#MarchOn Is Set For 'Selma' Film Release

It started in Selma
but we still #MarchOn

The march started in Selma, Alabama when one man took a stand, and many joined him. Rallying against injustice and demanding equality, people brought together a nation. And today, we still march on because progress knows no finish line.

Join the march by tagging your posts #MarchOn
See who's marching now at SelmaMarchOn.com

Essence Black Women In Music To Honor Jill Scott

THE EVENT COMMEMORATES 45^TH ANNIVERSARY 

OF ESSENCE MAGAZINE

WITH STAR-STUDDED GRAMMY® WEEK CELEBRATION

December 18, 2014 (New York, NY)—ESSENCE, the premier brand for African-American women, will kick off a year-long commemoration of the 45^th anniversary of ESSENCE magazine in 2015 with an unforgettable Black Women in Music GRAMMY^® Awards Week celebration.  Now in its sixth year, Black Women in Music will honor GRAMMY^® Award winning singer-songwriter Jill Scott for her incredible achievement, singular artistry and powerful storytelling.  

“Jill Scott is the quintessential ESSENCE woman. Like many of the female artists who inspired her – she has touched the collective soul of women across generations,” said ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Vanessa K. DeLuca.

For the first time, ESSENCE will invite a passionate community of music fans to join a host of industry influencers for the invitation-only event held on February 5, 2015, which will include an exclusive performance from Scott as well as several featured performances representing the classic eras in music – 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond.

Michelle Ebanks, President of ESSENCE, added: "ESSENCE was groundbreaking in its founding 45 years ago, as is Jill Scott in her impact on music and the arts. She is a fearless innovator, and it is our honor to continue to build community by bringing together music industry influencers and fans during GRAMMY® Week for an epic celebration.” 

Established in 2010, ESSENCE Black Women in Music continues to herald the accomplishments of both emerging and established artists and influencers during GRAMMY^® week.  Previous celebrants include:  GRAMMY^®-winner Mary J. Blige, GRAMMY^®-winner Kelly Rowland, GRAMMY®-nominee Janelle Monáe, music industry veteran Sylvia Rhone, and singer/songwriters Solangé, Lianne La Havas, and Emeli Sandé.

The 2015 ESSENCE Black Women in Music event is sponsored by Lincoln, Colgate® Optic White® and Glade. Stay tuned to ESSENCE.com for highlights and behind-the-scenes access. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @essencemag #EssenceRedCarpet.  Join in the discussion on Facebook.

ABOUT JILL SCOTT:

Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter, New York Times best-selling poet, and critically acclaimed actress are only a few titles held by Jill Scott. Before having the #1 album in the country with "The Light Of The Sun,” the triple threat began her career collaborating with musical icons The Roots, Will Smith, and Common in the late 90s. Never limited to music, Jill Scott is a true multimedia brand across books, clothing, TV and film, including credits such as Baggage Claim, Steel Magnolias, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? and Lifetime’s Sins of the Mother. In 2002, Scott also founded Blues Babe, a registered 501(c)3 foundation that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support minority students pursuing college degrees.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online.  The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 44 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of 13.4 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives.  Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

'Difret' Tells The Horrifying Tale Of Tradition

By Darlene Donloe

Difret is one of those movies that stays with you long after you’ve left the theater.

It’s disturbing, it’s scary, it’s emotional, it’s gut-wrenching and above all – a true story.   It’s the ‘true story’ part that makes the film so powerful.

The term difret means courage or ‘to dare,’ in Amharic, which is the official Ethiopian language. But it can also refer to rape!

The film’s central figure is 14-year-old Hirut  (Tizita Hagere) who, on her way home from school gets kidnapped into marriage. She is promptly raped and held captive. During her attempt to escape she grabs a gun and ends up shooting her would-be husband. This didn’t take place back in the day. This actually took place in 1996.

 

(l-r) Tizita Hagere and Meron Getnet

Enter Meaza Ashenafi (Meron Getnet), a young lawyer from the city who has a women’s legal-aid practice called Andinet Women Lawyers Association. She offers to take Hirut’s case. She argues that Hirut killed her abductor in self defense.  Hirut’s life has been threatened for not only breaking tradition, but for also killing her abductor.  She is facing a death sentence. Villagers, who still accept the kidnapping practice, want Hirut killed for her actions and others want her vilified and exiled.  

