Reviews and Events – Page 89 – Unspool Hollywood

Holy Robin! Batman’s Boy Wonder Burt Ward Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Holy Robin! The original Boy Wonder Burt Ward from the 1966 television series Batman receives the 2,683 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Robin Boy Wonder is as iconic as the Boulevard that now displays his Star next to Batman Adam West and Bob Kane, one of the Batman character creators.

Bringing Batman to life was the Batmobile on display and the characters Batman, Catwoman, the Riddler and Robin that were present at the ceremony.

Ward's guest speakers were television personality Nancy O'Dell and Maria Menounos and Kevin Smith filmmaker. Menounos was all in on the Batman theme wearing a purple caped outfit with yellow accents and Batman logo.

A common thread with all of Ward's guest speaker was words of humbleness of Burt and his wife Tracy of 30 years, dedication to philanthropy with their organization Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoption that had helped 15,5000 dogs of all sizes and breeds that they established 23 years ago.

Ward has also established The First Annual Burt Ward Batman '66 Global Batusi for World Peace Day that took place Thursday. The First Annual Superheroes To The Rescue Award will be giving at the Global Batusi Day celebration.

Films Coming to the Screen in Los Angeles This Week: Like A Boss, Underwater, and More

January 10

Like A Boss
Good friends Mia Carter (Tiffany Haddish) and Mel Paige (Rose Byrne) personal and business relationship is put to the test when the beauty business they build from the ground up, is faced with a financial crisis that leaves them vulnerable to a hostile takeover by Claire Luna (Selma Hayek.). Who said beauty is always pretty? With Jennifer Coolidge, Billy Porter, Ari Graynor, Jessica St. Clair. Screen play by Sam Pitman, Adam Cole-Kelly; story by Danielie Sanchez-Witzel; written by Adam Cole-Kelly, Sam Pitman. Directed by Miguel Arteta.

Rated R
Genre: Comedy
Runtime 1:23
Paramount Pictures.

The Sonata

After the death of composer, Richard Marlowe (Rutger Hauer), who was long estranged from his daughter, Rose (Freya Tingley) a violinist, she travels with her manager, Charles (Simon Abkarian) to France to claim her inheritance, an old mansion. Stumbling upon her father's last composition, a sonanta. Filled with symbols, Rose and Charles begins a journey to find the hiding meanings that unleashes spirits out of their control. With James Faulkner. Written by Andrew Desmond, Arthur. Directed by Andrew Desmond.

Rated NR
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 1:30
Screen Media Films

Underwater

Norah (Kristen Stewart), a marine researcher, who along with her team are thrown into the fight of their life when their submarine laboratory is devastated by an earthquake when animals unknown to them are unleashed and terrorizes them. With Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher, Jr. Mamoudou Athie, T.J. Miller. Written by Brian Duffield, Adam Cozad. Directed by William Eubank.

Rated: PG-13
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 1:35
20th Century Fox

Just Cause with Jamie Fox and Michael B. Jordan that had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and a limited release on Christmas Day, will have a wider release this week.

2020 Awards Season Kicks Off With The 31st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala

The 2020 awards season kicks off with the 31st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala that took place last night, Thursday, January 2nd.

Hosted by Mary Hart, this year's honorees, all worthy of an Oscar nod are:

Cynthia Erivo; Breakthrough Performance Award, for her performance in "Harriett"
Joaquin Phoenix: Chairman's Award for his performance in "Joker"
Antonio Banderas: International Star Award, Actor for his performance in " Pain and Glory"
Laura Dern: Career Achievement Award for her performance in "
Zack Gottsagen: Rising Star Award for his performance in "The Peanut Butter Falcon"
Quentin Tarantino: Director of the Year Award for "Once Upon A Time …. in Hollywood"
Jennifer Lopez: Spotlight Award for her performance in "Hustlers"
Jamie Foxx: Spotlight Award, Actor for his performance in "Just Mercy"
Charlize Theron: International Star Award, Actress for her performance in "Bombshell"
Adam Driver: Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for his performance in "Marriage Story"
Renee Zellweger: Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress for her performance in "Judy"
Martin Scorsese: Sonny Bono Visionary Award for
"The Irishman"The Palm Springs Film Festival will take place from Thursday, January 2, 2020 through Monday, January 13, 2020.The first Palm Springs Film Festival took place in 1989 during the tenure of Sonny Bono as Mayor. Before his entry into politics, the former U.S. congressman was the half of the duo Sonny and Cher. With his extensive entertainment background made Bono a strong advocate for the films and the arts.

