Tag Archives: Human Interest

So here’s the $250 million question… Even if Warner Bros. eventually gets its proverbial act together and finds a decent script and a willing director how exactly do they make Justice League more than just ‘the one that came second’?
Warner Bros. is now in the unenviable position of trying to follow up what is basically the superhero team-up film that everyone always wanted to see. Oh sure, you can argue that Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are bigger and more iconic characters than Thor or Iron Man, but Marvel did the work and kudos to them for herding the necessary cats in order to make it happen.
The irony is of course that Warner Bros. and DC Comics already have the ingredients to make Justice League matter in a movie world that has already seen The Avengers. They have the ingredients, and the manner in which they mix them will potentially allow Justice League to be different enough and unique enough to stand on its own. They just have to be willing to do what Marvel has so far been unwilling to do, which is to focus on heroes that aren’t quite the ones you’d expect to take center stage.
To read more go to Mendelson’s Memos
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Hero is a word we hear often in sports, but heroism is not always about achievements on the field of play. “42″ tells the story of two men—the great Jackie Robinson and trailblazing Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey—whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.
From Academy Award® winner Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential”) comes the real-life drama “42,” starring Chadwick Boseman (“The Express”) as Jackie Robinson and Oscar® nominee Harrison Ford (“Witness”) as Branch Rickey.
In 1947, Branch Rickey put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking Major League Baseball’s infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press and other players.
Facing blatant racism from every side, even his own team, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in kind, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey’s hopes. Instead, Number 42 let his talent on the field do the talking—ultimately winning over fans and his teammates, silencing his critics, and paving the way for others to follow.
In 1997, Major League Baseball retired the number 42 for all teams, making it the first number in sports to be universally retired. The only exception is every year on April 15th—Jackie Robinson Day—commemorating the date of his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. On that day alone, players from every team proudly wear the number 42 to honor the man who altered the course of history.
Rounding out the main cast of “42″ are: Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson; Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher; Andre Holland as Wendell Smith; Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese; Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca; and Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker.
Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, “42″ is produced by Thomas Tull, with Dick Cook, Jon Jashni, and Jason Clark serving as executive producers, and Darryl Pryor and Jillian Zaks co-producing.
Helgeland’s behind-the-scenes collaborators included Oscar®-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“Forrest Gump”), production designer Richard Hoover, costume designer Caroline Harris, and editors Kevin Stitt and Peter McNulty. The music is composed by Oscar® nominee Mark Isham (“A River Runs Through It”).
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present, a Legendary Pictures Production, a Brian Helgeland film, “42.” The film opens on April 12, 2013, in time to commemorate the 66th anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day, on April [...]

To grace the poster for its 66th edition, the Festival de Cannes has chosen a couple who embody the spirit of cinema like no other: Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, photographed during the shooting of the aptly named A New Kind of Love, by Melville Shavelson (1963).
For the Festival it is a chance both to pay tribute to the memory of Paul Newman, who passed away in 2008, and to mark its undying admiration for Joanne Woodward, his wife and most favoured co-star.
They were honoured at the Festival de Cannes in 1958 – the year of their marriage – with the selection In Competition of Martin Ritt’s The Long Hot Summer, the first film in which they appeared together. (…)

To read more go to Cannes Film Festival
Photo © 1963 by Paramount Pictures Corporation and
Llenroc Productions.
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Isn’t Star Trek supposed to be about star trekking? Ya know, exploring strange new worlds, seeking new life and new civilizations, and possibly going where no man has gone before?
This may look like a decent action thriller, but it also feels like a painfully generic adventure that happens to be painted in Star Trek paint. Benadict Cumberbatch shows up, Cumberbatch commits several acts of terrorism, Kirk goes after Cumberbatch.

