Wednesday night, Jennifer Lopez stepped out in NYC for the premiere of her new documentary film “Halftime” at the Tribeca Film Festival!
“Extra’s” Tommy DiDario spoke with Lopez, who recently said that she was grateful to have a second chance at love. She stressed the importance of staying in the moment as she and fiancé Ben Affleck write their new chapter of life. She told Tommy, “I’m just excited to be living in the present right now. That’s my focus, be in the moment. Don’t miss it!”
Lopez also confessed that releasing the documentary is “nerve-racking.” She explained, “I’m anxious to see the movie. I’m nervous, I’m excited. I haven’t seen the finished product so I’m really looking forward to that, but it’s also a little nerve-wracking…It’s not like being in a movie…but I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else but here in New York.”
She also spoke about thanking those who doubted her or hurt her during her recent MTV Awards speech. J.Lo smiled, saying, “It’s about the hardships that you have in life, it’s heartbreak, people who told you you couldn’t do certain things because of who you were and where you were from. The idea that you had to kinda overcome that…that was a big motivator for me. It was a sincere thank you.”
“I don’t think I would be me if it wasn’t for that or the people in my life who actually hurt me in some way,” Lopez emphasized. “I’m grateful for, that in the bible it says that you know be thankful for your trials and tribulations and I am.”Courtesy of “Extra”:
Posted by Entertainment Magazine
Category: Film
Rating: This Film Is Not Yet Rated
U.S. Release Date: November 17, 2023
Cast: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: Michael Arndt and Michael Lesslie
Based on the Novel by: Suzanne Collins
Produced by: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Francis Lawrence
Return to The Hunger Games, the landmark film franchise that has earned over $3 billion globally, with Lionsgate’s adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ #1 New York Times Bestseller The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol.
With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor.
Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.
Lionsgate
(Posted by Entertainment Magazine)
By Miv Evans
This is a delightful children’s adventure, brought to us all the way from Vietnam. Despite a lack of originality, it stays the course, proving that if you give the right actors sparkling dialogue, the plot doesn’t have to work that hard. The right actors on this occasion are three budding thespians, who fill the screen with such charm the grown-ups don’t get a look-in.
Hung (Lai Truong Phu) is an only child whose mother delights in filling his head with magical tales. Her favorite is The Moon Cake, which inspires her to nickname her treasured son ‘Little Star.’ Just before she tragically dies, she tells him that if ever he’s missing her, he should look to the sky. Every moment of the day, she’s going to be there, watching him.
Hung’s widowed father (Ngoc Tuong), does his best to take care of his son but it’s a struggle. One day, he’s so exhausted, he forgets he promised to take Hung to watch a meteorite shower, so Hung goes alone. The young boy sees something mysterious fall from the sky and decides to investigate. To his amazement, he’s confronted by a young girl (Chu Diep Anh) who’s come to earth to find her lost comrade. She’s from the planet Maika and laden with special powers. Hung is entranced.
A movie about a young boy teaming up with an alien from outer space is obviously nothing new and, despite its oriental roots, Maika offers no new perspective. This is particularly surprising, as Vietnam is rich in fairy tales and legends that have, so far, not been exploited by the West. An orbiting cake with a Moon Girl aboard would be far more intriguing than an alien in a spaceship who will, sooner or later, have to ‘go home.’
While the highly appealing Hung and Maika take center stage, a powerful little bundle named Beo (Tin Tin) regularly slips in and fairly demands the audience’s attention. He makes his entrance as Hung’s adversary, but then when Maika falls absent, he steps in. It would have been so much more dynamic if the three kids had gone on their Big Adventure together. Beo’s pedal-to-the-metal attitude would have ensured they got in more trouble than even the filmmaker could have imagined.
Although this film is well worth a trip to the movies, the use of sub-titles might limit its success. The producers may have decided dubbing would detract from the actors’ appeal, but children’s reading ability is a bigger threat. When parents are deciding which film to take their kids to see, it could be they’ll decide to skip the one that risks two hours of “What does it say?” ringing in their ears.
RELEASE INFORMATION
Arrives in Northern American theatres June 3, 2022
Click here for details
Screened at Sundance, 2022
Director and Writer: Ham Tran
Produced by: FPT Play
Public Relations Wildworks PR, FilmsGoneWild.com
Distributed by: Well Go USA Entertainment
ABOUT MAIKA:
Vietnam’s first children’s sci-fi feature and the country’s second-ever entry to the sci-fi genre. The film is based on a beloved 1970s Czechoslovakian television series that became a cultural sensation throughout the 1980s and 90s.
Read more movie review by Miv Evans.
(Posted by Entertainment Magazine)
Categories
THE DUKE – the Cost of Art
By Miv Evans
The Duke is a biography; a family drama; a coming-of-age story and an art heist. All four threads are stitched together by a commentary on 60s working class Britain. Despite a few hitches, it works like a charm.
