Surreal. That’s how Misan Harriman describes his first time at the Academy Awards earlier this year. Six years before, his wife had bought him a Fujifilm X100 for his 40th birthday and encouraged him to start taking pictures with it. Then there he was, surrounded by the global industry’s most overachieving, himself an Oscar-nominated director.
He had always loved film, having been raised on ’80s and ’90s cinema like The Lost Boys, Big Trouble in Little China and Stand By Me. He describes Home Alone, of all things, as “more than entertainment for troubled kids like me,” and will share his connection to the classic movie’s study of “trauma response” and the way it, and films like it, saved him. Born in Nigeria in 1977, Harriman was the only Black kid at his British boarding school. “With my kind of neurodiversity, I’m not supposed to be good at anything,...
He had always loved film, having been raised on ’80s and ’90s cinema like The Lost Boys, Big Trouble in Little China and Stand By Me. He describes Home Alone, of all things, as “more than entertainment for troubled kids like me,” and will share his connection to the classic movie’s study of “trauma response” and the way it, and films like it, saved him. Born in Nigeria in 1977, Harriman was the only Black kid at his British boarding school. “With my kind of neurodiversity, I’m not supposed to be good at anything,...
- 5/17/2024
- by Joe Utichi
- Deadline Film + TV
With free TV experiencing a mini-renaissance, a pioneer in the digital broadcast space is launching a new venture — with help from several big players.
Jonathan Katz, who founded Katz Broadcasting (Bounce TV, Court TV, Laff), is launching Free TV Networks with two diginets on Jan. 1. The new channels will be offered over the air and via free, ad-supported streaming in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate — which will both provide content for the channels — and station owner Gray Television.
The two channels set to launch on New Year’s Day are The365, aimed at Black viewers, and Outlaw, which will feature classic westerns. Both will be available in about 80 percent of the United States. Streaming versions of the two channels will launch later next year, along with channels titled Vcr Action and Vcr Haha, featuring movies from “the VHS era” (i.e., the 1980s and ’90s).
“Never underestimate the power of ‘free,...
Jonathan Katz, who founded Katz Broadcasting (Bounce TV, Court TV, Laff), is launching Free TV Networks with two diginets on Jan. 1. The new channels will be offered over the air and via free, ad-supported streaming in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate — which will both provide content for the channels — and station owner Gray Television.
The two channels set to launch on New Year’s Day are The365, aimed at Black viewers, and Outlaw, which will feature classic westerns. Both will be available in about 80 percent of the United States. Streaming versions of the two channels will launch later next year, along with channels titled Vcr Action and Vcr Haha, featuring movies from “the VHS era” (i.e., the 1980s and ’90s).
“Never underestimate the power of ‘free,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Free TV Networks, a new programming entity with a presence in both over-the-air broadcast and streaming, has enlisted Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate and Gray Television as partners and suppliers.
The new company is founded and led by Jonathan Katz, who gained attention a decade ago by creating multicast networks, or “diginets” using spectrum made available via the TV industry’s conversion to high-definition signals during the 2000s. That portfolio of networks, including Bounce, Escape and Grit was acquired in 2017 by E.W. Scripps for $292 million.
The first channels from Free TV will be networks centered on African-American programming and Westerns. Launching New Year’s Day as a diginet, the flagship brand will be The365. It will cater to African-American viewers with a lineup of movies and series like
Warner Bros.’ I Am Legend, Purple Rain and Queen Sugar along with Lionsgate titles like Crash, Monster’s Ball,...
The new company is founded and led by Jonathan Katz, who gained attention a decade ago by creating multicast networks, or “diginets” using spectrum made available via the TV industry’s conversion to high-definition signals during the 2000s. That portfolio of networks, including Bounce, Escape and Grit was acquired in 2017 by E.W. Scripps for $292 million.
The first channels from Free TV will be networks centered on African-American programming and Westerns. Launching New Year’s Day as a diginet, the flagship brand will be The365. It will cater to African-American viewers with a lineup of movies and series like
Warner Bros.’ I Am Legend, Purple Rain and Queen Sugar along with Lionsgate titles like Crash, Monster’s Ball,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Scripps-owned Bounce network has announced that Johnson has been renewed for Season 3.
The dramedy from executive producer Cedric The Entertainer and Eric Rhone and starring series creator Deji Laray and Thomas Q. Jones returns with two new episodes starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 5.
Shot on location in Atlanta, the series is a journey of love, self-discovery and brotherhood told from the Black male perspective but is inclusive of all men. The second season saw the series touch on hot-button topics including fatherhood, classism, and the ever-evolving relationship dynamics between Black men and women.
Johnson also stars Philip Smithey, Derrex Brady and D.L. Hughley. Laray and Jones serve as showrunners and executive producers; Rhone, Cedric The Entertainer and Reesha L. Archibald serve as executive producers.
Bounce TV also announced the return of Act Your Age with two new episodes set to premiere back-to-back on Saturday, June 3 at 8 p.
The dramedy from executive producer Cedric The Entertainer and Eric Rhone and starring series creator Deji Laray and Thomas Q. Jones returns with two new episodes starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 5.
Shot on location in Atlanta, the series is a journey of love, self-discovery and brotherhood told from the Black male perspective but is inclusive of all men. The second season saw the series touch on hot-button topics including fatherhood, classism, and the ever-evolving relationship dynamics between Black men and women.
Johnson also stars Philip Smithey, Derrex Brady and D.L. Hughley. Laray and Jones serve as showrunners and executive producers; Rhone, Cedric The Entertainer and Reesha L. Archibald serve as executive producers.
Bounce TV also announced the return of Act Your Age with two new episodes set to premiere back-to-back on Saturday, June 3 at 8 p.
- 4/27/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Today, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (Afscme) released the first episode of I Am Story, a new podcast detailing the history and legacy of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. The comprehensive series examines the origins of the strike and events leading up to the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated on this day 55 years ago while in Memphis supporting the strikers.
“The deaths of Robert Walker and Echol Cole in the back of a garbage truck on that cold, rainy day in 1968 set off a strike in Memphis like no other,” said Afscme President Lee Saunders. “Black sanitation workers took a courageous stand, a stand that drew the American labor movement and the civil rights movement together to change the course of our history.”
The podcast provides a front-row seat to the events that shook the nation, featuring strikers who were there...
