WASHINGTON (AP) — Chadwick Boseman knows a little about portraying icons: his acting resume includes Jackie Robinson, James Brown and comic book’s first black superhero, the Black Panther. But even Boseman was wary after director Reginald Hudlin approached him about portraying the younger days of the future Supreme Court justice in “Marshall.” There were … Continue reading
Category Archives: Movies
Review: In ‘Marshall,’ a young Thurgood in Connecticut
Thurgood Marshall, a titan of 20th-century law and a civil rights pioneer, has until now largely eluded Hollywood’s notice. Despite its title, “Marshall,” too, is wary of taking on the Supreme Court justice in full, sticking to a minor case from Marshall’s early career as counsel for the NAACP. That makes, for better and worse, … Continue reading
Review: In ‘Marshall,’ a young Thurgood in Connecticut
Thurgood Marshall, a titan of 20th-century law and a civil rights pioneer, has until now largely eluded Hollywood’s notice. Despite its title, “Marshall,” too, is wary of taking on the Supreme Court justice in full, sticking to a minor case from Marshall’s early career as counsel for the NAACP. That makes, for better and worse, … Continue reading
Hollywood condemnation of Weinstein grows louder
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Hollywood establishment, slow to react to the initial sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein, began speaking out against him more forcefully Monday after the powerful studio boss was fired by own company. Among the A-listers weighing in were his longtime allies and beneficiaries Meryl Streep, Judi Dench and director Kevin … Continue reading
Study: More women, minorities being hired as TV directors
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The hiring of ethnic minorities and women as first-time TV series directors is up sharply, according to a Directors Guild of America study released Wednesday. They’re part of record growth and diversity in the “pipeline” of incoming directors, the study of the 2016-17 TV season found. The percentage of minority first-time … Continue reading
Liam Neeson sees parallels between Trump, Nixon eras
TORONTO (AP) — Liam Neeson’s latest film takes viewers into the life of a key player in the Watergate scandal, and he says there are clear parallels between presidents then-and-now. Neeson plays the high-ranking FBI official who was a key source for Washington Post stories that helped lead to President Richard Nixon’s downfall in “Mark … Continue reading
‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ dethrones ‘It’ with $39M debut
NEW YORK (AP) — The R-rated spy comedy “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” displaced the horror sensation “It” as the No. 1 film in North America, while the second “Lego Movie” spinoff of the year didn’t assemble the expected audience. The 20th Century Fox release opened with a weekend-leading $39 million debut, according to studio estimates … Continue reading
Sterling K. Brown, Chadwick Boseman support NFL players
NEW YORK (AP) — Sterling K. Brown and Chadwick Boseman have high praise for the pro football players who took a knee in protest of President Donald Trump. The actors — both starring in the upcoming film “Marshall,” about Thurgood Marshall — commended players in the National Football League who sat, knelt or raised their … Continue reading
Review: ‘Kingsman’ sequel lacks punch and vibe of first film
By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer In the first film about a secret spy group known as Kingsman, we learned they are well-dressed, courtly and perfectly groomed. But by the second film, there’s a decidedly ungentlemanly whiff about them — of desperation. “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” comes three years after the first leg in the Matthew … Continue reading
Review: ‘Battle of the Sexes’ serves up a too-timely story
Can an inspirational movie also be a drag? That’s the distinct feeling one can’t shake walking out of “Battle of the Sexes ,” a fictionalized rendering of the 1973 tennis match between 29-year-old Billie Jean King and 55-year-old hustler Bobby Riggs and the circumstances surrounding it. At stake is the opportunity for women in tennis … Continue reading
President Trump omnipresent over Emmy Awards ceremony
By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump never won an Emmy, it’s true. But his presence was felt at this year’s television awards ceremony more than any actor, writer or producer. “Saturday Night Live,” for which Trump was an endless fount of comedy during his campaign and early presidency, had … Continue reading
White House aide unamused by political Emmy Awards
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House aide is offering a lackluster review for the politically-charged Emmy Awards. Speaking Monday on “Fox & Friends,” White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway says “America is responding by tuning out.” Conway added people have a right to speak freely, but said “you’re showing the world you’re so easy … Continue reading
White House aide unamused by political Emmy Awards
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House aide is offering a lackluster review for the politically-charged Emmy Awards. Speaking Monday on “Fox & Friends,” White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway says “America is responding by tuning out.” Conway added people have a right to speak freely, but said “you’re showing the world you’re so easy with … Continue reading