THE STORY
This film is a true story about Kempton Bunton (Jim Broadbent), who lives with his wife, Dolly (Helen Mirren) and son, Jackie (Fionn Whitehead). While Dolly works her fingers to the bone, Kempton has a more casual approach to employment. He treats his low-paying jobs with distain so he can conserve his energy for the more pressing issue of becoming the next Robin Hood. He’s a man with an overwhelming sense of justice, launching campaign after campaign in his efforts to help society’s poorest. His latest crusade is to lobby the government to pay for pensioners’ BBC TV license, which many can’t afford. But despite stalwart efforts, he makes zero progress. He’s still deciding on his next step when he learns that the government has paid £140K for a portrait of the Duke of Wellington. Kempton is incensed. By the time he’s calculated how many TV licenses all that money could have bought, his campaign is resurrected.
THE BOSS
There could be no better depiction of a working class eccentric than that honed by Broadbent, but it’s Mirren who kidnaps the screen. She’s unrecognizable as the long suffering battleaxe, Mrs. Bunton, and clearly relishes her role as Newcastle’s Queen Char.* Despite limited power, she shoulders the weight of her erring husband and son with aplomb. And if she doesn’t get her way, she settles for impaling them with her acerbic tongue.
THE HITCHES
As charming as this story is, it takes a long time to find its stride. While Kempton’s skirmishes are fun, it’s clear from the start that he’s a laggard and has no plans to change. It therefore risks the audience thinking the story has nowhere to go when that same message is repeated over and over. It also takes time away from the laying down of clues that lead to the unexpected twist that comes at the end. This twist, while welcome, fails to resonate as it should because so little time is spent on its set-up Truth might be stranger than fiction, but strange generally needs to be explained.
THE U-TURN
Kempton died in 1976, so never witnessed the government’s decision 24 years later to pay for the TV license of seniors over the age of 75. It was a belated but greatly appreciated gift to those in need. Although this grand gesture is not recognized as Kempton’s legacy, there are a number of Brits who might think otherwise. Either way, it’s clear Kempton wasn’t just a good guy. He was a visionary who possessed such a pervading sense of justice that it transcended all else. The formidable Dolly couldn’t have had a more deserving hero, even if she’d married the Duke himself.
*British colloquialism
Streaming now on Roku
Publicity by Block-Korenbrut Public Relations
Distributed by Sony Picture Classics
More Reviews By Miv Evans
Breakout Star Milanis Clark Hits Broadway in “Tina”, Set to Appear on “Better Nate Than Ever” for Disney +
Young Talents Skills on Display Across Multiple Mediums
(Photo Credit: Rowena Husbands @rowenahusbands)
11 year old Milanis Clark, of Adunni Rose Talent Agency, a standout performer in both music and film, will be hitting Broadway this spring as part of the cast for “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W 46th St, in New York City.
Watch Milanis in the Disney + movie “Better Nate Than Ever” (Directed by Tim Federle with cast including Rueby Wood, Aria Brooks, Lisa Kudrow and Joshua Bassett) starting this Friday April 1st on your favorite device of choice.
The fun loving afro-latina Harlem, New York native 5th grader started acting at the age of 5 in school productions for School House Rocks and the Michael Jackson vs. Prince Collections. She started singing at the age of 3 at school talent shows and in local restaurants, which led to her being booked to play at more high profile events.
(Photo Credit: Rowena Husbands @rowenahusbands)
“I love what I do and I plan on being an entertainer for the rest of my life, this is my passion.” – Milanis
Besides her gifts of song and on stage, Milanis also loves to dance, to paint and just to laugh! She’s double jointed! She likes funky glasses! Milanis is pure energy and just plain fun. Check out her YouTube show “Mila Tales” at https://youtu.be/g-ncDpnd9UU
(Photo Credit: Rowena Husbands @rowenahusbands)
Milanis Clark comes from a family full of talent; Her mother Yeimis is a longtime professional dancer who currently tours with the legendary Lisa Lisa from the iconic 80s group Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam and is co-founder of the nonprofit Designed 2 Dance Inc, and her step-mother Toni Menage – a renowned singer and performer in her own right – is the Personal Manager and Musical Director for Lisa Lisa and has helped guide the careers of many artists of note throughout her illustrious career on the management side of the business. As Milanis continues to grow in the industry, she would like to thank her family and friends, Talent Manager Mrs. Theresa Bastien @324.tamtheresa, Talent Agent Shirley Faison @adunnirosetalent, Vocal Coach Robert Marks @bobmarks and Acting Coach Wendy Mckenzie @wendyactingcoach. Follow Milanis Clark! @iammilanis
Categories
THE JANES – Political Hot Potatoes
By Miv Evans
WHO ARE THE JANES?
This is a documentary about a group of middle-class women who went rogue. It happened half a century ago but their clandestine activities are suddenly back in the spotlight. They’re the renegades who gave illegal abortions.
