Live-Action "Dora the Explorer" Film Begins Production

 First Look at Isabela Moner as Dora in the film DORA THE EXPLORER by Paramount Players.  Photo Credit: Vince Valitutti © 2018 Paramount Players, a Division of Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.


CHECK OUT THE FIRST LOOK OF ISABELA MONER AS DORA THE EXPLORER!

Dora The Explorer is in theatres August 2, 2019.

PARAMOUNT PLAYERS’ DORA THE EXPLORER FEATURE FILM COMMENCES PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

This First Live-Action Adaptation of the Nickelodeon Franchise Stars Isabela

Moner and Eugenio Derbez with Muppets Director James Bobin at the Helm

Gold Coast, Australia — Paramount Players announced today that the motion picture adaptation of Nickelodeon’s Peabody Award-winning children’s animated series, Dora the Explorer, began principal photography on location in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, on Monday, August 6, 2018. The production, being directed by 11-time Emmy and four-time BAFTA nominee James Bobin (The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted, “Flight of the Conchords”) marks the lovable Latina character’s big screen debut (and first live-action adaptation on any platform) after fourteen seasons (2000-2014) and 172 episodes on Viacom’s enduring children’s cable network. The film is a Paramount Players and Nickelodeon production in association with Walden Media. The film is being supported by the Queensland Government via Screenland Queensland. Paramount will release the film on August 2, 2019.

Dora the Explorer stars Isabela Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Instant Family) in the film’s title role. Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents nothing could prepare Dora for the most dangerous adventure ever – High School. Always the explorer, Dora quickly finds herself leading Boots (her best friend, a monkey), Diego, and a rag tag group of teens on a live-action adventure to save her parents and solve the impossible mystery behind a lost Inca civilization.

Seventeen-year-old actress Moner is joined in the film by one of Mexico’s biggest stars, Eugenio Derbez (Overboard, Instructions Not Included, How to Be A Latin Lover), who plays Alejandro, a mysterious jungle inhabitant who tries to protect the teenagers from the marauders. The film also features big screen newcomer Micke Moreno (Escobar: Paradise Lost), in the role of cousin Diego; Nicholas Coombe (“Spy Kids: Mission Control,” Midnight Sun) as Randy, a fellow high schooler who develops an immediate crush on Dora; Madeleine Madden (Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “Tidelands”) as the school’s snooty class president, Sammy; and Academy Award® nominee Adriana Barraza (Babel, Amores Perros, Thor, The 33) as Dora’s grandma, Abuelita Valerie. Temuera Morrison (Green Lantern, Moana) will play the role of Powell. Additional key casting announcements are forthcoming.

The film is produced by Christopher Robin producer Kristin Burr, who is joined by longtime Bobin associate, executive producer John G. Scotti (The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted, Alice Through the Looking Glass) as well as executive producers Julia Pistor (The Spiderwick Chronicles, A Series of Unfortunate Events) and Eugenio Derbez.

Bobin has assembled a talented team behind the camera that also includes reunions with Oscar®-winning production designer Dan Hennah (Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, Alice Through the Looking Glass) and costume designer Rahel Afiley (The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted, “Flight of the Conchords”). The pair will be joined by six-time Goya Award winning (and BAFTA nominated) cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe, A.S.C. (Secretos del corazón, The Others, Blue Jasmine, Thor: Ragnarok), film editor Mark Everson (Paddington, Paddington 2) and BAFTA-nominated VFX supervisor Andy Brown (Black Panther, House of Flying Daggers, Moulin Rouge!)

Dora the Explorer will film entirely in Australia’s Gold Coast, in the state of Queensland on the continent’s east coast south of Brisbane. Village Roadshow Studios, where the production will headquarter, has been host to several major Hollywood movies in the last few years, including The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Shallows, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and, most recently, DC’s Aquaman. In addition to designer Hennah’s stage builds, the production will utilize Queensland’s diverse landscape, notably tropical forests near Tamborine Mountain and Tallebudgera, to portray Dora’s jungle habitat.

Paramount Pictures is a subsidiary of Viacom. Nickelodeon is part of the Viacom Media Network, also a division of Viacom.