MCJR Week, Sept. 25-29, examines the Fourth Estate
MCJR Week 2017 The Fourth Estate: Protecting Truth, Preserving Democracy, Serving the People http://www.nsumcjr.com Monday, September 25, 2017 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. Conference Registration Location: SC138C 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration Continued Location: SC138C 6:30 p.m. MCJR Mixer/Kickoff Location: SC138C Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals 7:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker: L. Joy Williams https://ljoywilliams.com/services/speaker/ Location: … Continue reading
Rebel Wilson awarded millions in Australia defamation case
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A judge awarded Rebel Wilson record damages of 4.56 million Australian dollars ($3.66 million) on Wednesday over magazine articles the actress said cost her roles in Hollywood films. A Supreme Court jury in Australia’s Victoria state had decided in June the articles claiming she lied about her age, origins of her … Continue reading
‘It’ floats away with record-breaking $117.2 million weekend
LOS ANGELES (AP) — ‘It’ is a hit. The Stephen King adaptation from New Line and Warner Bros. shattered records over the weekend earning $117.2 million from 4,103 locations according to studio estimates on Sunday. Not only is “It” now the largest ever opening for a horror movie and the largest September opening of all … Continue reading
‘It’ floats away with record-breaking $117.2 million weekend
LOS ANGELES (AP) — ‘It’ is a hit. The Stephen King adaptation from New Line and Warner Bros. shattered records over the weekend earning $117.2 million from 4,103 locations according to studio estimates on Sunday. Not only is “It” now the largest ever opening for a horror movie and the largest September opening of all … Continue reading
Amazon launches African-American video-on-demand service
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is launching Brown Sugar, a subscription video-on-demand service that features what it calls the biggest collection of the baddest African-American movies of all time. Brown Sugar offers films such as “Shaft,” ”Cotton Comes to Harlem,” ”In the Heat of the Night,” ”Cleopatra Jones,” ”Crash,” ”Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset … Continue reading
Disney streaming service to get ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel
NEW YORK (AP) — “Star Wars” and the Marvel comic-book movies will join Disney’s upcoming streaming service , potentially giving it broader appeal beyond families with young children. The Disney service will be the only place to stream those movies on demand in the U.S. as part of a monthly subscription. (So, not on Netflix.) A price … Continue reading
How ‘American Assassin’ took a long, twisting path to film
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After twists and turns worthy of the very spy series it sprung from, a movie featuring the indomitable fictional terrorism fighter Mitch Rapp is about to hit movie screens nationwide — four years after his creator, author Vince Flynn, died from prostate cancer. “American Assassin ,” the first movie based on a Flynn … Continue reading
Utah theater wins ‘Deadpool’ case over law banning booze
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A U.S. judge on Thursday struck down a Utah law that landed a movie theater in trouble for serving alcohol during the racy superhero film “Deadpool.” U.S. District Judge David Nuffer said state regulators violated Brewvies’ freedom of speech when it threatened to fine the theater up to $25,000 under … Continue reading
Did ‘Thelma & Louise’ move the needle for female-led films?
NEW YORK (AP) — When Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon clasped hands, stepped on the gas and flew over the canyon ridge in that memorable ending to “Thelma & Louise,” many in Hollywood believed they were launching more than that turquoise Thunderbird. It was 1991, and the expectation — or at least the hope … Continue reading
Shelley Berman, comedian-bard of everyday life, has died
NEW YORK (AP) — Comedian Shelley Berman, who won gold records and appeared on top television shows in the 1950s and 1960s delivering wry monologues about the annoyances of everyday life, has died. He was 92. Berman died Friday at his home in Bell Canyon, California, from complications from Alzheimer’s disease, according to spokesman Glenn … Continue reading
Prince’s other sister: Purple was his color, not orange
NEW YORK (AP) — Prince didn’t have an orange crush — purple was his favorite color, according to his half-sister Sharon Nelson. Sharon Nelson says in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday that “contrary to what has been said, purple was and is Prince’s color.” Tyka Nelson, Prince’s only full sibling, told the … Continue reading
Ron Howard takes helm of Han Solo ‘Star Wars’ film
NEW YORK (AP) — Ron Howard is taking command of the Han Solo “Star Wars” spinoff after the surprise departure of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Lucasfilm announced their replacement director Thursday, two days after Lord and Miller left the project over creative differences. Howard gives the reeling production a veteran hand in the … Continue reading