Exclusive: Scott Koondel’s Sox Entertainment has partnered with Jon Shapiro’s Ideal Entertainment to co-produce Big Men, a limited series docudrama about the NBA and its stars’ important roles in the civil rights movement.
Created by screenwriter Marc Cotter and Joe Bilella, Big Men captures the struggles and strides of the civil rights movement through the lens of two NBA icons, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Their on-court rivalry played a pivotal role in lifting a fledgeling league into a national phenomenon only to be matched by their teamwork off the court in their fight against racial adversity to bridge a segregated America. The series’ narrative will also include the women who influenced them and highlight other Big Men who joined their ranks — including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Muhammad Ali — to change basketball and advance social justice.
The series is envisioned as telling the story over 16 episodes in two seasons.
Created by screenwriter Marc Cotter and Joe Bilella, Big Men captures the struggles and strides of the civil rights movement through the lens of two NBA icons, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Their on-court rivalry played a pivotal role in lifting a fledgeling league into a national phenomenon only to be matched by their teamwork off the court in their fight against racial adversity to bridge a segregated America. The series’ narrative will also include the women who influenced them and highlight other Big Men who joined their ranks — including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Muhammad Ali — to change basketball and advance social justice.
The series is envisioned as telling the story over 16 episodes in two seasons.
- 12/14/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sox Entertainment, the production and distribution company of former top CBS distribution executive Scott Koondel, has acquired the 2001 Imax concert movie All Access: Front Row. Backstage. Live!. The film, produced two decades ago for theatrical distribution exclusively on IMAX, will be taken to the marketplace shortly, targeting global streamers. All Access has never been exposed to digital platforms; the film is available for broadcast and streaming for the first time after a 10-year distribution moratorium.
Directed by Martyn Atkins and produced by Ideal Entertainment, the one-hour music documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of putting on a mega-concert. The documentary combines candid backstage moments, including rehearsals, sound checks and conversations, with musical performances by Grammy-winning artists such as Santana, Sting, Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews Band. Other featured artists include B.B. King, Al Green, George Clinton, Moby, Mary J. Blige, Kid Rock, Macy Gray, Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas,...
Directed by Martyn Atkins and produced by Ideal Entertainment, the one-hour music documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of putting on a mega-concert. The documentary combines candid backstage moments, including rehearsals, sound checks and conversations, with musical performances by Grammy-winning artists such as Santana, Sting, Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews Band. Other featured artists include B.B. King, Al Green, George Clinton, Moby, Mary J. Blige, Kid Rock, Macy Gray, Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas,...
- 3/3/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Curious George’s latest feature adventure is heading to Peacock as part of the streamer’s kids’ slate.
The service will launch Curious George: Go West, Go Wild on the service September 8.
It comes as the NBCU-backed service is home to a Curious George collection that includes several films, seasonal TV specials and seasons one through nine of the TV series.
Curious George: Go West, Go Wild follows George and Ted as they travel to cousin Ginny’s farm for a relaxing outdoor weekend, but plans take a turn when her farm animals escape. With the help of Emmett, a friendly farmhand with cowboy dreams, the group sets out to track the herd through the countryside, camp outdoors, fish for their dinner, and stumble into a ghost town.
The film, which is also set to be released via digital and DVD this winter by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, features a...
The service will launch Curious George: Go West, Go Wild on the service September 8.
It comes as the NBCU-backed service is home to a Curious George collection that includes several films, seasonal TV specials and seasons one through nine of the TV series.
Curious George: Go West, Go Wild follows George and Ted as they travel to cousin Ginny’s farm for a relaxing outdoor weekend, but plans take a turn when her farm animals escape. With the help of Emmett, a friendly farmhand with cowboy dreams, the group sets out to track the herd through the countryside, camp outdoors, fish for their dinner, and stumble into a ghost town.
The film, which is also set to be released via digital and DVD this winter by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, features a...
- 9/3/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock is going mad for the monkey.
An all-new “Curious George” animated movie is coming to NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service, along with the first nine seasons of the TV series, three films and two holiday specials from the beloved franchise.
Peacock original film “Curious George: Go West, Go Wild” will be available to users on the service’s free, ad-supported tier in addition to Peacock Premium subscribers. The movies, specials and Seasons 1-9 of the “Curious George” series will be available only to Premium customers.
The new movie will debut on the service Sept. 8. In the new movie, George and Ted (the Man With the Yellow Hat) travel to cousin Ginny’s farm for a relaxing weekend in the country. But their plans are upended when her farm animals escape — and with the help of friendly farmhand Emmett they have to round up the herd, encountering various gentle adventures along the way.