“The deaths of Robert Walker and Echol Cole in the back of a garbage truck on that cold, rainy day in 1968 set off a strike in Memphis like no other,” said Afscme President Lee Saunders. “Black sanitation workers took a courageous stand, a stand that drew the American labor movement and the civil rights movement together to change the course of our history.”
The podcast provides a front-row seat to the events that shook the nation, featuring strikers who were there...
- 4/4/2023
- Podnews.net
Martin Luther King Jr. would be stunned by the rollback of voting rights in this country and efforts to suppress the teaching of the struggle for civil rights, according to his eldest son, Martin Luther King III.
“People ask me, what do you think your father is doing? He’s not just turning over — he’s spinning in his grave,” MLK III told Deadline in a conversation at the SXSW Conference and Festivals. He imagines his late father thinking, “’What the heck is going on? Me, my team, we opened doors that should never be closed.’ And yet we’re going, it feels backwards — at least temporarily. Which is interesting because he prophetically wrote in his last book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, obviously he wanted us to revert to community, but we are seeing chaos constantly. Every day something else comes out that’s more extreme than the last thing.
“People ask me, what do you think your father is doing? He’s not just turning over — he’s spinning in his grave,” MLK III told Deadline in a conversation at the SXSW Conference and Festivals. He imagines his late father thinking, “’What the heck is going on? Me, my team, we opened doors that should never be closed.’ And yet we’re going, it feels backwards — at least temporarily. Which is interesting because he prophetically wrote in his last book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, obviously he wanted us to revert to community, but we are seeing chaos constantly. Every day something else comes out that’s more extreme than the last thing.
- 3/18/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Tilda Swinton and chef José Andrés are among the next round of keynote speakers announced for South by Southwest 2023.
Event organizers announced Tuesday the next round of keynote speakers, featured speakers and keynote sessions confirmed for SXSW, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television, and music.
Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-nominated rock band New Order, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert, as well as Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Margo Price join Chopra Jonas and Swinton as keynotes. Additional featured speakers will include Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Chelsea Handler, William Shatner, Chelsea Manning and more.
Previously announced Keynote speakers include Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in conversation with Katie Couric.
Set as featured speakers for the 37th edition of the annual conference are Chair and CEO of General Motors Mary Barra; CEO, Cto, President, and co-founder of Cruise and co-founder of Twitch Kyle Vogt...
Event organizers announced Tuesday the next round of keynote speakers, featured speakers and keynote sessions confirmed for SXSW, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television, and music.
Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-nominated rock band New Order, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert, as well as Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Margo Price join Chopra Jonas and Swinton as keynotes. Additional featured speakers will include Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Chelsea Handler, William Shatner, Chelsea Manning and more.
Previously announced Keynote speakers include Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in conversation with Katie Couric.
Set as featured speakers for the 37th edition of the annual conference are Chair and CEO of General Motors Mary Barra; CEO, Cto, President, and co-founder of Cruise and co-founder of Twitch Kyle Vogt...
- 2/14/2023
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBA star LeBron James was among the first to react to newly-released footage of the deadly arrest of Tyre Nichols on Friday (27 January).
The unarmed 29-year-old died three days after being beaten by five Memphis Police officers who, yesterday, were all charged with second-degree murder.
In the footage, Nichols is pursued, punched and pepper-sprayed. The officers are later seen bragging about punching him.
You can follow live updates following the video’s release here.
President Joe Biden called the video “horrific” and said it was a “painful reminder” of the fear Black and Brown Americans face regularly, while calling for peaceful demonstrations.
James first responded “Too Factual!!!” to an MSNBC journalist’s tweet about how “we’ve failed to fully understand race and it’s construction as a *systemic tool.* The entire system of policing sees the Black body as a problem. No matter who pulls the trigger.”
Too Factual!
The unarmed 29-year-old died three days after being beaten by five Memphis Police officers who, yesterday, were all charged with second-degree murder.
In the footage, Nichols is pursued, punched and pepper-sprayed. The officers are later seen bragging about punching him.
You can follow live updates following the video’s release here.
President Joe Biden called the video “horrific” and said it was a “painful reminder” of the fear Black and Brown Americans face regularly, while calling for peaceful demonstrations.
James first responded “Too Factual!!!” to an MSNBC journalist’s tweet about how “we’ve failed to fully understand race and it’s construction as a *systemic tool.* The entire system of policing sees the Black body as a problem. No matter who pulls the trigger.”
Too Factual!
- 1/28/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
Additional speakers and a new keynote session have been revealed for South by Southwest 2023.
Event organizers announced Tuesday that featured speakers for the 37th edition of the annual conference spotlighting the convergence of technology and the film and music industries include Eric André, Blxst, Josh D’Amaro, Tommy Dorfman, Ashley Flowers, Gottmik, Nick Jonas, Martin Luther King III, Damon Lindelof, Eva Longoria, Alexis Ohanian, Maya Penn, Austin Russell, RZA, Dan Schulman, Simran Jeet Singh, Cheryl Strayed, Jen Wong and more.
‘Unfold The Universe: NASA’s Webb Space Telescope’ was also named as a new keynote session at SXSW. It will include members of the James Webb Space Telescope team and feature a never-before-seen image.
“We are honored to host a Keynote Session featuring members of the James Webb Space Telescope team,” said Hugh Forrest, chief programming officer and co-president. “They join an impressive group of Featured Speakers who have consistently strived...
Event organizers announced Tuesday that featured speakers for the 37th edition of the annual conference spotlighting the convergence of technology and the film and music industries include Eric André, Blxst, Josh D’Amaro, Tommy Dorfman, Ashley Flowers, Gottmik, Nick Jonas, Martin Luther King III, Damon Lindelof, Eva Longoria, Alexis Ohanian, Maya Penn, Austin Russell, RZA, Dan Schulman, Simran Jeet Singh, Cheryl Strayed, Jen Wong and more.
‘Unfold The Universe: NASA’s Webb Space Telescope’ was also named as a new keynote session at SXSW. It will include members of the James Webb Space Telescope team and feature a never-before-seen image.
“We are honored to host a Keynote Session featuring members of the James Webb Space Telescope team,” said Hugh Forrest, chief programming officer and co-president. “They join an impressive group of Featured Speakers who have consistently strived...
- 1/10/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Martin Luther King III will host a new docuseries produced by Calabasas Film and Media, the company announced Monday.
