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Donna Berwick, who worked as a costume designer on Da 5 Bloods, Hemlock Grove and Game of Thrones, has died. She was 66.

Her brother, Stephan Berwick, announced on Facebook that she died Wednesday following a battle with breast cancer.

“Today we lost the coolest, most magnetic, joy of life woman I’ve known, my incomparable older sister, Donna Berwick, to a return of breast cancer. She met the battle with an unrivaled tough cheer that was so ‘Donna’, those who knew her will know what I mean,” he wrote. “Being around her was a lesson in joy. Being close to her was a feeling of acceptance and embrace without judgment. She lived with a fearless celebration of life without boundaries.”

Before starting her career in costuming, Donna earned a Bfa from the School of Visual Arts in New York City as well as an associate’s degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Exclusive: HBO is developing Sula, a limited series based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison’s novel. The project comes from writer Shannon M. Houston (Station Eleven), who has an overall deal at HBO, and Stephanie Allain’s Homegrown Pictures, under the company’s first-look deal with Warner Bros. Television Group and HBO.

Created and written by Houston based on the novel, Sula tracks the lives of two Black heroines from their close-knit childhood in a small Ohio neighborhood called The Bottom, through their sharply divergent paths of womanhood. Nel Wright has chosen to marry, raise a family and become a pillar of the Black community. Sula Peace has rejected the life Nel has embraced, escaping from The Bottom, submerging herself in city life, and coming into her own as a woman more intellectually and sexually free than anyone around her. Eventually, Sula and...

Exclusive: Chloe Bailey (Grown-ish) has signed on to star in the upcoming film Praise This, which Tina Gordon (Little) is directing for Universal Pictures.

Praise This is a music-competition feature comedy set in the world of youth choirs. We hear that Universal is eyeing it for a potential franchise in the vein of Pitch Perfect, with production on the first installment set to kick off in Atlanta in June. Gordon penned the latest draft of the script, which was based off an original idea by The Story Company. Earlier drafts were written by Camilla Blackett and Brandon Broussard, Hudson Obayuwana and Jana Savage—the trio otherwise known as Murder Ink.

The film falls under Will Packer Productions’ first-look deal with Universal, which has produced such hits as Night School, Girls Trip, the Ride Along films and Little. Wpp’s founder and CEO Will Packer will produce alongside The Story Company’s co-founder and CEO Tim Story, with Wpp EVP Johanna Byer exec producing. Executive Vice President of Production Erik Baiers and Director of Production Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project on behalf of Universal.

Bailey is an actress, singer-songwriter and record producer who rose to fame as a member of the Grammy-nominated sister duo Chloe x Halle, which was signed to Beyoncés Parkwood Entertainment Company after catching the attention of the musical icon. The multi-hyphenate most recently starred alongside Yara Shahidi on Freeform’s hit show Grown-ish, last year releasing her debut solo single, “Have Mercy.” She will next be seen in Miramax’s supernatural thriller The Georgetown Project, with Russell Crowe and Ryan Simpkins.

In addition to Little, starring Regina Hall, Issa Rae and Marsai Martin, Gordon previously wrote and directed the 2013 romantic comedy Peeples for Lionsgate. Her credits as a screenwriter also include Drumline and What Men Want.

Bailey is represented by CAA, Parkwood Entertainment and Schure Media Group; Gordon by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham; Blackett by UTA, Independent Talent Group and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; and Murder Ink by APA and Joel VanderKloot of VanderKloot Law.

Emmy-nominated producer Stephanie Allain has signed a new first-look deal with Warner Bros. Television Group and HBO. The new agreement continues Allain’s relationship with the Studio, where she and her Homegrown Pictures production company has been under a first-look pact since February 2020. Allain and her Homegrown Pictures team, including Director of Development Gabrielle Ebron, will develop original scripted programming to be produced by Warner Bros. Television for HBO and HBO Max, external streaming services, cable, and broadcast.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but both Wbtvg and HBO confirm it is a multi-year deal.

Allain produced the 2020 Academy Awards alongside Lynette Howell Taylor, making history as the first African American woman in the Academy’s 92-year history to do so. She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for her work on the Oscars.

Allain founded female-led Homegrown Pictures in 2003, a company which produces content by and about women and people of color.

Warner Bros. Television Group and HBO have sealed a new first-look deal with producer Stephanie Allain (“Dear White People”) and her Homegrown Pictures banner. Allain already held a first-look pact with the studio, which she sealed in February 2020; this extends that relationship and includes a partnership with HBO.

