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Best Frank Darabont Movies and Shows, Ranked

An auteur by all sorts, Frank Darabont’s career is very interesting. A screenwriter-turned-director whose storytelling capacity speaks for itself, anyone would think he would be more prolific. If you had that sort of talent, wouldn’t you do more with it? However, if you look up Darabont, you will see he’s been in the industry for almost 40 years, yet he’s only made a handful of movies. Some of them, he only wrote.

This makes his work even more valuable. His scripts simply make sense, and the curious thing is, even though he certainly injects his own identity into his work, he’s become one of the few writers able to transmit Stephen King’s universe to the big screen. Not only that, he did pretty good things with those scripts. That highest rated film in IMDb? Yup, it’s a Darabont joint.

Naturally, it was time to dig around his catalog and come up with a list of his best work. We compiled everything into one solid list that includes TV, film and his work solely as a writer. His screenplays are really that good, and we couldn’t leave them out. Keep your schedules open — you will probably want to put these on your queues right away.

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11 The Fly II

10

20th Century Fox

Co-written with genre master Mick Garris, the Darabont script for The Fly II is solid enough to make the film a noteworthy addition to cult lists today. The film’s notable for its gory and icky special effects, but also for giving humanity to a character in a sequel that didn’t call for an emotional side. This is one of Darabont’s staples: to compel us to love monsters.

9 The Blob

Again, a writer’s work, but this time for a remake and not a sequel. Regardless, Darabont’s approach to The Blob is fresh and exciting, arousing the audience to like characters in a second as they’re cleverly developed in a film with lots of humor and gore. You probably remember this one for the effects, but it’s a second feature opportunity for Darabont, who once again showed he was made for this job. While the original is a Cold War masterpiece, this 1988 version is one of the best horror remakes of all time.

8 The Majestic

The Majestic movie with Jim Carrey — Warner Bros.

The Majestic strangely underseen film that is also rare because Darabont didn’t write it, and he only directed it. Perhaps, that’s why it feels like the third act feels like it lacks a certain conclusion. Nevertheless, a good performance by Jim Carrey is enough to make this one a worthy addition to Darabont’s universe. But it’s how Darabont makes a family-friendly film with such a delicate subject the reason why it’s a highlight of his short career. We’re pretty sure this will become a cult classic soon.

7 Mob City

The Darabont presence in TV — it’s something the industry hasn’t used enough. The director has the capacity to create worlds where logic is secondary, and human stories are the most important thing above everything else. In Mob City, L.A. in the 40s is driven by gangsters and a relatively chaotic police department. With only six episodes, Darabont and company accomplished noteworthy arcs that made sense, and engaged audiences to ask TNT why such a good show was canceled. We’re still waiting for a reply.

6 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

Of course we were going to add this one to the list. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles is part of a long forgotten era of TV with a production value that didn’t pose a risk for studios. However, Frank Darabont’s work is very notable, as he was responsible for keeping the show fresh with compelling arcs. Also, this version of Indy was developed in a PG-restricted world, and Darabont seemed to be surprisingly comfortable with this kind of restriction.

5 The Green Mile

A scene from The Green Mile — Warner Bros.

This Stephen King adaptation of The Green Mile is perhaps the most representative of Darabont’s personality in terms of storytelling. The amount of details the film has is impressive which is curious, considering its running time (189 minutes) and the fact that nothing about the film seems random or unnecessary.

4 A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

A scene from A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors — New Line Cinema

Dream Warriors is a fan favorite. The third part in Freddy Krueger’s adventures, was written in part by Darabont alongside Craven and other writers. It’s not clear what he wrote and what he left out, but what seems transparent about Darabont’s role is the final spirit of a film with a tone that wasn’t as dark as it could have been. Besides, anyone involved with such a cool movie deserves a round of applause.

3 The Mist

His body of work was already unique and original, but Darabont’s version of The Mist represented a genre shift that showed his confidence when dealing with King’s universe. This one is full of special effects as it was expected, but Darabont also manages the display of the dark of humanity in the plot. Antagonism is kind of obvious, but Darabont simply gives strength to the emotional cannon that is a mini society subjected to the apocalypse and its jarring, dangerous dynamics.

2 The Walking Dead

We like to believe Darabont’s the reason why The Walking Dead stayed as relevant as it did for so much time, even if he wasn’t fully involved with what the show became and its downfall. It was a show about zombies, that’s undeniable. But the development of a post apocalypse utopia wouldn’t have been as effective without a script style that compelled audiences looking for a drama show and not a horror fest.

1 The Shawshank Redemption

This is Darabont’s finest work, and again, it’s a King adaptation. The Shawshank Redemption is a beautiful story about resilience when residing in Hell, but Darabont develops the film with a distracting personality that distracts the audience from its surprising twist. It’s an emotional juggernaut that shows Darabont’s ability to form horrific worlds and characters, outside the usual supernatural horror worlds King writes about.

An auteur by all sorts, Frank

How the Recording Academy Expanded Accessibility – The Hollywood Reporter

Before last year’s televised Grammys ceremony began, the award show had already garnered viral attention for its use of ASL interpreters on the red carpet.

An accessibility measure rarely presented during the entertainment industry’s major awards shows, the presence of the sign language interpreters was the byproduct of more than a year’s worth of conversations between the Recording Academy and Recording Artists and Music Professionals With Disabilities (RAMPD), a global network of artists who consult and advise around disability inclusion and accessibility for the music and events industry.

Those conversations started informally roughly a year earlier when EDM artist and Grammys New York board governor Lachi connected with Valeisha Butterfield Jones, the Recording Academy’s then vp of diversity, equity and inclusion. The two were on a panel exploring how the Academy could support artists within the larger disability community as Lachi, a Black female musician who’s herself part of the blind, low or limited vision community, was beginning to lay the groundwork for the yet-to-launch RAMPD.

They would stay in touch, even as Jones moved into her new position as co-president of the Recording Academy (she has since left for Google), Ryan Butler stepped into the DEI role ahead of the 64th annual show and RAMPD officially launched in January 2022. As a result, the collective of disabled musicians was poised to drive conversations in the show’s lead-up, “especially in how to make our show more accessible not only for those in attendance and the audience but for those who are viewing the show at home,” Butler tells The Hollywood Reporter.

As the Grammys returned to Los Angeles this year, RAMPD moved from an unofficial consulting role to an official advisor to the Recording Academy in order to set a new precedent for equitable access at major awards shows.

From the Crypto.com Arena venue (formerly the Staples Center) and the Grammys’ Premiere Ceremony to the red carpet, here’s how the Recording Academy and RAMPD are not only bringing attention to but also moving the needle on accessibility when it comes to one of the biggest live music industry events.

New Partners and Planning Infrastructure Were Introduced for 2023 Show

Before the 2022 Grammys, Butler met with RAMPD and other disability inclusion consultants upwards of 10 times ahead of the show to address goals and plans for the in-person ceremony and telecast. RAMPD also brought in Roy Samuelsen, a voiceover artist and audio-description advocate, to help the show deliver the live visual descriptions for the blind as part of the live telecast, for the first time in CBS’ history.

The academy’s communications department also hired Amber G Productions, an ASL interpreting agency that specializes in music and entertainment, to support interpretation on the carpet and in the media and press rooms.

“Lachi and the team at RAMPD offered lots of guidance leading up to last year’s telecast and that was very important, especially as we were moving venues from Crypto.com to Las Vegas and still trying to make sure we implemented the inclusion rider in a meaningful and impactful way,” Butler says.

But Lachi says there were fewer meetings and a more focused pipeline this year, “as we already knew more of what we wanted from the things we learned last year.” Instead, they had a post-show discussion in May 2022, early conversations for the 2023 ceremony in the fall and on-site meetings during Grammys week that were all more “substantive.”

“It’s about intentionality and the intention to not only want to change but to actually want to encourage future change through what you’re doing,” Lachi tells THR. “There is a lot to be said about the ramps, the consultations, which were very fruitful.”

RAMPD wasn’t in direct communication with the telecast producers nor CBS, which incorporated several of their recommendations. But the disability and inclusion advocates worked with the Recording Academy’s DEI production team on implementing accessibility within the events the academy oversees. That includes the carpet for the main and Premiere ceremonies, GRAMMY Live which streams both and the media room.

To do this, RAMPD teamed with Andraéa LaVant’s LaVant Consulting (LCI) to provide American Sign Language interpreters and production consultation, with live audio description through Descriptive Video Works during GRAMMY Live. “RAMPD wants to have relationships with anyone who is working on making their venue more accessible or ensuring that their DEI measures include accessibility or disability inclusion within the music space, within the entertainment space and within the performance space,” Lachi tells THR. “

Also new this year was consultation through RAMPD — which was recently awarded by the UN-supported Project Zero and has partnered with companies like Netflix, Coachella, the Wavy Awards and the National Independent Venue Association — about sensitivity training for certain members of the Grammys team to ensure they could implement accessibility measures accurately and respectfully.

“We have had honest and earnest consulting meetings with the production team,” the artist says. “Like last year where we did a social media consulting session to make sure they’re getting the language right, getting the captioning right.”

RAMPD and the Recording Academy Produced Historically Accessible Red Carpet Media Access

Last year, the Grammys delivered one of the biggest signs of progress within the Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Tony circuit. While many ceremonies and telecasts are only focused on what’s happening inside the theater and during the live airing, the 2022 Grammys prioritized inclusion in the pre-show, one of the most buzzed-about awards show elements, but something that is frequently forgotten in accessibility conversations.

The 64th annual awards featured the Amber G Productions team running ASL interpretation for the academy on both the carpet and in the media rooms. That continued this year through the RAMPD and LaVant Consulting-led ASL interpretation, with more prominent red carpet placement for interpreters.

“It was amazing to have the ASL interpreters last year on the carpet, but did as many artists at the top of the carpet take an ASL interpreter there for them as we would have liked? No,” Butler says. “Now we have language that is encouraging everyone to take an ASL interpreter. We’re thinking about what that actually means for the frame and where the ASL interpreter is in the shot.”

Additionally, the duo confirmed that this year, the Academy briefed the press ahead of Sunday night that accessibility tools were offered. The shift follows confusion and criticism around ASL interpretation during last year’s ceremony, which some on social media attributed to the artists — like Olivia Rodrigo — instead of the Recording Academy.

For those in the blind and low vision communities, live audio description was planned as part of the GRAMMY Live red-carpet special, but ultimately did not happen. It would have marked a first for the Recording Academy event.

A desire to be more intentional about publicizing what accessibility steps the show is taking also led to Lachi walking the carpet Sunday, where she was available to discuss the show’s accessibility efforts and the need for disability inclusion onstage and off at live music events. “I’m really excited that we get to showcase the progress,” she says. “It is a very beautiful thing that this community needs to see. Sometimes when we do the work, work happens.”

She was supported in person by fellow artists with disabilities including comedian Nic Novicki, influencer Tiffany Yu and a representative from RespectAbility, as well as RAMPD members such as vp Precious Perez, Namel Morris and James Ian.

Disability Inclusion Became a Part of Grammy Week

Butler said that this year’s week of Grammy events saw his DEI team move towards making those spaces more inclusive of music’s disabled community. And they’re doing it through an initiative that debuted in 2022 — the inclusion rider — which was launched primarily through official partnerships with GLAAD and Color of Change.

The rider allowed the academy to collect data on ethnicity, race, gender and sexuality during the 2022 show to evaluate the event’s hiring practices. Last year’s event featured a production staff that was 39 percent female and a staff and crew that was 24 percent BIPOC. But that initial survey didn’t include questions about accessibility and disability, an important part of the show’s larger DEI work.

“Knowing how many of our staff and crew are identifying as disabled will really help us to push the needle,” he says. So for the 2023 show, the Recording Academy is collecting data in a more “formal” way through yet another self-ID survey for the telecast, Premiere Ceremony and Grammy Week events, in an effort to implement accessibility measures across Grammy events.

“I think that the telecast and the telecast red carpet is where we will gather most of our key learnings that can then be applied to our other events,” Butler says about this year’s efforts and their potential impact on next year’s ceremony and Grammy Week. “What we do at the telecast does set the standard for all of our other events.”

The Grammys Venue Has Its Own Accessibility Support

RAMPD had no direct collaboration with accessibility measures at the 2023 Grammys venue of L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena. But through the organization’s talks with Butler and the Recording Academy, at least one thing was different for attendees with disabilities.

Like last year’s Vegas venue the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the Crypto.com Arena also featured ADA-compliant seating, and the academy provided thoughtful messaging to attendees with and without disabilities. “As part of our work with [RAMPD] and LaVant Consulting, we’re making sure that those who actually need those seats and those who require those seats are filling in those seats,” Butler says.

But that’s only the tip of arena-based inclusion efforts. As part of the venue’s general policies, accessibility tools and support include team member training; assistive listening devices; TTY services for those who are deaf, have hearing loss or a speech impairment; real-time captioning services courtesy of VITAC via a browser-based mobile phone; wheelchair services including escorts and storage; and sensory accommodations.

For those with sensory-based processing conditions, Crypto.com Arena and KultureCity teamed to offer sensory bags, weighted lap pads and quiet areas. The sensory bags — which are no-cost — include fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and other potential resources like anti-glare glasses and communication cards. And unlike most venues, all of these services are outlined in one easy-to-navigate location on the Crypto.com Arena website.

The Grammys Telecast Featured Additional Accessibility Measures

Driven by recommendations from RAMPD, the 2022 ceremony attempted to elevate the presence of ASL both in-person and during the ceremony’s telecast. Inside the theater, where accessibility decisions are left up to CBS and the show’s producers, there were at least two interpreters in the room.

Butler told THR back in 2022 that “it is my goal to have it as part of the telecast and visible during the telecast,” but it’s an aspiration that will ultimately not come to fruition this year. ASL interpreters were once again in the room but remained off-camera for the event whose larger production staffing is led by ARRAY CREW.

Beyond sign language interpretation, the Grammys featured a stage with a built-in ramp, designed for the second year in a row by Yellow Studio. as part of its design. It’s a measure RAMPD successfully advocated for last yea and that Lachi previously told The Hollywood Reporter, has “really become the symbol of intentional disability inclusion at award ceremonies.”

The telecast also featured live captioning, something Butler says RAMPD discussed as important to have but noted couldn’t be the only option. (“Sometimes the live captioning is completely wrong because the person sitting there typing it is typing too fast,” says Butler, who was made aware of the distinction by RAMPD. “And maybe you’d prefer to just switch to ASL.”)

Criticism of Bad Bunny and Busta Rhymes’ music and lyric captions during the 2023 show underscore that position. Spanish language closed captioning was added for on-demand Paramount+ streams for the former’s opening performance.)

Finally, audio description returned, continuing a major win in the space after the 2022 broadcast served as CBS’ first-ever live event featuring visual descriptions for the blind. Like last year, the 65th annual live telecast’s AD was provided on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel by VITAC and Audio Eyes, who were behind the AD and live captioning for the 2022 Oscars, Tonys and SAG Awards. (The audio description for Paramount+ was and will continue to only be included in post-live streams.)

