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Disney and 20th Century’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” climbed to $72.5 million at the international box office in its first weekend of release.
The newest film in the long-running “Apes” series also notched No. 1 in North America with $56.5 million, bringing its initial global tally to a promising $129 million. Like its predecessors, the $160 million-budgeted “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is projected to earn the bulk of its revenues at the international box office.
Overseas, the movie enjoyed the biggest start in China with $11.4 million (a lackluster debut for the territory), France with $7.1 million, Mexico with $6.4 million and the United Kingdom with $4.8 million. Other top markets were Korea ($3.2 million), Australia ($2.7 million), Brazil ($2.6 million), Germany (2.2 million) and Spain ($2.2 million).
Audiences opted to watch the film in the best possible quality as premium formats represented 41% of global box office revenues. In Imax alone, “Kingdom” earned $13.2 million worldwide, including $6.2 million from foreign territories.
The newest film in the long-running “Apes” series also notched No. 1 in North America with $56.5 million, bringing its initial global tally to a promising $129 million. Like its predecessors, the $160 million-budgeted “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is projected to earn the bulk of its revenues at the international box office.
Overseas, the movie enjoyed the biggest start in China with $11.4 million (a lackluster debut for the territory), France with $7.1 million, Mexico with $6.4 million and the United Kingdom with $4.8 million. Other top markets were Korea ($3.2 million), Australia ($2.7 million), Brazil ($2.6 million), Germany (2.2 million) and Spain ($2.2 million).
Audiences opted to watch the film in the best possible quality as premium formats represented 41% of global box office revenues. In Imax alone, “Kingdom” earned $13.2 million worldwide, including $6.2 million from foreign territories.
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Happy Valley and Top Boy shared the BAFTA love on Sunday night at the British Academy’s prestigious Television Awards in London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Sarah Lancashire took home the top prize for her performance in Sally Wainwright’s Yorkshire-based police thriller, and fellow Briton Timothy Spall beat Succession‘s Brian Cox to win the equivalent award, best leading actor, for The Sixth Commandment – which also won two BAFTAs.
Jasmine Jobson claimed the best supporting actress prize for her role in drug-gang drama Top Boy, which also went on to win best drama. Matthew Macfadyen was the only winner for Jesse Armstrong’s hugely popular black satirical comedy, winning the award for best supporting actor in Succession. Sitcom Such Brave Girls claimed best scripted comedy.
Notably, The Crown and Black Mirror missed out despite leading the nominations ahead of the awards show with eight and seven, respectively, and in...
Sarah Lancashire took home the top prize for her performance in Sally Wainwright’s Yorkshire-based police thriller, and fellow Briton Timothy Spall beat Succession‘s Brian Cox to win the equivalent award, best leading actor, for The Sixth Commandment – which also won two BAFTAs.
Jasmine Jobson claimed the best supporting actress prize for her role in drug-gang drama Top Boy, which also went on to win best drama. Matthew Macfadyen was the only winner for Jesse Armstrong’s hugely popular black satirical comedy, winning the award for best supporting actor in Succession. Sitcom Such Brave Girls claimed best scripted comedy.
Notably, The Crown and Black Mirror missed out despite leading the nominations ahead of the awards show with eight and seven, respectively, and in...
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Legendary B-movie king Roger Corman, who directed and produced hundreds of low-budget films and discovered such future industry stars as Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, has died. He was 98.
Corman died May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., surrounded by family members, the family confirmed to Variety.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that,'” the family said in a statement.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations, including New World Pictures,...
Corman died May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., surrounded by family members, the family confirmed to Variety.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that,'” the family said in a statement.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations, including New World Pictures,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
John Oliver Hoped Finland’s Partially Nude Windows95man (and His Giant Denim Egg) Had Won Eurovision
John Oliver had a favorite performer in this year’s Eurovision contest.
On HBO’s Last Week Tonight, the host opened the show by addressing the annual international music competition, which crowned its latest winner this weekend.
“The Eurovision Song Contest took place amid a slew of controversies, from calls for boycotts over Israel’s participation to the last-minute elimination of this Dutch contestant for alleged unlawful threats backstage,” Oliver said. “It was a lot of serious news around what is usually a magnificently silly competition, which to be fair still had some striking contestants, from Baby Lasagna from Croatia to Bambi Thug from Ireland to my absolute favorite, this guy from Finland.”
Oliver then played a clip of Finnish competitor Windows95man, who kicked off his performance of his song “No Rules!” while inside a large egg covered in denim. Watch the full performance below.
Oliver’s take: “Yes!
On HBO’s Last Week Tonight, the host opened the show by addressing the annual international music competition, which crowned its latest winner this weekend.
“The Eurovision Song Contest took place amid a slew of controversies, from calls for boycotts over Israel’s participation to the last-minute elimination of this Dutch contestant for alleged unlawful threats backstage,” Oliver said. “It was a lot of serious news around what is usually a magnificently silly competition, which to be fair still had some striking contestants, from Baby Lasagna from Croatia to Bambi Thug from Ireland to my absolute favorite, this guy from Finland.”
Oliver then played a clip of Finnish competitor Windows95man, who kicked off his performance of his song “No Rules!” while inside a large egg covered in denim. Watch the full performance below.
Oliver’s take: “Yes!
- 5/13/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” debuted on top of the mainland China box office with an opening weekend score of $11.4 million (RMB81.1 million).
That was only the fourth weekend this year that a Hollywood film has topped the China charts and the third time in 2024 that a Hollywood title has opened on top. “Apes” was also the top film this weekend in North America and international markets.
Data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway showed that the film accounted for some 30% of the theatrical total on a weekend where theaters earned a combined $38.2 million. The nationwide total represented a significant slump compared with the previous May Day holiday weekend which was worth $109 million.
On a year-to-date basis, Chinese theaters have earned $2.92 billion. That still leaves China as the world’s biggest theatrical market so far in 2024, ahead of North America where cumulative takings amount to $2.92. But the gap may...
That was only the fourth weekend this year that a Hollywood film has topped the China charts and the third time in 2024 that a Hollywood title has opened on top. “Apes” was also the top film this weekend in North America and international markets.
Data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway showed that the film accounted for some 30% of the theatrical total on a weekend where theaters earned a combined $38.2 million. The nationwide total represented a significant slump compared with the previous May Day holiday weekend which was worth $109 million.
On a year-to-date basis, Chinese theaters have earned $2.92 billion. That still leaves China as the world’s biggest theatrical market so far in 2024, ahead of North America where cumulative takings amount to $2.92. But the gap may...
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Fox will hit The Floor again — twice — in the 2024-25 season.
The network has renewed its Rob Lowe-hosted game show for two more cycles, both of which are slated to air next season. Addtionally, Fox and Lowe — who’s also a producer of The Floor — have signed a first-look deal to develop unscripted projects.
The renewal comes just ahead of Fox’s upfront presentation to advertisers on Monday, but it’s not a big surprise: The Floor was quietly one of the best-performing shows on the network this season. It averaged 3.47 million viewers over seven days of linear viewing, according to Nielsen ratings, and grew to 5.5 million viewers with streaming and other digital platforms included.
“Fans loved the first season of The Floor so much that we’ve ordered two more seasons of this breakthrough game show, with plans already underway to make our epic battle of the brains even bigger and bolder,...
The network has renewed its Rob Lowe-hosted game show for two more cycles, both of which are slated to air next season. Addtionally, Fox and Lowe — who’s also a producer of The Floor — have signed a first-look deal to develop unscripted projects.
