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    'One Night in Miami…' Dominates 2021 Black Reel Awards With 15 Nominations

    Amazon Studios

    The directorial debut film of Regina King will be competing against ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’, which scores 12 nods, for the Outstanding Picture and Outstanding Director categories.

    Feb 19, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Regina King’s directorial debut “One Night in Miami…” will lead the pack at the 2021 Black Reel Awards after landing 15 nominations.
    The film will compete for categories including Outstanding Picture, Outstanding Director for King, Outstanding Actor for Kingsley Ben-Adir, Outstanding Supporting Actor for both Leslie Odom Jr. and Aldis Hodge, and Outstanding Screenplay for Kemp Powers.
    “Judas and the Black Messiah” is another frontrunner with 12 nods, reports Deadline.
    It is also in the running for Outstanding Picture, Director for Shaka King, and Screenplay for King and Will Berson, while Keith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya and Dominique Fishback are shortlisted for Outstanding Actor, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress, respectively.

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    “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, which is nominated for 10 awards, earned Chadwick Boseman a posthumous Outstanding Actor mention, while Viola Davis landed an Outstanding Actress nod, and the film will also be among the challengers for the Outstanding Picture honor.
    Other nominees include “Da 5 Bloods” (Outstanding Picture, Outstanding Director for Spike Lee, and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Boseman), Zendaya Coleman (Outstanding Actress for “Malcolm & Marie”), “The High Note” (Outstanding Supporting Actress for Tracee Ellis Ross), and “All In: The Fight for Democracy” (Outstanding Documentary Feature).
    Overall, Netflix leads with 36 nominations, followed by Amazon (23) and Warner Bros. (14). “Last year was a historic year in film, if for no other reason that there were more films released than ever before by Black filmmakers, featuring a tremendous amount of quality performances by a group of tireless creatives, who overcame unique challenges to create a group of memorable and indelible images,” said Black Reel Awards founder Tim Gordon. “We look forward to creatives continuing to tell our stories and we congratulate all of this year’s talented nominees.”
    The Black Reel Awards, which celebrate the excellence of African-Americans in the film industry, will take place virtually on April 11.

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    Quavo Calls Acting Debut Opposite Robert De Niro An 'Unbelievable' Experience

    WENN/Avalon/Mario Mitsis

    Having completed filming his part as heartless drug lord Coyote in ‘Wash Me in the River’, the one-third of Migos gushes in a released statement that he is ‘so proud’ of what they did.

    Feb 19, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Rapper Quavo has scored the opportunity to make his feature film acting debut opposite Robert de Niro and John Malkovich.
    The Migos star will appear as heartless drug lord Coyote in the upcoming revenge thriller “Wash Me in the River”, which will be directed by “The Irishman” producer Randall Emmett.
    Production on the movie, which also features Jack Huston, has already been underway in Puerto Rico, where Quavo recently completed filming his role.
    “I honestly think this movie is going to be one of the greatest to come of this time,” Quavo shares in a statement to Variety.

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    “The experience was unbelievable for me, with Robert DeNiro and Jack Huston being so down to earth and making me feel like family.”
    “Gonna see me doing some stunts and a lot of what you hear from me in my raps!” he adds. “This is one of my biggest debuts I’ve ever had, and [I’m] so proud of what we did and to get to work with Randall who’s such an amazing guy – I can’t wait to do more films with him.”
    Quavo has previously put his acting skills to the test with small roles in TV shows like “Narcos: Mexico”, “Black-ish”, “Star”, and “Atlanta”, and Emmett is convinced he has what it takes to make it in Hollywood.
    “Quavo is a superstar and a real actor,” the filmmaker says. “Getting to see him bring the Coyote character to life is very exciting, and I think he is going to have a film career equally as big as his music.”
    He isn’t the only Migos member making the transition into acting – bandmate Offset is also heading to the big screen to star in drama “American Sole”, alongside actors Pete Davidson and O’Shea Jackson Jr..