An all-new “Curious George” animated movie is coming to NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service, along with the first nine seasons of the TV series, three films and two holiday specials from the beloved franchise.
Peacock original film “Curious George: Go West, Go Wild” will be available to users on the service’s free, ad-supported tier in addition to Peacock Premium subscribers. The movies, specials and Seasons 1-9 of the “Curious George” series will be available only to Premium customers.
The new movie will debut on the service Sept. 8. In the new movie, George and Ted (the Man With the Yellow Hat) travel to cousin Ginny’s farm for a relaxing weekend in the country. But their plans are upended when her farm animals escape — and with the help of friendly farmhand Emmett they have to round up the herd, encountering various gentle adventures along the way.
- 9/3/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s TV News Roundup, Peacock released the trailer for “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” and HBO announced the premiere date for its upcoming documentary “Showbiz Kids.”
Dates
HBO has announced its upcoming documentary “Showbiz Kids” will premiere on July 14 at 9 p.m. Directed by former child actor Alex Winter, the film chronicles the unique experiences of working as a child actor in the entertainment industry through a combination of archival footage and interviews. The film comes from Ringer Films, with Bill Simmons serving as executive producer along with Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller for HBO. Watch a trailer below.
First Looks
Peacock has released trailers for its launch slate of original programming. NBCUniversal’s streaming service will become available on July 15. Watch the new trailers below.
“Brave New World” is an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel of the same name. David Wiener serves as showrunner; Grant Morrison,...
Dates
HBO has announced its upcoming documentary “Showbiz Kids” will premiere on July 14 at 9 p.m. Directed by former child actor Alex Winter, the film chronicles the unique experiences of working as a child actor in the entertainment industry through a combination of archival footage and interviews. The film comes from Ringer Films, with Bill Simmons serving as executive producer along with Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller for HBO. Watch a trailer below.
First Looks
Peacock has released trailers for its launch slate of original programming. NBCUniversal’s streaming service will become available on July 15. Watch the new trailers below.
“Brave New World” is an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel of the same name. David Wiener serves as showrunner; Grant Morrison,...
- 6/25/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Curious George makes his royal debut in the new feature-length animated movie, Curious George: Royal Monkey, arriving on Digital, DVD and streaming on Hulu on September 10, 2019 from Universal 1440 Entertainment, the original content production arm of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Imagine Entertainment. Filled with delightful antics, gentle humor and heartfelt emotion that have captivated the hearts of families around the world, the majestic film follows George as he trades places with the royal monkey of Simiana by mistake! Taking audiences on a colorful grand adventure with exciting new locations and a fresh cast of adorable characters, CuriousGeorge: Royal Monkey features returning voice cast Emmy Award® winners Frank Welker (Scooby-Doo! franchise) and Jeff Bennett (“Johnny Bravo” TV series) and showcases five original songs including a single by award-winning recording artist and songwriter Andy Grammer. For a limited time only,Curious George: Royal Monkey on DVD also comes with an exclusive sticker sheet,...
- 9/2/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Universal is beginning to set the wheels in motion for its live-action Curious George movie, recruiting Andrew Adamson to co-write and direct the long-rumored feature.
Word comes by way of Deadline, revealing that Adamson – best known for his work on The Chronicles of Narnia and DreamWorks’ dormant Shrek franchise – will be the one guiding that curious little monkey onto the big screen. Details remain few and far between at such an early stage, but we understand Universal’s adaptation will mine inspiration from “the classic book series by Margret and Hans Augusto Rey.”
Said to be unrelated to the animated Curious George movie that featured Will Ferrell and Drew Barrymore, Universal’s plans for a live-action spin on the cutesy primate come at a lucrative time for the sub-genre. Thanks in large part to Disney – the House of Mouse has pumped out Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book ahead...
Word comes by way of Deadline, revealing that Adamson – best known for his work on The Chronicles of Narnia and DreamWorks’ dormant Shrek franchise – will be the one guiding that curious little monkey onto the big screen. Details remain few and far between at such an early stage, but we understand Universal’s adaptation will mine inspiration from “the classic book series by Margret and Hans Augusto Rey.”
Said to be unrelated to the animated Curious George movie that featured Will Ferrell and Drew Barrymore, Universal’s plans for a live-action spin on the cutesy primate come at a lucrative time for the sub-genre. Thanks in large part to Disney – the House of Mouse has pumped out Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book ahead...
- 8/10/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Kayti Burt Aug 9, 2016
A live action take on Curious George gets the greenlight, from Shrek co-director Andrew Adamson.
