James McCaffrey, the actor who was the voice of Max Payne in the eponymous video game franchise, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 65 years old.
McCaffrey’s death was confirmed on Monday by TMZ, who reported that a representative of McCaffrey informed them that the actor had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and passed on Sunday surrounded by his friends and family.
McCaffrey is perhaps best known for portraying detective-turned-vigilante Max Payne, but had a decades-long career that began in the late ‘80s with a direct-to-video film titled New York’s Finest. By the mid-1990s, he had appeared in several films and television shows, played the role of Captain Arthur O’Breun in the Fox series New York Undercover, and landed a starring part in a short-lived NBC series called Viper.
Going into the 2000s, McCaffrey made appearances on Sex in the City, Law & Order,...
McCaffrey’s death was confirmed on Monday by TMZ, who reported that a representative of McCaffrey informed them that the actor had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and passed on Sunday surrounded by his friends and family.
McCaffrey is perhaps best known for portraying detective-turned-vigilante Max Payne, but had a decades-long career that began in the late ‘80s with a direct-to-video film titled New York’s Finest. By the mid-1990s, he had appeared in several films and television shows, played the role of Captain Arthur O’Breun in the Fox series New York Undercover, and landed a starring part in a short-lived NBC series called Viper.
Going into the 2000s, McCaffrey made appearances on Sex in the City, Law & Order,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Film News
There is not a more dependable movie genre in 2023 than horror. They can be made quickly and cheaply, starring up-and-coming teens and twenty-somethings, with the occasional appearance from a B-list (at most) actor whose presence lends the project a shred of credibility. They can also be released at any time of the year. In 2023, "M3GAN" cleaned up in January, "Scream VI" carved out a significant chunk of change in March, while the A24 sleeper hit "Talk to Me" entranced scare-seeking audiences throughout July and August.
Beginning with the release of "Paranormal Activity," Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions have been churning out durable franchises like "Insidious" and "The Purge," while taking chances on original visions from ambitious filmmakers like Jordan Peele ("Get Out") and Scott Derrickson ("The Black Phone"). Blumhouse has certainly produced its share of clunkers, but its batting average is Joe Dimaggio-esque. Rather than swing for the fences,...
Beginning with the release of "Paranormal Activity," Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions have been churning out durable franchises like "Insidious" and "The Purge," while taking chances on original visions from ambitious filmmakers like Jordan Peele ("Get Out") and Scott Derrickson ("The Black Phone"). Blumhouse has certainly produced its share of clunkers, but its batting average is Joe Dimaggio-esque. Rather than swing for the fences,...
- 12/3/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In early 1991, 20-year-old Tupac Shakur was torn between ambitions of acting and rapping, and struggling to catch a break on both fronts. He had studied theater at the Baltimore School for the Arts and toured with the west coast hip-hop collective Digital Underground, but acting opportunities were scarce and he had yet to finish the demo tape that would launch him to stardom. His luck would turn when Digital Underground’s road manager, Sleuth, received a call from Cara Lewis, the group’s booking agent at William Morris. A film director named Ernest Dickerson was looking for actors for a movie called Juice and they invited Money-b, a fellow member of the collective, to audition. Dickerson had earned acclaim for his work as Spike Lee’s director of photography on a run of films, including She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, and Jungle Fever.
- 10/24/2023
- by Staci Robinson
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York filmmaker talks tragedy, love of music in film.
Inveterate New Yorker Spike Lee recalled the 9/11 terror attacks 22 years after the tragedy took place in a TIFF on-stage conversation on Monday (September 11).
“You can make the case that the world has changed since that day,” said Lee,” appearing on stage in a Visionaries session with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey after showing the audience an episode of his 2021 HBO mini-series NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021 1/2.
“I wasn’t there,” said Lee of the day of the attacks on multiple sites including the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia.
Inveterate New Yorker Spike Lee recalled the 9/11 terror attacks 22 years after the tragedy took place in a TIFF on-stage conversation on Monday (September 11).
“You can make the case that the world has changed since that day,” said Lee,” appearing on stage in a Visionaries session with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey after showing the audience an episode of his 2021 HBO mini-series NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021 1/2.
“I wasn’t there,” said Lee of the day of the attacks on multiple sites including the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia.
- 9/11/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
As Taylor Swift once said, “August slipped away like a moment in time,” and August 2023 has been no different. Summer starts to come to a close at the end of August as kids head back to school, Labor Day looms and folks soak up those last few days before the official start of fall on Sept. 21. Netflix will say goodbye to some important titles at the end of this month as well.
The majority of films leaving Netflix will leave on the last day, so there is still time to squeeze some in before the month fully ends. Those leaving the streamer Aug. 31 include “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Mean Girls,” the “Open Season” films, “Paranormal Activity,” “The Ring” and “Sleepless in Seattle” among others.
While plenty of new films and television shows have arrived on Netflix in August like “Heartstopper” Season 2 and some of the “Despicable Me” films as...
The majority of films leaving Netflix will leave on the last day, so there is still time to squeeze some in before the month fully ends. Those leaving the streamer Aug. 31 include “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Mean Girls,” the “Open Season” films, “Paranormal Activity,” “The Ring” and “Sleepless in Seattle” among others.
While plenty of new films and television shows have arrived on Netflix in August like “Heartstopper” Season 2 and some of the “Despicable Me” films as...
- 8/25/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Bill Lee, the accomplished jazz musician who collaborated with the likes of Cat Stevens, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan and also scored many of his son Spike Lee’s films, has died according to multiple reports. He was 94.
Bill Lee composed the memorable original music for many of Spike Lee’s early, seminal films, including She’s Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989) and Mo’ Better Blues (1990). The elder Lee had small roles in each of those films, except for Do the Right Thing. He also scored his son’s early short, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads.
The director posted a series of photos on Instagram remembering his father, the first accompanied by the phrase, “Deeds Not Words.”
The deeds of Lee’s father made an impact on his son.
“Everything I know about jazz I got from my father,” Spike Lee told the New York...
Bill Lee composed the memorable original music for many of Spike Lee’s early, seminal films, including She’s Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989) and Mo’ Better Blues (1990). The elder Lee had small roles in each of those films, except for Do the Right Thing. He also scored his son’s early short, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads.
The director posted a series of photos on Instagram remembering his father, the first accompanied by the phrase, “Deeds Not Words.”
The deeds of Lee’s father made an impact on his son.
“Everything I know about jazz I got from my father,” Spike Lee told the New York...
- 5/24/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s no joint like a Spike Lee Joint, but what other movies does the director love?
Over four decades and 30 films, Brooklyn-raised Lee has established himself as the type of director whose work can’t be replicated. The traits that make a Spike Lee Joint a Spike Lee Joint are easy to spot: the fiery and often political subject matter, the mix of humor with drama, those iconic floaty dolly shots, and an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to stylistic experimentation.
Lee’s fearlessness as a director makes for a fascinating mixed-bag of a filmography. The auteur has at least three undeniable masterpieces under his belt: 1989’s “Do the Right Thing,” a searing drama about police violence and racism; 1992’s “Malcolm X,” an epic starring Denzel Washington as the titular Civil Rights leader; and 2002’s “25th Hour,” the greatest portrait of life in New York after 9/11 put to film. Depending on who you ask,...
