'Brick Mansions' Set For April 25 Release

In a dystopian Detroit, abandoned brick mansions left from better times now house only the most dangerous criminals. Unable to control the crime, the police constructed a colossal containment wall around this area to protect the rest of the city.  Undercover cop Damien Collier (Paul Walker) is determined to bring his father’s killer, Tremaine (RZA) to justice and every day is a battle against corruption.  For Lino (David Belle), every day is a fight to live an honest life. Their paths never should have crossed, but when Tremaine kidnaps Lino’s girlfriend, Damien reluctantly accepts the help of the fearless ex-convict, and together they must stop a sinister plot to devastate the entire city. With stylized action featuring thrilling Parkour stunts (David Belle is the co-founder of this physical training discipline), Brick Mansions puts an entertaining twist on the action genre. Brick Mansions is in theaters April 25.

Directed by Camille Delamarre.  Executive Producers: Ryan Kavanaugh, Tucker Tooley, Matt Alvarez, Romuald Drault, Ginette Guillard, Henri Deneubourg

Trailer: http://pr.mammothnyc.com/BrickMansions/Trailer.zip 

Facebook: Facebook.com/brickmansionsmovie

Twitter: Twitter.com/brickmansions

YouTube: Youtube.com/brickmansionsmovie

Instagram: Instagram.com/brickmansions

Tumblr: Brickmansions.tumblr.com

Hashtag: #BrickMansions 

'Promise of AI' Featurette Debuts On Apple

The “Promise of AI” Featurette recently debuted on Apple.  The featurette includes thought-provoking commentary from cast members Johnny Depp and Rebecca Hall, producer Broderick Johnson and others about the power, and threat, of Artificial Intelligence. Below is the link.

“The Promise of AI” Featurette QT: http://bit.ly/trans-f3-1080mov

Kevin Costner Makes The Best Deal In 'Draft Day'

By Darlene Donloe

Kevin Costner is becoming quite proficient in sports related films, including his latest, Draft Day, set for a nationwide release April 11.

The combination of Costner and sports is a proven cinematic victory. Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Tin Cup and For Love of the Game confirm it.

Draft Day, a savvy film, continues his winning streak.

On the day of the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver (Costner) has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must quickly decide what he's willing to sacrifice in pursuit of perfection as the lines between his personal and professional life become blurred on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with dreams of playing in the NFL.

Weaver has a hard decision to make. Does he go with the obvious pick or does he stand his ground and pick who he really thinks will help him build his team and bring a championship to the city of Cleveland?

KEVIN COSTNER and JENNIFER GARNER

On the personal side he has a secret relationship with one of his executives, who has some life-changing information that could throw him into a tailspin. Add to that he has to live up to the reputation and legacy left by his father who was the beloved former coach of the Cleveland Browns. Plus, he has to take the wrath of a city who can’t forgive him for firing his own father. 

Talk about having a lot on his plate on Draft Day.

When the movie opens, the No. 1 prospect is Bo Callahan (Josh Pence), a Heisman-winning quarterback. If Weaver wants him, he’s going to have to perform a little razzle dazzle.  The Browns are slated to pick seventh in the first round, so if they want Callahan, the Seattle Seahawks, who have the No. 1 pick will let the Browns have it in exchange for the Browns’ next three years’ worth of first-round picks.

While his head says Callahan should be his first choice, in actuality, Weaver wants Vontae Mack (Chadwick Boseman) and Ray Jennings (Arian Foster), whose father (real-life NFL vet Terry Crews) was also a Brown back in the day. 

CHADWICK BOSEMAN

What to do?! What to do?!

What makes Draft Day an A+ movie is the authenticity and intensity it brings. The audience gets to see the inner workings of pro-football and the cutthroat negotiations that happen behind the scenes in the strategy rooms.  Part of the realism and intensity comes from the countdown clock inserted at the beginning of the film that shows it’s a mere 13 hours before the draft.

