TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews

Monday, January 27, 2025

Advanced Comics Review: "SILVERHAWKS #1" is Fully in Flight

SILVERHAWKS, VOL. 1 #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ed Brisson

ART: George Kambadais

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Lucio Parrillo

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; James Stokoe; Geraldo Borges; Declan Shalvey; Leirix; Manix; Mark Spears; Mark Bagley

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“SilverHawks” was an American animated television series developed by Rankin/Bass Productions. Lorimar-Telepictures provided the distribution for TV syndication and the Japanese studio, Pacific Animation Corporation, produced the animation. Rankin/Bass created “SilverHawks” as a space-based equivalent of its earlier animated series, ThunderCats (1985-86).

“SilverHawks” was set in the galaxy of “Limbo.” It focused on the bionic space enforcer, Commander Stargazer, and his recruits, “the SilverHawks,” heroes who were “partly metal, partly real.” They fought the evil Mon*Star, an escaped alien crime boss. He could transform into an enormous armor-plated creature with the help of Moonstar, a “solid star” in Limbo.

The “SilverHawks” property now belongs to Warner Bros. Discovery, and Dynamite Entertainment has a license to produce comic books based on many WBD properties. Dynamite is launching a SilverHawks comic book series, SilverHawks, Volume One. It is written by Ed Brisson; drawn by George Kambadais; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

SilverHawks Volume 1 #1 opens in the year 2839 in Bedlama City on the planet of Bedlama. Lt. Quick of the Interplanetary Force B is leading a unit to take down the notorious smuggler, Hardware. What Quick and his men don't know is that this is bigger than Hardware, bigger than Interplanetary Force B.

Mon*Star, the deadly mob boss taken down by Commander Stargazer and the SilverHawks, is about to break free of Penal Planet 10, where he has been imprisoned for one hundred years. Now, he plans to take revenge on everyone who tried to take his territory and anyone who tried to make moves on his criminal enterprise.

And his old enemies, Commander Stargazer and the SilverHawks, are too old to fight him again.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. SilverHawks, Volume One: Issue One is the first SilverHawks comic book that I've read.

I only vaguely remember the “SilverHawks” TV series, and I never watched it. I am more familiar with writer Ed Brisson, having enjoyed his AWA Studios work, including the excellent Sins of the Salton Sea #1. I enjoy the output of artist George Kambadais, having reviewed John Carter of Mars #1 and Disney's Gargoyles #1.

Together, Brisson and Kambadais offer a riveting first issue of the new SilverHawks series. Brisson deftly brings together the past and present, expertly tying them together to create what is likely the series' central conflict.

Kambadais, who seems gifted when it comes to science fiction-fantasy comic books, makes the story crackle from page to page with exciting action. Still, he leaves plenty of space to introduce the characters and their attitudes, if not their personalities. Ellie Wright's colors make the art shimmer and shake with the energy of a new beginning. Jeff Eckleberry's lettering is reliable in creating a rhythm for the narrative, and it does here.

I expected very little from Silverhawks #1, but I'm pleasantly surprised. This could be a really good series that is in for a long run.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series and of “SilverHawks” will want to give SilverHawks, Volume One a try.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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Saturday, January 25, 2025

Comics Review: "ARCHIE IS MR.JUSTICE #2" vs. Visionary

ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE, NO. 2 (OF 4)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Amanda Deibert

ART: Brent Schoonover

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Reiko Murakami

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jamal Igle; Matt Talbot

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2025); on sale in comic book shops January 22, 2025

Rating: Teen+

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character. In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics has also published superhero comic books featuring offbeat characters. The latest is a new four-issue comic book series, entitled Archie is Mr. Justice. The second issue is written by Amanda Deibert; drawn by Brent Schoonover; colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli. Archie is Mr. Justice focuses on teenager Archie Andrews and his superhero persona, “Mr. Justice.” Mr. Justice may be the superhero that all of Riverdale is talking about, but now, he's not the only one. His activities have brought forth a rival – Visionary.

