Thursday, October 9, 2014

A Record 83 Countries In Competition For 2014 Foreign Language Film Oscar®

LOS ANGELES, CA – A record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards®.  Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants.

The 2014 submissions are:

Afghanistan, "A Few Cubic Meters of Love," Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Argentina, "Wild Tales," Damián Szifrón, director;
Australia, "Charlie's Country," Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, "The Dark Valley," Andreas Prochaska, director;
Azerbaijan, "Nabat," Elchin Musaoglu, director;
Bangladesh, "Glow of the Firefly," Khalid Mahmood Mithu, director;
Belgium, "Two Days, One Night," Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, directors;
Bolivia, "Forgotten," Carlos Bolado, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "With Mom," Faruk Lončarevič, director;
Brazil, "The Way He Looks," Daniel Ribeiro, director;
Bulgaria, "Bulgarian Rhapsody," Ivan Nitchev, director;
Canada, "Mommy," Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, "To Kill a Man," Alejandro Fernández Almendras, director;
China, "The Nightingale," Philippe Muyl, director;
Colombia, "Mateo," María Gamboa, director;
Costa Rica, "Red Princesses," Laura Astorga Carrera, director;
Croatia, "Cowboys," Tomislav Mršić, director;
Cuba, "Conducta," Ernesto Daranas Serrano, director;
Czech Republic, "Fair Play," Andrea Sedláčková, director;
Denmark, "Sorrow and Joy," Nils Malmros, director;
Dominican Republic, "Cristo Rey," Leticia Tonos, director;
Ecuador, "Silence in Dreamland," Tito Molina, director;
Egypt, "Factory Girl," Mohamed Khan, director;
Estonia, "Tangerines," Zaza Urushadze, director;
Ethiopia, "Difret," Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, director;
Finland, "Concrete Night," Pirjo Honkasalo, director;
France, "Saint Laurent," Bertrand Bonello, director;
Georgia, "Corn Island," George Ovashvili, director;
Germany, "Beloved Sisters," Dominik Graf, director;
Greece, "Little England," Pantelis Voulgaris, director;
Hong Kong, "The Golden Era," Ann Hui, director;
Hungary, "White God," Kornél Mundruczó, director;
Iceland, "Life in a Fishbowl," Baldvin Zophoníasson, director;
India, "Liar's Dice," Geetu Mohandas, director;
Indonesia, "Soekarno," Hanung Bramantyo, director;
Iran, "Today," Reza Mirkarimi, director;
Iraq, "Mardan," Batin Ghobadi, director;
Ireland, "The Gift," Tom Collins, director;
Israel, "Gett, the Trial of Viviane Amsalem," Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz, directors;
Italy, "Human Capital," Paolo Virzì, director;
Japan, "The Light Shines Only There," Mipo O, director;
Kosovo, "Three Windows and a Hanging," Isa Qosja, director;
Kyrgyzstan, "Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains," Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, director;
Latvia, "Rocks in My Pockets," Signe Baumane, director;
Lebanon, "Ghadi," Amin Dora, director;
Lithuania, "The Gambler," Ignas Jonynas, director;
Luxembourg, "Never Die Young," Pol Cruchten, director;
Macedonia, "To the Hilt," Stole Popov, director;
Malta, "Simshar," Rebecca Cremona, director;
Mauritania, "Timbuktu," Abderrahmane Sissako, director;
Mexico, "Cantinflas," Sebastián del Amo, director;
Moldova, "The Unsaved," Igor Cobileanski, director;
Montenegro, "The Kids from the Marx and Engels Street," Nikola Vukčević, director;
Morocco, "The Red Moon," Hassan Benjelloun, director;
Nepal, "Jhola," Yadav Kumar Bhattarai, director;
Netherlands, "Accused," Paula van der Oest, director;
New Zealand, "The Dead Lands," Toa Fraser, director;
Norway, "1001 Grams," Bent Hamer, director;
Pakistan, "Dukhtar," Afia Nathaniel, director;
Palestine, "Eyes of a Thief," Najwa Najjar, director;
Panama, "Invasion," Abner Benaim, director;
Peru, "The Gospel of the Flesh," Eduardo Mendoza, director;
Philippines, "Norte, the End of History," Lav Diaz, director;
Poland, "Ida," Paweł Pawlikowski, director;
Portugal, "What Now? Remind Me," Joaquim Pinto, director;
Romania, "The Japanese Dog," Tudor Cristian Jurgiu, director;
Russia, "Leviathan," Andrey Zvyagintsev, director;
Serbia, "See You in Montevideo," Dragan Bjelogrlić, director;
Singapore, "Sayang Disayang," Sanif Olek, director;
Slovakia, "A Step into the Dark," Miloslav Luther, director;
Slovenia, "Seduce Me," Marko Šantić, director;
South Africa, "Elelwani," Ntshavheni Wa Luruli, director;
South Korea, "Haemoo," Shim Sung-bo, director;
Spain, "Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed," David Trueba, director;
Sweden, "Force Majeure," Ruben Östlund, director;
Switzerland, "The Circle," Stefan Haupt, director;
Taiwan, "Ice Poison," Midi Z, director;
Thailand, "The Teacher’s Diary," Nithiwat Tharathorn, director;
Turkey, "Winter Sleep," Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director;
Ukraine, "The Guide," Oles Sanin, director;
United Kingdom, "Little Happiness," Nihat Seven, director;
Uruguay, "Mr. Kaplan," Álvaro Brechner, director;
Venezuela, "The Liberator," Alberto Arvelo, director.

