Cast Talks About New Drama, 'La Brea,' On NBC

 

The La Brea Tar Pits have long been a Los Angeles tourist attraction.  This television season it has a starring role in a new NBC drama. 

A massive sinkhole opens in the middle of Los Angeles, pulling hundreds of people and buildings into its depths. Those who fell in find themselves in a mysterious and dangerous primeval land, where they have no choice but to band together to survive. 

In the search for answers, one family torn apart by this disaster will have to unlock the secrets of this inexplicable event to find their way back to each other. "La Brea" airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.

“La Brea” Executive Producer David Applebaum, Natalie Zea, Jack Martin, Eoin Macken, Zyra Gorecki, Jon Seda, and Chiké Okonkwo recently sat down for an interview.

Q: This is a question for Jon Seda. "One Chicago," and "La Brea" are so different. Were you just ready for a change? And, also, as chaos erupts in the premiere episode, is it tough not to go back into cop mode and help everybody?

JON SEDA: Yeah, I think they are -- it is so different. And, you know, being part of something that is such an adventure and mystery and drama and exciting, I'm just glad to be a part of it. And, yeah, I think maybe not exactly cop mode, but I think Dr. Sam does tend to want to help as many people as he can.

Q: Natalie, your character seems really smart. What is her profession, or can you tell us what she does for a living? 

NATALIE ZEA: She's an office manager. I do know that. I don't know what an office manager does, but I know that she's probably really good at it. But I think her smarts are -- I think she's got a lot of street smarts because of how she grew up, which we're going to find out about that later. But she gets to use a lot of stuff that's been sort of dormant in her for a little while, and it's great to get to sort of watch that unfold throughout the season. 

Q: David, did you film any of the beginning at La Brea and Wilshire? 

DAVID APPLEBAUM: We did shoot one shot at that location, yeah, but the rest of the opening was shot in Melbourne.

Q: David, I was fascinated by the first episode, but I was also fascinated by "Manifest" and "Debris," and NBC canceled both of those before they resolved them. And commercial networks have done that a lot. Is there any feeling you can give viewers of the fact that "Don't worry. This one will explain things before it gets wrapped up"? 

DAVID APPLEBAUM: You know, for me, what we're trying to do is just make the best show possible, trying to make something entertaining, trying to make something emotional. As far as whether a show gets canceled or not, that's not something that, really, I can think about. Those are decisions that are made beyond me. So, my focus is really just on trying to make an entertaining show and trying to garner an enthusiastic fan base, which we know is out there and we're excited for them to see the show. 

Q: For the actors. What was it about your characters that attracted you to the roles?

JACK MARTIN: I think that what's so interesting about my character is he's at the most pivotal point in his development and maturation in his life, which is right as he's finishing high school and heading off to college. And what's so great about a setting like this is it forces us to see people for who they really are. And, so, we get to see him go through that process of maturation in an environment that's really real and raw and really exposes true character traits. And I think that's really exciting.

EOIN MACKEN: I mean, I think what's most interesting as a general concept all the characters in the show is just as Jack was saying, the human relationships. I mean, they've all got to go through this really difficult process where you're kind of thrown into a situation that is almost unfathomable and then have to try and either find your family or try and solve your own personal issues. Or like Jon's character, with his daughter. Myself and Zyra, we're trying to figure out if the rest of our family are alive or dead and then trying to get to them. And I think that puts a huge strain and also a -- it's a very interesting process from trying to figure out how people would cope with that situation. But I think that's what's fascinating from a character point.

ZYRA GORECKI: I really enjoyed that. Even though she's an amputee that it was less about that and more about her as a person and how she goes from being not just a regular kid with regular kid issues to having to become a hero and having to work with her dad to save her whole family and save everyone.

NATALIE ZEA: For me, I tend to play roles that are linked to whatever male counterpart I am linked to. I'm usually a wife or an ex-wife, and that story favors pretty primarily in a lot of the work I do. And what was great about this was even though I am an ex-wife and a mom, my identity isn't surrounded by that. I get to have a full story that has to do with how I'm, sort of, navigating this world as opposed to what my relationship is with my significant other. And there's something -- even in 2021, it's rather fresh especially for me. So, I was really excited to explore being able to play something that was sort of independent of my SO. 

CHIKÉ OKONKWO: I really like that the show starts in L.A. It's very much a melting pot. There are all sorts of people who are 5 driving from, you know, Wilshire Boulevard that morning. So, for the people who end up in the hole, it's just a real cross-section. There are obviously Americans. There's a Brit. There are Australians. There's a whole cross-section of society. And throwing those people together in this primeval world and seeing how they survive, how they relate to one another. Do they devolve or do they rise to the challenge and really support and help each other? That was a real core of the human journey on this show that I was really excited about and that we're really, I think, all of us enjoyed being a part of it. Because it's really heightened. It's a really stressful situation. But I think for each character on the show who is in the hole and certainly, for Eoin and Zyra who are above it, we all go on this great, incredible journey through the course of this season. So, yeah, I'm really excited for everyone to come along for the ride. 

JON SEDA: Yeah. You know, what attracted me, I mean, former Navy Seal, doctor, father, husband, I mean, action, adventure. Sign me up. There are so many colors and there are so many interesting layers that exist within this character that I'm still that kind of finding along as we go along. I just think it's -- that really is attractive. As an actor, that's like, wow, a lot of stuff to work with. 

Q: For anybody on the panel who actually lives in Los Angeles, have you ever had a particularly alarming encounter with a sinkhole? 

NATALIE ZEA: No. 

CHIKÉ OKONKWO: I actually have. I haven't told this story. But there was a load of rain about two years ago, at the beginning of the year. And I used to live in Studio City. And across the street from me, a Toyota Prius no less sunk into the ground. It was about six feet, but it was still quite alarming. So, it just went. It dropped down into the ground. And they had to, like, cordon off the street and tow, like, grab this Prius out of this hole. 

NATALIE ZEA: Did you use that moment for sense memory? 

CHIKÉ OKONKWO: I've used it often throughout the show. And I wanted to keep it to myself, but I'm really glad to share it now.

Q: David, the Brea Tar Pits, the museum there touts that everything there in the museum was discovered under the tar pits, so it's kind of ironic that you guys chose to do it in another country and everything else. Will we still see parts of the L.A. back into the episodes, in future episodes, the parts that take place in L.A.? 

