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    'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' and Beyonce Among Nominees at NAACP Image Awards 2021

    Netflix/Instagram

    Netflix leads the nominations at the upcoming 52nd annual NAACP Image Awards with more than 50 nods, thanks to moviem like ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and ‘Da 5 Bloods’.

    Feb 3, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Netflix bosses are celebrating after landing 51 nominations for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards.
    Films and series like “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, “Bridgerton”, and “Da 5 Bloods” lead the way to give the streaming service the edge over mainstream U.S. TV and cable networks and rivals like HBO Max and Apple TV+.
    Top shows and films like “Black-ish”, “Miss Juneteenth”, “Soul”, “I May Destroy You”, and “Insecure” are also up for big prizes, while D-Nice, Regina King, Viola Davis, Trevor Noah, and Tyler Perry are up for Entertainer of the Year.
    Among the multiple music nominees are Beyonce Knowles, Big Sean, Drake, and Chloe x Halle.
    The awards will be handed out on 27 March (21).
    The list of some selected nominees is:
    Social Justice Impact:
    April Ryan
    Debbie Allen
    LeBron James
    Stacey Abrams
    Tamika Mallory

    Entertainer of the Year:

    Outstanding Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Drama Series:

    Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special:

    Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special:

    Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special:

    Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special):
    “AM Joy: Remembering John Lewis Special” (MSNBC)
    “Desus & Mero: The Obama Interview” (Showtime)
    “The Color of Covid” (CNN)
    “The New York Times Presents “The Killing of Breonna Taylor”” (FX)
    “The Reidout” (NBC)

    Outstanding Talk Series:

    Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series):

    Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special):
    “8:46” (Netflix)
    “Black Is King” (Disney+)
    “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion” (HBO Max)
    “VERZUZ” (APPLE TV)
    “Yvonne Orji: Momma I Made It!” (HBO)

    Outstanding Children’s Program:
    “Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices” (Netflix)
    “Craig of the Creek” (Cartoon Network)
    “Family Reunion” (Netflix)
    “Raven’s Home” (Disney Channel)
    “We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical” (HBO)

    Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series) :

    Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble:

    Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble:

    Outstanding Guest Performance – Comedy or Drama Series:

    Outstanding Animated Series:

    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television):

    Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama:
    “#FreeRayshawn” (Quibi)
    “CripTales” (BBC America)
    “Lazor Wulf” (Adult Swim)
    “Mapleworth Murders” (Quibi)
    “Sincerely, Camille” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

      See also…

    Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series:

    Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction:
    “American Masters – “Unladylike2020” (PBS)
    “Benedict Men” (Quibi)
    “Between The Scenes – The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
    “In The Making” (PBS)
    “Inspire Change Series” (NFL Network)

    Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
    Katori Hall – “P-Valley” (Starz)
    Keith Knight – “Woke” (Hulu)
    Ramy Youssef – “Ramy” (Hulu)
    Raynelle Swilling – “Cherish the Day” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
    Teri Schaffer – “Cherish the Day” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

    Outstanding New Artist:
    Chika – “High Rises” (Warner Records)
    Doja Cat – “Say So” (RCA Records/Kemosabe )
    D Smoke – “Black Habits” (WoodWorks Records / EMPIRE)
    Giveon – “When It’s All Said And Done” (Epic Records)
    Skip Marley – “Higher Place” (Island Records/ Tuff Gong Records)

    Outstanding Male Artist:

    Outstanding Female Artist:

    Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album:

    Outstanding Album:

    Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album:
    “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Music from the Netflix Film) – Branford Marsalis (Milan)
    “Insecure: Music from the HBO Original Series” – Various Artists (Atlantic Records)
    “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” – Various Artists (Atlantic Records )
    “Soul Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste, and Tom MacDougall (Walt Disney Records)
    “The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack” – Donald Lawrence (Releve Entertainment)