Under the multi-year deal, Allain and her Homegrown Pictures team (which includes director of development Gabrielle Ebron) will develop original scripted programming for HBO and HBO Max, as well as other streaming services, cable and broadcast outlets. Warner Bros. Television will produce those projects.

Allain’s credits include producing the 2020 Oscars, alongside Lynette Howell Taylor. Allain was nominated for an Emmy Award, in the outstanding variety special (live) category. She also made history as the first African American woman in history to produce the Academy Awards.

Homegrown Pictures was founded by Allain in 2003; its credits include “Hustle & Flow,” “Something New,” “Peeples,...

Melvin Van Peebles, the influential filmmaker behind “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Song,” and father of director and actor Mario Van Peebles, has died. He was 89.

“Dad knew that Black images matter,” Mario Van Peebles said in a statement from the Criterion Collection. “If a picture is worth a thousand words, what was a movie worth? We want to be the success we see, thus we need to see ourselves being free. True liberation did not mean imitating the colonizer’s mentality. It meant appreciating the power, beauty and interconnectivity of all people.”

“Sweet Sweetback” will be screened at the New York Film Festival this week for a 50th anniversary tribute. “In an unparalleled career distinguished by relentless innovation, boundless curiosity and spiritual empathy, Melvin Van Peebles made an indelible mark on the international cultural landscape through his films, novels, plays and music,” the Criterion Collection said.

Melvin and Mario Van...

Amber Rasberry has joined Amazon Studios as a senior film executive, Variety has learned exclusively.

Rasberry’s oversight will include day-to-day production, development and acquisitions for Amazon’s original movies slate. She will report to film co-heads Julie Rapaport and Matt Newman.

The executive joins the streaming giant from Paramount Players, where she served as vice president of development. During her tenure, Rasberry worked with Lee Daniels on the forthcoming “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” and brought in Wanuri Kahiu to direct “On the Come Up,” based on the bestselling novel by Angie Thomas.

She also shepherded “Bounce” starring Jojo Siwa and developed “Daring to Live” based on Sheri Hunter’s book with producer Devon Franklin.

Prior to Paramount, Rasberry was vice president of production at Global Road, and before that head of production at Kevin Hart’s label Laugh Out Loud, where she helped launch the digital network.

The CW has put in development Modern Austen, a contemporary reimagining of Jane Austen’s novels, from writer Eleanor Burgess (Perry Mason), Stephanie Allain’s Homegrown Pictures and Warner Bros TV, where Allain is under a deal.

Written by Burgess, Modern Austen is a one-hour anthology series that reimagines Austen’s beloved novels as six modern stories, offering a kaleidoscopic look at love and family in our time of inequality and disconnection. Each season is a different novel, beginning with Pride and Prejudice, set in contemporary San Francisco.

Burgess executive produces with Homegrown Pictures’ Allain. Gabrielle Ebron, creative executive at Homegrown, serves as a producer. Warner Bros TV is the studio.

Burgess is a writer on HBO’s Perry Mason reboot, which has been renewed for a second season. She is eith Management 360 and attorney Rob Szymanski.

Allain produced the 2020 Academy Awards alongside Lynette Howell Taylor and made history...

The Paley Center for Media today announced that it will pay tribute to the extraordinary Kerry Washington with the special program Celebrating Kerry Washington: Conversation & Exclusive Preview Screening of Little Fires Everywhere.

The program will take place on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 pm.

“I’m truly honored to be returning to the Paley Center stage for this look back at my work,” said Kerry Washington. “And I’m thrilled to be previewing Little Fires Everywhere, as part of this extraordinary evening.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome back Kerry Washington to the Paley Center,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center President & CEO. “Ms. Washington is a tremendous talent and we look forward to celebrating her remarkable career and to hosting the exclusive New York premiere of Little Fires Everywhere.”

Kerry Washington is among the most respected and influential talents in television today. A New York native, this versatile talent has...

Stephanie Allain, who most recently co-produced the 2020 Academy Awards, has closed a multi-year first-look deal at Warner Horizon Scripted Television, marking her first TV studio deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under the pact, Allain will develop new scripted programming for cable and on-demand/streaming services, as well as broadcast networks through the divisions of the Warner Bros. Television Group.

Allain produced the 2020 Academy Awards alongside Lynette Howell Taylor and made history as the first African American woman in the Academy’s 92-year history to do so.

Allain, a champion of diverse voices in cinema, founded female-led Homegrown Pictures in 2003, a company which produces content by and about women and people of color. She has since produced award-winning titles including Hustle & Flow, Something New, Peeples, Beyond The Lights, Dear White People, French Dirty, Burning Sands, Juanita and The Weekend. Collectively, Homegrown Pictures projects have been nominated for over 100 awards...