Ashenafi is met with resistance when she tries to represent Hirut. The local police chief (Moges Yohannes) and assistant D.A. (Brook Sheferaw), both men, don’t want to deal with a woman. They thwart Ashenafi’s every move but she digs in her heels.

It’s painful to watch Hirut crawl inside of herself – feeling helpless and alone because she’s unable to go home to her family. Ashenafi, on the other hand is a fierce sister. She’s like an energizer bunny. She doesn’t know the word NO.

While this sounds horrifying, kidnapping young girls for marriage is an actual customary law and even considered ‘tradition’ in Ethiopia. In fact, the practice called ‘telefa’ or abduction into marriage, is common and one of Ethiopia’s oldest traditions.

 

Tizita Hagere

Under a 1957 law, telefa was defined as a crime punishable by three years of imprisonment. But the same law provided that if the abductor agreed to marry the girl he abducted and raped, he would not face criminal charges.  Hirut Assefa’s case galvanized public opinion and eventually motivated the government to amend the law. Under a revised 2004 criminal code, abduction and rape can result in a penalty of up to 15 years or more.

However, reportedly enforcement of the law is not consistent throughout the country because police stations are few and far between in rural areas, but also because villagers still choose to defer to traditional law, according to the film’s director Zeresenay Berhane Mehari.

The film, shot in Ethiopia using an entire Ethiopian cast, goes beneath the layer of polite social customs to explore a rooted patriarchy that perpetuates hostile conditions for women in Ethiopia.

 

Meron Getnet

“Nearly two decades after she was abducted, Hirut Assefa is still in exile from her hometown and her family,” says Mehari. “Because she was exiled under traditional law, if she went back and someone tried to kill her, the police and villagers would not protect her.”

Executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Difret, Mehari’s feature film debut, is Ethiopia’s first film ever to be screened at Sundance. 

Difret is the winner of audience awards at several film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, World Cinema Amsterdam and Festival de Nouveau Cinema.

Difret, currently in theaters, stars Meron Getnet, an Ethiopian actress, poet and playwright, first time actress Tizita Hagere, Moges Yohannes and Brook Sheferaw.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Difret gets an E (excellent).

Larry Wilmore's New Nightly Show Set For Jan 19

 

Larry Wilmore

The upcoming series premiere of The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore will debut January 19th on Comedy Central. The show replaces The Colbert Report.

Wilmore will air original episodes four nights a week. Check out the show's promo below.

The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX6xoYMNJfw

Lansbury Is Large As Medium In 'Blithe Spirit'

 

Angela Lansbury

By Darlene Donloe

Angela Lansbury has been entertaining audiences since the 1940s when she starred in the classic, Gaslight.  She went on to have an illustrious career on stage, in films and on television, where she starred as mystery writer Jessica Fletcher on the drama Murder, She Wrote, which aired from 1984-1996.  It’s been 70 years of unforgettable performances!!!

Fast forward to 2014 and Lansbury hasn’t slowed down one bit. A theatrical gem, Lansbury is currently starring in Noel Coward’s comedy farce, Blithe Spirit, currently running at the Center Theater Group/Ahmanson Theatre.   The show, directed by Michael Blakemore, runs through Jan. 18, 2015.

The play takes place in the living room of the Condomine’s house in Kent, England. The story goes like this. Writer Charles Condomine (Charles Edwards), who is doing some research for his new novel, invites a somewhat questionable medium named Madame Arcati (Angela Lansbury) to his house for a séance. Things begin to happen. The table begins to move. While consumed in a trance, Arcati unwittingly summons the ghost of Charles’ dead wife Elvira (Jemima Rooper). Appearing only to the suave and debonair Charles, Elvira, who died in the house, decides she wants to reclaim her husband, much to the chagrin of Charles’ new wife, Ruth (Charlotte Parry). One husband, two feuding wives.  This can’t be good!

Au contraire, it’s excellent!