The PSIFF was established in 1989 during the tenure of Sonny Bono as Palm Springs' Mayor. Prior to his run for political office and becoming U.S. Congressman for the Palm Springs area, he was the 2nd half of the duo Sonny and Cher, which made him a strong advocate for films and the arts.

With over 180 films being screened, the film festival runs from Thursday, January 2 to Monday, January 13th.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Takes Over Hollywood

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker World Premiere Marquee. PHOTO: YEVETTE RENEE

JJ Abrams' final film of his trilogy Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker takes over Hollwodd at its world premiere on Monday, December 16, 2019.

The film was screened in three movies theaters on Hollywood Boulevard.

The white tent in front of the Dolby took up the entire block beginning at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive and ended at Hollywood and Highland Avenue. From now on I will guesstimate a film's budget by the size of its tent. Star War's tent was massive as you can see in the photo below.

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker World Premiere tent in front of the Dolby Theatre on Hollwood Boulevard. PHOTO: YEVETTE RENEE

The after-party tent at the Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker World Premiere on Monday, December 16, 2019 in Hollywood, CA.

Inside the Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker World Premiere tent.

Jordan Peele’s “Us” Wins Best Film, Best Director and Best Actress Awards From the African American Film Critics Association

Jordan Peele has another outstanding year with his Universal "Us" receiving three awards for Peele Best Film and Director and Best Actress for Lupita Nyong'o announced Tuesday by the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the world's largest group of black film critics.

Netflix's "Dolemite is My Name" comes in two awards, Best Actor Eddie Murphy for Best Actor and Da"Vine Joy Randolph for Best Supporting Actress.

Jamie Foxx performance in Warner Bros Pictures "Just Mercy" earns him the Best Supporting Actor award.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr. receives the Best Breakout Performance for A24's "Waves" and their film "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" for Best Independent Film and Taylor Russel performance in "Waves" earns her the We See You Award.

"Abominable" a Universal Pictures film wins Best Animated Film.

Netflix's "The Black Godfather received the Best Documentary award and their film "Atlantics" tied with Neon's "Parasite" for Best Foreign Film.

"Parasite" receives more recognition with the Best Screenplay Presented with The Black List: Bong Joon-ho.

Rounding out the awards are Universal's Queen & Slim" with the Impact

The entire list of 2019 awardees are listed below:

Best Director: Jordan Peele (Us, Universal)

Best Actor: Eddie Murphy (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o (Us, Universal)

Best Supporting Actor: Jamie Foxx (Just Mercy, Warner Bros.)

Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Breakout Performance: Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Waves, A24)

Best Animated Film: Abominable (Universal)

Best Documentary: The Black Godfather (Netflix)

Best Foreign Film: Parasite (Neon)

Best Independent Film: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (A24)

Best Screenplay Presented with The Black List: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite (Neon)

Impact Award: Queen & Slim (Universal)

We See You Award: Taylor Russell (Waves, A24)

AAFCA 10 Best Films of

1. Us (Universal)

2. Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

3. Just Mercy (Warner Bros.)

4. Clemency (Neon)

5. The Irishman (Netflix)

6. Queen & Slim (Universal)

7. Waves (A24)

Tie for 8. Parasite (Neon) and Atlantics (Netflix)

9. The Farewell (A24)

10. Harriet (Focus)

Award.

The We See You Award goes to Taylor Russell for their performance in A24's "Wave."

The entire list of AAFCA's 2019 award winners are:

Best Film: Us (Universal)

Best Director: Jordan Peele (Us, Universal)

Best Actor: Eddie Murphy (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o (Us, Universal)

Best Supporting Actor: Jamie Foxx (Just Mercy, Warner Bros.)

Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Breakout Performance: Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Waves, A24)

Best Animated Film: Abominable (Universal)

Best Documentary: The Black Godfather (Netflix)

Best Foreign Film: Parasite (Neon)

Best Independent Film: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (A24)

Best Screenplay Presented with The Black List: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite (Neon)

Impact Award: Queen & Slim (Universal)

We See You Award: Taylor Russell (Waves, A24)

AAFCA 10 Best Films of 2019

1. Us (Universal)

2. Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

3. Just Mercy (Warner Bros.)

4. Clemency (Neon)

5. The Irishman (Netflix)

6. Queen & Slim (Universal)

7. Waves (A24)

Tie for 8. Parasite (Neon) and Atlantics (Netflix)

9. The Farewell (A24)

10. Harriet (Focus)

Hooray for Hollywood’s 88th Christmas Parade

Hollywood has kicked off the holiday season with its 88th Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 1, 2019.

This year's parade is hosted by television travel expert Laura McKenzie and Eric Estrada of television show Chips. This year's co-hosts are former talk show host Montel Williams, Dean Cain of Superman fame, Elizabeth Stanton and Garrett Clayton and Mario Lopez from Saved by the Bell and Tonight Entertainment as the 88th Grand Marshall.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade gave a special recognition to musical icon and philanthropist, Bret Michael with the of the Year Award.

Currently on his Unbroken World Tour, Michael gave a live performance to kick off the Hollywood Christmas Parade. In addition to donating to the Marines Toys for Tots, he is sending much needed supplies to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, still devastated by hurricanes that ravaged these islands.

You can never go wrong with the lights and glitz of Hollywood. The Hollywood Christmas Parade doesn't disappoint, it brings out people and families of all ages.

Be sure to watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade on television, Friday, December 13th at 5pm PST/7pmCT/8pm EST on KTLA 5/CW Network.

Our American service men and women can view the parade on the American Forces Network on Sunday, December 22nd.

And on Hallmark Drama on Wednesday, December 25th at 1pm

Hooray for Hollywood's 88th Christmas Parade.

Music Legend Berry Gordy Receives Square Dedication in Hollywood

On Monday, November 25, 2019, Berry Gordy makes history once again with the Berry Gordy Square dedication at 6255 Sunset Boulevard and Argyle Avenue in Hollywood.

6255 Sunset Boulevard was the headquarters for Motown when Gordy moved his company to Hollywood in 1972.

The momentous event was hosted by Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, Council District 13. Council President Herb Wesson, Danny Bakewall were among the guest speakers.

In attendance to help Gordy celebrate was his best and life long friend, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Thelma Houston, Judge Mathis, Suzanne DePasse, Clarence Avant.

2019 marks the 60th anniversary of Motown and during those years Gordy was responsible for discovering and nurturing the careers of music icons, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Boys to Men, Rick James, Tina Marie, Rockwell just to name a few.

After conquering the world of music Gordy went on to place his musical acts on the popular television shows of the time American Bandstand, Ed Sullivan Show, and once Soul Train debuted, Motown artists dominated the space with hit after hit.

It didn't take long before he made his entry into film with Academy nominated films Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blue, starring Dianna Ross and Billie Dee Williams.

His autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown provided the foundation for his highly successful Broadway play, Motown the Musical, which has toured around the world.

The Berry Gordy Square dedication is a fitting tribute to the man who in 1959 founded Motown and created the soundtracks of our lives.

A special thanks to those who made the dedication possible, Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, Sean Starkey, Karla Bordy Bristol, Najee Ali and Brenda Boyce.

And an extra special thanks to Najee Ali and Karla Gordy Bristol who spear headed the efforts.

Key West Film Festival Has Announced the Winners of the 8th Edition of the Festival

Key West Film Festival has announced the winners of the 8th edition of the festival which ran November 20-24, 2019.

Waves directed by Trey Edward Shults, which closed the festival, was voted winner of the Audience Award.

