Arriving in the middle of the art smorgasbord that’s the Cannes Film Festival, a three-hour Western directed by Kevin Costner sounded like it might be just the ticket for a perfect night of counterprogramming: a grandly scaled slice of neo-classical Hollywood. That, after all, describes the other two Westerns Costner has directed (“Dances with Wolves” and “Open Range”), as well as his quirky sci-fi pseudo-Western “The Postman.” There’s no question that “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1,” Costner’s fourth outing as a director, gives off some of that traditional flavor.
The movie, set in 1859 in territories that sprawl from Wyoming to Kansas, has stately mesa backdrops that look like they’d fit right into Monument Valley. It’s got a rousing 1950s-syle musical score (by John Debney) that lays on the Old West sentimentality even when dire things are happening. And a good portion of the movie is...
The movie, set in 1859 in territories that sprawl from Wyoming to Kansas, has stately mesa backdrops that look like they’d fit right into Monument Valley. It’s got a rousing 1950s-syle musical score (by John Debney) that lays on the Old West sentimentality even when dire things are happening. And a good portion of the movie is...
- 5/19/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
For the last two years in a row, one of the major premieres at the Cannes Film Festival has been a mainstream film that works with the trappings and tropes of the Western genre. But there’s not much connection between Martin Scorsese’s Oklahoma-set 1920s period piece “Killers of the Flower Moon,” one of the hits of last year’s festival, and Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” which had its premiere at the Grand Theatre Lumiere on Sunday evening.
For Scorsese, approaching that location and time period meant thinking hard about what he could bring to a genre that he felt had peaked with directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks in the 1940s and ’50s, and essentially been ended by Sam Peckinpah’s revisionist Western “The Wild Bunch” in the late 1968s.
Costner, though, has little interest in revisionist thinking about the genre; “Horizon” is proudly,...
For Scorsese, approaching that location and time period meant thinking hard about what he could bring to a genre that he felt had peaked with directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks in the 1940s and ’50s, and essentially been ended by Sam Peckinpah’s revisionist Western “The Wild Bunch” in the late 1968s.
Costner, though, has little interest in revisionist thinking about the genre; “Horizon” is proudly,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Kevin Costner has been in the saddle long enough to know the difference between a big-screen feature Western like Dances With Wolves, a miniseries like Hatfields & McCoys or a longform like Yellowstone. All those projects have done well by him and he’s done well by them. His connection to the quintessential Americana genre and the rugged lands it calls home is indubitable. So why is his sprawling new frontier tale, Horizon: An American Saga, such a clumsy slog? It plays like a limited series overhauled as a movie, but more like a hasty rough cut than a release ready for any format.
Running a taxing three hours, this first part of a quartet of films is littered with inessential scenes and characters that go nowhere, taking far too long to connect its messy plot threads. Warner Bros. will release Chapter One in U.S. theaters June 28, with Chapter...
Running a taxing three hours, this first part of a quartet of films is littered with inessential scenes and characters that go nowhere, taking far too long to connect its messy plot threads. Warner Bros. will release Chapter One in U.S. theaters June 28, with Chapter...
- 5/19/2024
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Pictures has released the new trailer and character posters for New Line Cinema’s Horizon: An American Saga, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Costner. Horizon: An American Saga is a multi-faceted chronicle covering the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West.
A story of Americana and patriotism too big for one film, this true cinematic event also stars Costner, who co-wrote the script with Jon Baird (The Explorers Guild) and produces through his Territory Pictures.
Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute two films in the saga this summer – the first on June 28, 2024, followed quickly by the second on August 16, 2024. The first film is rated R for violence, some nudity, and sexuality.
In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat, and tears of many.
A story of Americana and patriotism too big for one film, this true cinematic event also stars Costner, who co-wrote the script with Jon Baird (The Explorers Guild) and produces through his Territory Pictures.
Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute two films in the saga this summer – the first on June 28, 2024, followed quickly by the second on August 16, 2024. The first film is rated R for violence, some nudity, and sexuality.
In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat, and tears of many.
- 5/17/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Oscar winner Kevin Costner returns to the director’s chair with Warner Bros Pictures’ Horizon: An American Saga four-part film series. The Western epic just debuted its first trailer and released the first batch of official photos from chapter one of Costner’s Civil War tale.
“In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many,” reads Warner Bros Pictures’ synopsis. “Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.”
In addition to Costner, the cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington,...
“In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many,” reads Warner Bros Pictures’ synopsis. “Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.”
In addition to Costner, the cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Academy Award-winning visionary filmmaker Kevin Costner directs New Line Cinema’s vast “Horizon: An American Saga” Chapters One and Two, a multi-faceted chronicle covering the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West. A story of America too big for one film, this true cinematic event also stars Costner, who co-writes with Jon Baird (“The Explorers Guild”) and produces through his Territory Pictures.
In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, “Horizon: An American Saga” explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s films will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, “Horizon: An American Saga” explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s films will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
- 2/26/2024
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
One of the biggest financial flops of the 90s was the Renny Harlin pirate flick Cutthroat Island. The high-seas romp, which starred Geena Davis, cost nearly $100 million and only eked out $10 million in the US. It was a big enough flop that it sunk the studio that produced it, Carolco Pictures, but Harlin and Davis were able to bounce back fairly quickly and make The Long Kiss Goodnight, which has since become a classic. However, it’s worth noting that the stink left over from their pirate epic muted the latter film’s box office.
Despite being one of the biggest disasters of the nineties, Cutthroat Island is finally getting a 4K Blu-ray release. Check out all the details here. While (initially) only available at Wal-Mart, the loaded disc (which includes a Renny Harlin commentary) should encourage fans to give the movie another shot because it’s a pretty good movie.
Despite being one of the biggest disasters of the nineties, Cutthroat Island is finally getting a 4K Blu-ray release. Check out all the details here. While (initially) only available at Wal-Mart, the loaded disc (which includes a Renny Harlin commentary) should encourage fans to give the movie another shot because it’s a pretty good movie.
- 2/8/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
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Making a modern Christmas movie that's actually worth rewatching every holiday season is much harder than it might seem. For every bona fide classic that's deserving of our time during the Yuletide season, there are roughly a couple dozen other awful holiday movies (typically from Hallmark) that feel like they were written by an algorithm and star mannequins purchased from an out-of-business Jc Penney. But once in a blue moon, a new Christmas movie comes along that perfectly captures the holiday spirit, and perhaps the best from the 21st century is none other than "Elf," starring Will Ferrell.
"Elf" brings silly laughs, childlike innocence, and holiday wonderment in droves, and it's one of Will Ferrell's best movies. The film was far from a guaranteed hit, but it became a box office sensation and took Jon Favreau's directing career to the next level.
Making a modern Christmas movie that's actually worth rewatching every holiday season is much harder than it might seem. For every bona fide classic that's deserving of our time during the Yuletide season, there are roughly a couple dozen other awful holiday movies (typically from Hallmark) that feel like they were written by an algorithm and star mannequins purchased from an out-of-business Jc Penney. But once in a blue moon, a new Christmas movie comes along that perfectly captures the holiday spirit, and perhaps the best from the 21st century is none other than "Elf," starring Will Ferrell.
"Elf" brings silly laughs, childlike innocence, and holiday wonderment in droves, and it's one of Will Ferrell's best movies. The film was far from a guaranteed hit, but it became a box office sensation and took Jon Favreau's directing career to the next level.