Where the Grammys Are Still Looking to Grow

The needle moves between last and this year’s Grammys illustrate how much can evolve in a short time, but also how many stakeholders must buy in to make live events more inclusive and accessible. “The Grammys are a big conglomerate-esque event that is beholden to a ton of things,” Lachi told THR.

Both Lachi and Butler have expressed pride to THR following both shows in what they’ve been able to achieve so far while noting that it’s imperative the show be committed beyond simple compliance — and get investment from both internal and external stakeholders.

Following the 2022 show, Butler highlighted wanting “ASL interpreters onstage at the Premiere Ceremony,” as one goal, while Lachi and her fellow RAMPD members also indicated a desire to see picture-in-picture interpretation during the telecast or even a separate ASL stream akin to the Oscars. It’s something Butler has spoken to the Film Academy — who launched an ASL live stream — about how to implement. Within those conversations could be an answer and a future show change that several musicians and accessibility advocates told THR was an important part of inclusion.

Among Lachi and RAMPD’s other ongoing asks are self-description, the onscreen and onstage visibility of disabled presenters and performers and the hiring of people with disabilities below the line, something that the inclusion rider will now help track. But for the EDM artist and disability advocate, one of the most immediate and easy areas for improving accessibility may be social promotion and marketing.

After the 64th annual show, musicians with disabilities in attendance, as well as disabled fans at home, took to social media and, in post-show interviews with The Hollywood Reporter, emphasized the need to know what was available to them. “They could better serve TV viewers by letting them know what accessibility measures have been implemented and how to access them,” Lis Sniderman, a RAMPD member and singer-songwriter, told THR last year.

Websites with accessibility options like the Crypto.com Arena site as well as press releases and social media campaigns highlighting the measures would ensure the ability to engage the Grammys’ work towards an equitable experience. (As of Sunday afternoon, neither the Recording Academy nor CBS had published social media statements or releases about the show’s accessibility measures for the carpet, media room, premiere ceremony or telecast. Reps for the academy, CBS and Paramount+ confirmed those efforts to THR.)

“For RAMPD, it was great for us to be able to consult on accessibility and have adequate accessibility measures in place. But having a large entity or a very large public event discuss the accessibility measures allows the disability community to feel included, to tune in and feel like they belong,” Lachi says. “There’s also still just the element of accessibility. If you’re putting these tools in place, let us know about it. An accessibility measure is letting us know the accessibility measures.”

This Is What Gen Z Actually Wants From Their Jobs Right Now

Before last year’s televised Grammys ceremony began,

Entertaintment, Tech

Is ‘Quiet Thriving’ the New Workplace Trend We Should All Be Channeling?

“If you believe your boss is an overbearing fool, you have no control over how they behave, but you do have control over how you react to their behavior. So go through each of the points (good and bad) and mark ‘control,’ ‘influence,’ or ‘no control’. It’s then down to you to take the parts that light you up and you have control over, and to work out a plan to incorporate more of that into your every day.”

Ellera suggests, “Look at the parts that frustrate you but you have control over, and work out how you can get less of that in your day. Once you’ve worked on these, go onto the things that you have influence over and do the same. Then consciously agree to let go of the things you have no control over. But know that even with these, you always have control over how you choose to react to them. And it is a choice.”

Learn to soothe your nervous system.

“When we get stressed, we lose full access to parts of our brain, as the body is focusing on more imminent threats (previously the hungry lion, now the looming deadline or the angry looking boss heading your way). When our body is in this threat mode, we also lose the ability to communicate properly and build connections with others, both of which are imperative for our workplace success and mental well-being,“ Ellera says.

“So to step out of this threat mode, we need to learn to soothe our nervous system, and we can do this by starting to become more aware of how our body is feeling in the moment. Are you breathing deeply, are your shoulders and jaw relaxed, are you feeling calm? Or are you taking short breaths in the top of your chest, feeling like you’re about to explode?

“Set a reminder on your phone to repeat every hour, and when it goes off, just take notice,” she instructs. “Become aware of what’s happening internally. Allow yourself the grace of taking three long, deep breaths in, exhaling each as slowly as you can through pursed lips, imagining you’re breathing out through a straw. This allows your nervous system to calm and means that your body can function fully and your brain can work optimally—because you can’t thrive in your job if your body is stuck in threat mode.”

Career experts give us the low-down.

Connect with others.

It takes a lot of energy for our body to function properly, and a lot of the time, we are taking more out of it than we are replenishing. This means we end up in an energy deficit; that’s when we feel sluggish, sleepy or downright exhausted.

“One thing that can help us to feel rejuvenated is to connect with people who make us feel safe,” says Ellera. “People who feel good to be around. This is when we can co-regulate our nervous systems—we move into step with other people’s breathing and heart-rate rhythm when we are relaxed with them. This can give us more energy and motivation in our workday. The key to this is making sure these relationships are built with growth in mind, so not hanging around with the group that spend their time complaining about work or their boss.

“If you believe your boss is an

Jesse Moss on the Complexities of Faith in ‘The Overnighters’

Filmmaker Jesse Moss has a long history of making subtle but challenging documentaries. His latest work, The Overnighters, follows a pastor in North Dakota who struggles to shelter an influx of people who have shown up in the state from all over America, desperate for work. Pastor Jay Reinke’s struggles are compounded by his efforts to reconcile the principles of his faith (“Love Thy Neighbor”) with the objections of the townspeople to his taking in some Overnighters with sketchy pasts—and by his own personal demons and discretions. Prior to the film’s world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, we talked about this complex tale of faith, redemption, community and betrayal.

The Overnighters earned a Special Jury Prize for Intuitive Filmmaking at Sundance, then went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Miami International Film Festival, the Inspiration Award at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Golden Gate Award for Best Feature Documentary at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

I followed up with Moss in June to talk about his journey with the film, which opens October 10 through Drafthouse Films.

From Jesse Moss’ The Overnighters. Courtesy of Drafthouse Films

Documentary: How did you come to make this film?

Jesse Moss: I originally went up to North Dakota for a television network. That project fizzled, but the place astounded me. The scale of transformation in the small town of Williston was extraordinary, and I felt like I was touching a live wire that arcs back through American history to mythic American boomtowns like Deadwood and Dodge City. When I met Pastor Jay and some of the men sleeping in the church, I knew I had to start filming, but had no idea where the story would take me.

How long was the production process? How many trips did you take to North Dakota?

I made 16 trips to Williston over two years. Each trip was between five and eight days, so roughly 80 days of production. For the first six months of production, I slept in Pastor Jay’s Church, largely out of necessity—all the hotel rooms in town were booked solid by oil companies. I worked alone in the field, as producer, director, camera and sound recordist, which accounts for the intimacy of the film.

From a filmmaker’s perspective, did you have a sense of where the film was going as you shot, or did it start to really come together as you went through the footage?

I had some sense that a story was emerging around Pastor Jay’s dedication to helping the Overnighters and the emerging conflict with his congregation, his neighbors and the local newspaper about that decision. But I spent a lot of time filming secondary characters, some of whom are not included in the final film. There were a lot of characters to juggle, and finding the right balance—and allowing Pastor Jay’s story to drive the film forward—required a lot of experimentation in the edit room.

I will say that hugely important themes emerged only very late in the edit, and that scenes and characters I was sure would be in the final film were dropped. Credit goes to my editor Jeff Gilbert, who brings a sharp eye for story and dramatic construction, a real rigor to his method, and a willingness to tolerate my wild and ornery impulses.

Like any doc, you start to get close to the characters, and you want to treat them with respect. At a certain point you must have struggled with how to handle the main characters’ comfort with the camera and how that clashed with other people’s comfort. The scene where the pastor talks to his wife about his indiscretions, for example, must have been a real challenge.

I spent a long time building my relationship with Pastor Jay, his family and the other men in the film. Working alone helps in this regard. So there was a strong foundation when the story took unexpected and painful turns.

Pastor Jay Reinke. Courtesy of Drafthouse Films

Talk about the experience of showing the film to, and with, Pastor Jay. How has the film affected him and his family? How about any other characters in the film? How do you as a documentary filmmaker deal with that line of balancing the needs of your characters with that of the film?

Jay and I watched the film together at my house in San Francisco. I think that the film was quite scary to him in abstraction, but once he was able to watch it, his concerns subsided. He told me he could recognize that the movie has a very powerful and positive message. He did have some comments, which he conveyed, and that we discussed at length.

Jay came to Sundance for the film’s premiere, with the blessing of his wife. He’s a tremendously brave person. I told him that I thought the story would resonate strongly with audiences, and that they would embrace and respect him, but I couldn’t be certain. It was a real leap of faith. And Jay was at a very low point.

But he came, and it was an electrifying response—terrifying for both of us, but intensely moving. And for him, it was affirming. He had many conversations with audiences—I think he participated in five screenings—and many one-on-one conversations. He was recognized on the streets of Park City, and on the shuttle bus. And it was validating for both of us when the reviews arrived.

Jay’s family members have each come to the film in their own way, privately, and subsequently in more public ways. His daughter Mary attended a public screening in Minneapolis, and his son Eric came to our screening in New York, at the Tribeca Film Festival. That was very important for Jay. At the Q&A, Eric said that he understands his father better now after watching the movie. It was emotional. Eric is as brave as his father.

Navigating through the intense turbulence of Jay’s life and the dramatic turns of the story has been the biggest challenge of my filmmaking career. We hit some rough patches—but Jay trusted me, and I worked hard to return that trust by making a compassionate and honest film. Jay has faith. He believes the best in people. For that, I’m lucky and grateful.

Pastor Jay Reinke. Photo: Jesse Moss. Courtesy of Drafthouse Films

I think the central tension of documentary is that very line you refer to—that balance between our obligations to our subjects and our story. You can side-step those questions, depending on your formal approach. For me, it’s a shifting line, one that is constantly being drawn and re-drawn as you make the film and your relationships evolve. I don’t pull any punches, but it’s always been important to have my subject participate in the film’s public life. I think the integrity of that relationship is written into a film, on screen, and audiences recognize it—and your subjects recognize it too.

I’m hopeful that Keegan can attend the film’s New York premiere. Unfortunately, I’ve lost contact with two men in the film: Michael and Alan.

Have you shown the film in North Dakota, and if so, what was the response there?

Jay and I have discussed screening the film in Williston, followed by a conversation with community leaders, members of the church, the newspaper and local residents. He’s enthusiastic about the idea. We’re in the initial planning stages now.

The critical and audience responses have been extremely positive. Talk about your distribution plans.

We’ve had an incredible festival experience and the response has been very positive. Critics and audiences have really embraced the film’s moral complexity. It’s also an emotional experience for viewers and a film that people think about, talk about and argue about for days after they see it—so I’ve been told. Drafthouse Films, which is a truly bold and visionary distributor, will be releasing the film theatrically in the fall, and they are building an engagement campaign to leverage the conversation we believe this movie can spark.

This is a story not just about Williston but about America today—about the increasingly stratified society we live in, about affordable housing and the homeless in our own communities, and about the choices we all face when we consider what it truly means to “love thy neighbor.”

What does your next project look like?

I’m very much focused on The Overnighters right now, but I’m developing some documentary ideas and finishing a feature screenplay that’s based on a true story.

Michael Galinsky is a filmmaker and photographer. His latest film, Who Took Johnny, co-directed by Suki Hawley and David Bellinson, is on the festival circuit.

Filmmaker Jesse Moss has a long history

Global

McKinsey not qualified for banning company from federal contracts, bureaucrat says – National

By Nojoud Al Mallees

The Canadian Press

Posted February 6, 2023 11:01 pm

Updated February 6, 2023 11:03 pm

The deputy minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada says the federal government’s ethics rules do not disqualify consulting firm McKinsey & Company from doing business with the federal government despite scrutiny of the firm’s global track record.

Paul Thompson answered questions about the firm’s government contracts at a House of Commons committee Monday.

He said a Canadian company would be barred from federal contracts if one of its affiliates has been convicted of a crime, which is not the case for McKinsey.

The company has faced scrutiny for its work around the world, including its alleged involvement in the opioid crisis in the U.S. and its work with authoritarian governments.

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The House of Commons government operations committee is digging into contracts awarded to McKinsey since 2011 following media reports showing a rapid increase in the company’s federal contracts under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.

The government says McKinsey has received at least $116.8 million in federal contracts since 2015.

At a news conference Monday, Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said the federal government shouldn’t be contracting with McKinsey. “We cannot work with a company that’s behaving in the way McKinsey has.”

Click to play video: '‘I am not a friend’ of Trudeau, ex-McKinsey head Dominic Barton says amid contract probe'

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‘I am not a friend’ of Trudeau, ex-McKinsey head Dominic Barton says amid contract probe

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By Nojoud Al Mallees The Canadian Press Posted February

Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer With The Drifters For 60 Years Was 85 – Deadline

Charlie Thomas, who as part of The Drifters kept alive such hits as “There Goes My Baby” and “Under the Boardwalk” for new generations, died on Jan. 31 at his home in Bowie, Md. He was 85.

His friend, singer Peter Lemongello Jr., said the cause was liver cancer.

Thomas was a Drifter for more than 60 years, touring with the group until the pandemic closed the nightclub and concert circuit. Thomas, a tenor, was an integral part of the group as they churned out such hits as “There Goes My Baby,” “Under The Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof,” and “Saturday Night at the Movies,” among others. “Save The Last Dance For Me” reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts, the group’s only chart-topper.

Thomas sang lead on “Sweets for My Sweet,” which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100 in 1961, and “When My Little Girl Is Smiling,” which peaked at No. 28 the next year.

As with most groups of the era, personnel changed over the decades and splinter groups claimed to be the legitimate heirs of the original members. Thomas ended his career fronting Charlie Thomas’s Drifters.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Rita Thomas; his daughters, Crystal Thomas Wilson and Victoria Green; his sons, Charlie Jr., Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charlie Thomas, who as part of The

The KEF R2 Meta speakers pictured on either side of a large TV in a dark living room.

KEF’s new Dolby Atmos speakers include an ‘acoustic black hole’ for better sound

KEF has refreshed its high-performance R Series speaker range with a new set of devices for 2023. The line-up boasts audio tech upgrades to deliver superior stereo or home theater sound whether you want a new set of speakers to fit on a bookshelf or stand on the floor.

KEF is known for building premium audio products that deliver high-end sound, like the KEF LS50 Wireless II stereo speakers. KEF says the seven speakers in the R Series range are “engineered to provide superior performance with more detail, deeper insight and greater excitement.”

This is thanks to a bunch of tech upgrades, including a refined tweeter gap damper to tame resonances for improved detail, a flexible Decoupling Chassis to prevent unwanted vibrations and deliver better quality, and hybrid aluminium bass drivers for greater driver excursion resulting in deep and controlled bass.

But the standout feature here is a new kind of technology that KEF calls Metamaterial Absorption Technology, a “maze-like structure” within each speaker where channels can absorb specific frequencies.

KEF says this creates “an acoustic black hole” that can absorb 99% of unwanted sound from the rear of the speaker’s tweeter. The result is less distortion, and that promises a pure acoustic performance with incredibly natural sound.