The renewal comes just ahead of Fox’s upfront presentation to advertisers on Monday, but it’s not a big surprise: The Floor was quietly one of the best-performing shows on the network this season. It averaged 3.47 million viewers over seven days of linear viewing, according to Nielsen ratings, and grew to 5.5 million viewers with streaming and other digital platforms included.
“Fans loved the first season of The Floor so much that we’ve ordered two more seasons of this breakthrough game show, with plans already underway to make our epic battle of the brains even bigger and bolder,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The quiz series “The Floor” has been renewed for Seasons 2 and 3 at Fox, with host Rob Lowe entering into an unscripted first-look deal with the network.
“Fans loved the first season of ‘The Floor’ so much that we’ve ordered two more seasons of this breakthrough game show with plans already underway to make our epic battle of the brains even bigger and bolder,” said Michael Thorn, president of the Fox Television Network. “It’s also been a massive win to have a huge star like Rob Lowe as our host, and both our viewers and competitors can’t wait...
“Fans loved the first season of ‘The Floor’ so much that we’ve ordered two more seasons of this breakthrough game show with plans already underway to make our epic battle of the brains even bigger and bolder,” said Michael Thorn, president of the Fox Television Network. “It’s also been a massive win to have a huge star like Rob Lowe as our host, and both our viewers and competitors can’t wait...
- 5/13/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Mark Damon, who starred in the Vincent Price horror classic House of Usher and spaghetti Westerns before revolutionizing the foreign sales and distribution film business and producing features including 9 1/2 Weeks, Monster and Lone Survivor, has died. He was 91.
Damon died Sunday of natural causes in Los Angeles, his daughter, Alexis Damon Ribaut, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Damon spent the first 20 years of his career as an actor, including about a dozen as a leading man in Italian action movies, before he transitioned to the business side.
He had early success as an executive producer with two movies written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen: the German-language World War II drama Das Boot (1981), which received six Oscar nominations, and The NeverEnding Story (1984), a big-budget fantasy film that featured a Damon-commissioned score by Giorgio Moroder for non-German audiences.
He shared an Independent Spirit Award with director Patty Jenkins and others...
Damon died Sunday of natural causes in Los Angeles, his daughter, Alexis Damon Ribaut, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Damon spent the first 20 years of his career as an actor, including about a dozen as a leading man in Italian action movies, before he transitioned to the business side.
He had early success as an executive producer with two movies written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen: the German-language World War II drama Das Boot (1981), which received six Oscar nominations, and The NeverEnding Story (1984), a big-budget fantasy film that featured a Damon-commissioned score by Giorgio Moroder for non-German audiences.
He shared an Independent Spirit Award with director Patty Jenkins and others...
- 5/13/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” opened in second place at the South Korean weekend box office, a distance behind local holdover title “The Roundup: Punishment.”
“Punishment,” the fourth part of Don Lee’s “Roundup” action franchise, dominated proceedings for the third weekend in succession. It earned $5.53 million and advanced its cumulative total to $67.7 million, according to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Its earnings represented a still strong 58% share of the weekend theatrical market, but they were also down by 60% week-on-week, suggesting that “Punishment” may not reach the heights of the previous franchise elements.
In 2022, “The Roundup” earned $95.7 million (using current rates of currency exchange), while last year “The Roundup: No Way Out” earned $76.3 million.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” recorded $2.45 million between Friday and Sunday with a 26% market share. Over its full five-day opening in Korea, the film earned $3.10 million from 415,000 ticket sales.
“Punishment,” the fourth part of Don Lee’s “Roundup” action franchise, dominated proceedings for the third weekend in succession. It earned $5.53 million and advanced its cumulative total to $67.7 million, according to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Its earnings represented a still strong 58% share of the weekend theatrical market, but they were also down by 60% week-on-week, suggesting that “Punishment” may not reach the heights of the previous franchise elements.
In 2022, “The Roundup” earned $95.7 million (using current rates of currency exchange), while last year “The Roundup: No Way Out” earned $76.3 million.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” recorded $2.45 million between Friday and Sunday with a 26% market share. Over its full five-day opening in Korea, the film earned $3.10 million from 415,000 ticket sales.
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Oprah Winfrey apologized for her contribution to diet culture in WeightWatchers’ “Making The Shift: A New Way to Think About Weight” livestream on Thursday evening.
At the beginning of the livestream, Winfrey spoke candidly about her experiences influencing diet culture over the years.
“I want to acknowledge that I have been a steadfast participant in this diet culture through my platforms, through the magazine, through the talk show for 25 years,” Winfrey said. “I’ve been a major contributor to it. I cannot tell you how many weight loss shows and makeovers I have done and they have been a staple...
At the beginning of the livestream, Winfrey spoke candidly about her experiences influencing diet culture over the years.
“I want to acknowledge that I have been a steadfast participant in this diet culture through my platforms, through the magazine, through the talk show for 25 years,” Winfrey said. “I’ve been a major contributor to it. I cannot tell you how many weight loss shows and makeovers I have done and they have been a staple...
- 5/13/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - TV News
Mark Damon, an actor-turned-independent sales executive who was a force in the foreign sales world and at film markets for many decades, died Sunday in Los Angeles, according to his wife. He was 91.
Damon won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer for his starring role in 1960’s “House of Usher” for director Roger Corman, who died Thursday, then went on to appear in numerous Spaghetti Westerns and other B-movies shot in Europe, from “Johnny Yuma” to Mario Bava’s “Black Sabbath.”
Born Alan Harris in Chicago, Damon earned an Mba at UCLA, then moved to Rome where he established a busy acting career. When he returned to the U.S., he founded Producers Sales Organization to bring American independent films to international distributors, helping launch the American Film Market and Independent Film & Television Alliance.
He explained how his business started in a 2013 Variety profile: “Back in 1975, it was very tough.
Damon won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer for his starring role in 1960’s “House of Usher” for director Roger Corman, who died Thursday, then went on to appear in numerous Spaghetti Westerns and other B-movies shot in Europe, from “Johnny Yuma” to Mario Bava’s “Black Sabbath.”
Born Alan Harris in Chicago, Damon earned an Mba at UCLA, then moved to Rome where he established a busy acting career. When he returned to the U.S., he founded Producers Sales Organization to bring American independent films to international distributors, helping launch the American Film Market and Independent Film & Television Alliance.
He explained how his business started in a 2013 Variety profile: “Back in 1975, it was very tough.
- 5/13/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Steve Buscemi is Ok after being assaulted in New York last week.
The New York Post reported Sunday that the actor was walking through the Kips Bay neighborhood on Manhattan’s East side when he became the victim of a random attack.
His publicist confirmed the news and said Buscemi is Ok following the attack, which occurred in broad daylight.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Midtown Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” his publicist said in a statement. “He is Ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of N.Y.”
Buscemi is the latest celebrity to become the victim of a random attack. Michael Stuhlbarg, who starred with Buscemi in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, was hit in the back of his neck by a rock in March. The New...
The New York Post reported Sunday that the actor was walking through the Kips Bay neighborhood on Manhattan’s East side when he became the victim of a random attack.
His publicist confirmed the news and said Buscemi is Ok following the attack, which occurred in broad daylight.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Midtown Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” his publicist said in a statement. “He is Ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of N.Y.”
Buscemi is the latest celebrity to become the victim of a random attack. Michael Stuhlbarg, who starred with Buscemi in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, was hit in the back of his neck by a rock in March. The New...
