Emma Thompson is set to narrate a feature doc about Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg, dubbed “the most dangerous man in America” by then U.S. President Richard Nixon.
The Hollywood actress will lend her voice to director Paul Jay’s How to Stop a Nuclear War, which is based on the book Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner by Ellsberg.
In extensive interviews with Jay for the feature, Ellsberg explains the “institutional madness” of American nuclear war plans and how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has made the world far more dangerous, according to a synopsis by the filmmakers.
In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Thompson said she had been fearful of nuclear weapons in her youth and participated in protests against their use, and feels a need to get active again.
“Making the connection between the climate crisis movement and the anti-nuclear movement has never been more essential.
The Hollywood actress will lend her voice to director Paul Jay’s How to Stop a Nuclear War, which is based on the book Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner by Ellsberg.
In extensive interviews with Jay for the feature, Ellsberg explains the “institutional madness” of American nuclear war plans and how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has made the world far more dangerous, according to a synopsis by the filmmakers.
In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Thompson said she had been fearful of nuclear weapons in her youth and participated in protests against their use, and feels a need to get active again.
“Making the connection between the climate crisis movement and the anti-nuclear movement has never been more essential.
- 1/31/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With data analysis by Joel Jacobs, ProPublica, and photography by Kitra Cahana, special to ProPublica
This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Searchlight New Mexico. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.
Hours after Jaidryon Platero attempted suicide, an employee of New Mexico’s child welfare agency visited the 16-year-old in the hospital to investigate whether he was a victim of child neglect.
Platero winced whenever he turned his head, a sharp jolt of pain...
This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Searchlight New Mexico. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.
Hours after Jaidryon Platero attempted suicide, an employee of New Mexico’s child welfare agency visited the 16-year-old in the hospital to investigate whether he was a victim of child neglect.
Platero winced whenever he turned his head, a sharp jolt of pain...
- 10/7/2022
- by Ed Williams, Searchlight New Mexico
- Rollingstone.com
Aretha Franklin documentary Amazing Grace, which tells the story of the singer’s 1972 gospel album, is subject of more legal issues.
The film, which was mired in limbo for 46 years as a result of various legal battles, is now the subject of a suit from producers including Alan Elliott, against distributor Neon and CEO Tom Quinn.
The crux of the issue also involves the Hollywood trade press, including Deadline, which covered the news that Neon had acquired the U.S rights to the film in December 2018. There was one small problem, the producers allege, it hadn’t signed a deal, and in fact, the producers were in talks with other buyers, including Apple, when Neon announced the deal.
The suit (read it here) alleges that Neon “fraudulently induced” the producers to accept a distribution deal by publicly announcing the pact.
“In a plan commandeered by Quinn, Neon acquired the coveted...
The film, which was mired in limbo for 46 years as a result of various legal battles, is now the subject of a suit from producers including Alan Elliott, against distributor Neon and CEO Tom Quinn.
The crux of the issue also involves the Hollywood trade press, including Deadline, which covered the news that Neon had acquired the U.S rights to the film in December 2018. There was one small problem, the producers allege, it hadn’t signed a deal, and in fact, the producers were in talks with other buyers, including Apple, when Neon announced the deal.
The suit (read it here) alleges that Neon “fraudulently induced” the producers to accept a distribution deal by publicly announcing the pact.
“In a plan commandeered by Quinn, Neon acquired the coveted...
- 8/11/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Little Kids Rock, the national nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in public schools announced the honorees for its annual benefit being held Wednesday, October 18th at PlayStation Theater in New York.
This year’s event will honor Elvis Costello with the Rocker of the Year Award, and Bonnie Raitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Founder and CEO of City Winery, Michael Dorf will be honored for his extensive philanthropic work, including efforts on behalf of expanding music education for underprivileged youth through the annually produced “Music of” tribute concerts.
The Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit, produced by Mark Krantz and Michael Matuza brings together artists and individuals who are passionate about bringing the transformational gift of music to children in public schools across the Us. Prior years’ honorees include Smokey Robinson, Steve Miller, Steven Van Zandt, Lady Gaga, Graham Nash and Joan Jett.
This year’s event will honor Elvis Costello with the Rocker of the Year Award, and Bonnie Raitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Founder and CEO of City Winery, Michael Dorf will be honored for his extensive philanthropic work, including efforts on behalf of expanding music education for underprivileged youth through the annually produced “Music of” tribute concerts.
The Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit, produced by Mark Krantz and Michael Matuza brings together artists and individuals who are passionate about bringing the transformational gift of music to children in public schools across the Us. Prior years’ honorees include Smokey Robinson, Steve Miller, Steven Van Zandt, Lady Gaga, Graham Nash and Joan Jett.
- 8/16/2017
- Look to the Stars
Look out, Jeffrey Katzenberg. Your throne as Hollywood’s fundraiser-in-chief just got a nudge. Heavy industry turnout: Deborah Marcus of Cis La, Bet Founder Robert Johnson, Lauren Johnson, CAA’s Richard Lovett, and Mirage and Wynn Resorts co-founder Elaine Wynn (Getty Images) Instead of working his day job helping steer the careers of award winners like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, and James Corden, CAA managing director Kevin Huvane steered a litany of industry notables to Brentwood this week to fill the coffers for the high school dropout prevention organization Communities In Schools. $800,000 later, I’d say they got the right guy.
- 4/20/2017
- by Mikey Glazer
- The Wrap
Tennessee officials are investigating a couple who allegedly kept their daughter with autism in a makeshift cage for nearly four years, terming it the girl’s “safe space.”
Mickey Sparks, 69, and Patricia Laws, 43, were charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect of their 10-year-old, Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Captain Shawn Judy tells People.
On Feb. 5, deputies responding to a welfare check entered the couple’s Jonesborough home. Upon arrival, deputies noticed a strong smell of urine and feces before discovering the 10-year-old girl inside her cage, Judy tells People.
The couple was living with the child, her twin brother,...
Mickey Sparks, 69, and Patricia Laws, 43, were charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect of their 10-year-old, Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Captain Shawn Judy tells People.
On Feb. 5, deputies responding to a welfare check entered the couple’s Jonesborough home. Upon arrival, deputies noticed a strong smell of urine and feces before discovering the 10-year-old girl inside her cage, Judy tells People.
The couple was living with the child, her twin brother,...
- 2/8/2017
- by Harriet Sokmensuer
- PEOPLE.com
Bet founder and former CEO Robert Johnson’s Rlj Entertainment Inc. today announced that its proprietary digital channels, the Svod services Urban Movie Channel (Umc) and Acorn TV, realized subscriber growth that exceeded 2016 year-end expectations. Acorn TV is the premier… Continue Reading →...
- 1/17/2017
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
The new British 7-episode original miniseries “Close to the Enemy,” which Angela Bassett co-stars in, is now available for USA audiences via Svod platform, Acorn TV (a property of Robert Johnson’s Rlj Entertainment), the premier North American streaming service for British television. Set… Continue Reading →...
- 11/21/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Shares of cable programming pioneer Robert Johnson’s Rlj Entertainment opened up more than 26% this morning after it disclosed that AMC Networks has loaned it $65 million — and picked up stock warrants that could give it control. Rlj owns subscription streaming services Umc (the Urban Movie Channel) and Acorn TV, which specializes in British mystery dramas. Johnson founded Bet. Rlj plans to use the cash to refinance its debt, lowering interest rates, and to give itself…...
- 10/17/2016
- Deadline TV
Robert Johnson, Jr. and Diane Carson’s Other People’s Footage: Copyright & Fair Use is a documentary about exactly what its title says it’s about. Per the film’s website, the doc features “illustrative examples from nonfiction, fiction, and experimental films that use pre-existing footage, music and sound from other individuals’ creations,” while drawing upon a solid roster of lawyers, archival producers and other specialists in this often-muddy field. In this clip, the late Haskell Wexler discusses his strategy in using a Coors commercial in his documentary Who Needs Sleep?, followed by some interesting insights on the strategies used by 20 Feet from Stardom and Bowling for Columbine. […]...
- 4/13/2016
- by Vadim Rizov
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Elektra / Columbia / Geffen / Legacy / Sony Music Australia / Island
The 27 Club, for those blissfully unaware of this legendary coincidence in rock and roll, is the name given to a collection of musicians who tragically met their end at the tender age of 27.
Popularized after the death of Jim Morrison in 1971 – who was the fourth famous 27-year-old musician to die over the course of two short years, after Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin – The 27 Club has taken more than 50 promising musicians since blues legend Robert Johnson famously kicked off in 1938.
Some believe the trend to be a legitimate curse, citing vague supernatural reasons, while other conspiracy theorists cite more sinister explanations for why so many talented figures in the music industry meet their untimely demise at this specific age. It remains one of the most unfortunate coincidences in the history of music, and with each subsequent musician who joins the club,...
The 27 Club, for those blissfully unaware of this legendary coincidence in rock and roll, is the name given to a collection of musicians who tragically met their end at the tender age of 27.
Popularized after the death of Jim Morrison in 1971 – who was the fourth famous 27-year-old musician to die over the course of two short years, after Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin – The 27 Club has taken more than 50 promising musicians since blues legend Robert Johnson famously kicked off in 1938.
Some believe the trend to be a legitimate curse, citing vague supernatural reasons, while other conspiracy theorists cite more sinister explanations for why so many talented figures in the music industry meet their untimely demise at this specific age. It remains one of the most unfortunate coincidences in the history of music, and with each subsequent musician who joins the club,...
- 3/22/2016
- by Jacob Trowbridge
- Obsessed with Film
Here's an excerpt from a summary of a 2012 event that took place at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, where Robert Johnson gave a speech about his rise to success: *** "I fundamentally believe that if there were more John Malones in this society, there would be more Bob Johnsons," Johnson said. He said that society needed to find a way to make capital access more available to black businesspeople. "It is becoming more and more difficult to gain access to capital and not because of scarcity of capital," he said. "There is a trillion dollars sloshing around this economy, but none of it is blowing our way." He believes that in many...
- 2/22/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Court records obtained by People confirm that an 11-year-old Tennessee boy has been found guilty of the Oct. 4, 2015, murder of his 8-year-old neighbor, who authorities claim was shot to death after refusing to show him her puppies. Earlier this month, Jefferson County Juvenile Court Judge Dennis "Will" Roach II sentenced Benjamin Tiller to state custody until he turns 19. Rob Johnson, a spokesman for Tennessee's Department of Children's Services, tells People that Benjamin is in the state's custody, as are his five siblings. Benjamin used his father's shotgun to shoot McKayla Dyer in the chest, the judge ruled. The incident happened...
- 2/8/2016
- by Chris Harris, @chrisharrisment
- PEOPLE.com
Court records obtained by People confirm that an 11-year-old Tennessee boy has been found guilty of the Oct. 4, 2015, murder of his 8-year-old neighbor, who authorities claim was shot to death after refusing to show him her puppies. Earlier this month, Jefferson County Juvenile Court Judge Dennis "Will" Roach II sentenced Benjamin Tiller to state custody until he turns 19. Rob Johnson, a spokesman for Tennessee's Department of Children's Services, tells People that Benjamin is in the state's custody, as are his five siblings. Benjamin used his father's shotgun to shoot McKayla Dyer in the chest, the judge ruled. The incident happened...
- 2/8/2016
- by Chris Harris, @chrisharrisment
- PEOPLE.com
Jack White knows which direction his obsessions with American folk, blues and country steered him as an artist. "When you get back to Howlin' Wolf, Charley Patton, Robert Johnson – it basically begins there, and that's the best it ever was and the best it's ever going to be," White declared Thursday night onstage at the Sundance Film Festival, following a preview of the ambitious six-hour American Epic documentary series for PBS.
Along with Sundance founder Robert Redford, White and producer/musician T Bone Burnett are executive producers of American Epic,...
Along with Sundance founder Robert Redford, White and producer/musician T Bone Burnett are executive producers of American Epic,...
- 1/29/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Bet Founder and former CEO (before he sold the company to Viacom) Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment has announced that its three proprietary, streaming channels – Acorn TV, Umc, and AcaciaTV – are now available to Amazon Prime members as part of Amazon's newly announced Streaming Partners Program, which I mentioned on this blog earlier this week, when Showtime and Starz partnered up with Prime. As part of the program, Amazon Prime members can easily add on any of the three streaming channels via the Amazon Video app. Each channel also features a free trial. Rlj Entertainment's CEO Miguel Penella says, "We are excited for our three streaming channels to be among the...
- 12/10/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Glendon Palmer has joined Im Global as the leading producer/financier and international sales agency's senior vice-president of development and production. In his new position, the former development and production executive at Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, as well as an executive at Robert Johnson’s and Tracey Edmonds’ Our Stories Films production company - who also produced 2011's "Jumping The Broom" - will immediately begin overseeing production of the previously-announced rom-com, "Southside With You," which is a fictional account of President Obama and the First Lady’s first date, during which the pair attended a...
- 4/13/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Recently, CBS delivered the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The Good Wife" episode 16 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Red Meat," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting and drama-filled stuff take place as Alicia's political future gets put in major danger due to Peter's latest actions, and more! In the new, 16th episode press release: Alicia's Political Future Is On The Line When Peter Gives An Interview That Could Influence Voter Turnout On Election Day." Press release number 2: Alicia's political future is going to be on the line when Peter gives an interview that could influence voter turnout on Election Day. In the meantime, a weekend getaway with Kurt and his affluent hunting buddies, could lead Diane to a prosperous new client for the firm. Oliver Platt guest stars as R.D., an influential figure in conservative politics, Gary Cole returns as Kurt McVeigh,...
- 3/15/2015
- by Derek
- OnTheFlix
As I watched the below clip, I wondered whether Robert Johnson would've greenlit a series like "Empire" when he was still running Bet (which he also founded in 1980, on a $15,000 loan, and a $500,000 outside investment), before selling the network to Viacom for a tidy sum that would make him one of the few black billionaires in the entire world at the time. The short and simplest answer is, likely not, if only because of what Bet was during those years when he was CEO - heavy on the music videos, reruns of popular black sitcoms, a couple of news programs, and a youth-targeted talk-show in "Teen Summit." There were efforts to broaden the network's content library...
- 3/5/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Constantine takes a step in the right direction with this week's episode, which introduces Papa Midnite...
This review contains spoilers.
1.3 The Devil's Vinyl
Now that’s more like it! Constantine has found its legs this week, and while it hasn’t entirely shed the problems of the first two episodes, The Devil’s Vinyl offers a blend of horror, humour, and action that’s hard to argue with for entertainment value. Add the introduction of Hellblazer fan favorite Papa Midnite (Michael James Shaw) and this one comes out strong.