Archie is Mr. Justice #2 opens as Hiram Lodge, a greedy developer and real estate tycoon, plans to change the face of Riverdale through his company, Lodge Industries. No longer will it be small town, but instead will be state-of-the-art and exclusive. That also means a lot of people will be displaced from their neighborhoods and homes, and those people cannot afford the new luxury estates.

Hiram's daughter, Veronica Lodge, believes that she can mitigate the damage her father does by starting a charity that will help people find jobs. She also thinks that a charity fashion show is appropriate, and she wants her dear friend, Archie, to help her. However, some people want no part of her charity, and when the protesters show up at a Lodge Industries worksite, there is violence. And much to Veronica's disappointment, Mr. Justice takes the protesters' side.

Now, with the help of Lodge Tech, Veronica is about to become Riverdale's newest superhero, “Visionary.” Veronica does not know that her rival, Mr. Justice, is actually her precious Archie Andrews! Now, things are going to go from bad to worse.

THE LOWDOWN: I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades. I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time. For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review. Archie is Mr. Justice No. 2 is the latest.

Archie Comics has been reviving some of the old M.L.J. “Golden Age” superheroes for several years now. The latest to rise from the grave is “Mr. Justice,” also known as “the Royal Wraith.” Created by writer Joe Blair and artist Sam Cooper, Mr. Justice was an 18th century English prince who was murdered by rebels. Chance and circumstance brought about his return to the mortal world in the 1940s in the form of Mr. Justice. Mr. Justice first appeared in Blue Ribbon Comics #9 (cover dated: February 1941; M.L.J. Magazines), which, in a bit of meta-fiction, is the comic book that appears in Archie is Mr. Justice #1 as one of Jughead's comic books. From this particular comic book, Archie takes inspiration for his “Mr. Justice” identity.

For this second issue, writer Amanda Deibert and artist Brent Schoonover delve into the complications that come from having both a superhero identity and a personal life. Deibert's script captures the ambivalence, unruly emotions, spurned feelings, and anger, all with an aura of relentlessness that can be called both smooth and constant.

Schoonover's art and storytelling present a story that is not so black-and-white in its conflict. He offers not so much heroes and villains as he does imperfect people. Glenn Whitmore's colors capture the nuance and shifting moods of this story, and Jack Morelli's lettering provides a steady beat for a story that finds the messiness of relationships with each page.

I am surprised by Archie is Mr. Justice #2. This is a melancholy chapter in this series, and it is not as aggressive nor as powerful as the first issue's story. Still, I wish that what is presented in this second issue was developed as a graphic novel. The story has the potential to decompress.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Archie is Mr. Justice No. 2.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Archie is Mr. Justice No. 2. There is also a Q&A featuring Amanda Deibert and Brent Schoonover.]

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

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Review: Netflix's "BACK IN ACTION" Finds Fun in Spy Parents

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 of 2025 (No. 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux

Back in Action (2025)

Running time: 114 minutes (1 hour, 54 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references and strong language, and brief teen partying

DIRECTOR: Seth Gordon

WRITERS: Seth Gordon and Brendan O'Brien

PRODUCERS: Beau Bauman, Peter Chernin, Seth Gordon, Sharla Sumpter-Bridgett, and Jenno Topping

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ken Sang (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Peter S. Elliot

COMPOSER: Christopher Lennertz

ACTION/COMEDY/SPY

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, McKenna Roberts, Rylan Jackson, Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close, Jamie Demetriou, Andrew Scott, Fola Evans-Akingbola, and Robert Besta

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

Back in Action is no “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” but it is an entertaining action-comedy and spy movie.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz work well together, well enough to make me look forward to a sequel.

Back in Action is a 2025 American action-comedy and spy film from director Seth Gordon. The film is a “Netflix Original” and began streaming on Netflix, January 17, 2025. Back in Action focuses on a husband and wife who were once CIA spies and now find themselves pulled back into the espionage game after their secrets are exposed.

