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Days of Our Lives fans, today we’re looking at some of the incredible real-life romances of actors who met and worked together on the NBC Peacock soap. Some of these you may know about, some you may not. One lucky lady found love twice on the set, and she actually married two different hunks from Days. And one of those marriages is still going strong.

Days of Our Lives: The Enduring Love Story of Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes

All right, so we’re going to start with a couple you know about because we all cried last year when we lost actor Bill Hayes (Doug Williams). And then also had to say goodbye to his character Doug Williams. Not only were Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) and Doug one of the longest-running soap opera couples in the history of the genre. But their real-life marriage was absolutely couple goals.

Lilo And Stitch Live-Action Trailer ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

It’s here! The trailer for Lilo and Stitch’s live-action remake is here! Beloved blue alien creature Stitch comes back to life in an adorably fluffy form in this remake. The trailer was released on March 12, 2025, on the occasion of Chris Sanders’ birthday. Chris Sanders is the writer-director of the original cartoon show.

In the trailer, Stitch escapes from an alien space station, and he takes ‘the red one’ with him. He lands next to Lilo’s house. Lilo is a young girl who is often bullied and ignored by her peers. She wishes for a friend, and there comes Stitch. Lilo and her family take Stitch in. Stitch is a mischievous little creature who does not listen to anyone. He is sure smarter than other earthly creatures. The officials soon find Stitch’s location and try to get him back.

Is Sadie Sink Joining Tom Holland In Spider-Man 4? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man franchise is gearing up for an exciting new chapter, and this time, it’s bringing a familiar face from Stranger Things along for the ride. Sadie Sink, best known for her standout performance as Max Mayfield in the hit Netflix series, is reportedly joining Tom Holland in Spider-Man 4.

While Sadie’s role remains a closely guarded secret, fan theories are already swirling. Some speculate that she might play Gwen Stacy, a character previously portrayed by Emma Stone in Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man films.

Sadie Sink joins ‘Spider Man-4,’ @Deadline reports. pic.twitter.com/n7oS0xpAAq

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 12, 2025

Spiderman 4: Production Plans And Release Date

The film will start production this summer, with a release date of July 31, 2026. This time, Destin Daniel Cretton, the filmmaker behind Shang-Chi and...

CAA has signed Josh Groban in all areas.

The Tony, Emmy and five-time Grammy nominated singer and actor has sold more than 35 million albums and headlined well-known venues across the world.

In addition to his singing career, Groban has appeared on Broadway twice. In 2016, he made his debut starring as Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, which earned him a Tony Award nomination for best lead actor in a musical. He returned to Broadway in the 2023 revival of Sweeney Todd, starring in the titular role opposite Annaleigh Ashford, which also earned him Tony and Grammy nominations. Groban co-hosted the 2018 Tony Awards with Sara Bareilles.

He has appeared in television shows including Glee, The Simpsons, The Office, CSI: NY, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Crazy Ones, as well as in feature films Coffee Town, Muppets Most Wanted and Crazy, Stupid, Love.

In May 2025, he will play a...

The second episode of Suspect tonight sees Susannah (Anne-Marie Duff) clash with her former lover, DS Richard Groves (Ben Miller), as she becomes increasingly concerned about Jon’s (Dominic Cooper) murders. Richard, accompanied by his wife, Natasha (Tamsin Greig), appears to dismiss Susannah’s worries, leading her to suspect that he is hiding something. In this episode, […]

Suspect: Richard & Natasha...

On Wednesday 17 July 2024, Channel 4 broadcasts Suspect!

Richard and Natasha Season 2 Episode 2 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Suspect” on Channel 4, viewers will dive into a psychological drama. Susannah, played by Ben Miller, finds herself in a tense situation as she suspects her ex-lover Richard, portrayed by Tamsin Greig, is keeping secrets. The tension escalates as Susannah confronts Richard and his wife Natasha, played by Ben Miller and Tamsin Greig, respectively.

As Susannah locks horns with Richard and Natasha, viewers can expect intense moments filled with suspense and intrigue. The dynamics between the characters will keep audiences on the edge of their seats, wondering what secrets will be revealed and how the relationships will unfold. The intricate web of emotions and suspicions will captivate viewers as they witness the unfolding drama between the characters.

With stellar performances from the cast and a gripping storyline, “Richard and Natasha” promises to deliver...

Get ready for another intense episode of “Suspect” with Season 2, Episode 2, titled “Richard and Natasha.” This psychological drama airs at 9:30 Pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, on Channel 4, promising to deliver a riveting blend of suspense and emotion.

In this episode, Susannah finds herself in a tense confrontation with her ex-lover Richard, played by Ben Miller, and his wife Natasha, portrayed by Tamsin Greig. Suspecting that Richard is hiding something significant, Susannah locks horns with the couple, leading to a series of charged and dramatic encounters. The complexities of their past relationships and hidden secrets come to the forefront, creating a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

“Richard and Natasha” delves deep into the psychological nuances of its characters, showcasing the exceptional acting talents of the cast. The episode explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the intricate dynamics of love and suspicion. Fans of the...

Ingrid Michaelson is used to people crying when they talk to her about The Notebook. Earlier this year, she tells me on Zoom, her piano in the background, she did an interview about her work on the Broadway musical adaptation of the beloved 2004 film, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. The journalist she was talking to had lost both of his parents, and Michaelson had lost her parents as well — her mother in 2014, and her father three years later. “We both were staring at each other for like 30 seconds...