Over four decades and 30 films, Brooklyn-raised Lee has established himself as the type of director whose work can’t be replicated. The traits that make a Spike Lee Joint a Spike Lee Joint are easy to spot: the fiery and often political subject matter, the mix of humor with drama, those iconic floaty dolly shots, and an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to stylistic experimentation.
Lee’s fearlessness as a director makes for a fascinating mixed-bag of a filmography. The auteur has at least three undeniable masterpieces under his belt: 1989’s “Do the Right Thing,” a searing drama about police violence and racism; 1992’s “Malcolm X,” an epic starring Denzel Washington as the titular Civil Rights leader; and 2002’s “25th Hour,” the greatest portrait of life in New York after 9/11 put to film. Depending on who you ask,...
- 5/10/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
When the initial list of titles debuting at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival was announced last week we wrote that there would be more to come. We know that Wes Anderson, Todd Haynes, and Jonathan Glazer will compete with international directors like Wang Bing, Wim Wenders, Alice Rohwacher, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan for the Palme D’Or, and that Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” James Mangold’s “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” Steve McQueen’s documentary “Occupied City,” and Sam Levinson’s series “The Idol” will also show out-of-competition at le Palais des Festivals et des Congrès adjacent to one of the Mediterranean’s most famous yacht basins.
But just a short stroll down le Boulevard de la Croisette (though it can sometimes take ya 15 minutes or more when it’s crowded) is the Jw Marriott Cannes, completed in 1992, and wow do those peach-pastel colors and gold-tinted glass show it!
But just a short stroll down le Boulevard de la Croisette (though it can sometimes take ya 15 minutes or more when it’s crowded) is the Jw Marriott Cannes, completed in 1992, and wow do those peach-pastel colors and gold-tinted glass show it!
- 4/18/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
A little over a year after Ben Affleck mused he would never make a theatrically released movie again, and insisting he wanted to focus on non-franchise films for adult audiences, the filmmaker nonetheless enjoyed one of the happiest box office stories of 2023. To be sure, this past holiday weekend was dominated by yet another “IP movie,” as Affleck is wont to say, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. However, in the shadow of that film’s gargantuan $205.5 million across five days, Affleck’s own adult-skewing drama, Air, also dominated the court in its own league, grossing $20.2 million over five days.
Not bad for a movie that’s produced by one of the biggest streamers around, Amazon Studios, and which true to Affleck’s word wasn’t even originally intended to reach the big screen. In fact, Air didn’t pivot to a theatrical release until post-production when Amazon realized how well...
Not bad for a movie that’s produced by one of the biggest streamers around, Amazon Studios, and which true to Affleck’s word wasn’t even originally intended to reach the big screen. In fact, Air didn’t pivot to a theatrical release until post-production when Amazon realized how well...
- 4/11/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback have been set to receive the Rising Stars of the Year Award at CinemaCon 2023.
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts duo will receive the recognition from NATO’s official convention at its Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, which takes place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas the night of April 27. They join a list of honorees that also includes Oppenheimer‘s Christopher Nolan & Emma Thomas (NATO Spirit of the Industry Award), the cast of Lionsgate’s Joy Ride (Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award) and the Dune franchise’s Zendaya (Star of the Year Award).
The new Steven Caple Jr.-helmed Transformers film set for release in theaters June 9 hails from Paramount Pictures and Skydance, in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures. It’s billed as a globetrotting adventure transporting audiences back to the ’90s alongside the iconic Autobots, which also...
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts duo will receive the recognition from NATO’s official convention at its Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, which takes place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas the night of April 27. They join a list of honorees that also includes Oppenheimer‘s Christopher Nolan & Emma Thomas (NATO Spirit of the Industry Award), the cast of Lionsgate’s Joy Ride (Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award) and the Dune franchise’s Zendaya (Star of the Year Award).
The new Steven Caple Jr.-helmed Transformers film set for release in theaters June 9 hails from Paramount Pictures and Skydance, in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures. It’s billed as a globetrotting adventure transporting audiences back to the ’90s alongside the iconic Autobots, which also...
- 4/4/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Since he launched his feature directorial career with She’s Gotta Have It, the longest break Spike Lee has taken between narrative films is the four years between 2008’s Miracle at St. Anna and 2012’s Red Hook Summer. With it being three years since 2020’s Da 5 Bloods, we’ve been awaiting word on when his next film would be confirmed and now it looks like a contender has emerged with Da Understudy.
In what would mark a reteam with Jonathan Majors––who starred in Da 5 Bloods and is enjoying a major moment in the spotlight with Magazine Dreams, Creed III, and the Marvel Machine––and the actor is set to star and produce the film from Westbrook Studios and Amazon Studios, Deadline reports. Lee is in early talks to direct the film, which is scripted by Tom Hanada, Zach Strauss, and Tyler Cole. The film tells the story of...
In what would mark a reteam with Jonathan Majors––who starred in Da 5 Bloods and is enjoying a major moment in the spotlight with Magazine Dreams, Creed III, and the Marvel Machine––and the actor is set to star and produce the film from Westbrook Studios and Amazon Studios, Deadline reports. Lee is in early talks to direct the film, which is scripted by Tom Hanada, Zach Strauss, and Tyler Cole. The film tells the story of...
- 3/7/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
When They See Us Emmy winner Jharrel Jerome makes a big impression in the teaser trailer for I’m a Virgo, Prime Video‘s upcoming coming-of-age comedy from filmmaker Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You).
Created, written and with all seven episodes directed by Riley, I’m A Virgo is described as a “darkly comedic and fantastical coming-of-age joyride” about Cootie (played by Jerome, who is also an EP on the series), a 13-foot tall young Black man in Oakland, Calif.
More from TVLineCitadel Trailer: Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden Headline the Russo Brothers' Amazon Spy DramaDaisy Jones & the Six Author Hails 'Electric' 'Honeycomb' Duet,...
Created, written and with all seven episodes directed by Riley, I’m A Virgo is described as a “darkly comedic and fantastical coming-of-age joyride” about Cootie (played by Jerome, who is also an EP on the series), a 13-foot tall young Black man in Oakland, Calif.
More from TVLineCitadel Trailer: Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden Headline the Russo Brothers' Amazon Spy DramaDaisy Jones & the Six Author Hails 'Electric' 'Honeycomb' Duet,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Shailene Woodley as Gia in ‘Three Women’ (Photo Credit: Emily V. Aragones /Showtime)
Starz has scooped up Three Women after Showtime decided not to move forward with plans to air the drama. Showtime’s trimming down its lineup as it gets integrated into Paramount+, and its loss is Starz’s gain.
“We are proud to welcome Three Women to the Starz family. The show is anchored by such remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera and aligns perfectly with our commitment to telling stories by, for and about women,” stated Alison Hoffman, President, Domestic Networks, Starz.
Three Women is based on Lisa Taddeo’s bestselling novel. Taddeo created the series, wrote the pilot episode, and serves as an executive producer. Kathy Ciric, Emmy Rossum, and Laura Eason (The Loudest Voice) also executive produce, with Eason guiding the series as showrunner.
The 10-episode season stars Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies...
Starz has scooped up Three Women after Showtime decided not to move forward with plans to air the drama. Showtime’s trimming down its lineup as it gets integrated into Paramount+, and its loss is Starz’s gain.
“We are proud to welcome Three Women to the Starz family. The show is anchored by such remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera and aligns perfectly with our commitment to telling stories by, for and about women,” stated Alison Hoffman, President, Domestic Networks, Starz.