Back in Action introduces the Reynolds family: wife, Emily (Cameron Diaz); husband, Matt (Jamie Foxx); daughter, Alice (McKenna Roberts); and son, Leo (Rylan Jackson). They are living the quiet suburban life until Matt and Emily's old lives intrude. You see, Matt and Emily were once “QRN” – “quick reactionary nonofficial” covert operatives for the CIA. Fifteen years ago, they were involved in a mission to capture the “ICS key” from the Polish terrorist, Balthazar Gor (Robert Besta). The mission goes bad, and Matt and Emily decide to quit the spy business and start a family.

In the present, Gor's gang of Belarusian terrorists, “the Volka,” launch an attack on Matt and Emily, who pick up their kids from school and go on the run. They head to England where they will reunite with Emily's estranged mother, Ginny Curtis (Glenn Close), a former MI6 agency head. However, a current MI6 agent, Baron Andrews (Andrew Scott), is waiting for them. Also awaiting Matt and Emily are their past and the people who will do anything to get “the Key.”

Back in Action is the fourth “Netflix Original” in which Jamie Foxx has starred (as far as I can tell), following Project Power (2020), Day Shift (2022), and They Cloned Tyrone (2023). For some reason, I felt as if I had to see Day Shift before I watched Back in Action, which I did a few days earlier. Day Shift is not great, but it is entertaining.

I can say the same about Back in Action. It isn't in the same league as 2002's Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which saw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play husband and wife who each worked for rival assassination firm. If you took Mr. and Mrs. Smith and mixed it with Spy Kids (2001), you might get something close to Back in Action.

I can honestly say that I enjoyed Back in Action. As a domestic comedy, it is genuinely funny, and Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx play off each other quite well. As a spy movie, Back in Action offers a lot of slick, attention grabbing car chases, fight scenes, shoot-outs, and an extended plane crash that kept me glued to the screen. The family dynamic works pretty well, although I must admit that Glenn Close seems a bit odd as a spy who is the mother of another spy.

That's all I have to say. Back in Action is not great, but it is the kind of star-driven above-average event movie that Netflix regularly offers. Such movies are how they make us feel that our Netflix subscription is worth keeping active.

6 of 10

★★★ out of 4 stars

Saturday, January 25, 2025

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 19th to 25th, 2025 - UPDATE #16

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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TREATS: From AnotherCookie?: There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

OSCARS - From Variety: The nominations for the 2025 / 97th Academy Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" leads with 13 nominations. The winners will be announced March 2, 2025.

From Variety: Karla Sofia Gascon, star of "Emilia Perez," becomes the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Oscar. The Spanish star received her "Best Actress" nomination for playing the title role of "Emilia Perez."

From Deadline: Songwriter Diane Warren broke her own record this morning at the nominations announcement for the 97th Oscars. She received her 16th nomination in the category of "Best Original Song," for her end credits song, "The Journey," for Tyler Perry's historical drama, "The Six Triple Eight." This is also the eighth year in a row that she has been nominated in that category, but she did not win the previous 15 times she was nominated. This is also the first time that a Tyler Perry has received an Oscar nomination in any category.

From YahooMovies: With 13 nominations, Yahoo's Kelsey Weekman asked if "Emilia Perez" is this year's Oscar villain?

From YahooMovies: Yahoo's Kelsey Weekman looks at the "surprises" in who was nominated and "snubs" in who was not.

From YahooMovies: The Oscar-nominated "Sing Sing" is back in theaters. It also makes history by being simultaneously available to one million incarcerated people around the country. Yahoo's Kelsey Weekman talks about why that matters.

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MOVIES - From THR: Hot off Nosferatu and about to embark on a remake of Jim Henson's Labyrinth, Robert Eggers will direct, "Werewulf," a werewolf movie set in the 13th century, for Focus Features.