These are the KEF R3 Meta bookshelf speakers. They come in Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut finishes, but watch out for a special edition Indigo Gloss version, which lands in summer 2023. (Image credit: KEF)

There are seven speakers to choose from that cater to a range of preferences. The R11 Meta, R7 Meta and R5 Meta are floor-standing speakers, and the R3 Meta is built for bookcases or stand placement. They all deliver high-fidelity stereo sound and are designed to work in various spaces. KEF says it’s depth and detail that these excel in. The R6 Meta and R2 Meta are center speakers for a home theater set-up, delivering clear dialogue and built to work well in a range of rooms.

If you’re looking for Dolby Atmos support, check out the R8 Meta surround speaker, which can be wall-mounted or put on top of another R Series loudspeaker to deliver immersive sound.

All of the speakers in the range have a contemporary, stylish design that we’ve come to expect from KEF. There’s a choice of three finishes, Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut. But two signature finish options will also land later in the year: a Titanium Gloss Special Edition for the R7 Meta and the Indigo Gloss Special Edition for R3 Meta.

The KEF R-Series is out now, but you’ll have to wait until Summer 2023 for the special edition finishes.

KEF R-Series Pricing:

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R11 Meta: £5,500 / $3,250 per piece
R7 Meta: £4,000 / $2,500 per piece
R5 Meta: £3,000 / $2,000 per piece
R3 Meta: £1,900 / $2,200 per pair
R6 Meta: £1,600 / $2,000 per piece
R2 Meta: £1,200 / $1,400 per piece
R8 Meta: £1,400 / $1,600 per pair

KEF has refreshed its high-performance R Series

Seth Rogen: ‘The Interview’ Caused ‘Seismic Shifts’ in Hollywood

The 2014 Kim Jong-Un assassination spoof starring James Franco and Randall Park ignited North Korea terrorist threats and the infamous Sony email hack.

Seth Rogen is finally ready to address the infamous legacy of “The Interview” almost a decade later.

During the Hawk vs. Wolf podcast presented by MALKA Media, Rogen opened up to co-hosts Tony Hawk and Jason Ellis about the “catastrophic” fallout of the controversial 2014 comedy about a faux assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

“At the time, it was really bad and really catastrophic,” Rogen recalled. “People we knew were getting fired from it. The head of the studio [Sony Pictures head Amy Pascal] was essentially fired from it. It really caused seismic shifts in Hollywood at the time and I think how business was done in some ways.”

“The Interview” starred James Franco as a talk show host who travels to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-Un (Randall Park) for an exclusive interview. However, the CIA recruits him and his TV producer (Rogen) to assassinate the dictator instead. Sony Pictures canceled the December 25, 2014 wide release of the film due to North Korean leaders calling the film an “act of war” and the subsequent Sony email hack led by allegedly North Korean-based hacker group Guardians of Peace. Digital threats of a 9/11 type attack were also issued leading up to the film’s New York premiere. Netflix acquired “The Interview” and it began streaming a month after what would have been its initial theatrical release.

“It kind of showed the success a movie could have in some ways if it has a full theatrical campaign and then immediately go to streaming,” Rogen said. “It streamed on Google and I think it’s still the biggest movie that’s ever streamed on Google which is crazy. Students come up to me and say they’re teaching it in their university class. It was wild.”

The “Fabelmans” star added on a personal note, “It really re-calibrated what I think is controversial. After that I was like now I know what it’s like. Unless the president is giving news conferences about it, that’s controversy. If someone is getting mad about it on social media, that’s not controversy. Having like the U.N. have to make a statement about it, that’s a controversy.”

The lasting “fallout” according to Rogen wasn’t as detrimental as he anticipated, though.

“We were able to keep making movies,” he said. “What’s crazy is now it’s on television, it’s on FX at 2 p.m. It was at one point the most controversial thing in the world and now I’ll be flipping channels on a Sunday afternoon and it’s just playing. I was worried maybe it would cause some longer-lasting fallout than it did.”

At the time, Rogen joked that “People don’t usually wanna kill me for one of my movies until after they’ve paid 12 bucks for it” following the death threats against him and fellow “The Interview” stars.

While on The Graham Norton Show, Rogen called “The Interview” a “horrible experience” overall.

“It’s bad to be blamed for almost starting a war. It’s not fun; it’s super weird,” Rogen said in 2016. “I had personal security, and then one day they just went away. I was like, ‘I guess I’m safe now.’ The studio provided the filmmakers with security in case someone from North Korea was gonna kill us, I guess. And then literally, one day, they were just gone…The studio just didn’t want to pay for security any more.”

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The 2014 Kim Jong-Un assassination spoof starring

Nicole Richie Paired an Uber-Short Sparkling Minidress With an Oversized Blazer—See Pics

In the wake of ‘90s and Y2K style nostalgia, it’s Nicole Richie’s time to shine…literally.

On February 3, the Simple Life star was photographed wearing an uber-short sparkling minidress with a dramatically oversized black blazer, evoking the waifish aesthetic so popularized by the likes of Richie and the Olsen twins back in their heyday. Still, there is definitely something universal about the blazer’s exaggerated shoulders and boxy fit that makes the look more approachable than its early-aughts counterparts. And who doesn’t love a slinky tank dress?

Richie completed her look with Christian Louboutin heels and a black bag, styling her hair in a slick bun and keeping her makeup simple, yet glowing.

zerojack/Star Max

Frankly, as Hollywood it-girls begin to tire of sheer dresses, it’s only natural that hemlines are getting shorter and pants are taking the L. Everyone from Ashley Graham to Hailey Bieber seems to be ditching their trousers in favor of short shorts, shorter dresses, or nothing but a hope and a prayer that there are no strong winds. Kendall Jenner, in particular, has been championing the tights-as-pants trend since November 2022.

Kendall Jenner / Instagram

In the wake of ‘90s and Y2K

Anupam Kher Opens Up About the Failure of Boycott Trends Against Pathaan, Says ‘Jab Picture Aachi hai…’

Last Updated: February 07, 2023, 10:02 IST

Anupam Kher on failure of boycott trends against Pathaan

Shah Rukh Khan Pathaan’s success rekindled hope among moviegoers, and even Anupam Kher expressed his thoughts on the phenomenal response to Siddharth Anand’s directorial.

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan has been dominating the box office like no other film. The movie has received a resoundingly positive reception from fans as well as celebrities. Pathaan’s success rekindled hope among moviegoers, and even Anupam Kher expressed his thoughts on the phenomenal response to Siddharth Anand’s directorial. During an interview with DNA, Anupam Kher opened up on how the hashtag ‘BoycottBollywood’ trend did not harm the film.

Anupam revealed, “Aap trend dekh ke thodi picture dekhne jaoge. Koi bhi nahi jaata trend padh ke. Agar aapko trailer aacha laga toh aap jayege film dekhne. Jab picture aachi hai toh duniya ki koi takat nahi rok sakti. Log toh vengeance se jaate hai ki ‘mujhe toh dekhni hai film. (No one is influenced to watch a film by following a trend. You want to see the film if you liked the trailer. No one can sabotage a well-made film. People will even go to see the film with a sense of vengeance against the hate trend.)”

The actor further added, “The audience never boycotted cinema. We had gone through the pandemic, there were lockdowns, and people were asked to sit in their houses. This has happened after 100 years or something.” He said that the audiences found an alternative form of entertainment during this time. The OTT platforms gained popularity and began to stream movies easily.

Pathaan is a part of Aditya Chopra’s ambitious spy universe, and it stars some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham and Deepika Padukone. Apart from them, Salman Khan also makes a cameo appearance in the film. The film also stars Dimple Kapadia, Prakash Belawadi, Nikhat Khan, Ashutosh Rana, Ekta Kaul and others in supporting roles.

The film has registered a spot in the Rs 400 crore club in just 12 days. Pathaan is the fastest film to reach the milestone, beating SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2 which took 15 days, and KGF 2 which took 23 days. Siddharth Anand’s directorial was released on January 25.

Meanwhile, Anupam Kher will next be seen in the upcoming film Shiv Shastri Balboa alongside Neena Gupta, Jugal Hansraj, Nargis Fakhri, and Sharib Hashmi. Directed by Ajayan Venugopalan, the film is all set to release in the theatres on February 10, 2023.

Read all the Latest Movies News here

Entertainment Bureau

Entertainment Bureau brings you all updates from the world of entertainment — breaking news, Twitter trends, features, movie reviews, exclusive inter…Read More

Last Updated: February 07, 2023, 10:02 ISTAnupam

Get Ready For The European Film Market With Summerhill Films!

ATTEND THE EUROPEAN FILM MARKET WITH SUMMERHILL!

Check out some exciting films from Summerhill at the European Film Market! We will be at Marriott, Stand #139, with Monique White. We look forward to meeting with you!

Be sure to check out our website at www.summerhillfilms.com to see all our available films. We look forward to working with you throughout the rest of 2023 and beyond! If you’re interested in any of these titles, feel free to schedule a meeting below:

FEATURED RELEASES:

Major John Wood is in command of the EXPLORER, a rebel ship, when a reactor failure occurs. He loses control of the device. The ship crashes into a planet. Injured and out of oxygen, John struggles to survive.

When the charming bell captain at a popular Arizona resort decides that becoming a manager is the only way to win the girl of his dreams, he must navigate a crazy group of guests, allies and rivals to earn the promotion and affection he covets.

In order to keep herself and her newborn baby alive, a mother must fight to overcome postpartum depression, grief, inner demons, sinister impulses, and an unseen tormentor until her husband can return home from his business trip to help her.

Nestled at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, lies a wicked expanse that many of the town’s residents fear. Darkened by the aftermath of a mysterious train wreck, The Hollow is thought to lay claim to foolhardy souls that dare to venture into its thick forestry. The few that have lived to recount their experience are forever changed by the burden that falls upon them. Every experience is inexplicably intertwined by a single, common denominator. THE HOLLOW.

“The Strange Case of Normalcy” is a subtle examination of how each of us lives on the edge of normalcy while we construct an illusion of “the normal” by which we define ourselves.

Jake Barker thought he left Devils Lake…but Devils Lake never left him. As soon as he returns to Devils Lake murders begin to happen again.

A man with Multiple Sclerosis must find peace as he struggles with the financial and social anxiety that come as consequence to the disease.

Follow treasure hunting sisters Hera and Athena as they embark on a journey to find the legendary treasure of Blackbeard the pirate. Along the way they encounter shadowy figures and mystical relics. The sisters begin to believe that they aren’t alone in trying to find the treasure, and they have to use their wits and brawn to outwit and outmaneuver their murderous rivals.

A troubled young woman with a disturbing past goes to see a counselor about her night terrors. Shot in high contrast black and white and split up into four acts. This nightmarish plot will keep the audience guessing until the final act.

Three days before the world is set to end, a photographer is drawn into New York’s criminal underworld after his friend goes missing.

Em and Jay, respectively a female director and her lead actress, embark on a journey between Montreal, Canada and Durham, North Carolina where they have a short film showing at a gay and lesbian film festival.

Interested in these films? Find them in our screening room! Click the link below:

Contact Us:

Ted Chalmers
President of Summer Hill Films
www.summerhillfilms.com
10645 N. Tatum Blvd., #200-130,
Phoenix, AZ 85028 USA
+1-480-535-8711

ATTEND THE EUROPEAN FILM MARKET WITH

9 Early Presidents’ Day Furniture Sales 2023: Wayfair, Urban Outfitters & More

No one enjoys paying full price for big-ticket items—and thanks to the best Presidents’ Day furniture sales of 2023, you don’t have to. Whether you’re looking for a colorful area rug or an entire living room set, now is an especially great time to snag deals on all things home-related; like Black Friday, this is a shopping holiday centered around big-ticket items, and it’s the last great one before spring sets in. Yes, the holiday is still on the horizon, but that hasn’t stopped retailers from slashing prices like it’s the long weekend already.

Of course, big names like Wayfair, Target, and Amazon are kicking things off with a bang, offering up to 50% off all kinds of home goods, from floor mirrors to outdoor furniture. Beloved DTC-brand Article also kicked off its much-anticipated Presidents’ Day sale ahead of schedule, and we expect it’ll only grow. Dig a little deeper and you’ll also find incredible early deals in slightly more unexpected places like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. As the holiday approaches, expect even more brands to join in on the fun—but make sure you snap up any pieces you adore while you still can, since items move fast when the deals are this good.

To help you make the most of this time, we’ve combed the internet for the best early Presidents’ Day furniture sales—and rounded up our favorite deals below. Be sure to check back often, since we’ll be updating this page with even more discounts as the weekend approaches.

Once you’re all set on home goods, shop more of the best Presidents’ Day deals of 2023, including fashion, beauty, and the Presidents’ Day mattress deals that’ll upgrade your space even more.

There’s always a sale at Amazon, but the deals are especially great right now. Search anything you could want and you’ll find a healthy amount of discounted furniture, home decor, and backyard essentials.

If Wayfair knows one thing, it’s blowout sales. Its current sitewide extravaganza (aptly named the Big Furniture Sale) is bringing discounts of up to 50% off basically every category. This gorgeous sofa and this shockingly discounted rug are at the top of our list, but you’ll also find dining chairs, living room furniture, TV stands, and so much more on sale for Presidents’ Day weekend.

Article’s legendary Presidents’ Day sale kicked off early this year, giving you a few weeks to nab up to 30% off some of the brand’s most beloved pieces. Whether you’re showing love to your bedroom, patio, or entryway, you’re guaranteed to walk away with a showstopper. Just make sure you check out before it comes to a close on February 20.

While you’re stocking up on tank tops and high-waisted jeans, make sure you mosey over to UO’s often-overlooked furniture section. The site is a goldmine for vintage-inspired pieces—and right now, you can pick up select pieces for up to 20% off, no promo code necessary.

With markdowns of up to 25% off select furniture, Target is a one-stop shop if you’ve just picked up the keys to a new apartment. (Or you’re simply bored with your current decor. No judgment.)

One of the best-kept secrets in interior design is Anthro’s underrated furniture section, which is packed with beyond-cute pieces. While there’s no official Presidents’ Day furniture sale going on right now—keep your eyes peeled as the holiday weekend approaches—the retailer’s sale section has been recently replenished and you can score free white glove delivery on furniture and decor purchases over $1,000.

Winter’s almost over; time for a change of energy. Use West Elm’s pre-Presidents’ Day sale for up to 50% off furniture (like couches and bed frames), bedding (like sheet sets and comforters), and chic accessories that’ll breathe new life into your space.

For anyone overwhelmed by the idea of decorating a home, never fear: You can find almost everything you’ll need at AllModern’s massive furniture sale, which is taking up to 20% off its cute, well-made essentials. Solid-wood bedroom furniture, trend-proof sectionals, and so many more limited-time deals abound.

Hundreds of fresh markdowns just hit Crate & Barrel’s site. With savings of up to 70% off, there’s never been a better time to scroll through every single page; you never know what hidden gems—like these wooden showstoppers for your dining room and home office—you’ll uncover.

