employees at his bar, "Stereotype," in Austin, Texas.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Australian director Baz Luhrmann has chosen Australian actress Olivia DeJonge to play Priscilla Presley in his Elvis Presley biopic for Warner Bros.
----------
DISNEY - From Vulture: Now, that it complete only 20th Century Fox, Disney is reportedly placing classic Fox movies in the "Disney vault," which is causing problems for repertory movie theaters.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Crispin Glover admits that he only took the job acting in "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" (the fourth film) for the paycheck.
----------
JAMES BOND - From Deadline: The 25th James Bond film, "No Time to Die," has wrapped up shooting. The film will open in the U.S. on April 8th, 2020.
---------
DISNEY - From THR: "Chernobyl" creator, Craig Mazin, has been hired to reboot Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise alongside veteran "Pirates" writer, Ted Elliot.
---------
ECO - From Variety: Actors Jane Fonda and Ted Danson were arrested during a climate change protest in Washington D.C. For Fonda, it is second recent climate protest arrest.
---------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Grammy-winning recording artist, Adele, shows off a slimmer look at Grammy-winner Drake's birthday party.
----------
AWARDS - From Deadline: The nominations for the 29th / 2019 Gotham Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 2nd.
----------
MOVIES - From RollingStone: Vin Diesel reveals that Grammy-winning singer Cardi B will appear in the 9th installment of the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
----------
MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment: Recording artist and choreographer, Paula Abdul, talks about choreographing the African dance scene during the aborted wedding that takes place early in the Eddie Murphy classic, "Coming to America."
----------
MOVIES - From ShadowandAct: Andre Holland ("Moonlight") joins Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in the film adaptation of Nella Larsen's 1939 novel, "Passing."
----------
SCANDAL - From Deadline: Lori Loughlin facing an additional 10 years in jail because of an additional charge in the "college admissions scandal" (the FBI's "Operation Varsity Blues).
----------
OSCARS - From Deadline: The stars of "Ford v. Ferrari," actors Matt Damon and Christian Bale, will go head to head in the best actor Oscar race.
----------
CELEBRITY - From BET: Celebrated and reviled rap music impresario, Suge Knight, is serving 28 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. It has been reported that he has sold the rights to his life story to recording artist, actor, and TV personality, Ray J.
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 10/18 to 10/20/2019 weekend box office is "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" with an estimated take of 36 million dollars.
From THR: The Ang Lee-directed, Will Smith-headling "Gemini Man" could lose 75 million dollars for companies behind it.
From Deadline: "Joker" looks like it is headed to 900 million dollars in worldwide gross. That would make it the highest grossing R-rated film ahead of current record holder, "Deadpool," which grossed 783 million dollars.
----------
AWARDS - From Deadline: Tom Hanks will recevie the "Cecil B. DeMille Award" from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at the 77th Annual Golden Globes Awards on Jan. 5th, 2020.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence married Cooke Maroney Sat., Oct. 18th.
----------
POLITICS-BDS - From Truthout: Actor David Clennon wonders if he will be blacklisted because of his support of the Boycott Divest Sanction movement against Israel.
OBITS:
From Deadline: The actor and comedian, John Witherspoon, has died at the age of 77, October 29, 2019. His 42-year film and TV career began with a two appearances on "The Richard Pryor Show" (1977). His longest running TV gig was playing "John 'Pop' Williams" on "The Wayans Bros" (1995-99), and he also provided the voice of "Robert 'Grandad' Freeman" for the animated series, "The Boondocks" (2005-2014). His best known film role was as "Willie Jones" in Ice Cube's "Friday" film series.
From Deadline: Legendary Hollywood film producer, Robert Evans, has died at the age of 89, Saturday, October 26, 2019. He was best known as the producer of many films, including 1974's "Chinatown," for which he received an Academy Award nomination, his only Oscar nod. He also, notoriously, produced 1984's "The Cotton Club," a production that became entangled in a murder trial. Evans was also the head of production at Paramount Pictures from 1967 to 1974.