MOVIES - From Deadline: Christopher McQuarrie, director of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, said that at a recent small screening, someone said that they almost had a heart attack during a particular action sequence. The Tom Cruise movie is reportedly the final film in the franchise starring Cruise.

NATIVE AMERICAN - From APNews: In one of his last acts as President of the United States, President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of the Indigenous activist, Leonard Peltier. Imprisoned for the killing of two FBI agents on June 26, 1975, Peltier will leave the federal prison system after nearly half a century and spend his remaining time on Earth in home confinement.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Oscar and Emmy-winning actor, Rami Malek, talks about a racial profiling incident in which the Los Angeles Police Department officers threw him on the hood of a car.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 1/17 to 1/19/2025 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "One of Them Days" with an estimated take of 11.6 million dollars.

From Variety: With 445 million dollars in domestic box office and 567 million dollars in international box office, "Moana 2" has crossed the one-billion dollar mark, becoming the third film released in 2024 to cross that mark. All of three: "Inside Out 2," "Deadpool & Wolverine," and "Moana 2" are Disney releases.

STREAMING - From Variety: After two seasons, Paramount+ has enough of its revival of "Frasier," the former NBC sitcom that ran from 1993-2004. CBS Studios, the producer, is shopping the revival series to other platforms.

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BOWL SCHEDULE - From YahooSports: Here is your 2024-2024 college football bowl schedule with games, matchups, times, and dates. Most of the games are on ESPN.

It begins with the "Cricket Celebration Bowl" on Saturday, December 14th featuring Jackson State vs South Carolina State at Noon EST on ABC.

The first round of the "College Football Playoff" begins Friday, December 20th with Indiana at Notre Dame at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.

It all climaxes January 20th, 2025 with the "College Football Playoff National Championship" between the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on ESPN.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From THR: The winners for the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes have been announced. "Emilia Perez" won "Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy" and "Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language." "The Brutalist" won "Best Motion Picture - Drama." "Wicked" won in the new category, "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement." "Flow" won "Best Motion Picture - Animated."

From THR: The nominations for the 2025 / 36th Producers Guild of America Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced Sat. Feb. 8th.

From BBC: The nominations for the 2025 / 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) have been announced. "Conclave" leads with 12 nominations. The winners will be Sunday, Feb. 16th, 2025.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2025 / 77th Annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced. In the awards' marquee category, "Theatrical Feature Film," the nominees are Jacques Audiard ("Emilia Perez"), Sean Baker ("Anora"), Edward Berger ("Conclave"), Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist"), and James Mangold ("A Complete Unknown"). The winners will be announced February 8th.

From EW: The Screen Actors Guild has cancelled the 2025 / 31st SAG Awards nominations announcement live-stream because of the current wildfires sweeing through the Los Angeles area. The nominations will be announced Thursday morning, January 9th via press release and on SAG Awards website. The SAG Award ceremony will be hired Feb. 23rd.

From AwardsWatch: The nominations for the 2025 / 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards have been announced. Netflix's "The Piano Lesson" leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced February 21st and 22nd.

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Pittsburgh Film Critics Association (PFCA) Awards have been announced. This is the association inaugural awards announcement. "The Substance" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Chicago Independent Critics (CIC) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won seven awards, including "Best Indepent Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore). "Dune: Part Two" won "Best Studio Film."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" wins "Best Movie About Women." Coralie Fargeat's "The Substance" wins "Best Movie By a Woman" (directing)

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the annual Portland Critics Association (PCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" won in 10 of the 13 categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" took four awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Wild Robot" won two awards - "Best Picture" and "Best Animated Feature."

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the Minnesota Film Critics Association (MNFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Music City Film Critics Association (MCFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won four awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 George Film Critics Association (GFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) EDA Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has won "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) Awards have been announced. "Challengers" has won "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Luca Guadagnino).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 DiscussingFilm's Global Film Critics Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" won "Best Picture."