No one enjoys paying full price for

Is ‘Your Excellency’ on Netflix? Where to Watch the Movie

Netflix subscription is required to watch on Netflix

Great news! “Your Excellency” is available to watch on Netflix USA!

Date Added: 6th February 2023

Want to keep forever? Try looking for ‘Your Excellency’ on Amazon (paid link)

History:

07/10/2020: Added to Netflix

07/10/2022: Removed from Netflix

02/06/2023: Streaming Again

Description:

Bumbling through politics, a billionaire businessman’s presidential campaign seems destined for disaster until it gets a boost from social media.

Certificate: TV-G
Suitable for General Audiences

Year: 2019

Duration: 2hr

Audio: English

Subtitles: Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French

Cast and Crew

Director: Funke Akindele-Bello

Cast: Akin Lewis, Funke Akindele-Bello, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Shaffy Bello, Kunle Coker, Eku Edewor, Alexx Ekubo, Osas Ighodaro, Seyi Law, Falz, Chigul, Deyemi Okanlawon, Beverly Osu, Toni Tones, Christian Paul, Bimbo Manuel, Helen Paul

Production & Box Office Details:

“Your Excellency” was produced by EbonyLife Films and was originally released on December 13th 2019.

Watch the trailer for “Your Excellency”

RATINGS:

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Available on Netflix USA!

Netflix subscription is required to watch on Netflix

Where else can you watch ‘Your Excellency’ on Netflix?

Want to keep forever? Why not rent or buy ‘Your Excellency’ from one of the online services below?

Randy Rainbow Apologizes For ‘Valhalla’ Grammy Flub – Deadline

Comedian and Grammy presenter Randy Rainbow has heard all the Valhalla jokes.

“Yes, I totally had a Travolta/Adel Dazeem moment,” he says in an apology tweet today.

Presenting the first-ever Grammy for video game music during the pre-show Premiere Ceremony, co-host Rainbow mangled the pronunciation of the winner Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, saying something like “Assassin’s … .Creed Valaha.”

In a tweet titled “With sincerest apologies to Assassin’s Creed VALHALLA,” Rainbow — who was nominated in the Best Comedy Album category — explains: “It was the second category of the show, I was still finding my footing and don’t know video games. And of the many phonetic spellings I had to contend with as host, that one wasn’t included so I just started speaking in tongues.”

The award was presented during the Sunday afternoon ceremony to composer Stephanie Economou for her music in Ubisoft’s video game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok, a billion-dollar-plus money maker. The Grammy is just the latest plaudit for Economou, who last year won the Society of Composers & Lyricists award for emerging talent for her work on Netflix’s Jupiter’s Legacy.

Rainbow’s “Valaha” quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to John Travolta’s bizarre garbling of Idina Menzel’s name as “Adel Dazeem” at the 2014 Oscars ceremony.

“If it’s any consolation,” Rainbow tweets, “when my nominated category was called, “they accidentally pronounced my name ‘Dave Chappelle.’”

Comedian and Grammy presenter Randy Rainbow has

Music

Fatima Al Qadiri: “Mojik (Your Waves)” Track Review

Fatima Al Qadiri’s “Mojik (Your Waves)” explores a languorous, conceptual melancholia, a direction catalyzed by her work scoring Mati Diop’s 2019 film, Atlantics. The track opens with phantasmic peals of brassy synths, which quickly cede to the piercing vocals of Gumar, the Kuwaiti vocalist from whom her forthcoming Gumar EP takes its title. (Gumar is Arabic for “moon.”) Informed by formal training in Arabic lamentation singing, Gumar repeats a chilling verse that translates to “your waves, your waves have killed me, oh sea” in a meditation on unrequited love. Clear swells of bass pull the song into the depths as Gumar’s pitch and tone darken to match; the track’s final reverberant moans float away like soft froths of seafoam. “Mojik (Your Waves)” expands the insular universe of Medieval Femme into a space ripe for collaboration and frames isolation as a communal, eternal refrain.

Fatima Al Qadiri’s “Mojik (Your Waves)” explores

RJ Cutler’s ‘Murf the Surf’ Docuseries Ushers in New Era on MGM+

The top-to-bottom rebrand of Epix into MGM+ under Amazon’s ownership means an increase in not only scripted series but also documentary content.

R.J. Cutler’s “Murf the Surf: Jewels, Jesus and Mayhem in the USA” is the first of five docuseries that will stream on the new platform in 2023.

About Jack Roland Murphy, an infamous jewel thief turned murderer, “Murf the Surf” was commissioned by Epix three years ago after Imagine Documentaries’ president Sara Bernstein and her former co-president Justin Wilkes pitched the story to Michael Wright, former president of Epix and current head of MGM+. (Wilkes was recently promoted to president of Imagine Entertainment.) After reading a New York Times’ article with the headline “How a Band of Surfer Dudes Pulled Off the Biggest Jewel Heist in N.Y. History,” Bernstein and Wilkes were immediately intrigued.

“It read like an “Ocean’s Eleven” story,” Bernstein says. “So, we sought out Jack Murphy, and eventually, our team flew to Florida to meet with him. We were then able to secure his life rights.” (Murphy died at age 83 in 2020.)

Cutler (“Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry”) and his production company This Machine came on board shortly after.

The filmmaker, who calls Murphy “the very first true crime television superstar,” say the outlaw’s story appealed to him for numerous reasons.

“This is very much a story of our times,” Culter says. “If ever there was a Trumpian figure in American popular culture, and there have been many, Murf was certainly one of them.

“He was somebody whose presentation controlled the narrative,” the filmmaker continues. “He wasn’t necessarily concerned with whether what he said was the truth, and his followers weren’t necessarily concerned with whether or not what he said was the truth. But what he said mattered to them. They embraced it, and for some people, it led them to find salvation, which makes (this story) all that much more complicated.”

Wright greenlit “Murf the Surf” in 2020, two years before Amazon acquired MGM for $8.5 billion. But Wright isn’t concerned that the series never made it to Epix because, despite the rebrand, the nonfiction content he’s looking for is the same content he was looking for back in 2020.

“We want to tell stories that have a pop culture appeal told through a journalistic lens,” Wright says. “I always say to people, ‘Think Rolling Stone Magazine.’ For those of us of a certain age, that magazine always had really interesting pop-culture stories written by and told by skilled journalists with a really interesting point of view. That’s what we’re doing with our series. So, audiences will see a lot of music, true crime, cinema, sports, and occasionally politics.”

During his tenure at Epix, Wright greenlit docuseries including the Emmy-nominated two-parter “Laurel Canyon,” which was executive produced by Alex Gibney and Frank Marshall, as well as “Helter Skelter,” “Slow Burn,” and “My Life as a Rolling Stone.”

“We’ve been doing this for the last three or four years, and we built up a pretty successful and creatively very satisfying business around very specific kinds of docuseries over the past several years,” says Wright.

In addition to “Murf the Surf,” the MGM+ 2023 docuseries slate includes “San Francisco Sounds” from Jigsaw Productions, the Kennedy/Marshall Company, Amblin Television, and Jeff Pollack; and “Making of a Haunting: The Amityville Murders,” executive produced by Lesley Chilcott, Blaine Duncan, Brooklyn Hudson, and Amanda Raymond, Rhett Bachner, and Brien Meagher. B17 Entertainment is attached as the production company for the latter.

The remaining two docuseries slated for 2023 have yet to be disclosed.

Docuseries in development include: “Hot Stuff,” produced by XTR; “Hollywood Black,” from Justin Simien and Jeffrey Schwartz; ”The Devil Within,” executive produced by Eli Roth with executive producers Dirk Hoogstra and Nicole Sorrenti for Half Yard Productions, and “Wonderland Murders & the Secret History of Hollywood,” which Alison Ellwood (“The Go-Go’s,” “How to Change Your Mind,” “Laurel Canyon”) will direct as well as executive produce.

According to Wright, three-quarters to two-thirds of MGM+’s nonfiction projects originated with Epix and in the early stages of production. While Epix nonfiction series varied in length, MGM+ projects will predominantly be four parts.

Although more original scripted content is being produced for MGM+, Wright says that documentaries are vital to the platform’s business model.

“We are going to put on a hundred hours of original content a year, two original episodes a week,” says Wright. “So, everything we put on has a vital purpose to us, including our docuseries. They are great at keeping audiences engaged in between maybe some of your more highly marketed scripted series.”

While Epix attracted documentary juggernauts like Cutler, Gibney, and Marshall, being a first-party channel on Amazon is helping to attract even more talent, according to Wright.

“When you raise your awareness, you raise your profile,” he says. “That is obvious to artists and talent as well. We didn’t have a hard time attracting talent (at Epix), but I’d say that the good thing is more people are noticing us now. As I’ve said for many years, if you’re in this business, you’re only as successful as the talent you’re able to recruit to the task.”

MGM+ released the first episode of “Murf the Surf” globally on Feb. 5. A new episode will be released each week until the finale on Feb. 26.

The top-to-bottom rebrand of Epix into MGM+

Awards, Entertaintment

Viola Davis is 18th Person to enter the coveted EGOT club

Latest EGOT Recipient

At Sunday’s 65th Grammy Awards ceremony, the latest EGOT Recipient, Viola Davis, was honored with a Grammy award, which she won for her audiobook narration of her memoir, “Finding Me”. She is the 18th person and third Black woman to receive an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. She was most recently seen in The Woman King (2022) as General Nanisca, who is tasked with training the next group of warriors for the all-women unit of protectors for the Kingdom of Dahomey.

And the award goes to…

Viola Davis’ long journey to the EGOT began in 2001 when she was awarded a Tony for her role in King Hedley II on Broadway. She received the award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for the role of Tonya. She was nominated for the same award in 1996 for her role in Seven Guitars.

In 2015, she won her first Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work as Annalise Keating in How To Get Away With Murder, and she was the first Black woman to earn the award in this category.

For her performance in Fences as Rose Maxson, she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2017.

Courtesy of Unique Nicole

“Finding Me” Memoir

Davis recently wrote and narrated her own memoir, which won her the last award necessary to become an EGOT recipient.

“Oh my God! I wrote this book to honor the 6-year-old Viola, to honor her life, her joy, her trauma, everything,” Davis began in her acceptance speech. “And it has just been such a journey. I just EGOT!”

Courtesy of Viola Davis

Reflecting on her story in her book summary, she wrote:

“As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.

Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.”

The 65th Grammy Awards included several performances, and in a historical win, Beyoncé took home her 32nd Grammy Award, which now makes her the artist with the highest amount of Grammy Awards.

Latest EGOT Recipient At Sunday’s 65th Grammy Awards

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When a Canadian weather balloon went rogue

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Jon & Kate Gosselin’s Daughter Mady Gosselin Reacts To Online Bullying – Hollywood Life

Kate Gosselin, Cara Gosselin, Mady Gosselin. Kate Gosselin, center, and her daughters Cara, left, and Mady, cast members in the TLC series "Kate Plus Date," take part in a panel discussion on the show during the 2019 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour, in Pasadena, Calif
2019 Winter TCA - Kate Plus Date Panel, Pasadena, USA - 12 Feb 2019 — Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Cara Gosselin
TLC 'Kate Plus Date' TV Show Panel, TCA Winter Press Tour, Los Angeles, USA - 12 Feb 2019 — Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

It’s been 16 years since the reality TV show Jon and Kate Plus 8 became a sensation, and now Kate and Jon Gosselin‘s daughter, Mady, 22, is speaking out against online bullying. After an online hater commented about “triangulation” and a family “wedge”, the 22-year-old had enough and posted a video in response. “Replying to @slagathor42 i’ve been getting hate mail since i was 6 but that doesn’t mean you need to keep sending it. learn how to respect people’s boundaries and practice kindness. i bet your life will be so much more enjoyable because of it!”, she captioned the clip via her TikTok account.

@madygosselin

Replying to @slagathor42 i’ve been getting hate mail since i was 6 but that doesn’t mean you need to keep sending it. learn how to respect people’s boundaries and practice kindness. i bet your life will be so much more enjoyable because of it!

♬ original sound – madelyn

In addition to the caption, the brunette beauty set some things straight in her now-viral clip. “This is the singular time I’m going to address this because it is sending me over the edge,” Mady began. “The rhetoric in so many of my comments about childhood trauma and healing and whatever you want to say about my family, my life, my parents, whatever is not your business.” In addition, she noted that this is the same for “everyone” else in the world. “As is the case with every other person in the entire world, it is not anybody else’s business what they are dealing with behind closed doors if they don’t want it to be your business,” the former TV personality added.

The now-content creator further pointed out that now as she and her siblings are entering adulthood, the “narrative” that they are “crazy child stars” is harmful. “Perpetuating the narrative that we are damaged or that we are crazy child stars or whatever you want to say is extremely harmful as myself and my siblings are going out into the world and will be functioning members of society with careers,” Mady continued. “There seems to be a public consensus that if you’re in the public eye, your entire life belongs to the public and that is in no way true.” Mady is the eldest, along with her fraternal twin, Cara, of the former couple’s eight children.

gosselin gals — Kate (center), Cara (L), & Mady Gosselin during a prior event. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock)

Finally, the proud big sister went on to praise how “amazing” her seven siblings are. “Regardless of whatever narrative you have created in your head from what you’ve seen, my siblings are doing so well. They are all amazing people. They are all smart, they are all kind, they’re driven students, they’re working hard, they’re funny, they’re stylish,” she shared. Mady clarified that the “boundary” she has set for herself means that people are not “entitled” to more than what she is willing to share online. She instructed that if one cannot respect her boundaries, they should “unfollow” her or she will “block you.”

Mady and her family rose to fame during the TLC show Jon and Kate Plus 8, which aired from 2007 until 2017. Jon and Kate were married from 1999 until they divorced in 2009. The former loves famously welcomed eight children together, including sextuplets: Collin, Hannah, Leah, Alexis, Aaden, and Joel, 18. As mentioned above, Cara and Maddy are fraternal twins who were born in 2000. The ex reality TV stars battled for custody over their kids, which resulted in Hannah and Collin moving in with Jon, and the rest of the kids being with Kate, per PEOPLE.

View gallery Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock It’s been 16

‘The Last of Us’ Charts Viewership High of 7.5 Million

“The Last of Us” held its own against the Grammy Awards on Sunday, continuing its audience growth momentum for a third consecutive week.

The fourth episode of “The Last of Us” delivered another series high with a total of 7.5 million viewers tuning in across HBO Max and linear telecasts.

The viewership figure, which is based on Nielsen and first party data, marks a 17% increase from Episode 3 and a 60% jump from the series premiere, which scored 4.7 million viewers – HBO’s second-largest debut, behind only “House of the Dragon” – since “Boardwalk Empire” premiered on the network in 2010.

In comparison, the Grammys drew 12.4 million total viewers across Sunday’s live broadcast on CBS and livestream on Paramount+, according to Nielsen data. The figure marks the largest audience for music’s biggest night since 2020, when the telecast brought in 18.8 million total viewers.