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"Crazy Rich Asians" Comes with Two Music Albums

WaterTower Music to Release Two Albums of Music from the Romantic Comedy Crazy Rich Asians

Soundtrack Album Features New Music by Miguel, Cheryl K Featuring Awkwafina, Jasmine Chen, and More

Score Album Features the Music of Award-Winning Composer Brian Tyler

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WaterTower Music announced the August 10th, 2018 release of two albums of music from director Jon M. Chu’s film “Crazy Rich Asians,” a contemporary romantic comedy based on the acclaimed worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan, that arrived in theaters Wednesday, August 15, 2018. One album will be comprised of songs from the film, and the second album will feature composer Brian Tyler’s spirited score.

    “Jon and I wanted to really make a splash with this score in a way that touched upon the classic film style of the great romantic comedies of old Hollywood with the charisma and beauty of Asian culture”

The 14-song Crazy Rich Asians: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album features several new recordings made for the film, including Miguel’s song “Vote,” recorded for the end title sequence; and covers of the classics “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Cheryl K feat. Awkwafina, “Yellow” by Katherine Ho (from The Voice 2016), “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Kina Grannis, and more. Also highlighted on the soundtrack is the inclusion of several songs performed in Mandarin Chinese.

“It all comes together in this eclectic tapestry,” explained director Jon M. Chu about the music. “From old to new and remixed, to rap and hip-hop and jazz—and then, on top of that, we have our amazing composer Brian Tyler, who brings in a giant orchestra like an old Hollywood movie.”

The Crazy Rich Asians: Original Motion Picture Score features the music of award-winning composer Brian Tyler, who composed a vibrant and varied score blending elements of old school big band jazz music with classic romantic string scores and traditional music from Asia.

“Jon and I wanted to really make a splash with this score in a way that touched upon the classic film style of the great romantic comedies of old Hollywood with the charisma and beauty of Asian culture,” explained Tyler.

“The idea of combining the spontaneity of jazz with the scope of classic orchestra was a dream. That kind of musicianship on hand combined with such a wide sonic palette enabled me to represent both the sophistication of the crazy rich characters in the film as well as the deep emotional resonance of the central love story,” continued the composer. “The jazz music provided a fun wild throwback tone and the strings brought the main themes to life in a way that articulates both the love and loss in relationships - familial and romantic. This movie makes you laugh and it makes you cry. I adore this film and Jon Chu’s brilliant direction and am so proud of what we made together. I was fortunate to be brought on board to bring this music to life.”

The Crazy Rich Asians Soundtrack and Score albums are now available, and the track listings are as follows:

Crazy Rich Asians: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Track Listing:

1. “Waiting For Your Return” – Jasmine Chen

2. “Money (That’s What I Want)” – Cheryl K

3. "Wo Yao Ni De Ai (I Want Your Love - I Want You To Be My Baby)" – Grace Chang

4. “My New Swag” – VAVA feat. Ty and Nina Wang

5. “Give Me A Kiss” – Jasmine Chen

6. “Ren Sheng Jiu Shi Xi” – Yao Lee

7. “Ni Dong Bu Dong (Do You Understand)” – Lilan Chen

8. “Wo Yao Fei Shang Qing Tian” – Grace Chang

9. “Material Girl (200 Du)” – Sally Yeh

10. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Kina Grannis

11. “Wo Yao Ni De Ai (I Want Your Love – I Want You To Be My Baby)” – Jasmine Chen

12. “Yellow” – Katherine Ho

13. “Vote” – Miguel

14. “Money (That’s What I Want)” – Cheryl K feat. Awkwafina

Crazy Rich Asians: Original Motion Picture Score Track Listing:

1. Love Theme from Crazy Rich Asians

2. Text Ting Swing

3. Approaching the Palace

4. Astrid

5. Solitude

6. Astrid and the Earrings

7. Arrival in Singapore

8. Rainy Nights in London

9. Rachel’s Story

10. Shopping Spree

11. First Class

12. Hide the Jimmy Choos

13. Cousin Eddie and Cousin Alistair

14. Choices

15. We’ll Get Through It Together

16. Astrid and Rachel

17. Without Reservation

18. Family First

19. Lost in the Jungle

20. Lunch on the Goh

21. Parallel Decisions

22. Running Away

23. Because of Me

24. Jubilee Bop


About The Film
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” follows New Yorker Rachel Chu as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young, to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore, where she learns that Nick is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and Nick’s own disapproving mother taking aim. It soon becomes clear that the only thing crazier than love is family, in this funny and romantic story sure to ring true for audiences everywhere.

