Watch the new official movie trailer for Arrival coming to theaters November 11, 2016.
When mysterious spacecrafts touch down across the globe, an elite team – lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) – is brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker and directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Watch the trailer below;
Just over two months after cutting loose Christopher Tayback as his main attorney after less than a year, Bill Cosby has lost another lawyer. Monique Pressley announced in court filings that she is no longer representing the actor after just over a year.
Cosby spokesperson Andrew Wyatt confirmed today that the Washington D.C based attorney is no longer part of the much-accused Cosby Show creator’s legal team. The shake-up in the actor’s defense now sees Angela Agrusa, the head of litigation at LA & NYC firm Liner LLP, and Pennsylvania based Brian McMonagle fronting Cosby’s efforts to avoid a potential decade behind bars on three felony second-degree aggravated indecent assault charges. Dropped on Cosby late last year, those charge are in addition to a variety of civil cases across the country that the actor is fighting.
Before leaving his side, Pressley was the primary public face of Cosby’s defense as she frequently appeared in the media on the actor’s behalf. Pressley herself did not respond to comment for request from Deadline on exiting Team Cosby. However, her social media presence such as Facebook still is filled with photos and posts about going to court for Cosby over the last several months.
Facing criminal charges in the Keystone State for the sexual assault of Andrea Constand in 2004, Cosby has been unsuccessful in attempts to get the Montgomery County D.A.s office’s case derailed. Last month Pennsylvania Judge Steven O’Neill ruled to deny the habeas corpus in the case of Cosby’s alleged drugging and rape of the then Temple University employee. On August 12, Judge O’Neill quashed another legal maneuver by Cosby’s team to stop the matter from going to trial later this year.
With accusations from over 50 women that the actor drugged and/or assaulted them, Cosby is also facing a number of defamation and other civil cases in states like California and Massachusetts where the statute of limitations have expired.
Source: Deadline
Does Drake have a new project coming out, or is he baiting us?
The rapper released his Billboard-smashing album VIEWS back in April, but he’s failed to drop any visuals from the LP. It’s been rumored that Drake filmed his “One Dance” music video in South Africa and the “Child’s Play” visual in Atlanta, and it seems he’s gearing up to release both videos in a project called “Please Forgive Me.”
Drake posted two pictures that appear to be stills from his forthcoming visuals.
Source: The Urban Daily
Following the cancellation of the ABC summer series she co-starred in, “Uncle Buck,” Nia Long has been cast in the role of Hillary in Lifetime’s upcoming television adaptation of the 1988 film “Beaches” – a role that was originally portrayed by Barbara Hershey.
Long joins the previously-cast Idina Menzel in the telepic, who will play CC (Bette Midler’s character in the original film).
The remake will follow CC and Hillary who, though worlds apart in lifestyle, embark on an unexpected and lifelong friendship. Menzel’s CC is an aspiring singer trying to make it in Los Angeles; and Long’s Hillary is the daughter of a prominent civil rights lawyer who struggles to find her own destiny. Their friendship – even with its ups and downs – sustains them for decades.
Directed by Allison Anders from a script by Bart Barker and Nikole Beckwith, the film is set for a 2017 debut.
In the film, Menzel will perform the iconic songs “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “The Glory of Love.” In addition, she will record several other songs specifically for the project.
The original film earned just over $57 million in domestic box office, on a $20 million budget.
Its theme song, “Wind Beneath My Wings” (as sung by Midler), hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1990.
Source: Shadow & Act
Tina Fey and Chris Rock will both appear as featured speakers at the Producers Guild of America’s Produced By: New York 2016 conference, which will be held for the third consecutive year at Time Warner Center in New York on Oct. 29.
The conference will present a pair of in-depth discussions, “Triple Threat: Conversation With Tina Fey” and “Dying Is Easy. Comedy Is Hard” with Rock and Red Hour Films’ Stuart Cornfeld.
