Remembering Chadwick Boseman

The world was shocked Friday night to hear of the devastating loss of actor Chadwick Boseman. At just 43 years old, Boseman passed away after a four year battle with colon cancer. The news didn’t seem real for an actor at the height of his success. 

Chadwick Boseman was born in South Carolina to Carolyn and Leroy Boseman, a nurse and textile worker. He showed a passion for the arts from a young age, writing his first play in high school. Boseman graduated from Howard University and went on to study acting at the British American Drama Academy. His tuition was partially funded by none other than Denzel Washington.

Although he had a string of TV appearances in the mid-2000s, his career took off in 2013 when he played Jackie Robinson in the baseball film 42. It was immediately evident to anyone who saw the film that Boseman was a star. He followed that up by playing James Brown in Get on Up the following year. Something that Boseman did throughout his career was portray historical black individuals with grace and dignity. From Jackie Robinson to James Brown, to Thurgood Marshall in 2017’s Marshall. He brought a voice to these individuals through layered and emotional biopics, making sure that the public could see their stories on the big screen.

Shortly after the success of 42 and Get on Up, Boseman’s life changed as he booked the role of T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was first introduced as the character in Captain America: Civil War. Of course, he got his solo film in 2018 when Black Panther was released in theaters. I’ll never forget seeing Black Panther in a packed theater with a crowd that adored every single second of the movie. There were cheers, gasps, and applause. Everyone loved T’Challa and Boseman’s take on the character. He owned the role with confidence and humility.

Simply put, he was perfectly cast. He continued playing the character in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a theater so excited as the moment T’Challa appears to help Captain American defeat Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. It was truly an unforgettable moment.

His most recent appearance was in Da Five Blood’s released on Netflix in June. The film takes on a whole new emotional meaning as Boseman’s character plays a fallen soldier remembered by his comrades. His final performance will be in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, based on an August Wilson play about a Chicago recording session in 1927. It is said that he has a large in the film, which will premiere later this year on Netflix.

Chadwick Boseman could have easily told the world about his cancer diagnosis four years ago. He had every right. Any performer going through something so painful on a daily basis could easily talk about it in a tell-all interview. Yet, he chose to focus on his art. He filmed Marshall, Infinity War, Endgame, Da Five Bloods, Black Panther, 21 Bridges, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom with colon cancer. Seven movies. This is proof that you truly never know what others are going through.

We certainly won’t forget the work of Chadwick Boseman and everything he has contributed to the film community. I send my thoughts and prayers to his family as they deal with this tremendous loss. Life is precious. Take some time to reach out to your loved ones today. 

Trailer for "Death of the Nile" Premieres

The sequel to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express finally has a release date and a trailer! Death on the Nile will be in theaters on October 23, 2020. With the coronavirus affecting so many theatrical releases, keep in mind it’s always possible that date will move or the movie could have an On-Demand option as well.
The sequel follows Hercule Poirot as he encounters an all-new set of characters in the Nile. It’s there that he investigates the murder of a young heiress.

You can watch the trailer linked below that shows off the new cast that includes Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, Rose Leslie, Anette Bening, Emma Mackey, Letitia Wright, and, of course, Kenneth Branagh who also directed the film. (Let’s hope it’s a lot better than his most recent directorial venture, Artemis Fowl.) It looks like there’s plenty of mystery and intrigue in this sequel.

Mulan set to Premiere on Disney Plus in September

After an initial release date set for March, Disney’s live-action Mulan has been delayed five months due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s been a long period of uncertainty for the movie as everyone wondered what would happen to the blockbuster. A film like Mulan seemed destined to open on the big screen, but how is that possible when the theaters aren’t a safe environment? 

We got our answer yesterday. Disney has announced that Mulan will premiere on Disney Plus on September 4th for a fee of $30. Interestingly enough, this news has been met with mixed reactions from different groups. For big families, this is great news. For a family of four or more, this is a better deal than going to the theater considering a ticket could easily be $14 per person. For someone like me who pays $20 a month for unlimited movies with AMC A-List, this price seems a bit steep.

