Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/24/2023 by Andrew MARSZAL Surreal sci-fi “Everything Everywhere All At Once” topped the Oscar nominations Tuesday with 11, as Hollywood formally kicked off the race to the all-important Academy Awards. It was followed by German anti-war movie “All Quiet on the Western Front” and Irish black comedy “The Banshees of Inisherin,” which each received nine nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. As expected, […]
Tag: Film
‘Avatar’ stays atop N.America box office on storm-dampened weekend
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Pulling in an estimated $90 million, “Avatar: The Way of Water” has blown away the competition even as a massive storm kept millions at home over the four-day holiday weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Monday. The James Cameron sci-fi sequel has now earned 20th Century $287.7 million domestically, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of 2022. But while analysts said it had exceeded expectations on a storm-depressed weekend, three […]
Global stars call for release of jailed Iranian actor Alidoosti
Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Hundreds of high profile figures from the global cinema industry called Wednesday for Iran to release actor Taraneh Alidoosti, who was jailed over her support for the country’s three-month-old protest movement. Actors Emma Thompson, Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen and directors Ken Loach and Mike Leigh were among a host of luminaries to sign an open letter demanding the star of “The Salesman” be freed. “As members of the […]
Golden Globes to unveil nominations as censured awards eye comeback
Los Angeles, United States (AFP) by Andrew MARSZAL Boycotted by A-listers and studios last year, the Golden Globes will attempt to rebuild their reputation as one of Hollywood’s top award shows with organizers unveiling this year’s nominees on Monday. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organizes the film and television awards, has scrambled to reform itself since long-harbored criticisms of the group’s practices went public in early 2021. Tinseltown completely distanced itself from the […]
‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ singer and actress Irene Cara dead at 63
Washington, United States | AFP | Irene Cara, an Oscar-winning singer and actress who recorded the title tracks to the blockbuster 1980s movies “Fame” and “Flashdance,” has died at age 63, her publicist said Saturday. Cara was found deceased at her home in Florida on Friday, publicist Judith Moose told AFP, adding that the cause of death was unknown at this point. “She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her […]
‘Black Panther’ fights on without Chadwick Boseman
by Paul NOLP Agence France-Press PARIS, France (AFP) — “Black Panther” returns to cinemas worldwide this week, having lost its star with the tragic early death of Chadwick Boseman, but none of its determination to push for greater diversity in superhero movies. Boseman, who died from cancer two years ago aged 43, makes several flashback appearances in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. The real-life grief of the filmmakers is reflected in the film as Wakanda struggles […]
‘Black Adam’ stays atop N.America box office
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Warner Bros.’ film “Black Adam” remained atop competition for the second weekend running, hauling in a modest estimated $27.7 million in North American box office receipts, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. A feature that explores the origin story behind 2019’s “Shazam,” the DC Comics superhero, “Black Adam” stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a former slave bestowed with special powers. Coming in second for the Friday-through-Sunday […]
Alec Baldwin reaches settlement with family over ‘Rust’ death
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | by Huw GRIFFITH Actor Alec Baldwin has reached a civil settlement with the family of the woman he shot dead on a film set last year, he said Wednesday, as it was announced production on the movie would restart in January. The US actor was holding a Colt gun during a rehearsal for “Rust,” a low-budget Western being filmed in New Mexico last October when it discharged […]
Apple to release Will Smith film this year despite Oscars slap
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Less than a year after Will Smith shocked millions around the world by slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, his new film “Emancipation” will be released this December, Apple said Monday. The slavery drama was broadly assumed to have been delayed in the wake of Smith’s assault on comedian Rock, which drew widespread condemnation and resulted in Smith being banned from attending the Academy Awards ceremony for 10 years. […]
Bollywood seeks boost with ‘Forrest Gump’ remake
by Glenda Kwek with Udita Jhunjhunwala Agence France-Presse MUMBAI, India (AFP) — One of India’s biggest stars is banking on a remake of Hollywood feelgood hit “Forrest Gump” to revive the fortunes of Hindi-language Bollywood, after a string of weak box-office showings. Aamir Khan’s “Laal Singh Chaddha”, an adaptation of the 1994 US classic starring Tom Hanks, hits cinemas on Thursday ahead of India’s 75th independence celebrations. Disappointing takings for other Bollywood A-listers have cast […]
Directors ‘shocked’ by axing of $90m ‘Batgirl’ film
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The directors of “Batgirl” said Wednesday they were “shocked” that the $90 million dollar superhero film had been axed by the studio and will now not be released in any format. Warner Bros. Discovery announced they were shelving the movie adaptation of the DC Comics character, which was to star Leslie Grace in the title role, alongside Michael Keaton as Batman, preventing it from being seen in either theaters […]
Oscars group elects Janet Yang as new president
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences elected film producer Janet Yang as its new president, the group behind the Oscars announced Tuesday. Yang, best known for hits including “The Joy Luck Club” and “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” becomes the fourth woman elected to run Hollywood’s most elite group of filmmakers, and the first of Asian origin. Academy members vote for the winners of the Oscars each […]