- 5/12/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox has renewed crime drama The Cleaning Lady for a fourth season, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Along with the renewal will come a change in leadership as executive producers and showrunners Miranda Kwok and Jeannine Renshaw will not be continuing in those roles, sources told THR. Kwok, who developed the series, will continue on as an executive consultant, sources noted, adding that she plans to focus on new program development with Warner Bros. Television. The search for a new showrunner is said to be under way, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
Based on the original Argentine series, The Cleaning Lady centers on Thony De La Rosa (Élodie Yung), a Cambodian-Filipino former surgeon who is currently working and living in Las Vegas on an expired visa with her 5-year-old son Luca. Thony makes a living as a cleaning service worker alongside her sister-in-law, Fiona (Martha Millan). After witnessing a murder,...
Along with the renewal will come a change in leadership as executive producers and showrunners Miranda Kwok and Jeannine Renshaw will not be continuing in those roles, sources told THR. Kwok, who developed the series, will continue on as an executive consultant, sources noted, adding that she plans to focus on new program development with Warner Bros. Television. The search for a new showrunner is said to be under way, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
Based on the original Argentine series, The Cleaning Lady centers on Thony De La Rosa (Élodie Yung), a Cambodian-Filipino former surgeon who is currently working and living in Las Vegas on an expired visa with her 5-year-old son Luca. Thony makes a living as a cleaning service worker alongside her sister-in-law, Fiona (Martha Millan). After witnessing a murder,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Al Onorato, co-founder of the Casting Society of America and a casting director on such series as “Bewitched,” “Police Story,” “Fame” and “The Patridge Family,” has died. He was 88.
Onorato died April 21 in Los Angeles, his nephew Chris Onorato announced.
Onorato founded the Casting Society of America (then known as the American Society of Casting Directors) with Mike Fenton and Joe Reich in 1982. He and Jerold Franks — his Onorato/Franks Independent Casting partner — won the CSA’s Artios Award for best casting for a comedy film for 1989’s “Bagdad Café.” At the 34th annual Artios Awards in 2019, Onorato received a...
Onorato died April 21 in Los Angeles, his nephew Chris Onorato announced.
Onorato founded the Casting Society of America (then known as the American Society of Casting Directors) with Mike Fenton and Joe Reich in 1982. He and Jerold Franks — his Onorato/Franks Independent Casting partner — won the CSA’s Artios Award for best casting for a comedy film for 1989’s “Bagdad Café.” At the 34th annual Artios Awards in 2019, Onorato received a...
- 5/12/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - TV News
“The Cleaning Lady” has been renewed for Season 4 at Fox, Variety has confirmed.
The news comes ahead of the two-hour Season 3 finale, which will air May 21 at 8 p.m. Et.
The crime drama series stars Élodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian-Filipino former surgeon who works as a cleaning service worker in Las Vegas. After witnessing a murder, Thony is offered a job both as a cleaner and a doctor within a criminal organization.
Martha Millan, Eva De Dominici, Kate Del Castillo, Santiago Cabrera, Sebastien and Valentino Lasalle, Sean Lew and Faith Bryant also star. Adan Canto, who played gangster Arman Morales,...
The news comes ahead of the two-hour Season 3 finale, which will air May 21 at 8 p.m. Et.
The crime drama series stars Élodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian-Filipino former surgeon who works as a cleaning service worker in Las Vegas. After witnessing a murder, Thony is offered a job both as a cleaner and a doctor within a criminal organization.
Martha Millan, Eva De Dominici, Kate Del Castillo, Santiago Cabrera, Sebastien and Valentino Lasalle, Sean Lew and Faith Bryant also star. Adan Canto, who played gangster Arman Morales,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - TV News
Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” has died. She was 77.
Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. The former actor and stuntwoman was one of the company’s clients.
Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Backlinie specialized in swimming work as a stunt performer.
Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth. However, no one warned Backlinie when she would be pulled underwater in order to get a genuine reaction from her.
Variety‘s “Jaws” review said of the shark attack sequences:...
Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. The former actor and stuntwoman was one of the company’s clients.
Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Backlinie specialized in swimming work as a stunt performer.
Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth. However, no one warned Backlinie when she would be pulled underwater in order to get a genuine reaction from her.
Variety‘s “Jaws” review said of the shark attack sequences:...
- 5/12/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov and Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
Several dozen students walked out of Duke University’s commencement ahead of Jerry Seinfeld’s speech on Sunday.
Though Seinfeld’s speech continued uninterrupted during the ceremony — with many in the audience cheering him on — groups of students could be seen leaving as university president Vincent Price introduced the comedian, with some reports asserting Price’s words were drowned out by protestors chanting “free Palestine.”
Elsewhere in the crowd, audiences cheered enthusiastically and chanted “Jerry! Jerry!”
The New York Times also reported that other graduates stood outside the ceremony and chanted, “Free, free Palestine.”
Seinfeld, who has been vocal about his support for Israel in recent weeks, stayed away from politics during his speech.
“The slightly uncomfortable feeling of awkward humor is okay,” he said. “I totally admire the ambitions of your generation to create a more just an inclusive society. I think it is also wonderful that you care...
Though Seinfeld’s speech continued uninterrupted during the ceremony — with many in the audience cheering him on — groups of students could be seen leaving as university president Vincent Price introduced the comedian, with some reports asserting Price’s words were drowned out by protestors chanting “free Palestine.”
Elsewhere in the crowd, audiences cheered enthusiastically and chanted “Jerry! Jerry!”
The New York Times also reported that other graduates stood outside the ceremony and chanted, “Free, free Palestine.”
Seinfeld, who has been vocal about his support for Israel in recent weeks, stayed away from politics during his speech.
“The slightly uncomfortable feeling of awkward humor is okay,” he said. “I totally admire the ambitions of your generation to create a more just an inclusive society. I think it is also wonderful that you care...
- 5/12/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Back in 2017, Robinne Lee dropped by a local L.A. news station for an interview promoting her role in “Fifty Shades Darker,” the second film in the steamy series based on books by E.L. James.
“You’re venturing out a little bit now with a new novel…” the Kcal anchor said to Lee, whose filmography already included “Deliver Us From Eva,” “Hitch” and “13 Going on 30,” teeing the actor up to mention her career pivot. “I have a novel coming out this spring called ‘The Idea of You,’” Lee replied, grinning.
The premise was unique: A divorced mother and art gallery owner, living in L.A. on the precipice of turning 40, takes her daughter to a concert meet-and-greet and the 20-year-old lead singer of the band falls in love with her. The story, Lee explained, was “as much about a love story complicated by celebrity and the underbelly of...
“You’re venturing out a little bit now with a new novel…” the Kcal anchor said to Lee, whose filmography already included “Deliver Us From Eva,” “Hitch” and “13 Going on 30,” teeing the actor up to mention her career pivot. “I have a novel coming out this spring called ‘The Idea of You,’” Lee replied, grinning.
The premise was unique: A divorced mother and art gallery owner, living in L.A. on the precipice of turning 40, takes her daughter to a concert meet-and-greet and the 20-year-old lead singer of the band falls in love with her. The story, Lee explained, was “as much about a love story complicated by celebrity and the underbelly of...
- 5/12/2024
- by Angelique Jackson and Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
Ross Matthews wasn’t three words into his opening monologue at the 35th annual GLAAD Awards in New York City Saturday evening when a protester stood up from the audience to shout, “GLAAD is complicit in genocide.” The lone pro-Palestine advocate, blanketed by a wide-eyed room who let out a few jeers — “Who are you, you weirdo?” one donor shouted — was slowly, if not ceremoniously escorted from the room before she gave a final jab: “And so are all of you.”