Three Women is based on Lisa Taddeo’s bestselling novel. Taddeo created the series, wrote the pilot episode, and serves as an executive producer. Kathy Ciric, Emmy Rossum, and Laura Eason (The Loudest Voice) also executive produce, with Eason guiding the series as showrunner.
The 10-episode season stars Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies...
- 3/3/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Starz is keeping a show alive that was scrapped post-development.
The premium cabler announced today it has picked up the 10-episode drama Three Women, based on the #1 New York Times bestselling book of the same name from acclaimed author and the show's creator Lisa Taddeo.
The show completed production at Showtime, but the cabler scrapped it last month after a change in strategy.
Three Women stars Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, Gabrielle Creevy, Blair Underwood, and John Patrick Amedori.
Laura Eason is the showrunner.
"We are proud to welcome 'Three Women' to the Starz family. The show is anchored by such remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera and aligns perfectly with our commitment to telling stories by, for and about women," said Alison Hoffman, President, Domestic Networks, Starz.
Taddeo, who also wrote the pilot episode, said, "We set out to make a bluntly...
The premium cabler announced today it has picked up the 10-episode drama Three Women, based on the #1 New York Times bestselling book of the same name from acclaimed author and the show's creator Lisa Taddeo.
The show completed production at Showtime, but the cabler scrapped it last month after a change in strategy.
Three Women stars Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, Gabrielle Creevy, Blair Underwood, and John Patrick Amedori.
Laura Eason is the showrunner.
"We are proud to welcome 'Three Women' to the Starz family. The show is anchored by such remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera and aligns perfectly with our commitment to telling stories by, for and about women," said Alison Hoffman, President, Domestic Networks, Starz.
Taddeo, who also wrote the pilot episode, said, "We set out to make a bluntly...
- 3/2/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Starz has picked up “Three Women,” a 10-episode drama based on author Lisa Taddeo’s New York Times best-selling book of the same name, after it was dropped by Showtime.
“We are proud to welcome ‘Three Women’ to the Starz family,” Starz domestic networks president Alison Hoffman said in a statement. “The show is anchored by such remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera and aligns perfectly with our commitment to telling stories by, for and about women.”
In addition to creating the series, Taddeo wrote the show’s pilot episode.
“We set out to make a bluntly beautiful show about the way that women want and suffer and thrill, the way they make love and take love,” Taddeo said in a statement. “That Starz will be the home for ‘Three Women’ is not merely right and perfect, but also a force of auspicious change. I cannot...
“We are proud to welcome ‘Three Women’ to the Starz family,” Starz domestic networks president Alison Hoffman said in a statement. “The show is anchored by such remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera and aligns perfectly with our commitment to telling stories by, for and about women.”
In addition to creating the series, Taddeo wrote the show’s pilot episode.
“We set out to make a bluntly beautiful show about the way that women want and suffer and thrill, the way they make love and take love,” Taddeo said in a statement. “That Starz will be the home for ‘Three Women’ is not merely right and perfect, but also a force of auspicious change. I cannot...
- 3/2/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Starz has officially become the new home for the Shailene Woodley/Betty Gilpin drama Three Women after it was dropped from Showtime post-development.
Based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name from author and the show’s creator Lisa Taddeo, the 10-episode series — which also stars DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It) and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin) — is an “intimate, haunting portrayal of American female desire” in which “three women are on a crash course to overturn their lives,” per the official synopsis.
More from TVLineParty Down Season 3 Premiere Recap: What Became of Casey Klein?...
Based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name from author and the show’s creator Lisa Taddeo, the 10-episode series — which also stars DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It) and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin) — is an “intimate, haunting portrayal of American female desire” in which “three women are on a crash course to overturn their lives,” per the official synopsis.
More from TVLineParty Down Season 3 Premiere Recap: What Became of Casey Klein?...
- 3/2/2023
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
After years of paying the bills with commercial gigs and extra work, by the mid ’80s, Robert Townsend was making a decent living performing in comedy clubs and appearing in small roles in big movies like “A Soldier’s Story,” “American Flyers,” and Walter Hill’s action-musical extravaganza “Streets of Fire.” Most of his auditions, however, were still for stereotypical roles as pimps, slaves, and gangbangers; his agent told him that Hollywood only made one decent Black film a year, and “A Soldier’s Story” was it for 1984.
Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans created their own by co-writing the movie industry satire “Hollywood Shuffle,” which Townsend directed and self-financed on savings and credit cards. The 1987 comedy —now part of the Criterion Collection — stands alongside “Stranger Than Paradise,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “sex, lies, and videotape” as a touchstone of the ’80s independent film movement, and...
Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans created their own by co-writing the movie industry satire “Hollywood Shuffle,” which Townsend directed and self-financed on savings and credit cards. The 1987 comedy —now part of the Criterion Collection — stands alongside “Stranger Than Paradise,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “sex, lies, and videotape” as a touchstone of the ’80s independent film movement, and...
- 3/2/2023
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Endeavor Content, Jeff Friday Media and Layne Eskridge’s Pov Entertainment will partner to develop and produce premium scripted television series by Black and brown creators, accelerating exposure and opportunity for Bipoc writers and producers. To expand the range of television from creatives of color in the current marketplace, the three companies will be collaborating closely with the American Black Film Festival to tap into its industry talent pipeline.
“We are taking a 360 approach to platform the Black and Brown creators who will produce the next wave of shows audiences truly crave. By giving access to the Endeavor Content ecosystem and providing the forum to develop ideas in a thoughtful way we will spur more diversity on and off camera in the television space,” said Pov Entertainment president Eskridge. “I’m excited to work with my fellow Howard University alum Jeff Friday on this, and I’m confident we will...
“We are taking a 360 approach to platform the Black and Brown creators who will produce the next wave of shows audiences truly crave. By giving access to the Endeavor Content ecosystem and providing the forum to develop ideas in a thoughtful way we will spur more diversity on and off camera in the television space,” said Pov Entertainment president Eskridge. “I’m excited to work with my fellow Howard University alum Jeff Friday on this, and I’m confident we will...
- 6/4/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
When “Batwoman” costume designer Maya Mani saw Alain Resnais’s 1961 film “The Last Year at Marienbad,” a movie that famously features dresses designed by Coco Chanel, she left wondering what all the fuss was about.
“What was I thinking?” Mani says during the Gold Derby Meet the Experts: Costume Designers panel. “And my friend said, ‘If you think you’re so good, why don’t you try it?’ Being young and not very smart in that case, I was like fine.” Mani soon began working on a low-budget movie for seven days a week and says she was never happier. So that’s how she began her costume design career. “That and I inflicted designs on my dog,” she jokes.
Mani was one of six talented costume designers to participate in the roundtable discussion, including Jennifer Moeller (“Dickinson”), Analucia McGorty (“Pose”), sisters Rita McGhee and Alita Bailey (“P-Valley”) and Jacqueline Demeterio...
“What was I thinking?” Mani says during the Gold Derby Meet the Experts: Costume Designers panel. “And my friend said, ‘If you think you’re so good, why don’t you try it?’ Being young and not very smart in that case, I was like fine.” Mani soon began working on a low-budget movie for seven days a week and says she was never happier. So that’s how she began her costume design career. “That and I inflicted designs on my dog,” she jokes.