Stephanie Allain has inked a first-look deal with Warner Horizon Scripted Television, fresh off her recent gig producing the Oscars.

The multi-year agreement marks Allain’s first TV studio deal. Under the pact, Allain will develop new scripted programming for cable and broadcast networks, as well as streaming services, via the various divisions of the Warner Bros. Television Group.

Allain just made history as the first African American woman to produce the Academy Awards in the awards show’s history. She is credited with helping launch the careers of directors John Singleton, Robert Rodriguez, Craig Brewer, Sanaa Hamri and Justin Simien. In 2003, she founded her female-led production banner Homegrown Pictures, and has gone on to produce around a dozen features inclduing “Dear White People,” “Hustle & Flow,” “Peeples” “Beyond The Lights,” “Burning Sands” and most recently “Juanita.”

In 2019, Homegrown closed an overall deal with Adrienne Becker and Abigail Disney’s...

Co-writer/director Tina Gordon Chism's Little is the latest cutesy comedy to enter the body-swapping fantasy chuckles sweepstakes. Aside from the countless comedies that have revisted this now tired premise, Chism's ("Peeples") generic gem does have its charming elements and preaches a breezy message about the acceptance of one's self and the bullying tactics that persist. Still, Little makes for small sacrifices as a formulaic fantasy teaser that predictably treads on the same broad waters of its overwrought theme--harking back to the days of innocence and awkwardness in youth. Unfortunately, there is nothing fresh or frisky about Chism's orchestrated impishness in highlighting an seemingly independent woman needing her pushy ambitions taken down a few notches. The showcasing of our body-switching heroine learning...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Actor and comedian David Alan Grier will host the 23rd Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.

The announcement was made today by Adg Awards producer Scott Moses, Adg. Grier is a three-time Tony and Grammy nominee, and was included on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.

Grier currently stars in the new Fox comedy series The Cool Kids. His other TV credits include The Carmichael Show and the Emmy-winning In Living Color. He starred in Dag and Life with Bonnie, which earned him Image Award and Golden Satellite Award nominations. In 2015, Grier combined live theater and television when he played the Cowardly Lion in Broadway’s award-winning musical The Wiz Live! on NBC.

In film, Grier will next be seen in the indie drama Sprinter, produced by Will Smith. He...

Seven Bucks Productions, the production company co-founded by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, has named Kevin Hill the head of television and digital development.

In this role, Hill will identify, develop and produce new scripted and unscripted projects for Seven Bucks Productions and Seven Bucks Digital Studios. His background includes a six-and-a-half year stint at Wme working in non-scripted television department, where he worked with producers, brand and talent including Johnson and Garcia, WWE, Reddit, Daveed Diggs, Andrew Jenks, Film 45 and Eli Roth. Hill is also responsible for negotiating the Les Twins’ deal to star alongside Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson for the 2019 “Men In Black” spinoff.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to officially welcome Kevin into the family,” said Johnson and Garcia. “Throughout his hard work with us at Wme, Kevin has proven a deep understanding of the Seven Bucks ethos and ability to make groundbreaking and ambitious projects happen.

Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions has hired former Wme agent Kevin Hill as Head of Television & Digital Development. In his new role, Hill will help identify, develop and produce new scripted and unscripted projects across Seven Bucks Productions and Seven Bucks Digital Studios.

Hill moves to Seven Bucks from Wme where he spent six and a half years in the non-scripted television department. Hill was deeply rooted in Seven Bucks’ unscripted business at Wme and helped package several of the company’s projects including the anticipated forthcoming NBC series The Titan Games and Bet’s Finding Justice, both set to premiere in early 2019. Other projects Hill worked on with Seven Bucks include HBO’s Rock and a Hard Place, Spike’s Rock the Troops, CNN’s Soundtracks: Songs that Defined History and the critically acclaimed podcast What Really Happened? with documentarian Andrew Jenks.

In addition to Johnson and Garcia,...

Chicago – When a 13 year old African American teenager is suddenly put into the atmosphere of Germany – specifically Old Heidelberg – then a whole new adventure awaits for “Morris from America.” Craig Robinson (“The Office”) portrays the title character’s father, and the film is directed by Chad Hartigan.

Hartigan is doing his third feature film, after the recent “This is Martin Bonner” (2013). “Morris from America” is slightly autobiographical, as his Irish father and American mother were missionaries, and he had problems fitting in wherever they moved (see story below). The film was shot on location in Old Heidelberg, and was financed in part through Germany.

Craig Robinson Portrays Curtis in ‘Morris from America’

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Craig Robinson is familiar to fans of the TV series “The Office,” in his portrayal of Darryl. He was born in Chicago, and graduated from Illinois State University.