“Crazy Rich Asians” stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, and Awkwafina, with Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh; as well as Sonoya Mizuno, Chris Pang, Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, Remy Hii, and Nico Santos. It is produced by Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and John Penotti, with executive producers Tim Coddington, Kevin Kwan, Robert Friedland, and Sidney Kimmel. The screenplay is by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim, based on the novel Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. Music is by Brian Tyler. A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with SK Global and Starlight Culture, a Color Force/Ivanhoe Pictures/Electric Somewhere Production, a Jon M. Chu Film, Crazy Rich Asians will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Entertainment Company. It is rated PG-13.

About Brian Tyler
BRIAN TYLER is a composer and conductor of over 70 films and was named Film Composer of the Year at the 2014 Cue Awards. Tyler composed blockbuster hits “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Furious 7,” “Iron Man 3,” and “Thor: The Dark World.” He conducted the London Philharmonic, the Philharmonia of London, and the Hollywood Studio Symphony for those films. He also scored “Eagle Eye” for producer Steven Spielberg, and the recent “Fate of the Furious” which had the biggest global box office opening of all time. He was nominated for a 2014 BAFTA Award and was inducted into the music branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2010. His films have grossed $12 billion worldwide.

Tyler began scoring features shortly after he received his master's degree from Harvard University, as well as a bachelor's degree from UCLA. He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays piano, guitar, drums, bass, cello, world percussion, synth programming, guitarviol, charango, and bouzouki, amongst others as being a synth programmer. He showcased many of those instruments for the retro heist film “Now You See Me” and its sequel about a team of illusionists.

Tyler arranged and conducted the new film logo music for Universal Pictures and composed a theme for the 100 year anniversary of the studio, as well as composing the music for the Marvel Studios logo. He also scored “The Expendables” films, and “Rambo,” directed by Sylvester Stallone; the crime drama “Law Abiding Citizen,” the 2017 hit “Power Rangers” and the science fiction film “Battle Los Angeles.” Tyler’s score for Bill Paxton’s “Frailty” won him a World Soundtrack Award in 2002, as well as The World Soundtrack Award as Best New Film Composer of the Year. He has received three Emmy Award nominations, 26 BMI Music Awards, five ASCAP Music Awards, and recently won 12 Goldspirit Awards, including Composer of the Year.

After composing the score for “The Hunted” for Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin, Tyler composed the score for the turn-of-the-century drama “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” starring Shia LaBeouf. His soundtrack for “Children of Dune” reached #4 on the Amazon.com album charts while “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Furious 7,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Iron Man 3,” and “Fast Five” all hit #1 on the iTunes soundtrack charts.

In 2014, Tyler scored the Michael Bay-produced “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and also wrote the theme song “Shell Shocked” which he wrote and produced under his electronic music alter ego Madsonik. The song featured Wiz Khalifa and Kill the Noise and is a certified gold record by RIAA. He collaborated with Tom Morello on the hit song “Divebomb” for “xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.”

Tyler also created the new theme music for ESPN’s NFL shows in 2014 as well composing the theme for the U.S. Open Championships now airing annually on FOX.

Tyler wrote the score for the feature film “Truth,” which opened in theaters in October 2015 and stars Cate Blanchett as Mary Mapes and Robert Redford as Dan Rather. For television, his credits include the series “Scorpion,” “Hawaii Five-0,” and “Sleepy Hollow,” for which he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2014. He also received Emmy nominations for “Last Call” and “Transformers: Prime.” He most recently wrote the music for the new epic scripted dramatic series “Yellowstone” starring Kevin Costner and written and directed by Taylor Sheridan which premiered on Paramount Network on June 20, 2018.