- 11/8/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
I don't remember the first time I watched "Elf." I do not think this is uncommon. Often, the most beloved Christmas movies are those that play on TV the most often, and "Elf" is certainly a cable staple. But that's not the real reason it's one of the best Christmas movies of all time. "Elf" is a magical mixture of earnestness and silliness, New York City and the North Pole, and a bunch of actors who give their massive talents to make a classic, eminently lovable film.
"Elf" was released 20 years ago, on Nov. 7, 2003. Directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum, it tells the story of Buddy the elf, who is in fact not an elf at all but a human. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, and it's one of his best performances. Ferrell often plays characters who aren't as smart as everyone else, but here, he does...
"Elf" was released 20 years ago, on Nov. 7, 2003. Directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum, it tells the story of Buddy the elf, who is in fact not an elf at all but a human. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, and it's one of his best performances. Ferrell often plays characters who aren't as smart as everyone else, but here, he does...
- 11/6/2023
- by Victoria Edel
- Popsugar.com
Don’t believe anything you read. Hocus Pocus is a damn good movie. From its opening frame, the 1993 film contains all the magic and wonder you could want from a gateway horror movie – earning its place next to other ‘90s essentials like Halloweentown. It’s got a talking black cat, spooky spellcasting, a zombie, and three children-eating witches – oh my! Released in the height of summer (July 12), the Kenny Ortega-directed feature hasn’t lost its allure. In fact, its legacy is as strong as ever. It’s still an extraordinarily fun picture 30 years later.
Hocus Pocus endures because of nostalgia. In the era of TV reboots, remakes, and requels, millennials yearn for their childhood and a simpler time. There’s a reason we got a completely unnecessary sequel last fall. But more importantly, Hocus Pocus defines an entire generation of horror fans. For many, it was their very first spooky movie.
Hocus Pocus endures because of nostalgia. In the era of TV reboots, remakes, and requels, millennials yearn for their childhood and a simpler time. There’s a reason we got a completely unnecessary sequel last fall. But more importantly, Hocus Pocus defines an entire generation of horror fans. For many, it was their very first spooky movie.
- 8/17/2023
- by Bee Delores
- bloody-disgusting.com
Despite all the musical superstars who entered this year’s Emmy competition, only one – Ed Sheeran – managed to score when the 75th annual Emmy Award nominations were announced Wednesday.
Sheeran was nominated (along with co-writers Max Martin and Foy Vance) for the song “A Beautiful Game” for the season 3 finale of “Ted Lasso,” one of two songs from the popular Apple TV+ series that made it into the music-and-lyrics category.
Emmy’s 550-member music peer group ignored the original songs entered by Dolly Parton, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Kid Cudi, Donald Glover and Lainey Wilson, as well as those from such Oscar-winning tunesmiths as Alan Menken, Steven Schwartz, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
Among the seven music categories, a surprising number of first-time nominees was recognized, and more than one-fourth of all the nominees in the five composition and songwriting categories are women, another positive sign of change in the Hollywood musical landscape.
Sheeran was nominated (along with co-writers Max Martin and Foy Vance) for the song “A Beautiful Game” for the season 3 finale of “Ted Lasso,” one of two songs from the popular Apple TV+ series that made it into the music-and-lyrics category.
Emmy’s 550-member music peer group ignored the original songs entered by Dolly Parton, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Kid Cudi, Donald Glover and Lainey Wilson, as well as those from such Oscar-winning tunesmiths as Alan Menken, Steven Schwartz, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
Among the seven music categories, a surprising number of first-time nominees was recognized, and more than one-fourth of all the nominees in the five composition and songwriting categories are women, another positive sign of change in the Hollywood musical landscape.
- 7/12/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Scores for ‘Nope,’ ‘White Lotus,’ ‘God of War: Ragnarok’ Win Top Honors at ASCAP Screen Music Awards
Some of today’s most talked-about film and TV composers walked off with Composers Choice Awards at Tuesday night’s annual Screen Music Awards of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in West Hollywood.
Michael Abels won Film Score of the Year for Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror movie “Nope.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Kim Neundorf won Television Score of the Year for HBO’s black comedy “The White Lotus” And Bear McCreary won Video Game Score of the Year for Sony Interactive’s acclaimed “God of War: Ragnarok.”
In a tie, Documentary Score of the Year went to both Amanda Jones for the National Geographic nature series “Super/Natural” and Jeff Cardoni for HBO Max’s skateboarding doc “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer also won a second award for Television Theme of the Year for “The White Lotus.”
Composers Choice...
Michael Abels won Film Score of the Year for Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror movie “Nope.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Kim Neundorf won Television Score of the Year for HBO’s black comedy “The White Lotus” And Bear McCreary won Video Game Score of the Year for Sony Interactive’s acclaimed “God of War: Ragnarok.”
In a tie, Documentary Score of the Year went to both Amanda Jones for the National Geographic nature series “Super/Natural” and Jeff Cardoni for HBO Max’s skateboarding doc “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer also won a second award for Television Theme of the Year for “The White Lotus.”
Composers Choice...
- 5/17/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Studios is taking to the streets to promote Ben Affleck’s “Air,” which chronicles the beginnings of the iconic Air Jordan sneaker brand.
The studio has teamed up with iconic sneaker culture icon Jason Markk to host a multi-city consumer experience, dubbed “Fresh Air,” which ties into the film’s social campaign, “A shoe is just a shoe until I step into it.”
The activation will see guerilla street teams flood U.S. cities including Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Chicago, in a unique opportunity to bring together sneakerheads and celebrate the culture and history of the sneaker community. The street team will also have a presence at the Jason Markk flagship store in L.A.
Free to the public, the “Fresh Air” activation allows attendees to celebrate self-expression through fashion as they share their sneaker stories while getting a complimentary shoe cleaning, with premium care products from...
The studio has teamed up with iconic sneaker culture icon Jason Markk to host a multi-city consumer experience, dubbed “Fresh Air,” which ties into the film’s social campaign, “A shoe is just a shoe until I step into it.”
The activation will see guerilla street teams flood U.S. cities including Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Chicago, in a unique opportunity to bring together sneakerheads and celebrate the culture and history of the sneaker community. The street team will also have a presence at the Jason Markk flagship store in L.A.
Free to the public, the “Fresh Air” activation allows attendees to celebrate self-expression through fashion as they share their sneaker stories while getting a complimentary shoe cleaning, with premium care products from...
- 3/22/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay and Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
The Man Behind ‘Mandalorian’: Jon Favreau Talks Season 3, ‘Skeleton Crew’ and His Walk of Fame Honor
At the center of the two biggest pop culture empires of this generation, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the “Star Wars” franchise, lies one architect who helped launch them into modern greatness: Jon Favreau.
Fifteen years ago, the actor-turned-filmmaker directed a film about a B-list superhero with a not-yet-bankable movie star when comic-book films were more flukes than surefire hits. That movie turned out to be “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. (with Favreau also playing his right-hand man Happy Hogan) and, after dozens of spinoffs, theme-park rides and box office records, the rest is comic-book history.
Recently, Favreau has traded his Repulsor gloves for lightsabers. He’s charting the future of “Star Wars” across several TV series, beginning with “The Mandalorian,” the flagship Disney+ show that debuted on Day 1 of the streamer. The Western-themed “Star Wars” series premieres its third season on March 1, and it’s already spawned several...
Fifteen years ago, the actor-turned-filmmaker directed a film about a B-list superhero with a not-yet-bankable movie star when comic-book films were more flukes than surefire hits. That movie turned out to be “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. (with Favreau also playing his right-hand man Happy Hogan) and, after dozens of spinoffs, theme-park rides and box office records, the rest is comic-book history.