From NPR: Former congressman, U.S. Representative John Conyers, Democrat-Michigan, has died at the age of 90, Sunday, October 27, 2019. Conyers was the longest serving African-American member of Congress, 1965 to 2017.
From NFL and TheMercuryNews: Former NFL player, coach and executive,Willie Brown, has died at the age of 78, Monday, October 21, 2019, according sources with the Oakland Raiders, the team with which he is most associated. Brown played cornerback for the Denver Broncos (1963 to 1966) and the Oakland Raiders (1967 to 1978). Brown won three Super Bowl titles (XI, XV, and XVIII) with the Raiders, one as a player and two as a coach.
From THR: Television writer and producer, James Schmerer, died at the age of 81, Friday, October 4, 2019. Schmerer was known for writing episodes of TV series such as "Mannix," "CHiPs," "MacGuyver," and "The High Chaparral" (for which he was also a producer).
"Oprah's Book Club" Unites with Apple to Create a Global Book Club
Oprah’s Book Club Starts a New Chapter with Apple
Powerful stories to be celebrated on Apple Books; first author interview premieres exclusively on Apple TV+ November 1
CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® and Oprah Winfrey today announced Oprah’s Book Club will connect a community of readers worldwide to stories that truly matter by today’s most thought-provoking authors. Winfrey, the esteemed producer, actress, talk show host, philanthropist and CEO of OWN, will partner with Apple to build a vibrant, global book club that has the power to both transport and transform people — turning every book into an opportunity for self-discovery, and bringing the world together through reading.
“It’s our honor to provide a new platform for Oprah’s Book Club and support the American Library Association in opening hearts and minds to the joy of reading.”
Winfrey’s first book selection is “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, available for pre-order now on Apple Books (https://apple.co/OprahsBookClub) in both ebook and audiobook formats, and debuting tomorrow.1 Winfrey will interview Coates for the first installment of her new exclusive Apple TV+ series, “Oprah’s Book Club,” premiering November 1, 2019. A new episode will be available every two months. For every Oprah’s Book Club selection sold on Apple Books, Apple will make a contribution to the American Library Association to support local libraries, fund programs that give access to everyone and create lifelong readers at an early age.
“Few people in the world can bring us together like Oprah, whose compassion and grace celebrating the power of books are unmatched,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “It’s our honor to provide a new platform for Oprah’s Book Club and support the American Library Association in opening hearts and minds to the joy of reading.”
“I am who I am today because of the experience of learning to read at an early age. Reading opened up a whole world for me beyond the red dirt road and my grandmother’s porch in Mississippi,” said Oprah Winfrey. “I want to do that for everybody. And the opportunity to do this with Apple, to speak to people all over the world about the pleasures, the excitement, the tension, the drama that a good book can bring you… I don't know what's better than that.”
Readers around the world can easily discover Oprah’s Book Club through the Apple Books app, where they can learn more about the latest selection and browse previous selections in a beautiful and immersive experience. With the new Reading Goals feature in Apple Books, readers can make reading a daily habit more easily.
Winfrey will interview the authors of her book club selections at various locations. Her conversation with Coates about “The Water Dancer” will be filmed in front of a live audience at Apple Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C. next month. Audiences around the world can watch “Oprah’s Book Club” starting November 1 exclusively on Apple TV+, Apple’s all-original video subscription service and home for the world’s greatest storytellers.
1The availability of the Oprah’s Book Club page and selections will vary based on publisher rights, translations and available format.
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.
© 2019 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
----------------------
Powerful stories to be celebrated on Apple Books; first author interview premieres exclusively on Apple TV+ November 1
CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® and Oprah Winfrey today announced Oprah’s Book Club will connect a community of readers worldwide to stories that truly matter by today’s most thought-provoking authors. Winfrey, the esteemed producer, actress, talk show host, philanthropist and CEO of OWN, will partner with Apple to build a vibrant, global book club that has the power to both transport and transform people — turning every book into an opportunity for self-discovery, and bringing the world together through reading.
“It’s our honor to provide a new platform for Oprah’s Book Club and support the American Library Association in opening hearts and minds to the joy of reading.”