Chicago – The Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) keeps rolling, and it’s a blockbuster so far. Actors Michael Peña and Craig Robinson, along with director Ira Sachs, made appearances on behalf of their films “War on Everything,” “Morris from America” and “Little Men.” The festival runs through May 26th, 2016.

Michael Peña Meets the Chicago Film Critics, Patrick McDonald Fourth from Right

Photo credit: Dann Gire, Daily Herald

Throughout the 2016 festival, audiences can expect amazing cinema from the first quarter major festivals – including Sundance and South X Southwest – and there are a couple more director and celebrity appearances to go. For a complete schedule of these events and the films, click here.

Since this is a film festival curated by the Chicago critics, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com has asked some of the participating film critics to contribute to the Michael Peña interview, because it was a one-question-red-carpet situation (they will...

Bashir Salahuddin is set as the male lead opposite Regina Hall in Crushed, a single-camera comedy pilot at Hulu from Peeples writer-director Tina Gordon Chism, Lionsgate TV and Homegrown Pictures. The project, written by Chism, centers on an African-American family who stumbles into a successful wine business in Napa. The comedy is described as a fish-out-of-water story following the family's unorthodox approach to wine making and their unique life style. Salahuddin will…...

Andrea Martin is set as one of the two leads in NBC’s untitled Tracey Wigfield comedy pilot from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Also cast in the single-camera project from Universal TV is Kimrie Lewis-Davis (Scandal, Peeples). They join previously cast Adam Campbell. Written by Wigfield, the comedy centers on an already inseparable mother-daughter relationship that becomes more complicated when mom Carol (Martin) accepts an internship at her daughter's workplace, a news…...

Colm Feore (House Of Cards), Alex Kingston (Doctor Who) and Jacob Vargas (Sons Of Anarchy) will co-star opposite Regina Hall in the Hulu pilot Crushed, from Peeples writer-director Tina Gordon Chism and Lionsgate TV. The comedy, written by Chism, centers on an African-American family, led by brother and sister Will and Celia (Hall) who stumbles into a successful wine business in Napa. The comedy is described as a fish-out-of-water story following the family's unorthodox…...

Hulu has ordered a pilot for the comedy "Crushed" from Lionsgate Television and Homegrown Pictures. Tina Gordon Chism ("Peeples," "Atl") and Stephanie Allain ("Hustle & Flow," "Dear White People") serve as executive producers. Chism wrote the pilot script. Regina Hall is attached to star. "Crushed" is about an African American family who stumbles into a successful wine business in Napa. Described as a "fish-out-water story," the series will follow the family’s unorthodox approach to wine making and their unique life style. The project was initially set up at HBO in 2013 but the network didn't pick it up. Lionsgate...

I’ve learned that Regina Hall is set as the female lead in Crushed, a single-camera comedy pilot at Hulu from Peeples writer-director Tina Gordon Chism, Lionsgate TV and Homegrown Pictures. The project, written by Chism, was originally developed for HBO two years ago. Recently greenlit to pilot by Hulu, it centers on an African-American family who stumbles into a successful wine business in Napa, with Hall playing Celia, sister to Will. The comedy is described as…...

Kate Hudson and Kerry Washington have entered early talks for Amma Asante's Unforgettable.

The Almost Famous and Scandal actresses are eyeing Warner Bros' thriller, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film will centre around a newly-married mother who realises that her husband's ex is out for revenge.

Former actress Asante made her directorial debut with 2004's A Way of Life. Her most recent project was Belle.

Washington starred in Peeples and is attached to MGM romantic comedy Is He the One?.

Hudson was most recently seen in Good People and will star with Bruce Willis, Zooey Deschanel and Bill Murray in Barry Levinson's Rock the Kasbah.

It is yet to be revealed which roles Hudson and Washington would take in Unforgettable.

“Scandal” star Kerry Washington is working out a deal to star in “Belle” director Amma Asante's Warner Bros. thriller “Unforgettable,” about a war between a man's new wife and his ex, reports Variety. A number of high-powered women are involved: Christina Hodson is writing the script, and Warners in-house producer Denise Dinovi and her partner Alison Greenspan are producing. Warners production execs Andy Fischel and Racheline Benveniste are supervising. Hollywood now considers CAA-repped Washington a marquee draw thanks to her hit TV show “Scandal"; Washington's last films were “Peeples" and "Django Unchained." Earlier: As Michelle McLaren, who has earned her action bonafides on such cable series as "Game of Thrones," "Walking Dead" and "Breaking Bad," has landed the gig to develop and direct Warner Bros./DC Comics' "Wonder Woman." And Ava DuVernay and Angelina Jolie are both in...