The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

The Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners — the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

Jeremy Renner Stars In 'Kill The Messenger'



By Darlene Donloe

Kill The Messenger, set for release Friday, Oct. 10, is more than just a movie about Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb. It’s also an indictment on the journalism profession.

Kill The Messenger, set in the 1990s and directed by Michael Cuesta, tells the story of Gary Webb, a fearless investigative reporter who pulled back the curtain on the CIA’s ties to crack trade.

The film, a complex dramatic thriller, is based on Webb’s true story. It starts out by showing how he stumbled on a story that eventually led down some dark, political alleys. It opens up the proverbial not talked about can of worms that revealed the origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the streets of America. 

Webb is fed some secret Grand Jufy transcripts by a cocaine trafficker’s girlfriend, Coral Baca (Paz Vega). What he uncovers reveals a link between U.S. intelligence and Central American cocaine smuggling. It’s an eye-opening movie that alleges that the CIA was not only aware of major drug infiltration, but was actually working with Nicaraguan rebels to smuggle cocaine into the U.S., using the profits to art Contra militias.

It soon becomes a game of cat and mouse with Webb eventually becoming the cheese.  After Webb’s story is published in 1996 in the San Jose Mercury News, his life takes a eerie and dramatic turn and he somehow becomes the story. In the beginning he had the backing of his paper’s editor Anna Simons.  The series of stories ran with the title, ‘Dark Alliance.’  The stories gained nationwide attention. The stories left many big city editors scratching their heads, wondering how they could have missed such a big story.

 
Jeremy Renner

Soon the accolades stop and Webb’s editor begins to back down from her support. His reporting is questioned by everyone, so is his integrity.  Many reporters, who missed the story, move to not only discredit his work, but also his reputation.

Webb is played spectacularly by two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner, who gives a riveting performance.

The supporting cast is equally impressive.

Kill The Messenger, directed by Cuesta, stars Renner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ray Liotta, Michael Kenneth Williams, Andy Garcia, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Lucas Hedges, Tim Blake Nelson, Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen, Oliver Platt and Paz Vega.

Kill The Messenger (Focus Features) is Rated R: (for language and drug content); Running time: 112 minutes.

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

Following are some clips:

Freeway Ricky Ross:

I'm Writing The Story:

ww.facebook.com/KilltheMessengermovie
TwitterHashtag: #killthemessenger

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

McClurkin's 'Duets' Wins GMA Dove Award


Los Angeles, CA (October 7, 2014) – One of gospel music’s beloved talents Donnie McClurkin continues to make his mark in the industry.  The 45th Annual GMA Dove Award winners were recently announced during awards ceremony at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville.  McClurkin, unable to attend the event because of the Festival of Praise Tour won an award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year.   

His Duets album released on RCA Inspiration features performances with Tye Tribbett, Erica and Tina Campbell, Tramaine Hawkins, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Preashea Hilliard, Justin Savage, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton.  

The GMA Dove Awards was pre-taped and will air Sunday, Oct. 12 on TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) a global stage that reaches more than 100 million homes in the US and  is the world's largest faith-and-family television group, airing a broad range of church and ministry programming.

Stay connected with Donnie McClurkin for the duration of the tour and every day on Facebook: Donnie McClurkin, The Donnie Radio Show, Twitter @Donnie Radio and via website www.donniemcclurkin.com.

Vanessa Bell Calloway Takes 'Zora' To New Jersey

 
Vanessa Bell Calloway as  Zora Neale Hurston

(LOS ANGELES, CA) -  A dramatization of personal letters written by author Zora Neale Hurston that incorporates excerpts from her impressive body of work to tell a most intriguing life story, "Letters From Zora: In Her How Words" starring Vanessa Bell Calloway opens at New Jersey's historic Corssroads Theatre Thursday at 8:00 p.m.  