Titled “Protect/Serve,” the series sees King, the oldest child of revered civil right activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., moderate a series of conversations with law enforcement officials, activists, grass-roots organization founders, DAs and other prominent figures. The conversations will focus on the role of police in America and the origins of institutional racism, with a goal of finding solutions to these problems. The first episode will feature a one-on-one conversation between King and Los Angeles county sheriff Alex Villanueva, whose tenure as sheriff has been plagued with controversy.
Wendy Eley Jackson directs the series and executive produces with Sam Pollard and Kapil Mahendra and Paul Beahan for Calabasas Films. Calabasas produces the series after having recently produced the Discovery+ reality series “Restaurant Recovery” with Raising Cane founder Todd Graves.
Titled “Protect/Serve,” the series sees King, the oldest child of revered civil right activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., moderate a series of conversations with law enforcement officials, activists, grass-roots organization founders, DAs and other prominent figures. The conversations will focus on the role of police in America and the origins of institutional racism, with a goal of finding solutions to these problems. The first episode will feature a one-on-one conversation between King and Los Angeles county sheriff Alex Villanueva, whose tenure as sheriff has been plagued with controversy.
Wendy Eley Jackson directs the series and executive produces with Sam Pollard and Kapil Mahendra and Paul Beahan for Calabasas Films. Calabasas produces the series after having recently produced the Discovery+ reality series “Restaurant Recovery” with Raising Cane founder Todd Graves.
- 6/13/2022
- by Sasha Urban, Wilson Chapman and Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Showtime has released the first trailer for the upcoming anthology series, “The First Lady,” which follows presidential couples throughout American history.
The former U.S. presidents, first ladies, their families and colleagues will be played by a company of A-list stars. The Obamas, Fords and Roosevelts are among those portrayed on the series.
Viola Davis will play Michelle Obama opposite O.T. Fagbenle (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) as Barack Obama. Lexi Underwood (“Little Fires Everywhere”) and Saniyya Sidney (“King Richard”) play their daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
Michelle Pfeiffer plays Betty Ford, and Aaron Eckhart is Gerald Ford. Younger versions of their characters will be played by Kristine Froseth (“Looking for Alaska”) and Jake Picking (“Top Gun: Maverick”). Dakota Fanning plays their daughter, Susan Ford.
Gillian Anderson portrays Eleanor Roosevelt, with Eliza Scanlen (“Little Women”) playing her in her younger years. Kiefer Sutherland will play Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Christopher Plummer...
The former U.S. presidents, first ladies, their families and colleagues will be played by a company of A-list stars. The Obamas, Fords and Roosevelts are among those portrayed on the series.
Viola Davis will play Michelle Obama opposite O.T. Fagbenle (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) as Barack Obama. Lexi Underwood (“Little Fires Everywhere”) and Saniyya Sidney (“King Richard”) play their daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
Michelle Pfeiffer plays Betty Ford, and Aaron Eckhart is Gerald Ford. Younger versions of their characters will be played by Kristine Froseth (“Looking for Alaska”) and Jake Picking (“Top Gun: Maverick”). Dakota Fanning plays their daughter, Susan Ford.
Gillian Anderson portrays Eleanor Roosevelt, with Eliza Scanlen (“Little Women”) playing her in her younger years. Kiefer Sutherland will play Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Christopher Plummer...
- 2/17/2022
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount Plus revealed a teaser trailer for the upcoming second season of “Star Trek: Picard,” which will premiere in 2022.
The teaser trailer was introduced by Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” at the top of Paramount Plus’ slew of First Contact Day virtual panels. Additionally, it was revealed that production on the second season has already begun.
John de Lancie, who first portrayed the iconic character Q on “The Next Generation,” confirmed that he will appear in the second season alongside Stewart. Q shared comedic chemistry with Picard on the “Star Trek” series, often getting on the captain’s nerves. Picard initially deemed Q’s services unnecessary, but as the series progresses, Q morphed into a mentor role to Picard. In the episode “Deja Q,” he said Picard is “the closest thing in this universe that I have to a friend.
The teaser trailer was introduced by Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” at the top of Paramount Plus’ slew of First Contact Day virtual panels. Additionally, it was revealed that production on the second season has already begun.
John de Lancie, who first portrayed the iconic character Q on “The Next Generation,” confirmed that he will appear in the second season alongside Stewart. Q shared comedic chemistry with Picard on the “Star Trek” series, often getting on the captain’s nerves. Picard initially deemed Q’s services unnecessary, but as the series progresses, Q morphed into a mentor role to Picard. In the episode “Deja Q,” he said Picard is “the closest thing in this universe that I have to a friend.
- 4/5/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Entertainment finance firm Forest Road has launched its second Spac with Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs as co-CEOs and co-chairs. Units of Forest Road Acquisition Corp. II started trading today on the New York Stock Exchange as the execs begin the search for a target company in the tech, media, telecommunications or consumer space.
Mayer, previously of Walt Disney and TikTok, was recently named chairman of sports streaming service Dazn. He and Staggs, a former COO and CFO of Disney, are directors and investors of Forest Road. They were advisors for the firm’s first Spac, which recently acquired digital fitness specialist Beachbody. The pair will be taking a more active role in this second Spac.
SPACs, special purpose acquisition companies also called “blank-check” vehicles, are basically shells that go public to look for private companies to buy. There are hundreds of SPACs announced or already trading amid market concerns...
Mayer, previously of Walt Disney and TikTok, was recently named chairman of sports streaming service Dazn. He and Staggs, a former COO and CFO of Disney, are directors and investors of Forest Road. They were advisors for the firm’s first Spac, which recently acquired digital fitness specialist Beachbody. The pair will be taking a more active role in this second Spac.
SPACs, special purpose acquisition companies also called “blank-check” vehicles, are basically shells that go public to look for private companies to buy. There are hundreds of SPACs announced or already trading amid market concerns...
- 3/10/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Biden’s inauguration concerts continue tonight with one tied to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, featuring a lineup that includes Yo-Yo Ma, Andra Day and Bebe Winans.
The event, scheduled to start at 8 Pm Et, will include a video from songwriter Diane Warren and Chesca’s performance of “El Cambio” (The Change), which Warren wrote and originally debuted during the Biden campaign and became an anthem. Adam Rifkin directed the video and Leah Sydney produced it.
Also on the bill for the concert, called United We Serve: A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service, are Aloe Blacc, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rosario Dawson, Bernie King, Martin Luther King III, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sean Patrick Thomas and Lynn Whitfield.