“Thank you for your free speech. I’m so glad you have freedom,” Matthews, the evening’s host, said...
“Thank you for your free speech. I’m so glad you have freedom,” Matthews, the evening’s host, said...
- 5/12/2024
- by Michael Appler
- Variety - TV News
Ross Matthews wasn’t three words into his opening monologue at the 35th annual GLAAD Awards in New York City Saturday evening when a protester stood up from the audience to shout, “GLAAD is complicit in genocide.” The lone pro-Palestine advocate, blanketed by a wide-eyed room who let out a few jeers — “Who are you, you weirdo?” one donor shouted — was slowly, if not ceremoniously escorted from the room before she gave a final jab: “And so are all of you.”
“Thank you for your free speech. I’m so glad you have freedom,” Matthews, the evening’s host, said from the stage in an awkward attempt to recognize the protester. “Well, that was uncomfy for all of us, but we have to fight for everyone’s rights. Thank you for my opener,” he moved on, back on his feet.
And so set the tone for the evening. Each year in a star-studded ceremony,...
“Thank you for your free speech. I’m so glad you have freedom,” Matthews, the evening’s host, said from the stage in an awkward attempt to recognize the protester. “Well, that was uncomfy for all of us, but we have to fight for everyone’s rights. Thank you for my opener,” he moved on, back on his feet.
And so set the tone for the evening. Each year in a star-studded ceremony,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Michael Appler
- Variety - Film News
Lucy Liu was honored with the Legend award at the third annual Gold House Gold Gala on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Liu delivered a passionate speech after accepting the award from Regina King. “What I love about Regina is that she always makes choices that are for her,” Liu told the audience. “When I started over 30 years ago, there weren’t a lot of choices that I could make for myself.”
Liu — whose credits include “Ally McBeal,” “Elementary,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Charlie’s Angels” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence” — talked about having to make casting decisions “because of limitations.” She said, “I love that we are all here tonight because there is no ceiling, and I’ve never seen that for myself. I want us to all collectively understand how special this moment is that we are together as a community. I share this award with you because you have lifted me up,...
Liu delivered a passionate speech after accepting the award from Regina King. “What I love about Regina is that she always makes choices that are for her,” Liu told the audience. “When I started over 30 years ago, there weren’t a lot of choices that I could make for myself.”
Liu — whose credits include “Ally McBeal,” “Elementary,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Charlie’s Angels” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence” — talked about having to make casting decisions “because of limitations.” She said, “I love that we are all here tonight because there is no ceiling, and I’ve never seen that for myself. I want us to all collectively understand how special this moment is that we are together as a community. I share this award with you because you have lifted me up,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - Film News
Hollywood spent the weekend paying tribute to Roger Corman, the independent filmmaking legend who died last Thursday.
Corman, known during his time as the “King of the B’s,” was a beloved producer and director who helped boost careers for names such as Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron. He died on Thursday at age 98.
“He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” Corman’s family said in a statement. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
In response to news of his passing, many who knew and worked with Corman paid tribute to the filmmaker online. “A great movie maker and mentor,” Howard wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “When I was 23 he gave me my 1st shot at directing. He launched many...
Corman, known during his time as the “King of the B’s,” was a beloved producer and director who helped boost careers for names such as Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron. He died on Thursday at age 98.
“He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” Corman’s family said in a statement. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
In response to news of his passing, many who knew and worked with Corman paid tribute to the filmmaker online. “A great movie maker and mentor,” Howard wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “When I was 23 he gave me my 1st shot at directing. He launched many...
- 5/12/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Roger Corman, who died Saturday at 98, was famously involved with many of the greats of filmmaking at the start of their careers. In the case of Ron Howard, he helped the young actor transition from being a child star into a versatile director, giving him his first directing job with the action comedy “Grand Theft Auto” in 1977.
Howard noted that Corman was also known for giving women more opportunities than they typically had in the film industry at that time, including Penelope Spheeris and Gale Ann Hurd.
Howard paid tribute to Corman Sunday morning in a heartfelt message, writing, “Roger not only mentored a couple of generations of high profile filmmakers, but he also opened doors to many on the production side who were struggling to find career paths in the industry. When I was working for Roger, he had far more women in positions of authority throughout his company...
Howard noted that Corman was also known for giving women more opportunities than they typically had in the film industry at that time, including Penelope Spheeris and Gale Ann Hurd.
Howard paid tribute to Corman Sunday morning in a heartfelt message, writing, “Roger not only mentored a couple of generations of high profile filmmakers, but he also opened doors to many on the production side who were struggling to find career paths in the industry. When I was working for Roger, he had far more women in positions of authority throughout his company...
- 5/12/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Cannes festival workers turned a pre-festival meet-and-greet event into a spontaneous strike rally on Sunday, applauding representatives from the Sous les écrans la dèche collective, a group that has called for a walkout by freelance workers to disrupt this year’s event.
On Sunday, May 12, festival workers were invited to meet with management for a pre-festival cocktail and informal welcome, something that happens every year before the festival kicks off.
But this time, members of the Sous les écrans distributed badges and stickers for workers to show their solidarity with the group’s demands, which include a general strike of “all employees of the Cannes Film Festival and of its sidebars” in protest of what the group terms the “precarious” position of freelancer workers at the event.
In a video sent to The Hollywood Reporter by a member of Sous les écrans, workers can be seen applauding the group’s spokesman and cheering him on.
On Sunday, May 12, festival workers were invited to meet with management for a pre-festival cocktail and informal welcome, something that happens every year before the festival kicks off.
But this time, members of the Sous les écrans distributed badges and stickers for workers to show their solidarity with the group’s demands, which include a general strike of “all employees of the Cannes Film Festival and of its sidebars” in protest of what the group terms the “precarious” position of freelancer workers at the event.
In a video sent to The Hollywood Reporter by a member of Sous les écrans, workers can be seen applauding the group’s spokesman and cheering him on.
- 5/12/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Cannes Film Festival, whose 2024 iteration kicks off May 14 and runs through May 25, is known for its A-list stars, glamorous gowns and resplendent jewelry. It’s also a great place for spotting fine timepieces, whether worn for daytime photo calls or with a tuxedo on the Croisette.
Last year, among the stars spotted in luxury watches were Ethan Hawke in a stunning Piaget Ultimate High Jewelry Altiplano watch in white gold which featured 88 brilliant-cut diamonds on its case and 396 brilliant-cut diamonds on its dial; director Xavier Dolan in a slim Bulgari Octo Finissimo watch; and Mads Mikkelsen sporting a dressy Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin.
Expect to see more timepieces this year on A-list actors and directors, who will have their pick of watches like the 10 below:
Chronoswiss Chronoswiss
The 42mm ReSec Green Monster Manufacturer in titanium features green guilloché and brilliant blue details; $15,800, at Feldmar Watch Co., Los Angeles and feldmarwatch.
Last year, among the stars spotted in luxury watches were Ethan Hawke in a stunning Piaget Ultimate High Jewelry Altiplano watch in white gold which featured 88 brilliant-cut diamonds on its case and 396 brilliant-cut diamonds on its dial; director Xavier Dolan in a slim Bulgari Octo Finissimo watch; and Mads Mikkelsen sporting a dressy Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin.