“The Last of Us” takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle a 14-year-old girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

Rounding out the rest of the main cast is Gabriel Luna (“True Detective”), who plays Joel’s younger brother and former soldier Tommy; Anna Torv (“Fringe”), who plays a smuggler and fellow hardened survivor Tess; and Merle Dandrige (“The Flight Attendant”), who reprises her role from the video game as resistance leader Marlene.

Guest stars include Nico Parker (“The Third Day”) as Joel’s daughter Sarah; Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”) and Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) as Frank and Bill, two post-pandemic survivalists living alone in their own isolated town; Storm Reid (“Euphoria”) as Riley, an orphan in Boston; and Jeffrey Pierce ( “The Last of Us” video games) as Perry, a rebel in a quarantine zone.

The Biggest ‘The Last of Us’ Easter Eggs and Changes From the Game

The series, which is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television, is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin (“Chernobyl”) and Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann. Other executive producers include Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan and Rose Lam.

The show’s fifth episode will debut early on HBO Max and HBO On Demand on Friday at 9 p.m. ET and make its linear premiere on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET – competing with Super Bowl LVII. In January, “The Last of Us” was renewed for a second season.

“The Last of Us” airs weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on HBO Max.

‘The Last of Us’ Could Go Beyond Season 2, Co-EP Craig Mazin Says: ‘The Second Game Is Much Bigger’

“The Last of Us” held its own

Penske Media Corporation Invests in Vox, Becomes Largest Shareholder

Penske Media Corporation has purchased a stake in Vox Media, publisher of Vox, New York Magazine, Thrillist, Popsugar, SB Nation and other titles, making PMC its largest shareholder, the company announced Monday.

PMC, whose holdings include Rolling Stone, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and others, did not disclose financial terms. Vox and PMC said the two entities would operate independently, though PMC CEO Jay Penske will join the board of Vox Media.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Jay and Penske Media to invest in our company’s future success, and help us build on and accelerate the leading creative and business strength across our organization,” Vox Media CEO Jim Bankoff said in a statement. “In addition, this investment by Penske Media will allow Vox Media to continue scaling its existing brands and operations, while providing resources for future acquisitions, and is another step forward in the ongoing ascent of Vox Media.”

PMC announced late last year that it had acquired Dick Clark Productions, owner of the Golden Globes and other television events.

Since its 2021 merger with Group Nine Media, Vox now include Polygon, Recode, Curbed, The Verge and Vulture, among others. Vox said late last year that it was laying off 7% of its workforce, or about 130 jobs.

“We deeply respect the track record of both [Bankman] and the senior leadership team at Vox, and the company’s remarkable growth over the last decade,” Penske said in a statement. “The Penske Media and Vox Media alliance will further cement both companies as leaders in modern media and take advantage of new opportunities at scale.”

Penske Media Corporation has purchased a stake

The Men: New York City Album Review

The Men: Now there’s a band that knows how to self-mythologize. You might associate the punk four-piece with the Brooklyn music scene of the early 2010s, a world of 285 Kent gigs, Northside showcases, and the BrooklynVegan comments section. But they were always slotting themselves into an earlier classic-rock lineage—recording straight to tape; pushing out five albums in four years; naming their 2011 breakout album after a Ramones classic; going full Crazy Horse on their fourth and arguably best album, 2013’s New Moon. That album’s recording process (in a cabin in the Catskills, naturally) was immortalized by singer-guitarist Nick Chiericozzi in a liner-notes essay, the kind of grandiose reminiscence you’d expect to accompany a 30th-anniversary reissue. These guys knew they were onto something.

The Men’s uber-prolific imperial phase came to a close with 2014’s Tomorrow’s Hits, but they’ve soldiered along since then, releasing a solid album every two years or so. These have vacillated between roaring throwbacks to the band’s shit-kicking punk roots (2016’s Devil Music) and rangier, mellower efforts that serve as eclectic samplers of their rustic influences (2018’s Drift, 2020’s Mercy). Within the opening seconds of the skittering, straight-ahead “Hard Livin’,” as Chiericozzi declares, “Hard times are over/Just because!” in a phlegm-caked growl, it’s clear that New York City leans towards the former category.

The album’s backstory and title (come on—who besides Lou Reed and X has the nerve to name an album after their home city?) reflect the group’s knack for shamelessly blowing its own horn. As the story goes, founding members Chiericozzi and Mark Perro laid down an early iteration of New York City with a drum machine in 2020. Unhappy with the result, they went into a Brooklyn studio with bandmates Rich Samis (drums) and Kevin Faulkner (bass) and rerecorded live to 2″ tape, favoring impromptu energy over multitrack perfectionism.

To wit, New York City is the scuzziest the Men have sounded in years, an unpretentious garage-punk racket that wears its analog heart on its flannel-clad sleeves. On tunes like the hard-charging “Echo,” the guitars are in the red, the vocals are in the red, and even the drums thwack and wobble like a Times New Viking deep cut. The closest thing to a ballad is the minor-key dirge “Anyway I Find You,” which would have felt right at home on New Moon. Elsewhere, it’s a gaudy rock’n’roll album filled with gaudy rock’n’roll gestures, from the pair of throat-busting screams that open “Eye” to the wailing guitar solo in “Through the Night” that pans back and forth between stereo channels with all the subtlety of a Spinal Tap goof.

The Men: Now there’s a band that

20 High School Movies Since “SuperBad” That Are Definitely Good

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Contestants Allege Squid Game Reality Spinoff Was ‘Traumatic’ and ‘Rigged’

UPDATE — 9:00 p.m. ET, Feb. 3:

A Netflix representative reached out to Adweek with a statement refuting reports claiming the streamer’s Squid Game spinoff put players in harsh conditions.

“We care deeply about the health of our cast and crew, and the quality of this show. Any suggestion that the competition is rigged or claims of serious harm to players are simply untrue. We’ve taken all the appropriate safety precautions, including after care for contestants – and an independent adjudicator is overseeing each game to ensure it’s fair to everyone,” Netflix, Studio Lambert and The Garden said in the statement.

PREVIOUSLY:

Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality-competition spinoff of the blockbuster Korean thriller, is a little too similar to the Netflix series for the competitors’ liking.

Multiple news outlets have reported contestants faced horrific conditions and trauma during their time on the show.

Former players opened up to Rolling Stone about their experiences, confirming earlier claims that they were subjected to inhumane treatment while competing in the “Red Light, Green Light” game. They reportedly endured periods of being unable to move for up to nine hours in a chilly airport hangar, with medical personnel rushing in to treat those who were unable to withstand the extreme cold.

Contestants were also allegedly deprived of bathroom breaks and production did not provide enough food on set for participants, causing some to go to bed hungry, according to Variety.

“All the torment and trauma we experienced wasn’t due to the game or the rigor of the game,” a former player told Rolling Stone. “It was the incompetencies of scale — they bit off more than they could chew.”

Netflix has previously acknowledged that three individuals required medical care, but that production had “invested in all the appropriate safety procedures. While it was very cold on set — and participants were prepared for that — any claims of serious injury are untrue.”

Former contestants argue that’s not even close to the truth.

“It was just the cruelest, meanest thing I’ve ever been through,” one former contestant told Rolling Stone. “We were a human horse race, and they were treating us like horses out in the cold racing and [the race] was fixed.”

The 10-episode competition started production in the U.K. on Jan. 23. In the show, 456 real players play games inspired by the original series to win the grand prize of $4.56 million.

Prior to filming, Squid Game showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk spoke out about Netflix’s planned reality competition based on the series.

“I think that even though our show does carry quite a heavy message—and I know that there are some concerns of taking that message and creating it into a reality show with a cash prize,” he said. “However, I feel like when you take things too seriously, that’s really not the best way to go for the entertainment industry. It doesn’t really set a great precedent.”

Former contestants also claim the Netflix series was rigged, with Netflix pre-selecting a few TikTok and Instagram stars to advance, regardless of how each challenge turned out.

One player admitted to Vice News that they had come to the realization that they could “never” win the game while it was being filmed and that they were truly just “extras” on the show.

The AV Club stated that during the filming of “red light, green light,” some candidates received microphone packs, while others received non-working packs, and several participants discovered they had been issued return flights before several of the scheduled games.

Things were bad enough that some former players are seeking legal counsel to see whether there was enough evidence to file a complaint against the production studios for carelessness, false pretenses, and violations of workplace safety, per Rolling Stone.

UPDATE — 9:00 p.m. ET, Feb. 3: A

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Is ‘Your Excellency’ on Netflix UK? Where to Watch the Movie

Great news! “Your Excellency” is available to watch on Netflix UK!

Date Added: 6th February 2023

Known expiry dates are shown above as well as on the Last Chance page.

Want to keep forever? Try looking for ‘Your Excellency’ on Amazon (paid link)

History:

10/07/2020: Added to Netflix

10/07/2022: Removed from Netflix

06/02/2023: Streaming Again

Description:

Bumbling through politics, a billionaire businessman’s presidential campaign seems destined for disaster until it gets a boost from social media.

Certificate: Suitable for ages 12 and up

Year: 2019

Duration: 2hr

Audio: English

Subtitles: Arabic, German, English, European Spanish, French, Brazilian Portuguese

Cast and Crew

Director: Funke Akindele-Bello

Production & Box Office Details:

“Your Excellency” was produced by EbonyLife Films and was originally released on December 13th 2019.

Watch the trailer for “Your Excellency”

RATINGS:

IMDB rating 6.6/10

Not yet rated

Average Rating Average rating 49.5%

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This title is available on Netflix UK

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Grammys In Memoriam: Quavo Honors Takeoff With Emotional Tribute

This year’s Grammys In Memoriam tribute honored a diverse range of artists who died late last year, including Loretta Lynn, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie and Migos rapper Takeoff.

Barefoot and draped in red, Kacey Musgraves opened the segment by delivering an emotive performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Musgraves’ voice was backed by a single Epiphone guitar once owned by Lynn herself. The pair previously performed together at the 2014 CMA Awards.

Maverick City Music then joined Quavo for a performance of “Without You,” a tribute song dedicated to the life and legacy of Takeoff. The performance then segued into a stripped-back rendition of Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again.”

“Days ain’t the same without you / I don’t know if I’m the same without you,” sang Quavo, as a photo montage of the fallen rapper played behind him. “I wish I had a time machine / Just so you can take a ride with me / I miss just how you smile at me / Unc and Phew until infinity.”

Takeoff, 28, was murdered during a dispute outside a Houston bowling alley on Nov. 1. His Migos bandmate and uncle, Quavo, was at the scene of the crime but was unharmed.

Then, Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood and Bonnie Raitt honored three-time Grammy winner Christine McVie with her emblematic “Songbird.” McVie, an integral member of Fleetwood Mac, died in November after a short bout of illness.

The In Memoriam segment also honored a wide array of artists and music industry figures who died last year, including Jeff Beck, David Crosby, Yukihiro Takahashi, Terry Hall and Olivia Newton John.

This year’s Grammys In Memoriam tribute honored

'Tina' Captures the Singer’s Power and Vulnerability

“Tina” draws upon rare archives and new interviews to profile Tina Turner with a fresh perspective on her iconic story. Oscar-winning filmmakers Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin (“Undefeated”) capture the star’s power on stage and vulnerability behind the scenes.

“Tina” draws upon rare archives and new

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New bus station in Kelowna, B.C. comes at a steep price – Okanagan

A growing population in the Central Okanagan is pushing Kelowna, B.C., city councillors to look at building a new transit garage, and it comes at a price of over $100 million.

“The growth is what’s driving the need for a new facility,” explained general manager of infrastructure with the City of Kelowna, Mac Logan.

“Our current facility is overloaded and can’t expand any further so we’re looking at building a new site.”

The Central Okanagan transit system currently operates out of the City’s public works building off of Hardy Street. It was originally designed to accommodate roughly 70 standard 40-foot buses, but it’s currently home to just over 100 buses.

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The new location is just south of the UBCO campus on the west side of Highway 97. BC Transit wants a new additional service and buses to its fleet, including some that run on electricity, but in order for this new bus garage to get approval, upgrades are required at the existing site.

“It’s really about time,” expressed Logan.

“In order to increase our service prior to the new operations and maintenance facility being ready, we have to stretch our current capacity.”

The new garage could take as long as 2030 to be completed, so the city will need to add more capacity to the current site. A report going before city council on Monday highlights the need to spend $4 million on upgrades on the Hardy Street garage.

“That would be going towards things like expanding the maintenance facility and improving the parking areas, and Kelowna typically pays about a quarter of that cost,” described Logan.

The future facility is designed to hold about 150 buses in the first phase, and eventually will have a capacity to house 230 buses.

“The city is doing several million dollars worth of preliminary work to prepare the site design,” said Logan.

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“The actual cost has not been determined yet, but it’s likely going to be at least $100 million or more, and the majority of that cost would be borne by the province or BC Transit, and the City of Kelowna will contribute.”

Logan adds that the hope for the City of Kelowna is to receive funding approval from the federal government through a transit grant program, but in order to submit that application, that alone will cost the city $285,000.

“We cannot do this facility without higher order of governments supporting us,” said Logan.

“There’s just not enough capital funding in the Central Okanagan.”

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A growing population in the Central Okanagan

Jennifer Lopez Gushes Over Ben Affleck After Viral Grammy Memes

Ain’t it funny? Jennifer Lopez gushed about spending the 2023 Grammys with husband Ben Affleck after the actor went viral for his unamused reactions at the 65th annual awards show.

“Always the best time with my love, my husband,” the “Let’s Get Loud” singer, 53, captioned Instagram footage of the two at the Sunday, February 5, ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

They matched in midnight blue ensembles — Lopez in a glittering navy gown and Affleck, 50, in a color-coordinated suit. In the video, the twosome posed together and leaned in for a sweet smooch. The clip also featured shots of the Shotgun Wedding actress being primped for her onstage appearance.

While the couple were in attendance because Lopez was presenting the award for Best Pop Vocal Album, it was the Argo director who took center stage when the camera panned over to his non-plussed expressions, which were in stark contrast to his wife’s. While the Maid in Manhattan star danced and clapped in her seat during the performances, Affleck slightly bopped his head to the music and gazed around the room.

Grammy viewers wasted no time in turning Affleck’s toned-down response into meme after meme.

Ben Affleck Rob Latour/Shutterstock

“Ben Affleck is every introvert everywhere,” one Twitter user quipped. “You can see his batteries draining in real time. Man is already at 23%. #GRAMMYs #SaveBen.” Another person joked, “Ben Affleck giving off big ‘Only sober guy at a wedding where you know nobody other than your wife’ vibes.” Others made quips about how he’d rather be at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Bennifer — a pop culture staple and a fan-favorite couple of the early 2000s — reconnected in spring 2021, 17 years after they called off their engagement in 2004. One year after reconciling their romance, the Academy Award winner popped the question.

“Saturday night while at my favorite place on earth (in the bubble bath), my beautiful love got on one knee and proposed,” Lopez gushed in her newsletter in April 2022. “I was taken totally off guard and just looked in his eyes smiling and crying at the same time trying hard to get my head around the fact that after 20 years this was happening all over again, I was quite literally speechless and he said, ‘Is that a yes?’ I said YES of course that’s a YES.”