From EW: The nominations for the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes have been announced. "Emilia Perez" leads with 10 nominations. The winners will be announced January 5, 2025 on CBS and Paramount+.

From THR: The winners at the 2025 National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won the award for "Best Picture" of 2024.

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) Awards have been announced. "Conclave" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Edward Berger), and "Best Actor" (Ralph Fiennes).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) Awards have been announced. "Conclave" has won three awards, including "Best Narrative Film."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Columbia Film Critics Association (COFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Actress" (Demi Moore),

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 29th Capri, Hollywood-International Film Festival Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" won six awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Critics Association of Central Florda (CACF) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 UK Film Critics Association (UKFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" won "Film of the Year" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Online Association of Female Film Critics (OAFFC) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" won six awards, including "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat). and "Best Leading Performance" (Demi Moore). "The Substance" shared the "Best Film" honor with "Anora."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Awards have announced. "The Beast" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Bertrand Bonello).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Nevada Film Critics Society (NFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC) Awards have been announced. "The Zone of Interest" was named "Best Film" and its director, Jonathan Glazer, won "Best Director." Although the film was released in Dublin this year, it was eligible for the Academy Awards in 2023.

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critic Association (DFWFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has won three awards: "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Southeastern Film Critics Associations (SFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) Awards have been announced. "Anora" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), and "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat)

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Substance" has been named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has been named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Awards. "The Substance" has won six awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Coralie Fargeat), and "Best Leading Performance" (Demi Moore), and "Best Supporting Performance" (Margaret Qualley).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (RaMell Ross)

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won three awards, including "Film" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch: The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced the nominations in the category of "Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures." The winners at the 2025 / 39th Annual Producers Guild Awards will be announced Saturday, February 8, 2024.

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. "Anora" has been named "Best Film."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has taken five awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Brady Corbet), and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Awards have been announced. "Dune: Part Two" has won six awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Denis Villeneuve).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards have been announced. "Nickel Boys" has won "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (RaMell Ross). "Sing Sing" has won "Best Actor" (Colman Domingo) and "Best Supporting Actor" (Clarence Maclin).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has been named "Best Picture." The films four total wins including for "Best Director" (Brady Corbet) and "Best Actor" (Adrien Brody).

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Chicago Film Critics (CFC) Awards have been announced. "The Brutalist" has won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Awards have been announced. "Sing Sing" won "Best Picture," won of three awards it received.

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Michigan Movie Critics Guild (MMCG) Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Picture," one of its four wins.

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 2024 Atlanta Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Film," one of four awards it won.

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Washington Area Film Critics Association Awards have been announced. "Wicked" has won the award for "Best Feature."

From AwardsWatch: The winners of the 49th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced. "Anora" was named "Best Picture." Marianne Jean-Baptiste (for "Hard Truths") became the first Black woman to win a lead performance honor in the groups history.

From AwardsWatch: The winners for the 2024 / 27th British Independent Film Awards have been announced. The Irish film, "Kneecap," wins "Best British Independent Film."

From AwardsWatch: The winners at the 2024 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) have been announced. "Anora" wins "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Sean Baker), "Best Actress" (Mikey Madison), and "Best Original Screenplay."

From AFI: The American Film Institute has named its top ten films and television series. Among the films honored are "Dune: Part Two," "Nickel Boys," and "Wicked."

From THR: The winners at the 2024 / 37th European Film Awards have been announced. "Emilia Perez" wins the award for "European Film." It also won the directing (Jacques Audiard), writing (Audiard), and actress (Karla Sofia Gascon) honors.

From NBR: The National Board of Review has named its 2024 film honorees. "Wicked" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (for John M. Chu).

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2025 / 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced. Cannes 2024 Palme d'Or winner, "Anora," and "I Saw the TV Glow" each lead with six nominations apiece. The winners will be announced Saturday, February 22, 2025.