Mani was one of six talented costume designers to participate in the roundtable discussion, including Jennifer Moeller (“Dickinson”), Analucia McGorty (“Pose”), sisters Rita McGhee and Alita Bailey (“P-Valley”) and Jacqueline Demeterio...
- 5/27/2021
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Therapy can be exhausting. Having any kind of emotional conversation can be exhausting. These days, being so out of practice, any conversation at all can be exhausting — even when you’re just listening.
The original seasons of HBO’s “In Treatment” turn talk therapy into profound theater. Dr. Paul Weston (played by Gabriel Byrne) meets with patients, and the audience at home gets to watch each session. The show’s brilliant design allows viewers to do what Paul can’t: pick and choose which patients to follow — including Paul himself, who holds weekly sessions with a therapist of his own. It can feel like you’re working alongside the doctor, until the end of the week, when you have see him in a new light. HBO originally aired episodes every weeknight, with each day of the week devoted to the same patient, before shifting to block releases on Sundays and Mondays.
The original seasons of HBO’s “In Treatment” turn talk therapy into profound theater. Dr. Paul Weston (played by Gabriel Byrne) meets with patients, and the audience at home gets to watch each session. The show’s brilliant design allows viewers to do what Paul can’t: pick and choose which patients to follow — including Paul himself, who holds weekly sessions with a therapist of his own. It can feel like you’re working alongside the doctor, until the end of the week, when you have see him in a new light. HBO originally aired episodes every weeknight, with each day of the week devoted to the same patient, before shifting to block releases on Sundays and Mondays.
- 5/20/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Filmmaking rarely travels a straight path, but for “Monster” it was exceptionally twisty. After the legal drama starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. premiered at Sundance in 2018 in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, it’s seen a title change, its first distribution deal fall through, and the original title restored. Producers Tonya Lewis Lee and Nikki Silver say it was all worth it: The movie premiered on Netflix May 7 and was among the top 10 Netflix titles in the U.S. last week.
“It has been a long journey, but it has been a really good journey,” Lee said. “It didn’t go the way we thought it would, but ultimately we landed where we were supposed to land. People are seeing it, they’re feeling it, and they’re responding to it.”
“Monster” is based on the 1999 YA novel by Walter Dean Myers, which follows a high school honor student (Harrison) who...
“It has been a long journey, but it has been a really good journey,” Lee said. “It didn’t go the way we thought it would, but ultimately we landed where we were supposed to land. People are seeing it, they’re feeling it, and they’re responding to it.”
“Monster” is based on the 1999 YA novel by Walter Dean Myers, which follows a high school honor student (Harrison) who...
- 5/20/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Spike Lee will explore his entire filmography in the upcoming book Spike, the first career-spanning monograph dedicated to the legendary filmmaker.
Spike, due out November 19th via Chronicle Chroma, features film stills, never-before-seen photographs, and Lee’s own commentary on all of the director’s movies, from his 1986 debut She’s Gotta Have It to 2020’s Da 5 Bloods.
“As I head full-steam ahead into my fifth decade as a filmmaker I was elated when Steve Crist and Chronicle Chroma approached me about doing a visual book of all my joints,...
Spike, due out November 19th via Chronicle Chroma, features film stills, never-before-seen photographs, and Lee’s own commentary on all of the director’s movies, from his 1986 debut She’s Gotta Have It to 2020’s Da 5 Bloods.
“As I head full-steam ahead into my fifth decade as a filmmaker I was elated when Steve Crist and Chronicle Chroma approached me about doing a visual book of all my joints,...
- 5/19/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Lifetime has filled its title roles for Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace. Jordan Dean (The Punisher) and Sydney Morton (She’s Gotta Have It) will star as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the third installment of the Harry & Megan film franchise. Escaping the Palace began production this week in Vancouver for a fall 2021 debut. Dean and Morton will fill the royal shoes vacated by Parisa Fitz-Henry and Murray Fraser in 2018’s Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, followed by Tiffany Smith and Charlie Field for the second installment Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal in 2019.
Returning cast members include Jordan Whalen as Prince William, Laura Mitchell as Kate Middleton, Steve Coulter as Prince Charles, Maggie Sullivun as Queen Elizabeth II, Melanie Nicholls-King as Doria Ragland, Bonnie Soper as Princess Diana, Deborah Ramsay as Camilla and James Dreyfus as palace insider Leonard. Executive producers Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss, director Menhaj Huda...
Returning cast members include Jordan Whalen as Prince William, Laura Mitchell as Kate Middleton, Steve Coulter as Prince Charles, Maggie Sullivun as Queen Elizabeth II, Melanie Nicholls-King as Doria Ragland, Bonnie Soper as Princess Diana, Deborah Ramsay as Camilla and James Dreyfus as palace insider Leonard. Executive producers Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss, director Menhaj Huda...
- 5/19/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“I think a really telling detail is that on almost all of these shoots, the icon would say to us, ‘Oh my God, can I take these letters home?’ ” Dear… executive producer Jane Cha Cutler said of the new Apple TV+ docuseries.
“Lin [Manuel] Miranda talks about everything you create is like throwing a pebble in to a pond, and the ripples are the impact of your creation, your work, of your deeds and the way it can change the world,” adds fellow EP Rj Cutler of some of the impetus behind the project. “And you see that in the letters that people we feature in the series write to those whose work has changed their lives.”
Joined by Dear… director Randy Wilkins, the Cutlers were speaking during Deadline’s Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted virtual event.
Profiling icons from Hamilton creator Miranda and Oscar winner Spike Lee to the legendary Stevie Wonder,...
“Lin [Manuel] Miranda talks about everything you create is like throwing a pebble in to a pond, and the ripples are the impact of your creation, your work, of your deeds and the way it can change the world,” adds fellow EP Rj Cutler of some of the impetus behind the project. “And you see that in the letters that people we feature in the series write to those whose work has changed their lives.”
Joined by Dear… director Randy Wilkins, the Cutlers were speaking during Deadline’s Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted virtual event.
Profiling icons from Hamilton creator Miranda and Oscar winner Spike Lee to the legendary Stevie Wonder,...
- 5/1/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Editor Barry Alexander Brown had completed his film “The War at Home” and had returned to Atlanta to research a project when he was first introduced to Spike Lee through a mutual friend. At the time, Lee was at New York University working on a cable TV project.
The year was 1981, and later, Brown and Lee were back in New York. It was Brown who offered the aspiring filmmaker a part-time job at First Run Features to check prints. “I was making deliveries going to the post office with 35mm cans,” Lee recalls.
It marked the beginning of their 40-year and counting collaborative friendship and working partnership.
Lee with be presented with the Golden Eddie filmmaker of the year award on April 18 during the 71st American Cinema Editors (Ace) Eddie Awards.
Brown is Lee’s go-to editor. Together, they have worked on a number of the director’s most memorable...
The year was 1981, and later, Brown and Lee were back in New York. It was Brown who offered the aspiring filmmaker a part-time job at First Run Features to check prints. “I was making deliveries going to the post office with 35mm cans,” Lee recalls.
It marked the beginning of their 40-year and counting collaborative friendship and working partnership.
Lee with be presented with the Golden Eddie filmmaker of the year award on April 18 during the 71st American Cinema Editors (Ace) Eddie Awards.
Brown is Lee’s go-to editor. Together, they have worked on a number of the director’s most memorable...