The twosome later soon the knot twice — in a July 2022 ceremony in Las Vegas and at Affleck’s Savannah home in August 2022.

The pair have since combined their families into one. Affleck shares daughters Violet, 17, and Seraphina, 14, and son Samuel, 10, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, while Lopez is mom of twins Emme and Max, 14, with ex-husband Marc Anthony.

In November 2022, the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer gushed over Garner — who has been dating boyfriend John Miller since 2018 — and called her an “amazing coparent.”

“They work really well together,” the Hustlers star said of Garner and Affleck’s coparenting relationship in an interview with Vogue.

Ain’t it funny? Jennifer Lopez gushed about

What is OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT?

A popular tool that can respond to questions in eerily human ways, called ChatGPT, has captured the internet’s attention as people use it to write song lyrics, essays, TV episodes and more.

Now, OpenAI, the company behind the chatbot, is rocketing into the mainstream. Microsoft is reportedly investing up to $10 billion in the company, hoping it can use ChatGPT to resuscitate its search engine, Bing, and improve products in its Microsoft Office suite.

A popular tool that can respond to

Philippe Garrel’s Berlinale Contender ‘The Plough’ First Look – Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: French director Philippe Garrel has joined forces with his son and daughters Louis, Esther and Léna Garrel on his new film The Plough, which will debut in Competition at the Berlinale later this month.

The feature marks the first time the siblings have appeared in one of their father’s films at the same time. Paris-based sales company Wild Bunch International has unveiled the first clip of them on screen together ahead of the world premiere.

Garrel uses France’s rich marionette culture as the backdrop for a personal story about family and longing.

The drama follows three siblings who belong to a family of puppeteers as they come to terms with the sudden death of their father, who drove the troupe featuring marionettes created by their living grandmother.

Louis Garrel made his big screen debut in his father’s film Emergency Kisses in 1989. The actor then appeared in another six of his films, including Frontier Of The Dawn, A Burning Hot Summer, Jealousy and their last collaboration In The Shadow of Women in 2015, on which he was the narrator.

He now has more than 50 credits to his name, working with the likes of Bernardo Bertolucci, Christophe Honoré and Michel Hazanavicius among others. The actor has also forged his own career as a director and leads the César nominations this year with his film The Innocent.

Esther Garrel made her big screen debut with a small part in Garrel’s 2001 film Sauvage Innocence and has also since made her name as an actress with credits including Call Me By Your Name and Adventures Of A Mathematician.

Their younger step-sister Léna Garrel, who was seen recently in Valeria Bruni Tedeschi’s Forever Young, has never appeared in one of her father’s films.

The Garrels are joined in the cast by Damien Mongin and prolific, veteran actor Aurélien Recoing, whose father was the late real-life puppet master Alain Recoing.

The Plough marks Garrel’s second time in Competition at the Berlin Film Festival after The Salt Of Tears in 2020.

The film is produced by Rectangle Productions (Happening), Arte France Cinema, Close Up Film and Tournon Films.

Ad Vitam have taken French rights.

EXCLUSIVE: French director Philippe Garrel has joined

Is Kevin Costner Leaving ‘Yellowstone’ After Season 5?

James Minchin/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

The end of us? A new report has Yellowstone fans worried about the future of the beloved Paramount Network show — and Kevin Costner‘s lead role as John Dutton.

Weeks after the Bull Durham actor, 68, took home a Golden Globe for his performance as the Dutton patriarch, Deadline reported on Monday, February 6, that Paramount Network is exploring the possibility of ending the show in its current form because of shooting schedule disagreements involving Costner. Instead, the franchise will reportedly move forward with a spinoff series starring Matthew McConaughey.

The network, however, denied the claim that Costner is leaving the drama series and did not confirm any projects involving the Dallas Buyers Club actor, 53.

“We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come,” a spokesperson told Deadline in a statement. “Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.”

Last year, the Dances With Wolves director gushed over Yellowstone in an interview with Variety, telling the outlet that he was sucked in as soon as he read the pilot. “I saw that the dialogue had a fun, realistic approach to it,” Costner said in April 2022. “It was raw. It was dysfunctional. And it was set against the backdrop of mountains and rivers and valleys and people on horseback, which is very appealing.”

The first half of Yellowstone season 5 wrapped up in January after eight episodes. The second part of the season is set to return in the summer, but a specific release date has not yet been announced.

Since the series premiere in June 2018, Yellowstone has become one of the most watched shows in the United States, averaging 16 million viewers for season 5’s first episode. The western has also spawned multiple spinoffs, including the prequel series 1883, which premiered in December 2021, and 1923, which debuted in December 2022. The latter show — which stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren — was renewed for a second season earlier this month.

Sheridan, 52, is also at work on two additional spinoffs. The first, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story is set to follow the story of the real-life cowboy who inspired The Lone Ranger. A second show titled 6666 will explore the history of the Four Sixes Ranch, where Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) has been working on Yellowstone.

The Hell or High Water screenwriter is also the creator of Tulsa King with Sylvester Stallone and the cocreator of The Mayor of Kingstown starring Jeremy Renner, both of which air on the Paramount+ streaming service.

James Minchin/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock The end of us? A new

Read: Bulbbul Movie Review

There Isn’t Much To Find In Darkness

Last Updated: July 31, 2020, 12:33 IST

Raat Akeli Hai

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Shweta Tripathi

Director: Honey Trehan

The gloomy insides of an ancient looking ‘haveli’, the kind with many square shaped rooms and teakwood cabinets, know a lot about its inhibitors’ past, but fortunately or unfortunately, the walls can’t speak, so the onus is on a cop named Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) to solve the murder mystery of a wealthy and powerful UP ‘Thakur’.

Casting director turned director Honey Trehan understands the facial requirements of his primary characters, and he has gotten almost all the actors absolutely spot on. This, along with the sets, especially the ‘haveli’ and adjacent areas, work well for the milieu. We witness narrow lanes with overflowing sewers, dark alleys, leather tannery and an overall sinister feeling. The small town set-up becomes tricky when there are many characters playing in parallel tracks as they can easily break the claustrophobic atmosphere the director wants to lead you into. Trehan has done this right as well.

But he does all this at such a slow pace that the viewers start looking for some action, something that can break the monotony. Blame it on the audience’s attention span, but Raat Akeli Hai seems more about the actual loneliness than the murder mystery. Maybe that was the intention, but then why lead the spectator towards something that wouldn’t hold any meaning for him in the context of storytelling.

Read: Choked Movie Review

Thanks to actors like Nawazuddin, Radhika Apte and Aditya Srivastava, Raat Akeli Hai creates the right mood, but that is more or less about it. The personal development of the characters don’t work much, or to put it differently, it doesn’t engulf your mind for long. There are many dull moments in between scenes and that hamper the flow. There is a deep lull after every crescendo and it’s quite frequent.

Though Siddiqui and Apte try their best to make Raat Akeli Hai a layered storytelling, it lacks the earnestness of good suspense thrillers. Shivani Raghuvanshi deserves a special mention here. She has been excelling and adding immense value to her characters, and she has done it once again in Raat Akeli Hai.

With nearly 150-minute duration, Netflix’s Raat Akeli Hai is not as effective as it could have been with similar resources.

Rating: 2.5/5

Rohit Vats

A former film student himself, Rohit ‘Vats’ feels that a good film is made with a zealous heart rather than brilliant technique. He thinks that films …Read More

Last Updated: July 31, 2020, 12:33 ISTRaat

Wakanda Forever most watched Disney+ premiere

Marvel Studios announces that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has become the most watched Marvel movie premiere on Disney+.

It’s been less than a week since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiered on Disney+, and Marvel Studios has announced that it has become the most-watched Marvel movie premiere on the streaming service globally, based on hours streamed in its first five days.

Marvel Studios didn’t supply viewership figures, but Samba TV, which measures viewership across 3 million smart TVs in the U.S., said that 2.1 million U.S. households streamed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Col Strain, VP of Measurement at Samba TV, said, “Just as it smashed box office records last year, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever made a splash in its debut on Disney+ as 2.1 million U.S. households streamed the much-anticipated sequel to the iconic film featuring a star-studded cast.”

Cole Strain added, “Black households were more likely to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever than other recent superhero franchises, including Batman, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Black Adam. There was a significant over-index of 44% against the average U.S. household among Black households based on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever viewership in the first five days, surpassing that of the other films. The Black Panther sequel also caught fire with younger audiences, including Gen Z households who were nearly 10% more likely to tune in compared to the average household.” Marvel has more Black Panther: Wakanda Forever goodies in store for audiences, as Assembled: The Making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will start streaming on Disney+ on February 8th.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever finds Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje fighting to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. When Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, alerts them to a global threat and his disturbing plan to thwart it, the Wakandans band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Evertt Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. The film stars Letitia Wright as Shuri, Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda, Tenoch Huerta as Namor, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Michaela Coel as Aneka, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, Mabel Adena as Namora, Alex Livinalli as Attuma, and Martin Freeman as Everett Ross.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be released on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray tomorrow. Will you be adding the Marvel sequel to your collection?

Marvel Studios announces that Black Panther: Wakanda

Taylor Swift, Harry Styles at 2023 Grammys

There was no shortage of memorable moments during the 2023 Grammys, but not all were caught by cameras during the CBS telecast. From Taylor Swift sliding over to Harry Styles table during Steve Lacy’s performance to Beyoncé celebrating with a Champagne toast during commercial break, The Hollywood Reporter was on the scene at the awards ceremony to catch the memorable moments that didn’t make the CBS telecast.

After Beyoncé Makes History, Adele Rushes Over for Hello, Hug and Cheers

During a commercial break following Beyoncé’s record-breaking win — the singer snagged the trophy for best dance/electronic album for Renaissance, pushing her total Grammy wins to 32 — she received loads of congratulations and hugs from fellow attendees. Among those rushing over were Adele, a good friend and fellow Grammy winner (who notably bested Bey for album of the year in 2017 when 25 topped Lemonade). As she made her way over, Adele hugged Jay-Z and then caught up with Beyoncé for a congratulatory hug and Champagne toast. Also sipping on the bubbly provided, of course, by Jay-Z’s popular (and pricey) champagne brand Armand de Brignac, aka Ace of Spades, was a large group that included Adele’s boyfriend, power agent Rich Paul, among others.

Adele, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Rich Paul raise a glass (and the entire bottle) of Ace of Spades to celebrate Bey’s historic Grammy win.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Taylor Swift Reunites with Onetime Beau Harry Styles

Speaking of hugs, as Steve Lacy sang his No. 1 hit “Bad Habit” — a performance with Thundercat that had Beyoncé and Lizzo on their feet — Taylor Swift took a break from dancing to make her way through the crowd to Harry Styles’ table where she greeted her onetime beau. (They reportedly dated in 2012 during the height of One Direction mania.) The music superstars embraced and caught up for the more than a minute in a moment that has gone viral and sent fans of both artists into a frenzy. Swift also caught a lot of eyeballs for supporting Styles’ performance of “As it Was” by standing up from her seat and dancing along to the Grammy Award-winning track. She also gave him a standing ovation during his acceptance speech for best pop vocal album.

Harry Styles and Taylor Swift speak during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Meeting up before midnight: Harry Styles and Taylor Swift share a moment during the Grammys.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Now this is a another historic #Grammys moment. During Steve Lacy’s performance, Taylor Swift snuck over to talk to Harry Styles. They hug + talk for a long time over his table. pic.twitter.com/MX75UmcxJM

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 6, 2023

Harry Styles Hugs Lizzo After Record of the Year Win

Styles had other moments worth noting. As Lizzo delivered an electric acceptance speech for record of the year win for her “About Damn Time,” Styles looked on from the center of the arena while standing for the duration of her comments. “I’d like to believe that not only can people do good, but we just are good. We are good inherently,” said the singer before turning her attention to Beyoncé, explaining how she cut class in fifth grade to see Bey perform. “You changed my life.” After she closed her speech and returned to her seat, Styles rushed over and gave Lizzo a hug.

?? Harry Styles (white tux, center) was on his feet for all of Lizzo’s epic acceptance speech for Record of the Year. Not sure if cameras caught this but when she walked back to her table, Harry rushed over to give her a huge hug. #Grammys ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/50uiXivFP7

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 6, 2023

Beyoncé Fan Causes Stir in Section 209

After Harry Styles had his name called as the winner for album of the year in a category many expected would go to Beyoncé, one disgruntled Beyhive member made sure his voice was heard. “Beyoncé!” he yelled during the start of Styles’ acceptance speech. “Beyoncé shoulda won!” The man, a journalist named Ernest Owens, tweeted the moment and his response below.

The Rock Barely Makes it Back to His Seat Before Beyoncé’s Big Win

Dwayne Johnson got a lot of screen time on Sunday night. He first turned up to surprise Adele as host Trevor Noah explained that the singer had long wanted to meet the blockbuster action star. Later, Johnson got to present an award, but the moment cameras missed was when he was spotted making his way back to his seat while James Corden was standing at the microphone to present the Grammy for best dance/electronic album, an award that went to Beyoncé and made history.

Shania Twain Congratulates Kim Petras and Sam Smith After “Unholy” Win

Speaking of making history, Kim Petras said she was the first transgender woman to win the best pop duo/group performance Grammy as she and Sam Smith were honored for their smash single “Unholy.” Following the victory, the pair headed back to their seats and were swarmed by well wishers including Shania Twain. The icon was easy to spot thanks to a bright red wig.

Shania Twain rushed over to hug and congratulate Sam Smith and Kim Petras after their historic win. (They were all together yesterday at UMG brunch performing for their label + UMG boss Lucian Grainge.) #Grammys pic.twitter.com/C5me4hDDEN

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 6, 2023

Empty Seats Before Closing Credits

Grammy producers’ decision to close the show with an extended version of “God Did” that was filmed outside Crypto.com Arena did not do much to keep guests in their seats. Despite having Jay-Z with DJ Khaled, John Legend, Lil Wayne, Fridayy and Rick Ross under purple lights and seated at a Last Supper–type table, the majority of guests in the upper decks cleared out long before the show was over.

The Scene Before Showtime: Minimal Food Options, Last Call for Booze and Beer

Ever wonder what it’s like to be inside the arena for a big show like the Grammys? Aside from the main stage, most of the VIP action takes place inside Crypto.com’s private suites, some of which were packed with top executives and celebrities. (A couple of suites were also so rowdy that the volume towards the end of the telecast disturbed seated guests below.) That seemed like a good place to be because many of the food vendors were closed in the lead-up to the show, leaving only a few options like Wetzel’s Pretzels, Salt & Char and Blaze Pizza. The concourse bars also stopped serving alcohol and beer close to 4:45 p.m., switching over to only water for the rest of the telecast. That might be another reason guests were so eager to ditch their seats and head to the afterparties a bit early.