    Outstanding Soul/R&B Song:
    “I Can’t Breathe” – H.E.R. (RCA Records/MBK Entertainment)
    “Anything tor You” – LEDISI (Listen Back Entertainment/BMG)
    “B.S.” feat. H.E.R. – Jhene Aiko (Def Jam Recordings)
    “Black Parade” – Beyonce Knowles (Columbia Record/ Parkwood)
    “Do It” – Chloe x Halle (Columbia Record/ Parkwood)

    Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song:

    Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
    Alicia Keys feat. Jill Scott – “Jill Scott” (RCA Records)
    Chloe x Halle – “Wonder What She Thinks Of Me” (Columbia Record/ Parkwood)
    Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis feat. Babyface – “He Don’t Know Nothin’ Bout It” (BMG)
    Kem feat. Toni Braxton – “Live Out Your Love” (Motown Records)
    Ledisi and PJ Morton – “Anything For You” (Listen Back Entertainment/BMG)

    Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

    Outstanding Producer of the Year:
    Donald Lawrence
    Hit-Boy
    Jathan Wilson
    Sean Keys
    TM88

    Outstanding Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Animated Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture:
    Ahmir-Khalib Thompson (aka Questlove) – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
    Angela Bassett – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
    Chris Rock – “The Witches” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
    Jamie Foxx – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
    Phylicia Rashad – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

    Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series:
    Issa Rae – “Insecure – “Lowkey Feelin’ Myself” (HBO)
    Lee Eisenberg, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon – “Little America – “The Rock” (Apple TV+)
    Michaela Coel – “I May Destroy You – “Ego Death” (HBO)
    Mindy Kaling, Lang Fisher – “Never Have I Ever – “Pilot” (Netflix)
    Rajiv Joseph – “Little America – “The Manager” (Apple TV+)

    Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special:
    Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, D. Rodney Carter, Emily Goldwyn, Rob Haze, Zuri Salahuddin, Bennett Webber, Evan Williams, Will Miles – “Sherman’s Showcase Black History Month Spectacular” (IFC)
    Eugene Ashe – “Sylvie’s Love” (Amazon Studios)
    Geri Cole – “The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special” (HBO Max)
    Lin-Manuel Miranda – “Hamilton” (Disney+)
    Sylvia L. Jones, Camille Tucker – “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” (Lifetime)

    Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:
    Anya Adams – “Black-ish – “Hair Day” (ABC)
    Aurora Guerrero – “Little America – “The Jaguar” (Apple TV+)
    Eric Dean Seaton – “Black-ish – “Our Wedding Dre” (ABC)
    Kabir Akhtar – “Never Have I Ever – “… started a nuclear war” (Netflix)
    Sam Miller, Michaela Coel – “I May Destroy You – “Ego Death” (HBO)

    Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special:
    Beyonce Knowles Carter, Emmanuel Adeji, Blitz Bazawule, Kwasi Fordjour – “Black Is King” (Disney+)
    Christine Swanson – “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” (Lifetime)
    Chuck Vinson, Alan Muraoka – “The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special” (HBO Max)
    Eugene Ashe – “Sylvie’s Love” (Amazon Studios)
    Kamilah Forbes – “Between the World and Me” (HBO)

    Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture:

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    John Cena Got Sick From Filming 'Most Difficult Stunt' for 'The Suicide Squad'

    Warner Bros. Pictures

    The wrestler-turned-actor shows his ‘face of defeat’ as he talks about the ‘most difficult stunt’ he filmed for James Gunn’s upcoming DC star-studded anti-hero movie.

    Feb 3, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Wrestling icon-turned-actor John Cena was made to force down 40 empanadas in one take for filmmaker James Gunn’s upcoming “The Suicide Squad”.
    The “Blockers” star portrays Peacemaker in the DC Comics blockbuster, and he showed off his superhero costume on Monday (01Feb21) as he appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”.
    During the interview, Cena shared a photo of himself onset as he struggled to wolf down his 37th pastry for one scene, and admitted eating empanada after empanada was his biggest challenge in the film.
    [embedded content]