Recently, Favreau has traded his Repulsor gloves for lightsabers. He’s charting the future of “Star Wars” across several TV series, beginning with “The Mandalorian,” the flagship Disney+ show that debuted on Day 1 of the streamer. The Western-themed “Star Wars” series premieres its third season on March 1, and it’s already spawned several...
- 2/13/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
What a time to be a "Hocus Pocus" fan! A sequel to the 1993 cult classic movie is coming to Disney+ on Sept. 30, and now, the Sanderson sisters may soon be casting a spell on Broadway. In a new episode of podcast "The Art of Kindness," "Hocus Pocus" creator David Kirschner reveals a stage musical adaptation of the movie is in development, according to People.
Apparently, the show had been in the works even before Covid-19 wreaked havoc on the entertainment industry, and now that things have somewhat returned to normalcy, it's back on.
"I just want to pinch myself," Kirschner says of the opportunity to bring "Hocus Pocus" to Broadway, per People, "and I'm just afraid that I'm going to be 9 years old and on a little league field again . . . But it's just so wonderful just to stand back and watch all of this."
The original movie follows a group of teens in Salem,...
Apparently, the show had been in the works even before Covid-19 wreaked havoc on the entertainment industry, and now that things have somewhat returned to normalcy, it's back on.
"I just want to pinch myself," Kirschner says of the opportunity to bring "Hocus Pocus" to Broadway, per People, "and I'm just afraid that I'm going to be 9 years old and on a little league field again . . . But it's just so wonderful just to stand back and watch all of this."
The original movie follows a group of teens in Salem,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Noelle Devoe
- Popsugar.com
Plot: It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.
Review: For three decades, fans have clamored for a sequel to Hocus Pocus. The Disney film has maintained a cult following thanks to a cheeky blend of humor and scares appropriate for all ages. While a sequel was released in the form of a 2018 novel that directly followed the plot and characters of the original movie, it took until now for Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy to reunite on screen as the Sanderson Sisters. Under the direction of Anne Fletcher, Hocus Pocus 2 was guaranteed to be a hit this Halloween season regardless of the quality of the film.
Review: For three decades, fans have clamored for a sequel to Hocus Pocus. The Disney film has maintained a cult following thanks to a cheeky blend of humor and scares appropriate for all ages. While a sequel was released in the form of a 2018 novel that directly followed the plot and characters of the original movie, it took until now for Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy to reunite on screen as the Sanderson Sisters. Under the direction of Anne Fletcher, Hocus Pocus 2 was guaranteed to be a hit this Halloween season regardless of the quality of the film.
- 9/29/2022
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
A “Hocus Pocus” Broadway musical is in the works.
The film’s producer David Kirschner spoke about a planned stage adaptation in a new interview for the Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Art of Kindness” podcast, shared with People ahead of the new episode’s release on Thursday.
He revealed, “This started before Covid, but now it seems to be back on — and that is that they are building a Broadway version of ‘Hocus Pocus’.”
Read More: Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick Have Family Date Night At ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Premiere
Kirschner went on to tell podcast host Robert Peterpaul, “I just want to pinch myself, and I’m just afraid that I’m going to be nine years old and on a Little League field again…. But it’s just so wonderful just to stand back and watch all of this.
“It’s not just me. It’s...
The film’s producer David Kirschner spoke about a planned stage adaptation in a new interview for the Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Art of Kindness” podcast, shared with People ahead of the new episode’s release on Thursday.
He revealed, “This started before Covid, but now it seems to be back on — and that is that they are building a Broadway version of ‘Hocus Pocus’.”
Read More: Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick Have Family Date Night At ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Premiere
Kirschner went on to tell podcast host Robert Peterpaul, “I just want to pinch myself, and I’m just afraid that I’m going to be nine years old and on a Little League field again…. But it’s just so wonderful just to stand back and watch all of this.
“It’s not just me. It’s...
- 9/29/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Almost 30 years after the original “Hocus Pocus” hit theaters (and became a cult classic), a sequel has finally been produced. “Hocus Pocus 2” is scheduled to stream on Disney Plus on September 30, 2022, with many of the original cast members reprising their spooky roles. Among the returnees are the three sister witches — Bette Midler as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson and Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson — plus Doug Jones as zombie William “Billy” Butcherson.
A film sequel has been in discussion since as far back as 2014, but it wasn’t officially greenlit until October 2019. Jen D’Angelo wrote the sequel screenplay and Anne Fletcher serves as the director, replacing original director Adam Shankman, who was too busy filming “Disenchanted.” John Debney returns as the music composer from the original movie. In November 2021, Disney released the first photo of the Sanderson sisters in costume, with the tagline, “They’re already running amok,...
A film sequel has been in discussion since as far back as 2014, but it wasn’t officially greenlit until October 2019. Jen D’Angelo wrote the sequel screenplay and Anne Fletcher serves as the director, replacing original director Adam Shankman, who was too busy filming “Disenchanted.” John Debney returns as the music composer from the original movie. In November 2021, Disney released the first photo of the Sanderson sisters in costume, with the tagline, “They’re already running amok,...
- 8/30/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Click here to read the full article.
Sam Greenfield (voiced by Hadestown’s Eva Noblezada) might just be the world’s unluckiest person. The 18-year-old protagonist of Apple TV+ and Skydance Animation’s wholesome film Luck is an expert in poor timing, unhappy accidents and minor disasters. (Sometimes major ones, too). Random objects fall on her head, she slips and trips, and almost everything she touches breaks. Despite her general misfortune, Sam is a perennial optimist — a woman who prefers to look on the brighter side.
Luck tells the story of how Sam momentarily comes into better fortunes, loses that opportunity and sets out to find it again. If Apple’s extensive marketing campaign has got you doing a double take, you aren’t alone. Luck is the kind of hopeful, detailed tale Pixar would release, but this is not a product of the animation behemoth — not really. It’s the brainchild of Skydance Animation,...
Sam Greenfield (voiced by Hadestown’s Eva Noblezada) might just be the world’s unluckiest person. The 18-year-old protagonist of Apple TV+ and Skydance Animation’s wholesome film Luck is an expert in poor timing, unhappy accidents and minor disasters. (Sometimes major ones, too). Random objects fall on her head, she slips and trips, and almost everything she touches breaks. Despite her general misfortune, Sam is a perennial optimist — a woman who prefers to look on the brighter side.
Luck tells the story of how Sam momentarily comes into better fortunes, loses that opportunity and sets out to find it again. If Apple’s extensive marketing campaign has got you doing a double take, you aren’t alone. Luck is the kind of hopeful, detailed tale Pixar would release, but this is not a product of the animation behemoth — not really. It’s the brainchild of Skydance Animation,...
- 8/3/2022
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Multimedia Music today announced it has closed a deal to acquire master and publishing rights to a 48-title film score catalog from Atlantic Screen Music in what it calls a “mid-seven figure transaction.”
Atlantic Screen Music includes rights to scores including “2 Guns,” “Lone Survivor,” “The Host,” “Dredd,” “Escape Plan” and “Broken City.” Multimedia said that, cumulatively, the films have grossed hundreds of millions of dollars at the global box office and even more through ancillary channels.
Composers with works featured in the catalog include Max Richter, Lorne Balfe (“Frozen Ground”), John Paesano (“Hirokin”), John Debney (“Alex Cross”), Atticus Ross (“Broken City”), Antonio Pinto (“The Host”), Steve Jablonsky (“Lone Survivor”), Clinton Shorter (“2 Guns”) and Paul Leonard Morgan (“Dredd”).