Actress Lily James ("Downton Abbey") poses for the new fragrance "Versace Bright Crystal", photographed by Mert & Marcus:

James is noted for her role as 'Lady Rose Aldridge' in the ITV period drama "Downton Abbey"...

...followed by her title role in the feature "Cinderella" (2015).

James started her career as 'Ethel Brown' in the 2010 BBC production "Just William".

Her first features included "Wrath of the Titans", "Fast Girls" ...

...followed by playing 'Countess Natasha Rostova' in the BBC historical drama series "War & Peace".

Click the images to enlarge…

Click the images to enlarge…...

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 9:02 Pm, Fox is set to air the fifth episode of the first season of “Snake Oil.” In this episode titled “Ice-t and Natasha Leggero,” the show features celebrity advisers Ice-t and Natasha Leggero.

“Ice-t and Natasha Leggero” offers a fresh look at the entertaining and imaginative world of “Snake Oil.” The show’s format involves participants presenting bizarre and creative product ideas, while celebrity advisers like Ice-t and Natasha Leggero offer their insights and expertise.

As the fifth installment of the series, viewers can expect more unique and amusing product pitches and see how the celebrity advisers provide guidance and humor to the proceedings.

“Snake Oil” showcases the power of persuasion and creativity as contestants aim to sell their extraordinary concepts. Tune in on Fox at 9:02 Pm to catch this fun and imaginative episode with Ice-t and Natasha Leggero.

Release Date & Time: 9:02 Pm...

Broadway actress Denée Benton compared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to a Ku Klux Klan leader during Sunday’s Tony Awards.

Benton took the stage during the live broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ to present the Excellence in Theatre Education Award from Carnegie Mellon University. Jason Zembuch Young of South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida, is the 2023 recipient.

In her remarks, Benton noted that she is not only a Cmu alum, but also hails from Florida.

“Earlier tonight, Cmu and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. And while I am certain that the current Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me, governor — of my home state of Florida…,” she said, as the audience applauded. “I am sure that he will changing the name of this following town immediately. We were honored to present this award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young, enhancing the...

Actor Denée Benton took aim at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during Sunday’s Tony Awards telecast, referring to the Republican presidential hopeful as a “Grand Wizard” as she presented an award for theater education.

On CBS’ live telecast, Benton saluted the 2023 recipient of the excellence in theater education award, Jason Zembuch Young of South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. Benton noted that she is a Florida native and she made reference to DeSantis’ many controversial moves on civil rights in the state by connecting him to the Klu Klux Klan white supremacist organization.

“I’m certain that the current grand wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me, governor of my home state of Florida,” Benton said, to a roar of applause from the crowd at the historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights. Benton seemed to nod to DeSantis’ legislative push in Florida to enact racist and discriminatory policies restricting school curriculums on American history,...

Exclusive: Broadway casting director Benton Whitley announced today the creation of Whitley Theatrical, a New York City-based casting and producing office for theater, film, and television.

Whitley is the co-founder, with former business partner Duncan Stewart, of the Broadway casting agency Stewart/Whitley. As reported by Deadline yesterday, Stewart is joining Rws Entertainment Group to head up its new casting arm Arc; the Stewart/Whitley agency has been dissolved.

Joining Whitley in his new endeavor is Associate Casting Director Micah Johnson-Levy, with acquisitions and legal counsel from Jordan Manekin, and business management by Karen Morales at Armanino Llp.

In a statement, Whitley said, “Over the last few years, as much disruption and needed change has happened both in the world at large, and specifically, the theater industry, it became apparent that the critical conversations around casting happen at the very first stage of a show’s development, making it the ideal...

“Raising Arizona” meets “Lars and the Real Girl” in Galilee Ma's sophomore drama short: “Natasha”. Beset with a strange obsession with Natasha (Meiko), a sex doll, a middle aged woman conspires to rescue her from a brothel. Despite its wildly captivating premise and build-up, the unusual film grasps at modern realities of alienation and grief in Taiwan with dwindling success. Still, strangeness abounds in this melodramatic vignette, and leaves one in anticipation of Ma's future endeavors.

“Natasha” is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival

The perennial ills of short filmmaking seem to be cases of brilliant ideas underdeveloped. “Natasha” opens with a splash, with an ominous, but tongue-in-cheek recital of a passage from the book of Revelations. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Immediately cutting away, we are thrust into the opposite...

Gatsby, the Broadway-aimed musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby first announced a year into the Covid pandemic shutdown, will make its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge in 2024.

Featuring music by by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett, lyrics by Welch and book by Martyna Majok, Gatsby will be directed by Tony-winning Hadestown director Rachel Chavkin, with choreography by Moulin Rouge!‘s Sonya Tayeh.

The musical will be produced by American Repertory Theater at Harvard University by special arrangement with Amanda Ghost and Len Blavatnik for Unigram/Access Entertainment, with Jordan Roth, president of Broadway’s Jujamcyn Theaters, in association with Robert Fox, joining the lead producing team. Hannah Giannoulis serves as co-producer.

The musical was first announced in April 2021. Additional information, including casting and productions dates, will be released at a later date.

Welch is the Grammy-nominated leader of rock band Florence + the Machine,...