One thing we need to take into consideration is that the budget for Mulan was $200 million so the price point makes sense if Disney wants to break even or eventually make that money back. Another important tidbit of info is this isn’t a 2-day rental that disappears like the recent Trolls: World Tour or The King of Staten Island releases. Once you pay, you have access to Mulan as long as you are a subscriber of Disney Plus.

The decision to push Mulan to Disney Plus is a massive move. This is one of the biggest streaming releases ever. I will be paying to see Mulan, considering it’s been months since an exciting blockbuster has come along. The original is a personal favorite, and it will be exciting to see the live-action version. However, I can’t deny how much I wish it could be seen in the theater. Please go away coronavirus so the theaters can come back!

Academy Awards Delayed Due to Coronavirus

If you’ve been thinking that there has been an extreme lack of new movies lately, you’re not alone. 2020 has hit the film industry hard. So much so that it has just been announced that the 2021 Academy Awards ceremony has been delayed an extra two months to April 25, 2021. The ceremony typically takes place in late February but due to the pandemic and its impact on the film industry, the Oscars will be delayed. This has caused shifts in film eligibility and member voting.

The most major aspect of this effects the eligibility period of certain films hoping to be up for Oscar consideration. Usually, the Academy only considers films that are released from January to December. This year, they have made an exception to extend the deadline to February 28th, 2021. This means that film’s released up until that date can be eligible for Oscar consideration. On the one hand, this will help out many filmmakers who have been unable to shoot and finish their films that were supposed to come out by the end of the year. On the other hand, it’s going to cause a lot of confusion for the 2021 awards season if a movie released in January/February 2021 is competing against a movie released in 2020.

Here is a chart that helps explain the situation and key dates for the 2021 Academy awards. One thing’s for sure, we’ve got a long way to go before the next Academy Awards take place!

Will Theaters Re-Open by Summer?

I’m going to be honest; I miss going to the movies! What a rush it was to walk past the overpriced concession stand, knowing I was sneaking Chic-Fil-A into the theater. Would I get caught? No, because the employees did not care. Then as I turned the corner into the auditorium, it was time to find out what kind of audience would be watching the movie with me. There are so many types of movie audiences! The loud laughers who react to every single joke. The line reciters who quote every line directly after the main character, like they’re preparing for an acting audition. The snackers who spend the whole movie rummaging through their tub of popcorn. My personal favorites, the silent spectators who watch the movie quietly. I’ve watched with all types of fellow moviegoers waiting to see if we were about to watch a masterpiece or a flop. That’s all part of the fun just taking in the movies without fear of a global pandemic coming our way.

On March 1st, I went to see Emma in theaters without any idea of what was about to happen. Less than two weeks later, the world had descended into chaos, and I had no clue when I would step foot into a theater again. After two months of lockdown, some states have started to lift restrictions while still encouraging social distancing guidelines. Many events that used to seem normal, like movies, sporting events, and concerts, are huge question marks for the future with the coronavirus looming. It’s unknown when we will be able to return to a life with these activities. Some movies like Trolls: World Tour and Scoob have skipped the theater experience altogether and opted for VOD. That isn’t exactly an ideal possibility for big blockbusters. James Bond: No Time To Die, Mulan, and Black Widow were all supposed to be released by now but moved because of the coronavirus outbreak. What does the future look like for these and other films? Will we see theaters reopen this year? Is it even a safe option?

As of right now, big theater chains like AMC and Regal are closed until there is any new content on the calendar, which looks to be July. The first major theatrical release on the calendar is Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, currently set for July 17th. Nolan has a huge built-in fan base with previous films like Inception, The Dark Knight, and Interstellar. His movies always draw significant audience turnout. The July 17th release date could easily change as every other release date has lately, but, interestingly, Warner Brothers has not moved it yet. If Tenet does open in July, it will be very interesting to see what it does for the film industry. I wonder if people will get out and see it or be more reluctant to go back to the theaters. I have a feeling the second I post this a news article will come out that says Tenet has been moved, making this entire post irrelevant.