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    First Red-Band Trailer of 'Mortal Kombat' Previews Bloody and Brutal Fights

    HBO Max

    The age-restricted sneak peek also introduces the fighters in the mighty martial competition, Sonya Blade, Jax, Kano, Liu Kang and Kung Lao in addition to the lead character, Cole Young.

    Feb 19, 2021
    AceShowbiz – The first official trailer for “Mortal Kombat” is here for fans’ viewing pleasure. Making its way out online, the age-restricted sneak peek is basked in bloody glory as it offers a glimpse at the brutal fights between the protagonists and the baddies.
    The video features familiar characters, including Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Kano (Josh Lawson), Jackson “Jax” Briggs (Mehcad Brooks), Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) and Kung Lao (Max Huang), in addition to introducing the new lead, Cole Young, who is portrayed by Lewis Tan. The video hints that Cole is unaware of his heritage or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down.
    “Fearing for his family’s safety,” the washed-up mixed martial arts fighter “goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with,” the official synopsis reads. “Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark.”
    The synopsis goes on describing, “Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana — the immense power from within his soul — in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?”

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    [embedded content]
    Joe Taslim (“Star Trek Beyond”) is cast as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero, with Chin Han (“Skyscraper”) as Shang Tsung. Also supporting the cast are Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion, Sisi Stringer as Mileena, Matilda Kimber as Emily Young, and Laura Brent as Allison Young.
    “Mortal Kombat” is a live-action adaptation of the popular video game franchise of the same name. The upcoming movie is the third film being developed in the franchise, after the second film, “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” (1997), ended up as a critical and commercial failure.
    Simon McQuoid serves behind the lens for the upcoming movie, with James Wan among the producers alongside Todd Garner, McQuoid and E. Bennett Walsh. Greg Russo and Dave Callaham penned the script. The movie is set to be released in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service on April 16.

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    'Rocks' and 'His House' Win Big at 2021 British Independent Film Awards

    Fable Pictures/Netflix

    The Sarah Gavron-directed drama has been named the Best British Independent Film while the Remi Weekes-helmed horror picks up Best Director among others.

    Feb 19, 2021
    AceShowbiz – “Rocks” and “His House” were the big winners at the British Independent Film Awards on Thursday (18Feb21), picking up nine honours between them.
    Sarah Gavron’s “Rocks” was crowned Best British Independent Film, beating out favourites “Saint Maud” and “The Father”, for which Anthony Hopkins landed a Best Actor gong.

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    Kosar Ali picked up the Best Supporting Actress and Most Promising Newcomer honours for “Rocks”, while co-star D’Angelou Osei Kissiedu was named Best Supporting Actor.
    Horror film “His House” scored four awards, including a Best Director prize for Remi Weekes and Best Actress trophy for Wunmi Mosaku while Oscars favourite “Nomadland” picked up another accolade, claiming the Best International Independent Film award.
    The full list of 2021 BIFA winners is:
    Best British Independent Film: “Rocks”
    Best Director: Remi Weekes, “His House”
    Best Screenplay: Florian Zeller & Christopher Hampton, “The Father”
    Best Actress: Wunmi Mosaku, “His House”
    Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins, “The Father”
    Best Supporting Actress: Kosar Ali, “Rocks”
    Best Supporting Actor: D’Angelou Osei Kissiedu, “Rocks”
    The Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director): Rose Glass, “Saint Maud”
    Breakthrough Producer: Irune Gurtubai, “Limbo”
    Debut Screenwriter: Riz Ahmed, “Mogul Mowgli”
    Most Promising Newcomer: Kosar Ali, “Rocks”
    Best Documentary: “The Reason I Jump”
    The Raindance Discovery Award: “Perfect 10”
    Best British Short Film: “The Long Goodbye”
    Best International Independent Film: “Nomadland”
    Best Casting: Lucy Pardee, “Rocks”
    Best Cinematography: Ben Fordesman, “Saint Maud”
    Best Costume Design: Charlotte Walter, “Misbehaviour”
    Best Editing: Yorgos Lamprinos, “The Father”
    Best Effects: Pedro Sabrosa & Stefano Pepin, “His House”
    Best Make Up & Hair Design: Jill Sweeney, “Misbehaviour”
    Best Music: Paul Corley, “Mogul Mowgli”
    Best Production Design: Jacqueline Abrahams, “His House”
    Best Sound: Nick Ryan, Ben Baird & Sara De Oliveira Lima, “The Reason I Jump”