On Sunday, the Biden inaugural committee held a virtual concert that featured Cher and Barbra Streisand, among others, with most of the performers stressing unity amid political divisions. Warren...
The event, scheduled to start at 8 Pm Et, will include a video from songwriter Diane Warren and Chesca’s performance of “El Cambio” (The Change), which Warren wrote and originally debuted during the Biden campaign and became an anthem. Adam Rifkin directed the video and Leah Sydney produced it.
Also on the bill for the concert, called United We Serve: A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service, are Aloe Blacc, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rosario Dawson, Bernie King, Martin Luther King III, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sean Patrick Thomas and Lynn Whitfield.
On Sunday, the Biden inaugural committee held a virtual concert that featured Cher and Barbra Streisand, among others, with most of the performers stressing unity amid political divisions. Warren...
- 1/18/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The Biden/Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee announced additional programming in advance of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 20. The theme of the now five consecutive nights of events is “America United.”
On Saturday, January 16 is America United: An Inauguration Welcome Event Celebrating America’s Changemakers. The event will “celebrate America, reflect and honor our history, and highlight the incredible diversity of the nation” and kick off the five days of programming.
Whoopi Goldberg, actor Nik Dodani, comedienne and actress Cristela Alonzo, musician Darren Criss, Representative Grace Meng, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Resistance Revival Choir will participate. The Welcome Event will feature a special performance by the Grammy-nominated Black Pumas. It will stream live from 7:00-8:30 Pm Et at bideninaugural.org and on Presidential Inaugural Committee social media pages.
Also announced today is United We Serve: A Celebration of the National...
On Saturday, January 16 is America United: An Inauguration Welcome Event Celebrating America’s Changemakers. The event will “celebrate America, reflect and honor our history, and highlight the incredible diversity of the nation” and kick off the five days of programming.
Whoopi Goldberg, actor Nik Dodani, comedienne and actress Cristela Alonzo, musician Darren Criss, Representative Grace Meng, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Resistance Revival Choir will participate. The Welcome Event will feature a special performance by the Grammy-nominated Black Pumas. It will stream live from 7:00-8:30 Pm Et at bideninaugural.org and on Presidential Inaugural Committee social media pages.
Also announced today is United We Serve: A Celebration of the National...
- 1/15/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The inspiring true story of how renowned Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols pioneered the NASA recruiting program to hire people of color and the first female astronauts for the space agency in the late 1970s and 1980s, Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA will open in movie theaters nationwide for one night only on February 2, 2021.
Directed by Todd Thompson, the film chronicles how Nichols transformed her sci-fi television stardom into a real-life science career when, in 1977, she embarked on a campaign to bring diversity to NASA. Nichols formed the company Women In Motion, Inc. and recruited more than 8,000 African American, Asian and Latino women and men for the agency. Nichelle and her program continue to influence the younger generation of astronauts as well, including Mae Jemison, the first female African American astronaut in space. Despite an uphill battle against a bureaucracy that was hesitant to let her get involved,...
Directed by Todd Thompson, the film chronicles how Nichols transformed her sci-fi television stardom into a real-life science career when, in 1977, she embarked on a campaign to bring diversity to NASA. Nichols formed the company Women In Motion, Inc. and recruited more than 8,000 African American, Asian and Latino women and men for the agency. Nichelle and her program continue to influence the younger generation of astronauts as well, including Mae Jemison, the first female African American astronaut in space. Despite an uphill battle against a bureaucracy that was hesitant to let her get involved,...
- 1/6/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has joined former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs to create Forest Road Acquisition Corp., a Spac investment vehicle with the goal of raising $250 million for media and technology acquisitions. According to a filing with the SEC, Mayer will serve as a strategic adviser, Staggs will be director and chairman of the Strategic Advisory Committe and Salil Mehta, another former Disney executive, will serve as chief financial officer. O’Neal will also be a strategic adviser, as will producer Mark Burg. Martin Luther King III will be a director. Also Read: Behind Kevin Mayer's Sudden Exit From TikTok: Bad Fit, Reputation Fears The special-purpose acquisition company (or Spac) plans to raise $250 million for acquisitions in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors. SPACs, occasionally referred to as “blank check companies,” are shell companies designed to allow investors to pool capital to fund mergers or acquisitions...
- 10/9/2020
- by Daniel Goldblatt
- The Wrap
There’s a Spac born every minute – today a new one called Forest Road Acquisition registered with the SEC to raise $250 million and hunt for media and entertainment deals with executives and advisors from former TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer and former Walt Disney CFO Tom Staggs to basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
SPACs, or special purpose acquisition vehicles, proliferate when there’s more money floating around than there are places to invest for various reasons — now that’s mainly Covid.
The Spac is a shell company of film financing firm Forest Road. Harry Sloane and Jeff Saganksy, formerly of MGM, done a half dozen SPACs over the years. Playboy just launched one last week. They raise cash from investors to go public in a kind of modified IPO and buy companies in any sector they like.
They’re officially called “blank check” entities so investors need to trust they know what they’re doing.
SPACs, or special purpose acquisition vehicles, proliferate when there’s more money floating around than there are places to invest for various reasons — now that’s mainly Covid.
The Spac is a shell company of film financing firm Forest Road. Harry Sloane and Jeff Saganksy, formerly of MGM, done a half dozen SPACs over the years. Playboy just launched one last week. They raise cash from investors to go public in a kind of modified IPO and buy companies in any sector they like.
They’re officially called “blank check” entities so investors need to trust they know what they’re doing.
- 10/8/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
To support Black Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by the Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Ad Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC Foundation, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Hhs) are launching a national campaign, “You Will See Me,” to inspire and empower Black Americans to wear face masks to help stop the spread of the virus.
Created by 3Am, a division of Los Angeles based entertainment agency Wild Card Creative Group, this integrated platform features prominent Black celebrities sharing their stories to encourage everyone to see the real person behind their face mask.
Data shows Black Americans are affected by Covid-19 at higher rates due to systemic healthcare, economic, and social inequalities. Across the U.S., Black and Latino residents are three times as likely to be infected as their white neighbors, according to new CDC data which provides detailed characteristics of 640,000 infections detected in nearly 1,000 U.
Created by 3Am, a division of Los Angeles based entertainment agency Wild Card Creative Group, this integrated platform features prominent Black celebrities sharing their stories to encourage everyone to see the real person behind their face mask.