Expect to see more timepieces this year on A-list actors and directors, who will have their pick of watches like the 10 below:
Chronoswiss Chronoswiss
The 42mm ReSec Green Monster Manufacturer in titanium features green guilloché and brilliant blue details; $15,800, at Feldmar Watch Co., Los Angeles and feldmarwatch.
- 5/12/2024
- by Laurie Brookins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It was a night of surprises at the BAFTA TV Awards, with “The Crown” and “Black Mirror” failing to pick up any awards while “Succession” walked away with only one for Matthew Macfadyen for best supporting actor.
Macfadyen did not attend the awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall, prompting Helena Bonham Carter, who presented the category, to walk off with the iconic gold BAFTA mask with the promise she would get it to Macfadyen.
The international category also saw upset, with frontrunners “Succession,” “Beef” and “The Bear” all failing to win the award. They were instead beaten by little-known French series “Class Act.
Macfadyen did not attend the awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall, prompting Helena Bonham Carter, who presented the category, to walk off with the iconic gold BAFTA mask with the promise she would get it to Macfadyen.
The international category also saw upset, with frontrunners “Succession,” “Beef” and “The Bear” all failing to win the award. They were instead beaten by little-known French series “Class Act.
- 5/12/2024
- by K.J. Yossman and Ellise Shafer
- Variety - TV News
Primates ruled over the North American box office, as “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” collected $56.5 million in its first weekend of release.
Those ticket sales were a hair above early projections of $50 million to $55 million and were easily enough to tower over the nonexistent competition. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” opened roughly even with two of the three prior installments in the rebooted franchise, landing behind only 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (a series-best $72 million) and ahead of 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes” ($56.2 million) and 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” ($54.8 million).
“The weekend figure is roughly average for the genre, but average here is based on the biggest action films of all time,” says David A. Gross of movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “This is an excellent opening.”
An opening that’s in line with projections is great and all,...
Those ticket sales were a hair above early projections of $50 million to $55 million and were easily enough to tower over the nonexistent competition. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” opened roughly even with two of the three prior installments in the rebooted franchise, landing behind only 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (a series-best $72 million) and ahead of 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes” ($56.2 million) and 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” ($54.8 million).
“The weekend figure is roughly average for the genre, but average here is based on the biggest action films of all time,” says David A. Gross of movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “This is an excellent opening.”
An opening that’s in line with projections is great and all,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
When NBCUniversal kicks off TV’s traditional week of upfront presentations on Monday, picket-free sidewalks outside Radio City Music Hall will be a sight for sore eyes following last year’s noisy protests in the first weeks of what proved to be the nation’s “hot labor summer.”
Hosting a programming presentation at a megawatt New York City venue like Radio City or Javits Center is stressful enough. Executives are eager to return to business as usual in wooing Madison Avenue. Last year, the Writers Guild of America went on strike May 2, barely two weeks before the curtain went up on NBCU’s tip-off event.
Hosting a programming presentation at a megawatt New York City venue like Radio City or Javits Center is stressful enough. Executives are eager to return to business as usual in wooing Madison Avenue. Last year, the Writers Guild of America went on strike May 2, barely two weeks before the curtain went up on NBCU’s tip-off event.
- 5/12/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Susan Backlinie, the stuntperson and actress who as a young skinny-dipper out for a nighttime swim off the coast of Amity Island became the shark’s first victim in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, has died. She was 77.
Backlinie died Saturday at her home in Ventura, California, her convention agent, Matthew Templeton, told The Daily Jaws website.
Backlinie was a nationally ranked swimmer and professional diver who had performed as a mermaid and worked as an animal trainer when she was hired at age 28 to play the skinny-dipping Chrissie in Universal’s Jaws (1975).
“I didn’t want an actor to do it. I wanted a stuntperson because I needed somebody who was great in the water, who knew water ballet and knew how to endure what I imagined was going to be a whole lot of violent shaking,” Spielberg said in Laurent Bouzereau’s 2023 book, Spielberg: The First Ten Years. “So,...
Backlinie died Saturday at her home in Ventura, California, her convention agent, Matthew Templeton, told The Daily Jaws website.
Backlinie was a nationally ranked swimmer and professional diver who had performed as a mermaid and worked as an animal trainer when she was hired at age 28 to play the skinny-dipping Chrissie in Universal’s Jaws (1975).
“I didn’t want an actor to do it. I wanted a stuntperson because I needed somebody who was great in the water, who knew water ballet and knew how to endure what I imagined was going to be a whole lot of violent shaking,” Spielberg said in Laurent Bouzereau’s 2023 book, Spielberg: The First Ten Years. “So,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated: The network upfronts are once again front-and-center for the television industry as major players gather in New York May 13-16 for the springtime ritual of courting advertisers and media buyers and presenting programming plans for the upcoming TV season.
The industry is looking forward to a return to form after the disruption of last year’s writers and actors strikes. As content chiefs outline their schedules for the 2024-2025 television season, here is a running list of new comedy, drama and unscripted series orders handed out by ABC, Disney, CBS, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC, Fox, the CW and other major players.
The industry is looking forward to a return to form after the disruption of last year’s writers and actors strikes. As content chiefs outline their schedules for the 2024-2025 television season, here is a running list of new comedy, drama and unscripted series orders handed out by ABC, Disney, CBS, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC, Fox, the CW and other major players.
- 5/12/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety - TV News
The seventh edition of the Quirino Awards, an annual event dedicated to promoting animation in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, saw Spain win five of the 10 awards on offer. Housed in the Teatro Leal, in the Canary Island’s Santa Cruz de Tenerife, an eclectic and, at times, musical gala concluded an upbeat Quirino Awards.
Pablo Berger’s first foray into animation, the Oscar-nominated “Robot Dreams,” continued its charge, winning awards for best feature film and sound design. A first Neon pick-up at Cannes last year, the film has won plaudits just about everywhere, described by Variety as a “sweetly sorrowful buddy movie .”
For the second year running, best series went to Spain’s “Jasmine & Jambo – Season 2” by Silvia Cortés. Series leads Jasmine and Jambo are music-obsessed and reside in Soundland. The series effortlessly educates through music-infused plots for kids, produced by Catalan company Teidees Audiovisuals in co-production with Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals.
Pablo Berger’s first foray into animation, the Oscar-nominated “Robot Dreams,” continued its charge, winning awards for best feature film and sound design. A first Neon pick-up at Cannes last year, the film has won plaudits just about everywhere, described by Variety as a “sweetly sorrowful buddy movie .”
For the second year running, best series went to Spain’s “Jasmine & Jambo – Season 2” by Silvia Cortés. Series leads Jasmine and Jambo are music-obsessed and reside in Soundland. The series effortlessly educates through music-infused plots for kids, produced by Catalan company Teidees Audiovisuals in co-production with Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals.
- 5/12/2024
- by Callum McLennan
- Variety - Film News
Veteran film producer and distribution executive Avi Federgreen’s Toronto-based sales company Indiecan Entertainment International has unveiled its Cannes Film Market slate.
Leading the slate is “She Was Here,” a documentary that delves into the life of beloved child actress Heather O’Rourke, famed for her role in the “Poltergeist” and known for the line “They’re here.” O’Rourke’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 12. Director Nick Bailey explores O’Rourke’s untold story, featuring interviews with her “Poltergeist” co-stars Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams, as well as Heather’s mother and sister. The documentary is produced by Brian Pocrass, Reese Eveneshen and Federgreen.