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    Lupita Nyong'o's Children's Book Adapted for Movie

    Instagram

    The kiddie-friendly book inspired by the ‘Black Panther’ actress’ own childhood struggle with her dark skin is being turned into an animated movie musical for Netflix.

    Feb 19, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Lupita Nyong’o’s children’s book is set to be turned into an animated movie musical for Netflix.
    The “Black Panther” star released “Sulwe” in late 2019, using her own childhood struggle with her dark skin as inspiration to tackle the issue of acceptance among kids of colour.
    Now it’s being adapted for the screen thanks to streaming service bosses, and Nyong’o, who will serve as a producer, is delighted to embark on the next chapter of Sulwe’s story.
    “The story of Sulwe is one that is very close to my heart,” the actress shared in a statement.

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    “It was a long journey for me to arrive at self-love. Sulwe is a mirror for dark-skinned children to see themselves, a window for those who may not be familiar with colourism, to have understanding and empathy.”
    In an Instagram post announcing the news on Thursday (18Feb21), Nyong’o wrote, “Sulwe is going to be an animated movie!! Thank you to the readers of all ages who have joined #Sulwe on her starry ride. I’m so excited for this next adventure on @Netflix! #BrightnessIsJustWhoYouAre.”
    The Oscar winner was inundated with well wishes from fans and celebrity friends, including Diane Kruger, who commented, “AMAZING,” and Ciara, who added, “That’s so awesome! Congratulations mama!!”
    It’s not yet known if Nyong’o will be contributing to the songs featured in the film, but she previously teamed up with musician K’naan to write a tune to accompany her literary project.
    “Sulwe’s Song” dropped in November 2019, a month after the book’s launch, and was accompanied by an animated lyric video.

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    Jesse Plemons Takes Over Lead Role in Martin Scorsese’s Film as Leonardo DiCaprio and Scribe Clash More

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    Jesse Plemons Takes Over Lead Role in Martin Scorsese's Film as Leonardo DiCaprio and Scribe Clash

    WENN

    The former ‘Breaking Bad’ actor has been enlisted to take over the role originally meant for the ‘Titanic’ star after the latter didn’t see eye to eye with the ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ scribe.

    Feb 19, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Actor Jesse Plemons has taken over Leonardo Dicaprio’s lead role in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming drama “Killers of the Flower Moon”.
    DiCaprio had originally been tapped to star as FBI agent Tom White, who is tasked with investigating a series of real-life murders in the Osage Indians community in Oklahoma in the early 1920s, but he clashed with screenwriter Eric Roth and reportedly pushed to be recast as the secondary lead after a series of script rewrites.
    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Plemons, who worked with Scorsese on “The Irishman”, will now step into the shoes of White, pulling out of talks to join filmmaker Jordan Peele’s new movie, due to a scheduling clash.

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    As requested, DiCaprio will play Ernest Burkhart, the nephew of a powerful local rancher portrayed by Robert De Niro, with actress Lily Gladstone recruited as the “Titanic” star’s onscreen wife.
    “Killers of the Flower Moon”, based on the 2017 non-fiction book by journalist David Grann, is set to begin filming in May (21) and will premiere on Apple TV+.
    Eric Roth previously said of his argument with Leonardo DiCaprio, “Leonardo wanted some things changed that we argued about. He won half of them (arguments). I won half of them. So that’s happening.”
    Of the story adapted for the movie, the scribe explained, “It’s the story of Osage Indians, 1921, the poorest people in America who discover oil in this terrible land in Oklahoma, where they’ve been driven to. Then every killer in America comes to kill 184 of them for their money, but this really heroic guy comes in (to help).”