- 4/15/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Craig “Mums” Grant, an actor and poet who appeared in all six seasons of HBO’s prison drama Oz among dozens of film, TV and stage credits, died Thursday, apparently of natural causes, according to his representatives. He was 52.
Billed as muMs da Schemer, the name he used during his early slam-poetry years, Grant guested or recurred as Arnold “Poet” Jackson on Oz during its entire 1997-2003 run, appearing in all but seven episodes. His character was a heroin addict who is released from “Emerald City,” only to return after killing a drug dealer. A member of the Homeboys prison gang, the character often recited poems about social and political injustice endured by Black Americans.
Born and raised in New York City, Grant competed in at the 1996 National Poetry Slam as a member of the Nuyorican team and was featured in the 1998 feature documentary Slam Nation: The Sport of Spoken Word.
Billed as muMs da Schemer, the name he used during his early slam-poetry years, Grant guested or recurred as Arnold “Poet” Jackson on Oz during its entire 1997-2003 run, appearing in all but seven episodes. His character was a heroin addict who is released from “Emerald City,” only to return after killing a drug dealer. A member of the Homeboys prison gang, the character often recited poems about social and political injustice endured by Black Americans.
Born and raised in New York City, Grant competed in at the 1996 National Poetry Slam as a member of the Nuyorican team and was featured in the 1998 feature documentary Slam Nation: The Sport of Spoken Word.
- 3/25/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lyriq Bent (She’s Gotta Have It), Shalini Bathina (Little Voice) and Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars), in a recasting, are set as leads opposite Rose Rollins and Josh Lucas in Long Slow Exhale, Spectrum Originals’ upcoming drama series from L.A. Finest‘s Pam Veasey, Anton Cropper and John Dove and Paramount TV Studios.
Also joining the cast as series regulars are Enajite Esegine, Brittney Elena, Jazmine Stewart, Isabella Star Lablanc, Carmen Flood and Erin Croom (The Conners). Samantha Bartow, Brent Sexton, Tony Gonzalez and Gabrielle Byndloss (Falcon and the Winter Soldier) will recur. After a nine-month exclusive run on Spectrum, the series will air with a second window on BET.
Created by Veasey and to be directed by Cropper, Long Slow Exhale follows J.C. Abernathy (Rollins), the successful head coach of a competitive women’s college basketball team who finds herself in the middle of...
Also joining the cast as series regulars are Enajite Esegine, Brittney Elena, Jazmine Stewart, Isabella Star Lablanc, Carmen Flood and Erin Croom (The Conners). Samantha Bartow, Brent Sexton, Tony Gonzalez and Gabrielle Byndloss (Falcon and the Winter Soldier) will recur. After a nine-month exclusive run on Spectrum, the series will air with a second window on BET.
Created by Veasey and to be directed by Cropper, Long Slow Exhale follows J.C. Abernathy (Rollins), the successful head coach of a competitive women’s college basketball team who finds herself in the middle of...
- 3/24/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Spike Lee is set to preside over the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which is expected to take place July 6-17. The director and activist will be the first Black president of the festival’s jury.
Lee was on track to preside over last year’s festival which was canceled due to the pandemic, and had vowed to return to the French Rivera-set festival if the health situation allowed for it. Lee was also supposed to have his film “Da 5 Bloods” play out of competition last year, marking Netflix’s return to the Official Selection.
Several of Lee’s films — including “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), “Do the Right Thing” (1989) and “BlacKkKlansman” (2018) — have premiered in Cannes.
In a video call (featured above) with Cannes’ general delegate Thierry Fremaux, Lee said he will always have a “deep, deep spot for Cannes in (his) heart.”
“Way back in 1986, my very...
Lee was on track to preside over last year’s festival which was canceled due to the pandemic, and had vowed to return to the French Rivera-set festival if the health situation allowed for it. Lee was also supposed to have his film “Da 5 Bloods” play out of competition last year, marking Netflix’s return to the Official Selection.
Several of Lee’s films — including “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), “Do the Right Thing” (1989) and “BlacKkKlansman” (2018) — have premiered in Cannes.
In a video call (featured above) with Cannes’ general delegate Thierry Fremaux, Lee said he will always have a “deep, deep spot for Cannes in (his) heart.”
“Way back in 1986, my very...
- 3/16/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Cannes Film Festival said Tuesday that Spike Lee will be its jury president in 2021, one year after he was due to preside over the festival but couldn’t due to its cancellation.
The 74th edition of Cannes is due to run July 6-17 after being pushed back from its traditional May slot due to the pandemic.
The festival said today that “preparations are in full swing with a large numbers of films being viewed by the selection committee. The Festival will have the opportunity to outline in more details the 74th edition in the coming weeks.”
The Official Selection and the rest of the jury are due to be unveiled in early June.
“Throughout the months of uncertainty we’ve just been through, Spike Lee has never stopped encouraging us. This support is finally coming to fruition and we could not have hoped for a more powerful personality to chart our troubled times,...
The 74th edition of Cannes is due to run July 6-17 after being pushed back from its traditional May slot due to the pandemic.
The festival said today that “preparations are in full swing with a large numbers of films being viewed by the selection committee. The Festival will have the opportunity to outline in more details the 74th edition in the coming weeks.”
The Official Selection and the rest of the jury are due to be unveiled in early June.
“Throughout the months of uncertainty we’ve just been through, Spike Lee has never stopped encouraging us. This support is finally coming to fruition and we could not have hoped for a more powerful personality to chart our troubled times,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
US filmmaker was to have presided over the 2020 edition of Cannes until it was cancelled due to the pandemic.
US director Spike Lee has renewed his commitment to take up the baton of jury president at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, which is due to unfold with the later-than-usual dates of July 6-17 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lee was to have presided over the 2020 edition of the festival until it was cancelled in mid-April and replaced with a Cannes 2020 label instead.
Frémaux later revealed that Lee’s Netflix-backed drama Da 5 Bloods had been due to screen out of competition at the festival,...
US director Spike Lee has renewed his commitment to take up the baton of jury president at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, which is due to unfold with the later-than-usual dates of July 6-17 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lee was to have presided over the 2020 edition of the festival until it was cancelled in mid-April and replaced with a Cannes 2020 label instead.
Frémaux later revealed that Lee’s Netflix-backed drama Da 5 Bloods had been due to screen out of competition at the festival,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Filmmaker Spike Lee has nearly 100 credits to his name. From documentaries to movies to short films (“don’t call them music videos”), Lee has covered it all.
And through his films, he tackles issues of race, class, and history. Lee who started as an independent filmmaker burst onto the scene with 1986’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and in 1988 he made his first studio film, “School Daze.” From the get-go, Lee’s arresting opening credit sequences have become a signature. It’s a sign that audiences can expect a funny, provocative ride, one usually set to some killer music. In other words, a typical Spike Lee Joint.
Here, Lee breaks down his favorites and tells the story behind some of his most memorable opening credits, and he shares his favorite opening sequence of all-time. Watch the video above to see some of the opening sequences and the conversation with Lee in full.
And through his films, he tackles issues of race, class, and history. Lee who started as an independent filmmaker burst onto the scene with 1986’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and in 1988 he made his first studio film, “School Daze.” From the get-go, Lee’s arresting opening credit sequences have become a signature. It’s a sign that audiences can expect a funny, provocative ride, one usually set to some killer music. In other words, a typical Spike Lee Joint.