      See also…

    “That, right there, is the face of defeat,” he said of the image.
    “It was one big take, because the horribly beautiful, corrupted mind of James Gunn operates in so many intricate pieces and he wanted this big, giant take where I thought it’d be cool to be like, ‘Oh, it’d be funny to eat the whole empanada. Throw the thing over my shoulder, the guy catches it. It’s gonna be great. Everybody’s gonna think it’s awesome.'”
    It was only when he realised he had to repeat the stunt multiple times that Cena realised it wasn’t the best idea. “I had to do it 40 times, and nearly made myself sick,” he confessed. “That was my most difficult stunt in The Suicide Squad.”
    Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”, due for release in August (21), is set to serve as a standalone sequel to 2016’s “Suicide Squad”, and will feature Cena alongside Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Idris Elba, and Peter Capaldi.
    Cena will also be filming a Peacemaker TV spin-off, written and directed by Gunn.

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    First 'Thor: Love and Thunder' Set Photos Show Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt in Full Costume

    Marvel Studios

    The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star joins the Australian hunk during the filming of the fourth ‘Thor’ movie on Centennial Park in Sydney under the direction of Taika Waititi.

    Feb 2, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Photos from the set of “Thor: Love and Thunder” have landed online, giving first look at Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt in full costume. Both actors were spotted filming on Centennial Park in Sydney on Monday, February 1.
    The God of Thunder depicter flexed his biceps in Thor’s new costume as he rocked a red sleeveless vest with black accent on the collar, paired with blue pants. He also had Thor’s long hair back, with what looked like a small braid on one side.
    The Aussie hunk held Thor’s trusted Mjolnir, while Pratt joined his fellow “Avengers” actor on the set and seemed to admire the weapon as well. Star-Lord himself appeared to sport a familiar outfit, with some new trimmings.

    Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt were spotted on ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ set in Sydney.
    Earlier that day, Thor embraced his more human side as Hemsworth was seen ditching his vest and only donning a white sleeveless top, paired with jeans. Pratt also took off Star-Lord’s robe, unveiling a long-sleeve shirt underneath.

      See also…

    They stood near a pile of ruins, which was dumped in the middle of the park, surrounded by brown set pieces that resemble rocks or ant colonies. Hemsworth’s stunt double was seen getting ready nearby. Also spotted on the set that day were Sean Gunn, who was dressed in a purple outfit as Kraglin, and Karen Gillan, who was fully dressed as Nebula.
    Hemsworth and Taika Waititi, who is directing the film, previously kicked off the production of “Thor: Love and Thunder” by taking part in a traditional ceremony. On January 25, the 37-year-old actor shared pictures taken from an indigenous land acknowledgment ceremony called Welcome to Country ceremony.
    He posted on Instagram photos of him and the filmmaker posing with native Australian dancers. The God of Thunder depicter dressed casually in a white sleeveless top and black shorts, while Waititi opted for a formal look in a navy suit.
    While Hemsworth and his family have been staying in their native Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, other actors, including Tessa Thompson and Dave Bautista, had been isolating themselves after arriving in the country before the start of the shooting. Matt Damon recently brought his family Down Under, sparking a speculation that he’s joining the movie in an undisclosed role.
    The upcoming fourth installment of the Thor film franchise will also bring back Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who will be taking up the mantle as Thor, and feature Christian Bale as the villain, Gorr the God Butcher.
    It is set for a May 6, 2022 release in the United States.

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    Robin Wright Gets Candid About Experience in Skinning Animal for 'Land'

    Instagram

    As she opens up about her biggest challenge on her movie directorial debut, the ‘House of Cards’ star reveals that she was ‘ready to throw in the towel’ when pitching the film at the Cannes Film Festival.

    Feb 2, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Robin Wright Penn’s biggest challenge on her movie directorial debut “Land” was skinning an animal.
    The actress helmed the film and also stars as Edee – a lawyer who takes herself off the grid and travels to the most unpopulated area in the United States – and the actress admitted she was left “shocked” by the animal skinning process.
    Wright – who has directed 10 episodes of Netflix drama “House of Cards” – told USA Today, “It was stomaching the skinning of the animal. And I eat meat.”