From Deadline: The winners of the 2024 / 90th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. Director Brady Corbet's three-hour epic, "The Brutalist," has won "Best Film" and its star, Adrian Brody, has won "Best Actor."

From Variety: The winners at the 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards have been announced. Writer-director Aaron Schimberg's "A Different Man" has won the "Best Feature" award.

From Deadline: The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film. Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations. The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2024 / 27th British Independent Film Awards have been announced. The Irish film, "Kneecap," leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, December 8, 2024.

BEST PICTURE WINNER COUNT:

From AwardsWatch: This link will take you, dear readers, to "AwardWatch's" article, "Who Won What? - The 2024/2025 Film Award Precursor Guide."

"Anora": 15 wins (Atlanta Film Critics Circle; Austin Film Critics Association; Boston Society of Film Critics; CACF: DFWFCA; Georgia Film Critics Association; IFCA; LAFCA; Michigan Movie Critics Guild; North Dakota Film Society; OAFFC; NTFCA; Philadelphia Film Critics Circle; SFBAFCC; SFCA)

"The Beast": 1 win (Florida Film Critics Circle)

"The Brutalist": 11 wins (AWFJ; BOFCA; Chicago Film Critics; Golden Globes-Drama; HFCS; MNFCA; Nevada Film Critics Society; NYFCC; Phoenix Critics Circle; Phoenix Film Critics Circle; Portland Critics Association)

"Challengers": 1 win (GWNYFCA)

"Conclave": 2 wins (North Carolina Film Critics Association; Oklahoma Film Critics Circle)

"A Different Man": 1 win (Gotham Awards)

"Dune: Part Two" - 5 wins (Chicago Independent Critics; LVFCS; Music City Film Critics Associations; St.LFCA; UKFCA)

"Emilia Perez": 4 wins (Capri, Hollywood-International Film Festival Awards; European Film Awards; Golden Globes-Comedy or Musical; WFCC)

"Kneecap": 1 win (British Independent Film Awards)

"Nickel Boys": 4 wins (AAFCA; DiscussingFilm; National Society of Film Critics; TFCA)

"Sing Sing": 1 win (San Diego Film Critics Society)

"The Substance": 9 wins (Chicago Independent Critics; COFCA; Indiana Film Journalists Association; KCFCC; NYFCO; OAFFC; Pittsburgh Film Critics Association; Seattle Film Critics Society; WFCC)

"Wicked": 2 wins (National Board of Review; WAFCA)

"The Wild Robot": 1 win (Utah Film Critics Association)

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Friday, January 24, 2025

A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2025 by Negromancer - UPDATE #2

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?: There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS AND RUMORS:

REY SKYWALKER - From Variety: The planned "Rey Skywalker" movie now has a writer, George Nolfi, ("The Bourne Ultimatum"). Daisey Ridley will reprise her role as Rey.

FUTURE - From THR: Ryan Gosling is reportedly in talks to be the star of director Shawn Levy's ("Deadpool & Wolverine") planned "Star Wars" movie.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool: Marvel is launching a new flagship "Star Wars" comic book series in May 2025. This new "Star Wars #1" will debut stories set after the events depicted in the 1983 film, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi." It will be written by Alex Segura and drawn by Phil Noto. According to the press information: "It's the dawn of the New Republic, and as the dust settles after the Battle of Jakku our rebel heroes — Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo — find themselves forging a new order as pirates and thieves swarm to fill the power vacuum left behind by the fallen Empire." The series will reintroduce characters like Mon Mothma and Beilert Valance, among others.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool: To celebrate "Black History Month," Marvel Comics will celebrate Black "Star Wars" characters with variant covers featuring them on four "Star Wars" titles published in February 2025.

NEW TRILOGY - From Deadline: Lucasfilm has hired writer-producer-director Simon Kinberg to develop a new "Star Wars" trilogy - Episodes 10, 11, and 12.