Here, Lee breaks down his favorites and tells the story behind some of his most memorable opening credits, and he shares his favorite opening sequence of all-time. Watch the video above to see some of the opening sequences and the conversation with Lee in full.
- 3/10/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Winston Duke is in talks to star as the renowned political activist Marcus Garvey in “Marked Man,” a political actioner package that Amazon Studios has picked up, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Andrew Dosunmu will direct and executive produce the film. Jesse Williams and DeWanda Wise (“She’s Gotta Have It”) are also in talks to star.
“Marked Man” is partly inspired by Colin Grant’s biography, “Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey,” who was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th century. The studio also holds rights to the book.
Acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah wrote the screenplay, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund. He will also serve as an executive producer.
Set in the 1920s, “Marked Man” follows a young black man who joins J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau of Investigation, and then...
Andrew Dosunmu will direct and executive produce the film. Jesse Williams and DeWanda Wise (“She’s Gotta Have It”) are also in talks to star.
“Marked Man” is partly inspired by Colin Grant’s biography, “Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey,” who was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th century. The studio also holds rights to the book.
Acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah wrote the screenplay, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund. He will also serve as an executive producer.
Set in the 1920s, “Marked Man” follows a young black man who joins J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau of Investigation, and then...
- 2/26/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Amazon Studios has set Winston Duke (Black Panther) to star as Marcus Garvey in Marked Man. Garvey was a political activist who was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th century. Andrew Dosunmu will direct the drama, and Jesse Williams (Little Fires Everywhere) and DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It) are in talks to star.
The film is partly inspired by the Colin Grant biography Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey. The script is by acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund.
Mark Gordon (Ray Donovan) of Mark Gordon Pictures is producing with Jackson Pictures’ Matt Jackson (The Trial of the Chicago 7), Glendon Palmer and Douglas. Robert Teitel, Kwei-Armah and Jackson Pictures’ Joanne Lee will be executive producers, along with Kwei-Armah.
Set in the 1920s, Marked Man follows a young black man...
The film is partly inspired by the Colin Grant biography Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey. The script is by acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund.
Mark Gordon (Ray Donovan) of Mark Gordon Pictures is producing with Jackson Pictures’ Matt Jackson (The Trial of the Chicago 7), Glendon Palmer and Douglas. Robert Teitel, Kwei-Armah and Jackson Pictures’ Joanne Lee will be executive producers, along with Kwei-Armah.
Set in the 1920s, Marked Man follows a young black man...
- 2/26/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
“I spent months in the jungle just walking around and trying to figure out where the scenes were going to take place,” remembers production designer Wynn Thomas about prepping for “Da 5 Bloods.” The film tells the story of Black Vietnam War vets returning to the country to recover the remains of their fallen squad leader as well as a hidden stash of gold. It was shot in Vietnam and Thailand, which presented a number of unique visual and logistical challenges. Watch our exclusive video interview with Thomas above.
This is far from Thomas’ first film with director Spike Lee. They’ve been working together going all the way back to “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986). But this was Thomas’ first time working on a war movie overseas with the filmmaker. “Much of the movie takes place in the jungle, so part of my design challenge was how to chart that...
This is far from Thomas’ first film with director Spike Lee. They’ve been working together going all the way back to “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986). But this was Thomas’ first time working on a war movie overseas with the filmmaker. “Much of the movie takes place in the jungle, so part of my design challenge was how to chart that...
- 2/17/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Spike Lee will be honored by the American Cinema Editors with its Ace Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award “in recognition of his distinguished achievement in the art and business of film.” The award will be presented at the 71st annual Ace Eddie Awards on April 18. Exact plans for the ceremony are still to be determined but will likely be a virtual event due to the pandemic.
“From She’s Gotta Have It in 1986 to Da 5 Bloods in 2020, Spike has directed an astonishing number of feature films…24,” said newly elected Ace president Kevin Tent. “Not to mention his work in documentaries, television, music videos and commercials. Spike’s an artist who has entertained, enlightened and challenged us. But he’s not only a prolific director, he’s been a friend, producer and guidance counselor to countless young and emerging filmmakers. His generosity is an inspiration to us all. For these reasons and more,...
“From She’s Gotta Have It in 1986 to Da 5 Bloods in 2020, Spike has directed an astonishing number of feature films…24,” said newly elected Ace president Kevin Tent. “Not to mention his work in documentaries, television, music videos and commercials. Spike’s an artist who has entertained, enlightened and challenged us. But he’s not only a prolific director, he’s been a friend, producer and guidance counselor to countless young and emerging filmmakers. His generosity is an inspiration to us all. For these reasons and more,...
- 2/11/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Spike Lee Photo: Richard Mowe
The society of American Cinema Editors (Ace) announced today that it will be presenting Spike Lee with a Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year award for his distinguished achievement in the art and business of film. "Spike’s an artist who has entertained, enlightened and challenged us. But he’s not only a prolific director, he’s been a friend, producer and guidance counsellor to countless young and emerging filmmakers. His generosity is an inspiration to us all," said Kevin Tent, Ace, the organisation's president.
A 2015 Lifetime Achievement Oscar winner, the 63-year-old Lee has directed 25 feature films, seven full length documentaries and numerous short films and TV episodes. He edited his breakthrough film She's Gotta Have It in 1986 and has worked closely with his editors since. His most recent work, Da 5 Bloods, has received numerous award nominations.
Previous recipients of the Golden Eddie include Quentin Tarantino,...
The society of American Cinema Editors (Ace) announced today that it will be presenting Spike Lee with a Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year award for his distinguished achievement in the art and business of film. "Spike’s an artist who has entertained, enlightened and challenged us. But he’s not only a prolific director, he’s been a friend, producer and guidance counsellor to countless young and emerging filmmakers. His generosity is an inspiration to us all," said Kevin Tent, Ace, the organisation's president.
A 2015 Lifetime Achievement Oscar winner, the 63-year-old Lee has directed 25 feature films, seven full length documentaries and numerous short films and TV episodes. He edited his breakthrough film She's Gotta Have It in 1986 and has worked closely with his editors since. His most recent work, Da 5 Bloods, has received numerous award nominations.
Previous recipients of the Golden Eddie include Quentin Tarantino,...
- 2/11/2021
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Director, writer and producer Spike Lee will be honored by the American Cinema Editors (Ace). Lee, who directed “Da 5 Bloods,” will be recognized with the Ace Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award at the 71st Annual Ace Eddie Awards on April 18, 2021.
“From ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ in 1986 to ‘Da 5 Bloods’ in 2020, Spike has directed an astonishing number of feature films — 24. Not to mention his work in documentaries, television, music videos and commercials. Spike’s an artist who has entertained, enlightened and challenged us. But he’s not only a prolific director, he’s been a friend, producer and guidance counselor to countless young and emerging filmmakers. His generosity is an inspiration to us all. For these reasons and more, we at Ace recognize his enormous impact on the industry and are proud to present him with this much-deserved award,” stated newly elected Ace president Kevin Tent.
Past recipients of the Golden Eddie,...
“From ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ in 1986 to ‘Da 5 Bloods’ in 2020, Spike has directed an astonishing number of feature films — 24. Not to mention his work in documentaries, television, music videos and commercials. Spike’s an artist who has entertained, enlightened and challenged us. But he’s not only a prolific director, he’s been a friend, producer and guidance counselor to countless young and emerging filmmakers. His generosity is an inspiration to us all. For these reasons and more, we at Ace recognize his enormous impact on the industry and are proud to present him with this much-deserved award,” stated newly elected Ace president Kevin Tent.