“Wild Goat Surf” is a Canadian, coming-of-age drama set in 2003 Penticton, British Columbia, following the adventures of 13-year-old Real “Goat” Anderson and her mother Jane as they navigate a summer of struggle and resilience. Living in an Rv park by Skaha Lake,...
Leading the slate is “She Was Here,” a documentary that delves into the life of beloved child actress Heather O’Rourke, famed for her role in the “Poltergeist” and known for the line “They’re here.” O’Rourke’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 12. Director Nick Bailey explores O’Rourke’s untold story, featuring interviews with her “Poltergeist” co-stars Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams, as well as Heather’s mother and sister. The documentary is produced by Brian Pocrass, Reese Eveneshen and Federgreen.
“Wild Goat Surf” is a Canadian, coming-of-age drama set in 2003 Penticton, British Columbia, following the adventures of 13-year-old Real “Goat” Anderson and her mother Jane as they navigate a summer of struggle and resilience. Living in an Rv park by Skaha Lake,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
Maya Rudolph brought Beyoncé back to “Saturday Night Live,” reprising her impression to give Queen B another shot at the spicy chicken wing talk show “Hot Ones.”
Opposite Mikey Day’s take on host Sean Evans, Beyoncé returns for the challenging YouTube interview segment, cocky about eating the wings until they become uncomfortably hot. As things get more unbearable, she has increasingly difficult instructions for her assistant, played by Kenan Thompson.
“This wing is stompin’ my ass,” she says at one point. “Damn, my bones are hot. That wing was a real one. Ooh, you’re ’bout to make me sing — This ain’t Texas!
Opposite Mikey Day’s take on host Sean Evans, Beyoncé returns for the challenging YouTube interview segment, cocky about eating the wings until they become uncomfortably hot. As things get more unbearable, she has increasingly difficult instructions for her assistant, played by Kenan Thompson.
“This wing is stompin’ my ass,” she says at one point. “Damn, my bones are hot. That wing was a real one. Ooh, you’re ’bout to make me sing — This ain’t Texas!
- 5/12/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety - TV News
There’s only one major Marvel movie coming out this year, and Scarlett Johansson’s husband was decidedly not pleased about that on this week’s episode of “Saturday Night Live.” So, he made sure to give the studio a stern warning during Weekend Update.
Yes, obviously we’re talking about co-anchor Colin Jost. He and Johansson — who starred as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the MCU — have been married since 2020 and share a son together. But, providing for the family wasn’t the issue Jost had in mind. He was thinking of another bill entirely.
During the week’s headlines, Jost pointed out that 2024 marked the first year since 2009 that a Marvel movie didn’t kick off the Summer movie season..
“Which better be a one-time thing because a lot of people rely on Marvel movies to pay for the ferries they bought,” Jost quipped.
For those unaware, Jost...
Yes, obviously we’re talking about co-anchor Colin Jost. He and Johansson — who starred as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the MCU — have been married since 2020 and share a son together. But, providing for the family wasn’t the issue Jost had in mind. He was thinking of another bill entirely.
During the week’s headlines, Jost pointed out that 2024 marked the first year since 2009 that a Marvel movie didn’t kick off the Summer movie season..
“Which better be a one-time thing because a lot of people rely on Marvel movies to pay for the ferries they bought,” Jost quipped.
For those unaware, Jost...
- 5/12/2024
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
It was all about mothers at the top of this week’s pre-Mother’s Day Saturday Night Live.
The variety show dispensed with its typical topical cold open for one that featured SNL castmembers sharing moments with their moms.
Kenan Thompson kicked off the show, appearing on the Studio 8H stage with his mom because, he said, “it’s “Mother’s Day in about 29 minutes,” which, she declared, meant there was still “plenty of time to buy a gift.”
“With so many upsetting stories in the world right now, we thought we’d take a break from a regular cold open and hear some heartwarming stories from our moms instead.”
Still Thompson’s mom said she wanted to see who would play Stormy Daniels in a cold open focused on the porn star’s testimony in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial. That wasn’t the only reference to...
The variety show dispensed with its typical topical cold open for one that featured SNL castmembers sharing moments with their moms.
Kenan Thompson kicked off the show, appearing on the Studio 8H stage with his mom because, he said, “it’s “Mother’s Day in about 29 minutes,” which, she declared, meant there was still “plenty of time to buy a gift.”
“With so many upsetting stories in the world right now, we thought we’d take a break from a regular cold open and hear some heartwarming stories from our moms instead.”
Still Thompson’s mom said she wanted to see who would play Stormy Daniels in a cold open focused on the porn star’s testimony in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial. That wasn’t the only reference to...
- 5/12/2024
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maya Rudolph opened the Mother’s Day episode of “Saturday Night Live” with a tribute to mothers — in every sense of the term.
Hosting the sketch show’s penultimate episode of the season, Rudolph began her monologue by noting she’s a four-time mom herself. “But Maya, look — you’re not just a mom,” cast member Bowen Yang reminded her. “You’re mother,” invoking the term’s use in queer slang to describe powerful, aspirational women. “You were the first to slay the house down boots, queen!”
“Who me, mother?” Rudolph asked, feigning shock. “You’re right!” The host then...
Hosting the sketch show’s penultimate episode of the season, Rudolph began her monologue by noting she’s a four-time mom herself. “But Maya, look — you’re not just a mom,” cast member Bowen Yang reminded her. “You’re mother,” invoking the term’s use in queer slang to describe powerful, aspirational women. “You were the first to slay the house down boots, queen!”
“Who me, mother?” Rudolph asked, feigning shock. “You’re right!” The host then...
- 5/12/2024
- by Alison Herman
- Variety - TV News
Maya Rudolph is everyone’s mother now, and she knows it. So, during her monologue on “Saturday Night Live” this week, she happily claimed her crown — with a custom song that had everyone, including the cast, gagged.
After skipping a newsy cold open in favor of honoring the cast members’ mothers, Rudolph hit the stage and expressed her excitement at being the host for the Mother’s Day weekend episode, and her love of being a mother to four kids herself (that she knows of).
But she was quickly interrupted by Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman, who informed Rudolph that she’s not just a mother, but she is Mother. Suddenly, Kenan Thompson took the stage in blinged out glasses and a wig to turn 30 Rock into “Club Maya.”
When the camera panned back to Rudolph, she was in a reflective jumpsuit and launched into a club remix called “I Am Mother.
After skipping a newsy cold open in favor of honoring the cast members’ mothers, Rudolph hit the stage and expressed her excitement at being the host for the Mother’s Day weekend episode, and her love of being a mother to four kids herself (that she knows of).
But she was quickly interrupted by Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman, who informed Rudolph that she’s not just a mother, but she is Mother. Suddenly, Kenan Thompson took the stage in blinged out glasses and a wig to turn 30 Rock into “Club Maya.”
When the camera panned back to Rudolph, she was in a reflective jumpsuit and launched into a club remix called “I Am Mother.
- 5/12/2024
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
Roger Corman, the pioneering independent film producer who helped launch the careers of numerous filmmaking greats and was hailed as “The King of Cult,” died on May 9 at his home in Santa Monica. He was 98.
His daughter Catherine Corman confirmed his death in a statement to the Associated Press. “He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” the statement said. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
Corman began his filmmaking career in the 1950s, crafting a slew of low-budget features that ranged from “The Fast and the Furious” to “Swamp Women” to “Attack of the Crab Monsters.”
In 1959, Corman got into distribution with the launch of The Filmgroup, then in the 1960s tackled a number of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations including 1960’s “House of Usher.”