Scarlett Johansson joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Iron Man 2 in 2010. Since that time, Johansson portrayed Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, in eight movies, culminating with Black Widow in 2021. After 11 years of portraying Black Widow for Marvel, fans watched Natasha change over the decade.

Related: 5 Avenger Villains Who Deserve Redemption (& 5 That Are A Lost Cause)

In Iron Man 2, Black Widow started as a hyper-sexualized undercover femme fatale and she eventually became a powerful leader who held the surviving Avengers together in Avengers: Endgame. In her last role in Black Widow, fans get to see her at the top of her game, receiving her own solo movie and completing her journey through the MCU.

It is just the latest film to be refused an exhibition license by the Ministry of Culture.

The Russian government has banned the release of Radu Jude’s Golden Bear winner Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn in the country due to its “promotion of pornography”.

Distributor Capella Film has been refused an exhibition license for the film by the Ministry of Culture despite its inclusion in full at the state-backed Moscow International Film Festival (Miff) in April.

“We are permitted to show the film without a censorship permit,” festival programme director Kirill Razlogov told Screen at the time.

It...

One of the most ambitious art projects known to humankind was finally unveiled to the world last year. Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s Dau explores the life of Nobel Prize-winning Soviet scientist Lev Landau, but it’s from the standard biopic. With over 700 hours of footage captured with 35mm cameras, the project spanned three years with a massive cast, all living in a working town. Early last year in Paris, Dau was made public to the world as part of an exhibit, which included a selection of 12 films as well as other experiences meant to immerse the attendee in this totalitarian world.

A year later, at this year’s Berlinale Film Festival, the first theatrical releases were unveiled, Dau. Natasha and Dau. Degeneration, which our writer Rory O. Connor found to be as astonishing as they were shocking. Now, in a surprise release, they have been made available online, followed by what...

One of this year’s Berlinale selections has already sparked controversy as the festival comes to a close this weekend. “Dau. Natasha,” the sophomore feature from Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovskiy, is a harrowing film experiment in which the director built a vast 42,000-square-foot set in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and cast some 352,000 people to live 24 hours a day in a meticulous rendering of a Soviet science institute. Ordinary people are asked to live in full character and hold normal jobs — even if that means facing repercussions from authorities if they wander from their routine. The movie, which won a cinematography prize out of the Berlinale on Saturday, culminates in a queasy scene of sexual assault that has led a group of Russian journalists to question the ethics of including the drama at all among the competition titles. In tandem, the director is tangling in his own share of controversy over the ambitious film.

“Sheytan vojud nadarad” (“There Is No Evil”) has won the Golden Bear Award at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, the Berlin jury announced at a ceremony on Saturday.

The film by director Mohammad Rasoulof consists of four different stories about military men in Iran who are asked to perform executions. It won in a competition lineup that consisted of 18 movies and also included Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow,” Sally Potter’s “‘The Roads Not Taken,” Philippe Garrel’s “The Salt of Tears,” Abel Ferrara’s “Siberia” and Christian Petzold’s “Undine.”

Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” the story of two teenage girls traveling from Pennsylvania to New York City for an abortion, won the Grand Jury Prize, the festival’s second-place award.

Also Read: 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' Director Explains Why Her Stars Auditioned in a Bathroom (Video)

Acting awards went to Elio Germano for “Volevo nascondermi” (“Hidden Away...

Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s “There Is No Evil,” a drama about the impact of capital punishment on society and the human condition, won the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin Film Festival on Saturday.

The seven-person festival jury, headed by Jeremy Irons, spread the prizes far and wide, with no single filmmaker dominating the awards.

American writer-director Eliza Hittman won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize for “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” a drama about teen pregnancy, while the Silver Bear for best director went to South Korea’s Hong Sang Soo for his Seoul-set drama “The Woman Who Ran.”

Rasoulof, who is unable to leave Iran due to a travel ban, faces a one-year prison sentence for “spreading propaganda.” The filmmaker released a statement on Friday expressing his sorrow at missing the premiere of “There Is No Evil”: “I am sorry that I will not be able...

A group of Russian journalists at the Berlinale have published an open letter to festival leadership, questioning their selection of controversial Russian film “Dau. Natasha” during a period “marked by the struggle against the culture of violence and abuse in the film industry.”

The post, published Saturday on Russian feminist film website Kkbbd.com and signed by five accredited journalists, takes aim at the alleged violence, both psychological and physical, towards cast members in the making of the Russian epic, which was largely shot on a sprawling Ukrainian set over several years, with cast and crew completely immersed throughout the period.

Directed by Ilya Khrzhanovsky and Jekaterina Oertel, “Dau. Natasha” is one instalment of a planned series of films culled from more than 700 hours of footage. A second film, “Dau. Degeneration,” premiered out of competition in the Berlinale Special selection Friday.

Addressed to Berlinale creative director Carlo Chatrian and executive director Mariette Rissenbeek,...

If you consider running-time alone, Russian content fills a considerable chunk of space in the official sections of the 2020 Berlinale.

This is primarily because of Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s mind-boggling large-scale simulation of the totalitarian Soviet system, the “Dau” project, which comprises 14 features — two are unspooling at Berlin, accounting for more than eight hours of screen time. “Dau. Natasha,” clocking in at two hours and 19 minutes, premieres in competition.

