Philippa Kaur

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    'Mortal Kombat' and 'Demon Slayer' Exceed Box Office Expectations With Impressive Debuts

    HBO Max/Aniplex America

    The live-action adaptation of the popular video game and the big-screen version of the Japanese manga series lead the improving box office with a combined gross of $42 million.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    The movie industry is slowly, but surely rebounding. After “Godzilla Vs. Kong” record-breaking debut gave away a hope of recovery in the business, this time “Mortal Kombat” and “Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train” took the charge to boost the North American box office.

    Both movies exceeded industry’s estimates to lead the chart with an impressive combined gross of approximately $42 million, doubling their pre-opening estimates. The live-action adaptation of the popular video game tops the rank with an estimated $22.5 million opening gross, while the big-screen version of the Japanese manga series trails close behind at No. 2 with an estimated $19.5 million.

    “Mortal Kombat”, which is an R-rated martial arts film, added $27.6 million from international markets, bringing its worldwide cumulative total to $50.1 million. As for the animated dark fantasy period action film, it’s a box-office juggernaut overseas, accumulating $388.2 million internationally for a current global total of $407.7 million.

    “Godzilla Vs. Kong” is forced to step down two ranks to No. 3 after three weeks leading the chart. The epic monster showdown movie added an estimated $4.2 million, bringing its current total domestic gross to $86.6 million.

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    Bob Odenkirk’s “Nobody” also takes the plunge from No. 2 to No. 4 with an estimated addition of $1.9 million to its domestic gross. Meanwhile, “Raya and the Last Dragon” falls one place to round out the top five with approximately $1.7 million.

    The only other newcomer this week is indie film “Together Together”. The R-rated quirkie dramatic comedy debuts at No. 8 with approximately $522,440. All together, the total revenues will come to around $55 million, which is 25 percent better than any weekend since theater closures began last year.

    Next week, a number of movies such as “The Father”, “Promising Young Woman” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” are expected to see a significant surge in their weekly revenues following their Oscar wins on Sunday night, April 25.

    Top 10 of North America Box Office (Apr. 23-25, 2021)

    “Mortal Kombat” – $22.5 million
    “Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train” – $19.5 million
    “Godzilla vs Kong” – $4.2 million
    “Nobody” – $1.9 million
    “Raya and the Last Dragon” – $1.7 million
    “The Unholy” – $1.4 million
    “Tom & Jerry” – $650,000
    “Together Together” – $522,440
    “The Girl Who Believes in Miracles” – $336,957
    “The Courier” – $264,175

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    Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Unveils Ominous First Teaser Trailer

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    Courtesy of 20th Century Studios, the first sneak-peek video for the upcoming romantic musical drama has been released during the live broadcast of the 2021 Academy Awards.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Here’s a new look at Steven Spielberg’s take on “West Side Story”. Courtesy of 20th Century Studios, the first teaser trailer for the upcoming romantic musical drama was released during the live broadcast of the 2021 Academy Awards on Sunday night, April 25.

    The one-and-a-half-minute video opens with ominous-sounding whistling and music, before a version of Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere (There’s a Place for Us)” plays. The scenes show the rivalry between two street gangs, which are in stark contrast to the lively musical performance scenes and the love affair between Tony and Maria, all set to the backdrop of New York City.

    Ansel Elgort plays Tony, while newcomer Rachel Zegler, who is also a YouTube personality, is cast as Maria. Rita Moreno, who starred in the 1961 movie, also stars in the updated version as Valentina. Spielberg directed the flick with the script written by Tony Kushner based on the stageplay of the same title, which in turn is based loosely on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.

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    At the heart of the story is the rivalry between two warring street gangs, the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. The tensions get higher as Tony falls for Maria, the younger sister of the leader of the Sharks, and the two forge a forbidden bond.

    Up-and-comer Ariana DeBose, who stars as Anita, told ET, “The film is a love letter to New York City, celebrating its diversity, celebrating the beauty of the streets, celebrating the possibility that people felt when they came to the city. That’s the thing I really love about it.” She added, “That energy was palpable on set.”

    The production wrapped in September 2019. In a letter to audiences marking the end of the filming, Spielberg wrote, “This has been a journey without precedence: a joyful, stunning, moving, endlessly surprising encounter with the story and score of one of the world’s greatest musicals. We filmed ‘West Side Story’ all over New York, Flatbush to Fort Tryon Park. The city lent us its beauty and its energy, and we drew deeply upon its grand multicultural, multifaceted spirit.”