Costner delivers a steady, capable and believable performance as an NFL executive.  He is fantastic. His repartee with Denis Leary, who plays the coach of the team rings authentic.  Chadwick Boseman builds upon his reputation as an acting contender – turning in a stirring performance. Jennifer Garner, Frank Langella and Ellen Burstyn have impressive turns.

Draft Day opens April 11, the same weekend as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and opposite the family film, Rio 2.  It should still bring in decent numbers.

Draft Day, directed by Ivan Reitman, stars Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Denis Leary, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Sean Combs, Terry Crews, Ellen Burstyn, Chadwick Boseman, Rosanna Arquette, W. Earl Brown, Kevin Dunn, Arian Foster, Brad William Henke, Chi McBride, Griffin Newman, Josh Pence, David Ramsey, Patrick St. Esprit, Timothy Simmons, Tom Welling, Wade Williams.

A Lionsgate release of a Summit Entertainment presentation in association with OddLot Entertainment of a Montecito Picture Co./OddLot Entertainment Production. Produced by Ivan Reitman, Ali Bell, Joe Medjuck. Executive producers, Tom Pollock, Michael Beugg, Gigi Pritzker, William Lischak, Michael Nathanson.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don't bother), O (Oh, no!), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (OK) and E (excellent), Draft Day gets an E (excellent).

Running time: 109 minutes; Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and sexual references.

'22 Jump Street' Set For A June 13 Release

 

 (l-r) Jonah Hill, Ice Cube and Channing Tatum

After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don't have to just crack the case - they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.  22 Jump Street is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Check out the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP755JkDxyM

John Turturro Is A 'Fading Gigolo' In Latest Film

By Darlene Donloe

Award-winning actor John Turturro has been in the showbiz game for decades. He has extensive credits on television, on the stage and in films. He’s been an actor. He’s been a director. 

In his latest film, Turturro pulls a trifecta out of his hat serving as the director, the writer and the lead actor in his latest film, Fading Gigolo, set for release April 18.

The story goes something like this. When his friend, Murray (Woody Allen), suggests he become a gigolo, Fioravante (Turturro) at first rejects the idea but eventually finds something he didn’t know he was looking for.

It all begins when Murray’s dermatologist (Sharon Stone) mentions how she’s looking for a man to participate in a ménage a trios with her and her equally gorgeous friend Selima (Sofia Vergara).  Murray, recognizing the financial potential of this proposal, convinces Fioravante to come on board.  Eventually Murray meets Avigal (Vanessa Paradis) the widow of a revered Chasidic Rabbi who, after 20 years of being alone and the mother of six children, is yearning to experience something new. 

Fading Gigolo is the brainchild of Turturro who decided to write the script after a playful improvisation he did for a friend’s amusement over lunch.

I caught up with Turturro recently to discuss the film.

Q: This is about a rather racy subject matter. Your character is a gigolo. But, on the other hand, you interject religion into the proceedings as well. Interesting combination.

JT:  I use prostitution and the religion angle as a metaphor about why do people pay for sex.

Q: The pairing of you and Woody Allen is interesting.

JT: When I met with Woody I thought we could be good together doing something on the sex industry. I thought maybe it would be an unlikely pairing.

(l-r) John Turturro and Woody Allen

Q: What was it like directing yourself and Woody Allen?

JT: In this case I’d be the quiet one. Some days it was easy, some days the pressure gets to you. Woody was easy. Vanessa was easy. Everybody was easy.

Q: How did Woody help you?

JT:  He gave me brutal notes about what worked or was believable. I could withstand his brutality. I could learn something from him. You are aspects of yourself and others.

Q: Is it hard writing a character for someone like Woody Allen?

JT: He liked how I wrote his character. I gotta say he’s in my head now.

Q: Do you like directing yourself?

JT: I’ve done it before. There are moments when it’s very simple.

Q: Your character is a very interesting character. He’s a loner who definitely comes out of his shell.