Data shows Black Americans are affected by Covid-19 at higher rates due to systemic healthcare, economic, and social inequalities. Across the U.S., Black and Latino residents are three times as likely to be infected as their white neighbors, according to new CDC data which provides detailed characteristics of 640,000 infections detected in nearly 1,000 U.
- 8/24/2020
- Look to the Stars
Exclusive: Shout! Studios has acquired all North American rights to doc feature Woman In Motion, about how Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols helped pioneer the Nasa recruiting program to hire people of color and the first female astronauts for the space agency in the late 1970s and 1980s.
The film also chronicles Nichols’ rise to fame and portrayal of Uhura on Star Trek, which marked one of the first leading roles for an African-American actress in a mainstream TV series. You can check out the engaging first trailer for the movie here.
Directed by Todd Thompson (The Highwaymen), the film features actors, activists, scientists and astronauts including Nichols, Neil deGrasse Tyson, George Takei, Pharrell Williams, Martin Luther King III, Al Sharpton, Vivica A. Fox, Walter Koenig, Rod Roddenberry, Michael Dorn, Guy Bluford, Charles Bolden, Ivor Dawson, Frederik Gregory and Benjamin Crump.
The film was produced by Thompson along with his...
The film also chronicles Nichols’ rise to fame and portrayal of Uhura on Star Trek, which marked one of the first leading roles for an African-American actress in a mainstream TV series. You can check out the engaging first trailer for the movie here.
Directed by Todd Thompson (The Highwaymen), the film features actors, activists, scientists and astronauts including Nichols, Neil deGrasse Tyson, George Takei, Pharrell Williams, Martin Luther King III, Al Sharpton, Vivica A. Fox, Walter Koenig, Rod Roddenberry, Michael Dorn, Guy Bluford, Charles Bolden, Ivor Dawson, Frederik Gregory and Benjamin Crump.
The film was produced by Thompson along with his...
- 7/21/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Amid the Black Lives Matter movement around the world, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s son has spoken up about the treatment of America's most famous British royal. In an interview with Britain's i newspaper, Martin Luther King III addressed what Meghan Markle faced from the British public and press once she became Prince Harry's significant other, notably different from other members of the royal family as she is an American woman of color. King said he was "greatly disappointed" watching the media coverage unfold. "The reports that I saw were very, very, very difficult reports of how she was treated," he said. However, King also...
- 7/8/2020
- E! Online
Last night I was sitting in my living room and a convoy of trucks drove by my home filled with law enforcement and National Guard troops.
I am a 59-year old African-American man and this brought back vivid childhood memories. On April 4, 1968, 18 days before my 7th birthday, I was in the middle of the street in my hometown, Detroit, Michigan playing urban baseball with my friends, using a hubcap as home plate, and neighbors’ cars as first, second, and third base.
That evening I heard my mother and grandmother scream: “They killed him! They killed him! They killed Martin Luther King, Jr.! They killed my Martin!”
I had never witnessed my mother and grandmother in such emotional pain before. Moments later, I turned my head and immediately noticed National Guard troops coming towards me with rifles and bayonets, and before I knew it, I was looking down the barrel of a tank.
I am a 59-year old African-American man and this brought back vivid childhood memories. On April 4, 1968, 18 days before my 7th birthday, I was in the middle of the street in my hometown, Detroit, Michigan playing urban baseball with my friends, using a hubcap as home plate, and neighbors’ cars as first, second, and third base.
That evening I heard my mother and grandmother scream: “They killed him! They killed him! They killed Martin Luther King, Jr.! They killed my Martin!”
I had never witnessed my mother and grandmother in such emotional pain before. Moments later, I turned my head and immediately noticed National Guard troops coming towards me with rifles and bayonets, and before I knew it, I was looking down the barrel of a tank.
- 6/8/2020
- by Byron Allen
- Deadline Film + TV
A memorial service was held for George Floyd in Minneapolis Thursday, ten days after he was killed while in police custody.
All four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the fatal arrest have been charged. Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, faces second-degree murder charges. The three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
Thursday’s memorial at North Central University is the first of several; services will also be held in North Carolina and Texas.
Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy in front of attendees which included the Floyd family, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Reps. Ilhan Omar, Sheila Jackson-Lee and Ayana Pressley, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III and more.
George Floyd’s hearse arrives at North Central University for the first of several memorial services. In the upper right, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and Sgt. Dave O’Connor kneel as the hearse drives by.
All four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the fatal arrest have been charged. Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, faces second-degree murder charges. The three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
Thursday’s memorial at North Central University is the first of several; services will also be held in North Carolina and Texas.
Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy in front of attendees which included the Floyd family, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Reps. Ilhan Omar, Sheila Jackson-Lee and Ayana Pressley, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III and more.
George Floyd’s hearse arrives at North Central University for the first of several memorial services. In the upper right, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and Sgt. Dave O’Connor kneel as the hearse drives by.
- 6/4/2020
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
George Floyd was remembered by family and friends at a memorial service on Thursday that mixed poignant memories and humorous moments of his life with calls for genuine social justice.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking to a crowd of family members, friends and political leaders, told mourners that “for those who agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop.”
Speaking of props, “I’ve never seen anyone hold a bible like that [and] I’ve been preaching since I was a little boy,” said Sharpton in a veiled reference to President Trump. “If he is watching, I’d like him to open that Bible and reach Ecclesiastes 3: ‘To every season, there is a time.’ I’d like him to understand what time it is.”
“Ya’alll talk about making America great, said the reverend. “Great for who and when?”
“We gonna make America great for everybody.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking to a crowd of family members, friends and political leaders, told mourners that “for those who agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop.”
Speaking of props, “I’ve never seen anyone hold a bible like that [and] I’ve been preaching since I was a little boy,” said Sharpton in a veiled reference to President Trump. “If he is watching, I’d like him to open that Bible and reach Ecclesiastes 3: ‘To every season, there is a time.’ I’d like him to understand what time it is.”
“Ya’alll talk about making America great, said the reverend. “Great for who and when?”
“We gonna make America great for everybody.
- 6/4/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Last week, the We organization honored Illinois students during We Celebrate: Class of 2020, a year-end celebration for thousands of students across the state to commemorate the positive local and global actions they’ve taken throughout the school year.