“We are thrilled to acquire this catalog of premium film scores,” said Multimedia Music managing partner James Gibb. “Atlantic Screen Music includes scores from highly successful films produced by leading filmmakers,...
Atlantic Screen Music includes rights to scores including “2 Guns,” “Lone Survivor,” “The Host,” “Dredd,” “Escape Plan” and “Broken City.” Multimedia said that, cumulatively, the films have grossed hundreds of millions of dollars at the global box office and even more through ancillary channels.
Composers with works featured in the catalog include Max Richter, Lorne Balfe (“Frozen Ground”), John Paesano (“Hirokin”), John Debney (“Alex Cross”), Atticus Ross (“Broken City”), Antonio Pinto (“The Host”), Steve Jablonsky (“Lone Survivor”), Clinton Shorter (“2 Guns”) and Paul Leonard Morgan (“Dredd”).
“We are thrilled to acquire this catalog of premium film scores,” said Multimedia Music managing partner James Gibb. “Atlantic Screen Music includes scores from highly successful films produced by leading filmmakers,...
- 5/9/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Okay, so why is ComicMix reviewing a football movie? Well, first of all, we’re a little more than just comics and secondly, it stars Captain Marvel himself, so there’s that.
Besides, it’s about a real-life hero, and who doesn’t love heroes?
Kurt Warner’s story is well worth exploring and the Lionsgate Home Entertainment release of last year’s American Underdog does a fine job recounting the story. For those unfamiliar, Warner was a star at Northern Iowa but spent four years unable to get signed by an NFL team. Finally, the Green Bay Packers signed but released him in 1994. He then played three seasons for the Iowa Barnstormers in the brief-lived Arena Football League before finally making it to the NFL with the St. Louis Rams. Once there, he led what has been dubbed the Greatest Show on Turn, culminating in winning Super Bowl Xxxiv.
Besides, it’s about a real-life hero, and who doesn’t love heroes?
Kurt Warner’s story is well worth exploring and the Lionsgate Home Entertainment release of last year’s American Underdog does a fine job recounting the story. For those unfamiliar, Warner was a star at Northern Iowa but spent four years unable to get signed by an NFL team. Finally, the Green Bay Packers signed but released him in 1994. He then played three seasons for the Iowa Barnstormers in the brief-lived Arena Football League before finally making it to the NFL with the St. Louis Rams. Once there, he led what has been dubbed the Greatest Show on Turn, culminating in winning Super Bowl Xxxiv.
- 3/28/2022
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Some of Hollywood’s most high-profile filmmakers, including director James Cameron, producers Kathleen Kennedy and Lili Fini Zanuck and composer John Williams have joined the growing chorus of voices asking the Academy to reverse course and present all 23 Oscars on the live March 27 telecast.
In a letter sent today to Academy President David Rubin and obtained by Variety, more than six dozen film professionals, including multiple Academy Award winners, contend that the plan to present eight awards during the pre-telecast hour will “demean” these crafts and “relegate [them] to the status of second-class citizens.”
The eight are original score, film editing, production design, makeup and hairstyling, sound, documentary short, live-action short and animated short. The Academy continues to insist that the nominees in those categories will be announced, and the winner’s acceptance speech aired, in edited form and aired as part of the three-hour ABC show.
That’s not good enough for these artists.
In a letter sent today to Academy President David Rubin and obtained by Variety, more than six dozen film professionals, including multiple Academy Award winners, contend that the plan to present eight awards during the pre-telecast hour will “demean” these crafts and “relegate [them] to the status of second-class citizens.”
The eight are original score, film editing, production design, makeup and hairstyling, sound, documentary short, live-action short and animated short. The Academy continues to insist that the nominees in those categories will be announced, and the winner’s acceptance speech aired, in edited form and aired as part of the three-hour ABC show.
That’s not good enough for these artists.
- 3/9/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
It isn’t often that an Academy governor publicly criticizes the Academy itself, but that happened today when music-branch governor Laura Karpman issued a statement condemning the Academy’s plan to drop the music-score Oscar presentation from the live telecast on March 27.
She was sharply critical of both the decision and the process. Her statement, issued this morning on all her social media accounts, reads: “I am shocked that the officers of the Academy denied the Board of Governors the opportunity to vote and participate in the decision to exclude the music branch in the live broadcast.
“This is literally a wound in the heart of the music community,” she continued. “Thank you to the many members of the music branch who have spoken out. I hear you loud and clear. I stand with you.”
Karpman, a governor of the 402-member music branch since 2016, declined any further comment. But her stance is widely supported within,...
She was sharply critical of both the decision and the process. Her statement, issued this morning on all her social media accounts, reads: “I am shocked that the officers of the Academy denied the Board of Governors the opportunity to vote and participate in the decision to exclude the music branch in the live broadcast.
“This is literally a wound in the heart of the music community,” she continued. “Thank you to the many members of the music branch who have spoken out. I hear you loud and clear. I stand with you.”
Karpman, a governor of the 402-member music branch since 2016, declined any further comment. But her stance is widely supported within,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Not long ago, megastar Jennifer Lopez stunned skeptics and devotees alike with her turn in “Hustlers” as Ramona, a stripper with a clandestinely lucrative operation. Deserved Oscar chatter ensued, and though the Academy ultimately denied her recognition, Lopez walked away with a few critics’ awards and a renewed reputation as a multifaceted performer.
With such bona fide praise as recent precedent, watching the insipidly banal “Marry Me” — a feature-length promotional video passing as a romantic comedy, of which she also serves as producer — elicits utter disappointment.
This adaption of the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby, directed by episodic-tv veteran Kat Coiro, sees one of the most popular women on the planet fall in love with a run-of-the-mill but kind man whose unremarkable life offers her the emotional grounding she lacks.
Lopez plays Kat Valdez who, much like herself, is an uber-famous pop songstress with parts of her private life inevitably...
With such bona fide praise as recent precedent, watching the insipidly banal “Marry Me” — a feature-length promotional video passing as a romantic comedy, of which she also serves as producer — elicits utter disappointment.
This adaption of the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby, directed by episodic-tv veteran Kat Coiro, sees one of the most popular women on the planet fall in love with a run-of-the-mill but kind man whose unremarkable life offers her the emotional grounding she lacks.
Lopez plays Kat Valdez who, much like herself, is an uber-famous pop songstress with parts of her private life inevitably...
- 2/10/2022
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Stars Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma and more take you behind the scenes of their glamorous new romance, Universal Pictures’ Marry Me, directed by Kat Coiro. In theaters and streaming only on Peacock this Valentine’s Day. https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-movies/marry-me
Packed with original songs by Jennifer Lopez and global Latin music star Maluma, Marry Me arrives next Valentine’s Day with Lopez starring as musical superstar Kat Valdez and Owen Wilson as Charlie Gilbert, a math teacher—total strangers who agree to marry and then get to know each other. An unlikely romance about two different people searching for something real in a world where value is based on likes and followers, Marry Me is a modern love story about celebrity, marriage and social media.
Kat Valdez (Lopez) is half of the sexiest celebrity power couple on Earth with hot new music supernova Bastian. As Kat and Bastian’s inescapable hit single,...