Throughout his career, Corman directed 55 films and produced 385, spanning from 1954 to 2008. In that time,...
His daughter Catherine Corman confirmed his death in a statement to the Associated Press. “He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” the statement said. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
Corman began his filmmaking career in the 1950s, crafting a slew of low-budget features that ranged from “The Fast and the Furious” to “Swamp Women” to “Attack of the Crab Monsters.”
In 1959, Corman got into distribution with the launch of The Filmgroup, then in the 1960s tackled a number of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations including 1960’s “House of Usher.”
Throughout his career, Corman directed 55 films and produced 385, spanning from 1954 to 2008. In that time,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Roger Corman, the fabled “King of the B’s” producer and director who churned out low-budget genre films with breakneck speed and provided career boosts to young, untested talents like Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron, has died. He was 98.
The filmmaker, who received an honorary Oscar in 2009 at the Governors Awards, died Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, his family told The Hollywood Reporter.
“He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” they said in a statement. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
Corman perhaps is best known for such horror fare as The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and his series of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price, but he became celebrated for drugs-and-biker sagas like The Wild Angels...
The filmmaker, who received an honorary Oscar in 2009 at the Governors Awards, died Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, his family told The Hollywood Reporter.
“He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” they said in a statement. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
Corman perhaps is best known for such horror fare as The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and his series of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price, but he became celebrated for drugs-and-biker sagas like The Wild Angels...
- 5/12/2024
- by Duane Byrge and Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Jennifer Hudson Show,” “Rustin” and “Red White & Royal Blue” earned top prizes at the New York GLAAD Media Awards, which this year celebrates the 35th year of the annual awards show.
Awards were presented Saturday night at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The show was hosted by television personality Ross Mathews.
Notable winners included Jennifer Hudson, who received the excellence in media award, and Orville Peck, who was honored with the Vito Russo award presented by Jennifer Lawerence.
The night also featured live musical performances from Loren Allred and Scott Hoying.
Since 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards has honored fair,...
Awards were presented Saturday night at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The show was hosted by television personality Ross Mathews.
Notable winners included Jennifer Hudson, who received the excellence in media award, and Orville Peck, who was honored with the Vito Russo award presented by Jennifer Lawerence.
The night also featured live musical performances from Loren Allred and Scott Hoying.
Since 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards has honored fair,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - TV News
“The Jennifer Hudson Show,” “Rustin” and “Red White & Royal Blue” earned top prizes at the New York GLAAD Media Awards, which this year celebrates the 35th year of the annual awards show.
Awards were presented Saturday night at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The show was hosted by television personality Ross Mathews.
Notable winners included Jennifer Hudson, who received the excellence in media award, and Orville Peck, who was honored with the Vito Russo award presented by Jennifer Lawerence.
The night also featured live musical performances from Loren Allred and Scott Hoying.
Since 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards has honored fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues across all forms of media, including film, television, journalism, comic books and video games.
See the full list of winners below.
Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form: “Our America Who I’m Meant to Be – Episode 3”
Outstanding Variety or Talk...
Awards were presented Saturday night at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The show was hosted by television personality Ross Mathews.
Notable winners included Jennifer Hudson, who received the excellence in media award, and Orville Peck, who was honored with the Vito Russo award presented by Jennifer Lawerence.
The night also featured live musical performances from Loren Allred and Scott Hoying.
Since 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards has honored fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues across all forms of media, including film, television, journalism, comic books and video games.
See the full list of winners below.
Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form: “Our America Who I’m Meant to Be – Episode 3”
Outstanding Variety or Talk...
- 5/12/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Legendary B-movie king Roger Corman, who directed and produced hundreds of low-budget films and discovered such future industry stars as Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, has died. He was 98.
Corman died May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., surrounded by family members, the family confirmed to Variety.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that,'” the family said in a statement.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations, including New World Pictures, and Concorde/New Horizons, was as active as any major studio and, he boasted, always profitable. He specialized in fast-paced, low-budget genre movies — horror, action, science fiction, even some family fare — and his company became a work-in-training ground for a wide variety of major talents, from actors like Nicholson (“Little Shop of Horrors...
Corman died May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., surrounded by family members, the family confirmed to Variety.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that,'” the family said in a statement.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations, including New World Pictures, and Concorde/New Horizons, was as active as any major studio and, he boasted, always profitable. He specialized in fast-paced, low-budget genre movies — horror, action, science fiction, even some family fare — and his company became a work-in-training ground for a wide variety of major talents, from actors like Nicholson (“Little Shop of Horrors...
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - Film News
Hello again, Wisconsin!
“That ’90s Show” has revealed the complete lineup of guest stars for Parts 2 and 3, including Will Forte, Seth Green, Lisa Loeb, Carmen Electra, Wayne Knight, Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong, Jason Mewes, Matt Rife and Kadeem Hardison. Andrea Anders and “That ’70s Show” stars Laura Prepon and Don Stark are also returning as guest stars.
“That ’90s Show” Part 2 drops June 27 on Netflix, while Part 3 premieres Oct. 24.
The streamer announced the news during the “That ’90s Show” Clash of the Casts event at Netflix Is a Joke Festival’s Outside Joke.
The official Part 2 synopsis reads, “It’s...
“That ’90s Show” has revealed the complete lineup of guest stars for Parts 2 and 3, including Will Forte, Seth Green, Lisa Loeb, Carmen Electra, Wayne Knight, Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong, Jason Mewes, Matt Rife and Kadeem Hardison. Andrea Anders and “That ’70s Show” stars Laura Prepon and Don Stark are also returning as guest stars.
“That ’90s Show” Part 2 drops June 27 on Netflix, while Part 3 premieres Oct. 24.
The streamer announced the news during the “That ’90s Show” Clash of the Casts event at Netflix Is a Joke Festival’s Outside Joke.
The official Part 2 synopsis reads, “It’s...
- 5/12/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - TV News
Al Onorato, who handled casting for such TV shows as Bewitched, The Partridge Family, Police Story and Fantasy Island and represented Mark Harmon, Kristin Chenoweth and others as a talent manager, has died. He was 88.
Onorato died April 21 in Los Angeles, his nephew Chris Onorato announced.
Onorato founded the Casting Society of America (then known as the American Society of Casting Directors) with Mike Fenton and Joe Reich in 1982, and he received a lifetime achievement award from the organization in 2019.
Onorato won the CSA’s Artios Award for best casting for a comedy film for Bagdad Café (1987), sharing it with Jerold Franks, his partner in Onorato/Franks Independent Casting.
Alfred Louis Onorato was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Nov. 10, 1935. He graduated from Hackensack High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University, then worked as a page at NBC Studios in New York City.
He was a vice president in charge...
Onorato died April 21 in Los Angeles, his nephew Chris Onorato announced.
Onorato founded the Casting Society of America (then known as the American Society of Casting Directors) with Mike Fenton and Joe Reich in 1982, and he received a lifetime achievement award from the organization in 2019.
Onorato won the CSA’s Artios Award for best casting for a comedy film for Bagdad Café (1987), sharing it with Jerold Franks, his partner in Onorato/Franks Independent Casting.
Alfred Louis Onorato was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Nov. 10, 1935. He graduated from Hackensack High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University, then worked as a page at NBC Studios in New York City.
He was a vice president in charge...
- 5/12/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In his monologue heading into Mother’s Day weekend, Jimmy Fallon tried to offer some (comedic) advice for former President Donald Trump.