“Tina Fey and Chris Rock are each living proof that you can be an excellent producer while being the funniest person in the room,” PGA presidents Lori McCreary and Gary Lucchesi said in a joint statement. “The PGA is thrilled to welcome two of the city’s most practiced and proven artists to Produced By: New York. We are looking forward to each speaker’s unique insight into their careers as actors, writers, storytellers and the path which led to them becoming producers.”
PBNY is chaired by PGA members Bruce Cohen, Dana Kuznetzkoff, and Debbie Myers. Diane Salerno of Six Degrees Global is sponsorship director, Laura Danford Mandel of LDM PR serves as programming director and Liz Hart of Liz Hart Events & Design is the conference’s supervising producer.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Relevé Entertainment, in partnership with Walgreens and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, is proud to announce the return of The Merge Summit– Los Angeles, taking place August 25-27, 2016 at The Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The Merge Summit is a unique event created to inspire synergy with faith based and entertainment industry leaders to educate, uplift, and encourage attendees to aspire towards their professional and personal goals.
The Merge Summit will commence on August 25th with a welcoming Opening Gala. This year’s gala will honor the outstanding accomplishments of Senior Vice President of Prudential Financial- Dorinda Walker, ESSENCE Magazine Editor At Large-Mikki Taylor, founder and senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center (LWCC)-Dr. Bill Winston and Emmy Award Nominated Actor-Courtney B. Vance. This evening will be hosted by celebrated comedian-Cedric The Entertainer and will feature performances by Jonathan McReynolds and Ezekiel (The Poet). From August 26-27th, 60 top level entertainment executives will lead interactive discussions, workshops and Master Class sessions in personal branding, music, television, film, creative development, and new media. In addition to the enrichment seminars, guests will have the opportunity to participate in the Wellness Lounge® featuring a number of wellness and relaxation services presented by Wellness. This year’s festivities will also feature a faith based comedy show, CHURCH OF LAUGH LIVE hosted by actor/comedian Jonathan Slocumb, and the FREE-PHYER XPerience Concert featuring Kierra Sheard.
The Merge Summit will feature participants including: Multi-Platinum Grammy Award Winning Singer/TV Personality-Michelle Williams; Grammy Award Multi-Platinum Recording Artist-The Game; Grammy Award Winning Universal Motown Gospel Recording Artist-Tasha Cobbs; Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance- Steve Pemberton; Co-Chairman of De Passe Jones Entertainment -Suzanne DePasse; Emmy nominated and Peabody Award Winning Motion picture and television producer and owner of Martin Chase Productions – Debra Martin Chase; Vice President Of Talent & Casting for Original Programming at BET Networks-Robi Reed; Head Of Talent and Casting for ABC- Ayo Davis; President of Studio Lambert- Greg Goldman; Film Producer and President/CEO of Franklin Entertainment- DeVon Franklin; CEO of Revelations Entertainment- Lori McCreary ; Film Producer/CEO, 1019 Entertainment-Ralph Winter; Casting Director/Producer (Empire, The Butler)-Leah Daniels-Butler; Head Of Television for Will Packer Productions-Korin Huggins; Revolt TV’s Head Of Programming-Kelly G; Vice President Of Talent Development & Inclusion-Disney/ABC- Tim McNeal; Viral Faith Based Internet Sensations: NotKarltonBanks & The Playmakers; Grammy Nominated Producer- Harmony Samuels; Actresses: Meagan Good Franklin, Tia Mowry-Hardrict, LisaRaye McCoy, Brely Evans, Essence Atkins, Edwina Findley-Dickerson, Salli Richardson Whitfield; Actors: Cory Hardrict, Dondre Whitfield, John David Washington, Brian White; Spiritual Leaders: Pastor Wayne Chaney, Dr. DeForest Soaries, Cindy Trimm, Shawn Bolz, Pastor Mark Baker and many more.
“I’m excited to have The Merge Summit back in LA. It’s the birthing ground for this vision and I am believing for infinite possibilities for all those who attend. All I can say is…”are you ready for this?” says Dr. Holly Carter- Founder of The Merge Summit.