DAVID APPLEBAUM: The show does shoot in Melbourne, Australia, but Los Angeles is still a character in the show. Half of the show takes place -- a large part of the show takes place down below in this primeval world where some of our characters are trying to survive. But the other part of the show takes place up above, in modern Los Angeles. So, there is a number of scenes that are set in Los Angeles, but the shooting itself is all in Melbourne, Australia. 

Q: This show has a rather cool time traveler-type feel to it. Does anyone on the panel believe that there really is time traveling or time travelers?

DAVID APPLEBAUM: That's a great question. It's certainly a fascinating idea that it could exist. I don't know if any -- if we believe that it exists currently. But it's -- the genre of time travel is one that I love and one that fascinates all the writers that I've worked with. My co-showrunners Bryan Wynbrandt and Steven Lilien, they're both time-travel fanatics. We talk about it a lot. But as far as whether it actually exists, that's not something that we believe at the moment, but it's an interesting idea to ponder.

EOIN MACKEN: I believe that time travel –

JACK MARTIN: Yeah. I think –

NATALIE ZEA: Yes. We all, the whole cast –

JACK MARTIN: -- It's totally possible.

NATALIE ZEA: -- Actors believe it.

JACK MARTIN: Yeah. I think David was sent to us from the future.

Q: David, you talked a lot about how the show concludes earlier, but I'm curious. Is there a master document with your planned ending for the show all figured out, or are you taking it very much on a week-by-week, season-by-season basis?

DAVID APPLEBAUM: You know, I think with a show like this that is serialized in the genre, it's really incumbent upon the writers and creators to think ahead and to plan because what you're doing in Episode 1 is hopefully setting up something that you're going to see in a later episode. And one of the real benefits that this show had was a really long gestation and development process.

I pitched the show to NBC over two years ago. And since that time, we started shooting a pilot and we were shut down by the pandemic. We opened up a writers’ room. And Steven and Bryan

and all these other great writers came on board. So, we've really had a lot of time to really think about where we're going, which is really exciting and, I think, helps ground everything from the beginning. Having a sense of, oh, this is where we're going to be taking it.

Q: Chiké, can you talk about how you got involved with the Calm app? Because your stories have been life-changing for me and thank you very much for those. And then I wanted to know about working with green screen and creatures and that sort of thing, and how much harder is that than just to act face-to-face with another actor?

CHIKÉ OKONKWO: Honestly, thank you. I love the work that I do with the Calm app, and I love the fact that it's helped so many people, especially since the pandemic. And it just came about because I do quite a lot of voice work as well. It's one of those things that I've just enjoyed doing more and more and more. And the more people who say exactly what you said, it genuinely warms my heart, because it's -- I've never been a great sleeper, and it's really nice to know that you're helping people with my soporific voice to fall asleep during a tough time. As far as the green screen stuff, I think all of us have had quite a lot of experience with it now.

Q: Jack, how was it for you? 

JACK MARTIN: Yeah. I mean, I would say that while we do some green screen stuff, I think you'd be blown away to see how much of what we do is real. We have these magnificent, giant sets that are practical, that we put together. And we have these setups where you look around, and I swear to God sometimes I open my eyes and I think I'm actually in a sinkhole because of what we've constructed there. And it makes the job a little easier, actually.

CHIKÉ OKONKWO: We did have a great moment at the end of the first episode, which I won't give away. But because you can't have those real animals, which are sometimes dangerous and sometimes extinct, we had a guy in a fully blue outfit creeping through the sort of brush. And, so, for Jon, myself, and Natalie to keep a straight face when there's a guy in blue Lycra pretending to be a dangerous animal was some of the best acting I've ever seen.

Q: Has anyone been to the La Brea Tar Pits. If so, what do you find interesting about it. 

JACK MARTIN: The tar pits are crazy. I'm blown away by them. After I got this show, I went to the tar pits with Veronica St. Clair, who's also on the show, and we were just looking around for everything. And it is unbelievable to see if you haven't ever been. I mean, it's like all of these prehistoric animals that are preserved in tar and their bones have been sitting there for thousands and thousands of years. It's pretty amazing.

NATALIE ZEA: In pure Natalie Zea fashion, I had the exact opposite experience of Jack. My dad and I went to the La Brea Tar Pits with my little brother a few years ago and about, I'd say, 15 minutes in, I turned to him and I'm like (whispering) "Is this all it is?" "I think so." And I was like, "Are they punking us?" I was thinking it was going to be something else. But I have been.

CHIKÉ OKONKWO: Like Jack, I went after I got cast in the role. And, genuinely, it is incredible to see the bones and the structures and everything that's down there. And then to think about that coming to life in our show was really exciting for me. Because you see the Teratornis merriami, the birds, and you 13 sort of -- and smell the tar as well when you're walking through the grounds. And, so, it was incredible to think, oh, wow. We're going to take people on a journey through a lot of this. And when we get towards the end of Season 1, you'll get to see quite a lot, I think, that is just brought to life in such an incredible way. 

EOIN MACKEN: It kind of reminded me in a way of "Jurassic Park." Remember when you first saw "Jurassic Park" and they were digging for the bones and just the whole concept of what's in the past and then being able to actually go back and find it again. It's fascinating.

La Brea stars Zyra Gorecki as “Izzy Harris,” Eoin Macken as “Gavin Harris,” Jack Martin as “Josh Harris,” Chiké Okonkwo as “Ty Coleman,” Jon Seda as “Dr. Sam Velez,” and Natalie Zea as “Eve Harris.” David Appelbaum is the creator/executive producer/co-showrunner.

Smiley Announces Expanded Weekend Lineup

 

Tavis Smiley

LOS ANGELES – After three months on the air, Tavis Smiley and Smiley Audio Media, Inc. are excited to announce the expanded weekend lineup of KBLA Talk 1580. Familiar voices and shows joining the KBLA family include “Café Mocha,” hosted by Los Angeles hip hop icon YoYo, comedienne, and talk show host Loni Love and voice actress Angelique Perrin as well as civil rights attorney Arena Martin with her new show, “Areva Martin Out Loud.” The new roster of weekend shows joins the Black Lives Matter (BLM) radio show, “This Is Not A Drill,”  hosted by BLM/LA co-founder Dr. Melina Abdullah, which has been a mainstay since the launch of the station. 

On Juneteenth, Los Angeles launched its first and only “Unapologetically Progressive” talk radio station for the African American listening audience! KBLA Talk 1580 is the only Black-owned and operated talk station in Southern California!

During the week, Smiley is on the airwaves with his own show, “Tavis Smiley,” plus, he’s backed by a great weekday lineup and giving folks something to talk about!! With award-winning hosts like Dominique DiPrima and political commentator and comic DL Hughley, KBLA Talk 1580 boasts an all-star lineup of hosts who can speak candidly and passionately to the challenges people of color face daily trying to navigate life and realize their California hopes and dreams. KBLA Talk 1580 serves an audience long ignored by talk radio in Los Angeles – that is, people of color and progressives. Interestingly, KBLA 1580 AM is a heritage station and the original home of the iconic Hip-Hop station KDAY. 

With the addition of these new weekend shows, KBLA Talk 1580 will essentially offer its listeners two blocks of more engaging talk -- empowerment in the morning and entertainment in the afternoon.

Below is a rundown down of the new weekend shows on KBLA Talk 1580:

KBLA Talk 1580 | Saturday-Sunday

·       6 a.m.        | Before You Go with Nicole Franklin & Bryant Monteith – From Queen Latifah’s former piano teacher to a baseball star who skipped the Negro Leagues and made history with NASA, empowering stories from 100-year-old guests that are both entertaining and revealing. Join hosts Nicole Franklin and Bryant Monteith for first-person accounts of history.  

·       7 a.m.        | Urban Family Focus with Jerrold Smith – A spiritual and scientific evidence-based talk show focusing on issues that affect our community that is not always openly and honestly discussed amongst urban families hosted by Jerrold Smith.  

·       8 a.m.        | BLM’s This Is Not A Drill (See KBLA1580 app)

·       9 a.m.        | BLM’s This Is Not A Drill

10 a.m.      | Areva Martin Out Loud – Hosted by civil rights attorney, author, and legal analyst, Areva Martin Out Loud delivers bold ideas, unfiltered opinions, and debate that inspires actions. Areva brings together the people and perspectives that matter at the moment; thought leaders, thinkers, disruptors, and change-makers on issues of race, justice, gender, identity, disability, and other pressing issues of the day. 

·       11 a.m.      | Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright – Hosted by an employment attorney, mediator, and workplace legal analyst Angela Reddock-Wright, this weekly show features some of the nation’s top attorneys, legislators, policy, and changemakers. Angela moderates a dialogue of hot-button political, economic, social, and cultural issues seen through a legal lens that can help fellow citizens better understand what’s at stake and how best to use their agency. 

·       12 p.m.      | Urban Wellness NOW! with Cynthia Brooks – Wellness is not just healthcare, although that is a big part. Wellness means safe outdoor spaces, more economic opportunities in indigenous neighborhoods, job training, better schools, accessible transportation, and access to healthy food. Urban Wellness NOW! will feature a variety of people who are working to uplift the community – nonprofits, faith-based institutions, social and civic organizations, for-profits, and individuals. This show will shed light on all the resources the community has that enable it to become well. 

·       1 p.m.       | The Back Story with Mischa Duffie – Every story has a story….a back story. Why this book with this title? Why this movie with these characters? Why this song with these lyrics? What about this topic commanded an op-ed? The Back Story explores the creative reckoning of writers and celebrates the power of words and those who write them while elevating how stories cultivate connection and purpose.

·       2 p.m.       | Café Mocha – Hosts YoYo, Loni Love, and Angelique Perrin bring their own distinct points of view on contemporary issues, along with social commentary, celebrity interviews, and inspirational self-help advice. 

·       3 p.m.      | Living in the Sweet Spot with Angelique Francis - True stories from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Stories of thriving, surviving, and growing. From heartbreaks and failures to triumphs and leaps of faith, authentic stories told by unapologetically bold overcomers.  

·       4 p.m.      | KBLA’s Lyric Lounge with Tosha, Teal, and Ural – Music makes the world go round, and we all love song lyrics. Each week Tosha, Teal, and Ural dissect and debate the lyrics of the songs on the soundtrack of our lives. From R&B to Reggae, Hip-Hop to Jazz, Gospel to Country, Blues to Rock, Soul to Folk, they love lyrics and breaking them down. 

·       5 p.m.      | Kraig Facts with Kraig Smith – When a bunch of hilarious, quick-witted, blue-collar guys from various neighborhoods in Los Angeles comes together to talk about life, the outcome is genuine comedic gold. Kraig and his crew tackle topics ranging from sports, music, entertainment, politics, race, gender, and more to leave you informed, and in stitches! With an impressive rolodex of personalities at Kraig’s disposal, you never know who will stop by for an intriguing conversation.

·       6 p.m.      | Best of State of the Black Union (SOBU)  (See KBLA1580 app)

The studios of KBLA Talk 1580 are located in historic Leimert Park, directly adjacent to Destination Crenshaw’s “Sankofa Park,” a 1.3-mile open-air museum along the new Crenshaw/LAX Metro rail line, presently under construction.

ABOUT KBLA TALK 1580:

KBLA 1580 AM is a heritage station and the original home of the iconic hip-hop station KDAY. At 50,000 watts, day and night, KBLA serves a coverage area of nearly 12 million listeners. KBLA Talk 1580 boasts an all-star lineup of hosts who speak candidly and passionately to the challenges people of color face daily trying to navigate life and realize their California hopes and dreams. KBLA Talk 1580 serves an audience long ignored by talk radio in Los Angeles – people of color and progressives. For more information, visit KBLA1580.com.

 

USA Network and SYFY's "Chucky" Set To Premiere October 12

 

By Darlene Donloe

Chucky fans will be in Chucky heaven or hell this television season. 

The frightful, murderous doll has been scaring the pants off folks for generations. His terrifying antics continue in the aptly named drama, “Chucky.” 

An idyllic American town is thrown into chaos after a vintage doll turns up at a suburban yard sale. Soon, everyone must grapple with a series of horrifying murders that begin to expose the town's deep hypocrisies and hidden secrets.

Friends and foes from Chucky's past creep back into his world and threaten to expose the truth behind his mysterious origins as a seemingly ordinary child who somehow became this notorious monster. 