“This Sunday is Mother’s Day,” Fallon began. “So, for the next 48 hours, if you see an Amazon delivery van, pull over like it’s an ambulance, Ok?”
He continued, noting that people will spend around $250 on Mother’s Day gifts.
“But don’t worry, the best gift is free — which is taking the kids somewhere so mom can have five minutes of peace!” Fallon quipped. “That’s what they want.”
“Also, just a quick word of advice to former President Trump,” Fallon added, addressing the Republican candidate. “Whatever you were thinking of spending on Melania this year, I’d double it.”
Fallon ended his monologue with a song describing the difference between how we address our moms in different countries and regions. The song has some real...
“This Sunday is Mother’s Day,” Fallon began. “So, for the next 48 hours, if you see an Amazon delivery van, pull over like it’s an ambulance, Ok?”
He continued, noting that people will spend around $250 on Mother’s Day gifts.
“But don’t worry, the best gift is free — which is taking the kids somewhere so mom can have five minutes of peace!” Fallon quipped. “That’s what they want.”
“Also, just a quick word of advice to former President Trump,” Fallon added, addressing the Republican candidate. “Whatever you were thinking of spending on Melania this year, I’d double it.”
Fallon ended his monologue with a song describing the difference between how we address our moms in different countries and regions. The song has some real...
- 5/12/2024
- by Mike Roe
- The Wrap
On Friday and Saturday, photos of the Northern Lights reaching as far south as Alabama spread online — the result of a rare extreme solar storm that crossed North America, with added visibility of the aurora borealis on Friday and Saturday nights. CNN invited Bill Nye (the Science Guy) to explain the natural phenomenon to its audience.
Last night was a very good night in Superior National Forest, Mn.
Photos taken by my aurora chasing partner @bigendiansmalls with an iPhone 15 pic.twitter.com/HWvGulHeoB
— Ian Coldwater (@IanColdwater) May 11, 2024
Nye said that while “we might think of the sun as a solid object or a disk,” it is actually always spinning. “About every month,” Nye continued, “the northern and southern parts of the sun, what humans call the north and south parts of the sun, spin a little faster than the middle.”
“And this friction and this interaction with all the gases...
Last night was a very good night in Superior National Forest, Mn.
Photos taken by my aurora chasing partner @bigendiansmalls with an iPhone 15 pic.twitter.com/HWvGulHeoB
— Ian Coldwater (@IanColdwater) May 11, 2024
Nye said that while “we might think of the sun as a solid object or a disk,” it is actually always spinning. “About every month,” Nye continued, “the northern and southern parts of the sun, what humans call the north and south parts of the sun, spin a little faster than the middle.”
“And this friction and this interaction with all the gases...
- 5/12/2024
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
John Krasinski sat down with Jimmy Fallon on Friday to discuss his newest movie “If,” which he said was partly inspired by the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on his two children, Hazel and Violet. He explained that during the pandemic, “Genuinely, I saw their light starting to go out, and they started playing fewer and fewer imaginary games.”
Krasinski said he always wanted to make a film for his children, but wasn’t sure what story would work the best. He had the idea to tie in imaginary friends “like 10 years ago,” but nothing was cemented. Over time, the imaginary world he watched his and wife Emily Blunt’s daughters disappear into inspired him.
“I used to just stand in the doorway and watch my kids disappear in this magical world that we, as parents, aren’t allowed in,” he explained. “And it wasn’t just like the joy that was on their face,...
Krasinski said he always wanted to make a film for his children, but wasn’t sure what story would work the best. He had the idea to tie in imaginary friends “like 10 years ago,” but nothing was cemented. Over time, the imaginary world he watched his and wife Emily Blunt’s daughters disappear into inspired him.
“I used to just stand in the doorway and watch my kids disappear in this magical world that we, as parents, aren’t allowed in,” he explained. “And it wasn’t just like the joy that was on their face,...
- 5/11/2024
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
Swiss performer Nemo has won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, beating Croatian artist Baby Lasagna, who finished second, in what was perhaps the most divisive competition in its history.
The nonbinary singer, representing Switzerland, won with their track “The Code” collecting 591 points from a combination of music industry juries in each participating country and the global public. Croatia placed second with 547 points at the event in Malmö, Sweden and Ukraine third with 453 points. Rounding out the top five were France and Israel with 445 and 375 points, respectively.
Eurovision was back and supplied everything fans are used to seeing on Europe’s most eccentric music night of the year: corset-clad dancers in knee-high leather boots puckering up for the Spanish “Kylie Minogue,” Ireland‘s horned goth gremlin scream-singing a dark tale of witchcraft and some crafty camerawork masking the genitals of Finnish entrant Windows95Man (his denim shorts were swiftly delivered onstage by...
The nonbinary singer, representing Switzerland, won with their track “The Code” collecting 591 points from a combination of music industry juries in each participating country and the global public. Croatia placed second with 547 points at the event in Malmö, Sweden and Ukraine third with 453 points. Rounding out the top five were France and Israel with 445 and 375 points, respectively.
Eurovision was back and supplied everything fans are used to seeing on Europe’s most eccentric music night of the year: corset-clad dancers in knee-high leather boots puckering up for the Spanish “Kylie Minogue,” Ireland‘s horned goth gremlin scream-singing a dark tale of witchcraft and some crafty camerawork masking the genitals of Finnish entrant Windows95Man (his denim shorts were swiftly delivered onstage by...
- 5/11/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Thousands took to the streets in Malmö, Sweden to protest the Israel-Hamas war and the decision to allow Israel’s contestant Eden Golan to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest and its Saturday final. Some estimates said there were more than 15,000 protesters, though police pegged the demonstration at between 6,000 and 8,000 demonstrators. Israel and Golan ended up finishing in fifth place, with Switzerland ultimately taking home the victory, though Israel took a brief lead with a strong showing in the fan vote as the votes were announced.
In video shared on social media, protesters chanted “We will crush Zionism” and “There’s only one solution — Intifada revolution.”
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) wearing the keffiyeh scarf is removed by police during a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Malmo Arena venue ahead of the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest (Getty Images)
Protestors in Malmö include Greta Thunberg, who previously...
In video shared on social media, protesters chanted “We will crush Zionism” and “There’s only one solution — Intifada revolution.”
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) wearing the keffiyeh scarf is removed by police during a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Malmo Arena venue ahead of the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest (Getty Images)
Protestors in Malmö include Greta Thunberg, who previously...
- 5/11/2024
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
Switzerland has won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Swiss entry Nemo stormed the contest with the song “The Code,” walking away with 591 points — a combination of a jury vote and public vote.
But during Nemo’s victory performance at the end of the four-hour show the singer accidentally dropped the microphone-shaped glass trophy, injuring their thumb in the process.
“I didn’t just break ‘The Code’ I also broke the trophy,” said Nemo during the press conference after the show, where their hand was wrapped in a bandage. “I broke my thumb as well. But I got a new [trophy] so I technically have two now.
Swiss entry Nemo stormed the contest with the song “The Code,” walking away with 591 points — a combination of a jury vote and public vote.
But during Nemo’s victory performance at the end of the four-hour show the singer accidentally dropped the microphone-shaped glass trophy, injuring their thumb in the process.
“I didn’t just break ‘The Code’ I also broke the trophy,” said Nemo during the press conference after the show, where their hand was wrapped in a bandage. “I broke my thumb as well. But I got a new [trophy] so I technically have two now.
- 5/11/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - TV News
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