In May 2016, Tyler made his debut headlining concert conducting his film music with the Philharmonia Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall in London.

Tyler recently scored “The Mummy” starring Tom Cruise which opened in June 2017. He also wrote the new Formula 1 theme for global broadcast which debuted this season in late March.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 12th to 18th, 2018 - Update #21

Support Leroy on Patreon:

STAR WARS - From YahooEntertainment:  The first trailer for the new animated "Star Wars" TV series, "Star Wars Resistance," arrives.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Did you that there is a Broadway musical adaptation of Tim Burton's 1998 film, "Beetlejuice?"  The show, which begins shows in October, has cast it leads.

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CELEBRITY - From Variety:  What’s Next for Jordan Peele and His House of Horrors

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Report: Kobe Bryant turns $6 million sports drink investment into $200 million

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POLITICS - From Politico:  Stephen Miller Is an Immigration Hypocrite. I Know Because I’m His Uncle.

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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Neill Blomkamp wants original "Robocop" star, Peter Weller, to appear in his "Robocop" reboot/sequel.

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STREAMING - From Variety:  CBS All Access' "Star Trek" has cast is "Spock."  He is actor Ethan Peck, grandson of legendary actor, Gregory Peck (well, at least I remember him - Ed.).  Peck will appear as the beloved Vulcan in Season 2 of the series.

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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Director Wes Anderson's next film will be set in post-WWII France, according to a French publication.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 8/10 to 8/12/2018 weekend box office is "The Meg" with an box office total of $45.4 million.

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MOVIE - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Benicio del Toro joins Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone's film, "White Lies."

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LGBTQ - From YahooEntertainment:  Disney's pick to play its first openly gay character, in the film, "Jungle Cruise" with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, actor Jack Whitehall (who is not a gay man), has caused some controversy.

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BOX OFFICE - From THR:  "The Meg" leads the 8/10 to 8/12/2018 weekend box office with an estimated $44.5 million in domestic box office.

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MOVIES - From YesMagazine:  In this interview with Zenobia Jeffries, Danny Glover talks about the new film, "Sorry to Bother You," in which he appears, and the myth of the "postracial" United States of America.

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TECH - From TheRinger:  Was Oscar-winning screenwriter and Emmy-winning television producer, Aaron Sorkin, right in his critiques of the Internet?  [Mostly, he was. - Ed.]

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SPORTS - From YahooFinance:  LeBron James is building a new blueprint for athletes in business

From YahooHuffPost:  NBA superstar, Steph Curry, of the world champion Golden State Warriors, helped raise more than $21,000 for the family of Nia Wilson, the young African-American woman who was killed by racist-terrorist in Oakland.

ARETHA FRANKLIN:

From NYTimes:  Aretha Franklin, Indomitable ‘Queen of Soul,’ Dies at 76

From NYTimes:  Aretha Franklin Had Power. Did We Truly Respect It?

From YahooNews:  Presidents pay respect to Aretha Franklin.

From YouTube:  See Aretha Franklin sing at President Obama's 2009 inauguration.

From TheVillageVoice:  "Farewell to the Revolutionary, Influential, and Dazzling ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin" by Michael Musto

OBITS:

From CNN:  Grammy winning singer, songwriter, and recording artist, Aretha Franklin, has died at the age of 76, Thursday, August 16, 2018.  Fans knew her worldwide as the "Queen of Soul."

From People:  Jazz singer and actress, Morgana King, died at the age of 87, back on March 22, 2018.  News of her passing is just breaking this week.  King played Marlon Brando's wife in "The Godfather."  Although she did not attain mainstream success, King pursued jazz as a passion and recorded 20 albums and was admired by greats including Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, among others.