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    Martin Scorsese Complains About Systematic Devaluation of Cinema by Streaming Movies

    WENN/Cover

    Though acknowledging that he has benefited from streaming platforms, ‘The Irishman’ director criticizes the movie industry for being more focused on ‘business.’

    Feb 18, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Martin Scorsese has blasted the movie industry for being more focused on “business” as a result of the rise in “content” being produced for streaming companies.
    The legendary director, whose last movie “The Irishman” was released on Netflix, suggests that streaming movies have had a negative impact on cinema, which he claims is being “systematically devalued, sidelined, demeaned, and reduced to its lowest common denominator, ‘content.’ ”
    In an essay for Harper’s Magazine, Martin explained, “As recently as 15 years ago, the term ‘content’ was heard only when people were discussing the cinema on a serious level, and it was contrasted and measured against ‘form.’ ”
    “Then, gradually, it was used more and more by the people who took over media companies, most of whom knew nothing about the history of the art form, or even cared enough to think they should.”
    Martin acknowledges he has benefited from streaming platforms but suggests the film industry is too focused on “business.”

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    The 78-year-old filmmaker said, “We can’t depend on the movie business, such as it is, to take care of cinema. In the movie business, which is now the mass visual entertainment business, the emphasis is always on the word ‘business’, and value is always determined by the amount of money to be made from any given property.”
    Martin, whose movie credits include award-winning movies, “Goodfellas”, “Raging Bull”, “The Departed” and “Taxi Driver”, called on those in the film industry to protect the “greatest treasures of our culture.”
    He said, “Those of us who know the cinema and its history have to share our love and our knowledge with as many people as possible.”

    “And we have to make it crystal clear to the current legal owners of these films that they amount to much, much more than mere property to be exploited and then locked away. They are among the greatest treasures of our culture, and they must be treated accordingly.”

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    First Trailer for Emma Stone's 'Cruella' Gives Off Serious Harley Quinn Vibes

    [embedded content]

    Stone’s title character Cruella de Vil is set to unleash her madness as she appears ready to challenge Emma Thompson’s Baroness Von Hellman, the head of a prestigious fashion house.

    Feb 18, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Emma Stone morphs into Cruella de Vil in the first official trailer for Disney’s “Cruella”. Set to tell the origin story of “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” villain from the point of view of the title character, the trailer sees a young fashion designer, Estella de Vil, who transforms into the baddie.
    “From the very beginning, I realized I saw the world very differently than everyone else,” Stone’s character narrates the video. “That didn’t sit well with some people, but I wasn’t for everyone. I guess they were always scared that I would be … a psycho,” she says, followed by the sound of her maniacal laugh.
    Estella is then seen turning heads at a party, where she comes face-to-face with Emma Thompson’s Baroness Von Hellman, the head of a prestigious fashion house who hires Estella. Seemingly ready to challenge the woman with power in the room, she continues saying in voiceover, “But a new day brings new opportunities. And I was ready to make a statement. How does the saying go? I am woman, hear me roar.”

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    The trailer gives off strong Harley Quinn vibes as Estella a.k.a. Cruella is set to unleash her “mad” side. “I was born brilliant, born bad, and a little bit mad,” she declares, while the scenes show her driving off in a possibly stolen car and other crimes likely pulled off by her.
    Described as “an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil,” “Cruella” is set “in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets.”
    The official synopsis continues, “One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute, played by two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson (‘Howards End’, ‘Sense & Sensibility’). But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.”
    The movie is directed by Craig Gillespie (“I Tonya”) from a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, and story by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel as well as Steve Zissis. It is set for a theatrical release in the U.S. on May 28.

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