Packed with original songs by Jennifer Lopez and global Latin music star Maluma, Marry Me arrives next Valentine’s Day with Lopez starring as musical superstar Kat Valdez and Owen Wilson as Charlie Gilbert, a math teacher—total strangers who agree to marry and then get to know each other. An unlikely romance about two different people searching for something real in a world where value is based on likes and followers, Marry Me is a modern love story about celebrity, marriage and social media.
Kat Valdez (Lopez) is half of the sexiest celebrity power couple on Earth with hot new music supernova Bastian. As Kat and Bastian’s inescapable hit single,...
- 1/25/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
American Underdog Trailer — Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin‘s American Underdog (2021) movie trailer has been released by Lionsgate. The American Underdog trailer stars Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid, Adam Baldwin, Bruce McGill, Ser’Darius Blain, and Chance Kelly. Crew David Aaron Cohen, Jon Erwin, and Jon Gunn wrote the screenplay for American Underdog. John Debney [...]
Continue reading: American Underdog (2021) Movie Trailer: Zachary Levi & Anna Paquin star in the Rags-to-riches Football Biopic...
Continue reading: American Underdog (2021) Movie Trailer: Zachary Levi & Anna Paquin star in the Rags-to-riches Football Biopic...
- 10/3/2021
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
“Da 5 Bloods” Terence Blanchard, a Grammy-winning jazz musician who earned his first Oscar nomination two years ago for Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” has an idea about how to boost diversity in Hollywood music — and give more talented women and musicians of color an opportunity to score films.
“What we should do is have blind auditions. Listen to some music and tell me if it was written by a woman or a person of color, because you would know much better than me,” Blanchard said during a panel of Oscar-shortlisted film composers as part of TheWrap’s Awards Screening Series. “For me…it’s not about gender and it’s not about race. It’s about who is bringing a unique voice to the project.”
Despite his own success in Hollywood, Blanchard believes that his race has sometimes hurt his job prospects. “I’ve had people who wanted to hire...
“What we should do is have blind auditions. Listen to some music and tell me if it was written by a woman or a person of color, because you would know much better than me,” Blanchard said during a panel of Oscar-shortlisted film composers as part of TheWrap’s Awards Screening Series. “For me…it’s not about gender and it’s not about race. It’s about who is bringing a unique voice to the project.”
Despite his own success in Hollywood, Blanchard believes that his race has sometimes hurt his job prospects. “I’ve had people who wanted to hire...
- 3/4/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
“I wanted to create my best work that I have ever done,” admits composer John Debney about composing the original score for Netflix’s popular festive fantasy “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.” “He wanted me to dream big and go for the most amazing score that I could,” the veteran composer says of his director David E. Talbert. “When you’re given that kind of opportunity and that kind of palette, it opens the floodgates to creativity. I honestly felt it my duty, my job, to create something that would be really special, like I always do, but especially for ‘Jingle Jangle.'” Watch our exclusive video interview with Debney above.
In “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” an imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of eccentric toymaker Jeronicus Jangle, his adventurous granddaughter and a magical invention that could change their lives forever. The film was written and...
In “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” an imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of eccentric toymaker Jeronicus Jangle, his adventurous granddaughter and a magical invention that could change their lives forever. The film was written and...
- 2/25/2021
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
Of all the below-the-line categories at the Oscars, Best Original Score is the most difficult to predict early on due to the finicky nature of the music branch of the academy. Scores that sound like frontrunners are disqualified for a variety of reasons, from the number of credited composers to the amount of previously recorded music used. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscar predictions for Best Original Score.)
Even when we know the players, it is still difficult to predict the eventual winner given the diversity of the recent champs. The epic orchestrations of Howard Shore‘s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2002) and “Lotr: The Return of the King” (2004) sound nothing like A.H. Rahman‘s pulsating, Bombay-infused work on “Slumdog Millionaire” (2009), Alexander Desplat‘s whimsical tunes for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2015) or Hildur Guonadottir‘s pulsating rhythms in “Joker” (2020).
As with many of...
Even when we know the players, it is still difficult to predict the eventual winner given the diversity of the recent champs. The epic orchestrations of Howard Shore‘s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2002) and “Lotr: The Return of the King” (2004) sound nothing like A.H. Rahman‘s pulsating, Bombay-infused work on “Slumdog Millionaire” (2009), Alexander Desplat‘s whimsical tunes for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2015) or Hildur Guonadottir‘s pulsating rhythms in “Joker” (2020).
As with many of...
- 2/10/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
This year’s nine Oscar shortlists are voted on by five branches of the Academy — Music, Documentary, Animation and Shorts, VFX, and Makeup and Hairstyling — as well as the intrepid members from all over the world who were willing and able to watch online a minimum of a dozen qualifying international features. Reading the tea leaves of these shortlists reveals some strengths and weaknesses heading into the final round of voting for the final five nominations to be announced on March 15.
To state the obvious, voters made their selection from a wide range of smaller-scale movies, given that many of the studio blockbusters, from Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” were pushed back due to the pandemic. Clearly, while stuck at home, many Academy voters were watching Netflix. That’s a huge advantage for “step one” on the road to an Oscar nomination: getting your movie seen.
To state the obvious, voters made their selection from a wide range of smaller-scale movies, given that many of the studio blockbusters, from Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” were pushed back due to the pandemic. Clearly, while stuck at home, many Academy voters were watching Netflix. That’s a huge advantage for “step one” on the road to an Oscar nomination: getting your movie seen.
- 2/9/2021
- by Anne Thompson and Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
This year’s nine Oscar shortlists are voted on by five branches of the Academy — Music, Documentary, Animation and Shorts, VFX, and Makeup and Hairstyling — as well as the intrepid members from all over the world who were willing and able to watch online a minimum of a dozen qualifying international features. Reading the tea leaves of these shortlists reveals some strengths and weaknesses heading into the final round of voting for the final five nominations to be announced on March 15.
To state the obvious, voters made their selection from a wide range of smaller-scale movies, given that many of the studio blockbusters, from Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” were pushed back due to the pandemic. Clearly, while stuck at home, many Academy voters were watching Netflix. That’s a huge advantage for “step one” on the road to an Oscar nomination: getting your movie seen.
To state the obvious, voters made their selection from a wide range of smaller-scale movies, given that many of the studio blockbusters, from Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” were pushed back due to the pandemic. Clearly, while stuck at home, many Academy voters were watching Netflix. That’s a huge advantage for “step one” on the road to an Oscar nomination: getting your movie seen.
- 2/9/2021
- by Anne Thompson and Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Nominees for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards are being unveiled Friday, with a packed slate of songs and scores in film, TV and videogame categories. Names in contention range from Alexandre Desplat, James Newton Howard and Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross as returning veterans in the score divisions to stars like Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Brandi Carlile, Travis Scott, Haim and Janelle Monae as nominated songwriters for feature film themes.
Kenny Loggins has been tagged for the HMMAs; Career Achievement in Music honor, which has previously gone to figures including Diane Warren, Smokey Robinson and composer John Debney.
Loggins will perform on the livestreamed awards show, which has been set for 7 p.m. Pt on Jan. 27, to be webcast on the Hmma site in lieu of the traditional live ceremony (which last year took place at Avalon in Hollywood). He’ll be joined in the performance ranks by Andra Day, Rita Wilson,...
Kenny Loggins has been tagged for the HMMAs; Career Achievement in Music honor, which has previously gone to figures including Diane Warren, Smokey Robinson and composer John Debney.
Loggins will perform on the livestreamed awards show, which has been set for 7 p.m. Pt on Jan. 27, to be webcast on the Hmma site in lieu of the traditional live ceremony (which last year took place at Avalon in Hollywood). He’ll be joined in the performance ranks by Andra Day, Rita Wilson,...