2018 MTV "VMAs" Nominations - Complete List

MTV Announces 2018 “VMAs” Nominations

CARDI B AND THE CARTERS LEAD NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2018 “VMAS”

AIRING LIVE ON MTV MONDAY, AUGUST 20 AT 9:00 PM ET/PT FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

FIRST-EVER AWARDS SHOW TO REVEAL NOMINEES ON INSTAGRAM’S IGTV

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MTV announced nominations across all gender neutral categories for the 2018 “VMAs.” The list includes dozens of artists whose reach and influence have elevated music’s relevancy within the cultural conversation. Cardi B received nods in 10 categories, including “Video,” “Song” and “Artist of the Year,” and The Carters secured eight, including “Video of the Year,” “Best Collaboration” and “Best Hip Hop” for their recent hit single “APES**T.” Other top contenders include Childish Gambino, Drake and Bruno Mars. The “VMAs” will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, and across MTV's global network of channels in more than 180 countries and territories, reaching more than half a billion households around the world.

    “The extraordinary group of nominees have amazed us with their talent and inspired us with their creativity – and when you get them together for one night, anything is possible.”

“It has already been a monumental year in music, and this year’s ‘VMAs’ will take things to a whole new level,” said Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent, Global Entertainment Group, Viacom. “The extraordinary group of nominees have amazed us with their talent and inspired us with their creativity – and when you get them together for one night, anything is possible.”

MTV’s collaboration with Instagram to reveal the nominees on IGTV with an all-star group of creators is the first time an awards show has used the new platform in this capacity. With a combined reach of more than 23 million followers on Instagram alone, the team included Nyle DiMarco, Tessa Brooks, Bretman Rock, Scotty Sire, Toddy Smith and more. From live parrots to gospel choirs, workout videos to bathtubs filled with rubber duckies, each of the creators was tasked with revealing a category and its nominees in eccentric vignettes that emphasize that everything might happen at the “VMAs.”

Beginning today, fans can vote for their favorites across 12 VMA categories, including “Video of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Collaboration” and more by visiting vma.mtv.com until Friday, August 10. Voting for the “Best New Artist” award, presented by Taco Bell®, will remain active until the VMA broadcast.

COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
Drake – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records
Camila Cabello – Syco Music/Epic Records
Cardi B – Atlantic Records
Drake – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
Post Malone – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
Drake – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
Dua Lipa – “New Rules” – Warner Bros. Records
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell®)
Bazzi – iamcosmic/Atlantic Records
Cardi B – Atlantic Records
Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records
Lil Pump – Warner Bros. Records
Lil Uzi Vert – Atlantic Records

BEST COLLABORATION
Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be” – Warner Bros. Records
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings
N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records
MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records
APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records
MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records
FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment
JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records
DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records
NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don’t We – Atlantic Records
OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records
SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records
AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings
JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records
JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records
MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Republic Records

BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry” – Island Records
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records
P!nk – “What About Us” – RCA Records
Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records

BEST HIP HOP
Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi” – KSR/Atlantic Records
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
Drake – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records
Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It” – Quality Control/Capitol Records
Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” – Young Money/Cash Money Records

BEST LATIN
Daddy Yankee – “Dura” – El Cartel Records/UMLE
J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente” – UMLE/Republic Records
Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa” – UMLE/Republic/Island/Universal Music Latino
Maluma – “Felices los 4” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin
Shakira ft. Maluma – “Chantaje” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin

BEST DANCE
Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” – Columbia Records
The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” – Disruptor Records/Columbia Records
David Guetta & Sia – “Flames” – Atlantic Records
Marshmello ft. Khalid – “Silence” – RCA Records/Ultra Records
Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)” – Interscope Records

BEST ROCK
Fall Out Boy – “Champion” – Island Records
Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” – RCA Records
Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
Linkin Park – “One More Light” – Warner Bros. Records
Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” – Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Records
Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water” – Interscope Records

VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” – Columbia Records
Drake – ‘God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records
Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” – Island Records
Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” – Def Jam Recordings – Cinematography by Pau Castejón
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Cinematography by Benoit Debie
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Cinematography by Larkin Seiple
Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – “River” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller
Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela

BEST DIRECTION
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Directed by Ricky Saix
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Directed by Hiro Murai
Drake – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records – Directed by Karena Evans
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records – Directed by Jason Koenig
Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – “Say Something” – RCA Records – Directed by Arturo Perez Jr.
Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Directed by Jay Martin