Bet's “The Game” is going Greek. “Black Jesus” star Kali Hawk will appear on the upcoming eighth season of the show as Sonia Allen, Chardonnay's (Brandy Norwood) sorority sister, TheWrap has learned. Also read: Bet's ‘The Game’ Will End After Nine Seasons This casting would be a homecoming for Hawk, who previously starred on Bet's short lived comedy “Let's Stay Together.” Adult Swim viewers will recognize Hawk as Maggie on “Black Jesus.” She has also appeared in a recurring role on Fox's “New Girl” as Winston's (Lamorne Morris) ex-girlfriend Shelby. Hawk's film credits include “Peeples,” “Bridesmaids” and “Couples Retreat.” Also...

Kerry Washington is preparing to take a trip down the aisle. The "Scandal" star is in negotiations to play the lead role in "Is He the One," a new romantic comedy directed by "The Best Man Holiday" helmer Malcolm D. Lee, according to Deadline. Written by DJ Richardson and Michelle Morgan, the story begins with a woman dressing for her wedding day before flashing back to her last three relationships, leaving audiences to question which man she ultimately chose to marry. Washington's most recent big-screen appearance was in last year's Tyler Perry-produced comedy "Peeples" opposite Craig Robinson. She's a two-time Emmy nominee and one-time Golden Globe nominee for her role in "Scandal." Does "Is He the One" spark your interest? Let us know in the comments.

Scandal star Kerry Washington has signed on to star in the romantic comedy Is He the One? for MGM Studios.

The story begins with a bride (Kerry Washington) getting ready for her wedding, and ending with her walking down the aisle. The plot is told through flashbacks that showcase the three major relationships the bride has been in throughout her life. As her relationship history unfolds, it will remain unclear which of these three suitors will be waiting for her at the alter until the very end.

Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man Holiday) is directing from a screenplay by Michelle Morgan (Girl Most Likely) and D.J. Richardson, with Todd Garner (Into the Storm) producing. No production schedule was released at this time, but shooting will likely have to wait until Kerry Washington wraps production on Season 4 of her hit ABC drama series Scandal.

Kerry Washington most recently starred on...

A new addition to the cast of "The Walking Dead" has been revealed today! The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Tyler James Williams (Peeples, "Go On," "Everybody Hates Chris") is set to play a mysterious character named Noah in the upcoming fifth season, which debuts on AMC next month. Williams' character will mark the second character named Noah to appear on the series.

Parker Wierling played a young man by that name (a resident of Woodbury) in two season three episodes.

The post The Walking Dead Adds Tyler James Williams appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

A full trailer has been released for writer and director Justin Simien's Sundance hit, Dear White People. I've heard a lot of fantastic things about this movie, which is a comedic satire about race relations in modern America. I really like the humor that I'm seeing in the trailer, and this looks like a really entertaining movie worth checking out. Here's a synopsis for the movie:

Winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival’s Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent, Dear White People is a sly, provocative satire of race relations in the age of Obama. Writer/director Justin Simien follows a group of African American students as they navigate campus life and racial politics at a predominantly white college in a sharp and funny feature film debut that earned him a spot on Variety’s annual “10 Directors to Watch.”

Dear White People stars rising talents Tyler James Williams ("Everybody Hates Chris,...

Dear White People was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see, but I've been hearing nothing but great things. The movie is a comedic satire about race relations in modern America, and it was written and directed by Justin Simien. As you'll see in the trailer, he's willing take on sensitive topics and bring some humor to it. Here's a synopsis for the movie:

Winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival’s Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent, Dear White People is a sly, provocative satire of race relations in the age of Obama. Writer/director Justin Simien follows a group of African American students as they navigate campus life and racial politics at a predominantly white college in a sharp and funny feature film debut that earned him a spot on Variety’s annual “10 Directors to Watch.”

Dear White People...

Writer-director Justin Simien has earned quite a few accolades from the film festival circuit for his feature directorial debut Dear White People, including Sundance's Special Jury Prize for Breakthrough Talent. Now that the film's trailer is online, you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about. The provocative and satirical take on modern-day race relations follows a group of African-American students attending a predominantly white Ivy League school. I should probably mention that it's at least in part a tongue-in-cheek comedy, so we're not talking Higher Learning-level drama here. Starring Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon P. Bell, Kyle Gallner, Malcolm Barrett, Brittany Curran, Marque Richardson, and Dennis Haysbert, Dear White People opens October 17th in limited release. Hit the jump to watch the Dear White People trailer. Check out the trailer for Dear White People below, courtesy of Roadside Attractions: Fore more on the film,...