JT:  I like the idea of a guy being a physical person. He was an un-ambitious, but confident and lonely person interacting with women who are lovely. You can sometimes meet someone who is beautiful, but not attractive.

Q: Notwithstanding the ones you have, there are several interesting relationships in this film.

JT: I’m interested in relationships. You can be lonely and in a relationship.

Q: How did you prepare for the role of a florist?

JT: I worked at a flower shop for a week. 

Q:  Is what we see on screen your initial vision for the film?

JT:  The original idea was more broad and bawdy. I had a character I wanted Elaine Stritch to play. I wanted Elaine to play a nun who was a virgin, who wanted to have sex before she died.  You can’t have sex without religion and laughter.

Q: Was there anything else?

JT: I wanted to make it personal and imaginative. In this whole concept there is something that is exposing about it [prostitution] and not just physically. There is a direct transaction. I've always been interested in movies about prostitution.

Q:  What I like about the film is the fact that you’re not dealing with really young people. These are all people who have lived and have some experience under their belts.

JT:  Life isn’t over when you’re over a certain age.

Q: How did you develop Sofia Vergara’s character?

JT: Sofia reminds me of a friend. She is really a gifted comedienne. Something about the character speaks to me. We think we are so advanced with women. It’s actually gone backwards in relation to women.

Q: In this film did you say everything you wanted to say about the subject?

JT: I have enough material for a sequel.

Fading Gigolo (Millennium Entertainment) is written and directed by Turturro and stars Woody Allen, Vanessa Paradis, Liev Schreiber, Sharon Stone and Sofia Vergara.

Running time: 90 minutes; Rating: R for some sexual content, language and brief nudity.

Starz To Premiere New Original Series 'Power'

 Original Main Title Theme Song 'Big Rich Town' Created and Performed By Executive Producer Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson

All New Music Video Features Footage From Power

 

Official “Power” Key Art; Omari Hardwick as James “Ghost” St. Patrick

© 2014 Starz Entertainment, LLC

Starz recently announced that its highly anticipated new original series, Power, will debut on Saturday, June 7^th at 9 p.m. ET/PT with the release of Executive Producer Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson’s new music video for “Big Rich Town.” The single, which was created specifically for the show and will serve as the main title theme, is performed by 50 Cent and features never before seen footage from the New York based crime drama from Emmy® nominated writer Courtney Kemp Agboh. Starz also released the official key art for the series.

“Big Rich Town” Music Video - Streaming Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152950369658797

From acclaimed director Eif Rivera, known for his work with 50 Cent and G-Unit, Lil Wayne, Nikki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, and Fat Joe, the song the vocals of multi-Grammy ® nominee R&B singer Joe. The video was shot at various locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, NY.

"For me the musical component of Power is so important; I wanted to let the music speak to the viewers as they are watching the show and being able to create the theme song, ‘Big Rich Town,’ was crucial as it sets the tone of the show. The audience will also get the chance to hear additional music off my latest album, Animal Ambition, as the theme of the album translates into events portrayed in the show," shares Executive Producer Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson.

Power tells the story of a visionary crime drama set in two different worlds, the glamorous New York club scene and the brutal drug trade.

James “Ghost” St. Patrick has it all: a beautiful wife, a gorgeous Manhattan penthouse, and the hottest, up-and-coming new nightclub in New York. His club, Truth, caters to the elite: the famous and infamous boldface names that run the city that never sleeps. As its success grows, so do Ghost’s plans to build an empire. However, Truth hides an ugly reality. It’s a front for Ghost’s criminal underworld; a lucrative drug network, serving only the wealthy and powerful.

As Ghost is seduced by the prospect of a legitimate life, everything precious to him becomes unknowingly threatened. Once you’re in, can you ever get out?