I sincerely hope there is more to the story than that and there may very well be. But what we’ve seen so far suggests the film boldly going where any number of sequels have gone before. And, if I may, why oh why couldn’t Paramount wait until next weekend to debut this with G.I. Joe: Retaliation? Anyway, Star Trek Into Darkness opens May 15th in IMAX 3D and May 17th elsewhere domestically. As always, we’ll see…

To read more go to Mendelson’s Memos
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Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce & Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968.
“Iron by “Iron Man 3” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing and Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Alan Fine, Stan Lee and Dan Mintz are executive producers. The film releases May 3, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
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Hot on the heels of Plummer’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar™ for Beginners last year, the octogenarian star of stage and screen delivers his most affecting performance yet. Barrymore was released theatrically by BY Experience and Image Entertainment in New York and Los Angeles in November of 2012.
The Los Angeles Times then enthused, “Christopher Plummer is a mischievous delight as the great John Barrymore, intent on a stage comeback.” Barrymore was also recently nominated for two PRISM Awards including Performance in a Feature Film.
The screen version of the William Luce play by the same name, Barrymore had its world premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. It was adapted by writer-director Érik Canuel from the 1996 Broadway production for which Plummer won a Tony™ Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in 1997. Plummer, 82, has long had a fascination with the title character, and it shows. The Village Voice exclaimed, “Christopher Plummer re-creates his Tony-winning performance as the charming louse in his booze-addled final days. Blessed with a script that is witty, insightful to the workings of the narcissistic Hollywood psyche, and often wonderfully bitchy, the film is also a wistful look at faded dreams and opportunities lost due to both the vagaries of the business and self-sabotage.”
Of Plummer’s performance, noted critic Rex Reed proclaimed, “It’s the role—and the performance– of a lifetime, and he plays every color, nuance, mood shift and variety of vocal power and body language in his enormous range. The artistry leaves you with your mouth wide open.” Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter exclaims, “Christopher Plummer could be back in Oscar contention this fall for his portrayal of legendary actor John Barrymore.” And the New York Times’ Manohla Dargis succinctly sums it up with, “The performance is the thing.”
Image Entertainment is proud to announce the upcoming release of Christopher Plummer’s critically heralded cinematic portrayal of Barrymore, available on Blu-rayTM at $39.98, DVD at $29.98, and Digital Download on May 7th.
Special features on the Blu-rayTM and DVD include a behind-the-scenes documentary, Backstage With Barrymore, featuring Helen Mirren, Julie Andrews and Zoe Caldwell.
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The Recording Academy ® — the organization internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards®— will present its 2013 GRAMMYs on the Hill ® Awards in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 17 at the Hamilton . Known as “Washington’s most interesting mix of music and politics,” the event will honor GRAMMY® and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson for her artistic achievements and generosity as a philanthropist.
“We are elated to recognize Jennifer Hudson as not only a gifted musician and actress but as an extraordinary humanitarian who has selflessly contributed her time and talent to numerous worthwhile causes,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “She is one of the industry’s most enduring, giving and gifted women, and we are privileged to be honoring her artistry, her commitment, and her generosity.”
GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards: April 17
The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards will take place on April 17 at the Hamilton with special guest presenters and performers, and will recognize Hudson with The Academy’s Recording Artists’ Coalition Award (named for The Academy’s artists’ rights program founded by Don Henley and Sheryl Crow). The event will include a cocktail reception and dinner preceding the awards ceremony, and will also thank key legislators who help improve the environment for music makers. Proceeds will benefit the GRAMMY Foundation®’s Signature Schools, which provides support for underserved music programs throughout the country, and a GRAMMY Foundation Signature School that has demonstrated excellence in music education will receive a grant to support its music initiatives. The evening is sponsored by SESAC.
GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day: April 18
The day after the Awards ceremony, The Recording Academy will host GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, where hundreds of music professionals from across the country will visit with legislators to advance pro-music policies that improve the environment for music and its makers. Now in its eighth year, it is the music community’s only annual advocacy day in Washington, and features a morning briefing with keynote speeches by leading legislators and lobbying members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
About Jennifer Hudson
An Academy Award-winning actress, GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist and bestselling author, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. From humble beginnings, Hudson began singing in a small Chicago church where, week after week, she brought the congregation to its feet. From there, she’s gone on to worldwide acclaim.
In 2007, Hudson won an Academy Award for her role as Effie in the smash hit Dreamgirls, an [...]