Writer-director Justin Simien‘s Obama generation satire Dear White People nabbed a Special Jury Award at Sundance and made Simien and his cast the talk of Park City in January. Film stars Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris, Peeples), Tessa Thompson (For Colored Girls, Veronica Mars), Teyonah Parris (Mad Men, They Came Together), Brandon P. Bell (Hollywood Heights), Kyle Gallner (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Cbgb), Malcolm Barrett (The Hurt Locker), Brittany Curran (Chicago Fire), Marque Richardson (The Newsroom) and Dennis Haysbert (24, Far From Heaven). Here’s the first teaser trailer giving audiences a taste of Dear White People, with a […]...

The Academy has launched a new digital documentary-style video series, titled "Academy Originals," which explores the creative process, as well as moments that changed the course of filmmaking, and the artists who are charting its future. The series launched yesterday with three episodes:Creative Spark: Tina Gordon Chism – Screenwriter, director and Academy member Tina Gordon Chism (Drumline, Peeples) takes viewers inside her creative process in an exploration of where ideas come from. Let’s Go to the Movies with Patton Oswalt – Follow along as comedian, actor and movie fanatic Patton Oswalt is offered the opportunity to screen any film from the Academy Film Archive and...

The Academy launches a new digital documentary-style video series, “Academy Originals,” which examines everything from the creative process, to the moments that changed the course of filmmaking, to the artists who are charting its future. Academy Originals is now available on Oscars.org/AcademyOriginals and YouTube.com/AcademyOriginals. The series launches today with three episodes: Let’s Go to the Movies with Patton Oswalt – Follow along as comedian, actor and movie fanatic Patton Oswalt is offered the opportunity to screen any film from the Academy Film Archive and analyzes it with comedian Karen Kilgariff. “Not Much to See”: How the Blind Enjoy Movies – A documentary look at the impact movies can have on people who can’t “see” them. Creative Spark: Tina Gordon Chism – Screenwriter, director and Academy member Tina Gordon Chism (“Drumline,” “Peeples”) takes viewers inside her creative process in an exploration of where ideas come from. Upcoming...

For those who don’t live in Southern California, this is the perfect way to experience Academy events.

The Academy has launched a new digital documentary-style video series, “Academy Originals,” which examines everything from the creative process, to the moments that changed the course of filmmaking, to the artists who are charting its future.

Academy Originals is now available on Oscars.org/AcademyOriginals and YouTube.com/AcademyOriginals. The series launches today with three episodes:

Let’s Go to the Movies with Patton Oswalt – Follow along as comedian, actor and movie fanatic Patton Oswalt is offered the opportunity to screen any film from the Academy Film Archive and analyzes it with comedian Karen Kilgariff. “Not Much to See”: How the Blind Enjoy Movies – A documentary look at the impact movies can have on people who can’t “see” them. Creative Spark: Tina Gordon Chism – Screenwriter, director and Academy member Tina Gordon Chism (“Drumline,...

In an effort to touch base with movie lovers outside of award season, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has launched a new video series talking about all things moving-picture.

The digital documentary series “Academy Originals” kicks off today with three programs about cult fandom (featuring Patton Oswalt and a favorite neo-noir of his), an exploration of how the blind experience movies, and how filmmaker Tina Gordon Chism (Drumline, Peeples) nourishes new ideas.

New videos will premiere every Monday.

Not Much To See

Creative Spark

Upcoming Academy Originals will feature Lucasfilm president and Star Wars: Episode VII producer Kathleen Kennedy,...

We're still several months away from the unofficial commencement of Oscar season, but the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences is determined is making an early appearance in the public consciousness. The body that votes on the Academy Awards has launched Academy Originals, a new web series about the art of filmmaking. The Academy kicked off its series with three varied features. In "Let's Go To The Movies", Patton Oswalt geeks out while perusing the Academy's collection of old film reels. "Creative Spark" goes inside the process of screenwriter Tina Gordon Chism (best known for films like Drumline and Peeples). The most enlightening of the three episodes is "Not Much To See", a short featurette that explains how the blind watch movies. The Academy's series will leverage the group's members--a group that includes more than 6,000 moviemaking professionals--and its huge archive of classic film footage. “Our membership represents the most creative...