 
Exploring Hurston's controversial views on integration, segregation and social justice, showcasing a life that was filled with artistic triumphs as well as abject poverty and self-doubt, Calloway plays the role of Zora in this provocative multimedia production directed by Anita Dashiell-Sparks and written by novelist Gabrielle Pina. With live music composed by Ron McCurdy and archival images collected by Margie Labadie, "Letters From Zora: In Her Own Worswill illuminate Hurston's life, her distinctive array of friends, and her unique view of a jazz-age world. 

 
"A great actor doesn't simply act, she embodies the soul and spirit of the person they're portraying.  Vanessa Bell Calloway becomes Zora Neal urston so much so that audiences forgot that they were watching a performance.  Truly brilliant, said actress Lela Rochon Fuqua.  

 
Producing Artistic Director Marshall Jones, III states that "I was really moved because the script was based on her actual letters. The play was developed with Zora's Estate so I appreciated that authenticity. And then top it off with Vanessa's gripping, humourous and insightful performance - that's a winning combination!"
 
Scheduled to play from October 9 - 26, 2014 at Crossroads Theatre the performances are at 8 p.m. on Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24, 25; 3 p.m. Oct. 12, 18, 19, 25, 26. Ticket prices are $35 to $55. Opening night is Saturday, October 11. Purchase online at www.CrossroadsTheatreCompany.org or call 732-545-8100.  Crossroads Theatre is located at 7 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 or call 732-545-8100.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Tasha Smith Spreads Her Wings In 'Addicted'


 
Tasha Smith

By Darlene Donloe

Tasha Smith is happier than anyone about the prospect of playing something other than a loud-mouthed, jealous wife, a character she has played numerous times in the Tyler Perry ‘Why Did I Get Married’ series.

‘Thank God,” exclaimed Smith during a recent interview about her role in the new Bille Woodruff film, Addicted, set for release Oct. 10.  “I want to thank Bille Woodruff (director) and Paul Hall (producer) for giving me the chance.”

A showbiz veteran, Smith, who has joined Fox’s new Lee Daniels hip-hop drama series, Empire, was stunning in a blood red fitted dress complemented by her long, brown flowing mane.  A striking beauty, Smith is not one of those women who holds her tongue. She’s an in-your-face sensation who is secure in the knowledge of who she is and what she wants.

Based on the best-selling novel by Zane, Addicted is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion.  Sharon Leal plays successful business woman, Zoe Reynard, who appears to have it all.  However, Zoe is drawn to temptation she cannot escape or resist. As she pursues a secretive life, Zoe finds herself risking it all. Smith plays Dr. Marcella Spencer, a psychologist who is treating Zoe.

Although she’s a busy actress (Smith recently wrapped, Boxed In, her directorial short film debut), I caught up with the stunning thespian recently to talk about her new role and her career.

DD:  Why do you say, ‘Thank God’ to playing Marcella Spencer?

TS:  Because people don’t want to see you play that same riff over and over. 


DD: How did you prepare for your role?

TS: I made a conscious effort not to give her the essence of the other roles I’ve been playing. I talked to a lot of therapists and went to some group therapy sessions.

DD: While doing the film what were you trying to convey about sexual addiction?

TS:  I think it’s important to bring humanity so the audience can see a different face to therapy.

DD: In the film, Zoe, the character played by Sharon Leal, has a sex addiction. Most people probably don’t believe in sex addiction. Your thoughts?

TS: I couldn’t judge Zoe.  After I did my own research, I realized sex addiction is a real disease.  Like most people I was like, ‘Yeah, alright, you just a hoe.’ But after the research, I saw things differently.

DD: What is your hope for the film?

TS: My hope is it will take away the stigma. In the black community you don’t talk about mental illness or therapy.

DD: This film is heavy.

TS: This is a full body workout of a film.

DD: Um, you have Boris Kodjoe, William Levy and Tyson Beckford in this film as co-stars.

TS:  Yes, it’s fineman.com

Addicted, directed by Bille Woodruff, stars Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford, Emayazy Corinealdi, Kat Graham and William Levy.

The screenplay is by Christina Welsh an Ernie Barbarash. The film is based on the novel by Zane, who is also one of the executive producers.

Addicted (Lionsgate/Codeblack Films) opens nationwide Friday, Oct. 10.

Running time: 105 minutes; The film is Rated R.


Friday, October 3, 2014

New Yorkers Sing 'Annie' Classic, 'Tomorrow'


This holiday season family moviegoers will be treated to a refreshing remake of the American classic film ANNIE.  Revamped with an all new cast starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Quvenzhane’ Wallis as Annie, this release is sure to become a modern day classic. 

To go along with the remake, the movie took to the streets to capture modern day New Yorkers singing the infectious tune Tomorrow.

Check it out below.  

Record yourself singing Tomorrow for a chance to be a part of the fan cut version.  All you have to do is record your version and share it on social using #AnnieMovie.