"Chucky" will premiere simultaneously on both USA Network and SYFY on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 10 p.m. 

Recently, Executive Producer Don Mancini, Devon Sawa, Zackary Arthur, Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly sat down to talk about the show. 

Q: Don, did the network tell you not to make it too gory?

DON MANCINI: I would simply say wait. In regard to the gore questions, wait.

JENNIFER TILLY: We have a whole blood team on the movie, and I'm telling you there's a lot of people on this team, the "blood team."

DON MANCINI: Yeah, we -- one of the things that was important to me, that we'd be able to retain all of the aspects of the franchise that the fans love, one of which is the gore, the other of which, of course, is Chucky's propensity for dropping f-bombs. And the networks SYFY and USA, when we pitched the project, assured us that there would be no compromise in these departments. And when I had worked on both "Hannibal" and "Channel Zero," which are both also under the NBCUniversal umbrella, I was shocked and kind of encouraged and excited to see how the boundaries could get pushed. So, there will be no compromise in that regard. In the first episode, you know, there is -- well, I don't know how much -- I guess I can say to you guys because you've seen it. You know, there's a death, but it's quite deliberately a bloodless death because, remember, in the episode, Chucky hears Jake say, "I can't stand the sight of blood." So Chucky accommodates his new friend to the end by committing a bloodless murder. Like, that's Chucky's idea of being thoughtful. 

Q: Aside from the blood, are there things that you did stylistically to keep the look or maybe things that you did differently to set it apart from the films just like from the way it looks?

DON MANCINI: Right. Well, with regard to the look of the show, it's very important to me and I try to have a different overriding, governing aesthetic for each film. And now for this season of the TV show, one of the things I was really excited about with the show was presenting "Chucky" in Halloween, at Halloween, because we'd never done that before, and fans have gotten a glimpse of that in the trailers that they've seen. I really wanted to affect a sort of luxurious and glamorous autumn look with fall foliage, and that became the central aesthetic principle, was glamorous autumn. And there were certain challenges facing the show because we shot it during the spring and summer. So, one of the things the art department had at our disposal was basically truckloads of artificial but very real-looking -- actually better than real-looking -- autumn leaves, which we just spread around the ground like butter whenever we were outside. So, between that and some really beautiful drone footage that we were able to get last fall, actual drone footage from the air that we got last fall in the environs where we shot the show outside Toronto, it looks like a Halloween horror movie as directed by Dario Argento or Brian De Palma. At least, that was our goal.

JENNIFER TILLY: We have an -- I don't know if I'm muted or not. But we have an amazing production designer and cinematographer. And I think it's different from "Cult of Chucky," which was very sterile because it took place in an insane asylum in the middle of winter. And I think the colors are so saturated. And the cinematography and the set design are so beautiful in this film that it's just a pleasure to watch. It looks really expensive because it is. When I had shown up on the set, because I don't show up until halfway through, I was like, "Oh, my gosh. We have so much money."

DEVON SAWA: Yeah. That's what I noticed when I got there first too. I didn't realize how big of a budget we had and then how many departments and how many people working. And they did such a beautiful job. It looks stunning. It's so beautiful to look at.

Q: For Devon and Zackary, being newbies to the franchise, I'm curious what your perceptions were of the franchise before you actually joined and what your big questions were to join the series?

DEVON SAWA: Listen, I have grown up with Chucky. "Chucky," when it came across my desk to audition for it, it was a no-brainer. I jumped at it. Chucky's a legend. Brad is a legend. You know, Chucky belongs on the Mount Rushmore of horror with, you know, Krueger and Jason. So, I mean, I'm just trying not to smile so big, because I just was so excited to be a part of this and put this on the list of cool things I've done. I don't know what more I could say. I'm thrilled. Thrilled. The script was great. 

Q: I know none of you were involved in the 2019 remake. Is this consciously a way for you to reclaim the franchise?

DEVON SAWA: There was a remake? Just kidding. Just kidding.

JENNIFER TILLY: Well, this franchise was already in the works long before the remake. So, it did throw a crimp in things a little bit because we were

kind of like, "Well, now, where do we belong in the Chucky universe?" And apparently, the film was very good and very well-reviewed. But the fans, I don't know. Remember they came out with New Coke and everyone liked Coke Classic better, so they brought back the old Coke and now they call it Coke Classic. I think this is a similar thing. I mean, people, they love the original Chucky with the voice of Brad Dourif.

Because they actually called Brad, I think and asked him if he wanted to do Chucky for the remake, and he said, "No, I stand with Don."

JENNIFER TILLY: The great thing about doing the “Chucky” franchise, the fans are so loyal. Like, I've never seen such really fanatic -- they're like Trekkies times two, do you know? So, I didn't even realize until the Internet happened that how much of an icon Tiffany was and Chucky and how much they love Chucky all over the world. And, so, for me, it's just really wonderful when Don wrote his television series. I was hoping he could find, like, a tiny corner under the stairs for me. And then when I got my scripts, I was like, I honestly -- I don't want -- I want Don to feel like he's really, super lucky to have me, but I can't help but blurt out things like, "Thank you, Don. Thank you for the wonderful scripts. And thank you for putting me in the television series." Because his writing is so amazing. And you've just seen the first half, you guys. But in the second half, Fiona Dourif comes in, Brad's daughter, who plays Nica in the movie. And then Andy Barclay, Alex Vincent's character, comes back. And Christina Elise. And, so, it just really -- it goes bonkers from this point. I was saying to Don when I read it, even without Chucky, it's just such a beautiful coming-of-age movie. I mean, you kind of don't even need Chucky because the relationship between Zackary and the other kids is really just you're rooting for them. You want to know where it goes. But then Chucky, of course, complicates things. But all of the kid actors are so good, Aly and Bjorgvin and Teo, just amazing actors. I said to Don when I read the script, I said, "You've got to get good kids. Like, there's not a lot of good kids out there." Then we got Zackary, and it was amazing. 

Q: Brad, how did you find the voice of Chucky? Talk about the process. 

BRAD DOURIF: Well, now, I have Don saying, "Get it more up into your" -- higher and so forth, and we kind of adjust as we go. You know, my voice is changing. I'm getting older. I'm 71. So, I have to constantly adjust for how my voice is. Originally, Chucky was from Chicago, and so I had a Chicago rasp and so forth. Now, he's, oddly, kind of moving more toward New Jersey; I wonder why? And, so, his accent is a little bit more New Jersey. But, basically, I go to "Cult," and I listen to "Cult" and I mimic the voice before we shoot. And then, you know, Don schools me.

DON MANCINI: I don't have to school you, Brad.

 

 

Stephen Hill Returns As TC On Season 4 of "Magnum P.I."

Stephen Hill

From plays and stand-up routines in front of his elementary school classmates, talent shows, and statewide art competitions in middle school, to television productions and professional modeling gigs in high school and college, Stephen Hill has always been a man of artistic expression. He is currently playing Theodore "TC" Calvin in "Magnum P.I."  The show premieres Friday. Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

Upon graduating with honors in mass media/broadcasting from Hampton University, Hill’s first job was as a copier salesman in his native New York City. After a few years of door-to-door sales for Xerox by day, and intense acting classes with famed coach Susan Batson by night, he received the fearful news that his mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Witnessing her fatal bout with the debilitating disease at the young age of 61 was the catalyst that thrust Stephen back into the artistic world. Having raised five children, the youngest of whom had Down syndrome, his mother never had the opportunity to fully express herself creatively. So Stephen honors her sacrifice by pursuing his acting career with physical and emotional vigor.

Armed with the memory of his mother, the blessing of his father, and the support of his tribe, Stephen soon left behind the perks of a steady paycheck, healthcare, and printing free headshots and scripts, to pursue acting full-time. After years of student/indie films, plays, film festival circuits, and continued study, he developed a hard-earned reputation for solid work in drama, comedy, voice-over, and commercials.

Hill’s television credits include “Law & Order: SVU,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Political Animals,” BLUE BLOODS, on the Network, “Boardwalk Empire,” “Lewis & Clark” and “Luke Cage.” His most recent work includes Steve McQueen’s feature film “Widows,” the play “Manhood” at the National Black Theater, and the Netflix series “Maniac.”

Hill’s MAGNUM P.I. character, a military veteran who flies helicopters, shares a distinguished trait with his father, who was a Vietnam veteran chopper mechanic.

Hill has an eclectic and diverse breadth of interests. He’s a gym enthusiast and loves hip hop, meditation, reading, history, cooking, and collecting gemstones.

Born in New York and raised mainly in Willingboro, N.J., Hill currently resides in Los Angeles. His birthday is Oct. 14. Hill can be followed on Twitter and Instagram @StephenHillActs.

ABOUT MAGNUM P.I.

MAGNUM P.I. is a modern take on the classic series centering on Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. A charming rogue, an American hero, and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, Magnum lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business. The “majordomo” of the property is Juliet Higgins, a beautiful and commanding disavowed MI:6 agent whose second job is to keep Magnum in line, with the help of her two Dobermans. When Magnum needs back-up on a job, he turns to his trusted buddies and fellow POW survivors, Theodore “TC” Calvin, a former Marine chopper pilot who runs Island Hoppers, a helicopter tour business, and Orville “Rick” Wright, a former Marine door-gunner-turned-impresario of Oahu’s coolest nightclub and the most connected man on the island. Suspicious of Magnum’s casual attitude and presence at his crime scenes, Detective Gordon Katsumoto finds that he and Magnum are more alike than either of them care to admit. One of Magnum’s biggest supporters is Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta, the unofficial “House Mom” and cultural curator of Robin’s Nest. With keys to a vintage Ferrari in one hand, aviator sunglasses in the other, and an Old Düsseldorf longneck chilling in the fridge, Thomas Magnum is back on the case!

Selma Blair Talks About 'The Role Of A Lifetime'

By Darlene Donloe

Selma Blair’s life will be on full display when an intimate documentary called “Introducing Selma Blair: The Role of a Lifetime” debuts in theaters on October 15 before airing on Discovery Plus October 21. 

The doc was directed by Rachel Fleit (RF).

The documentary is about up close and personal moments with Selma Blair as she painfully tries to live as normal a life as possible as she battles Multiple Sclerosis.

Blair, who starred in Cruel Intentions and Hellboy, went public with her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in October 2018. She believes going through stem cell treatment is the only thing that will save her.

She pulls back the curtain on her everyday life and lets the audience see what she experiences every day.

At one point in the documentary, Blair is on the phone and tells the caller,  “I can’t talk right now. We’re shooting the final days of my life.”

Selma Blair

Blair (SB) recently sat down at a Television Critics Association session, to talk about the making of the documentary.

Q: Selma, obviously this is personal. Were you looking for a project so you could share your story?

SB:  It was my hope to be able to share that time of looking to process, and what I was going through as a mom and someone diagnosed. I was open to it.

Q:  When you hear of other people going through MS, what advice do you give them?

SB: I don’t know. It’s different. Some are really incapacitated. Others aren’t. When I was diagnosed I wanted to find something. I don’t have any advice. I just wanted to lead by example. If I slow down and have patience, I find, this too shall pass. I’ve always been calm in my diagnosis. I’m learning like everyone else.  When some are diagnosed, they go inward. I came out more because I thought I was batshit. I still could be.

Q: How have you balanced your MS with what’s happening in the world?

SB: When COVID happened, I felt like I entered this pandemic time earlier than everyone else. I felt what I was going through was very universal. I really do feel now that we all have got a diagnosis that is incurable. Everyone has realized our mortality. I don't feel like I hold the key. We’re all in it now, in the same space I was. (Unfortunately, Blair lost her mother during COVID, but couldn’t go to her).

Q: Are people more in tune with what you’re going through. Are they more understanding?

SB: I feel the anxiety some people have. They are forced to slow down.

Q: Through your notoriety, you had to go through this is a public way. Good or bad?

SB:  I’m someone in some ways who doesn't enjoy notoriety, but I have to say, I honestly feel like I have friends. I’m going with that. I’m glad when people feel affected. A lot of times I wish I could get out of California and go home to Michigan and live quietly. I’m thrilled I had this platform. I’m speaking my story and if it normalizes other people to feel comfortable telling their stories – I’m thrilled.

Q:  Rachel, how did you know when something was too personal to show?

RF: Selma and I had an instant connection. We built trust and formed a bond early on. She was ready to tell it in rawness and truth.  The world got to see what was really happening. She became a piece of my heart.

Q: Selma, what is the source of your strength?

SB: It really is my son. It’s not that MS was on a path killing me. A flare happened for so long. It’s for my son. I have no desire to leave him alone right now. None. I never really liked life that much. But I do now. I was scared of life.

Q: What is your prognosis?

SB: My prognosis is great. I’m in remission. HSCT put me in remission. Took a year for inflammation to go down. I had a need to be more healed. It doesn't look like this for everyone.

Q: You ever find yourself wondering why me?

SB: No, I never did. I used to scream with menstrual cramps. Why me? I really did, but I never did why me with this. I always felt I could rise to this.

 

 

 

 

Cécile McLorin Salvant Rules The Ford

 

Cecile McLorin Salvant

By Darlene Donloe

Cécile McLorin Salvant walked out, took the stage, and sang her heart out. 

On a beautiful, crisp autumn evening under the stars, before a mixed audience of young and old jazz enthusiasts at The Ford in Los Angeles, the 32-year-old singing sensation simply seduced with her genuine musical offerings. 

Salvant, who hit the scene, presenting the world with her 2013 CD, ‘WomanChild,’ doesn’t just sing songs, she interprets them and dissects them down to their core to unearth its bare bones. Then the Grammy-winner rebuilds them in her own jazz lab – adding flavors and emotions, and that special blend as she goes. 

Cecil McLorin Salvant at The Ford
accompanied by Sullivan Fortner

This jazz musician, who won the Thelonious Monk Vocal Jazz Competition, doesn't just sing anything, she sangs! Sometimes she finds the most obscure songs from days gone by and sings life into them. 

No bells and whistles needed, armed with only her voice, a mic, and the incredible talents of her pianist Sullivan Fortner, Salvant put on a masterful performance. 

Salvant, who moved to the south of France where she took voice lessons at the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud, opened her set with her rendition of Bessie Smith’s “Outside of That,” about an abused woman who stays because she likes her man’s lovin’. It’s a heartbreakin’ tune that speaks volumes.  Outside of him being cruel and beatin' on her, blackening her eye and pawning her belongings, “outside of that, he’s alright with me.” 

Salvant, a Miami native, then gently glided into “Some People” from the musical ‘Gypsy’ before singing a tune from Kurt Vile.

In between songs, the banter between Salvant and Fortner was priceless and quite hilarious speaking as if they were having a private conversation during rehearsals. Fortner’s effortless skills on the ivories are mesmerizing and free-spirited and a joy to watch and hear. 

There seems to be no limit to what Salvant can do with her voice. As she croons, she moves effortlessly among musical styles. Singing a cappella, the audience is able to clearly witness her vocal prowess. Whatever she sings, she tends to make her own – even when she’s singing songs from such powerhouses as Bessie Smith and Dianne Reeves. 

Offerings included “I’m All Smiles,” two selections by Kate Bush, “Heathcliff, It’s Me” and “Breathing” and “Mista” by Dianne Reeves.  All received joyous applause. 

Salvant, who admits to often writing about “doom and gloom,” also sang several of her own songs including “Fog,” with brilliant lyrics like:

 

Love appears just like the fog

Sometimes I try to recall

The feeling that I could fall

All at once

I see

I’m alone

I’m free

Who knew that I’d miss the mist

The mist must have evanesced

 

Before ending her 90-minute set, Salvant and Fortner sang “Together, Wherever We Go” from Gypsy. She then sang “Light in The Piazza,” “Promises, Promises,” and ended with “One Step Ahead.”

There didn’t appear to be a pre-selected list of songs as Salvant frequently asked Fortner to pick something for them to perform.

It was a joyous night of jazz. As a jazz musician, Salvant is the real deal!! 

Salvant and Fortner shared a story about a free concert they did on Facebook during the pandemic and how they had to clap for themselves. At The Ford in Los Angeles where she was the recipient of rousing applause, Salvant said, “This is better.”

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don't bother), O (oh, no), N (needs works), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Cecile McLorin Salvant at The Ford gets an E (excellent).

 

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Hosts Luxury Lounge For 2021 Emmy Awards

 

Pooja K. Batra with Hello Blue CBD

Luxury Experience & Co, an LA-based consulting company focused on connecting brands to high-profile influencers and celebrities, co-hosted an elegant gifting lounge alongside Max Event’s 2021 Golden Soiree After Party at the beautiful Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The Hollywood Roosevelt dates back to the Golden Era. Located on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the heart of Los Angeles city, the luxury hotel offers nothing but the best stylish, safe, and lavish accommodation experience. Celebrities and influencers came together and enjoyed a VIP Experience filled with music, good company, and all that the attending brands had to offer. 

Actress Paris Broavos with Java Sok

Gifts were provided by an amazing collection of brands, including PMD Beauty, RED by Kiss, i-ENVY, Unsubscribe, MOTHER, Hello Blue CBD, Hollywood Photo Booth, Diamond Tennis, Java Sok, Som Sleep, Red, British M, Still Standing, Italo Home, and many more.

With tall swaying palm trees, gracious staff, and glowing pool, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was the ideal venue for hosting guests such as Anthony Bless (Ruthless), Adrian Dev (Westworld), Aaron Cohen (The Enforcer), Bianca & Chiara D'Ambrosio (Daytime Emmy Winning Series THE BAY), Jessica Morris (Netflix’s The Upshaws), Jimmy Akingbola (Bel Air reboot), Johnell Young (Emmy Nominated Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Kelley Kali (Award-winning director and actor), Marion Van Cuyck (Hulu's PEN15), Zhalea Vossough (upcoming Hulu Series The Dropout) and many more celebrities, influencers, and press. 

"Ruthless" star Anthony Bless with PMD Beauty

L.E. & Co utilized its event hosting experience to create the ultimate Pre-Emmy Awards gifting lounge where brands, celebrities, and press mingled and celebrated the achievements in their respective television shows and upcoming projects during a hard year. Our famed guests were gifted, then wined, dined, and enjoyed the special poolside after-party hosted by Max Event. 

L.E. & Co-Founder, Melissa McAvoy, toasted the event's success. McAvoy said, "We were very excited for our attendees to experience this event after a whole year of quarantining and I was very happy to hear how blown away they were with the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the brands that attended." McAvoy added, "We were so happy to support businesses while we couldn’t host live events, but we are even more overjoyed to see them in person. We always strive to create a unique experience with all our events and look forward to even more, such as our Pre-Super Bowl and Pre-Oscars Gifting Lounges as they bring an amazing group of talent and press every year."