Divergent may not be impressing critics anytime soon, but the action-packed beginning to yet another young adult-themed trilogy got a good head start on its $85 million costs with an estimated $56 million at the box office, far and away the big winner. In a surprisingly distant second place, Muppets Most Wanted ended up much more favorable with critics, but not audiences, earning only an estimated $16.5 million. Its debut take was comparable to the third week gross of Mr. Peabody & Sherman, which picked up an estimated $11.7 million. While none of the top three are domestic winners, Mr. Peabody & Sherman at least has made money counting worldwide take, while the others still have a ways to go…although still with a chance to do so.

300: Rise of an Empire tops the best of the rest as the grosses drop to single digits, earning an estimated $8.7 million (though the $110 million epic has been...

Happy Tuesday all, in today's episode it's the standard Tuesday thing where we go off on a variety of random tangents, focusing on news items, answering your questions, playing games and talking a little about Divergent, new DVDs and Blu-rays, Captain America, The Single Moms Club and the movie going experience. If you are on Twitter, we have a Twitter account dedicated to the podcast at @bnlpod. Give us a follow won'tchac I want to remind you that you can call in and leave us your comments, thoughts, questions, etc. directly on our Google Voice account, which you can call and leave a message for us at (925) 526-5763, which may be even easier to remember at (925) 5-bnl-pod. Just call, leave us a voice mail and we'll add those to the show and respond directly. An alternative to that option is a new way of leaving us a voicemail directly from your computer.

Video game adaptation Need for Speed wasn't fast enough to take the checkered flag this weekend. Instead, first place went to DreamWorks Animation's Mr. Peabody & Sherman.In its second weekend, Mr. Peabody fell 32 percent to $21.8 million. That's a better hold than last March's The Croods (39 percent), and also a slight improvement over How to Train Your Dragon (34 percent). To date, Mr. Peabody has earned $63.8 million; with good word-of-mouth and a lack of competition, it should reach $100 million by the end of the month.300: Rise of an Empire plummeted 57 percent to $19.2 million. In comparison, the first 300 dropped 54 percent in its second outing. So far, the sequel has banked $78.4 million at the domestic box office.Playing at 3,118 locations, Need for Speed opened in third place with $17.8 million. That's a somewhat disappointing start: it's lower than the worst Fast & Furious movie (Tokyo Drift, $24 million), and is roughly on par with past...

The predictions were that it was going to be a battle between Fox's Mr. Peabody and Sherman and Dreamworks’ Fast and Furious rip-off Need for Speed. Turns out it wasn’t even close.Peabody easily beat out Speed for first place, with $21.2 million, with 300: Rise of an Empire, last week’s No.1, holding on for second place, with Need for Speed coming in third, with $17.8 million, much less than the $25 million opening that was projected for the film.But the one big surprise was the underwhelming $8.3 million that Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club did this weekend, making it, after Tyler Perry’s Peeples, the second lowest weekend opening ever for any Tp film. Yet perhaps another ...

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Ahead of the release of The Single Moms Club, a film written, directed, produced by and starring Tyler Perry, we thought it was worthwhile looking back on all the Tyler Perry Productions (Tpp) that came before it. In total, Perry has produced 16 films (including Smc) from the ongoing Madea franchise to stand-alones, such as Temptation and Why Did I Get Married? All of the films have been met with varying degrees of praise and success. But who has actually sat down and watched all of them? Inspired by that question, I decided to review all of Perry’s film in order to grade and rank each film.

To see how they fall in order (from worst to best), flip through the gallery above. For a more in-depth, critical analysis keep on reading!

(Warning: The films were not watched in order of release. In fact, if watched in...

• Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx are in talks to star in Black Phantom, a Screen Gems hitman pic. Ride Along’s Tim Story is in talks to direct the film about a hitman reeling from a recent betrayal who hires the guy who was hired to kill him for help. Foxx can be seen next in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (out May 2). Hart’s Think Like a Man Too (also directed by Story) is out June 20. [Variety]

• Jason Sudeikis (We’re the Millers) is in talks to take on the role of L.A. journalist Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher in a Warner Bros....

Kali Hawk, whose recent roles include Peeples and Couples Retreat, has joined the cast of November Rule, the upcoming film executive produced by Queen Latifah. Starring Macy Gray, DJ Qualls (Hustle & Flow), Tatyana Ali and Sons of Anarchy's Mo McRae, the romantic comedy follows a sports shoe entrepreneur (McRae) who has made a "November rule" in order to keep his distance from the women. Every November, he breaks up with the woman he's seeing using a whopping lie. But when he realizes he's let go the woman of his dreams, he tries everything to get her back. Photos: The

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The 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards went off without a hitch earlier this evening (February 22) with "12 Years a Slave" continuing to make waves snagging the biggest prize of the night.

