Tag Archives: movies

Academy: Smith Refused To Leave Oscars After Assault

The Associated Press reports: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences said that Will Smith was asked to leave to Sunday’s Oscars after hitting Chris Rock but refused. Many have questioned why Smith was allowed to remain seated front row at the Academy Awards after the incident. On Wednesday, the academy suggested that it attempted to remove the actor …

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Actor Bruce Willis Retires Due To Brain Disorder

Variety reports: Bruce Willis’ family has announced the actor is retiring from the profession after being diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder caused by brain damage that affects a person’s ability to communicate. Willis’ family members posted a joint statement to social media announcing the actor’s retirement. “To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our …

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Oscar-Winning Actor William Hurt Dies At Age 71

Variety reports: William Hurt, an acclaimed actor best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and his work in “The Big Chill” and “Body Heat,” died Sunday of natural causes. He was 71 years old. Hurt was nominated for four Oscars over the course of his long career, scoring two best actor nominations for “Broadcast …

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“Power Of The Dog” Leads Oscar Noms With 12 Nods

The New York Times reports: The Netflix western “The Power of the Dog” was showered with 12 Oscar nominations on Tuesday, the most of any movie, with “Dune” close behind with 10 and “West Side Story” and “Belfast” each receiving seven. They were all nominated for best picture, a field that will have 10 slots at the 94th Academy Awards. …

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Gothic Novelist Anne Rice Dies At Age 80

Variety reports: Anne Rice, influential author of “Interview with the Vampire,” died on Saturday due to complications resulting from a stroke. She was 80. The author’s son Christopher revealed the news on Facebook and said that she would be interred in the family mausoleum at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans in a private ceremony. Born in New Orleans in 1941, …

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McConaughey: I Won’t Run For Texas Governor [Video]

The Texas Tribune reports: Actor Matthew McConaughey on Sunday removed himself from consideration as a potential candidate for governor after months of toying with a campaign. In a video posted to his Twitter account, McConaughey, who lives in Austin, said he was honored to be considered for “political leadership.” “It’s a humbling and inspiring path to ponder,” McConaughey said. “It …

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Tired Old Queen At The Movies: Call Me Madam

Our pal Steve Hayes is back with a Thanksgiving review: Ethel Merman has a field day transferring her Tony Award winning Broadway role to the screen in Irving Berlin’s movie musical CALL ME MADAM. With Donald O’Connor, Vera Ellen, George Sanders, Billy DeWolfe and Walter Slezak giving delightful support, it’s the perfect Thanksgiving treat! Happy Holidays from all of us …

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Oscar Nominee Dean Stockwell Dies At Age 85

Variety reports: Dean Stockwell, an American actor with a career that spanned more than 70 years, died on Sunday. He was 85. Sources representing the actor say that he died peacefully, in his sleep at home. Among his best credits were a leading role in the sci-fi series “Quantum Leap,” “Air Force One” and David Lynch films “Dune” and “Blue …

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Union: Prop Gun Fired By Baldwin Held “Live Round”

Variety reports: The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership. Additionally, the union says that New Mexico crew members staffed the props, set decoration, special effects and construction departments on …

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Prop Gun Fired By Alec Baldwin Kills Cinematographer

Variety reports: Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun while filming a scene in New Mexico on Thursday, causing the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. The incident occurred on the set of “Rust,” an independent feature that was filming at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular production location south of Santa Fe. Hutchins, 42, was transported …

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Comedian Kathy Griffin Reveals Lung Cancer Diagnosis

CNN reports: Years after Kathy Griffin shaved her head in solidarity with her sister who was undergoing chemotherapy, the comedian and actress has announced she has lung cancer. “I’ve got to tell you guys something. I have cancer,” Griffin began a note posted Monday on her verified Instagram account. “I’m about to go into surgery to have half of my …

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Nielsen Unveils New Metric To Measure Streaming

The New York Times reports: Nielsen, the 98-year-old research firm that for decades has had an effective monopoly on measuring TV ratings in the United States, has a new metric that it says allows it to make an apples-to-apples comparison, on a percentage basis, of how many people are streaming shows and films on their TVs versus how many are …

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MoviePass Parent Settles With FTC On Shady Practices

From the Federal Trade Commission: The operators of the MoviePass subscription service have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations they took steps to block subscribers from using the service as advertised, while also failing to secure subscribers’ personal data. Under the proposed settlement, MoviePass, Inc., its parent company Helios and Matheson Analytics, Inc. (Helios), and their principals, Mitchell Lowe …

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Major Theater Chains Drop Mask Rule For Fully Vaxxed

Reuters reports: Masks are no longer required at the three main movie theater chains in the United States for people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to updated guidelines on Friday. AMC Entertainment, Cinemark and Regal Cinemas said on their websites that movie goers who are not fully vaccinated will be asked to continue wearing masks, and that …

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Russia Warns Disney On “Anti-Family” Gay Short Film

Reuters reports: Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor on Friday warned Walt Disney Co against distributing content it said was harmful to children in Russia with its release of a short film, “Out”, which features a gay main character. Roskomnadzor said it had sent a letter to Disney noting that it was against Russian law to distribute information which “denies family values …

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Amazon Closes $8.45 Billion “Mega Deal” To Buy MGM

The Hollywood Reporter reports: In a landmark mega deal, Amazon is acquiring MGM Holdings — whose storied studio boasts one of the largest film and TV libraries — in a bid to turbocharge its Prime membership offering to customers and potentially mine intellectual property of franchises such as James Bond and Rocky. The deal, pending regulatory approval, values the studio …

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Actor John Cena Apologizes In Fluent Mandarin After Calling Taiwan A “Country” In Movie Interview [VIDEO]

Wrestling.com reports: WWE legend John Cena has issued an apology to China for calling Taiwan a country in a recent interview. During a promotional tour for Fast & Furious 9, Cena referred to Taiwan as a country while speaking to TVBS – sparking outrage among Chinese fans. Cena posted a video message on the Sina Weibo platform clarifying his comments, …

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WSJ: Amazon Near Deal To Buy MGM For $9 Billion

The Wall Street Journal reports: Amazon.com Inc. is nearing a deal to buy the Hollywood studio MGM Holdings for almost $9 billion including debt, said people familiar with the matter, a pact that would turn a film operation founded in the silent era into a streaming asset for the e-commerce giant. An agreement could be announced as early as this …

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Emmy Winning Actor Charles Grodin Dies At Age 86

Entertainment Tonight reports: Charles Grodin, who famously starred in The Heartbreak Kid, Midnight Run, and Beethoven, died on Tuesday from bone marrow cancer, EW has confirmed. He was 86. Although Grodin was mostly known for his work on the big screen, throughout his long career he also appeared on television, dazzled on Broadway, authored multiple books, and was a political …

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Billie Hayes, Witchiepoo In H.R. Pufnstuf, Dies At 96

Deadline Hollywood reports: Billie Hayes, whose portrayal of the flamboyantly and comically wicked witch Witchiepoo on the 1969-70 Saturday morning live-action children’s classic H.R. Pufnstuf, died of natural causes April 29 at Cedar’s Hospital in Los Angeles. She was 96. A Broadway veteran by the time she reached national fame as the flute-stealing nemesis to a psychedelic dragon, Hayes had …

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