    The movie was initially scheduled to be released in December 2020, before it’s pushed back nearly a year to December 10 of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The release date will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the release of the original 1961 film.

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    Fans Enraged Over Chadwick Boseman's Upset Loss at 2021 Oscars

    Netflix

    The late actor was widely expected to win Best Actor at the 93rd annual Academy Awards for his role in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, but Anthony Hopkins nabbed the prize instead.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    While Oscar winners may be currently celebrating their victories, some viewers have been left disappointed with the result, particularly the Best Actor win, after watching the Sunday, April 25 live telecast. Leading to the 93rd annual Academy Awards, Chadwick Boseman was widely expected to win in the category following his wins at other major awards, including Golden Globe Awards and SAG Awards, but that didn’t happen tonight.

    Instead, in a surprising twist, Anthony Hopkins nabbed the Best Actor award for his role in “The Father”. While it doesn’t necessarily mean that the veteran actor’s acting was bad in the said movie, the late star’s fans felt like he was being robbed of his supposed first posthumous Oscar.

    Taken aback by the Best Actor win which was announced the last at the televised event, one Twitter user wrote, “anthony was phenomenal. good for him truly. but how are you gonna 1) speed the absolute f**k out of the in memoriam segment and 2) switch up the order of the awards to make your audience think you’re gonna give chadwick some sort of tribute and then just……. not. feels cruel.”

    Another echoed the sentiment, “them pushing best actor till the end just for chadwick not to win was very f**ked up and it feels like they exploited his death for views.” A third sarcastically remarked, “ok rearranging the categories for the first time ever trying to end on best actor in order to honor chadwick and then instead giving the award to hopkins who isn’t even there… actually a really good bit, bravo.”

    Another disappointed fan simply exclaimed, “OMG, Chadwick should have won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Taking issue with the last few last minutes of the show, someone complained, “An absent Anthony Hopkins winning over Chadwick Boseman during a ceremony built to end around a Boseman win while Joaquin Phoenix awkwardly stumbles through it all is…wow. Chaos!”

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    “I might be howling at the wind like Frances McDormand but that was the worst possible way to end this broadcast…,” a sixth user wrote. Another baffled viewer tweeted, “Sorry… what just happened? That has got to be the most shocking last 10 minutes of an Oscars EVER.”

    Not everyone was upset by Boseman’s loss though. Hopkins’ fans thought that his Oscar win was well-deserved, with one pointing out, “anyone who knows someone suffering from dementia will understand just how good Anthony Hopkins performance was. This is his greatest ever acting without doubt.”

    “I saw all the best picture nominees and all the films for best actor and actress. So sad that Chadwick died, but Anthony Hopkins fully deserved his Oscar,” another noted. Someone else added, “Yeah! Anthony Hopkins was fantastic in The Father. Well deserved!”

    The Academy has not responded to the criticism over Boseman’s upset loss. Meanwhile, the Sunday night show celebrated the “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” star during an In Memoriam tribute, which was opened by Angela Bassett. Stevie Wonder’s “As” was played as a montage of late actors and filmmakers like Cicely Tyson, Sean Connery, Kelly Preston and Christopher Plummer was seen on the screen.

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    'The Crown' Denies Reports It Faces 'Struggle' to Find Prince Andrew Actor for Season 5

    WENN/Instar

    Left Bank Pictures reportedly has posted an advertisement on casting website Spotlight, billing the role of the disgraced Duke of York as a ‘very good role.’

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    The next season of “The Crown” will feature Prince Andrew in his mid 30s and early 40s, but the bosses for the hit Netflix series can’t seem to find a perfect actor for the “unpopular” prince. According to a new report, the show is struggling to get an actor to play the Duke of York.

    The Sun reported that Left Bank Pictures had posted an advertisement on casting website Spotlight. While the production company billed the character as “very good role,” the news outlet believed that it was actually a role of Prince Andrew, who was known for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

    Backing up the claims was a casting source, who spilled to The Sun, “Prince Andrew is one of the most unpopular members of the royal family and wannabe stars aren’t exactly queuing up to play him.”

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    “It’s not the sexiest role and is unlikely to set a Hollywood career alight,” the source continued to explain. However, the insider noted that the role “might work for a real scene-stealer character artist.”