Winfrey’s first book selection is “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, available for pre-order now on Apple Books (https://apple.co/OprahsBookClub) in both ebook and audiobook formats, and debuting tomorrow.1 Winfrey will interview Coates for the first installment of her new exclusive Apple TV+ series, “Oprah’s Book Club,” premiering November 1, 2019. A new episode will be available every two months. For every Oprah’s Book Club selection sold on Apple Books, Apple will make a contribution to the American Library Association to support local libraries, fund programs that give access to everyone and create lifelong readers at an early age.
“Few people in the world can bring us together like Oprah, whose compassion and grace celebrating the power of books are unmatched,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “It’s our honor to provide a new platform for Oprah’s Book Club and support the American Library Association in opening hearts and minds to the joy of reading.”
“I am who I am today because of the experience of learning to read at an early age. Reading opened up a whole world for me beyond the red dirt road and my grandmother’s porch in Mississippi,” said Oprah Winfrey. “I want to do that for everybody. And the opportunity to do this with Apple, to speak to people all over the world about the pleasures, the excitement, the tension, the drama that a good book can bring you… I don't know what's better than that.”
Readers around the world can easily discover Oprah’s Book Club through the Apple Books app, where they can learn more about the latest selection and browse previous selections in a beautiful and immersive experience. With the new Reading Goals feature in Apple Books, readers can make reading a daily habit more easily.
Winfrey will interview the authors of her book club selections at various locations. Her conversation with Coates about “The Water Dancer” will be filmed in front of a live audience at Apple Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C. next month. Audiences around the world can watch “Oprah’s Book Club” starting November 1 exclusively on Apple TV+, Apple’s all-original video subscription service and home for the world’s greatest storytellers.
1The availability of the Oprah’s Book Club page and selections will vary based on publisher rights, translations and available format.
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.
© 2019 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
----------------------
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Fans of Latin Music and Pop Culture Head to FANTASMA
FANTASMA: THE AWAKENING Debuts as a Pop & Latino Culture Convergence!
Las Vegas to Host 3-Day Music Fest, Fan Expo & Día de los Muertos
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thousands of Latin music and pop culture fans will descend on Las Vegas for FANTASMA: THE AWAKENING scheduled November 1-3, 2019, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. FANTASMA is a three-day convergence of pop and Latino culture that fuses socially conscious Music, Art, Comedy and Spoken Word into an “awakening” of mind, body and soul! Tickets ($25-$175) are available at www.FANTASMAusa.com.
“FANTASMA is a culturally driven carnival for your soul - offering a spectrum of see, hear and feel adventure for millennials and generation Xs!” said David Chavez, FANTASMA Creator and CEO of acclaimed experiential firm INGEÑUITY.
With the holiday Día De Los Muertos as a cultural backdrop, FANTASMA will deliver the ultimate sensory experience, mixing a fanfare expo, inspiring sessions, and a new age spiritual journey, together with a fest of eclectic talent across musical genres. Among the first talent to be announced includes: Ozomatli, El Gran Silencio, Metalachi, Las Cafeteras, Los Rakas, Making Movies, Tequila Rock Revolution, Marujah, Luchador Blue Demon, Jr., actor Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite), actor J.W. Cortes (Gotham), Jovan Armand (Shazam!), and Brooklyn St Patrick, Inked Magazine 2018 Cover Model.
FANTASMA highlights include the Ritual Xpo & Fanfare, a playground of cool attractions and meaningful experiences, including:
Other event highlights are:
Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino is the host hotel. Call 888-746-6955 for special room rates of $99, with code SRFAN9! For other inquires, call 913-397-8850. FANTASMA is sponsored by Southwest Airlines and Soldiercon.
--------------------
Las Vegas to Host 3-Day Music Fest, Fan Expo & Día de los Muertos
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thousands of Latin music and pop culture fans will descend on Las Vegas for FANTASMA: THE AWAKENING scheduled November 1-3, 2019, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. FANTASMA is a three-day convergence of pop and Latino culture that fuses socially conscious Music, Art, Comedy and Spoken Word into an “awakening” of mind, body and soul! Tickets ($25-$175) are available at www.FANTASMAusa.com.