After Parkland by Emily Taguchi & Jake Lefferman won for Best Documentary Feature, A Name Without A Place by Kenny Riches won for Best Florida Feature and Portrait of a Lady on Fire by Celine Sciamma won Best LGBT Feature.

Other winners include: Bacurau by Kleber Mendonca Filho and Juliano Dornelles for Best Foreign Feature and Atlantics by Mati Diop won the Critics Award.

During the festival Boys Don’t Cry director Kimberly Peirce and legendary actor Tom Skerritt (Alien) received prestigious Golden Key Awards.

Arianne Phillips received the Golden Key Award for Costume Design.

*****KWFF 2019 AWARDS******

WORLD Narrative Short & Documentary Short

Always Remember Me
Nell Teare

Underwater Senses
Leonardo Sergiani

WORLD STUDENT Narrative Short & Documentary Short

Where’s the Fire
Yonca Talu

Deaf Reach: Hope for Pakistan
John Quatroche

FLORIDA STUDENT Narrative Short & Documentary Short

Freewheel
Hollis Rosenkranz

In Human Kind
Juancho Rodriguez

FLORIDA Narrative Short & Documentary Short

The Things they Left Behind
Sara Werner

Phil & Grace | The World's Oldest Scuba Diving Couple
Sonny DePasquale

FLORIDA SCREENPLAY Short & Feature

SHORT: Violette Hayes: A True Story
By Giancarlo Fusi

FEATURE: Hearts of Key West
By Billy Nahn and David Fleer

FOREIGN Feature

FEATURE: Bacurau
By Kleber Mendonca Filho & Juliano Dornelles

DOCUMENTARY Feature

FEATURE: After Parkland
By Emily Taguchi & Jake Lefferman

FLORIDA Feature

FEATURE: A Name Without A Place
By Kenny Riches

LGBT Feature

FEATURE: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
By Celine Sciamma

CRITICS AWARD

FEATURE: Atlantics
By Mati Diop

AUDIENCE AWARD

FEATURE: Waves
By Trey Edward Shults

ABOUT THE KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL 2019

The Key West Film Festival — where passion meets paradise — is an annual celebration of contemporary cinema in a historically rich, artistically vibrant, and culturally diverse island community.

KWFF strives to showcase the best of Florida filmmaking talent, while highlighting visiting filmmakers and industry leaders through discussions and workshops, with access to some of the biggest names in the film business. The festival also looks to support the next generation of local student filmmakers with scholarships and other key awards.

The Festival’s Critics Focus program, enhanced with the juried Critics’ Prize,
together with the Costume Design Focus, marks the Key West Film Festival as a vital stop on the awards season’s fall festival circuit, with programs designed to support film criticism and craft while giving audiences greater context and perspective through public conversations guided by expert voices.

Key publications represented in KWFF Critic’s Focus program and Critic’s Prize at the festival include: Los Angeles Times, Vulture.com, Rolling Stone, Indiewire, Vanity Fair, Washington Post, TimeOut NY, RogerEbert.com and more.

Past guests have included: Burt Reynolds, John Waters, Mariel Hemingway, Harmony Korine, Marisa Tomei, Paul Haggis, Alan Cumming, Sebastian Junger, Tom Berenger, Paul Verhoeven, Billy Corben, Terry George, Corey Glover, Steven Bauer, Anson Mount, Celia Weston, Angus MacLachlan, Judy Blume, Ondi Timoner, Bob Wisdom, Val Lauren, Anne O’Shea, Lois Smith, Mark Bridges and many more.

For more information, visit our website: https://kwfilmfest.com
Twitter - @keywestfilmfest
Instagram - @keywestfilmfestival
Facebook - Key West Film Festival

#kwff #kwff2019 #tropiccinema

Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell Receive Stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Idina Menzel Hollywood Walk of Fame. PHOTO: YEVETTE RENEE

Tuesday, November 19, 2019, Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell stars of Disney's Frozen II receives the 2,681 and 2,682 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

These two dynamic actresses had two guests speakers each to introduce them. Idina had Disney heavy weight, Co-Chairman, Alan Horn and her Frozen co-star Josh Gad, Kristen was introduced by actress and comedian Jackie Tohn and the creator of The Good Place Michael Schur.