BEST ART DIRECTION
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday
J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records – Art Direction by Miles Mullin
Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen
SZA – “The Weekend” – TDE/RCA Records – Art Direction by SZA and Solange
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Art Direction by Brett Hess

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf
Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by KPP
Eminem ft. Beyoncé – “Walk On Water” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris
Maroon 5 – “Wait” – 222/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by TIMBER
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Choreography by Sherrie Silver
Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” – Warner Bros. Records – Choreography by Marion Motin
Justin Timberlake – “Filthy” – RCA Records – Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev

BEST EDITING
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records – Editing by Jacquelyn London
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Editing by Ernie Gilbert
Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Editing by Deji Laray
N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records – Editing by Taylor Ward
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes for Cosmo

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LEADING NOMINEES:

Cardi B – 10 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
SONG OF THE YEAR – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
BEST COLLABORATION – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
BEST COLLABORATION – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
BEST HIP HOP – “Bartier Cardi” – KSR/Atlantic Records
BEST LATIN – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
BEST EDITING – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records

The Carters – 8 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST COLLABORATION – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST HIP HOP – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST DIRECTION – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST ART DIRECTION – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
BEST EDITING – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment

Childish Gambino– 7 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
BEST DIRECTION – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
BEST ART DIRECTION – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
BEST EDITING – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records

Drake – 7 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
BEST HIP-HOP – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
BEST HIP-HOP – “Walk It Talk It” – Quality Control/Capitol Records
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
BEST DIRECTION – “God's Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

Bruno Mars – 6 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
SONG OF THE YEAR – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
BEST COLLABORATION – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
BEST EDITING – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records

Ariana Grande – 5 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BEST POP – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records

Camila Cabello – 5 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
SONG OF THE YEAR – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
BEST POP – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records

Ed Sheeran – 4 Nominations
SONG OF THE YEAR – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records
BEST POP – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “River” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records
BEST DIRECTION – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records

Khalid – 4 Nominations
BEST COLLABORATION – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings
PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BEST DANCE – “Silence” – RCA Records/Ultra Records
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings

Young Thug – 4 Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
BEST POP – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records

Alessia Cara – 3 Nominations
BEST COLLABORATION – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “Growing Pains” – Def Jam Recordings

Dua Lipa – 3 Nominations
SONG OF THE YEAR – “New Rules” – Warner Bros. Records
BEST DANCE – “One Kiss” – Columbia Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – “IDGAF” – Warner Bros. Records

Janelle Monáe – 3 Nominations
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE – “PYNK” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records
BEST ART DIRECTION – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records
BEST EDITING – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records

Shawn Mendes – 3 Nominations
BEST POP – “In My Blood” – Island Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “In My Blood” – Island Records
BEST DIRECTION – “In My Blood” – Island Records

SZA – 3 Nominations
PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BEST ART DIRECTION – “The Weekend” – TDE/RCA Records
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS – “All The Stars” – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records

Taylor Swift – 3 Nominations
BEST ART DIRECTION – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records
BEST EDITING – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records

Radio City Music Hall was the home of the inaugural “VMAs” in 1984 and this will mark the 12th time the show has been held there – the most for any “VMAs” location.

Official sponsors of the 2018 “VMAs” include PEPSI®, Swiffer® and Taco Bell®.

Bruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic are Executive Producers for the 2018 “VMAs.” Melanie Block serves as Executive in Charge of Production. Amani Duncan is Executive in Charge of Music. Wendy Plaut is Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent.

MTV is the leading youth media brand inspired by music, in nearly 180 countries and 450 million homes around the world, connecting with over 350 million fans across all social media platforms. A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and mobile networks, live events, and the new MTV Studios unit which produces original and reimagined content for SVOD and linear networks based on MTV’s library of over 200+ youth titles and franchises.