      See also…

    “But I just – I don’t want to see that. You don’t think it’s going to shock you. And it does. I mean, you couldn’t have a more distant comparison between what it was like shooting House of Cards to shooting and directing Land. (For House of Cards) we were on a stage outside of Baltimore for six years on sets in an airplane hangar. This was a completely different beast because you’re dealing with nature.”
    But the movie – which also stars Demian Bichir and Kim Dickens – nearly didn’t make it to screens, as Wright admitted she was “ready to throw in the towel” when pitching the motion picture at the Cannes Film Festival, but her final meeting of the day, with Focus Features, proved to be successful.
    “No one was biting. I was like, I don’t think this is going to work,” she recalled. “I don’t think anybody wants to see this movie. And I was ready to throw in the towel.”
    Of Bichir, Wright said that he “had a great desire to play this part because he went through a similar situation in his life, the way Edee did, and it was therapy for him. He told me that he needed to do it for that reason.”

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    Berlin Film Festival Composes 2021 Jury Out of Golden Bear Winners

    About the selected jury, artistic director Carlo Chatrian claims they express not only different ways of making uncompromising films and creating bold stories but also represent a part of Berlinale’s history.

    Feb 2, 2021

    The Berlin Film Festival has unveiled a jury of Golden Bear winners – its top accolade – for the 71st edition.
    Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the jury, comprised of Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, Israeli director Nadav Lapid, Romania director Adina Pintilie, Hungary director Ildiko Enyedi, Italian director Gianfranco Rosi and Bosnian director Jasmila Zbanic, will view the competition films in a movie theatre in Berlin. And this year there will be no jury president.
    Artistic director Carlo Chatrian told Variety, “I’m happy and honored that six filmmakers I admire a great deal have enthusiastically accepted our invitation to take part in this unique edition.”

      See also…

    “They express not only different ways of making uncompromising films and creating bold stories but also they represent a part of the history of the Berlinale. In this moment in time, it is meaningful and a great sign of hope that the Golden Bear winners will be in Berlin watching films in a theater and finding a way to support their colleagues.”

    Juries will decide on the prizes from the Competition, Berlinale Shorts, Encounters and Generation sections, and announce the award-winners during the Industry Event. From June 9-20, the festival will hold physical screenings for the public, with the filmmakers attending, in what is billed as a Summer Special.
    Chatrian and the various festival section heads is set to publish their film selections from February 8-11. On February 8, the Retrospective and Generation lineups will be announced as Berlinale Shorts, Forum and Forum Expanded on February 9 while Encounters, Panorama and Perspektive Deutsches Kino on February 10. On February 11, they will announce Competition and Berlinale Special. On the same day, Chatrian and Rissenbeek will hold a video presentation at 11 a.m. CET to present this year’s festival format.

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    Jared Leto Gets Candid About Hesitancy to Play Villain in 'The Little Things'

    HBO Max

    Taking on the role of suspected serial killer Albert Sparma in John Lee Hancock’s new movie, the ‘Suicide Squad’ actor reveals he has since found an interesting part of playing the character.

    Feb 1, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Jared Leto originally turned down “The Little Things” because he didn’t want to play another villain.
    The 49-year-old actor admitted he was initially hesitant to take on the role of suspected serial killer Albert Sparma in John Lee Hancock’s new movie but the director convinced him that the character would be fully rounded.
    He told The Hollywood Reporter, “Well, my first thought was to say no. I wasn’t sure about playing a murder suspect or potential villain again. But after talking to John, there seemed to be an amazing opportunity. If we could make this heavy on character and make this a really transformative role, I could be interested in having this be the last walk on the dark side of the moon, but only if we could really push it as far as possible. He was open to that and excited. So I just went to town.”
    “With this, I really wanted to see how complete of a character, from head to toe, from the way that I carried my feet to the way that I spoke – I really wanted to push the boundaries a bit to see how far we could walk toward that line without crossing it.”