From THR: Related to the Simon Kinberg news, the new trilogy will supposedly focus on the the sequel trilogy star, "Rey Skywalker."

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool: Marvel will publish a "Star Wars" one-shot comic book, "Star Wars: A New Legacy," in 2025. It will set up the relaunch of Marvel's ongoing "Star Wars" flagship comic book and also celebrate the tenth anniversary of Marvel regaining the license to publish "Star Wars" titles from Dark Horse Comics. Since then, however, Dark Horse gained a new license to publish "Star Wars" comics for juvenile readers.

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STAR WARS Movie Reviews:

From Negromancer: "Star Wars"
From Negromancer: "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer: "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer: "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

From Negromancer: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer: "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer: "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer: "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer: "Solo: A Star Wars Story"

I Reads You "Star Wars Central" comics and graphic novel review page is here.

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Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

Cinemark Theaters to Screen Acclaimed Films During "Oscar Movie Week"

Hollywood’s Elite Films Shine at Cinemark’s Nationwide Oscar® Movie Week Festival

Exhibitor to offer fan-favorite all-inclusive festival passes alongside individual tickets for moviegoers to see Oscar® film nominees in the immersive, cinematic environment.

This year’s program is presented by Focus Features’ upcoming film “Black Bag,” a spy drama from acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh which hits theaters on March 14, 2025.

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cinemark Holdings, Inc., one of the largest and most influential theatrical exhibition companies in the world, is bringing the most prestigious Hollywood films of 2024 to big screens across the nation with the return of its annual Oscar® Movie Week festival.

In theaters from Monday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, March 2, 2025, Oscar® Movie Week offers movie buffs the chance to experience Best Picture as well as Live Action and Animated Short Film nominees in the incomparable immersive, cinematic environment only a movie theater can provide.

This year’s festival is presented by Focus Features’ upcoming film, "Black Bag," and will offer a convenient, all-inclusive festival pass that will include all participating nominees, as well as single showtime tickets for those interested in select titles. The festival is being held at more than 120 participating Cinemark theaters nationwide in advance of the 97th Oscars®, which airs March 2, 2025 on ABC and will be streamed live on Hulu. Festival passes are on sale now at Cinemark.com/movieweek with individual showtime tickets going on sale Jan. 29.

“The Oscars® are about celebrating the art of cinema, and there's no better way to experience the year’s most accoladed Hollywood content than alongside other fans in one of our auditoriums with sight and sound technology that cannot be replicated at home”

"The Oscars® are about celebrating the art of cinema, and there's no better way to experience the year’s most accoladed Hollywood content than alongside other fans in one of our auditoriums with sight and sound technology that cannot be replicated at home,” said Cinemark Chief Marketing and Content Officer Wanda Gierhart Fearing. “We’re thrilled to bring Oscar® Movie Week back to Cinemark with our highly sought after festival passes, offering moviegoers the chance to catch these prestigious films on the big screen before the must-see awards ceremony.”

In addition to the festival pass, which is on sale now, individual tickets will go on sale for each title beginning Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Tickets for the feature-length Best Picture nominees are available at standard pricing, with showtimes beginning on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. All Live Action and Animated Short Film nominees are bundled into one $10 viewing, available Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 2, 2025. Oscar® Movie Week attendees can get star-studded savings with 50 percent off any size popcorn at participating Cinemark theaters during the run of the program.

Those wanting to have a red carpet-worthy watch party at home for Hollywood’s biggest night, Cinemark’s nationwide delivery partnerships with DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats will ensure you have the best in movie snacks to go alongside the best in entertainment. Visit https://www.cinemark.com/food-drink/delivery for more information on available options and participating locations.

For more details on Oscar® Movie Week, including participating theaters, showtimes and how to purchase tickets, visit Cinemark.com/movieweek.

About Black Bag:

From Director Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag is a gripping spy drama about legendary intelligence agents George Woodhouse and his beloved wife Kathryn. When she is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test – loyalty to his marriage or his country. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Tom Burke, and Pierce Brosnan.