- 1/15/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Composer John Debney has worked on the scores for “Elf” and “The Greatest Showman” and is no stranger to setting a warm holiday mood. When it came to working on Netflix’s “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” he sought a timeless and classic approach, hinting at classic holiday melodies.
Debney worked with director David E. Talbert on the film which follows young Journey, played by Madelyn Mills, who stays with her grandfather. He happens to be an inventor who has long since lost his spark and Journey’s young curious mind helps bring the magic back to his life.
In an interview with Variety, Debney talks about how he felt compelled to be a part of the story, putting it together during the pandemic and what he used in his music toolbox to tell Journey’s story through the score.
You’re no stranger to holiday scores, so this must...
Debney worked with director David E. Talbert on the film which follows young Journey, played by Madelyn Mills, who stays with her grandfather. He happens to be an inventor who has long since lost his spark and Journey’s young curious mind helps bring the magic back to his life.
In an interview with Variety, Debney talks about how he felt compelled to be a part of the story, putting it together during the pandemic and what he used in his music toolbox to tell Journey’s story through the score.
You’re no stranger to holiday scores, so this must...
- 11/20/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
For some, the prospect of former Pixar director Brenda Chapman (“Brave”) making her live-action debut will make “Come Away” seem exciting. For others, it’s the film’s literary conceit that appeals: What if Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan had been siblings? And then there’s the casting of Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo as the parents, which suggests certain possibilities in terms of how the story might deal with certain seldom-examined social dynamics within its period setting — possibilities that internet trolls have targeted with racist comments.
Alas, “Come Away” squanders all of these opportunities on a ponderous family drama that even Netflix (where concept is everything and quality is often beside the point) wasn’t interested in acquiring when it premiered at Sundance back in January. At the festival, the film was overshadowed by “Wendy,” but even in the straight-to-streaming doldrums of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s hard...
Alas, “Come Away” squanders all of these opportunities on a ponderous family drama that even Netflix (where concept is everything and quality is often beside the point) wasn’t interested in acquiring when it premiered at Sundance back in January. At the festival, the film was overshadowed by “Wendy,” but even in the straight-to-streaming doldrums of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s hard...
- 11/13/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Two time Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Kenny Loggins is receiving the Career Achievement honor at the next Hollywood Music in Media Awards (Hmma) which will be held on Jan. 27, 2021 in a hybrid awards show. The Footloose singer-songwriter will also perform during the Hmma event.
Loggins joins a distinguished list of past Hmma honorees including Smokey Robinson, Diane Warren, Earth Wind & Fire, Glen Campbell, Dave Mason and film composer John Debney.
Kenny Loggins is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and producer. After playing in several bands in the late ’60s and honing his songwriting chops as a staff songwriter at Wingate Music, Loggins rose to prominence with Loggins & Messina, a duo with fellow singer/songwriter Jim Messina. The two were together from 1972 to 1976, and released a string of successful albums. Loggins solo career led to further stardom with million-selling albums including Celebrate Me Home, Nightwatch (which included the...
Loggins joins a distinguished list of past Hmma honorees including Smokey Robinson, Diane Warren, Earth Wind & Fire, Glen Campbell, Dave Mason and film composer John Debney.
Kenny Loggins is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and producer. After playing in several bands in the late ’60s and honing his songwriting chops as a staff songwriter at Wingate Music, Loggins rose to prominence with Loggins & Messina, a duo with fellow singer/songwriter Jim Messina. The two were together from 1972 to 1976, and released a string of successful albums. Loggins solo career led to further stardom with million-selling albums including Celebrate Me Home, Nightwatch (which included the...
- 11/13/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
A much more sophisticated film than its title suggests, Lake Of Death is based on a popular Norwegian novel from 1942 and has an old fashioned quality to it despite attempts to drag it into the modern age (in part by making extensive reference to other films). Its setting, in a remote cabin in the woods beside the titular body of water, may seem cliched now but was fresh in its time, and the stunning natural landscape adds to the sense that this is something a little different, Axel Mustad's cinematography perfectly complemented by John Debney's score.
The young people visiting this cabin are doing so for the last time, in part because they've reached an age at which their lives are about to take them in different directions, in part because Lilian (Iben Akerlie) plans to sell it. She just hasn't felt comfortable there since the disappearance and presumed death.
The young people visiting this cabin are doing so for the last time, in part because they've reached an age at which their lives are about to take them in different directions, in part because Lilian (Iben Akerlie) plans to sell it. She just hasn't felt comfortable there since the disappearance and presumed death.
- 7/15/2020
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Discovery Networks, which last month unveiled a new business model that would have all but assured series composers a drastic income drop, has scuttled that plan in response to outrage expressed by the media music community.
This means that the shows on Discovery, Animal Planet, Hgtv, Food Network and other Discovery-owned platforms, will continue to feature their familiar themes and underscores, and the composers who wrote that music will continue to be paid the royalties that they have always enjoyed.
The Production Music Association, which represents many of the composers whose work adorns these shows, Thursday afternoon issued a statement that said, in part, “Discovery has decided that their U.S. channels will remain operating ‘as is’ under the traditional performing-rights model.”
A Discovery spokesman confirmed to Variety that the networks will no longer demand that composers give up all performance royalties paid for U.S. airings and sign away...
This means that the shows on Discovery, Animal Planet, Hgtv, Food Network and other Discovery-owned platforms, will continue to feature their familiar themes and underscores, and the composers who wrote that music will continue to be paid the royalties that they have always enjoyed.
The Production Music Association, which represents many of the composers whose work adorns these shows, Thursday afternoon issued a statement that said, in part, “Discovery has decided that their U.S. channels will remain operating ‘as is’ under the traditional performing-rights model.”
A Discovery spokesman confirmed to Variety that the networks will no longer demand that composers give up all performance royalties paid for U.S. airings and sign away...
- 1/24/2020
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Ascap has announced the org’s 22nd annual showcase series at the Sundance Film Festival, with a lineup of artists that includes Spinal Tap’s Derek Smalls, the Bird and the Bee, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Joseph Arthur, Barry Zito, Zz Ward and Matt Berninger, the member of the National who’s come into his own as a film composer with scores like “The Two Popes.”
The Ascap Music Cafe runs daily for nearly the entirety of the film festival, from Jan. 24-31, with music starting at 2 p.m. each day and all performances free to badgeholders over 21. The performance space will be set up at 751 Main Street in Park City.
Additionally, Ascap will throw an invite-only cocktail party for composers and filmmakers in the middle of the festival, on Monday, January 27. The performing rights organization is trumpeting dozens of composers who scored films in this year’s program, among them Hans Zimmer,...
The Ascap Music Cafe runs daily for nearly the entirety of the film festival, from Jan. 24-31, with music starting at 2 p.m. each day and all performances free to badgeholders over 21. The performance space will be set up at 751 Main Street in Park City.
Additionally, Ascap will throw an invite-only cocktail party for composers and filmmakers in the middle of the festival, on Monday, January 27. The performing rights organization is trumpeting dozens of composers who scored films in this year’s program, among them Hans Zimmer,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Perhaps the worst thing a film can be, even more so than the binary of good or bad, is forgettable. That is the best way to reflect upon “Brian Banks,” the latest film in the canon of dramas that highlight the criminalization and mass incarceration of black people in the United States.
