BritBox, the ITV and BBC joint-venture streamer, has promoted Emily Powers to lead its North American operations following the departure of president and CEO Soumya Sriraman earlier this month. Powers, currently SVP and commercial head, will become executive vice president and head of BritBox North America after being part of the streamer’s original launch team.
Movies
New York native Christopher Atkins was only 19 years old when he landed his first big acting role as the scantily clad cousin Richard Lestrange — who knocks up his co-star while surviving the natural challenges of living on a deserted island — in Randal Kleiser’s 1980 film “The Blue Lagoon.” Christopher Atkins shared the
A government-mandated curfew that was set in place in France last week has been widely extended across the country, and will come into effect from Friday night. An estimated 46M people (69% of the population) will be impacted by the new measures announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex this evening. Residents of the 54 total
Love Island USA season 2 stars Johnny Middlebrooks and Cely Vazquez have finally reunited during his latest trip to visit her in Los Angeles. It’s been tough for the couples that started in the Las Vegas villa to be physically close to each other now that they’re out in the real world. Many of them live
Sony Pictures said Wednesday that it has moved the release date of Ghostbusters: Afterlife from March to June 11, 2021, which will be the same weekend as the first Ghostbusters film was released in 1984. It becomes the latest tentpole shift in the theatrical calendar given the ongoing restrictions of movie theaters amid the pandemic.
UPDATED with medalists: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the gold, silver and bronze medalists for the 47th Student Academy Awards. The winning films were feted in a virtual ceremony that included presenters Shunsaku Hayashi, Glen Keane, Spike Lee, Dawn Porter and Lulu Wang and hosted by Eugenio Derbez. The 18 students
The actor was naked when the police came in to arrest him, and he says in Greenlights (via ET Canada) that he was not pleased the officers had just come into his home and ruined his peaceful, bongo-filled evening. He ultimately was arrested naked because he wanted to prove he was “mindin my own business!”
Mel Brooks is the latest in a growing number of Hollywood figures endorsing former vice president Joe Biden for the 2020 election. On Wednesday morning, the EGOT’s son Max Brooks shared a video of the comedy extraordinaire explaining his decision to vote for Biden. “Hi folks, I’m Mel Brooks and behind me you see my
It’s lights, camera, action for Jussie Smollett … he’s back to work after the alleged attack in Chicago, but this time he’s behind the camera. The former “Empire” star has a new showbiz gig after allegedly staging a hate crime last year … and in what could be the future for Jussie, he’s taking a
There were inferences galore of Donald Trump as Thanos at Senator Kamala Harris’ fundraiser tonight with some of The Avengers and the Russo brothers, as the 2020 election clearly moves into endgame territory. However, on the birthday of the VP nominee and amidst ample discussion of the “importance of honor and courage and unity,” one
Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, creators of Adult Swim’s The Venture Bros. have been in talks with the network about a proper finale for the series, which was abruptly canceled after season 7. The adult sci-fi cartoon parodied properties like Jonny Quest and the insanity of dragging children around the globe on dangerous missions. Dr.
Spencer Davis, the Welsh rhythm guitarist and songwriter who lent his name to one of the most popular and influential British Invasion groups of the 1960s with hits including “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m a Man”, died Monday of pneumonia in Los Angeles. He was 81. His death was announced by longtime agent and friend
AMC Entertainment expects revenues for the three months ended September 30 of $119 million versus nearly $1.32 billion for the prior year’s quarter and the struggling theater anticipates material write-downs of assets, according to an SEC filing Tuesday morning with preliminary financial results. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $417.9 million. Interest expense for the
Documentary Hold Your Fire directed by Stefan Forbes (Boogie Man, The Lee Atwater Story) has nabbed the second annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, a $200,000 finishing grant for a filmmaker who uses original research and compelling narrative to tell stories that touch on an aspect of American history. Produced by Amir
At 70 years old, Jeff Bridges has been a cherished part of Hollywood for decades, having appeared in popular movies like Tron, Starman, The Fisher King, The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart and True Grit, to name just a few. Sadly, the latest update concerning Bridges concerns a downturn in his health, as the actor has
Some of the big screen’s most iconic props from the past 40 years are going up for grabs … but some will cost as much as a small indie film’s budget. The world-famous Prop Store — which houses an incredible collection of movie memorabilia — will hold its annual live auction in early December …
According to reports from the court Leslie collapsed in tears on hearing today’s verdict. He had described the accusations as “ludicrous and crazy”, adding he had been made suicidal after the loss of his TV career and media reports about him. His former co-presenters Anthea Turner and Fern Britton were among his character witnesses in
Fear the Walking Dead season 6 has ruined the show’s redemption arc for Victor Strand (Colman Domingo), one of the three characters left from season 1. At the beginning of the series, Strand was portrayed as a conman whose primary goal was self-preservation. There were several situations in season 2 when it was made clear that
EXCLUSIVE: Queen Latifah, Oscar winner Robert Duvall, and Ben Foster will star opposite Adam Sandler in Hustle, the Netflix basketball feature which is being directed by Jeremiah Zagar. Sandler, who earlier this year extended his production deal with the streamer, will produce under Happy Madison banner, with LeBron James’ The SpringHill Company and Roth/Kirschenbaum Films.