Because I’ve never been, I didn’t know that most of the food vendors are closed, bars stop serving booze before 5 and don’t sell anything other that soda and water until it’s over. #Grammys pic.twitter.com/qCP1A9xJv8

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 6, 2023

Neon-Clad Dancers, Butterfly Costumes and Flo Rida Take Stage at Afterparty

Crypto.com Arena’s next door neighbor, the Los Angeles Convention Center, hosted hundreds of guests for the Recording Academy’s official afterparty. The bash had an almost carnival-type feel in the main ballroom thanks to costumed dancers in everything from neon and spandex to feathers and butterfly wings. Celebrity DJ Michelle Pesce got the party started by playing everything from Beyoncé to Madonna and her set was followed by headliner Flo Rida. The rapper performed a set of his biggest hits before inviting guests like Intl Nephew, Flavor Flav, Varie and Oya Baby to share the stage with him.

Meanwhile, in the jazz lounge, Arturo O’Farril performed with more than a dozen musicians with a pink flamingo backdrop. The Grey Goose and Fiji Water were flowing as guests made their way from food stations offering bites like beef birria, lime cured snapper, fried jerk chicken sliders, empanadas, Jamaican beef patties, plantain chips, chili lime chicharron popcorn and liquid nitrogen sorbet for dessert. See views from inside the bash below.

Intl Nephew, Flavor Flav, Flo Rida, Varie, and Oya Baby perform onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards GRAMMY Celebration at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Intl Nephew, Flavor Flav, Flo Rida, Varie and Oya Baby perform onstage during the post-show celebration.

Leon Bennett/Getty Images

DJ Michelle Pesce performs during the 65th GRAMMY Awards GRAMMY Celebration at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Celebrity DJ Michelle Pesce mixes some beats.

Jerod Harris/Getty Images

Dancers perform during the 65th GRAMMY Awards GRAMMY Celebration at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Dancers hit the stage during the afterparty.

Jerod Harris/Getty Images

Arturo O'Farril performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards GRAMMY Celebration at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Arturo O’Farril performs onstage in the jazz lounge.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Taylor Swift and Questlove are spotted on the red carpet ahead of the Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023. — Taylor Swift and Questlove, sipping on Fiji Water, are spotted on the red carpet ahead of the Grammy Awards.

Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images

Shania Twain poses on the red carpet ahead of the Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023. — Shania Twain sips on Fiji Water on the red carpet ahead of the Grammy Awards.

Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images

There was no shortage of memorable moments

‘Heartland’ Seasons 1-15 Leaving Netflix Canada in March 2023

Heartland – Picture: CBC Gem

Heartland will soon be departing Netflix in the show’s origin country alongside a suite of other big shows from the local network. Here’s what you need to know about Heartland being removed and whether it affects you.

As a quick catch-up, Heartland is a Canadian television drama series that first debuted in 2007 and has since released 16 seasons and 249 episodes.

The show follows the lives of a family who runs a horse ranch in Alberta, Canada. The main character, Amy Fleming, is a talented horse trainer who must navigate the challenges of life on the ranch and the ups and downs of her family’s personal relationships.

The show in Canada will now reside exclusively on CBC Gem, which has already been streaming the title alongside Netflix for several years.

The news of its removal from Netflix Canada comes alongside a slew of other CBC shows departing as the network breaks ties with Netflix in favor of servicing its own streaming service.

Other CBC shows leaving Netflix Canada in March 2023 include Kim’s Convenience, Schitt’s Creek, Murdoch Mysteries, Moonshine, When the Heart Calls, and The Great Canadian Baking Show.

Per a statement to TheStar from CBC, “CBC opted not to renew the Netflix Canada licence for those titles in order to give its own streaming service CBC Gem a programming advantage.”

A notice can now be found on the Heartland page in Canada with a “Last day to watch on Netflix” notice displayed for February 28th, 2023. Its actual removal is on March 1st.

Removal date showing on Heartland on Netflix Canada

Will Heartland leave Netflix outside of Canada?

Other regions are not set to lose Heartland in March 2023 and are expected to continue receiving new seasons. Even if no new seasons are licensed, the series will remain on Netflix in most regions until at least 2025.

With that said, those outside the United States did notably lose much of the back catalog of older seasons of Heartland in January 2022. Season 15 is streaming in most regions, with the US likely receiving it in Spring 2023.

We’ll keep you posted on all removals from Netflix via our leaving soon section.

Heartland – Picture: CBC Gem Heartland will soon

Alicia Silverstone in the "Clueless"-inspired Rakuten ad for the 2023 Super Bowl

Alicia Silverstone Reprises ‘Clueless’ Role for Super Bowl Ad — Watch

A Rakuten ad has the Internet totally buggin’ over Silverstone back in high school.

Alicia Silverstone reprises her most iconic role for a special Super Bowl appearance.

The “Clueless” star is back as Cher for Rakuten’s high school-inspired ad, complete with a mock debate over the merits of online shopping.

“I used to be pretty clueless about shopping,” Silverstone as Cher says in the commercial alongside arch-nemesis Amber (Elissa Donovan). But Cher doesn’t even wait for Amber’s “re-brutal” rebuttal as a montage of Cher’s revolving closet and crashed Jeep Wrangler show just how easy it is to shop thanks to Rakuten.

“Project Runway” winner and current host Christian Siriano even reimagined the iconic yellow plaid suit for the updated take on “Clueless.”

“Um, hello, dream project. I recently got to reimagine THE outfit from ‘Clueless’ for my good friend @aliciasilverstone for the upcoming Big Game @rakuten commercial,” Siriano wrote on Instagram. “(My fav place to score cash back by the by.) Isn’t she a total Betty?”

Silverstone said in a press statement, “I think most of us would agree that Cher is one of film history’s most iconic shoppers, so when Rakuten approached me to reprise the role for their Super Bowl spot, I thought it was a great idea. Cher was always figuring out how to get what she wanted in the most clever ways, so I think Rakuten would really appeal to her.”

She added to Variety of Cher in the modern era, “Cher, in the end of the film, really evolves. She always has compassion, but she really awakens to what matters. I think that she would be buying the really eco[-friendly], animal cruelty free clothes.”

As for a sequel to the beloved 1995 film, Silverstone said, “Amy Heckerling never wanted to do ‘Clueless 2.’ She got asked so many times and she just refused. She just felt like there’s magic in what we did. So I don’t know why or how that works… You can have the most incredible cast, the most incredible script, the most incredible director and still those movies don’t work sometimes. So when it does, it’s really special.”

Yet to E! News Silverstone recently teased, “Wouldn’t that be so fun? After doing this, I really felt like, ‘Oh no, I don’t get to keep going? Like it’s just done? These two days?’ So either Rakuten and I are going to have to make many more commercials or something is going to have to happen.”

Of course, Silverstone isn’t the only star to reprise a beloved role for an ad this year. “Breaking Bad” co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston return to their meth-cooking counterparts for a PopChips placement. And Timothée Chalamet begs Apple TV+ for a job, while Adam Driver works with his favorite actor (himself) in two hilarious commercials.

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A Rakuten ad has the Internet totally

Strategies to Boost Your Film Production Company

Running a film production company can be incredibly rewarding and gives you the chance to be creative every day. Now is a great time to work in film production with the increase in demand for corporate film and video marketing, but you will also find that it can be hard to stand out from the crowd in what is becoming an increasingly competitive marketplace. To find success with your film production company, you need to know how to elevate your business and engage your target market. How can you go about doing this? Read on for a few ideas that should help.

Update Your Portfolio

As a film production company, you need to have a strong portfolio that people can look at before making a decision. If you have a portfolio filled with high-quality, interesting, and diverse projects, you will find it a lot easier to attract new clients for social proof. In addition to the films that you have produced, you should also gather quotes from previous clients. If you are a new production company, you could create your own film as a way to show your skills and potential.

Invest in Quality Equipment

You could have fantastic ideas and a talented film production team, but if you are using basic and budget equipment then you will find it impossible to create professional-standard films for your clients. Therefore, it is important to invest in quality equipment, including cameras, lighting, and editing software. This will elevate the standard of your films and help to boost your reputation. You can seek external funding for this if needed, including bank loans, investors, and crowdfunding.

Use L&D Technologies

To improve the performance of your production company and create the best possible products, you will want to train and develop your employees. This is possible with learning and development and you will find that there are technologies that can provide blended learning possibilities. LMS vs LXP is a difficult decision with LMS being more traditional while LXP is considered to be the future as it offers a learner-led experience. Despite this, LMS still brings benefits in that it is best for providing more formal training, including compliance training. This is why it is best to combine LMS and LXP to provide the best development opportunities for your team.

Know How to Market Your Business

As with any industry, success comes from effective marketing. This is why you need to know the best way to promote your services, which include SEO, email marketing, and social media. Additionally, do not overlook the benefits of networking as this allows you to build up a large Rolodex of people that might want to use your services (or know someone that might).

If you want to boost your film production company and achieve higher levels of success, then these are a few of the best strategies to try. There is rising demand for film production companies, but it is also becoming increasingly competitive and you need to find ways to improve and stand out from the crowd.

James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.

Running a film production company can be

2023 GRAMMYs Red Carpet Beauty Moments: Celebrity Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Share Their Secrets

2023 GRAMMYs Red Carpet Beauty Moments: Celebrity Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Share Their Secrets | Entertainment Tonight

PMC Acquires Ownership Stake in Vox Media

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) announced a strategic investment in Vox Media, the digital publisher whose brands include Vox.com, New York Magazine, Popsugar, Thrillist, Vulture and SB Nation.

With the investment, PMC (whose properties include Variety) will become Vox Media’s largest single shareholder. Otherwise, the financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. The two companies said they will continue to operate independently. As part of the deal, PMC CEO and founder Jay Penske will join the board of directors at Vox Media.

PMC is investing $100 million in Vox Media, which will give PMC a 20% stake in the company, the New York Times reported, citing anonymous sources. Previous investors in Vox have included NBCUniversal, Accel Partners, Khosla Ventures and General Atlantic.

News of PMC’s deal with Vox Media comes less than a month after Vox Media said it was laying off 7% of its employees, eliminating about 130 jobs.

“I have long admired Vox Media’s world-class editorial teams and brands,” Penske said in a statement. “We deeply respect the track record of both [Vox Media CEO] Jim Bankoff and the senior leadership team at Vox, and the company’s remarkable growth over the last decade. The Penske Media and Vox Media alliance will further cement both companies as leaders in modern media and take advantage of new opportunities at scale. Our two companies share a similar history of organic and acquisitive growth over time, and it made sense to invest for the future.”

Bankoff said in a statement, “We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Jay and Penske Media to invest in our company’s future success, and help us build on and accelerate the leading creative and business strength across our organization. In addition, this investment by Penske Media will allow Vox Media to continue scaling its existing brands and operations, while providing resources for future acquisitions, and is another step forward in the ongoing ascent of Vox Media.”

LionTree acted as financial adviser to Vox Media, while White & Case LLP acted as its outside legal adviser. Morgan Lewis served as PMC’s legal adviser, in addition to Panarae Group, which acted as a corporate adviser.

In addition to Variety, PMC brands include Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Dirt, Artforum, Gold Derby, Spy.com and Luminate. In addition, PMC owns cultural events including SXSW, LA3C, Life is Beautiful, Latin Music Week and ATX Television Festival.

Vox Media in December 2021 merged with Group Nine Media, a digital media roll-up venture whose backers had included Discovery. That came after Vox Media in 2019 acquired New York Media, publisher of New York Magazine, in an all-stock deal designed to gain synergies of scale. The company’s portfolio of brands comprises Curbed, The Cut, The Dodo, Eater, Grub Street, Intelligencer, New York Magazine, NowThis, Polygon, Popsugar, Recode, SB Nation, Seeker, The Strategist, Thrillist, The Verge, Vox.com and Vulture.

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) announced a strategic

VIP+ Survey: Will Smith’s Post-Slap Q Scores Revealed

Will Smith Dropped Out of Surprise Grammys Performance, Questlove Says

At the 65th Grammy Awards, the Academy is celebrating 50 years of hip-hop. According to Questlove, Will Smith was originally supposed to be a part of the tribute but had to back out due to production on “Bad Boys 4.”

“I’ll give the spoiler alert away. Will Smith was apart of the festivities tonight, but they started shooting ‘Bad Boys 4’ this week,” Questlove told Variety‘s Marc Malkin on the red carpet. “There were a lot of preliminary shots that he had to do, so we had to lose Will.”

Questlove went on to say that he knew getting Smith for the tribute was “a shot in the dark,” because the actor is “always shooting movies.”

The four-time Grammy winner said the celebration “had a lot of people, and some of them have other jobs,” adding that Ice-T, Queen Latifah and L.L. Cool J are all participating in the tribute but had to “leave their respective shows” to join the celebration. While he says the original tribute was going to be 23 minutes long, it has since been cut down to 14 minutes. “It’s going to be amazing,” Questlove promised viewers on the red carpet.

Smith announced “Bad Boys 4” earlier this week in a video with his franchise co-star Martin Lawrence, who proclaimed, “It’s about that time!”

Smith most recently starred “Emancipation” and winning the Academy Award for best lead actor for his role in “King Richard.” Immediately after he slapped presenter Chris Rock live onstage at the Oscars, Questlove won the Academy Award for best documentary for “Summer of Soul.”

At the 65th Grammy Awards, the Academy

Dive Into a Final US Trailer for Australian Fish Friend Film ‘Blueback’

by Alex Billington
February 6, 2023
Source: YouTube

“The only way to make sure he’s safe, is to keep him secret.” Quiver Distribution has revealed an official US trailer for the Australian eco drama Blueback, now set to open in theaters (nationwide!!) in March in the US. The film originally premiered at TIFF 2022 last fall, and already opened in Australia earlier in the year. Most recently it just played at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival last monh. An inspiring story for the whole family, Tim Winton’s best-selling novel comes to life on the big screen. The latest film from The Dry director Robert Connolly, starring Mia Wasikowska. The story follows Abby, a young girl who initially befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When she’s older, Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, and she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, taking on the poachers to save her friend. The film also stars Radha Mitchell, Ilsa Fogg (as the younger Abby), Liz Alexander, Ariel Donoghue, Clarence Ryan, Pedrea Jackson, Erik Thomson, Eddie Baroo, and Eric Bana. This is certainly worth a watch.

Here’s the official US trailer (+ new poster) for Robert Connolly’s Blueback, from Quiver’s YouTube:

You can rewatch the first Australia trailer for Connolly’s Blueback right here, for even more footage.

Based on the best-selling novel from Tim Winton, Blueback is a timely tale about the ocean, a beautiful marine creature, and a young girl’s power to change the world. The story centers on a young woman who befriends a wild blue groper while diving, and becomes a passionate activist for protecting the ecosystem of Australia’s coral reefs from destruction. Blueback is both written and directed by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Robert Connolly, director of the movies The Bank, Three Dollars, Balibo, Underground: The Julian Assange Story, Paper Planes, and The Dry previously. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Tim Winton. Produced by Robert Connolly, James Grandison, and Liz Kearney. This premiered at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival last year. Roadshow released the film in Australian theaters during New Years. Quiver will debut Blueback in US theaters nationwide starting March 3rd, 2023, and out on VOD on April 21st.