Aside from laying some ground rules and explaining the seemingly endless string of supernatural goodies in Constantine’s Mary Poppins bag, this third episode dispenses with the exposition that has bogged down the show thus far. This week, the monster of the week isn’t a front for world-building or character development, and it’s scarier and more believable for it.
This review contains spoilers.
1.3 The Devil's Vinyl
Now that’s more like it! Constantine has found its legs this week, and while it hasn’t entirely shed the problems of the first two episodes, The Devil’s Vinyl offers a blend of horror, humour, and action that’s hard to argue with for entertainment value. Add the introduction of Hellblazer fan favorite Papa Midnite (Michael James Shaw) and this one comes out strong.
Aside from laying some ground rules and explaining the seemingly endless string of supernatural goodies in Constantine’s Mary Poppins bag, this third episode dispenses with the exposition that has bogged down the show thus far. This week, the monster of the week isn’t a front for world-building or character development, and it’s scarier and more believable for it.
- 11/10/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Constantine, Season 1, Episode 3: “The Devil’s Vinyl”
Written by David Goyer and Mark Verheiden
Directed by Romeo Tirone
Airs Fridays at 10 pm Et on NBC
The character of John Constantine is rooted in music as much as he is in magic or being a con artist. Before he was master of the dark arts, he was the frontman for Liverpool punk outfit Mucous Membrane. (Which gets a much needed shout out in this episode.) Even before he was fully fledged and named character, he was a guy in the background of Swamp Thing #25, who artist Stephen Bissette wanted to look like Sting. But enough of the origin story stuff. “The Devil’s Vinyl” is the strongest episode of Constantine to date as David Goyer and Mark Verheiden construct a plot filled with the trickery, double crosses, soul bartering, and exorcisms that were the Hellblazer comic’s stock and trade,...
Written by David Goyer and Mark Verheiden
Directed by Romeo Tirone
Airs Fridays at 10 pm Et on NBC
The character of John Constantine is rooted in music as much as he is in magic or being a con artist. Before he was master of the dark arts, he was the frontman for Liverpool punk outfit Mucous Membrane. (Which gets a much needed shout out in this episode.) Even before he was fully fledged and named character, he was a guy in the background of Swamp Thing #25, who artist Stephen Bissette wanted to look like Sting. But enough of the origin story stuff. “The Devil’s Vinyl” is the strongest episode of Constantine to date as David Goyer and Mark Verheiden construct a plot filled with the trickery, double crosses, soul bartering, and exorcisms that were the Hellblazer comic’s stock and trade,...
- 11/8/2014
- by Logan Dalton
- SoundOnSight
Legend has it that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to be able to play the blues, and that Weezer front man Rivers Cuomo sold his to write “Beverly Hills.” Or at least that’s the assumption that’s plagued the band over the last decade—even though, by traditional measures of success, that infernally catchy cut from their 2005 album, Make Believe, marked a triumphant breakthrough in their career. (It was the first Weezer song nominated for a Grammy.) Because the band’s first two albums—the woolly power pop of 1994’s The Blue Album and the uncompromisingly abrasive 1996 post-fame exorcism Pinkerton—are so fiercely beloved, Weezer have spent the majority of their 22-year run grappling with their aftermath and the strange burden of Meaning Something to a Lot of People (myself included; I am one of those people who can tell you exactly what they were wearing...
- 10/17/2014
- by Lindsay Zoladz
- Vulture
Written by Al Ewing, Rob Williams | Art by Simon Fraser | Published by Titan Comics
After getting the rights for future Doctor Who comic adventures, Titan Comics – around the same time as Matt Smith’s run on the show ended – announced three new ongoing series featuring the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors in adventures that would take place in between the already-aired TV seasons. With the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors adventures to bow first, around the debut of Peter Capaldi’s new Doctor.
Confession time: I’ve been hate-watching the latest series of Doctor Who for a number of episodes now. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get behind the latest doctor or his latest adventures. So what’s a Who-fan to do in this situation? Go back to the previous incarnation of course! With the third issue now in stores I thought I’d go back to my favourite modern Doctor Who,...
After getting the rights for future Doctor Who comic adventures, Titan Comics – around the same time as Matt Smith’s run on the show ended – announced three new ongoing series featuring the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors in adventures that would take place in between the already-aired TV seasons. With the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors adventures to bow first, around the debut of Peter Capaldi’s new Doctor.
Confession time: I’ve been hate-watching the latest series of Doctor Who for a number of episodes now. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get behind the latest doctor or his latest adventures. So what’s a Who-fan to do in this situation? Go back to the previous incarnation of course! With the third issue now in stores I thought I’d go back to my favourite modern Doctor Who,...
- 10/5/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Songs of Metal and Flesh
Hellraiser Book 3
Written by Peter Atkins
Art by Dave Dorman, Lurene Haines & Phil Felix
Published by Epic Comics
Music and hell have been closely associated since at least the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church strictly controlled the use of the tritone, or Devil’s Interval. A wide range of musicians, from Nicolò Paganini to seminal bluesman Robert Johnson, are among those said to have made Faustian bargains to attain their talent and fame. These stories are, by now, so familiar as to be clichés.
Clive Barker wonderfully reimagined hell and deals with the devil with his novella The Hellbound Heart and Hellraiser, his own cinematic adaptation. While the sequels kept coming, to ever-diminishing returns, the initial Hellraiser comic series from Marvel’s Epic imprint remained true to Barker’s original vision.
Peter Atkins, screenwriter of Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 (a.k.a the only sequel that...
Hellraiser Book 3
Written by Peter Atkins
Art by Dave Dorman, Lurene Haines & Phil Felix
Published by Epic Comics
Music and hell have been closely associated since at least the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church strictly controlled the use of the tritone, or Devil’s Interval. A wide range of musicians, from Nicolò Paganini to seminal bluesman Robert Johnson, are among those said to have made Faustian bargains to attain their talent and fame. These stories are, by now, so familiar as to be clichés.
Clive Barker wonderfully reimagined hell and deals with the devil with his novella The Hellbound Heart and Hellraiser, his own cinematic adaptation. While the sequels kept coming, to ever-diminishing returns, the initial Hellraiser comic series from Marvel’s Epic imprint remained true to Barker’s original vision.
Peter Atkins, screenwriter of Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 (a.k.a the only sequel that...
- 10/3/2014
- by Steven Fouchard
- SoundOnSight
Exclusive: The Toronto Film Festival deals have taken a little while, but they are certainly piling up. Rlj/Image Entertainment is wrapping up a $3.5 million U.S. rights deal for The Cobbler, the Thomas McCarthy-directed comedy that stars Adam Sandler as a generational cobbler in New York who took over his father’s business and discovers that when he uses his old sewing machines, he becomes the people whose shoes he is repairing. It severely complicates the shoe-fixer’s boring life. The fable also stars Method Man, Dustin Hoffman and Steve Buscemi.
The film was financed by Voltage, and the intention is to open it next year in a multi-platform release strategy that worked well with films from Snowpiercer to Arbitrage. The film doesn’t premiere until Friday, but buyers started lining up after seeing it at a P&I screening on Monday.
The theme of this Toronto has...
The film was financed by Voltage, and the intention is to open it next year in a multi-platform release strategy that worked well with films from Snowpiercer to Arbitrage. The film doesn’t premiere until Friday, but buyers started lining up after seeing it at a P&I screening on Monday.
The theme of this Toronto has...
- 9/9/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Welcome to the big leagues, Michael Jordan! The acclaimed athlete is now a billionaire, according to Forbes. The magazine estimated that Jordan's equity as owner of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets is $416 million and his net worth outside of the team is $600 million. According to Forbes, the 51-year-old basketball player now owns 89.5 percent of the team. Jordan bought an additional stake in the Hornets in January 2013, but the cost has not been revealed. The Olympic gold medalist's rep had no comment regarding Jordan's reported status as a billionaire. Jordan invested in the Hornets in 2006, and he became the controlling owner in 2010 after buying out Robert Johnson for $175 million. The team...
- 6/13/2014
- E! Online
Former Bet chief Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment, Inc. has hired Mike Pears in the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Content Sales for Rlje U.S. Mr. Pears will be heading up sales for Rlje’s non-physical wholesale business, including digital, VOD, and television. President of Rlje U.S. Sylvia George made the announcement.Mr. Pears comes to Rlje with nearly 20 years experience in the media industry and over 15 in digital media. For the past seven years, he oversaw digital/VOD distribution as Vice President of Digital Sales at Cinedigm Entertainment (previously Gaiam-Vivendi Entertainment and Universal Music Group), growing that business through various mergers and...
- 6/10/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Though she first made a big pop culture splash as one of the new "American Gladiators" on NBC, mixed martial artist Gina Carano has become an impressive action starlet in films like Haywire and Fast & Furious 6. Now she's on her own again with In the Blood, another action thriller which sees Carano playing a trained fighter with a dark past. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in a conspiracy on a tropical island when her husband vanishes on their honeymoon. And so, Carano is off to bust skulls, find her husband, and figure out just what is going on. It doesn't look very good, but Carano kicks ass. Watch below! Here's the first trailer for John Stockwell's In the Blood, originally from Apple: In the Blood is directed by John Stockwell (Blue Crush, Dark Tide) and written by James Robert Johnson & Bennett Yellin (Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead). Gina Carano (Haywire,...
- 2/20/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
After a very limited theatrical release earlier this year (and a rather long journey to the screen for the film), One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment), have released Winnie Mandela (as opposed to just Winnie previously), on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD platforms like iTunes and Amazon today, December 3, 2013. Td Jakes (via his Tdj Enterprises) "presents" Winnie Mandela, which is produced by André Pieterse (Ironwood Films) and Michael Mosca (Equinoxe Films). An adaptation of Anné Mariè du Preez Bezdrob’s biography Winnie Mandela: A Life, the film explores the personal and political life of the wife...
- 12/3/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
John Wick
Bridget Moynahan ("I, Robot") has joined the cast of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch's contemporary revenge thriller "John Wick". Derek Kolstad penned the script and filming has begun in the New York area.
Keanu Reeves plays a former hit man forced to return to action after thugs steal his car and kill his dog. Moynahan plays Reeves' wife. Willem Dafoe, Alfie Allen, Michael Nyqvist, Adrianne Palicki and Dean Winters also star. [Source: THR]
Horrible Bosses 2
He was first linked last week, now he's confirmed - Chris Pine ("Star Trek") has joined the cast of the comedy sequel "Horrible Bosses 2" for Warner Bros. Pictures.
Pine will play half of a father-son duo who steal the idea for a new invention from the main trio of characters (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis). [Source: Variety]
A Light Beneath Their Feet
Taryn Manning ("Orange is the New Black," "Hustle & Flow") has...
Bridget Moynahan ("I, Robot") has joined the cast of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch's contemporary revenge thriller "John Wick". Derek Kolstad penned the script and filming has begun in the New York area.
Keanu Reeves plays a former hit man forced to return to action after thugs steal his car and kill his dog. Moynahan plays Reeves' wife. Willem Dafoe, Alfie Allen, Michael Nyqvist, Adrianne Palicki and Dean Winters also star. [Source: THR]
Horrible Bosses 2
He was first linked last week, now he's confirmed - Chris Pine ("Star Trek") has joined the cast of the comedy sequel "Horrible Bosses 2" for Warner Bros. Pictures.
Pine will play half of a father-son duo who steal the idea for a new invention from the main trio of characters (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis). [Source: Variety]
A Light Beneath Their Feet
Taryn Manning ("Orange is the New Black," "Hustle & Flow") has...
- 10/15/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Earlier this year, Image Entertainment (which is owned by Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment company) picked up USA release rights to the sci-fi thriller The Colony, which stars Laurence Fishburne. Image has now released the film on iTunes as a rental (although if you'd like to buy it instead, you'd like to buy it outright instead of rent, it'll be available for sale in October). There was previously word of a theatrical release starting this Friday, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. But, at least, those interested can rent it on iTunes. A new clip from the film debuted today (via Bloody Disgusting) and is embedded below. Budget at $16 million,...
- 9/18/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The long-awaited Winnie Mandela biopic starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard is finally opening in theaters this weekend. One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment), are releasing the film, while Td Jakes (via his Tdj Enterprises) will "present" the film, which is produced by André Pieterse (Ironwood Films) and Michael Mosca (Equinoxe Films). An adaptation of Anné Mariè du Preez Bezdrob’s biography Winnie Mandela: A Life, the film explores the personal and political life of the wife of renowned activist and revered former South African...
- 9/6/2013
- by Jai Tiggett
- ShadowAndAct
When Naomi Watts quipped that she might have to leave the country on the release of Diana, we assumed that was because of the potential controversy surrounding the film.
On reading the reviews for the movie, it seems that the reception of Oliver Hirschbiegel's royal biopic has less to do with its subject and more its lack of quality.
Digital Spy's own Emma Dibdin gave the film a two-star thrashing, calling it "mind-bogglingly misjudged" and "too incompetent even to qualify as hagiography", and with some rare exceptions, that's a kinder verdict than the rest of the critical landscape.
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
"Poor Princess Diana. I hesitate to use the term 'car crash cinema'. But the awful truth is that, 16 years after that terrible day in 1997, she has died another awful death. This is due to an excruciatingly well-intentioned, reverential and sentimental biopic about her troubled final years,...
On reading the reviews for the movie, it seems that the reception of Oliver Hirschbiegel's royal biopic has less to do with its subject and more its lack of quality.
Digital Spy's own Emma Dibdin gave the film a two-star thrashing, calling it "mind-bogglingly misjudged" and "too incompetent even to qualify as hagiography", and with some rare exceptions, that's a kinder verdict than the rest of the critical landscape.
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
"Poor Princess Diana. I hesitate to use the term 'car crash cinema'. But the awful truth is that, 16 years after that terrible day in 1997, she has died another awful death. This is due to an excruciatingly well-intentioned, reverential and sentimental biopic about her troubled final years,...
- 9/6/2013
- Digital Spy
One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment) will open Winnie Mandela (starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard) in USA theaters on September 6 - a couple of months before another Mandela film will be opening in USA theaters, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom starring Idris Elba (as Nelson) and Naomie Harris (as Winnie). And even though each film's focus differs (one tells Winnie's story; the other tells Nelson's story), comparisons between the two (especially the actors who play the individual roles) will likely happen. Td Jakes (via his Tdj Enterprises) will "present" Winnie Mandela, which is...
- 8/30/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
As announced back in February, Issa Rae has signed on to create original content for Alright TV, the faith and family-focused YouTube channel created by Tracey Edmonds and Robert Johnson. Her first offering, The Choir, is "a comedic series about the personal, spiritual and often controversial dynamics of a revered church choir." In Episode 1, which premiered today, the church pastor addresses the choir's "spicy" performance. Check it out below. Episode 2 of the series airs September 12. Find the full programming slate for Alright TV at their website Here.
- 8/29/2013
- by Jai Tiggett
- ShadowAndAct
One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment) will open Winnie Mandela (starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard) in USA theaters on September 6 - a couple of months before another Mandela film will be opening in USA theaters, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom starring Idris Elba (as Nelson) and Naomie Harris (as Winnie). And even though each film's focus differs (one tells Winnie's story; the other tells Nelson's story), comparisons between the two (especially the actors who play the individual roles) will likely happen. Td Jakes (via his Tdj Enterprises) will "present" Winnie Mandela, which is...
- 8/29/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It actually never crossed my mind that there'd be a genuine soundtrack for this. Alas, there is! And not only is there one, but the star of the movie, Jennifer Hudson, sings a new song on the soundtrack titled Bleed For Love, written by veteran, multiple award-winning songwriter, Diane Warren. J-Hud performs the song with the Soweto Gospel Choir. RCA Records announced today that it would release Winnie Mandela — Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, next week Tuesday, September 3, four days before the film, titled Winnie Mandela, opens in theaters on September 6. One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment)...
- 8/28/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
First announced in February, Issa Rae, Deion Sanders, Aj Johnson, DeRay Davis, and Cheryl Jackson are all creating new content for the newly-formed Alright TV - a faith/family-friendly YouTube channel created by Robert Johnson and Tracey E. Edmonds (who's running it), in an agreement with YouTube. News of this new channel was first announced in last summer, and it debuted on YouTube in March 31. Have you been watching? We featured a few episodes of one of its series - Walk This Way, starring Michael K. Williams, which is an offbeat web-comedy about a pastor of a mega church who...
- 8/15/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Jason Jack Miller continues his fascinating exploration of ancient Appalachian magic, the power of music, and the war for a man’s soul with The Revelations of Preston Black, the third book in his “Murder Ballads and Whiskey” series.
If you haven’t read the first two in that series, The Devil and Preston Black and Hellbender, I strongly urge that you do so. Revelations works just fine as a stand-alone novel, but the events covered here are deeply entwined in those first two books. You’ll appreciate what’s going on here more, and you’ll thank me for introducing you not to just one good book, but a whole trifecta.
The events of this book kick off when touring musician Preston Black, on stage with his creative partner and lover Katy Stefanic, references a deal with the devil. As we all know, demonic references span music history from...
If you haven’t read the first two in that series, The Devil and Preston Black and Hellbender, I strongly urge that you do so. Revelations works just fine as a stand-alone novel, but the events covered here are deeply entwined in those first two books. You’ll appreciate what’s going on here more, and you’ll thank me for introducing you not to just one good book, but a whole trifecta.
The events of this book kick off when touring musician Preston Black, on stage with his creative partner and lover Katy Stefanic, references a deal with the devil. As we all know, demonic references span music history from...
- 8/13/2013
- by Blu Gilliand
- FEARnet
Issa Rae is having the best year ever! Although, it's more like the best 2 years ever! She's already developing a series with the Queen of scripted TV currently, aka Shonda Rhimes; she's one of 5 hosts of ASPiRE TV's new talk show, Exhale; she'll be playing Nina Simone in a film on the life of Lorraine Hansberry, from long time collaborators Taye Hansberry (grand niece of Lorraine Hansberry), and Numa Perrier; she's producing a series for the newly-formed Alright TV - a faith/family-friendly YouTube channel created by Robert Johnson and Tracey E. Edmonds; she's got a thriving YouTube channel, producing...
- 8/6/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
We finally have a release date after 2 years or so, since we started following the travels of this project. And now we also have an official Us release trailer. It's been a long journey for this film; I feel like we've been talking about it for Years now! About 3 months ago, it was announced that Image Entertainment had acquired all USA rights to Winnie, the Winnie Mandela biopic starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard. One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment), later announced that the film, now titled Winnie Mandela (as opposed to just Winnie previously), will be released in...
- 8/6/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Earlier this year, Image Entertainment (which is owned by Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment company) picked up USA release rights to the sci-fi thriller The Colony, which stars Laurence Fishburne. Image has now revealed exact dates and release strategy for the film: it'll first be available on VOD on August 22, which will be followed by a theatrical release on September 20, in a limited release in major markets. We also have a look at the film's theatrical release poster, which is embedded at the bottom of this post. Budget at $16 million, and said to be the first film ever to be shot inside the former Norad base buried 60 stories below the...
- 7/23/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The long-awaited Winnie Mandela biopic starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard is finally headed to theaters. Winnie, which opened the Montreal International Black Film Festival, will be released in the U.S. on September 6. One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment), are releasing the film, while Td Jakes (via his Tdj Enterprises) will "present" the film, which is produced by André Pieterse (Ironwood Films) and Michael Mosca (Equinoxe Films). An adaptation of Anné Mariè du Preez Bezdrob’s biography Winnie Mandela: A Life, the film explores the personal and...