If nothing changes with current release schedules, Disney’s live-action Mulan is on track to release the following week on July 24th. (It was previously set to be out in March …that didn’t work out obviously.) On the one hand, the Tenet/Mulan combo would be huge for the movie industry and box office. On the other hand, can people socially distance and stay safe at the theaters while trying to see these movies? It’s just a tough situation as we all try to navigate how to live in the age of coronavirus.

Other notable releases still tracking for the summer include Wonder Woman 84 on August 14th, Bill and Ted Face the Music (yes, A Bill and Ted sequel) on August 21st, and A Quiet Place II on September 4th. We’ll see if all of these movies keep these dates, but that’s where everything stands right now.
How do you feel about potentially going back to the theater this summer? Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do, but truthfully, I don’t know when I’ll go back. This has been a terrifying time, unlike anything we’ve ever lived through. Right now, I’m just keeping up with the data and taking things one step at a time. I hope everyone is staying safe!

5 Questions I Have About "Dune"

In the last few days, the film world has been buzzing with newly released photos of Dennis Villeneuve’s adaption of Dune. The film is based on a sci-fi novel of the same name and a 1980s movie. Truthfully, I’m not familiar with either, but there is a reason I have any interest in this whatsoever, and his name is Timothee Chalamet. Yes, I do have fallen into the fandom. I once thought he was just another actor that teen girls obsessed over, but then I saw Beautiful Boy and realized he was the real deal. Maybe I’ll make another post writing about how great Timothee is, but right now, we’re here to talk about Dune.
After a big 2019 in The King and Little Women, Chalamet is expected to have another significant year in 2020 with Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch and Dune. As I looked at Vanity Fair’s first look photos, I realized that I have so many questions about this movie. Let’s go through a few of them in case you might be wondering the same things.

1. What in tarnation is this movie about?
Right off the bat, I’m looking at these sandy desert landscapes and futuristic costumes and thinking, “is this Blade Runner meets Star Wars? Why is Timothee giving off a Kylo Ren vibe?” According to the IMDb summary, Dune is about “Paul Atreides, the son of a noble family who is entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.”

2. What are the characters wearing around their noses?
This is my biggest question. Since looking at the pictures, I cannot stop thinking about these weird nose grips that half of the characters are wearing. Is it oxygen? Is it an accessory? Is it a way to show off that they’re punk? NO ONE is talking about it. So I really dug deep in my research to find out about this. Think Nicholas Cage in National Treasure style. From what I have read, it’s all part of the suit design.

3. How many celebrities are in this movie?
So many celebrities. Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem lead the A-list cast. How did Paul Giamatti miss out on this opportunity? It seems like he’s always around these movie sets.

4. Is this already the next big franchise?
Yes. Denis Villeneuve, who is known for directing sci-fi (Arrival, Blade Runner 2049), has confirmed he will turn the novel into two films. So when you make your way to the theater to see Dune, just go ahead and prepare yourself for that sequel to follow.

5. When Will it Be in Theaters?
If everything goes according to plan, Dune will be in theaters on December 18, 2020. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hopefully, that answered a few questions about Dune. There’s still no trailer for the movie as of right now, but I’ll post it as soon as one gets released!

Apple TV's "Defending Jacob" To Premiere April 24

Well, I guess they finally got me. I’ve somehow avoided subscribing to Apple TV since the launch in November, but the promise of a series starring Chris Evans means I have to subscribe. What can I say, I’m a loyal fan.