    In response to the reports, the production denied them in a statement. A spokeswoman insisted to the outlet, “There is absolutely no struggle to cast any role for season 5 of ‘The Crown’.” The spokewoman also added, “It is normal practice for productions to advertise in Spotlight.”

    Season 5 of award-winning “The Crown” will be set in the years 1991 to 1997. It will tackle the tumultuous years that saw the very public breakdown of Prince Charles and Diana’s marriage. In the previous season 4, up and coming actor Tom Byrne took the role of Prince Andrew.

    In an interview with Newsnight, the 26-year-old infamously tried to distance himself from the prince and his scandal as he was accused of sex trafficking then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a young woman who was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. “I thought the best thing I can do is to switch that part of my brain off,” Tom said. “It just wasn’t useful to me to engage with that stuff – particularly as I was only playing him as a 20-year-old.”

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    Oscars 2021: 'Nomadland' Wins Big, Anthony Hopkins' Surprise Win Rounds Out Full Winner List

    Fox Searchlight Pictures/Sony Pictures Classics

    ‘Nomadland’ is hailed as Best Picture with its star Frances McDormand being named Best Actress, while ‘The Father’ star Hopkins surprisingly edges out the likes of Chadwick Boseman and Gary Oldman.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    The 93rd annual Academy Awards has concluded with “Nomadland” coming out as the biggest winner with three wins. The movie nabbed the coveted prize of Best Picture, winning over “The Father”, “Judas and the Black Messiah”, “Mank”, “Minari”, “Promising Young Woman”, “Sound of Metal” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7”.

    Chloe Zhao, who won the Best Director prize earlier in the night for helming the movie, thanked real-life nomads across America for teaching the crew the “power of resilience and hope and remining us what true kindness looks like.”

    The movie also helped its star Frances McDormand score Best Actress award, which was also vied by Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”), Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) and Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”). It’s the third Oscar for Best Actress for McDormand after previously winning for 1996’s “Fargo” and 2017’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”.

    Capping off the Sunday, April 25 ceremony was the Best Actor award, which surprisingly went to Anthony Hopkins for his role in “The Father”. It’s a rather upset win as Chadwick Boseman was expected to win the award posthumously for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”.

    Hopkins wasn’t present at the show, so Joaquin Phoenix, who introduced the category, accepted it on his behalf. “The Father” also won Best Adapted Screenplay for the script written by Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, based on the play by Zeller.

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    “Ma Rainey’s”, however, didn’t come home empty handed as it previously won Best Costume Design for Ann Roth and Best Make-Up and Hairstyling for Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson.

    Also bagging two prizes each were “Sound of Metal”, “Soul” and “Judas and the Black Messiah”. “Sound of Metal” picked up the gongs for Best Film Editing and Best Sound, “Soul” was named Best Animated Feature Film in addition to winning Best Original Score, and “Judas and the Black Messiah” nabbed Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Kaluuya as well as Best Original Song for “Fight for You”, which is performed by H.E.R..

    “Mank”, which received the most nominations with 10, scored one Oscar in Production Design category. Yuh-Jung Youn set Oscar history as the first Korean actress to win Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Minari”.

    “Another Round” was named Best International Feature Film, while Tyler Perry and Motion Picture & Television Fund were honored with Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for their separate works.

    Full Winners of 2021 Academy Awards:

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    50 Cent and La La Anthony Developing Limited Series About Cyntioa Brown's Life

    WENN/Instagram/Euan Cherry

    Having been optioned by Starz, ‘The Case of Cyntoia Brown’ will tell the story of the former prisoner-turned-criminal justice reform activist who was tried as an adult for killing Johnny Allen.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    50 Cent and his “Power” co-star La La Anthony are joining forces to turn the story of former prisoner-turned-criminal justice reform activist Cyntioa Brown into a new TV drama.

    U.S. network bosses at Starz have optioned “The Case of Cyntoia Brown”, which will chronicle the story of Brown, who was just 16 when she killed Nashville, Tennessee real estate agent Johnny Allen in 2004 after he solicited her for sex. She was tried as an adult and convicted in 2006, and was ordered to serve life behind bars.

    In late 2018, it was revealed Brown would not be eligible for parole until 2055 after serving a minimum of 51 years in prison, but her controversial case drew the attention of celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and LeBron James, who called for her release.

    The lobbying worked, and in 2019, then-Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam granted her clemency, and Brown was released on supervised parole that August.