Find more posts: To Watch, Trailer

Dive Into a Final US Trailer for

Read all the updates here: Kiara Advani-Sidharth Malhotra Wedding LIVE Updates

Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra Prep For Wedding; Rishab Shetty Announces Kantara Prequel, Release Date

Last Updated: February 06, 2023, 21:49 IST

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra are getting married on February 7. The actors have chosen to marry at Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer. The couple is hosting their Sangeet ceremony on Monday night and is reportedly hosting their Haldi ceremony on Tuesday morning. Several stars including Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor and Juhi Chawla are attending the wedding ceremony.

Anurag Kashyap, in a recent interview, praised Shah Rukh Khan and also revealed why he was thrown out of a film that starred Salman Khan. In the latest episode of Unfiltered by Samdish with Samshish Bhatia, Anurag said, “I want (Pathaan) to be a hit, and I am very happy with Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback. I don’t know how he manages to stay fit.” The director added that he was thrown out of Tere Naam. He was supposed to direct it but was thrown out.

After days of turmoil, arguments and allegations, Rakhi Sawant has announced that she and her husband Adil Khan Durrani have parted ways. Rakhi was talking to a media portal on Monday when she alleged that Adil has been living with another woman and shared that he has finally left her. “The other day, he asked me to apologise in the media. He told me that he will come back only if I apologise. He told me that he will leave everything and will come back but he did not return,” Rakhi told Bollywood Bubble.

It’s truly a historical moment for India and for Bengaluru-based music composer Ricky Kej as he bagged his third Grammy Award at the prestigious award ceremony. Indian music composer Ricky won his third Grammy at the music award ceremony’s 65th edition on February 6. He has dedicated the award to India and summarised his feeling about bagging the award again and making the country proud.

Rishab Shetty confirmed that a Kantara prequel is in the making. Shetty shared that what the audience has seen for now is actually part 2 and therefore what will be released next is Kantara’s prequel. Dropping hint about the release date, the actor also revealed that the film is likely to hit theatres in 2024. “I would like to take this opportunity to announce the prequel of Kantara. What you have seen is actually Part 2, Part 1 will come next year,” Shetty said.

Read all the Latest Movies News here

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Last Updated: February 06, 2023, 21:49 ISTKiara

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Sequel Is in the Works

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Sequel Is in the Works | Entertainment Tonight

How To Watch Biden’s Address – Deadline

President Joe Biden is set to deliver his second State of the Union speech before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday: “The president will underscore the progress we have made during one of the most challenging times…in history.”

The speech will be carried live at 9 p.m. ET by every major broadcast and most cable news outlets. It can also be livestreamed via the player embedded below. The Republican response to Biden’s address, delivered directly after, will also be available via the player.

This is Biden’s first address to a divided Congress and Kevin McCarthy’s first State of the Union as Speaker of the House.

NETWORK COVERAGE PLANS ON TV & ONLINE

ABC News will have special coverage of the 2023 State of the Union and the Republican response from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. ET on ABC, and streaming on ABC News Live.

World News Tonight anchor David Muir will lead primetime coverage from Washington, D.C., with ABC News’ powerhouse political team, including ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis, chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz, senior White House correspondent Mary Bruce, senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott and many more.

Muir will anchor a special edition of World News Tonight, and Byron Pitts will anchor a special edition of Nightline from Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Good Morning America and GMA3: What You Need to Know will have special pre- and post-coverage.

CBS News and Stations will deliver coverage and analysis of Biden’s address and the Republican response across all its broadcasts and platforms.

CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell will anchor the multiplatform coverage from Washington, D.C., and be joined in studio by CBS News chief political analyst John Dickerson, Face the Nation moderator and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan, chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett, chief election & campaign correspondent Robert Costa and many others.

The CBS News Streaming Network will feature coverage on Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m., ET. Primetime coverage begins at 8 p.m., ET, on CBS News Streaming and continues with a CBS News Special Report on streaming and on the CBS Television Network from 9-11 p.m., ET.

CBS Mornings, the CBS Evening News and Face the Nation will also provide coverage.

CBS Newspath will provide coverage of the address to its 200+ affiliates nationwide while CBS News Radio’s live, anchored coverage will begin at 9 p.m., ET

CNN’s coverage will be lead by political Director David Chalian, and commentators David Axelrod, Van Jones, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Scott Jennings will provide analysis throughout coverage. In addition, CNN’s Phil Mattingly, Manu Raju, and Jeff Zeleny will report live throughout the evening.

CNN This Morning will provide special live coverage from Washington on Tuesday.

CNN Politics will provide live coverage of the State of the Union Address and Republican Response across digital platforms, including on the digital live story on CNN.com, annotation of the speech and live fact-checking led by Daniel Dale and more than a dozen CNN reporters.

CNN’s coverage of the State of the Union Address and Republican Response will stream live, without requiring a cable log-in.

C-SPAN‘s live State of the Union coverage will begin at 8pm ET on C-SPAN with Peter Slen and Greta Brawner hosting.

Politico’s Katherine Tully-McManus, a Congressional reporter and author of the Huddle newsletter, joins live from Statuary Hall to preview the evening and provide political context surrounding the speech.

C-SPAN will have live footage from the House chamber as the Senate, Supreme Court, special guests and other dignitaries arrive.

Following President Biden’s address, C-SPAN will have live coverage of the Republican response.

C-SPAN2 will have a live simulcast of the State of the Union Address starting at 9pm ET. Following the speech, C-SPAN Host Pedro Echevarria will get reaction from members of the House and Senate in Statuary Hall.

The conversation will continue on Washington Journal at 7am ET on Wednesday, with more reaction from viewers and lawmakers.

Fox News Channel’s special programming around the state of the union will begin at 9 p.m., ET on Tuesday. The coverage will be co-anchored by chief political anchor and Special Report’s Bret Baier alongside The Story anchor and executive editor Martha MacCallum. FNC’s coverage will also feature analysis from co-anchor of America’s Newsroom and co-host of The Five Dana Perino, senior political analyst Brit Hume, co-host of The Five Harold Ford Jr. and host of FOX Business Network’s Kudlow, Larry Kudlow. FBN will simulcast FNC’s special coverage of President Biden’s 2023 address, starting at 9 p.m., ET.

Several of FOX News Media’s New York-based programs will emanate from Washington throughout the week, including FNC’s The Story with Martha MacCallum at 3 p.m., ET and FBN’s Kudlow. America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino will provide coverage the following day.

Fox News Sunday’s Shannon Bream will anchor separate live coverage on FOX Network, beginning at 9PM/ET with contributions from FNC’s senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram.

Fox News Digital will offer nonstop coverage of the 2023 State of the Union address. The FoxNews.com homepage will feature a live blog that will be continuously updated, including real-time reaction from around the country and interviews with lawmakers on Capitol Hill following the speech. Viewers will be able to livestream the address and Republican response on FoxNews.com for free.

MSNBC: On Monday, February 6 at 11 p.m. ET, Stephanie Ruhle will anchor a special edition of The 11th Hour looking ahead to President Biden’s State of the Union address and the Republican response. She will be joined by a roundtable of guests including Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele and Jen Psaki.

On Tuesday, co-hosts Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist will kick off special coverage of the Union Address on Morning Joe at 6 a.m. ET. Scarborough, Brzezinski and Geist will continue live coverage from Washington, D.C. with reaction and analysis from top political reporters and newsmakers.

All throughout the day on Wednesday the live coverage from the nation’s capital will continue with reports & coverage anchored by José Díaz-Balart, Andrea Mitchell, Chris Jansing, Katy Tur, Hallie Jackson, Joy Reid (on The ReidOut) Rachel Maddow.

NBC News and MSNBC national political correspondent Steve Kornacki will be at the Big Board throughout the day to break down President Biden’s polling trajectory as we head into his second State of the Union address.

On Tuesday, MSNBC Hub on Peacock will simulcast MSNBC’s special coverage from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, February 8, Jen Psaki will anchor a Peacock special featuring expert analysis and reporting from The Insiders following the State of the Union address and the Republican response.

MSNBC.com will launch a robust live blog for President Biden’s address and Republican response, featuring MSNBC anchors, familiar columnists and outside experts.

NBC News will feature live coverage and real-time analysis of Biden’s second State of the Union address and the Republican response. NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt and Today co-anchor and NBC News chief legal correspondent Savannah Guthrie will lead NBC News’ special coverage live starting Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

Holt and Guthrie will be joined by NBC News political director and Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd, NBC News chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker, NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent and chief Washington correspondent Andrea Mitchell, and NBC News senior Washington correspondent Hallie Jackson.

Ahead of the address on Tuesday, Holt will anchor a special edition of NBC Nightly News live from Washington, D.C. The next morning Guthrie will anchor Today from the Nation’s Capital.

Beginning at 8 p.m. ET, NBC News NOW anchors Tom Llamas and Hallie Jackson will host pre-speech special coverage live from Washington. NBC News NOW will also simulcast NBC News’ network coverage of the address. Following the speech, Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd and NBC News chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker will anchor live special coverage and analysis, beginning at 11 p.m. ET.

CNBC.com will live stream the State of the Union address and host a live blog.

Noticias Telemundo: Julio Vaqueiro will lead coverage live from Washington. Vaqueiro will anchor a special edition of the network’s 6:30 p.m. ET newscast and a 9:00 p.m. ET primetime news special featuring reporting and analysis from senior Washington correspondent Cristina Londoño, Washington correspondent Javier Vega and anchor Arantxa Loizaga. They will be joined by a panel of experts to analyze the president’s speech and the Republican response. The coverage will include fact checks by Noticias Telemundo’s T-Verifica and will also stream on Noticias Telemundo’s digital platforms

PBS NewsHour will offer live coverage followed by the Republican response and reporting and analysis by the NewsHour team and guests on broadcast, online, and social on Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET. NewsHour’s special coverage with co-anchors Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett will include reporting from Capitol Hill correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López in Statuary Hall. Washington Post opinion writer Jonathan Capehart, New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks, and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report Amy Walter will provide analysis of Biden’s address.

Coverage will extend online with a pre-show from 8-9 p.m. ET, hosted by NewsHour digital anchor Nicole Ellis.

President Joe Biden is set to deliver

Penn & Teller: Fool Us TV show on The CW: canceled or renewed for season 10?

Penn & Teller: Fool Us on The CW: cancelled or season 10? – canceled + renewed TV shows

(Photo by: Ronda Churchill/The CW)

Vulture Watch

Now that The CW is owned by Nexstar, could this show disappear? Has the Penn & Teller: Fool Us TV show been cancelled or renewed for a 10th season on The CW? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, season 10. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?

What’s This TV Show About?

A magic competition series airing on The CW television network, the Penn & Teller: Fool Us TV show is hosted by Alyson Hannigan and is judged by comedic illusionists Penn Jillette and Teller. In each episode, aspiring magicians are invited to perform their best tricks to try and fool the world-famous team. Anyone who succeeds wins the right to perform with Penn and Teller in their celebrated show at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The live studio audience and the TV audience watch along with Penn & Teller as they try to figure out the secrets. The master magicians see the trick only once and have to try to immediately figure out how it was done. The live studio audience knows there are no camera tricks, secret edits, or helpful camera cuts — just real magic. Magicians in season nine include Jon Mobley, The Van Hargen Twins, Axel Adlerm, Chris Canfield, Theron Christensen, Jaana Felicitas, Benjamin Barnes, Brian Curry, Yann Yuro, Helen Coghlan, Jason Michaels, and Alexander Boyce.

Season Nine Ratings

The ninth season of Penn & Teller: Fool Us averages a 0.07 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 693,000 viewers. Compared to season eight, that’s down by 27% in the demo and down by 7% in viewership in the live+same day ratings (includes DVR playback through 3:00 AM). While these numbers don’t include further delayed or streaming viewing, they are a very good indicator of how a show is performing, especially when compared to others on the same channel. There can be other economic factors involved in a show’s fate, but typically the higher-rated series are renewed and the lower-rated ones are cancelled. Find out how Penn & Teller: Fool Us stacks up against other The CW TV shows.

O F F I C I A L S T A T U S

As of February 6, 2023, Penn & Teller: Fool Us has not been cancelled or renewed for a 10th season. Stay tuned for further updates.

Telly’s Take

Will The CW cancel or renew Penn & Teller: Fool Us for season 10? The network is now owned by Nexstar and is shifting toward using more acquired and inexpensive original programming to fill the schedule. This show fits within that strategy, so I think it’s more than likely that Penn & Teller: Fool Us will be renewed. I’ll update this page with breaking developments. Subscribe for free alerts on Penn & Teller: Fool Us cancellation or renewal news.

Penn & Teller: Fool Us Cancellation & Renewal Related Links

What do you think? Do you hope that the Penn & Teller: Fool Us TV show will be renewed for a 10th season? How would you feel if The CW cancelled this TV series, instead?

Check out our CW status sheet to track the smallest network’s new series pickups, renewals, and cancellations. You can find lists of cancelled shows here.

(Photo by: Ronda Churchill/The CW) Vulture Watch Now that

Black Panther 2 Breaks Streaming Record on Disney+

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the most-watched Marvel movie premiere ever on Disney+ worldwide, based on hours streamed in the first five days, Disney announced Monday.

The Ryan Coogler-directed sequel made its streaming debut on Wednesday, including on Walt Disney streamer Disney+. Now, Disney is declaring that the film pulled bigger initial Disney+ figures than the likes of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” “Eternals” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.”

The studio did not, currently, offer any hard viewership figures; however, Samba TV is reporting that 2.1 million U.S. households watched the 160-minute feature in those first five days, a figure on par with “Doctor Strange 2” and just below “Thor 4” (2.2 million). “Black Adam” earned 1.5 million households in its first five days, while “The Batman” earned 2.6 million households in its maiden voyage on HBO Max.

Considering “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” starring Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta Mejia and current Best Supporting Actress Oscar frontrunner Angela Bassett, already earned $453 million domestically and $843 million worldwide, it’s yet another example of how theatrical success can be a boon for, rather than a hindrance to, eventual streaming glory.

Even if the overall gross was slightly lower than hoped, “Black Panther” earned $1.347 billion worldwide in 2018, the current global total is arguably on par with what was realistically expected from the first film in the aftermath of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” earning $881 million and “Wonder Woman” grossing $821 million in 2017.

The film received an 83-day theatrical window, close to pre-COVID status quo, and it seems to be another sign that Disney is no longer in a mad rush to send its theatrical releases, especially the ones that pop at the box office, to Disney+.

“Wakanda Forever” has been nominated for five Oscars this year, including Best Supporting Actress, Best Visual Effects, Best Make-Up and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design and Best Original Song for Rihanna’s “Life Me Up.”

Grammys Viewership Bounces Up 30% From Last Year, Drawing the Biggest Audience Since 2020

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the most-watched

Music

Method Man Reacts to His Heartthrob Status at 51: ‘It’s Great to Get Your Flowers Now’ (Exclusive)

Method Man Reacts to His Heartthrob Status at 51: ‘It’s Great to Get Your Flowers Now’ (Exclusive) | Entertainment Tonight