A live-action adaptation of the beloved Curious George children's books is in the works at Universal, and it has a shiny new director in the form of Andrew Adamson, the man behind the camera for Shrek and The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (the film, not the BBC version).
According to Deadline, Adamson is in negotiations to both direct and co-write the Curious George film. We don't have many details about what this live-action film might look like, but - personally - I am getting some serious Paddington vibes from this project. And look how well Paddington turned out.
Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Erica Huggins are producing the project through Imagine Entertainment, alongside David Kirschner and Jon Shapiro. Universal's senior production VP Kristin Lowe will also be involved. Imagine and...
A live action take on Curious George gets the greenlight, from Shrek co-director Andrew Adamson.
A live-action adaptation of the beloved Curious George children's books is in the works at Universal, and it has a shiny new director in the form of Andrew Adamson, the man behind the camera for Shrek and The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (the film, not the BBC version).
According to Deadline, Adamson is in negotiations to both direct and co-write the Curious George film. We don't have many details about what this live-action film might look like, but - personally - I am getting some serious Paddington vibes from this project. And look how well Paddington turned out.
Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Erica Huggins are producing the project through Imagine Entertainment, alongside David Kirschner and Jon Shapiro. Universal's senior production VP Kristin Lowe will also be involved. Imagine and...
- 8/8/2016
- Den of Geek
Andrew Adamson of “Shrek” is in talks to direct a new live-action version of “Curious George” out of Universal and Imagine. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are bringing the new live-action version to Universal after having produced the animated “Curious George” in 2006 out of their Imagine Entertainment. That film grossed $69.8 million from a $50 million budget and got mediocre reviews. Adamson is also co-writing and executive producing the upcoming adaptation of the classic children’s book series written by Margret & H.A. Rey. Also Read: Hulu Goes Ape For 'Curious George,' Sealing Exclusive Streaming Deal David Kirschner and Jon Shapiro are also producing,...
- 8/8/2016
- by Meriah Doty
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Andrew Adamson in negotiations to direct and co-write Curious George, a live-action adaptation for Universal Pictures based on the children's book series written by Margret & H.A. Rey. Adamson, who showed a flair for family fare in directing, producing and scripting the first two installments of The Chronicles of Narnia series, will executive produce. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer will produce for Imagine Entertainment, alongside David Kirschner and Jon Shapiro…...
- 8/8/2016
- Deadline
With five nominations, "Iron Man" leads the list for the seventh annual Ves Awards, which were chosen Saturday by panels comprised of members of the Visual Effects Society.
The Marvel Studios-produced superhero movie was cited in the categories of visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie, best single visual effect of the year, outstanding animated character in a live-action movie, outstanding models and miniatures in a feature, and outstanding special effects in a movie. The nominees cited for "Iron Man" are Ben Snow, Hal Hickel, Victoria Alonso and John Nelson.
Its competition for the best visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie honor are "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (Wendy Rogers, Dean Wright, Andrew Fowler, Greg Butler), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Eric Barba, Edson Williams, Nathan McGuinness, Lisa Beroud), "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Michael J. Wassel, Lucy Killick, Adrian de Wet, Eamonn Butler) and "Cloverfield" (Kevin Blank,...
The Marvel Studios-produced superhero movie was cited in the categories of visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie, best single visual effect of the year, outstanding animated character in a live-action movie, outstanding models and miniatures in a feature, and outstanding special effects in a movie. The nominees cited for "Iron Man" are Ben Snow, Hal Hickel, Victoria Alonso and John Nelson.
Its competition for the best visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie honor are "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (Wendy Rogers, Dean Wright, Andrew Fowler, Greg Butler), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Eric Barba, Edson Williams, Nathan McGuinness, Lisa Beroud), "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Michael J. Wassel, Lucy Killick, Adrian de Wet, Eamonn Butler) and "Cloverfield" (Kevin Blank,...
- 1/19/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When U2 performed in South America in 2006 after an eight-year hiatus, they decided to bring some high-tech goodies along with them to mark the occasion.
The resulting souvenir, U2 3D, takes the well-traveled concert film to exhilarating new heights.
Billed as the first digital 3-D, multicamera, real-time production, this feature-length feast for the eyes and ears (thanks to the all-enveloping 5.1 Surround Sound), re-creates the U2 live experience without interruptions by the intrusive, talky backstage filler that seems to have become obligatory in the recorded "live" genre.
Instead, the docu serves up prime U2 in a startlingly rendered, state-of-the-art arena that truly raises the bar for headache-free 3-D technology.