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    Brown, who subsequently married Pretty Ricky star J. Long, has always maintained she was a sex trafficking victim who acted in self-defence, and now she will get to share her side of the story with the help of 50 and Anthony, who will executive produce the limited series based on her own book, “Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System”.

    “The Case of Cyntoia Brown” will be written by Santa Sierra, with Brown and Long serving as consultants on the project.

    “We’re honored to be entrusted with Cyntoia’s story, which shines a light on the injustice of a system that tried and sentenced an at-risk minor as an adult when she was a victim herself of sex trafficking,” said Christina Davis, President of Original Programming for Starz.

    “This limited series from Curtis, La La and Santa chronicles Cyntoia’s long journey to freedom and furthers our #TakeTheLead programming mandate centered on narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.”

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    Oscars 2021: Tyler Perry Delivers Inspiring Speech About Refusing to Hate and Healing

    WENN/Avalon

    Perry takes the podium after being presented with Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, while ‘Sound of Metal’, ‘Soul’ and ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ add a second win each.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Tyler Perry took time at the 93rd annual Academy Awards to advocate for peace. Amid the rising violence against Asians and the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests across the nation, the filmmaker delivered an inspiring speech about refusing to hate and healing while accepting Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his generosity toward those often overlooked and his steadfast commitment to social justice.

    He opened his message by sharing an anecdote about giving a homeless woman a pair of shoes. “In that moment I recall her saying to me, ‘I thought you would hate me for asking,’ ” he recalled. “And I’m like, ‘How can I hate you, when I used to be you? How can I hate you when I had a mother who grew up in Jim Crow Louisiana?’ ” Perry said this mother “taught me to refuse hate.”

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    The owner of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta continued, “I refuse to hate on someone because they are Mexican or because they are black or white or LGBTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they are a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they are Asian. i would hope that we will all refuse hate.”

    He later added on how people should react to diversity, “No matter what’s around the wall, stand in the middle, ’cause that’s where healing happens, that’s where conversation happens, that’s where change happens.”

    Perry’s speech aside, the Academy Awards has also presented more awards in competitive categories, with “Sound of Metal”, “Soul” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” adding a second Oscar win each. “Sound of Metal” won Best Film Editing for Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, “Soul” nabbed Best Original Score for Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste, while “Judas and the Black Messiah” picked up Best Original Song for the song “Fight For You”, which is performed by H.E.R..

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    Oscars 2021: Yuh-Jung Youn Wins Best Supporting Actress, 'Soul' Is Best Animated Feature

    A24/Walt Disney Pictures

    While the ‘Minari’ star has become the first Korean actress to win an Oscar, ‘Tenet’ has earned its first prize at the 93rd Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects.

    Apr 26, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    More awards have been presented at the 93rd annual Academy Awards, with Yuh-Jung Youn among one of them who have become victorious at the Sunday, April 25 ceremony. The veteran South Korean actress nabbed Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “Minari”.

    While Youn has set another Oscar history by becoming the first Korean actress to win an Oscar, her win was rather expected. She was a favorite to win in the category after earning prizes at other award shows, including the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards, for the same role.

    The 73-year-old had a fan-girling moment when accepting the award from Brad Pitt. “Mr Pitt, finally. Nice to meet you. Where were you while we were filming? I’m very honored to meet you!” she said, before thanking “Minari” cast and crew, including director Lee Isaac Chung, and her fellow nominees, particularly Glenn Close.

    Prior to Youn’s win, “Tenet” grabbed the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. “Soul” was named Best Animated Feature, edging out “Onward”, “Over the Moon”, “Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” and “Wolfwalkers”.

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    Best Animated Short Film went to “If Anything Happens I Love You”, while “My Octopus Teacher” won Best Documentary Feature. Winning Best Documentary Short Subject was “Colette”, which is a about a former member of the French Resistance who goes back to Germany.

    In his speech, director Anthony Giacchino mentioned that the movie’s Oscar win coincided with the real-life Collete’s birthday. “Today’s Colette’s birthday. She was born just 22 days before the very first Oscars in 1929,” he said. “So I imagine it must have been a very a crowd about this big, right?”

    He continued, “When she – when we got nominated, she told us that – she reminded us that the power of documentary film making ensured that her brother Jean Pierre was, as she put it, no longer lost in the night and fog of the Nazi concentration camp system.”

    Later at the currently ongoing show, “Mank” scored two consecutive wins with Production Design Best for Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale, as well as Best Cinematography for Erik Messerschmidt.

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