Described by the Dau website as “a tale of violence that is as radical as it is provocative,” it follows two waitresses in a top-secret Soviet scientific institute who strike up a cautious friendship when one is seduced by a foreign visitor, until the ministry of state security intervenes.

Meanwhile, the Berlinale Special title “Dau. Degeneratsia” has a running time of just over six hours. The story unfolds at the same institute shown in “Natasha,” where scientific and occult experiments aimed at...

“Dau. Natasha” has no credits to explain the wild concept behind its existence, but context is everything. The sophomore feature from Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovskiy follows his well-received 2004 debut “4,” but this is the rare case of an extensive delay that makes complete sense. The movie takes the form of a sexually explicit drama with a jarring Orwellian turn in its final act, and ends with a harrowing sexual assault, but the circumstances behind the scenes deepen the queasy intrigue that has defined the life of this project for more than a dozen years.

Khrzhanovskiy initially set out to make a traditional biopic of Soviet-era physicist Lev Landau, but the production later transformed into an epic installation piece, and eventually the most ambitious filmmaking experiment in history. The filmmaker built a sprawling 42,000-square-foot set in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and cast some 352,000 people to live 24 hours a day in a meticulous recreation of a Soviet science institute.

“Dau. Natasha,” the Russian art project-turned-movie franchise competing at the Berlinale, has triggered headlines in the local and international press over the years due to its epic scale, scenes of graphic violence and anecdotes of an allegedly oppressive work environment for women.

Hours before the film’s premiere at a presser on Wednesday, Ilya Khrzhanovsky, who co-directed “Dau. Natasha” with Jekaterina Oertel, addressed several questions from journalists about claims of harassment and a difficult on-set environment for women, saying that such accusations were “a bit fashionable” and a byproduct of the immersive nature of the film.

“I think what you’re referring to didn’t happen. It’s a rather odd project, so people go digging around, ‘Surely someone raped someone,’” he said. “This project was running for a long time and we worked with a lot of different people, and there were various conflict situations — but they all had...

Coproduction Office reveals first deals on ’Dau. Natasha’.

Four more Dau features are in post-production and ready to be unveiled at film festivals later this year and next, revealed Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovskiy, the co-director of Dau. Natasha, which is making its world premiere at the Berlinale tonight (February 26).

Dau. Natasha is the first standalone feature to emerge from the controversial multi-million dollar Dau immersive art project and is co-directed by Khrzhanovskiy and Jekaterina Oertel. Oertel was originally the head of makeup and hair design on the Dau project and took on an editing and co-direction role in post-production.

The...

Exclusive: After winning last year’s Tony for Best Direction of a Musical for Hadestown, Rachel Chavkin is making her feature film directorial debut on Paramount’s psychological thriller Shrew’s Nest, a remake of the 2014 Juanfer Andres-Esteban Roel Spanish movie.

Set in Spain during the 1950s, Shrew’s Nest (local title Musarañas) follows an agoraphobic woman who raises her younger sister in an apartment locked away from the world. But one day, a reckless young neighbor, Carlos, falls down the stairwell and drags himself to their door. Someone has entered the shrew’s nest, and it doesn’t look like he’s leaving. The thriller is reminiscent of such Oscar-lauded pics as Misery and Black Swan. Weed Road and the Gotham Group are producing for Paramount. The script was adapted by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski. Sony released Shrew’s Nest in Spain.

A NYU Tisch School of the Arts undergraduate and Mfa Columbia University grad,...

The Berlin International Film Festival on Wednesday morning revealed the main competition lineup and gala selections for festival’s 70th edition.

The festival, which begins February 20, will screen 18 films in competition, including movies from Sally Potter, Kelly Reichardt, and Eliza Hittman. Six are from female directors.

Among the gala presentations is Pixar’s” Onward.” The Dan Scanlon-helmed urban fantasy includes the voices of Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez, Kyle Bornheimer, Lena Waithe, and Ali Wong.

Here is the complete list:

Competition

“Berlin Alexanderplatz” (Germany/Netherlands)

Director: Burhan Qurbani

Cast: Welket Bungué, Jella Haase, Albrecht Schuch, Joachim Król, Annabelle Mandeng, Nils Verkooijen, and Richard Fouofié Djimeli

“Dau. Natasha” (Germany/Ukraine/United Kingdom/Russia)

Directors: Ilya Khrzhanovskiy and Jekaterina Oertel

Cast: Natalia Berezhnaya, Olga Shkabarnya, Vladimir Azhippo, Alexei Blinov, and Luc Bigé

“Domangchin yeoja” (“The Woman Who Ran”) (South Korea)

Director: Hong Sangsoo

Cast: Kim Minhee,...

Hadestown, the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical by Anaïs Mitchell, gave fans a holiday gift on Friday with a special music video for its original love song, “All I’ve Ever Known,” performed by cast members Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada (portraying Orpheus and Eurydice, respectively). The clip sees the pair walking cheerfully through Times Square together on a snowy day, overlaid with the song’s romantic lyrics.

Mitchell wrote the book, lyrics and score for the musical, becoming the first woman in years to have sole credit on a Broadway musical’s writing.

Take another look at leaked footage from Marvel Studios "Black Widow" solo feature, directed by Cate Shortland, starring Scarlett Johansson facing off against villain 'Taskmaster', with David Harbour as Marvel Comics' Russian superhero 'Red Guardian', targeting a May 2020 wide release :

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator John Buscema...