- 7/11/2013
- by Jai Tiggett
- ShadowAndAct
And we finally have a date!! It's been a long journey for this film; I feel like we've been talking about it for Years now! The last post? Almost 2 months ago, when it was announced that Image Entertainment had acquired all USA rights to Winnie, the Winnie Mandela biopic starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard. One Village Entertainment and Image Entertainment (brands of Robert Johnson's Rlj Entertainment), have announced this afternoon that the film, now titled Winnie Mandela (as opposed to just Winnie previously), in USA theaters, on September 6, this fall - Bill Bromiley, Chief Acquisitions Officer for Image Entertainment,...
- 7/3/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Screen Media Films plans an October release after it acquired North American rights to Suzanne Mitchell’s documentary Running Wild: The Life Of Dayton O Hyde.
Barbara Kopple served as executive producer on the story about the life of Hyde and the 12,000-acre horse sanctuary in South Dakota that is home to more than 500 rescued mustangs.
The film premiered at Slamdance earlier this year and won the audience award at the Sarasota Film Festival.
Mitchell also produced and Alejandro Perez and Robert Johnson of UK-based Telecom 2 served as executive producers alongside Kopple.
Screen Media president Suzanne Blech and manager of acquisitions and marketing Seth Needle negotiated the deal with Peter Broderick on behalf of the filmmakers.
Barbara Kopple served as executive producer on the story about the life of Hyde and the 12,000-acre horse sanctuary in South Dakota that is home to more than 500 rescued mustangs.
The film premiered at Slamdance earlier this year and won the audience award at the Sarasota Film Festival.
Mitchell also produced and Alejandro Perez and Robert Johnson of UK-based Telecom 2 served as executive producers alongside Kopple.
Screen Media president Suzanne Blech and manager of acquisitions and marketing Seth Needle negotiated the deal with Peter Broderick on behalf of the filmmakers.
- 6/13/2013
- ScreenDaily
It’s a club that the famous are dying to get into, literally. The 27 Club (The Forever 27 Club) is the name for an iconic group of influential musicians who all died at the age of 27. Their untimely deaths have often been connected with uneasy lives and psychological issues, with a lot of physical neglect in between, usually due to drink or drug abuse, or both. An independently published book named, “The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll” meticulously details the phenomenon. The author states, “More rock stars have died at 27 than at any other age.”
Bluesman Robert Johnson, who died on August 16, 1938, was an immense musician. His talent was unquestionable; he has been cited – by Eric Clapton, no less – as “the most important blues singer that ever lived”. Johnson’s untimely death wasn’t self-inflicted, and there are a number of conflicting opinions, but the general consensus is...
Bluesman Robert Johnson, who died on August 16, 1938, was an immense musician. His talent was unquestionable; he has been cited – by Eric Clapton, no less – as “the most important blues singer that ever lived”. Johnson’s untimely death wasn’t self-inflicted, and there are a number of conflicting opinions, but the general consensus is...
- 6/9/2013
- by john glynn
- Obsessed with Film
Here's episode 4 of new web series Walk This Way, starring Michael K. Williams, which some of you folks seem to have taken to, which is why I continue to feature it. It's one of a handful of web-based shows from the recently-launched Alright TV - a faith/family-friendly YouTube channel created by Robert Johnson and Tracey E. Edmonds, in an agreement with YouTube. Walk This Way is described as an offbeat web-comedy about a pastor of a mega church who counsels his parishioners with their unusual problems. The series will feature several guest stars (like Kenya Moore in episode 4 below). Like the first...
- 4/23/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Here's episode 3 of new web series Walk This Way, starring Michael K. Williams, one of a handful of web-based shows from the recently-launched Alright TV - a faith/family-friendly YouTube channel created by Robert Johnson and Tracey E. Edmonds, in an agreement with YouTube. Walk This Way is described as an offbeat web-comedy about a pastor of a mega church who counsels his parishioners with their unusual problems. The series will feature several guest stars (like Malcolm Barrett in episode 2 below). Like the first episode, this one was also written and directed by Vanessa Middleton (30 Years to...
- 4/18/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Here's episode 2 of the new web series Walk This Way, starring Michael K. Williams, one of a handful of web-based shows from the recently-launched Alright TV - a faith/family-friendly YouTube channel created by Robert Johnson and Tracey E. Edmonds, in an agreement with YouTube. Walk This Way is described as an offbeat web-comedy about a pastor of a mega church who counsels his parishioners with their unusual problems. The series will feature several guest stars (like Tamala Jones in episode 2 below). Like the first episode, this one was also written and directed by Vanessa Middleton (30 Years to...
- 4/9/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Last week Black Entertainment Television Founder Robert Johnson commented on the high black unemployment rate in the United States, remarking that the nation would never tolerate white unemployment being in the double digits. He sat down with Bill O'Reilly tonight to further elaborate, admitting that President Obama is getting a pass from the black community because they still have "immense pride" in the first black president and are still "hopeful" he'll turn things around.
- 4/4/2013
- by Josh Feldman
- Mediaite - TV
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