Past recipients of the Golden Eddie,...
- 2/11/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Shooting black-and-white still photography has long been a passion for “Clemency” cinematographer Eric Branco. So it seemed serendipitous when he received an inbox message that included a script for Radha Blank’s “The-Forty-Year-Old Version” with a title page that read, “A New York tale in black and white.”
Blank, a writer-producer on Spike Lee’s Netflix series “She’s Gotta Have It,” wrote and directed the semi-autobiographical comedy about Radha, a playwright who hasn’t sold anything in a while and teaches high school theater to make ends meet. On the brink of turning 40, she finds her creative juices reinvigorated one day when she goes to an underground rap club and is lured into the world of hip-hop battles.
When we first meet the character, she’s lying on her bed and with the last light of day coming through the windows — the lighting scheme seems pretty straightforward. But another movie...
Blank, a writer-producer on Spike Lee’s Netflix series “She’s Gotta Have It,” wrote and directed the semi-autobiographical comedy about Radha, a playwright who hasn’t sold anything in a while and teaches high school theater to make ends meet. On the brink of turning 40, she finds her creative juices reinvigorated one day when she goes to an underground rap club and is lured into the world of hip-hop battles.
When we first meet the character, she’s lying on her bed and with the last light of day coming through the windows — the lighting scheme seems pretty straightforward. But another movie...
- 10/10/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Half his face is covered by a mask. And yet, Spike Lee still gets recognized on a walk in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
On this sunny September morning, the 63-year-old director and activist is participating in a socially distanced photo shoot on the street outside his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. As Lee stands on the corner, a dark Subaru screeches to a halt. “I’m a huge fan,” proclaims the driver from inside the car. Lee nods, but he’s accustomed to stopping traffic. A few minutes later, a FedEx driver also rolls down his window to say hello.
As we follow Lee around, he keeps an ongoing dialogue with his neighbors — it’s hard to tell if they are fans or friends (or both). He points to his watch and tells a man, “You’re running late.” This is followed by a selfie with another man sitting...
On this sunny September morning, the 63-year-old director and activist is participating in a socially distanced photo shoot on the street outside his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. As Lee stands on the corner, a dark Subaru screeches to a halt. “I’m a huge fan,” proclaims the driver from inside the car. Lee nods, but he’s accustomed to stopping traffic. A few minutes later, a FedEx driver also rolls down his window to say hello.
As we follow Lee around, he keeps an ongoing dialogue with his neighbors — it’s hard to tell if they are fans or friends (or both). He points to his watch and tells a man, “You’re running late.” This is followed by a selfie with another man sitting...
- 10/7/2020
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Tony-nominated actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd who is best known or his many roles in Spike Lee’s films was found killed in Atlanta. He was 70.
According to media reports, Byrd was found unresponsive early Sunday morning. Paramedics pronounced him dead as they found multiple gunshot wounds in his back.
Byrd was a frequent collaborator with Lee, appearing in eight of his films including Clockers, Get on the Bus, Girl 6, He Got Game, Bamboozled, Red Hook Summer, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus and Chi-Raq. He also appeared in the Netflix series adaptation of Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. His film credits also include the 1996 crime drama Set It Off as well as the Oscar-winning pic Ray.
A graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Byrd made his Broadway debut in the revival of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Carl Gordon, Charles S. Dutton and Stephen McKinley Henderson.
According to media reports, Byrd was found unresponsive early Sunday morning. Paramedics pronounced him dead as they found multiple gunshot wounds in his back.
Byrd was a frequent collaborator with Lee, appearing in eight of his films including Clockers, Get on the Bus, Girl 6, He Got Game, Bamboozled, Red Hook Summer, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus and Chi-Raq. He also appeared in the Netflix series adaptation of Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. His film credits also include the 1996 crime drama Set It Off as well as the Oscar-winning pic Ray.
A graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Byrd made his Broadway debut in the revival of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Carl Gordon, Charles S. Dutton and Stephen McKinley Henderson.
- 10/4/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Five short comedic plays written by The View‘s Joy Behar will be streamed as a benefit for the East Hampton, New York, arts and community venue Guild Hall, with performances by Behar, Lorraine Bracco, Dylan McDermott, Bob Balaban, Susie Essman, Robert Klein, Brenda Vacarro, Chris Bauer, Danny Hoch and Rachel Dratch.
Guild Hall: A Totally Disrespectful Evening of Short Plays by Joy Behar, directed by John Gould Rubin, will stream on Oct. 25 as a virtual benefit for the 89-year-old Guild Hall as well as two other non-profit organizations, The Bridgehampton Childcare and Recreational Center, and The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a non-profit community restaurant. The price to view will be $75 per household.
The short plays are:
God & Bernadette featuring Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), Chris Bauer (True Blood), Brenda Vaccaro (Midnight Cowboy) and Brynne Amelia Ballan. A pre-teenage girl ruffles the feathers of a nun; Get Me Teresa...
Guild Hall: A Totally Disrespectful Evening of Short Plays by Joy Behar, directed by John Gould Rubin, will stream on Oct. 25 as a virtual benefit for the 89-year-old Guild Hall as well as two other non-profit organizations, The Bridgehampton Childcare and Recreational Center, and The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a non-profit community restaurant. The price to view will be $75 per household.
The short plays are:
God & Bernadette featuring Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), Chris Bauer (True Blood), Brenda Vaccaro (Midnight Cowboy) and Brynne Amelia Ballan. A pre-teenage girl ruffles the feathers of a nun; Get Me Teresa...
- 9/29/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Before he scored gigs in a concert version of “In the Heights” and the original production of “Hamilton,” Anthony Ramos was ready to abandon his acting ambitions. “I wanted to quit a few times,” the actor said an interview this week. “I didn’t feel like there was a space for me, like anyone was going to give me a shot. Nobody’s in a rush to write a leading role for a barely 5’9, 150-pound Latino dude with freckles. Nobody out here was like, I can’t wait to write the next lead role for that guy. Shows like ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Hamilton’ changed that rhetoric.”
The past decade has given the 28-year-old actor and songwriter plenty of reasons for confidence. After originating the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2015 Broadway sensation, Ramos was cast as the lead in John M. Chu’s snazzy...
The past decade has given the 28-year-old actor and songwriter plenty of reasons for confidence. After originating the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2015 Broadway sensation, Ramos was cast as the lead in John M. Chu’s snazzy...
- 6/26/2020
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Before he scored gigs in a concert version of “In the Heights” and the original production of “Hamilton,” Anthony Ramos was ready to abandon his acting ambitions. “I wanted to quit a few times,” the actor said an interview this week. “I didn’t feel like there was a space for me, like anyone was going to give me a shot. Nobody’s in a rush to write a leading role for a barely 5’9, 150-pound Latino dude with freckles. Nobody out here was like, I can’t wait to write the next lead role for that guy. Shows like ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Hamilton’ changed that rhetoric.”
The past decade has given the 28-year-old actor and songwriter plenty of reasons for confidence. After originating the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2015 Broadway sensation, Ramos was cast as the lead in John M. Chu’s snazzy...
The past decade has given the 28-year-old actor and songwriter plenty of reasons for confidence. After originating the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2015 Broadway sensation, Ramos was cast as the lead in John M. Chu’s snazzy...