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

Review: "Avengers: Infinity War" is the Marvel Movie Maximized

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 (of 2018) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Running time:  149 minutes (2 hours, 29 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references
DIRECTORS:  Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
WRITERS:  Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (based upon the comic book created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Trent Opaloch
EDITORS:  Jeffrey Ford and Matthew Schmidt
COMPOSER:  Alan Silvestri

SUPERHERO/ACTION/DRAMA/FANTASY/SCI-FI

Starring:  Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Idris Elba, Danai Gurira, Dave Bautista, Benecio del Toro, Stan Lee, Bradley Cooper (voice), Vin Diesel (voice), Kerry Condon (voice), and Letitia Wright ( with Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders)

Avengers: Infinity War is a 2018 superhero movie directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and produced by Marvel Studios. The film is based on the Avengers comic book created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  This is also the 19th film in Marvel Studios' “Marvel Cinematic Universe.”  Avengers: Infinity War finds “Earth's Mightest Heroes” and their allies attempting to defeat the powerful Thanos before he puts an end to the universe.

Avengers: Infinity War opens after the destruction of Asgard, the home of the Avenger, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who is also the King of Asgard.  Thor is powerless to stop the destroyer of his home, Thanos (Josh Brolin), an intergalactic despot from the planet, Titan

Thanos is on a quest to collect all of six Infinity Stones and attach them to a gauntlet (glove) on his left hand.  When he has all six of the stones, he can use their combined power to impose his will on all of reality, and Thanos plans on “re-balancing” the universe by killing half the beings in the universe.  Thanos now has the “Space Stone” and the “Power Stone.”

Thanos sends his forces to Earth to find the “Time Stone,” which is in the possession of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the “Mind Stone,” which is connected to the Avenger known as “The Vision” (Paul Bettany).  Thanos travels through space to collect the other two stones, the “Reality Stone,” which is in the possession of The Collector (Benecio del Toro) and the “Soul Stone,” the whereabouts of which is known by someone close to Thanos.

In space, Thor finds allies in The Guardians of the Galaxy: Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista), Teen Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) to battle Thanos.  They are joined by Gamora's sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan), and a small band of heroes from Earth:  Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Doctor Strange, but are they enough to stop Thanos who becomes more powerful with each stone he is able to obtain?

On Earth, Captain America (Chris Evans), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) fight the forces of Thanos to protect The Vision's “Mind Stone.”  It is a battle that will take them deep into Africa to the mysterious country of Wakanda.  There, that nation's king, Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), and his countrymen will join the Avengers in a battle that will bring a mad Titan to Earth.

I love Avengers: Infinity War, and there is so much to love.  I find myself describing it as “Awesome!”  That is a word I do not use very often; in fact, I don't like it.  However, I saw Avengers: Infinity War, and it made me wanna holler, and I hollered “Awesome!”

I think the element that makes this film so good is that directors, the Russo Bros., and the screenwriters, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, make Thanos a well-rounded character, one of pathos and depth that makes him more than a cartoonish intergalactic despot and world-beater slash world-destroyer.  I think the directors and writers succeed in making Thanos matter because they give him more than motivation; they give him something to lose.  Josh Brolin, an underrated actor, performs Thanos via motion-capture because Thanos is a computer-generated character, but Brolin turns Thanos into a fully realized character makes the computer-rendering used to create him easy to ignore.

Another surprise is Spider-Man and the rising star playing him, Tom Holland.  To me, the best version of Spider-Man is the high school version of him and the boy who wears the Spider-Man mask, Peter Parker.  Holland conveys such freshness and youth; even when he is performing Spider-Man as a voice actor, when the character is computer-generated, the newness comes through.  Like Brolin does with Thanos, Holland makes Spider-Man a fully-realized character, but in this case, Holland creates a lovable, endearing character that might be the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For me, Avengers: Infinity War is the best Marvel Studios movie after Black Panther.  This movie is brand maximization, of course, the height of what Marvel Studios offers movie audiences, and that is just fine.  The Infinity War filmmakers worked hard, as have previous Marvel filmmakers, to deliver hugely entertaining films.  Besides, Infinity War is its own thing, without having to serve the stories of previous Marvel Studios films.  For movie audience who have come to expect the very best out of Marvel, I can simply say that Avengers: Infinity War is the very best of Marvel Studios.

9 of 10
A+

Sunday, April 29, 2018


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for August 15, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

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