Before her film won Outstanding Motion Picture, the gorgeous Lupita Nyong'o added another piece of hardware to her already impressive collection taking home a trophy for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, while Kerry Washington snagged up her second Image Award with a win for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series. Kerry's show "Scandal" also won Outstanding Drama Series.

In addition, the hilarious Kevin Hart took home Entertainer of the Year, while Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to the late Nelson Mandela with a touching speech and musical dedication.

"He was everything we have all have heard and more. He was humble and he was unscathed by any kind of bitterness after all that we know he's been through," Winfrey said.

The 45th NAACP Image Awards were presented Saturday night (Feb. 22), with names like Kevin Hart, Kerry Washington, "12 Years a Slave" director Steve McQueen and Lupita Nyong'o being honored.

The Image Awards pay tribute to the best in film, TV, writing, music and literature. Take a look at the full list of winners below.

Winners are in bold.

Entertainer of the Year

Kevin Hart

Film

Outstanding Motion Picture

"12 Years A Slave" "Fruitvale Station""Lee Daniels' The Butler""Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom""The Best Man Holiday" 

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Forest Whitaker - "Lee Daniels' The Butler"Chadwick Boseman - "42"Chiwetel Ejiofor - "12 Years A Slave"Idris Elba - "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom"Michael B. Jordan - "Fruitvale Station"

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Angela Bassett - "Black Nativity"Halle Berry - "The Call"Jennifer Hudson - "Winnie Mandela"Kerry Washington - "Tyler Perry Presents Peeples"Nicole Beharie...

Here’s an example of why Brooklyn Nine-Nine earned that Golden Globe nomination: The Fox comedy is back Tuesday with The Office’s Craig Robinson guest starring as Doug Judy, one of Rosa’s perps who has information about the “Pontiac Bandit,” a car thief that Jake (Andy Samberg) has been tracking for years. Doug also has a laserdisc collection that leads to an excellent moment for fans of An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Watch an exclusive clip below.

If you enjoyed that, may we also recommend watching Robinson and his Peeples costar David Alan Grier reenact an alternate...

Chicago – Why are those three Oscar winners – Susan Sarandon, Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton – laughing on that fourth poster below? Because they managed to cash a paycheck on the way to participating in one of the Worst Films of 2013.

As studios pump out more and more product, more cinematic sewage clogs up the system. What do you need to avoid at Hell’s Video Store? Read on.

There are no rankings, because they are all rank. The ten are listed in descending levels of dread, caught up momentarily by the one-two punch (“Grudge Match!”) of Robert I-need-to-pay-off-my-vacation-homes De Niro. Each entry has a “Redeeming Factor,” because without it, HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald would probably rip out his eyeballs and have them blessed by Ultima (see below). And 10 of the worst films of 2013 are…

“We’re the Millers”

We’re the Millers

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

What is...

Last year Disney dealt with John Carter, this year it’s The Lone Ranger – it’s safe to say people were fired. Variety has published a list of the Biggest Bombs of 2013, and there are not a lot of surprises here if you keep up with the financial goings-on and box office results of the movies, everyone does that right? Harrison Ford was in two of them, so yes, he will sign on for more Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies thank you very much.

Ender’s Game: Estimated Budget: $115 million, Box Office: $87.9 million The Fifth Estate: Estimated Budget: $28 million, Box Office: $8.5 million Jack the Giant Slayer: Estimated Budget: $195 million, Box Office: $197.5 million Ripd: Estimated Budget: $130 million, Box Office: $78.3 million Oldboy: Estimated Budget: $30 million, Box Office: $4 million After Earth: Estimated Budget: $110 million, Box Office: $243.8 million The Incredible Burt Wonderstone: Estimated Budget: $30 million, Box Office: $22.5 million Bullet to the Head...

Forbes magazine have announced what they consider the year's biggest box-office duds. It's an interesting list, comparing a group of mostly low-mid budget studio pictures and their worldwide box-office performance.

At the top of the list was the Julian Assange-themed "The Fifth Estate" starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Despite being budgeted at $28 million and scoring better reviews than the other films on this list, the film pulled in a mere $6 million worldwide (making back only 21% of its budget).

Sylvester Stallone's "Bullet to the Head" came in second with just $9 million worldwide box-office from a $25 million budget (36%). In third was the Liam Hemsworth thriller "Paranoia" with a $13.5 million box-office haul from a $35 million budget (39%).

Next on the list were Jason Statham vehicle "Parker" ($17M box-office, $35M budget, 49%), the Crowe/Wahlberg thriller "Broken City" ($19M box-office, $35M budget, 54%), the dancing competition drama "Battle of the Year" ($11M box-office, $20M budget, 55%), the Ethan Hawke...