The cast is led by Omari Hardwick (Sparkle, For Colored Girls, Kick Ass, “Being Mary Jane”) who is joined by Lela Loren (Snitch, “Gang Related”), Naturi Naughton (Fame, “The Client List,” “Mad Men”) and Joseph Sikora (Jack Reacher, Safe, “Boardwalk Empire”). Hardwick stars as main character ‘James “Ghost” St. Patrick’; Loren plays ‘Angela Valdes’, an old flame of James’s who unexpectedly reenters his life; Naughton will play ‘Tasha St. Patrick’, wife, confidant and willing accomplice to James and Sikora plays ‘Tommy Egan’, childhood best friend and business partner to “Ghost.”

Power will also feature Andy Bean as ‘Greg’, Sinqua Walls as ‘Shawn’, Adam Huss as ‘Kantos’, Greg Serano as ‘Medina’, Lucy Walters as ‘Holly’, acclaimed actor Victor Garber as ‘Simon Stern,’ Sonya Walger as ‘Madeline Stern,’ Kathrine Narducci as ‘Lavaro’, Luis Antonio Ramos as ‘Ruiz’, La La Anthony as ‘LaKeisha’, Diane Neal as ‘Cynthia’, J.R. Ramirez as ‘Julio’, Debbi Morgan as ‘Estelle’, Shane Johnson as ‘Saxe’, Enrique Murciano as ‘Lobos’, Vinicius Machado as ‘Nomar’, Dominic Colon as ‘Anibal’, J.P. Serret as ‘Sabueso’ and Audrey Esparza as ‘Liliana’.

The series is created by Courtney Kemp Agboh (Emmy nominated for "The Good Wife"), who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Mark Canton (300, Immortals, 300: Rise of an Empire), Randall Emmett (End of Watch, 2 Guns, Lone Survivor) and David Knoller (“Big Love," "Carnivàle”) also serve as executive producers. The series is being produced in association with CBS Television Studios.

Power premieres on Saturday, June 7^th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Starz with an eight hour-long episode first season.

For more information visit the Power Facebook Page and follow @Power_ Starz on Twitter. Join the conversation with #PowerTV and #STARZ.

Finalists Announced For 2014 Billboard Awards

Top Finalists Include Imagine Dragons, Lorde, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Beyoncé and Robin Thicke

To Air Live Sunday, May 18, 2014 From The MGM Grand Garden Arena

on ABC at 8 PM ET

SANTA MONICA, CA (April 9, 2014) – With help from pop R&B singer Jason Derulo live this morning on “Good Morning America,” dick clark productions and Billboard, the ultimate authority in music and home of the iconic Billboard charts defining success in music, today announced the finalists for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, honoring the year’s most successful artists in 40 categories.  The 2014 Billboard Music Awards will broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, on ABC from 8:00 PM–11:00 PM ET, with performances from music’s biggest stars.  The “2014 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions.  Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan are Executive Producers.  Larry Klein and Barry Adelman are Producers.

Derulo appeared in the 8:00 AM ET hour of “Good Morning America” today, to announce his participation as a performer in this year’s Billboard Music Awards. Derulo also announced five of the 40 finalist categories, including: Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Female Artist, Top R&B Artist, and Top Country Artist.

Finalists Imagine Dragons and Lorde lead with twelve categories each. Imagine Dragons is vying for its first Billboard Music Award this year. The quartet burned up the charts in 2013 with its album "Night Visions" (which is also a finalist for Top Rock Album) and its many hit singles. Among those is the smash hit "Radioactive," which broke the record for the most weeks ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lorde broke through in 2013 as well with her inescapable No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 single "Royals" and debut album "Pure Heroine." The two musical acts go head-to-head in nine categories, including Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Digital Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), and Top Rock Song.

Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis follow with 11, 10 and 8 categories respectively. Justin Timberlake could capture his first Billboard Music Award this year as a solo artist. Included in his 11 categories, are Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album. With the group 'N Sync, Timberlake earned five Billboard Music Awards, including the 2000 trophy for Album of the Year ("No Strings Attached"). Katy Perry is already a three-time Billboard Music Award winner, with the 2011 Top Hot 100 Artist and the Top Digital Songs Artist, and the 2012 Spotlight Award, honoring her achievement as the first woman to earn five No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from one album ("Teenage Dream"). Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are also past winners, receiving Top Rap Song at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.