“What a better place to bring the Word than amongst the brightest of stars and influencers in the entertainment industry,” said The Merge Summit Co-Founder and Co-Chair Robi Reed. “We need as many beacons of love and hope as we can find to light a path in these days and The Merge Summit is the place where those like minds meet. I’m excited to see us climb to a new plateau this year.”
On this day in comedy on July 18, 2003 Bad Boys II was released by Columbia Pictures.
The sequel to the blockbuster action-comedy of the same name once again stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Directed by Michael Bay and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the film continues the adventures of detectives Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Smith). It’s been eight years since their last outing and this time the mission is to stop the flow of ecstasy into Miami.
The movie is chucked full of action and almost everything else. There’s the KKK, Russian gangsters, Haitian gangsters, kidnapping, buttocks shooting, ecstasy ingesting, a busted pool, S.W.A.T., and a secret love connection between Smith and Gabrielle Union (secret because Lawrence doesn’t know about it and Union is his baby sister).
Bad Boys II co-starred Theresa Randle, Joe Pantoliano, Jon Seda, Henry Rollins, Michael Shannon and John Salley. Though the critics gave it one star, thumbs down and a middle finger, Bay Boys II grossed practically twice as much as the original. On a budget of $130 million Bad Boys II made $273,339,556 worldwide AND was nominated for “Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Motion Picture” at the 2nd Annual Visual Effects Society Awards.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
On this day in comedy on July 17, 1969 Director, Felix Gary Gray (known professionally as F. Gary Gray) was born in New York City, NY.
Educated at L. A. City College, Gray began his directing career shooting music videos. In 1989, he broke out the gate with the Ice Cube video, “It Was a Good Day”. He went on to shoot videos for many major artists in hip hop: Queen Latifah, Dr. Dre, Cypress Hill, Tupac, Jay Z, Stevie Wonder, Outkast and many more.
At the age of 24, Gray directed his first film – Friday, with Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Faizon Love, Bernie Mac, John Witherspoon, Tiny Lister and the phrase “Bye Felecia”. This cultural hit put Gray on the map as a strong commercial and skilled director. He went on to helm, Set It Off, The Negotiator, The Italian Job, A man Apart, Be Cool, Law Abiding Citizen and Straight Outta Compton.
Gray also proved to be an award winning director. For The Negotiator he took home Best Director at the 1998 Acapulco Film Festival and again in 2004 for The Italian Job at the Black American Film Festival. He has The Ivan Dixon Award of Achievement from the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center. He was honored with the Artist Empowerment Coalition’s Artist Empowerment Award and received the Pioneer Director award from the Pan-African Film and Arts Festival in 2010.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
On this day in comedy on July 16, 1965 Daryl “Chill” Mitchell was born in The Bronx, New York.
Mitchell had early hip hop success in the 1980s with Groove B. Chill then moved into acting. He appeared in the films House Party 1 & 2, Galaxy Quest, Sgt. Bilko, 10 Things I Hate About You and others. He TV work included The John Larroquette Show as Dexter Walker and Veronica’s Closet in the part of Leo Michaels.
In 2001, a motorcycle accident in South Carolina left Daryl Mitchell paralyzed from the waist down. As he lay in the hospital it was a close friend who kept his spirits up and discussed with him the possibilities of Mitchell’s new life in a wheelchair. That support, along with industry friends such as Denzel Washington and Chris Tucker convinced Mitchell to resume his career. In 2002 he took on the role of Eli Goggins in the sitcom, Ed. In 2009, Mitchell co-starred in the short-lived sitcom Brothers. He began a recurring role in NCIS: New Orleans in 2014.
The Daryl Mitchell Foundation was founded by him to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries. Mitchell is a Minority Outreach spokesperson for the Christopher Reeve Foundation and is also a strong advocate for employing actors with disabilities.
In 2010 Mitchell won an NAACP Image Award.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip: