Donloe's Lowdown: May 2015

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

'Gemma Bovery' Opens In Theaters May 29

GEMMA BOVERY opens this Friday, May 29. The film will open in Los Angeles at The Landmark in West L.A., Pasadena Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, Town Center 5 in Encino, CA and in New York City at the Lincoln Plaza and Sunshine Cinema.

'The Soul Man' Season Finale Airs Tonight

Tonight is the season finale of The Soul Man, starring Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash. The back-to-back final episodes air at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT and 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Tonight's guest star is Jaleel White.

When Stamps gets sucked up in a self-help philosophy called The Roar, Boyce decides to crash a seminar to see if it's legit. Lolli tries to get her salon on St. Louis Weekly hotlist to boost her business, and Barton refuses to go to the dentist for a toothache.

The 11 p.m. show is titled: Busting Boyce. In the episode the church is planning a big party for Boyce's anniversary as pastor, but the parishioners turn on him when he seems ungrateful. To avoid a low turnout at the anniversary, Lolli does damage control at the expense of Boyce's dignity.

Friday, May 22, 2015

'Matilda' Set To Open At Ahmanson On May 29

Center Theatre Group launches the First National Tour of “Matilda The Musical” with preview performances beginning on Friday, May 29, 2015, at the Ahmanson Theatre. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers, the First National Tour of “Matilda The Musical” officially opens on June 7, and performances continue in Los Angeles through July 12, 2015.

The three girls sharing the title role are Gabby Gutierrez, Mia Sinclair Jenness and Mabel Tyler. The principal cast also features (alphabetically): Jennifer Blood (Miss Honey), Quinn Mattfeld (Mr. Wormwood), Bryce Ryness (Miss Trunchbull) andCassie Silva (Mrs. Wormwood).

The ensemble of “Matilda The Musical” includes Cal Alexander, Kayla Amistad, Cameron Burke, Brittany Conigatti, Michael Fatica, Wesley Faucher, John Michael Fiumara, Camden Gonzales, Shonica Gooden, Evan Gray, Cassidy Hagel, Meliki Hurd, Michael D. Jablonski, Luke Kolbe Mannikus, Stephanie Martignetti, Megan McGuff, Ora Jones, Justin Packard, Serena Quadrato, Aristotle Rock, Jaquez Andre Sims, Ian Michael Stuart, Danny Tieger, Kaci Walfall, Natalie Wisdom and Darius Wright.

Winner of 50 international awards including four Tony Awards and a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, “Matilda The Musical” is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny.

'How To Be A Rock Critic' Rehearsals Begin

Performances For The World Premiere Production

At The CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre Are June 17 – 28

Rehearsals begin May 26 for the world premiere production of “How to be a Rock Critic,” based on the writing of Lester Bangs, the rock critic who reached iconic status in the 1970s with his passionate, intellectually honest writing. Performances at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre begin June 17 and continue through June 28, 2015, in the theatre’s rehearsal space, Upstairs@KDT. Presented as part of DouglasPlus, “How to be a Rock Critic” is a co-production with South Coast Repertory.

Written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, performed by Jensen and directed by Blank, “How to be a Rock Critic” follows the brief and outsized life of Bangs, who wrote about the The Clash, Bob Marley, Lou Reed, Blondie, Iggy Pop, The Ramones and many more, in publications such as Rolling Stone, Creem, Village Voice and Playboy. His writing was wild, funny, original, unpredictable and dedicated to stripping away the marketing jargon surrounding the artists.

Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen are actors, writers and directors, and together have authored “The Exonerated,” a play based on interviews with over 40 wrongfully convicted death row inmates in the United States (Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Ovation Awards, among others). Blank and Jensen’s documentary play “Aftermath” was based on interviews conducted with Iraqi civilian refugees in Jordan and directed by Jessica (a New York Times Critics’ Pick and was nominated for two Drama League Awards).

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Broad Green Pictures Announces U.S. Acquisition of Brad Furman's Adaptation Of 'The Infiltrator'

FILM STARS BRYAN CRANSTON, DIANE KRUGER, JOHN LEGUIZAMO, BENJAMIN BRATT, YUL VASQUEZ AND AMY RYAN IN THE ESCOBAR CRIME THRILLER

CANNES, FRANCE (May 21, 2015) – Broad Green Pictures announced today the U.S. acquisition of Brad Furman’s adaption of THE INFILTRATOR. Purchased during the Cannes International Film Festival, the studio plans to add the film to their growing slate for 2016.

Adapted by Ellen Brown Furman based on the autobiography by Robert Mazur, Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer) directs an all-star cast headlined by Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Argo), alongside Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Golden Globe® nominee John Leguizamo (Chef), Benjamin Bratt (Traffic), Yul Vazquez (Captain Phillips), and Academy Award® nominee Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone). THE INFILTRATOR is produced by Good Films’ Miriam Segal, with Bank Leumi, Good Films and LipSync co-financing.

Based on the true story of a fearless operative, THE INFILTRATOR is a heart-stopping account of one of history’s largest and most elaborate stings. Set amidst the lavish excess of the 1980’s, THE INFILTRATOR tells the story of undercover US Customs agent Robert Mazur (Cranston) AKA Robert Musella, who became a pivotal player for drug lords cleaning their dirty cash. He traded on mob connections to become the confidant to scores of the international underworld, and the bankers who enabled them. Laying his life on the line, he infiltrated the globe’s largest cartels and discovered just how deep into society their influence extended. The operation reeled in key players in a chain stretching all the way to Escobar. Their arrests would lead to the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, and shake the underground economy to its core.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Broad Green Pictures” Furman stated. “This project was truly a labor of love for all involved, and I can’t wait for Broad Green, whose passion for film is unparalleled, to bring THE INFILTRATOR to a wide audience.”

"Brad Furman is a major talent who has brought an exciting and intense piece of U.S history to screen. We are eager to work with the filmmakers and cast to make sure their vision is realized for the release of this film," said CEO Gabriel Hammond and Daniel Hammond, Broad Green’s Chief Creative Officer.

Good Films Founder Miriam Segal commented, “We are so proud of this movie and could not be happier to be partnering with the brilliant team at Broad Green Pictures, whose passion and commitment to excellence will ensure this extraordinary real-life thriller reaches and excites the broadest of U.S. audiences.”

The deal was brokered on behalf of the filmmakers by WME, while Dylan Wiley, President of Specialty Releasing and Chris Tricarico, EVP Business Affairs handled for Broad Green.

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About Broad Green Pictures

Broad Green Pictures is a feature film financing, production and distribution company founded by Gabriel and Daniel Hammond in 2014. The studio distributes both specialty and wide release product across a multitude of platforms resulting from in-house development and production as well as acquisitions and co-productions.

Broad Green is constructing a fully-integrated movie studio providing filmmakers with unparalleled development support, production infrastructure, and marketing resources to execute their vision from script to screen. Through collaborative partnerships with both rising talent and established filmmakers, Broad Green shares incredible stories with the widest possible audiences, pushing boundaries and taking creative risks. The studio’s upcoming slate includes the critically acclaimed 99 Homes, A Walk In The Woods, Samba, I Smile Back and Learning To Drive, as well as Terrence Malick’s Knight Of Cups, Voyage Of Time, and his untitled project starring Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara and Michael Fassbender.

About Good Films

Good Films, which is run in partnership by Miriam Segal (Lead Producer) and Martin Rushton-Turner (Co-Managing Director), operates as the production entity for projects developed by George Films.

Good Films' next two films in production this summer are best-selling author James Patterson and Liza Marklund’s The Postcard Killings with Everardo Gout (Days Of Grace) attached to direct and award winning playwright Tena Stivicic’s Invisible with Danis Tanovic (No Man’s Land) attached to direct.

Then, in 2016, Christian Contreras’ Labyrinth, adapted from the book by Randall Sullivan, is set to shoot in LA and Vegas.

In final development are author and journalist Peter Godwin’s When A Crocodile Eats The Sun, author Siri Hustvedt’s What I Loved and Ellen Brown Furman’s original screenplay No Comment.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Action Film 'San Andreas' Opens May 29

Dwayne “THE ROCK” Johnson is having a good month. This past Tuesday he was immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theatre. On May 29, his blockbuster film, San Andreas, opens.

Synopsis: After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter.But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

The action thriller San Andreas, from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, reunites Dwayne Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

The film also stars Carla Gugino (“Night at the Museum,” TV’s “Entourage”), Alexandra Daddario (“Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters,” TV’s “True Detective”), Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”), Archie Panjabi (TV’s “The Good Wife”), Hugo Johnstone-Burt (Australian TV’s “Home and Away”), Art Parkinson (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) and Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”).

Official Movie Site: http://sanandreasmovie.com/

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanandreasmovie

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanandreasmovie

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzc8u3czK1g&feature=youtu.be

Monday, May 18, 2015

'Entourage' Makes Big Screen Debut June 5

Entourage, the much-anticipated big-screen version of the award-winning hit HBO series, reunites the show’s original cast, led by Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Jeremy Piven. Movie star Vincent Chase (Grenier), together with his boys, Eric (Connolly), Turtle (Ferrara) and Johnny (Dillon), are back…and back in business with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold (Piven). Some of their ambitions have changed, but the bond between them remains strong as they navigate the capricious and often cutthroat world of Hollywood.

Also starring are Billy Bob Thornton and Haley Joel Osment as father and son, Larsen and Travis McCredle. Returning cast from the series also includes Perrey Reeves as Ari Gold’s wife; Emmanuelle Chriqui as Sloan; Rhys Coiro as Billy Walsh; Debi Mazar as Vince’s publicist, Shauna; Rex Lee as Lloyd; Constance Zimmer as Dana Gordon; and Nora Dunn as Dr. Marcus. Emily Ratajkowski appears as herself. Rounding out the cast are Alan Dale, who appeared in the series, rapper Scott Mescudi, and Rhonda Rousey.

Entourage creator Doug Ellin is directing the feature film from his own screenplay, story by Ellin & Rob Weiss, based on characters created by Ellin. Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Ellin are producing, with Wayne Carmona serving as executive producer.

The behind-the-scenes creative team reunites several key members who worked on the original series, including director of photography Steven Fierberg, editor Jeff Groth, production designer Chase Harlan, and costume designer Olivia Miles.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Home Box Office, Inc., a Closest to the Hole Production, a Leverage Entertainment Production, a Doug Ellin Film, Entourage. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The film is set to open in theaters on June 5, 2015.

Entourage has been rated R by the MPAA for pervasive language, strong sexual content, nudity and some drug use.

2015 Billboard Award Winners Announced

LAS VEGAS (May 17, 2015) – The 2015 Billboard Music Awards, hosted by hip-hop artist and actor Ludacris, and TV host and supermodel Chrissy Teigen, was an amazing night of show-stopping musical performances, never-before-seen superstar duos, and explosive moments! Teigen’s quick wit and ability to play to the crowd, and Ludacris’ comedic timing and hosting experience made this unexpected pair rival some of America’s favorite hosting duos. The show aired live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on ABC.

Taylor Swift was the night’s big winner, taking home 8 awards including Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album ("1989"), Top Streaming Song (Video) ("Shake It Off") and the fan voted Billboard Chart Achievement Award sponsored by Samsung. Swift also opened the show with the world debut of her highly anticipated music video for “Bad Blood,” the next single off her album “1989.” The video, directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Taylor Swift, included cameos from some of Swift’s best friends including Jessica Alba, Lily Aldridge, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lena Dunham, Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding, Gigi Hadid, Mariska Hargitay, Martha Hunt, Karlie Kloss, Kendrick Lamar, Ellen Pompeo, Serayah, Hailee Steinfeld, Hayley Williams, and Zendaya. Swift was on hand to then introduce legendary rock band, Van Halen, who performed their iconic hit “Panama,” marking the band’s first-ever performance on an awards show with Eddie, Alex, Wolfgang Van Halen and David Lee Roth. Van Halen started the night’s performances off with a bang, getting the crowd on their feet and rocking out!

Sam Smith, Iggy Azalea and Pharrell Williams all followed Swift with 3 awards each. Smith took home Top Male Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, and Top New Artist, which he accepted via a homemade video from his hospital bed, where he is recovering from vocal cord surgery. Azalea received Top Streaming Artist, Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Song ("Fancy," featuring Charli XCX); and Williams was awarded Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Album ("G I R L") and Top R&B Song ("Happy").

Performance duo Meghan Trainor and John Legend earned two trophies each. Legend received two awards for his love ballad “All of Me” (Top Radio Song, Top Streaming Song [Audio]), while Trainor received two for her feel-good hit “All About That Bass” (Top Hot 100 Song, Top Digital Song). Jason Aldean, Hozier, Enrique Iglesias and One Direction all took home two trophies as well.

Returning to the Billboard Music Awards performance stage after 17 years, Mariah Carey brought the audience to their feet with a medley of her classic debut single -- and first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit -- “Vision of Love” and new single “Infinity.” And Carey wasn’t the only singer bringing a sense of nostalgia to the stage. Simple Minds, in honor of the 30^th anniversary of “The Breakfast Club” performed their No. 1 Hot 100 hit “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” which has become synonymous with the film itself and topped the chart exactly 30 years ago this week. John Hughes darling and “The Breakfast Club” star Molly Ringwald was on-hand to welcome the band to the stage. Another '80s throwback came in the form of an explosive, neon-hued performance from music superstars Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea who brought their new single “Pretty Girls” to the stage for the first time ever.

Jussie Smollet, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, and Estelle delivered a powerful rendition of stand-out song “Conquerer” and viewer favorite “You’re So Beautiful” from their breakout hit show “Empire.” The night was not short on memorable collaborations with duets from Nicki Minaj featuring David Guetta, Little Big Town with Faith Hill, Fall Out Boy with Wiz Khalifa, and Pitbull featuring Chris Brown. Solo artists also dominated the stage, with extraordinary performances by Kelly Clarkson, Hozier, Nick Jonas, Tori Kelly, Ed Sheeran, and Kanye West, who closed out the night with a commanding rendition of his hit “All Day.”

While the majority of the broadcast was focused on high-energy, one-of-a-kind performances, there were several touching tributes to some of the great artists who’ve passed away in recent months, including B.B. King, who received a heartfelt commemoration from host Ludacris as the camera panned to one of King’s iconic Lucille guitars, which was on display on stage. Vegas’ hometown band, Imagine Dragons, delivered a special rendition of “Stand By Me” in honor of the late Ben E. King, whose family was in the audience for the moving moment. During Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth and Lindsey Stirling’s powerful performance of the “Furious 7” anthem “See You Again,” a poignant clip of the film's Paul Walker was shown to remember the actor and Ludacris’ longtime friend and colleague.

The musical acts weren’t the only stars taking over the stage at this year’s show. Presenters throughout the broadcast included 50 Cent, Lily Aldridge, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Charli XCX, Laverne Cox, Hannah Davis, Celine Dion, Brett Eldredge, the cast of “Entourage”, Fifth Harmony, Florida Georgia Line, Taraji P. Henson, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Kira Kazantsev, Danica McKellar, Idina Menzel, NE-YO, Britt Nilsson, One Direction, Rita Ora, Pentatonix, Ellen Pompeo, Prince Royce, Tracee Ellis Ross, Hailee Steinfeld, and Zendaya.

See below for a full list of winners.

ARTIST AWARDS

TOP ARTIST:

Ariana Grande

One Direction

Katy Perry

Sam Smith

**Taylor Swift