Hosted by Monique Coleman, students and educators were moved by encouraging words from visionary figures, musicians, sports heroes and celebrities and entertained by one- of- a-kind performances. The We Celebrate: Class of 2020 in Illinois featured special appearances by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ally Brooke, Sofia Carson, Jordan Fisher, Connor Franta, Skai Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Bailee Madison, Jenna Ortega, Navia Robinson, Jay Shetty, Alexandra Shipp, Ariel Winter and more.
Today’s celebration capped off a week-long virtual road trip with events in Washington, Minnesota and California. The We Celebrate: Class of 2020 event in Illinois was made possible by national title sponsor, The Allstate Foundation, presenting sponsors, Walgreens and Unilever, and powered by Microsoft.
Hosted by Monique Coleman, students and educators were moved by encouraging words from visionary figures, musicians, sports heroes and celebrities and entertained by one- of- a-kind performances. The We Celebrate: Class of 2020 in Illinois featured special appearances by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ally Brooke, Sofia Carson, Jordan Fisher, Connor Franta, Skai Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Bailee Madison, Jenna Ortega, Navia Robinson, Jay Shetty, Alexandra Shipp, Ariel Winter and more.
Today’s celebration capped off a week-long virtual road trip with events in Washington, Minnesota and California. The We Celebrate: Class of 2020 event in Illinois was made possible by national title sponsor, The Allstate Foundation, presenting sponsors, Walgreens and Unilever, and powered by Microsoft.
- 5/28/2020
- Look to the Stars
The We organization announced We Celebrate: Class of 2020, a series of virtual celebrations that give students the unique opportunity to close out the school year and commemorate the positive local and global actions they’ve taken with their classmates.
The week-long virtual road trip kicks off in Washington state on May 19, followed by Minnesota on May 20, California on May 21 and Illinois on May 22. We Celebrate: Class of 2020 virtual events are made possible by the generous support of partners led by National Title Sponsor, The Allstate Foundation, Presenting Sponsor, Walgreens and powered by Microsoft.
We Celebrate: Class of 2020 will honor inspiring students and teachers who have made lasting impacts this school year. The series of virtual events, customized to each location, will include a star-studded lineup of visionary figures, musicians, sports heroes and celebrities delivering keynote addresses, one-of-a-kind performances, and heartfelt messages. Led by hosts Monique Coleman, Lily Collins, Olivia Holt,...
The week-long virtual road trip kicks off in Washington state on May 19, followed by Minnesota on May 20, California on May 21 and Illinois on May 22. We Celebrate: Class of 2020 virtual events are made possible by the generous support of partners led by National Title Sponsor, The Allstate Foundation, Presenting Sponsor, Walgreens and powered by Microsoft.
We Celebrate: Class of 2020 will honor inspiring students and teachers who have made lasting impacts this school year. The series of virtual events, customized to each location, will include a star-studded lineup of visionary figures, musicians, sports heroes and celebrities delivering keynote addresses, one-of-a-kind performances, and heartfelt messages. Led by hosts Monique Coleman, Lily Collins, Olivia Holt,...
- 5/18/2020
- Look to the Stars
Over 200 celebrities, entertainers, artists and leaders will appear on The Call to Unite, a 24-hour livestream event to take place from Friday, May 1st at 8:00 p.m. Et to Saturday, May 2nd at 8:00 p.m. Et.
Organized by Tim Shriver, the longtime chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, the livestream event features a lineup that includes Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, former President George W. Bush, Deepak Chopra, Questlove, Common, Jennifer Garner, Yo-Yo Ma, Maria Shriver, Martin Luther King III, Alanis Morissette, Quincy Jones, LeAnn Rimes, Marie Kondo,...
Organized by Tim Shriver, the longtime chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, the livestream event features a lineup that includes Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, former President George W. Bush, Deepak Chopra, Questlove, Common, Jennifer Garner, Yo-Yo Ma, Maria Shriver, Martin Luther King III, Alanis Morissette, Quincy Jones, LeAnn Rimes, Marie Kondo,...
- 4/27/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Several prominent National Football League quarterbacks have gone down from injury and illness in the first two weeks of the season. But still, no one has called on former 49er Colin Kaepernick.
Despite his agents contacting such teams as the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets, all of whom had their star quarterbacks either go down or retire, no teams appear interested in the controversial Kaepernick.
He is known as the first player to take a knee during the National Anthem, allegedly in protest of police treatment of suspects and road stops on minorities. He has played up that rebel image in a series of Nike ads and filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging collusion in that he was denied an opportunity to play again, eventually settling out of court. Kaepernick hasn’t played since the end of the 2016 season, when he opted for free agency.
Despite his agents contacting such teams as the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets, all of whom had their star quarterbacks either go down or retire, no teams appear interested in the controversial Kaepernick.
He is known as the first player to take a knee during the National Anthem, allegedly in protest of police treatment of suspects and road stops on minorities. He has played up that rebel image in a series of Nike ads and filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging collusion in that he was denied an opportunity to play again, eventually settling out of court. Kaepernick hasn’t played since the end of the 2016 season, when he opted for free agency.
- 9/19/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Martin Luther King III begs to differ with Vice President Mike Pence, who said President Trump is honoring Mlk's legacy by pushing for the border wall. Pence quoted Mlk's legendary and inspiring "I Have a Dream" speech and said, "He [Mlk] inspired us to change through the legislative process, to become a more perfect union," adding, "That's exactly what President Trump is calling on Congress to do ... come to the table in the spirit of good faith.
- 1/21/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The street is blocked off south of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Young marching-band members clog the road, reviewing their formations. Majorettes take their final stretches, wearing outfits designed to sparkle in the sun. Band members blow out their last practice notes. There are a few white folks sprinkled throughout the crowd, but approaching the campus, it’s clear that Homecoming Day at Florida A&M University might be the blackest place possible to meet Andrew Gillum.
That makes it the perfect place, really. The man who may soon become...
That makes it the perfect place, really. The man who may soon become...
- 10/31/2018
- by Jamil Smith
- Rollingstone.com
Cardi B has apologized for appearing in a controversial comedy sketch called “The Real Housewives of the Civil Rights Movement.” The rapper played Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow Coretta Scott King in the skit, a preview of comedian Rip Michaels’ upcoming series Off the Rip.
In the piece, which TMZ posted Tuesday – on the 55th anniversary of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech – the spouses of King, Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson sit around a mansion and talk. “I think I should be the leader of this group,...
In the piece, which TMZ posted Tuesday – on the 55th anniversary of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech – the spouses of King, Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson sit around a mansion and talk. “I think I should be the leader of this group,...