      See also…

    And the “Suicide Squad” star enjoyed playing a complicated character like Sparma.
    He said, “That was an interesting part of it. Not only do we have the script, but we have to write the script underneath the script. How does Albert Sparma know where to be? How does he have this information? Is he guilty? Is he not? All of these big questions that we had to kind of create a logic board for, which we did.”
    “But the physical part of it … The voice was a big key into the character, developing the walk, the research and conversations with criminology experts. I examined FBI transcripts and interrogations. It was quite intense, quite heavy, but really fascinating. For a bit – it starts to take its toll after a while.”
    “The Little Things”, also starring Denzel Washington and Rami Malek, is in cinemas and streaming on HBO Max.

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    Timothee Chalamet to Reunite With 'Call Me by Your Name' Director for Horror Movie

    WENN

    The ‘Hot Summer Nights’ actor has been cast in a new horror love story called ‘Bones and All’ which will mark his second collaboration with filmmaker Luca Guadagnino.

    Jan 31, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Actor Timothee Chalamet is poised to reunite with filmmaker Luca Guadagnino on a new horror love story.
    The “Call Me by Your Name” collaborators are in talks to work on “Bones & All”, with Chalamet and “Waves” actress Taylor Russell starring as movie lovers.
    Few details are known about the project, but Guadagnino will direct from a script written by Dave Kajganich, the man behind his previous films “Suspiria” and “A Bigger Splash”, reports Deadline.

      See also…

    Chalamet and Guadagnino have been seeking out new movies to collaborate on since their hit 2017 gay romance “Call Me by Your Name”, with the pair also discussing potential ideas for a sequel, which is still in the early stages of development.
    “Call Me by Your Name” received numerous nominations at the prestigious awards including Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Timothee Chalamet also picked up Best Actor win at the numerous pre-Oscar awards although he missed out at the Academy Awards.
    “There’s just some dark energy at these things, and this time around I felt like I could see it,” he said when asked about his thoughts on the snub, suggesting those behind the prizegiving didn’t regard him as being worthy. “And yet I’m thinking, ‘Why isn’t this going the exact same way?’ ”
    “I’m not gonna be bashing my head against a wall trying to prove that I’m an actor,” he said while reflecting on bagging the Oscar nomination. “The train can run over my leg and leave a track forever, and yet the point of entry for me… That’s a good feeling.”

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    Ethan Hawke to Receive Calls from the Dead in 'The Black Phone'

    WENN

    The ‘Boyhood’ actor has been tapped to play a lead role in the upcoming movie, which marks his second collaboration with ‘Doctor Strange’ helmer Scott Derrickson.

    Jan 31, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Ethan Hawke has reportedly been cast in “The Black Phone”.
    According to Deadline, the actor is set to reunite with director Scott Derrickson – with whom he worked on 2012 horror “Sinister” – on the upcoming Blumhouse flick, based on a short story by Joe Hill.
    Hawke will join Anthony Davies – thus far, the only other announced cast member – in the movie.
    Filming is set to get underway in North Carolina in February (21). A synopsis for the film teases, “John Finney is locked in a basement that’s stained with the blood of half a dozen other murdered children. In the cellar with him is an antique telephone, long since disconnected, but which rings at night with calls from the dead…”

      See also…

    This project will mark Hawke’s ninth collaboration with producer Jason Blum, as they have also worked on the likes of “The Purge” and “The Good Lord Bird” in the past.
    Ethan Hawke has also been tapped for Marvel series “Moon Knight”. He joins Oscar Isaac who will play Marc Spector – an elite soldier and mercenary who fights crime after he becomes a vessel for Khonshu, the Egyptian god of the moon.
    The project is just one of the many series in development at the Mouse House streaming service following the conclusion of Phase Three of Marvel Cinematic Universe.
    The other projects include “WandaVision” starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, “Loki” starring Tom Hiddleston, “What If…?” starring Jeffrey Wright, “Ms. Marvel” starring Iman Vellani, “Hawkeye” with Jeremy Renner set to reprise his role and Hailee Steinfeld added in the supporting role, and “She-Hulk” with Tatiana Maslany attached to play the main heroine.

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