Apple TV’s latest series Defending Jacob is all set to premiere on the streaming platform April 24th. The series is based on a novel of the same name by William Landay. It’s about Andy Barber (Chris Evans), a district attorney who is shocked to find out that his 14-year-old son, Jacob, is accused of murdering a classmate. Michelle Dockery will star as Laurie Barber and Jaeden Martell will star as Jacob Barber. Cherry Jones, and J.K. Simmons will co-star in the series.

The first trailer for the series debuted this morning. Watch it right here!

Frozen II To Stream Early on Disney Plus

The last week has been rough due to the Coronavirus, but Disney Plus just offered a bright spot amidst the chaos! Frozen II will be available to stream on Sunday, March 15th! That’s 3 months earlier than the expected June release date on the platform. Several of Disney’s upcoming films including Mulan have been delayed due to concerns about the Coronavirus. All Disney Parks have been shut down to stop the spread. Needless to say, we needed some Disney magic in our lives. At least now families can watch Frozen II together while “socially distancing” at home for the next few weeks. Get ready to learn all of the words to the soundtrack!

James Bond "No Time to Die" Delayed Due to Coronavirus

Sad news for 007 fans. The latest installment of the iconic franchise has been pushed from the upcoming Aril release date to November. The scheduling change is due to fears that the Coronavirus will take a major toll on the film’s international box office. It will be interesting to see if any other blockbusters follow in Bond’s footsteps. Mulan, Black Widow, and Fast and Furious are scheduled to open very soon. Will any of them reschedule their release dates? Time will tell.
November is typically the tentpole month for James Bond films, so the new release date fits with the film a little more. However, it also means that fans will have to wait even longer to see Daniel Craig’s last outing as the iconic character. Set the date on your calendars because No Time To Die will be released on November 25th, 2020, just in time for Thanksgiving.

First Look at Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch"

Get ready to add a little quirk to your day! The first trailer for Wes Anderson’s latest film has been released. The director’s 10th film is called The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun. It will take place in a fictional 20th-century French town and tell a collection of stories published in “The French Dispatch” magazine. There is an A-List ensemble cast on board (many of whom have worked on Anderson’s previous films), including Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Timothee Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Frances McDormand, Adrian Brody, Owen Wilson, and Edward Norton. From the looks of the trailer, Wes Anderson’s stylish direction is on display prominently, so fans should get excited!
The French Dispatch will be in theaters on July 24, 2020.
Watch the trailer right here!

Bradley Cooper to Star and Direct Leonard Bernstein Biopic for Netflix

Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die. Although I will never be over A Star is Born, it seems Bradley Cooper is officially moving on from Jackson Maine to his next musical project. The film will be a biopic about musician Leonard Bernstein, who famously composed the music to West Side Story. Along with directing the film, Cooper will also star as the famed musical composer. According to Deadline, the film will span 30 years and follow the story of Bernstein’s complicated marriage to Felicia Montealegre.

Netflix has just secured distribution rights, which is a significant win for the company. As if this project wasn’t interesting enough, Martin Scorsese, Todd Phillips, and Steven Spielberg are all listed as producers on the project. Yes, that Steven Spielberg. The same Steven Spielberg who doesn’t think Netflix movies deserve Oscars! Something tells me he’s going to change his mind the second this premieres. Whew, this movie is already dramatic, and it hasn’t even started filming! There’s no official release date on the project yet, but it is assumed to come out sometime in 2021.

Wonder Woman '84 Promises The Return Of Diana Prince

Diana Prince is going retro! Wonder Woman is taking a trip to 1984 for the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s Wonder Woman. This time around, she meets up with a strange character called the Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) and is somehow reunited with Steve Trever (Chris Pine) who died in the events of the first film. How does Steve come back? Are they going to thrive as an 80s couple? Can Diana save the world again? We’ll have to wait until June 2020 to find out. One thing’s for sure, with Patty Jenkins returning to direct and Gal Gadot as Diana Prince, this looks like one epic movie.
Watch the trailer here to see the first look at Wonder Woman 1984!