“FANTASMA is a culturally driven carnival for your soul - offering a spectrum of see, hear and feel adventure for millennials and generation Xs!” said David Chavez, FANTASMA Creator and CEO of acclaimed experiential firm INGEÑUITY.
With the holiday Día De Los Muertos as a cultural backdrop, FANTASMA will deliver the ultimate sensory experience, mixing a fanfare expo, inspiring sessions, and a new age spiritual journey, together with a fest of eclectic talent across musical genres. Among the first talent to be announced includes: Ozomatli, El Gran Silencio, Metalachi, Las Cafeteras, Los Rakas, Making Movies, Tequila Rock Revolution, Marujah, Luchador Blue Demon, Jr., actor Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite), actor J.W. Cortes (Gotham), Jovan Armand (Shazam!), and Brooklyn St Patrick, Inked Magazine 2018 Cover Model.
FANTASMA highlights include the Ritual Xpo & Fanfare, a playground of cool attractions and meaningful experiences, including:
- Rad-Rods Pavilion – Groovy vehicles including Spawn, Scooby Doo, Deathstroke, and Rick and Morty
- The Zocalo – The hub for meet n’ greets with your favorite pop culture stars
- The Fan Pit – A series of face and body art photo shoots
- Prophecy – Discover your future with palm readers, tarot cards and fortune-telling
- Calaverita & Altar Wall – Cultural altar display and messaging wall
- Word Vegas – Socio-cultural spoken word performances
- Cosplay Performances – All your favorite pop culture characters come alive
Other event highlights are:
- Boulevard Nights Screening - 40th Anniversary screening of the iconic movie and a cast reunion of Richard Yniguez, Danny De La Paz & Betty Carvalho
- Día de los Muertos Masquerade Ball – A rockin’ spectacle of parade and performances, complete with Red Carpet arrivals
- Sessions - Cultural, holistic spirituality, and Latino content creators
Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino is the host hotel. Call 888-746-6955 for special room rates of $99, with code SRFAN9! For other inquires, call 913-397-8850. FANTASMA is sponsored by Southwest Airlines and Soldiercon.
--------------------
Monday, October 28, 2019
BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 30, 2019
BOOM! STUDIOS
AUG191417 GIANT DAYS AS TIME GOES BY #1 CVR A SARIN $7.99
AUG191418 GIANT DAYS AS TIME GOES BY #1 CVR B SARIN $7.99
AUG191412 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE OF RESISTANCE #2 CVR A $3.99
AUG198821 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE OF RESISTANCE #2 FOC PETERSON VA $3.99
AUG198825 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #1 (2ND PTG) MAIN $3.99
AUG198826 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #1 (2ND PTG) VAR $3.99
AUG191413 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #2 CVR B CONNECTING V $3.99
JUL191343 JIM HENSON STORYTELLER NOVEL SC $14.99
AUG191385 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #44 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99
AUG198823 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #44 FOC MORA VAR $3.99
AUG191387 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #44 FOIL MONTES VAR $4.99
JUN191287 WWE THEN NOW FOREVER TP VOL 04 $16.99
AUG191417 GIANT DAYS AS TIME GOES BY #1 CVR A SARIN $7.99
AUG191418 GIANT DAYS AS TIME GOES BY #1 CVR B SARIN $7.99
AUG191412 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE OF RESISTANCE #2 CVR A $3.99
AUG198821 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE OF RESISTANCE #2 FOC PETERSON VA $3.99
AUG198825 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #1 (2ND PTG) MAIN $3.99
AUG198826 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #1 (2ND PTG) VAR $3.99
AUG191413 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #2 CVR B CONNECTING V $3.99
JUL191343 JIM HENSON STORYTELLER NOVEL SC $14.99
AUG191385 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #44 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99
AUG198823 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #44 FOC MORA VAR $3.99
AUG191387 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #44 FOIL MONTES VAR $4.99
JUN191287 WWE THEN NOW FOREVER TP VOL 04 $16.99
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)