Previewed last year at the Festival de Cannes in a version that was about a half-hour shorter, the finished edition will ensure both the fans of the band and the high-tech geeks will find what they are looking for when it follows its Jan. 19 Sundance screening with a limited release through National Geographic Entertainment starting Jan. 23, exclusively in 3-D digital and Imax theaters.
From the opening one-two punch of Vertigo and "It's a Beautiful Day," both the band and directors Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington effectively set the elevating tone.
Blending together performances from Vertigo Tour stops in Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo as well as Mexico City and Santiago, the filmmakers succeed in ripping down that wall between and stage and the audience, and, in the process, create a team atmosphere that's perfectly in keeping with the band's "we're all in this together" philosophy.
Even with those sky-high Jumbotron screens and those fully dimensional mike stands that appear to take on a life of their own here, the mood is remarkably intimate.
Co-directors Pellington (before he became a feature director, he helmed U2's "One" video) and Owens are careful not to overplay the 3-D card -- utilizing advanced technology developed by 3ality Digital -- too early in the game.
They reserve the best effect for what is arguably the film's centerpiece, in which the band's early hit, Sunday, Bloody Sunday becomes an impassioned prayer for world peace with Bono (in fine vocal form) extending an outstretched arm over the crowd and, seemingly, through the screen, hovering right in front of the theater viewer in a plea for Christians, Jews and Muslims to put aside their differences.
In lesser hands, what might have come across as overly theatrical, packs a quietly potent impact.
Somehow, after experiencing U2 3D, the old iPod starts looking a little yellow around the edges.
U2 3D
National Geographic Entertainment
A National Geographic Entertainment presentation of a 3ality Digital production
Credits:
Directors: Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington
Producers: Jon Shapiro, Peter Shapiro, John Modell, Catherine Owens
Executive producers: Sandy Climan, Michael Peyser, David Modell
Director of photography: Tom Krueger
Director of 3D photography: Peter Anderson
Editor: Oliver Wicki
Running time -- 85 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
The resulting souvenir, U2 3D, takes the well-traveled concert film to exhilarating new heights.
Billed as the first digital 3-D, multicamera, real-time production, this feature-length feast for the eyes and ears (thanks to the all-enveloping 5.1 Surround Sound), re-creates the U2 live experience without interruptions by the intrusive, talky backstage filler that seems to have become obligatory in the recorded "live" genre.
Instead, the docu serves up prime U2 in a startlingly rendered, state-of-the-art arena that truly raises the bar for headache-free 3-D technology.
Previewed last year at the Festival de Cannes in a version that was about a half-hour shorter, the finished edition will ensure both the fans of the band and the high-tech geeks will find what they are looking for when it follows its Jan. 19 Sundance screening with a limited release through National Geographic Entertainment starting Jan. 23, exclusively in 3-D digital and Imax theaters.
From the opening one-two punch of Vertigo and "It's a Beautiful Day," both the band and directors Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington effectively set the elevating tone.
Blending together performances from Vertigo Tour stops in Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo as well as Mexico City and Santiago, the filmmakers succeed in ripping down that wall between and stage and the audience, and, in the process, create a team atmosphere that's perfectly in keeping with the band's "we're all in this together" philosophy.
Even with those sky-high Jumbotron screens and those fully dimensional mike stands that appear to take on a life of their own here, the mood is remarkably intimate.
Co-directors Pellington (before he became a feature director, he helmed U2's "One" video) and Owens are careful not to overplay the 3-D card -- utilizing advanced technology developed by 3ality Digital -- too early in the game.
They reserve the best effect for what is arguably the film's centerpiece, in which the band's early hit, Sunday, Bloody Sunday becomes an impassioned prayer for world peace with Bono (in fine vocal form) extending an outstretched arm over the crowd and, seemingly, through the screen, hovering right in front of the theater viewer in a plea for Christians, Jews and Muslims to put aside their differences.
In lesser hands, what might have come across as overly theatrical, packs a quietly potent impact.
Somehow, after experiencing U2 3D, the old iPod starts looking a little yellow around the edges.
U2 3D
National Geographic Entertainment
A National Geographic Entertainment presentation of a 3ality Digital production
Credits:
Directors: Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington
Producers: Jon Shapiro, Peter Shapiro, John Modell, Catherine Owens
Executive producers: Sandy Climan, Michael Peyser, David Modell
Director of photography: Tom Krueger
Director of 3D photography: Peter Anderson
Editor: Oliver Wicki
Running time -- 85 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
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