Director Tom Shadyac (“The Nutty Professor”) flatly tells the true story of the titular football star whose promising career came to a screeching halt when he was wrongfully accused and convicted of raping a young woman in 2002 (when he was 17 years old) and spent six years in prison. Though we see brief flashbacks of Brian in jail feeling defeated and struggling to navigate the system inside, much of the film is spent after his incarceration, as he tries in vain to find work despite having a criminal record while on a strict custody parole and fighting to clear his name.
Director Tom Shadyac (“The Nutty Professor”) flatly tells the true story of the titular football star whose promising career came to a screeching halt when he was wrongfully accused and convicted of raping a young woman in 2002 (when he was 17 years old) and spent six years in prison. Though we see brief flashbacks of Brian in jail feeling defeated and struggling to navigate the system inside, much of the film is spent after his incarceration, as he tries in vain to find work despite having a criminal record while on a strict custody parole and fighting to clear his name.
- 8/6/2019
- by Candice Frederick
- The Wrap
The 31st annual Ascap Film Scoring Workshop got underway today with 12 composers from eight countries around the world. (Participants are listed below.)
Supported by The Ascap Foundation, the comprehensive four-week program takes place in Los Angeles and is designed to equip the selected composers with the knowledge and connections they need to succeed in the film industry. Participants get access to “A list” Hollywood composers and top industry professionals including studio executives, agents, attorneys, music supervisors and more.
The workshop culminates at the historic Newman Scoring Stage at Fox Studios, where each composer has the chance to conduct and record their own original score for a major motion picture scene with a 64-piece orchestra and the same professional tools used by world-class composers.
This year, several high-profile composers will mentor the group, including Oscar nominees (and multiple Emmy winners) John Debney and Bruce Broughton, Grammy-nominated Tom Holkenborg, as well as...
Supported by The Ascap Foundation, the comprehensive four-week program takes place in Los Angeles and is designed to equip the selected composers with the knowledge and connections they need to succeed in the film industry. Participants get access to “A list” Hollywood composers and top industry professionals including studio executives, agents, attorneys, music supervisors and more.
The workshop culminates at the historic Newman Scoring Stage at Fox Studios, where each composer has the chance to conduct and record their own original score for a major motion picture scene with a 64-piece orchestra and the same professional tools used by world-class composers.
This year, several high-profile composers will mentor the group, including Oscar nominees (and multiple Emmy winners) John Debney and Bruce Broughton, Grammy-nominated Tom Holkenborg, as well as...
- 7/8/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Musical Anatomy of a Superhero panel is making its way down to San Diego Comic-Con for the seventh year in a row, and the film composer symposium is not only upgrading from the Hilton Indigo Ballroom to Ballroom 20, but Up Oscar winner and composer of The Incredibles and the latest Spider-Man franchise Michael Giacchino will be this year’s guest moderator.
The composer panel will take place on Thursday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m., and this year’s dais of film score-smiths includes Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel, Krypton), Benjamin Wallfisch (Shazam, Hellboy), Sherri Chung (CW/Wbtv’s upcoming Batwoman, Super Girl), Blake Neely (Batwoman, The Flash) and Christopher Lennertz (Amazon’s upcoming series The Boys, Agent Carter).
As is tradition with Musical Anatomy of a Superhero, fans will get to see unseen footage of upcoming projects like Batwoman and The Boys. The event is produced by Costa Communications and sponsored by Ascap.
The composer panel will take place on Thursday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m., and this year’s dais of film score-smiths includes Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel, Krypton), Benjamin Wallfisch (Shazam, Hellboy), Sherri Chung (CW/Wbtv’s upcoming Batwoman, Super Girl), Blake Neely (Batwoman, The Flash) and Christopher Lennertz (Amazon’s upcoming series The Boys, Agent Carter).
As is tradition with Musical Anatomy of a Superhero, fans will get to see unseen footage of upcoming projects like Batwoman and The Boys. The event is produced by Costa Communications and sponsored by Ascap.
- 6/28/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Until recently, there were two categories of Hollywood composers: those who wrote music for movies and those who wrote music for TV. Those lines were rarely crossed. But it’s a very different world today, as film composers are regularly turning to TV for bigger dramatic challenges.
“There is such great material out there,” says Brian Tyler, who scored the big-screen hit “Crazy Rich Asians” and also composed all nine episodes of the first season of Paramount TV’s “Yellowstone.” “If they, like on this show, allow it to be done in the right artistic way, you can develop the music over a longer period of time.”
Tyler’s score, which combines folk instruments with the large-scale sound of London Philharmonic Orchestra, complements the look and feel of the series, which centers on a powerful Montana ranch family.
“The storyline has the feel of the epic tales of Shakespeare,” he says.
“There is such great material out there,” says Brian Tyler, who scored the big-screen hit “Crazy Rich Asians” and also composed all nine episodes of the first season of Paramount TV’s “Yellowstone.” “If they, like on this show, allow it to be done in the right artistic way, you can develop the music over a longer period of time.”
Tyler’s score, which combines folk instruments with the large-scale sound of London Philharmonic Orchestra, complements the look and feel of the series, which centers on a powerful Montana ranch family.
“The storyline has the feel of the epic tales of Shakespeare,” he says.
- 6/3/2019
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, Education Through Music-Los Angeles hosted its 13th Annual Benefit Gala at The Novo-Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles to raise funds for music instruction in disadvantaged La County schools.
Sheila E. performing with La Santa Cecilia
Supporters from the music, film, business, and education communities gathered to honor Grammy-Winning Music Producer Sebastian Krys, Veteran Music Teacher Sue Edwards (L.A. Unified School District), and Korg Education.
Grammy Award-Winning Band La Santa Cecilia and Sheila E. (Prince) kicked off the gala with an electric Latin number, followed by a soulful piece from Latin Grammy-Winner Noel Schajris (Sin Bandera). Students from Etm-la and other schools ushered in the holiday season with heartwarming and festive performances. Honorary hosts of the gala included music education champions and celebrities Christophe Beck, Joshua Bell, John Debney, Germaine Franco, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Michael Giacchino, Michael Gorfaine, Julianne Jordan, Larisa Martinez, Julia Michels, Arturo Sandoval,...
Sheila E. performing with La Santa Cecilia
Supporters from the music, film, business, and education communities gathered to honor Grammy-Winning Music Producer Sebastian Krys, Veteran Music Teacher Sue Edwards (L.A. Unified School District), and Korg Education.
Grammy Award-Winning Band La Santa Cecilia and Sheila E. (Prince) kicked off the gala with an electric Latin number, followed by a soulful piece from Latin Grammy-Winner Noel Schajris (Sin Bandera). Students from Etm-la and other schools ushered in the holiday season with heartwarming and festive performances. Honorary hosts of the gala included music education champions and celebrities Christophe Beck, Joshua Bell, John Debney, Germaine Franco, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Michael Giacchino, Michael Gorfaine, Julianne Jordan, Larisa Martinez, Julia Michels, Arturo Sandoval,...
- 12/14/2018
- Look to the Stars
The Television Academy’s board of governors has voted vice chairman Frank Scherma to become its new chairman and CEO, a post he will take over from the outgoing Hayma Washington. The election was held Thursday night at a board meeting at which the TV Academy’s annual officer elections were also held.
Scherma, the president of RadicalMedia whose producer credits include music documentaries, Errol Morris’ The Fog of War, Broadway’s Shrek the Musical and IFC TV’s Stan Against Evil, was the lone candidate to step forward by the deadline when Washington said in October he would not seek a second term. Washington was the first African-American leader in the organization’s 70-year history.