Our selected star to be included in our “Hollywood Actress of the Week Photo Gallery” is Halle Berry. Halle Maria Berry born August 14, 1966 is an American actress and former fashion model.

Berry received an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and an NAACP Image Award for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and won an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2001 for her performance in Monster’s Ball, becoming the first and only woman of African American descent to have won the award for Best Actress. She is one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood and has been involved in the production side of several of the films in which she performed. Berry is also a Revlon spokesmodel.
Before becoming an actress, Berry entered several beauty contests, finishing as the 1st runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant (1986), and coming in 6th place in the Miss World Pageant in 1986. She made her film debut in 1991 with a brief appearance in Jungle Fever. Her breakthrough was in 1992′s Boomerang, which led to roles in films such as The Flintstones (1994) and Bulworth (1998). In addition to her Academy Award win, the 21st century brought a new level of prominence to Berry, with roles in films such as Storm in the X-Men film series (2000-present), Die Another Day (2002), where she played Bond Girl Jinx, and Cloud Atlas (2012). She also won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress in 2005 for Catwoman and accepted the award in person, one of the few people to do so. This week her movie “the Call” won at the box office.
To read more go to Halle Berry
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Tonight, Madonna took the stage at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards to present the Vito Russo Award to advocate, award-winning journalist, author and talk show host Anderson Cooper. The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.
Madonna wore a Boy Scouts outfit as part of GLAAD’s year-long campaign to end the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on gay scouts and leaders.

Madonna and Anderson Cooper joined hosts Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott and Sam Champion (Good Morning America); Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters); NFL players Brendon Ayanbadejo (Baltimore Ravens) and Chris Kluwe (Minnesota Vikings); Christian Borle, Andy Mientus, Krysta Rodriguez (Smash); Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey); Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi (The Jersey Shore, Snooki & JWoww); Annie Clark, Cristine Prosperi (Degrassi); Straight But Not Narrow founder Avan Jogia; Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil); John Leguizamo (Ice Age, Moulin Rouge); Laverne Cox (Musical Chairs); GLAAD’s Strategic Giving Officer Wilson Cruz (My So-Called Life); producing dream team Neil Meron and Craig Zadan and others at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, which helps fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality.
Photos Courtesy GLAAD Awards and PRPhotos.com
For a complete list of winners, click here.
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There is an amusing phenomenon, going back at least as long as I can remember, to underestimate the box office potential of films featuring actors of color. We don’t see it coming, we’re shocked when it happens, and then studios don’t actually factor this new information into their production slate.
Anyway, The Call was the top new release of the weekend, earning $17.2 million. Yes the film played strongly among African Americans, at least partially because the movie bothered to feature a few (Halle Berry and Morris Chestnut among many others) in more than just token roles. Tracking this debut compared to Berry’s previous efforts is tough because she has had co-starring roles in stuff like Die Another Day ($47 million debut), The Flintstones ($29 million), and the X-Men trilogy ($54m, $85m, and $102m).
In terms of starring vehicles, this is bigger than the likes of Catwoman ($16 million), and A Perfect Stranger ($11 million), but below Gothica ($19 million). The marketing smartly highlighted that it was a film about one woman rescuing another woman from peril, with no clear male lead. It played 61% female and 53% over-30. The picture cost just WWE just $13 million before selling the rights to Sony and earned a B+ from Cinemascore, so it may just have legs. Even if its appeal is about “black audiences have nothing for them right now”, Warner Bros’ Jackie Robinson biopic 42 doesn’t open until April 12th.
To read more go to Mendelson’s Memos
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