New Yorkers singer “New Tomorrow”: http://bit.ly/SingTomorrow

ANNIE arrives in theaters December 19, 2014

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Kiki Ebsen Delivers Some 'Scarecrow Sessions'


“Scarecrow Sessions,” the critically-lauded homage to Buddy Ebsen,
is garnering radio-play led by the single, “If I Only Had A Brain.”

Calabasas, California (1 October 2014): Reluctant no more, Kiki Ebsen clicked the heels of her ruby red shoes three times and set off on the yellow brick road armed with the Great American songbook, Broadway show tunes and songs from Hollywood’s Golden Era that are tied to the career of her celebrity father, Buddy Ebsen. Yesterday (Sept. 30), the singer-songwriter-keyboardist released the David Mann-produced “Scarecrow Sessions” on her Painted Pony Media label, a classy offering being warmly received by jazz radio programmers and journalists across the nation charmed by the elegant acoustic jazz recording, the sentimentality that inspired it and a sprinkling of Tinseltown stardust.

Initially, Ebsen dug her heels in defiantly at her father’s insistence that she learn to sing jazz standards, instead preferring to follow her own path by writing her own material and singing and playing with pop, rock and R&B royalty. Years after Buddy’s passing, Kiki smartly mustered the courage to go out on a limb in order to honor his wishes, which she ably does with heart on the twelve songs, including “Missing You,” a touching beauty co-penned by Buddy unearthed while Kiki was foraging through a box of his old scripts and songbooks. One of those scripts was from “The Wizard of Oz.” Buddy was originally cast to play the Scarecrow, but agreed to play the Tin Man instead. However, metallic particles from the costume and the aluminum makeup covering his hands, neck and face provoked a toxic reaction when it seeped into his lungs causing the actor to be hospitalized for several days where he required the aid of a respirator in order to breathe, leaving him unfit to play the part. In addition to recording “Over The Rainbow” and “If I Only Had A Brain” from the iconic feature - the latter being the first single presently collecting spins at radio stations across the U.S. - Kiki selected gems from Buddy’s celebrated film roles in “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” with Audrey Hepburn (“Moon River”), “Captain January” with Shirley Temple (“At The Codfish Ball”), and “Banjo On My Knee” with Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck (“St. Louis Blues”).

The imaginative artistry and high-level musicianship make “Scarecrow Sessions” more than just a delightful stroll down memory lane. Ebsen’s initial endeavor into jazz shines brightly on its own merits. Possessing grace and an invitingly expressive voice, Ebsen recorded in New York City not far from her father’s environs when he was on Broadway and a Vaudevillian song and dance man. She was joined in the studio by some of the locale’s finest players including Chuck Loeb (electric and acoustic guitars), John Patitucci (acoustic and electric bass), Henry Hey (piano and organ), Clint de Ganon (drums) and Mann on saxophone and flute.  

Having spent the summer touring and performing songs from “Scarecrow Sessions” nationally and abroad, Ebsen has Northern and Southern California shows booked this fall, including October 13 at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles.
                                               
In addition to being profiled in the next issue of Jazziz magazine, below is a sampling of the album reviews that have been published thus far:

“The sound is excellent. So are the understated and fitting arrangements. Like her makeup and costume on the cover, this is an Uptown production (think Café Carlyle) with a Downtown feel (the Half Note). It’s highly approachable and there’s joy in the listening.” - JAZZed Magazine

“Her voice is warm and sweet and altogether lovely in such songs as ‘You Don’t Know What Love Is,’ ‘Moon River,’ ‘Comes Love,’ ‘Laura,’ ‘Easy to Love’ and the ‘St. Louis Blues.’” – The Buffalo News

“Everything about Scarecrow Sessions’ oozes class, from the selection of the songs, to the contribution of the musicians and even to the quality of the comprehensive liner notes booklet that accompanies the CD. Without doubt this is a release with ‘must have’ written all over it.” – Smooth Jazz Therapy

“Although Kiki Ebsen recorded these songs to honor her father’s memory and his love of jazz, her enticing, intimate vocals make these songs great to listen to, relax to, or dance to. In the process, she has created a musical statement that is truly her own but one that is definitely easy to love and one that her father would certainly be proud of.” - AXS

“She (Kiki) recorded ‘Scarecrow Sessions’ in her own time, in her own voice, and in her truth. Working with David Mann to produce this project helped shape it into a masterpiece.” – Pink & Blue Notes

“’Scarecrow Sessions’ showcases her classically-trained voice imbued in its warm, elegant, and inspirational performances.” – Hill Rag

“An impressive album that reflects the musical upbringing that her father, actor Buddy Ebsen (remember The Beverly Hillbillies?), gave her.” – Jazz Weekly

“With her album Kiki has obviously reached the hearts of those who fondly remember the golden days of Hollywood.” – Smooth Jazz Daily

For more information, please visit www.KikiEbsen.com.