About Cinemark Holdings, Inc.:

Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) provides extraordinary out-of-home entertainment experiences as one of the largest and most influential theatrical exhibition companies in the world. Based in Plano, Texas, Cinemark makes every day cinematic for moviegoers across nearly 500 theaters and more than 5,500 screens, operating in 42 states in the U.S. (306 theaters; 4,282 screens) and 13 South and Central American countries (193 theaters; 1,398 screens). Cinemark offers guests superior sight and sound technology, including Barco laser projection and Cinemark XD, the world’s No. 1 exhibitor-branded premium large format; industry-leading penetration of upscale amenities such as expanded food and beverage offerings, Luxury Lounger recliners and D-BOX motion seats; top-notch guest service; and award-winning loyalty programs such as Cinemark Movie Club. All of this creates an immersive environment for a shared, entertaining escape, underscoring that there is no place more cinematic than Cinemark. For more information, visit https://ir.cinemark.com.

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USC Libraries Announces Finalists for the 2025 Scripter Awards

USC Libraries Name Finalists for 37th-Annual Scripter Awards

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The USC Libraries named the finalists for the 37th-annual USC Libraries Scripter Awards, which honor the writers of the year’s most accomplished film and episodic series adaptations, as well as the writers of the works on which they are based.

The finalist writers for film adaptation are, in alphabetical order by film title:

-- James Mangold and Jay Cocks for “A Complete Unknown” based on the nonfiction book “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties” by Elijah Wald

Peter Straughan for “Conclave” based on the novel by Robert Harris

-- RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes for “Nickel Boys” based on the book “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead

-- Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar (screenplay and story) and Clarence Maclin and John “Divine G” Whitfield (story) for “Sing Sing” based on the “Esquire” magazine article “The Sing Sing Follies” by John H. Richardson

-- Screenwriter Chris Sanders and novelist Peter Brown for “The Wild Robot”

The finalist writers for episodic series are, in alphabetical order by series title:

-- Richard Gadd for the sixth episode of “Baby Reindeer,” based on his stage play of the same name

-- Steven Zaillian for “V Lucio,” the fifth episode of “Ripley,” based on “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith

-- Joshua Zetumer for the episode “The People in the Dirt” from “Say Nothing,” based on the nonfiction book “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” by Patrick Radden Keefe

-- Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks for “Anjin,” the first episode of “Shōgun,” based on the novel by James Clavell

-- Will Smith for the episode “Hello Goodbye,” from “Slow Horses,” based on the novel “Spook Street” by Mick Herron

The 2025 Scripter selection committee selected the finalists from a field of 42 film and 66 episodic series adaptations. Howard Rodman, USC professor and Vice President/Secretary of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, chairs the 2025 committee.

The studios distributing the finalist films and current publishers of the printed works are:

“A Complete Unknown”—Searchlight Pictures and Dey Street Books

“Conclave”—Focus Features and Vintage Books

“Nickel Boys”—Amazon MGM Studios and Vintage Books

“Sing Sing”—A24 and Esquire

“The Wild Robot”—Universal Pictures and Little, Brown and Company

The networks and streaming platforms broadcasting the finalist episodic series and current publishers of the works are:

“Baby Reindeer”—Netflix and Methuen Drama

“Ripley”—Netflix and Vintage Books

“Say Nothing”—FX/Hulu and Vintage Books

“Shōgun”—FX/Hulu and Blackstone Publishing

“Slow Horses”—Apple TV+ and Soho Crime

The USC Libraries will announce the winning authors and screenwriters at a black-tie ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in the Town & Gown ballroom at the University of Southern California.

Since 1988, Scripter has honored the authors of original works alongside the screenwriters who adapt their stories. For more information about Scripter, including ticket availability, please email scripter@usc.edu or visit scripter.usc.edu.

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