The incoming chairman will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2019. Additional incoming officers elected Thursday include Steve Venezia, Vice Chair; Tim Gibbons, Second Vice Chair; Sharon Lieblein, Secretary; Allison Binder, Treasurer; and Mitch Waldow,...
Scherma, the president of RadicalMedia whose producer credits include music documentaries, Errol Morris’ The Fog of War, Broadway’s Shrek the Musical and IFC TV’s Stan Against Evil, was the lone candidate to step forward by the deadline when Washington said in October he would not seek a second term. Washington was the first African-American leader in the organization’s 70-year history.
The incoming chairman will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2019. Additional incoming officers elected Thursday include Steve Venezia, Vice Chair; Tim Gibbons, Second Vice Chair; Sharon Lieblein, Secretary; Allison Binder, Treasurer; and Mitch Waldow,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles musicians are hoping that new California Film Commission regulations will keep more film- and TV-scoring jobs local, after years of productions heading to London or Eastern Europe as more financially attractive recording alternatives.
The state budget, signed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown, includes an update to California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program that will encourage productions to create scoring jobs by adding points to their application for tax credits.
American Federation of Musicians Local 47 President John Acosta explained: “The new system truly incentivizes production companies to commit to scoring in California in order to successfully earn bonus points that go toward their approval for a tax credit. The greater the scoring budget, the more points the production will receive, acting as a further incentive for producers to allocate more funds toward their music budgets.”
Union officials said that the more bonus points received, the greater the likelihood...
The state budget, signed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown, includes an update to California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program that will encourage productions to create scoring jobs by adding points to their application for tax credits.
American Federation of Musicians Local 47 President John Acosta explained: “The new system truly incentivizes production companies to commit to scoring in California in order to successfully earn bonus points that go toward their approval for a tax credit. The greater the scoring budget, the more points the production will receive, acting as a further incentive for producers to allocate more funds toward their music budgets.”
Union officials said that the more bonus points received, the greater the likelihood...
- 7/5/2018
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
We’re still waiting for the role that will prove that Jon Hamm has a future after Mad Men. This middling hostage negotiation drama doesn’t insult our intelligence yet is still not that much more impressive than an average ‘let’s go to a war zone!’ episode of NCIS. Rosamund Pike plays an intrepid diplomat/agent who chooses to go rogue with Hamm’s character because (surprise) the system is so corrupt.
Beirut
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment/Bleeker Street
2018 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 110 min. / Street Date July 3, 2018 / 34.98
Starring: Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike, Mark Pellegrino, Dean Norris, Shea Whigham, Douglas Hodge, Leila Bekhti, Kate Fleetwood.
Cinematography: Björn Charpentier
Film Editor: Andrew Hafitz
Original Music: John Debney
Written by Tony Gilroy
Produced by Ted Field, Tony Gilroy, Monica Levinson, Shivani Rawat, Mike Weber
Directed by Brad Anderson
Back in 1981 United Artists briefly distributed an amazing French- produced movie by...
Beirut
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment/Bleeker Street
2018 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 110 min. / Street Date July 3, 2018 / 34.98
Starring: Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike, Mark Pellegrino, Dean Norris, Shea Whigham, Douglas Hodge, Leila Bekhti, Kate Fleetwood.
Cinematography: Björn Charpentier
Film Editor: Andrew Hafitz
Original Music: John Debney
Written by Tony Gilroy
Produced by Ted Field, Tony Gilroy, Monica Levinson, Shivani Rawat, Mike Weber
Directed by Brad Anderson
Back in 1981 United Artists briefly distributed an amazing French- produced movie by...
- 7/3/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Everyone who left the Samuel Goldwyn Theater Wednesday night was humming. It might have been “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “It’s a Small World” or any of a dozen other tunes written over the past 50 years by Richard M. Sherman and his late brother Robert B. Sherman, but they were humming something.
The Motion Picture Academy’s two-and-a-half-hour salute to the songwriters, billed as “The Sherman Brothers: A Hollywood Songbook,” may have been the most joyous celebration in that theater in recent memory. Multiple standing ovations and a warm, infectious feeling of Disney-fueled happiness were the order of the evening.
The Shermans — Dick, who just turned 90, and his brother Bob, who died in 2012 — penned some of the most memorable movie songs in history, many of them for Walt Disney. As Dick Van Dyke, reminiscing about being on the set of “Mary Poppins,” put it, “there was...
The Motion Picture Academy’s two-and-a-half-hour salute to the songwriters, billed as “The Sherman Brothers: A Hollywood Songbook,” may have been the most joyous celebration in that theater in recent memory. Multiple standing ovations and a warm, infectious feeling of Disney-fueled happiness were the order of the evening.
The Shermans — Dick, who just turned 90, and his brother Bob, who died in 2012 — penned some of the most memorable movie songs in history, many of them for Walt Disney. As Dick Van Dyke, reminiscing about being on the set of “Mary Poppins,” put it, “there was...
- 6/21/2018
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Some of the most compelling music for television these days is being written for science-fiction and fantasy shows, where the sound palette ranges from orchestral arrangements to eerie vocals and synthesizers, and reflects a wide spectrums of styles.
Christopher Lennertz, who recorded a 53-piece orchestra in London’s Abbey Road for the Netflix reboot of “Lost in Space,” says the music he produced is “testosterone-driven when it needs to be, but it’s very poignant when it comes to the kids and the family.
I didn’t want to hold back on the emotion, the heroism, the sadness, romance or hope.”
Lennertz incorporated a snippet of John Williams’ theme from the original ‘60s series, a nice tip of the hat to today’s most respected film composer back when he was still toiling in TV.
Similarly, Jeff Russo found that he could not launch CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Discovery...
Christopher Lennertz, who recorded a 53-piece orchestra in London’s Abbey Road for the Netflix reboot of “Lost in Space,” says the music he produced is “testosterone-driven when it needs to be, but it’s very poignant when it comes to the kids and the family.
I didn’t want to hold back on the emotion, the heroism, the sadness, romance or hope.”
Lennertz incorporated a snippet of John Williams’ theme from the original ‘60s series, a nice tip of the hat to today’s most respected film composer back when he was still toiling in TV.
Similarly, Jeff Russo found that he could not launch CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Discovery...
- 6/4/2018
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
The Television Academy announced the newly elected members to its Board of Governors on Wednesday. The new additions will serve two-year terms beginning on Jan. 1, 2018 and ending Dec. 31, 2019. The governors who were chosen to serve their first-ever two-year term include: Lesley Aletter, Brenda Brkusic, Jeff Calderon, Rich Carter, Terri Carter, John Debney, Keiren Fisher, Greg Kupiec, Eboni Nichols, Laurie Parres, Christopher Reeves, Glenn Rigberg, Jill Sanford, John Simmons, Halina Siwolop, Steven Spignese and Michael Spiller. Members who were elected to serve another two-year term after a one or multiple-year absence from the Television Academy’s board are Bob...
- 12/27/2017
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
The TV Academy has elected 17 first-time members to its board of governors, it said today in revealing election results for the 2018-2019 term that begins Monday. The new members that will serve a two-year term: Lesley Aletter, Brenda Brkusic, Jeff Calderon, Rich Carter, Terri Carter, John Debney, Keiren Fisher, Greg Kupiec, Eboni Nichols, Laurie Parres, Christopher Reeves, Glenn Rigberg, Jill Sanford, John Simmons, Halina Siwolop, Steven Spignese and Michael Spiller. The…...
- 12/27/2017
- Deadline TV
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