 

(l-r) Susan Louise O'Connor (standing), Sandra Shipley, Charles Edwards, 

Angela Lansbury, Charlotte Parry and Simon Jones

It’s easy to understand why Angela Lansbury won a Tony Award for her performance. She sparkles, shines and kills it on stage. She is nothing short of Brilliant!!! It’s hard to believe that this veteran of all things entertainment is still just as spry and vibrant as ever. At 89, she commands every step she takes on the stage. Her delivery is on point and her presence kicks it up a notch.  She breathes life into Arcati. Dressed as an eccentric gypsy, Madame Arcati always knows more than she lets on. She’s in a trance and out of a trance. She talks to ghosts she can’t see and has no problem putting the people she can see – in their place.  Is she a complete fraud? Not if you ask her. Although she flits about the stage as if she’s having a fit, Arcati believes in her own ability. After all, she’s been a medium since she was five-years-old.

There are laughs a plenty in this hilarious romp!

The support cast is equally enchanting. Charles Edwards, Jemima Rooper and Charlotte Parry are exceptional!!!  Susan Louise O’Connnor is a scream as Edith, a somewhat batty maid.  Sandra Shipley and Simon Jones do their part to bring the story to life. With Coward's words to work with, a lot of the work is done for them.

Blakemore has assembled an exceptional cast!  His direction is fluid and effective.  Simon Higlett’s design is brilliant, as is Mark Jonathan’s lighting and Ben and Max Ringham’s sound.

Blithe Spirit, one of Noel Coward’s most popular comedies, was first seen on Broadway in 1941, the same year it was produced in London where it set British box office records and was the longest running comedy (1,997 performances) until it was eventually surpassed by Boeing Boeing in the 1970s.  The original Broadway production played nearly two years and co-starred Leonora Corbett, Mildred Natwick, Clifton Webb and Peggy Wood. In 1987, it was revived on Broadway in an all-star production with Richard Chamberlain, Blythe Danner, Judith Ivey and Geraldine Page in her final Broadway appearance.

 

 

(l-r) Charles Edwards, Jemima Rooper and Charlotte Parry

The latest revival on Broadway opened at the Shubert Theatre on March 19, 2009. Directed by Michael Blakemore, it co-starred Angela Lansbury, Jayne Atkinson, Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett, Simon Jones, Susan Louise O’Connor and Deborah Rush. Following its critical acclaim and box office success on Broadway, Lansbury returned to the London stage after 40 years to reprise her Tony Award-winning role.

In his autobiography, Coward claimed he wrote the play in five days during a holiday. Only two lines of dialogue were removed before its first production in London.

Blithe Spirit stars Lansbury, Charles Edwards, Jemima Rooper, Charlotte Parry, Simon Jones, Susan Louise O’Connor and Sandra Shipley.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Blithe Spirit gets and E (excellent).

Blithe Spirit, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand, Los Angeles; 8 p.m., Tues-Mon.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun. through January 18, 2015; NO Monday performances, NO performance Dec. 24, Dec. 25 or Jan. 1; $25-$140; for information: 213 628-2772 or www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

Jason Statham Stars In New Film 'Wild Card'

Nick Wild (Jason Statham) is a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal professional skills and a personal gambling problem. When a friend is beaten by a sadistic thug, Nick strikes back, only to find out the thug is the son of a powerful mob boss.  Suddenly Nick is plunged into the criminal underworld, chased by enforcers and wanted by the mob.   Having raised the stakes, Nick has one last play to change his fortunes…and this time, it’s all or nothing. From two-time Academy^®Award-winning writer William Goldman (Best Original Screenplay, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969; Best Adapted Screenplay,All the President’s Men, 1976).

 

Lionsgate and SJ Heat Productions present in association with Sierra/Affinity and Cinema Seven Productions.

 

Rated | R for strong violence, language and some sexuality/nudity

Run Time | 92 Minutes

U.S. Release Date | January 30, 2015

72nd Golden Globe Nominations Announced

The 72nd Golden Globe nominations were announced. There were some surprises and some snubs.  There were no nominations for Angelina Jolie's Unbroken or for Modern Family. The awards will be held Jan. 11.  Tina Fey and Amy Poehler return as hosts.

Ava DuVernay, who directed the movie, Selma, made history by becoming the first African American woman in the 72 year history of the Golden Globes to be nominated in the Best Director category. The film received four nominations.

Here is the full list of noms:

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

BOYHOOD
IFC Productions and Detour Filmproduction; IFC Films

FOXCATCHER
Annapurna Pictures; Sony Pictures Classics

THE IMITATION GAME
Black Bear Pictures; The Weinstein Company

SELMA
Paramount Pictures and Pathé; Paramount Pictures

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Working Title Films; Focus Features

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

JENNIFER ANISTON
CAKE

FELICITY JONES
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

JULIANNE MOORE
STILL ALICE

ROSAMUND PIKE
GONE GIRL

REESE WITHERSPOON
WILD

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

STEVE CARELL
FOXCATCHER

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
THE IMITATION GAME

JAKE GYLLENHAAL
NIGHTCRAWLER

DAVID OYELOWO
SELMA

EDDIE REDMAYNE
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

BIRDMAN
Regency Enterprises and M Productions and Le Grisbi Productions; Fox Searchlight Pictures

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
American Empirical Picture; Fox Searchlight Pictures

INTO THE WOODS
Disney; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

PRIDE
Pathé Productions Limited, British Broadcasting Corporation, The British Film Institute and Calamity Films; CBS Films Inc.

ST. VINCENT
Chernin Entertainment; The Weinstein Company

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

AMY ADAMS
BIG EYES

EMILY BLUNT
INTO THE WOODS

HELEN MIRREN
THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

JULIANNE MOORE
MAPS TO THE STARS

QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS
ANNIE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

RALPH FIENNES
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

MICHAEL KEATON
BIRDMAN

BILL MURRAY
ST. VINCENT

JOAQUIN PHOENIX
INHERENT VICE

CHRISTOPH WALTZ
BIG EYES

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

BIG HERO 6
Walt Disney Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

THE BOOK OF LIFE
Twentieth Century Fox and Reel FX Animation Studios; Twentieth Century Fox

THE BOXTROLLS
Laika; Focus Features

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
DreamWorks Animation LLC; Twentieth Century Fox

THE LEGO MOVIE
Warner Bros. Pictures / Village Roadshow Pictures / RatPac-Dune Entertainment / Lego System A/S / Vertigo Entertainment/Lin Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

FORCE MAJEURE (SWEDEN)
Coproduction Office; Magnolia Pictures

GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM (ISRAEL)
Arte France Cinéma; Music Box Films

IDA (POLAND/DENMARK)
Phoenix film investments; Music Box Films

LEVIATHAN (RUSSIA)
(Левиафан) Non-Stop Production, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation of the Cinema Funds, RuArts Foundation; Sony Pictures Classics

TANGERINES (ESTONIA)
Allfilm

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

PATRICIA ARQUETTE
BOYHOOD

JESSICA CHASTAIN
A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY
THE IMITATION GAME

EMMA STONE
BIRDMAN

MERYL STREEP
INTO THE WOODS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

ROBERT DUVALL
THE JUDGE

ETHAN HAWKE
BOYHOOD

EDWARD NORTON
BIRDMAN

MARK RUFFALO
FOXCATCHER

J.K. SIMMONS
WHIPLASH

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

WES ANDERSON
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

AVA DUVERNAY
SELMA

DAVID FINCHER
GONE GIRL

ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU
BIRDMAN

RICHARD LINKLATER
BOYHOOD

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

WES ANDERSON
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

GILLIAN FLYNN
GONE GIRL

ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ  IÑÁRRITU, NICOLÁS GIACOBONE, ALEXANDER DINELARIS, ARMANDO BO
 BIRDMAN

RICHARD LINKLATER
 BOYHOOD

GRAHAM MOORE
 THE IMITATION GAME

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE

ALEXANDRE DESPLAT
THE IMITATION GAME

JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

TRENT REZNOR, ATTICUS ROSS
GONE GIRL

ANTONIO SANCHEZ
BIRDMAN

HANS ZIMMER
INTERSTELLAR

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE

“BIG EYES” — BIG EYES
Music by: Lana Del Rey
Lyrics by: Lana Del Rey

“GLORY” — SELMA
Music by: John Legend, Common
Lyrics by: John Legend, Common

“MERCY IS” — NOAH
Music by: Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye
Lyrics by: Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye

“OPPORTUNITY” — ANNIE
Music by: Greg Kurstin, Sia Furler, Will Gluck
Lyrics by: Greg Kurstin, Sia Furler, Will Gluck

“YELLOW FLICKER BEAT” — THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1
Music by: Lorde
Lyrics by: Lorde

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

THE AFFAIR
SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME Presents, SHELEG, HIGLEWATER

DOWNTON ABBEY
PBS
A Carnival Films/Masterpiece Co-Production in association with NBCUniversal

GAME OF THRONES
HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead, Littlehead; Television 360; Startling Television and Generator Productions

THE GOOD WIFE
CBS
CBS Television Studios with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions

HOUSE OF CARDS
NETFLIX
Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

CLAIRE DANES
HOMELAND

VIOLA DAVIS
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

JULIANNA MARGULIES
THE GOOD WIFE

RUTH WILSON
THE AFFAIR

ROBIN WRIGHT
HOUSE OF CARDS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

CLIVE OWEN
THE KNICK

LIEV SCHREIBER
RAY DONOVAN

KEVIN SPACEY
HOUSE OF CARDS

JAMES SPADER
THE BLACKLIST

DOMINIC WEST
THE AFFAIR

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

GIRLS
HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with Apatow Productions and I Am Jenni Konner Productions
JANE THE VIRGIN

THE CW
CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television in association with Electus
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

NETFLIX
Lionsgate Television for Netflix

SILICON VALLEY
HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with Judgemental Films, Alec Berg, Altschuler Krinsky works, and 3 Arts Entertainment

TRANSPARENT
AMAZON
Amazon Studios INSTANT VIDEO

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

LENA DUNHAM
GIRLS

EDIE FALCO
NURSE JACKIE

JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS
VEEP

GINA RODRIGUEZ
JANE THE VIRGIN

TAYLOR SCHILLING
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

LOUIS C. K.
LOUIE

DON CHEADLE
HOUSE OF LIES

RICKY GERVAIS
DEREK

WILLIAM H. MACY
SHAMELESS

JEFFREY TAMBOR
TRANSPARENT

BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

FARGO
FX
FX Productions & MGM Television

THE MISSING
STARZ
New Pictures, Company Pictures, Two Brothers Pictures, Playground Entertainment, BBC

THE NORMAL HEART
HBO
HBO Films in association with Plan B Entertainment, Blumhouse and Ryan Murphy Productions

OLIVE KITTERIDGE
HBO
HBO Miniseries in association with Playtone

TRUE DETECTIVE
HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with Neon Black, Anonymous Content, Parliament of Owls and Passenger

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL
THE HONORABLE WOMAN

JESSICA LANGE
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW

FRANCES MCDORMAND
OLIVE KITTERIDGE

FRANCES O’CONNOR
THE MISSING

ALLISON TOLMAN
FARGO

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

MARTIN FREEMAN
FARGO

WOODY HARRELSON
TRUE DETECTIVE

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
TRUE DETECTIVE

MARK RUFFALO
THE NORMAL HEART

BILLY BOB THORNTON
FARGO

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

UZO ADUBA
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

KATHY BATES
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW

JOANNE FROGGATT
DOWNTON ABBEY

ALLISON JANNEY
MOM

MICHELLE MONAGHAN
TRUE DETECTIVE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

MATT BOMER
THE NORMAL HEART

ALAN CUMMING
THE GOOD WIFE

COLIN HANKS
FARGO

BILL MURRAY
OLIVE KITTERIDGE

JON VOIGHT
RAY DONOVAN

Chris Rock's Comedy, 'Top Five,' Is A 10

 

By Darlene Donloe

Chris Rock has thrown down the gauntlet.

In the past it seemed Rock couldn’t buy a good movie. Critics were tough and his movies were usually panned. That was then, this is now.

This time around, critics can’t say enough good things about his latest film, Top Five, out Dec. 12. The comedy has Rock’s naysayers and haters doing a 180.

This is, by far, Rock’s best work!

Top Five is written, directed and stars Rock, who plays Andre Allen, a New York-based comedian who wants to be taken seriously as a film star. Most of Allen’s popularity came from his successful film as the star of the Hammy the Bear crime-fighting franchise. After three Hammy films, however, Andre has grown tired of the persona and wants to spread his wings.

We meet Allen the day when his slave revolt film called Uprize, which is supposed to showcase his serious acting skills, hits theaters. It’s also the day he is being interviewed by Chelsea Brown, a New York Times reporter played by Rosario Dawson, who is getting up close and personal by spending the day with him.  She hits Allen with in-your-face type questions that he’s reluctant to answer because he’s been burned by a New York Times reporter in the past. Their encounter forces Allen to look at his life, confront his demons and own his faults and frailties. An alcoholic, Allen is working his way back to himself and the process isn’t pretty. All of this is taking place just days before he is to wed a popular reality-show star played by Gabrielle Union.

What makes the film exceptional is the feeling of authenticity. It rings true and doesn’t feel like a cookie-cutter comedy. It’s an original. It not only shows the pros of being a celebrity, it shows the cons. It shows the shallowness and the ridiculousness that accompanies celebrity.

There are some hilarious performances in this film. Hilarious!  Leslie Jones kills!  DMX nearly steals the movie. Cedric the Entertainer steals every scene he’s in. He’s flamboyant, fiery and brilliant as the man who can get Allen anything he needs.

 

(l-r) Rosario Dawson and Chris Rock in Top Five

But it’s Rosario Dawson and Chris Rock’s chemistry that kicks the movie up a notch.  Rock delivers a comedic, yet poignant performance as a man whose vulnerability is showing.  Dawson, too, gives a noteworthy performance.

The film, a satisfactory transition from stand-up to the big screen, is a bit raunchy, kind of chaotic, but brilliantly funny!

Top Five is written and directed by Chris Rock, who also stars alongside Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Sherri Shepherd, Anders Holm, Romany Malco, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, and Jay Pharoah.  Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, DMX and Jerry Seinfeld make cameos.

The film is produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush. Shawn “Jay Z” Carter and Kanye West are co-producers. Questlove is the executive music producer.

Top Five opens in theaters nationwide on Fri., December 12.  The film is Rated R (for strong sexual content, nudity, crude humor, language throughout and some drug use).  Running time: 1 hr., 41 min.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Top Five get an O (oh, yeah). 

#TopFiveMovie, #ChrisRock

TOP FIVE Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jejCmmawzLY&feature=youtu.be

Follow the official social channels:

http://Facebook.com/TopFiveMovie  

http://Twitter.com/TopFiveMovie

http://Instagram.com/TopFiveMovie

'The Gambler' Celebrates New York Premiere

THE GAMBLER celebrated its New York Premiere last night at the AMC Lincoln Square where stars Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Anthony Kelley, Domenick Lombardozzi, Richard Schiff, and Alvin Ing walked the red carpet alongside Director Rupert Wyatt, and Executive Producers James Tobak and William Monahan. THE GAMBLER, from Paramount Pictures, is in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.

 

Michael Kenneth Williams

 

Cuba Gooding Jr.

 

Mark Wahlberg

Singer Anita Wilson Is Making It Do What It Do

2015 Grammy Award nominee Anita Wilson exclusively releases her music video for her second single "Keep Doing What You're Doing" via her website at www.MsAnitaWilson.com. The song continues to gain major radio airplay as it sits at #23 on Billboard's Top Gospel Airplay Chart.

Anita was recently honored with a Grammy Award nomination for BEST GOSPEL ALBUM for her critically acclaimed sophomore album VINTATGE WORSHIP. This is her second consecutive Grammy Award nomination. Her debut solo album Worship Soul (2012) received a nomination for Best Gospel Album.

Reese Witherspoon Experiences The 'Wild'

By Darlene Donloe

Based on the best-selling memoir by Cheryl Strayed, Academy Award-winner Reese Witherspoon stars as a troubled, drug-addled woman who hits rock bottom after the death of her mother in the film, Wild. At her wits’ end, she begins hiking hundreds of miles along the Pacific Coast trail in an effort to find herself.

This is a new kind of role for Witherspoon, who is known for light-hearted romantic comedies.

Witherspoon really sank her teeth into the role and she has the bumps and bruises to prove it. At the behest of the director of the film, she went without makeup, carried a heavy backpack and even raised her own tent. 

I caught up with the actress recently at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills to talk about the making of Wild.

Q:  Reese, you’ve played some amazing women. How did you know Cheryl Strayed would be one of them? 

RW: Just by reading her book. I was blown away.

Q: There are some rough moments in this film. Did you have a lot of bruises?

RW: I’ve got tons of bruises and it’s all his fault. (pointing to director Jean-Marc Vallée

Q: How challenging was it to rough it?

RW: I think my audience has grown up and changed to. i think the fans have grown up. They were 20, they are now 35.

Q: Talk about working with Cheryl.

RW: I feel like we’re all a family. We write each other all the time. She’s so giving. She’s not possessive of her material. She gave us license to do her movie. 

Q:  Did you like nature?

RW: I liked the frogs. I like nature. I’m not that adventurous. I’ve never hiked more than two days in my whole life. 

Q: Preparing for role. What did you do to get in shape?

RW: The whole point was she didn’t know what she was doing. He (Jean-Marc Vallee) didn’t want me to be in shape. 

Q: Could you rough if and do any of the things you did in the movie?

RW: I could do some basic stuff. The tent was hard. When you see me put together the tent. (laughter) He wouldn’t let anyone help me or tell me how to put together the tent. 

Q: You’re an avid reader. Who are your favorite authors?

RW: I really like Laura Moore, Graham Green. I read and I read and I read. Nick Hornsby.

Q: Cheryl hiked, what would you do to find yourself?

RW: I hike. I travel a lot. back home to Tennessee.  Act. Acting is liberating.

Wild is Rated R: Running time 115 minutes.

Wild, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee stars Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Michiel Huisman, Gaby Hoffmann, Kevin Rankin, W. Earl Brown, Mo McRae, Keene McRae.  The film is based on the book by Cheryl Strayed with a screenplay by Nick Hornby.

Wild is in theaters Fri., December 5.

Gary Clark Jr. To Join Foo Fighters 2015 U.S. Tour

December 1, 2014 - (Burbank CA) - Gary Clark Jr. has been invited to join FOO FIGHTERS  on their September and October leg of their 2015 tour in support of their latest album, Sonic Highways,which features a guest performance by Clark on the track "What Did I Do / God Is My Witness."  Clark also appeared in the Austin episode of the acclaimed Sonic Highways HBO series and more recently performed with the band on the 40^th Anniversary of PBS TV's Austin City Limits.

 

Pre-sales begin at 10am local today, Dec. 1^st.  All shows are on sale to the public Dec. 5^th, except for Gorge, WA and Mountain View, CA, which are on sale Dec. 4^th.

Foo Fighters have said: "We are so, so psyched to announce Gary Clark Jr has been added to all the Sept/Oct shows!"  Clark also responded: "I cannot tell you how excited and honored we are to play these shows next year with Foo Fighters. Gonna have some good times."

Clark will also perform at the Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Blowout show on July 4^th, 2015, at Washington D.C.'s RFK Stadium alongside Buddy Guy, Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, LL Cool J, and others. Tickets on sale now.  For further details, go to: www.garyclarkjr.com

and  www.foofighters.com

Check out the brand new video Gary Clark Jr., video for the track "When My Train Pulls In," by up-and-coming director Carmela Makela premiering today, December 1^st, on NOWNESS.COM.

Foo Fighters with Special guest, Gary Clark Jr., are as follows:

 

7/4/15               Washington, DC                     RFK Stadium (Foo Fighters 20^th Anniversary Blowout)

9/11/15             Vancouver, BC                       Rogers Arena                

9/12/15             George, WA                           Gorge Amphitheatre      

9/14/15             Portland, OR                          Moda Center                 

9/16/15             Mountain View, CA                Shoreline Amphitheatre

9/18/15             Anaheim, CA                         Honda Center               

9/21/15             Los Angeles, CA                   The Forum                    

9/25/15             Phoenix, AZ                           AK-Chin Pavilion           

9/24/15             Chula Vista, CA                     Sleep Train Amphitheater 

9/27/15             Albuquerque, NM                   Isleta Amphitheater       

9/29/15             Oklahoma City, OK                Chesapeake Energy Arena

9/30/15             Wichita, KS                            INTRUST Bank Arena     

10/4/15             Atlanta, GA                            Centennial Olympic Park  

10/5/15             Nashville, TN                         Bridgestone Arena

10/7/15             Memphis, TN                         FedEx Forum