About MAX Events LLC

MAX Events LLC is the most trusted source for VIP travel and entertainment, they provide the highest level of professionalism and reliability when looking after your needs in almost any city in the U.S., as well as, major cosmopolitan cities around the globe. Their specialty service provides you insider access to the most sought-after hotels, restaurants, clubs, exclusive events, and private venues. Whether you need to arrange access to exclusive parties, private shopping, nightclubs, international sporting events, or simply reservations at your favorite restaurant, their team can assist you with personal service. Full-time, dedicated concierge service is available in cities we service. 

About Luxury Experience & Co

Today's best brands align themselves with LE & Co Luxury Gift Lounges to get their products into the hands of the hottest names in film, television, and sports. With years of experience in Public Relations, Events & Business Development we lead and develop effective key brand relationships. Recognizing the importance of brand awareness to our clients, we have now created a complete package of services to maximize our clients' return on investment. 

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Bergman's Gifting Suite Honors the 73rd Emmys

(l-r) Doris Bergman and Actress Anna Maria Horsford
Photo by Darlene Donloe

By Darlene Donloe 

A festive 73rd Annual Emmy Awards was held recently, but the real party began with Doris Bergman’s Annual Luxury Lounge and Luncheon, held in honor of television’s biggest night.

After having to cancel the celebrity-filled event last year due to the pandemic, Bergman is BACK and in a big way. 

Traditionally stars sparkle at night, but they were out in mass during a warm, sunny day to attend the exclusive, invitation-only luncheon and gifting lounge held at La Boheme in West Hollywood.

The iconic restaurant’s outdoor patio was transformed into a chic gifting suite.

More than 100 actors, former Emmy winners, stylists, and industry VIPs came out to eat, drink and rub elbows.

Precious Vodka

The invitation-only event hosted by Precious Vodka and presented by The Abingdon Co. showcased an array of fashion including couture gowns and silk ties from Art Lewin Bespoke. 

The Abingdon Co.'s "The Amelia"

There was also footwear and t-shirts from Hypno Footwear, timepieces by The Abingdon Co., and beauty and hair care.

Kim Estes with Hypno Footwear

Jasmine Davis with Custom Candle Co.

Twisted Silver

Event favorites, Twisted Silver was on hand showcasing its popular jewelry collections, as was My Saint My Hero.

My Saint My Hero

A number of scented candles were gifted by the Custom Candle Co.  There were also CBD products and a range of healthy food. 

Custom Candle Co.

Guests were treated to Dulce Vida organic tequila, which was flowing in three flavors, and no one could get enough of La Boheme’s cuisine.

Dulce Vida Organic Tequila

Stars on hand for the fun included 2021 Daytime Emmy winner Jodi Long, 2021 Emmy nominee Anna Maria Horsford, former Oscar Nominee Bruce Dern, multiple award-winning actors Bill Duke and Maria Conchita Alonso, former Emmy winner/Best Actor Kim Estes, John Otto (platinum/Grammy-winning drummer LIMP BIZKIT,) Kylee D. Allen, Lucius Baston and Mychal Bella Bowman (2021 Emmy nominated series/  “The Underground Railroad”), former Emmy winners Tristan Rogers (“General Hospital”) and Victoria Konefall (“Days of Our Lives,”) Abraham Lim (lead role in “Clickbait”) Victoria Park (“The Flash,”) Jasmine Davis (“The Chi,”) Laila Odom (“Salt ‘N Pepa,”) Jake Busey (“Stranger Things,”).

Jean Elie of "Insecure"

Also on hand was Jean Elie (“Insecure,”) Jeryl Prescott (“All The Queens Men,”), Joely Fisher and Tricia Fisher, Julio Macias (“Selena” & “On My Block,”) Michael Campion (“Fuller House,”) Miles Tagtmeyer (2018 Emmy nominee,) Naomi Grossman and Selena Sloan (“American, Horror Stories,”) Chris Browning (“Bosch” & “The Lincoln Lawyer,”) Sofia Milos (“CSI: Miami & “The Sopranos,”) Ryan Ochoa (“Pair of Kings”), and more.

Doris Bergman and Kim Estes

“I come to this because Doris [Bergman] is the queen of charities,” said Anna Maria Horsford, who was attending the event for the first time. “She does good week.”

“This is one of the best events pre-Emmy, pre-Oscar event,” said Emmy-winner Kim Estes. “Take a trip through sponsor-land. It’s the place to be.”

Sue Wong Couture

“Doris Bergman is my good friend and she is a fierce warrior,” said Sue Wong of Sue Wong Couture. “Nothing was going to keep her down or away, including COVID. She is the bomb.”

Christine Rich and Amy D’Ambra of My Saint My Hero are always a hit with their faith, honor, and blessing bracelets. “It’s what the world needs.”

Debra Mitchell, who owns Twisted Silver, said she participates every year because she gets to meet new people.

Solo and Kelela of VAI Water

Solo and Kelela of VAI Water were on hand to highlight their product, VAI Water, which means “water in all of Polynesia.”

Sal Coca, founder of HYPO Footwear & Apparel was happy to be making his debut at the event.

“We want everyone to wear our shoes,” he said.

The Abingdon Co.’s CEO and founder created a watch, which happened to be the first female aviator’s watch.  They have stretched out to include watches for scuba diving, racecar driving, and motocross. The Abingdon Foundation gives a scholarship each year to help a girl get into aviation.  The Amelia is the organization’s most popular watch.

Custom Candle Co.

Milena LA

The tradition of giving back was demonstrated with guests and sponsors making monetary donations and/or donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a pre-holiday gift drive benefiting ‘Wednesday’s Child,’ a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News, Los Angeles, with Anchor Christine Devine.

“In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 30,000 children receiving child welfare services,” said social worker, Dr. William Wong. 

Bergman always invites at least 2 foster youth to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated like a VIP.  http://www.foxla.com/wednesdays-child

CBD Live Natural

Beauty Kitchen

The A-list gift bags included VAI CBD Wellness Water; Sub Zero Ice Cream; Dulce Vida Organic Tequila; Timmy Woods Handbags; Hypo Footwear; The Abingdon Co.; Custom Candle Co.; CBD Live Natural; My Saint, My Hero; Precious Vodka; Twisted Silver; Hint Water; Art Lewin Bespoke; Sue Wong Couture; Beauty Kitchen Skin Care; Milena LA; True Gold Honey; Spongelle; Popcornopolis; Mixit Fresh; The Hollywood Trinity and VIP gift bags provided by Twisted Silver. 