- 8/29/2018
- by Ryan Reed
- Rollingstone.com
Aretha Franklin taught us all the meaning of "Respect" ... and the iconic singer truly lived by those words ... so says the son of Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King III says Aretha was committed to the cause as a friend and supporter of his dad. In fact, Aretha's father, C.L. Franklin, marched alongside Mlk during the civil rights movement. They were both Baptist ministers. Aretha was heavily influenced by her father, and she spent...
- 8/17/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Reruns of The Cosby Show are being pulled off the air after Bill Cosby was found guilty of sexual assault. Atlanta-based network Bounce TV, which was founded by Martin Luther King III and Andrew Young, has made the decision to nix all scheduled episodes following Thursday's court decision. According to Page Six, Bounce made a statement to several media outlets that read, "Effective immediately, Bounce is removing The Cosby Show." On April 26, the jury found the now 80-year-old guilty of drugging and sexually molesting Andrea Constand in his home in 2004, and he faces up to 10 years behind bars. TMZ reported that the jurors heard testimony from Andrea and five other women — who claimed Cosby drugged and assaulted them— over the 12-day trial period. At one point, prosecutor Kristen Feden reportedly called out the disgraced celebrity for smiling during the trial. "He's laughing like it's funny, but there's absolutely nothing funny...
- 4/27/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Kangana Rananut will be part of an event in New Jersey to spread Mahatma Gandhi's ideology and philosophy across the globe. The event called ‘Gandhi Going Global’ will also have her share stage with personalities like former First Lady of the Us Michelle Obama, American advocate Martin Luther King III and media proprietor — talk show host-actress- philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey.
The post Wow! Kangana Ranaut to share stage with Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey! appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Wow! Kangana Ranaut to share stage with Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey! appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 3/31/2018
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Martin Luther King Jr.’s children are criticizing President Trump on what would be the civil right’s activist’s 89th birthday over the president’s recent private comments referring to “shithole” countries. “When a president insists that our nation needs more citizens from white states like Norway, I don’t even think we need to spend any time even talking about what it says and what it is,” said King’s son, Martin Luther King III said Monday in Washington, according to the Associated Press. “We got to find a way to work on this man’s heart.” King’s daughter Rev. Bernice King also told her Atlanta...
- 1/16/2018
- by Ashley Boucher
- The Wrap
The news keeps getting worse for PBS host Tavis Smiley. Just days after the network suspended him amid allegations of groping and exposing himself, Smiley was also dropped by Mills Entertainment, which had been promoting and producing his theatrical retelling of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The production itself has also been suspended, per The New York Times. “We take seriously the allegations,” the company said in a statement, adding that “in light of the recent allegations,” they would be “suspending our relationship with” Smiley. Also Read: Tavis Smiley Blasts PBS for 'So-Called Investigation' Prompting Show Suspension: 'This Has Gone.
- 12/15/2017
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
[[tmz:video id="0_f43f49s8"]] D.L. Hughley isn't trying to hide his anger at Mlk Jr.'s son for betraying Civil Rights leader Rep. John Lewis during his beef with Donald Trump ... in D.L.'s eyes, anyway. D.L. definitely got some stuff off his chest when we asked about Martin Luther King III's meeting with the Prez-elect. He flat-out rips him for not calling out Trump for his Twitter rant against Rep. Lewis ... who walked shoulder to shoulder with Mlk Jr.
- 1/18/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Rapper T.I. believes that Donald Trump is meeting with people like Kanye West, Steve Harvey, Martin Luther King III and Jim Brown in order to appeal to African-Americans — and divide them. The rapper aka Tip uploaded a series of videos to his social media account on Monday in which he called on the black population to not accept invitations to meet with the President-elect — because even if the meeting seems friendly, there’s always a hidden agenda. “I’m gonna tell all you celebrities — black, minority, all of you, athletes — there’s a strategic plan that people are trying to make.
- 1/17/2017
- by Rasha Ali
- The Wrap
[[tmz:video id="0_1er2two1"]] Martin Luther King III says he and Donald Trump were able to find some common ground on a day dedicated to his late father. We got the famous civil rights leader's eldest living son Monday leaving Trump Tower, after he and the Prez-elect sat down for a heart-to-heart. He says they both agree ... the voting system in the country is broken. He also touches on a big what-if about his dad ... one lots of folks...
- 1/16/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Martin Luther King III met on Monday with president-elect Donald Trump and tried to cool tensions over the weekend trading of insults between Trump and Rep. John Lewis, the civil-rights leader who marched and fought alongside King’s late father, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Things get said on both sides in the heat of emotion,” said King on the national holiday celebrating his slain father and the civil rights movement he led. “At some point, this nation— we’ve got to move forward. People are literally probably dying. We need to be talking about how do we feed people?...
“Things get said on both sides in the heat of emotion,” said King on the national holiday celebrating his slain father and the civil rights movement he led. “At some point, this nation— we’ve got to move forward. People are literally probably dying. We need to be talking about how do we feed people?...
- 1/16/2017
- by sandrawestfalltimeinc
- PEOPLE.com
[[tmz:video id="0_vwladifn"]] The son of Martin Luther King Jr. says his father would have been frustrated by both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, because neither seriously addressed the real reason many African-Americans are suffering and dying. Martin Luther King III told our photog at Lax Monday night, he thinks both Trump and Clinton did well ... to a point, but when it came to helping the African-American community they spent too much time talking cops and not enough on the fundamentals.
- 9/27/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Tavis Smiley and J.J. Abrams wanna be startin’ somethin’. Abrams’ Bad Robot Prods. is set to develop a new event TV series based on Smiley’s new book “Before You Judge Me: The Triumph and Tragedy of Michael Jackson’s Last Days.”
Warner Bros. TV, where both Smiley and Bad Robot are based for TV projects, is the studio attached; it hasn’t yet been sold to a network. “Before You Judge Me,” which Smiley wrote with David Ritz, is set to be published on June 21. The book looks at the final months of the King of Pop’s life.
Read More: Review: ‘Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off The Wall’ Makes You Want to Dance – And Shout
According to Warner Bros., the book “examines the soaring highs and deep lows faced by the late pop star – his constant hunt for privacy in a life that was
It...
Warner Bros. TV, where both Smiley and Bad Robot are based for TV projects, is the studio attached; it hasn’t yet been sold to a network. “Before You Judge Me,” which Smiley wrote with David Ritz, is set to be published on June 21. The book looks at the final months of the King of Pop’s life.