- 6/26/2020
- by Eric Kohn
- Thompson on Hollywood
With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.
The power of Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary “4 Little Girls” (now streaming on HBO Max) is all in the title. The film recounts the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement, but Lee’s mission isn’t to play professor and provide a history lesson. With “4 Little Girls,” Lee does away with relegating the four Black girls who died in the bombing to footnotes in history books. Instead, he amplifies the beauty of their short lives with such piercing intimacy that to watch the documentary is to say their names and never forget them: Addie May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Rosamond Robertson.
Like all of Lee’s non-fiction features,...
The power of Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary “4 Little Girls” (now streaming on HBO Max) is all in the title. The film recounts the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement, but Lee’s mission isn’t to play professor and provide a history lesson. With “4 Little Girls,” Lee does away with relegating the four Black girls who died in the bombing to footnotes in history books. Instead, he amplifies the beauty of their short lives with such piercing intimacy that to watch the documentary is to say their names and never forget them: Addie May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Rosamond Robertson.
Like all of Lee’s non-fiction features,...
- 6/17/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.
The power of Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary “4 Little Girls” (now streaming on HBO Max) is all in the title. The film recounts the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement, but Lee’s mission isn’t to play professor and provide a history lesson. With “4 Little Girls,” Lee does away with relegating the four Black girls who died in the bombing to footnotes in history books. Instead, he amplifies the beauty of their short lives with such piercing intimacy that to watch the documentary is to say their names and never forget them: Addie May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Rosamond Robertson.
Like all of Lee’s non-fiction features,...
The power of Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary “4 Little Girls” (now streaming on HBO Max) is all in the title. The film recounts the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement, but Lee’s mission isn’t to play professor and provide a history lesson. With “4 Little Girls,” Lee does away with relegating the four Black girls who died in the bombing to footnotes in history books. Instead, he amplifies the beauty of their short lives with such piercing intimacy that to watch the documentary is to say their names and never forget them: Addie May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Rosamond Robertson.
Like all of Lee’s non-fiction features,...
- 6/17/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Thompson on Hollywood
After Spike Lee made a triumphant 2018 return to Cannes with “BlacKkKlansman,” which later won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, he was meant to premiere Vietnam drama “Da 5 Bloods” at Cannes 2020: It would have played out of competition as he presided over the Competition jury. Instead, the movie went straight to a June 12 Netflix release — but that low-key bow won’t keep him out of Oscar contention. While Covid-19 pushed back the Oscars 2021 calendar, this early contender is strong enough to last the next 10 months.
Cinephiles and critics (81 Metascore), hungry for a movie of substance, are praising Lee’s rip-roaring fable about four Big Red One infantrymen (led by Lee alumnae Delroy Lindo and Clarke Peters) who return to Saigon to dig up not only the remains of a fallen colleague (Chadwick Boseman), but also buried treasure. The movie references “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” “Scarface,” and “Apocalypse Now,...
Cinephiles and critics (81 Metascore), hungry for a movie of substance, are praising Lee’s rip-roaring fable about four Big Red One infantrymen (led by Lee alumnae Delroy Lindo and Clarke Peters) who return to Saigon to dig up not only the remains of a fallen colleague (Chadwick Boseman), but also buried treasure. The movie references “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” “Scarface,” and “Apocalypse Now,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
After Spike Lee made a triumphant 2018 return to Cannes with “BlacKkKlansman,” which later won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, he was meant to premiere Vietnam drama “Da 5 Bloods” at Cannes 2020: It would have played out of competition as he presided over the Competition jury. Instead, the movie went straight to a June 12 Netflix release — but that low-key bow won’t keep him out of Oscar contention. While Covid-19 pushed back the Oscars 2021 calendar, this early contender is strong enough to last the next 10 months.
Cinephiles and critics (81 Metascore), hungry for a movie of substance, are praising Lee’s rip-roaring fable about four Big Red One infantrymen (led by Lee alumnae Delroy Lindo and Clarke Peters) who return to Saigon to dig up not only the remains of a fallen colleague (Chadwick Boseman), but also buried treasure. The movie references “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” “Scarface,” and “Apocalypse Now,...
Cinephiles and critics (81 Metascore), hungry for a movie of substance, are praising Lee’s rip-roaring fable about four Big Red One infantrymen (led by Lee alumnae Delroy Lindo and Clarke Peters) who return to Saigon to dig up not only the remains of a fallen colleague (Chadwick Boseman), but also buried treasure. The movie references “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” “Scarface,” and “Apocalypse Now,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Ever since his debut with “She’s Gotta Have It” critics and audiences have noticed the timeliness of Spike Lee‘s movies — that the world he portrays doesn’t change for the better certainly has something to do with it. So now that his latest joint, “Da 5 Bloods” is premiering on Netflix in the middle of world-wide protests against police brutality and racism, Spike Lee is being asked about the timeliness of his film.
Continue reading Spike Lee Thinks ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Was Released “At The Right Time For The World We Live In” at The Playlist.
Continue reading Spike Lee Thinks ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Was Released “At The Right Time For The World We Live In” at The Playlist.
- 6/13/2020
- by Rafael Motamayor
- The Playlist
The Netflix homepage divides streaming titles into a handful of different classifications, from “Romantic Movies” to “TV Comedies,” “New Releases,” and more, and today marks the launch of a new Netflix label: “Black Lives Matter.” The streaming giant has announced it is curating dozens of films and television series created by black storytellers under the label in an effort to continue highlighting media about the Black experience. The classification arrives as protests over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and more continue across the nation.
“When we say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ we also mean ‘Black storytelling matters,'” Netflix wrote in a statement. “With an understanding that our commitment to true, systemic change will take time – we’re starting by highlighting powerful and complex narratives about the Black experience. When you log onto Netflix today, you will see a carefully curated list of titles that only begin to tell...
“When we say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ we also mean ‘Black storytelling matters,'” Netflix wrote in a statement. “With an understanding that our commitment to true, systemic change will take time – we’re starting by highlighting powerful and complex narratives about the Black experience. When you log onto Netflix today, you will see a carefully curated list of titles that only begin to tell...
- 6/10/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
What would you like to ask the man behind numerous seminal features – as well as recent shorts about New York in lockdown and the death of George Floyd?
For the past three decades, Spike Lee has been one of the most vital forces in film-making. His movies – snappy, engaged, uncompromising, entertaining, literate, disturbing – reinvigorated the cinematic landscape and shook the status quo.
From his 1986 debut, She’s Gotta Have It, Lee’s arrival was a shot-across-the-bows for a film industry struggling to keep pace with contemporary life; Lee’s followup, Do the Right Thing – whose key moment involves an act of police brutality – was up for an original screenplay Oscar the year that Driving Miss Daisy won best picture.
For the past three decades, Spike Lee has been one of the most vital forces in film-making. His movies – snappy, engaged, uncompromising, entertaining, literate, disturbing – reinvigorated the cinematic landscape and shook the status quo.
From his 1986 debut, She’s Gotta Have It, Lee’s arrival was a shot-across-the-bows for a film industry struggling to keep pace with contemporary life; Lee’s followup, Do the Right Thing – whose key moment involves an act of police brutality – was up for an original screenplay Oscar the year that Driving Miss Daisy won best picture.
- 6/5/2020
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
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