Some other fun finalist facts include:

• Both Lorde and Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell Williams with their respective Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s “Royals” and “Blurred Lines,” lead the songs race with 5 title categories each.

• Imagine Dragons and Katy Perry both come in second for song categories with 4 for “Radioactive” and “Roar.”

• Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams’ “Get Lucky,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton’s “Can’t Hold Us,” and the duo’s hit with Wanz’s “Thrift Shop,” in addition to Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” and Avicii’s “Wake Me Up!” all are tied with 2 title categories each.

• Some first-time Billboard Music Award finalists include: Lorde (12 categories), Avicii (4 categories), Capital Cities (3 categories), Zedd (3 categories), Sidewalk Prophets (1 category)

• Rihanna has been a finalist at the Billboard Music Awards 49 times, including 5 categories this year.

·         Justin Timberlake has the most entries as a finalist for albums with three, including two entries for Top R&B Album with “The 20/20 Experience” and “The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2)”

·         Luke Bryan leads all country acts with seven entries in six categories, including an appearance as a finalist in the overall Top Male Artist grouping.

Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VEVO, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 11, 2013 through March 9, 2014.  Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of a musician’s success.

As previously announced, the 2014 Milestone Award presented by Chevrolet, will be given to an innovative artist who has achieved a notable chart milestone over the past year. The six finalists for this special editorial award were announced earlier last week on Billboard.com – they are: Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Luke Bryan, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding and Carrie Underwood. Fans can vote for their favorite Milestone artist online at Billboard.com/milestone and can enter a contest for a chance to win an opportunity to present the award live at this year’s event alongside global music superstar and Billboard Music Award winner Kelly Rowland.

"I'm really looking forward to presenting the Chevrolet Milestone Award at this year's Billboard Music Awards. I love being able to recognize fellow artists for their accomplishments and having the opportunity to present with a fan will make the evening that much more exciting!" said Kelly Rowland.

The six finalists will be narrowed down to three finalists, who will be announced on the website on April 21st.  Voting will then continue through the first two hours of the live 2014 Billboard Music Awards broadcast, culminating with the announcement of the award winner during the last hour of the show. 

Chevrolet is a sponsor of the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

For additional information on the “2014 Billboard Music Awards” visit us at www.billboardmusicawards.com or the Billboard hub at www.billboard.com/bbma.

Branded digital assets include everything from social toolkits to GIFs celebrating this year’s Billboard Music Awards top categories and nominees.

For additional news and exclusive content, follow @OfficialBBMAs #BBMAs on Twitter, like us on Facebook  and join the conversation on Instagram and YouTube.

The complete list of finalists for the “2014 Billboard Music Awards” can be found below.

ABOUT BILLBOARD

Billboard is the world’s most influential music brand, built on the most complete and well respected database of charts across all music genres. The Billboard charts define success in music. From the iconic Billboard magazine to Billboard.com which is the ultimate consumer-facing destination for millions of passionate music fans, to the industry’s most elite conference series and influencer events including the Power 100 and Women in Music ­ the Billboard brand has unmatched authority among fans, artists and the industry alike.

ABOUT “2014 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS”

The “2014 Billboard Music Awards” are set to return to ABC and will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18 at 8:00pm ET/PT. The show will showcase this year’s hottest and biggest music stars.  Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VEVO, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 11, 2013 through March 9, 2014.  The “2014 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro and Michael Mahan are Executive Producers. Larry Klein and Barry Adelman are Producers.

ABOUT dick clark productions

dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised events.  dcp produces perennial hits such as the “American Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Hollywood Film Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”  dcp also produces popular weekly television programming, including “So You Think You Can Dance,” and owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with more than 55 years of dcp’s award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming.  In 2014, dcp will debut “The PEOPLE MAGAZINE Awards” on NBC and joint venture Keshet DCP will premiere the weekly television series “Rising Star” on ABC.   For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.