...'Alexei Shostakov' aka 'Red Guardian' was born in Moscow.

Both he and his wife became agents of the Soviets: his wife becoming 'Black Widow'...

...while he trained as a test pilot and 'Kgb' agent...

...to be the 'Soviet' counterpart to 'Captain America' as the 'Red Guardian'.

Cast also includes Florence Pugh as 'Yelena Belova', O-t Fagbenle and Rachel Weisz.

"I get to play 'Natasha' as a fully realized woman and in all of her many facets," said Johansson.

"I’m excited for fans to see the flawed side of her,...

Marvel Comics' "Black Widow" - Prelude #1, supporting the upcoming "Black Widow" solo feature film, is available January 2020, written by Peter David and illustrated by Carlos Villa, with a photo cover of Scarlett Johansson as 'Natasha Romanoff' aka former Russian covert agent 'Black Widow':

"...trace the 'Black Widow' history in the 'Marvel Cineamtic Universe'. From spy to 'Avenger', the enigmatic Black Widow has lived many secret lives.

"But how do these disparate episodes add up to the life of the heroic Avenger, and what is the thread that connects her past to her future? Get ready for Marvel Studios' 'Black Widow' solo feature with this glimpse into the storied history of 'Natasha Romanoff'..."

Marvel Studios "Black Widow" feature is directed by Cate Shortland, starring Johansson facing off against 'Taskmaster', with David Harbour as Marvel Comics' Russian superhero 'Red Guardian',...

Frank Zappa’s estate will mark the 50th anniversary of the guitarist and composer’s Hot Rats — released on this date in 1969 — with a six-disc reissue that offers a deep dive into the sessions that yielded the jazz-rock masterpiece.

The Hot Rats Sessions, due out December 20th via UMe and Zappa Records, compiles every composition recorded during the July 1969 studio sessions, including an “abundance of rare and unedited mixes, work mixes, relevant Vault nuggets and complete basic tracks mixed from the original multi-track master tapes,” according to a release.

The...

Take a look at new leaked footage from "D23" revealing Marvel Studios "Black Widow" solo feature, directed by Cate Shortland, starring Scarlett Johansson facing off against villain 'Taskmaster', with David Harbour as Marvel Comics' Russian superhero 'Red Guardian', targeting a May 2020 wide release :

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator John Buscema...

...'Alexei Shostakov' aka 'Red Guardian' was born in Moscow.

Both he and his wife became agents of the Soviets: his wife becoming 'Black Widow'...

...while he trained as a test pilot and 'Kgb' agent...

...to be the 'Soviet' counterpart to 'Captain America' as the 'Red Guardian'.

Cast also includes Florence Pugh as 'Yelena Belova', O-t Fagbenle and Rachel Weisz.

"I get to play 'Natasha' as a fully realized woman and in all of her many facets," said Johansson.

"I’m excited for fans to see the flawed side of her,...

Take a look at more leaked set footage from Marvel Studio's currently shooting "Black Widow" feature, directed by Cate Shortland, set between the events of "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War", starring Scarlett Johansson as 'Natasha Romanoff', aka 'Black Widow', facing off against villain 'Taskmaster', with David Harbour as Marvel Comics' 'Alexei Shostakov' aka Russian superhero 'Red Guardian', targeting a May 2020 wide release :

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator John Buscema...

...'Alexei Shostakov' aka 'Red Guardian' was born in Moscow.

Both he and his wife became agents of the Soviets: his wife becoming 'Black Widow'...

...while he trained as a test pilot and 'Kgb' agent...

...to be the 'Soviet' counterpart to 'Captain America' as the 'Red Guardian'.

Cast also includes Florence Pugh as 'Yelena Belova', O-t Fagbenle and Rachel Weisz.

"I get to...

New York is the city that never sleeps, and with so many events and activities each week across all five boroughs, it can be hard to know what’s actually worthwhile. Here are the events New York City actors should have on their radars this week. A great reunion for “Great Comet” co-stars.Grace McLean and Brittain Ashford, who starred together in the beloved Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” will reunite for a one-night-only concert Aug. 23. Held at Feinstein’s/54 Below, the duo will traverse “the ups and downs of love and loss” through songs spanning ’50s rock, ’90s angst, and beyond. (Tickets start at $40) “Celebrity Autobiography” is back.“Celebrity Autobiography,” the monthly comedy show at the Triad in which New York’s finest read aloud from the actual autobiographies of various celebrities, returns this month with an all-star lineup. The Aug. 18 installment will feature Mario Cantone,...

Though the Marvel Cinematic Universe is populated with numerous cool superheroes, there are few who’ve risen to the levels of sheer badassery for which Captain America and Black Widow are known. Having been around since the earlier films of Phase One, both have won over countless True Believers thanks to memorable performances given by Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, respectively.

Now, with Avengers 4 creeping up fast, one can only hope those two are granted a hell of a lot more screentime than they were in Infinity War. It sounds like we’ll get just that, thankfully, as apparently, the pair have grown closer, something co-director Joe Russo admitted while speaking with Wired:

“In Winter Soldier, what we found so compelling about pairing [Black Widow] up with Captain America was that he is a service paragon of morality and she is a paragon of gray. But they’ve grown...

CBS announced on June 6 that Bruce Springsteen will perform at the 2018 Tony Awards, which will be held on Sunday night, June 10, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The rock star will also receive an honorary Special Tony Award for “Springsteen on Broadway,” a special theatrical engagement that has run since October 2017.

Springsteen has been revered in the music industry for decades, ever since releasing his debut album “Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ” in 1973. Since then he has won 20 Grammys, which ties him with Henry Mancini, Pat Metheny and Al Schmitt as the 14th most awarded artist in history.

He has also won an Oscar for the original song “Streets of Philadelphia” from the film “Philadelphia” (1993). He earned another nomination two years later for the title song from “Dead Man Walking” (1995). And he has earned Emmy nominations for his 2001 “Live in New York City” concert special, and his 2009 Super Bowl halftime show.

It's Only the End of the World and Operation Avalanche recognized among the 2017 Canadian Screen Award NominationsIt's Only the End of the World and Operation Avalanche recognized among the 2017 Canadian Screen Award NominationsAdriana Floridia1/17/2017 2:50:00 Pm

This morning the Canadian Screen Awards announced their 2017 nominations, recognizing the best of last year's Canadian films.

The awards are given out by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. This year's nominees boast a diverse line up of films that tell stories not just in English and French, but also Mandarin, Atikamekw and Inuktiut.

The most high-profile of the bunch would have to be Xavier Dolan's It's Only the End of the World, which is a likely contender at the Oscars this year in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It made the shortlist of nine films that will be considered at the Oscars, which also includes Germany's Toni Erdmann and Chile's Neruda.

Now in its 26th year, Washington Jewish Film Festival (February 24 – March 6) explores gender, migration, the supernatural, Arab citizens of Israel, artists’ lives, and Lgbtq themes. In addition to the groundbreaking lineup of films, the Festival will host talkbacks and panel discussions with over 50 domestic and international filmmaker guests. The Festival is one of the region’s preeminent showcases for international and independent cinema.

A project of the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center (Dcjcc), the Washington Jewish Film Festival (Wjff) is the largest Jewish cultural event in the greater Washington, D.C. area. This year’s Festival includes 69 films and over 150 screenings at the AFI Silver Theatre, the Avalon Theatre, Bethesda Row Cinema, E Street Cinema, the Jcc of Greater Washington, the National Gallery of Art, West End Cinema, and the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater at the Dcjcc.

“We are excited to present our most ambitious Festival yet,” said Ilya Tovbis, Director of the Washington Jewish Film Festival. “The Washington Jewish Film Festival is a highlight on our city’s cultural calendar. This has been a banner year for original cinematic visions hitting the screen. It is a genuine pleasure to share this crop of bold, independent, film voices that have been garnering praise at Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and elsewhere, with DC audiences. This year’s Festival simultaneously challenges and expands on our understanding of Jewish identity.”

The lineup includes new and classic films, encompassing a wide range of Jewish perspectives from the United States, Israel, Europe, Asia, and Africa. While the Festival touches a broad set of themes, this year’s lineup offers two programmatic focuses – one on the lives of artists (“Re-framing the Artists”) and the other on Lgbtq individuals (“Rated Lgbtq”). “Reframing the Artist” features an in-depth exploration of artists’ lives, accomplishments, and inspiration. The seven-film “Rated Lgbtq” series explores sexuality, gender, and identity on screen.

The Festival will also engage attendees with off-screen programming including “Story District Presents: God Loves You? True Stories about Faith and Sexuality,” an evening of true stories presented in partnership with Story District, and the 6th Annual Community Education Day on Arab Citizens of Israel. Kicked off by a screening of "Women in Sink," this day features in-depth conversations with Reem Younis, co-founder of Nazareth-based global high-tech company Alpha Omega, and Tziona Koenig-Yair, Israel’s first Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner.

A full Festival schedule can be found at www.wjff.org . Select highlights are included below:

Opening Night: "Baba Joon"

Opening Night features Israel’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award®, "Baba Joon," a tender tale of a generational divide and the immigrant experience. Yitzhak (Navid Negahban of Showtime’s Emmy Award-winning original series “Homeland”) runs the turkey farm his father built after they emigrated from Iran to Israel.

When his son Moti turns 13, Yitzhak teaches him the trade in hopes that he will take over the family business — but Moti’s dreams lie elsewhere. The arrival of an uncle from America further ratchets up the tension and the family’s tight bonds are put to the test. Opening Night will be held at the AFI Silver Theatre on Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. The Opening Night Party, with DirectorYuval Delshad, will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza immediately following the screening.

Closing Night : "A Tale of Love and Darkness"

Closing Night centers on Academy Award®-winning actress Natalie Portman in her debut as a director (and screenwriter) in a hauntingly beautiful adaptation of Amos Oz’s best-selling memoir, "A Tale of Love and Darkness." In this dream-like tale, Portman inhabits Fania—Oz’s mother—who brings up her son in Jerusalem during the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the early years of the State of Israel. Dissatisfied with her marriage, and disoriented by the foreign land surrounding her, Fania escapes into elaborate, fanciful stories of make-believe — bringing her adoring, wide-eyed son along. Closing Night will be held at the Dcjcc on Sunday, March 6 at 6:45 p.m. Followed by a Closing Night Reception and the Audience Award Ceremony.