Read More: Review: ‘Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off The Wall’ Makes You Want to Dance – And Shout
According to Warner Bros., the book “examines the soaring highs and deep lows faced by the late pop star – his constant hunt for privacy in a life that was
It...
- 6/20/2016
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
Ava DuVernay brings us the Academy Award-nominated film Selma, a riveting and emotional recount of the march, lead by Dr. Martin Luther King, on Selma, Alabama in 1965. The film stars Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo (Lee Daniels’ The Butler) with Oscar nominees Oprah Winfrey (The Color Purple), Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins), and Oscar award […]
The post ‘Selma’ DVD Review: Ava DuVernay Creates A Unique, Moving Drama On Martin Luther King Jr. appeared first on uInterview.
The post ‘Selma’ DVD Review: Ava DuVernay Creates A Unique, Moving Drama On Martin Luther King Jr. appeared first on uInterview.
- 5/7/2015
- by Anya Ferguson
- Uinterview
Tavis Smiley has teamed up with J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot shingle to adapt his 2014 book on Mlk, "Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year," for television. The New York Times bestselling author and award-winning talk show host recounts the trials and triumphs of the final 365 days of King's life, in the Little, Brown & Company-published book, including denunciations by the press, rejection from the president, dismissal by the country's black middle class and militants, assaults on his character, ideology, and political tactics, to name a few - all of which he had to rise above in order to continue to lead. No word...
- 4/13/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot has partnered with author/talk-show host Tavis Smiley to bring his book, Death Of A King, to the small screen. Bad Robot has acquired rights to the book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final days in association with Warner Bros Television, where the company is based on the TV side. Published by Little, Brown & Co. last fall to solid reviews, Death Of A King tells the dramatic and untold story of King’s tumultuous last year leading to his 1968…...
- 4/13/2015
- Deadline TV
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, Paramount Pictures will re-release its Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning film Selma nationwide for a special encore engagement.
Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film will play in theaters across the U.S. beginning Friday, March 20th.
Tickets are on sale today online and at theater box offices. For a list of theaters and to purchase tickets, visit www.SelmaMovie.com
Moviegoers who purchase a ticket to see Selma at a participating theater can receive an additional ticket free. This limited time offer is only available at participating theater box offices.
Selma won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” by Common & John Legend. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.
Selma,...
Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film will play in theaters across the U.S. beginning Friday, March 20th.
Tickets are on sale today online and at theater box offices. For a list of theaters and to purchase tickets, visit www.SelmaMovie.com
Moviegoers who purchase a ticket to see Selma at a participating theater can receive an additional ticket free. This limited time offer is only available at participating theater box offices.
Selma won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” by Common & John Legend. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.
Selma,...
- 3/18/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Selma, the rousing civil rights epic I crowned the best film of 2014, is finally making its way to Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on May 5th, two weeks after it arrives on Digital HD platforms.
Ava DuVernay’s stunning depiction of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led protesters from Selma to Montgomery to fight for equal voting rights is that rare biopic alive and responsive not only to the emotions of its time but also to how those emotions carry over to the modern era. It’s brilliantly acted, gorgeously shot and passionately written, all of which have convinced me it will be hailed as a masterpiece in the years to come.
Paramount Home Media Distribution is handling the release. Full specs are below, and the amount of extras included make the Blu-Ray for Selma a must-buy. Look for it this May.
Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby,...
Ava DuVernay’s stunning depiction of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led protesters from Selma to Montgomery to fight for equal voting rights is that rare biopic alive and responsive not only to the emotions of its time but also to how those emotions carry over to the modern era. It’s brilliantly acted, gorgeously shot and passionately written, all of which have convinced me it will be hailed as a masterpiece in the years to come.
Paramount Home Media Distribution is handling the release. Full specs are below, and the amount of extras included make the Blu-Ray for Selma a must-buy. Look for it this May.
Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby,...
- 3/11/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby, The New Yorker), “deeply moving” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “a triumph” (A.O. Scott, New York Times), director Ava DuVernay’s powerful drama Selma debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand May 5, 2015 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.
The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD April 21, 2015.
Embraced by critics and audiences alike, Selma was named one of the best films of the year by New York Times,New York Post, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, Hollywood Reporter and many more. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Oscar for Best Original Song for John Legend and Common’s compelling tribute “Glory.”
Director Ava DuVernay delivers the “definitive depiction of the 1960s American civil rights movement” (Lou Lumenick, New York Post) with the incredible story of how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD April 21, 2015.
Embraced by critics and audiences alike, Selma was named one of the best films of the year by New York Times,New York Post, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, Hollywood Reporter and many more. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Oscar for Best Original Song for John Legend and Common’s compelling tribute “Glory.”
Director Ava DuVernay delivers the “definitive depiction of the 1960s American civil rights movement” (Lou Lumenick, New York Post) with the incredible story of how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- 3/10/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The critically acclaimed film Selma is coming to blu-ray in May, Paramount has revealed, with a handful of historical special features that will give you a deeper look at the events that inspired the movie. Come inside to learn exactly when you'll be able to bring it home.
If you missed Selma in theaters or simply want to relive the powerful story again, you'll get your chance in a couple months as the film hit's blu-ray on May 5, 2015. You can get all the information on what's coming on the disc thanks to the press release from Paramount:
Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby, The New Yorker), “deeply moving” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “a triumph” (A.O. Scott, New York Times), director Ava DuVernay’s powerful drama Selma debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand May 5, 2015 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD...
If you missed Selma in theaters or simply want to relive the powerful story again, you'll get your chance in a couple months as the film hit's blu-ray on May 5, 2015. You can get all the information on what's coming on the disc thanks to the press release from Paramount:
Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby, The New Yorker), “deeply moving” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “a triumph” (A.O. Scott, New York Times), director Ava DuVernay’s powerful drama Selma debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand May 5, 2015 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD...
- 3/10/2015
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
Dr. Alveda King is Fox News Channel's latest contributor. The minister, civil rights and pro-life activist, vocal conservative and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has signed on to offer social and cultural commentary across the network's daytime and primetime blocks. "Alveda has brilliantly carried the legacy of the King family to the next generation and has been a source of inspiration for many Americans," said Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes in the announcement. "Her passion and mission for social change will be a valuable contribution to our network." Read More Martin Luther King
read more...
read more...
- 3/6/2015
- by Michael O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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