Art Lewin Bespoke

Timmy Woods Handbags

Live from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, was Minneapolis-based ‘80’s Pop Group -- “The Jets”  -- who made their “luxury lounge” debut with VAI, their own brand of CBD Wellness Water.

 

**All photos by Darlene Donloe 

Apple's Drama, 'Swagger,' To Debut October 29

  

Isaiah Hill and O'Shea Jackson, Jr in 'Swagger'

Isaiah Hill stars in 'Swagger'

Apple today announced that the first season of the highly anticipated drama series, “Swagger”  from creator and showrunner Reggie Rock Bythewood, NBA superstar Kevin Durant and Imagine's Brian Grazer, will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on October 29, 2021. The ten-episode first season will premiere with the first three episodes, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday thereafter through December 17, 2021. The series hails from Thirty Five Ventures, Imagine Television Studios, CBS Studios, and Undisputed Cinema. 

Inspired by Durant’s experiences, “Swagger" explores the world of youth basketball, and the players, their families, and coaches who walk the fine line between dreams and ambition, and opportunism and corruption. Off the court, the show reveals what it’s like to grow up in America. 

The new series is led by an ensemble cast of stars including O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Isaiah Hill, Academy Award-nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, Shinelle Azoroh, Tessa Ferrer, Caleel Harris, James Bingham, Solomon Irama, Ozie Nzeribe, and Tristan Mack Wilds.

Jackson stars as Ike, a former star player who’s now a youth basketball coach; Hill stars as Jace Carson, a basketball phenomenon who is one of the top-ranked youth basketball players in the country; Azoroh plays Jenna, Jace’s mother who is determined to chart NBA success for her son; Ferrer plays Meg Bailey, a former basketball player and coach for a rival team; Wallis plays Crystal, a top young basketball player; Harris plays Musa, the team’s glue and point guard; Bingham plays Drew Murphy, a player from an affluent part of town; Irama plays Phil Marksby, the enforcer for a rival team; Nzeribe plays Royale, a sub-par player with a wealthy dad; and Wilds plays Alonzo Powers, the grassroots division leader at a major shoe company.

“Swagger” is created by Reggie Rock Bythewood, who also writes, directs, and serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Durant and Grazer. The series is produced for Apple by Thirty Five Ventures, Imagine Television Studios, CBS Studios, and Undisputed Cinema. Also serving as executive producers are Rich Kleiman, Samie Kim, Francie Calfo, and Samantha Corbin-Miller.

Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honored with 138 wins and 515 awards nominations.

'Shang-Chi And The Legend of The Ten Rings': A Review

Simi Liu as Shang-Chi

By Darlene Donloe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a new superhero and his name is Shang-Chi.

 The best way to watch 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings' is without any preconceived notions about what a Marvel Studios superhero film should be or look like.

 Don’t expect what you’re used to seeing in other Marvel films – because this will exceed your expectations.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings, now in theaters, is a history-making blockbuster in that it is Marvel Studios’ first Asian American-led superhero film.

This film doesn’t disappoint. It centers on a trained assassin trying to live an ordinary life as a valet driver in San Francisco.

One day while he and his friend and co-worker, Katy, (Awkwafina) are riding the bus, some thugs sent by his father - step to him wanting the pendant around his neck – given to him by his mother, who is now deceased. When he refuses a first-class, knockdown, drag-out fight ensues on the bus – with Shang Chi (Simu Liu), who is going by the name Shaun – delivering a good old-fashioned ass-whippin.

Shang-Chi, who has been hiding from his ruthless father ever since he was a kid, must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. It turns out that Shang-Chi is actually the son of the Mandarin (Hong Kong legend Tony Leung), an immortal warlord. The Mandarin, who is known as Wenwu, tries to convince his family that he has grown a soul since the murder of his wife – and wants desperately to reunite with his kids who ran from him as children.

To find out just what is going on, Shang-Chi, accompanied by Katy, takes off for Macau to find his sister played by Meng’er Zhang.  He has a letter from her asking him to come. It turns out she didn’t send the letter, is running a fight club, and is actually the baddest ass of the bunch. She’s not too happy to see her brother, who she thinks abandoned her when they were children.

With this movie, you can believe the hype. The story, the acting, direction, scenery, spectacular visuals, and special effects and martial arts choreography make this an A+ film, rivaling any previous Marvel Studios offerings.  The flying dragons are regal and impressive. 

This film offers much more than just an Asian influence. Its importance is far-reaching, particularly when you talk about breaking new cultural ground. It proves there is enough superhero space for all cultures and that audiences are sophisticated enough to not let someone’s ethnicity prevent them from enjoying a first-rate superhero film in the theaters. 

While it offers up a different superhero flavor, it does mix in some familiar tried and true Marvel formulas.

Shang-Chi offers up a breath of fresh air. Former stuntman Liu is a wonder to watch and not bad on the eyes. His first fight scene on a city bus is movie magic. Watching his fight scenes is like watching a master class in dance. It’s truly poetry in motion.

Veteran performer Tony Leung, who plays Shang-Chi’s father lends credibility to this film. His acting, intention, and action-packed fight scenes are what have come to be expected from legends.

Liu is a joy to watch and Awkwafina brings the funny with classic comedic timing. The chemistry between the two ROCKS!

Meng’er Zhang, who plays Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing, is also spectacular. 

Kudos to the fight coordinator Andy Cheng, who kept the fight scenes moving, tight, and spectacular as he showcased the mastery of martial arts. 

Kudos to this all-around origin story, which is worth the price of admission. This is a great way to end the summer movie season while simultaneously kicking off the fall film season. 

To all involved in Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, welcome to the circus!

Shang-Chi, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, and Fala Chen, Benedict Wong, Florian Munteanu, Meng’er Zhang, Dallas Liu, Ronny Chieng, and Zach Cherry.

Rated PG-13, Fantasy/Action, 2h 13m

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), 'Shang-Chi, And The Legend of The Ten Rings' gets an E (excellent).