Wjff Visionary Award Presented to Armin Mueller-Stahl

The Wjff’s Annual Visionary Award recognizes creativity and insight in presenting the full diversity of the Jewish experience through moving image. The 2016 honoree is Armin Mueller-Stahl, who will join us for a special extended Q&A and the presentation of the Wjff Visionary Award. The award will be presented alongside a screening of Barry Levinson’s 1990 film "Avalon," an evocative, nostalgic film that celebrates the virtues of family life. “Avalon” begins with Jewish immigrant Sam Krichinsky (portrayed by Armin Mueller-Stahl) arriving in America on July 4th. He settles in Baltimore with his brothers and raises a family. Director Barry Levinson traces various transitions within the Krichinsky family and conveys his appreciation for the anxieties that afflict the suburban middle-class – and multiple generations of immigrants in particular.

Armin Mueller-Stahl is a German actor, painter, writer and musician. He began acting in East Berlin in 1950, winning the Gdr State Prize for his film work. By 1977, however, he was blacklisted by the communist regime due to his persistent activism in protesting government suppression of the arts. After relocating to the West in 1980, he starred in groundbreaking independent European films, such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s “Lola” and “Veronika Voss” and Agnieszka Holland’s “Angry Harvest.” He gained major recognition stateside with two radically different characterizations: an aging Nazi war criminal in Costa-Gavras’ “The Music Box” and Jewish grandpa Sam Krischinsky in Barry Levinson’s “Avalon.” He went on to earn an Oscar® nomination for his role in Scott Hicks’ Shine and appeared in such varied work as “Eastern Promises,” “The Game,” “The West Wing,” “The X Files” and “Knight of Cups.”

The Wjff Visionary Award program will take place at the AFI Silver Theatre on Thursday, March 3 at 6:45 p.m.

Spotlight Evening:

Compared to What? The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank

A polarizing, revolutionary, effective and a most-singular figure in American politics, Barney Frank shaped the debate around progressive values and gay rights in the U.S. Congress for over 40 years. A fresh and contemporary political drama with unparalleled access to one of Congress’ first openly gay Representatives and easily one of the most captivating public figures in recent memory.

Born Jewish, and a longtime friend to the Jewish community and supporter of Israel, Frank is refreshingly honest, likeable and passionate – a beacon of statesmanship that politicians and citizens alike, can look to for inspiration.

Screenings will take place on Tuesday, March 1st at the Avalon Theatre at 6:15 p.m. and Wednesday, March 2 at the Dcjcc at 6:15 p.m. Both screenings followed by a discussion with Barney Frank, husband Jim Ready and filmmakers Sheila Canavan and Michael Chandler.

Spotlight Evening:

Gary Lucas’ Fleischerei: Music From Max Fleischer Cartoons

Celebrating the release of the titular album—on Silver Spring-based label Cuneiform—legendary guitarist Gary Lucas joins forces with Tony®-nominated singer and actress Sarah Stiles (Q Street,Hand to God) for a loving musical tribute to the swinging, jazzy soundtracks that adorned master animator Max Fleischer’s surreal, wacky and Yiddish-inflected "Betty Boop" and "Popeye" cartoons of the 1930’s.

Backed by the cartoons themselves, and the cream of NYC’s jazz performers (Jeff Lederer on reeds, Michael Bates on bass, Rob Garcia on drums and Mingus Big Band’s Joe Fiedler on trombone), Lucas and Stiles have a rare evening in store. Get ready for a swirling melting-pot of jungle-band jazz, Tin Pan Alley torch songs, raucous vaudeville turns, and Dixieland mixed with a pinch of Klezmer.

This event will take place at AFI Silver Theatre on Saturday, March 5 at 8:30 p.m.

Additional Films of Note

The Wjff will present the mid-Atlantic premiere of "Barash." In the film, seventeen-year-old Naama Barash enjoys drugs, alcohol and hanging out with like-minded friends. Her activities are an escape from a strained home life where her parents fight and her rebellious, army-enrolled sister wreaks havoc by dating a Palestinian before going Awol all together. As her parents fret about their older daughter’s disappearance, Naama meets a wild girl in school and discovers the intoxicating rush of first love. “Barash” will be screened three times during the festival, on February 27 at 8:45 p.m. at E Street Cinema, on March 2 at 8:45 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre and on March 3 at 6:15 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema.

"Black Jews: The Roots of the Olive Tree" will have its World Premiere at Wjff. The documentary offers a fascinating exploration of African tribes with Jewish roots – in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cameroon. Some claim to be descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes; others believe their ancestors were Jews who immigrated from Judea to Yemen. Far from a dry archaeological account, the film focuses on the modern-day personal and institutional practice of Judaism throughout Africa, as well as of recent African immigrants in Israel. This film will be screened on March 2 at 6:45 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema and on March 3 at 6:30 p.m. at E Street Cinema.

The mid-Atlantic premiere of "Demon," from director Marcin Wrona, features a chilling, modern interpretation of the Dybbuk legend. Piotr’s joy at visiting his bride-to-be at her Polish home is quickly upended by his discovery of human bones on the property. Since his future father-in-law plans to gift the newlyweds the land, Piotr at first overlooks this ominous find. The disturbed spirit inhabiting these remains isn’t willing to let him off so easily however. Marcin Wrona’s wickedly sharp and creepy story of possession is set against a bacchanal celebration of blissful union. “Demon” will be screened on February 25th at 8:45 p.m. at E Street Cinema and on March 1 at 9:15 p.m. at AFI Silver Theatre.