Idina's 10-year old son, Walker, with her ex-husband Taye Diggs and her current husband Alan Lohr and her mother where there to support her. She spoke about her father being unable to make the trip from Florida due to a leg injury as well as her sister.

The ceremony was hosted and emceed by Rana Ghadban, CEO and president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

In attendance to say a few words, was the former councilman for the Los Angeles 13th District and now its current Mayor, Eric Garcetti.

Frozen II opens Friday, November 22, 2019.

KEELEY HAWES JOINS HUGH BONNEVILLE IN UNTITLED PATRICA NEAL/ROALD DAHL PICTURE WHICH COMMENCES SHOOTING

New York, NY, November 14, 2019 – Align and Goldcrest Features announced today that the as currently untitled (f.k.a An Unquiet Life) feature starring Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), and Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, Misbehaviour), will begin filming on November 14th.

The story of the world’s most beloved children’s author, Roald Dahl (Bonneville) and his film star wife, Patricia Neal (Hawes) will be directed by John Hay (Lost Christmas, There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble). Hay also wrote the film alongside David Logan. The picture is being produced by Donall McCusker (The Hurt Locker), Adrian Politowski (The Artist), Martin Metz (Mandy) and Nick Quested (Danger Close ).

The film is an Align/Goldcrest presentation, produced by Atticus Films and financed by Align, LipSync Productions LLP and Goldcrest Features Inc. Principal photography commences on November 14th in Surrey, England.

Goldcrest represents the worldwide rights, and has already closed deals with Icon Film Distribution PTY LTD in Australia and New Zealand, Empire International in the Middle East, Paradiso Filmed Entertainment in Benelux, Red Apollo Group in China, and MVP Entertainment in India.

In 1962 Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal retreated to the English countryside to bring up their joyful and expanding young family. The unlikely pairing of an Academy Award-winning actress and a burgeoning children’s author, Dahl and Neal put their relationship to the test, revealing a love more painful than anything Roald Dahl ever wrote about in his books. However, for this remarkable pair, redemption and strength sees them changed forever.

“Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal seemingly had it all until an unimaginable event threatened to tear their family apart. I am so pleased we have attracted two award-winning talents in Hugh and Keeley to play these iconic roles,” Director John Hay said.

“I can’t wait to start work on this film,” said Keeley Hawes. “The story of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl is extraordinary, and I’m so excited to be part of it and so looking forward to working with the brilliant Hugh Bonneville and the hugely talented John Hay who has provided us with such a beautiful script.”

Donall McCusker, Producer, adds, “Award winning writers John Hay and Dave Logan have written a warm, funny and powerful script that we know is going to resonate with audiences throughout the world”.

Adrian Politowski, CEO of Align notes, “With a love as electric as Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal’s it’s no surprise a project as special as this one has attracted the likes of Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes.”

Align - Los Angeles, CA

Align is a film production and financing company launched by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi in 2019. The company is backed by a greenlight fund with the ability to $250M from 2019 until 2022. With an ability to fully finance features and television, the team focuses on 4 to 5 projects a year ranging from $5M to $30M in budget. Recent projects include BLITHE SPIRIT by Ed Hall and LOVE, WEDDINGS AND OTHER DISASTERS by Dennis Dugan. With headquarters in LA, Align maintains an international presence with staff in London, Brussels and Luxemburg.

LIPSYNC Post is an internationally recognised post-house, providing post-production services to the film and television industry for over 30 years. Since 2008, LIPSYNC Productions has invested over £80 million in over 180 feature film and TV projects. Such recent projects include ‘Minimata’, ‘Fisherman’s Friends’, ‘Colette’ ‘Out of Blue’ ‘Peterloo’ and ‘Harlots’. With regular festival appearances and over 200 major award nominations and wins, LIPSYNC has become one of the UK’s leading production partners.

Production Contact:
David Kennedy: dkennedy@goldcrestfilms.com,
+1 212 897 3922

PR Contact:
EG PR
Emma Griffiths
emma@eg-pr.com