Refresh for latest…: Big news this weekend out of Japan where anime adaptation Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train shattered all-time opening records. The film, which opened on Friday October 16, as opposed to the usual Saturday/Sunday weekend, is estimated to have grossed upwards of $30M for the three-day. This number could rise above $40M,
Unlike Hans Gruber, who clearly dies when he falls from a high window at the end of Die Hard, Theo does believably survive the events of the whole adventure. His escape in an ambulance is thwarted by Argyle, who crashes into him with his limo, but the movie makes it look like he is only
Sky has signed a “long-term” content agreement for hundreds of hours of DreamWorks Animation TV series, including How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls, and Madagascar spin-offs. Sky will have exclusive access to Madagascar: A Little Wild, TrollsTopia and Dragons Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky, as well as returners such as All Hail King Julien,
Exclusive “The Hangover” star Rob Riggle got some sobering news to kick off his October … his wife of 21 years filed for divorce. Tiffany Riggle filed legal docs in Ventura County court to end her marriage to the comedian. She cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split … this according to legal
Joe and Anthony Russo will reunite with Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo not for a new Avengers film, but for a fundraiser in support of presidential candidate Joe Biden. On Tuesday the Avengers team will reunite for the Biden campaign’s “Voters Assemble” event. The virtual fundraiser, which will also feature Don Cheadle, Paul
Warning: Spoilers for Avengers #37. The powers of Marvel’s Iron Fist have changed hands many times over the years. From Wolverine, to Deadpool, and even Street Fighter favorite, Ryu, many have come to adorn the iconic dragon emblem. But in Avengers #37, the mystical force has been imbued in a new hero: She-Hulk, otherwise known as Jennifer Walters, and now The Iron Hulk.
Open Road’s Liam Neeson action movie The Honest Thief posted a notable first night during the pandemic of $225K in previews. Neeson’s action movies outside of Taken typically see largely double that or more than triple that in a healthy marketplace, i.e. last year’s Cold Pursuit posted $540K on its Thursday preview, The Commuter did $700K, and Run All Night grossed
EXCLUSIVE: UK sci-fi-drama film Infinitum: Subject Unknown has been picked up by Blue Finch Films for distribution in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. From producers Fizz and Ginger Films, the film is written by and stars Tori Butler-Hart (Two Down) with cameo roles for Lord Of The Rings star Ian McKellen and Conleth
Following The King’s premiere, paparazzi photos of Timothee Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp canoodling on a yacht were released. From the perspective of your average social media user, it was just another viral celebrity moment — fans dissected everything from the awkward angle at which the two were kissing to the purpose behind the pictures showing
A column chronicling conversations and events on the awards circuit. Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 begins streaming today on Netflix after a brief run in theaters that are open around the country, not L.A. or NY obviously, and receptive to playing it. In a conversation I had with its Oscar-winning writer-director this week, Sorkin
Breaking News An Atlanta man has been arrested and charged with murder of Thomas Jefferson Byrd … the popular actor known for several roles in Spike Lee joints. The Atlanta PD says they followed evidence and tips that led them to identify the suspect, Antonio Demetrice Rhynes. An arrest warrant was issued for Rhynes Wednesday