From Spain, the mid-Atlantic premiere of "Dirty Wolves" is a WWII thriller imbued with notes of magical realism. Director Simón Casal works in the Wolfram (aka tungsten) mines in rural Galicia. A ruthless Nazi brigade, intent on harvesting the rare metal to feed the Third Reich’s war machine, has captured the mines. When Manuela’s sister helps a Jewish prisoner cross the border to Portugal, they are unwittingly forced into a desperate test, which puts their survival squarely at odds with their sense of justice. “Dirty Wolves” will be screened on February 27 at 6:15 p.m. at West End Cinema, on March 1 at 8:45 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre and on March 2 at 6:45 p.m. at AFI Silver Theatre.

In "The Hebrew Superhero," directors Saul Betser and Asaf Galay examine how Israelis long shunned comics as something on the cultural fringe – they were deemed childish, trivial and, perhaps most cuttingly, un-Israeli. Shaul Betser and Asaf Galay (“The Muses of Isaac Bashevis Singer”) outline the medium’s origins, tracing its evolution from quirky upstart to an indelible reflection on the various forms of Israeli heroes. Featuring gorgeous animation and interviews with Daniella London Dekel, Etgar Keret and Dudu Geva, Wjff is presenting the mid-Atlantic premiere of this documentary, which will be screened on February 25 at 7:15 p.m. at the AFI Silver Theatre, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema and March 3 at 8:30 p.m. at E Street Cinema.

Simone Veil’s intrepid fight to legalize abortion in France is brilliantly brought to life in "The Law." In 1974, Veil was charged with decriminalizing abortion and easing access to contraceptives. Facing strong opposition from politicians, an enraged public and the Catholic Church, Veil— an Auschwitz survivor—refused to give up. Fighting for justice amidst a swirl of anti-Semitic sentiment, sexism and personal attacks, her perseverance struck at the heart of national bigotry in a rallying cry for a woman’s right to choose. Wjff will present the D.C. premiere of this French film. It will be screened on February 25 at 8:15 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema, on February 29 at 8:45 p.m. at E Street Cinema and on March 5 at 4:45 p.m. at the Dcjcc.

At 90, Miriam Beerman is a survivor. This groundbreaking artist and Potomac, Maryland resident has overcome personal tragedy to inspire friends, family, peers, patrons and students about how to remain defiant, creative and strong. Miriam has struggled with her artistic demons to create haunting images that evoke the suffering of generations of victims. "Miriam Beerman: Expressing the Chaosis" a memorable profile of an artist who has elevated her empathy for the plight of the world’s cast-offs into powerful portrayals of dignity. The Wjff is hosting the mid-Atlantic premiere of this documentary. Screenings will take place on March 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema and March 3 at 6:15 p.m. at the Dcjcc.

Author and director David Bezmozgis brings his film "Natasha" to Wjff for its D.C. premiere. Adapting his prize-winning story collection,Natasha and Other Stories, to screen, Bezmogis delivers a tragic story of young love. Sixteen-year-old Mark Berman, the son of Latvian-Jewish immigrants, wiles away his hours reading Nietzsche, smoking pot and watching porn. His slacker lifestyle is upended when a 14-year-old hurricane, named Natasha, enters the picture. Drawn to her reckless ways and whispers of her promiscuous past, Mark enters an illicit romance with calamitous consequences. Screenings will take place on February 28 at 5:00 p.m. at West End Cinema, March 3 at 8:30 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema and March 5 at 6:15 p.m. at AFI Silver Theatre.

If you believe the fastest way to the heart is through the stomach, "In Search of Israeli Cuisine" offers a delectable, eye-popping culinary journey through Israel is your personal valentine. Weaving through bustling markets, restaurants, kitchens and farms, we meet cooks, vintners and cheese makers drawn from the wide gamut of cultures making up Israel today — Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Christian and Druze. With James Beard award-winning chef Michael Solomonov as your guide, get ready for a cinematic buffet that’s humorous, heady, and of course, delicious! Wjff will be showing the mid-Atlantic premiere of this new documentary. Screenings will take place on February 28 at 5:15 p.m. at E Street Cinema, March 1 at 8:15 p.m. at Bethesda Row Cinema and March 4 at 12:30 p.m. at the Dcjcc.

A complete festival schedule can be found online at www.wjff.org...

Natasha

Directed by David Bezmozgis

Canada, 2015

Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival

Mark (Alex Ozerov) is a typical suburban teenager. He doesn’t want to get a summer job (who needs one when selling pot will trump any minimum wage gig?), he parties with his friends, and he watches porn. When his uncle marries a Russian immigrant Mark and his new cousin Natasha (Sasha K. Gordon) start an unexpected, illicit relationship.

David Bezmozgis’ second feature tries to tackle a lot. Issues of the immigrant experience, Arab-Israeli conflict, and sex worker exploitation all come out, at least as background. Though the film bites off a lot, it’s really digestible in the simple conversations between Mark and Natasha. The two have a decent chemistry that easily transcends the rest of the movie, which is sometimes awash in cliché and clumsiness.

There are believability issues in the film. Sometimes it’s small and insignificant:...

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