HOW IT BEGAN
It’s Chicago in the late 60s. The Baby Boomers that followed the Silent Generation are making a lot of noise. They’re campaigning for civil rights, protesting the Vietnam war and joining ranks with the Black Panthers. Amongst them is one Heather Booth, a 19-year-old sophomore. As committed an activist as she is, she becomes exasperated with the chauvinism that infests the movements she’s working so hard to support. It seems circa 60s male isn’t as enthusiastic about women’s rights as he is about his own. So when Heather steps in to arrange an illegal abortion for a desperate girl, she’s unfazed by the avalanche of identical requests that follow. Far from discouraging them, she spreads the word that anyone in need should call her dorm and use the code name ‘Jane.’ And thus Heather’s activism finds its home. When willing helpers join the crusade, the ‘Jane Collective’ is born. The girls are young and look more like ‘rock chicks’ than revolutionaries. But revolutionaries they are, changing the lives of countless, grateful women.
THE OUTLAWS
It’s the recollections of five of these women that lead this documentary through its twists and turns. The unsung heroines of the 70s are now IN their seventies and their stories are compelling. They knew they were risking life in prison but their only tales of courage are about others. Even when they got arrested, they kept going, intrepid warriors charging through with sabers rattling. With such exciting material, it’s unfortunate the filmmakers failed to recreate the drama that each day brought. It’s equally unfortunate that the tumultuous ending is casually skipped over and the ladies never get chance to bid us a final farewell.
ROE V WADE
While the Supreme Court ruminates about whether to uphold Roe v Wade, perhaps the objectors could take a look at this film. Or perhaps they already know that hospitals had to open septic abortion wards for women who arrived in agony, at death’s door. In many cases, they got wheeled straight through. But if girls and young mothers dying is of no concern, perhaps they should read the studies that claim crime nose-dives 20 years after abortion becomes legal. These studies are highly controversial, but not as controversial as America returning to the dark ages. That would be embarrassing.
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
Needless to say, these rogue women became highly adept at evading the law – that is, until a disgruntled bystander reported them to the police. It’s ironic that these opinionated people have nothing to say about who should pay to raise the child they insist be born. Not them for sure. They’re too busy voting for a political party that’s against universal healthcare. It seems anti-abortionists only care about fetuses. Once the kid is born, it’s on its own.
Premiered at Sundance Film Festival January, 2022
Coming to HBO in 2022
By Miv Evans
‘Reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy is an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender. As bizarre a notion as this may sound, an Evangelical church in Washington state convinced thousands of Americans they could ‘pray away the gay.’ Needless to say, the church got extremely rich.
It all began in the 70s. This may have been an enlightened time for some but, for others, taboos around same sex relationships were rampant. In an attempt to leave the homosexual lifestyle so despised by their Christian faith, a group of men started a support group. Within weeks, they received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help. The group quickly grew into a movement known as Exodus International. Its rallying cry was “Change is right around the corner!” It endured for 37 years and was the largest conversion therapy organization in the world.
Initially, treatment was limited to counseling and 12-step programs. This was injurious enough to its victims, but then ‘aversion treatment’ raised its ugly head. This more sinister approach administered electric shocks and induced vomiting and paralysis. In other words, it was a sadist’s paradise. If anyone died during their torture, it didn’t get reported. Unless, of course, suicides are included. They were four times higher than the U.S. norm and predominantly young.
Amongst the many who had been ‘saved’ by this therapy were five superstars. They travelled the globe to preach about their God-inspired change. Audiences were spellbound by these ‘ex-gay’ epiphanies. But the same time the celebrities were extolling their miracle, they were struggling with a hidden truth. Their same-sex attractions had never gone away. One by one, they came out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Their declarations were the catalysts that pulled back the curtain on the abominations being carried out in the name of the Lord.
The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and virtually every recognized health organization, discredited the therapy. They said It was unscientific, ineffective and likely to cause lifelong psychological and spiritual violence and devastation. These revelations went viral and with an entire country watching, church leaders had no option than to close Exodus down. As far as the public were concerned, that was the end of it. But Big Church wasn’t going to give up those Big Bucks without a fight.
Some of the Exodus ministries quietly rebranded themselves and the Restored Hope Network, another faction with a God complex, made a silent debut. All these websites make great efforts to try and separate themselves from the disgraced mob of 2013. But nobody can misinterpret the meaning of ‘overcoming sinful relational and sexual issues.’ So the assaults never stopped, despite proof of their tragic consequences. But how else do you net millions from ‘treatment centers’ when you’re not even qualified to take a pulse?
Clinicians lose their license if they harm a patient, but Evangelicals hide behind religious freedom. This means they can do what they want, to who they want, if they claim they’re carrying out God’s will. Isn’t it strange how religious fanatics always know exactly what God’s will is, and how, coincidentally, it lines up with their own?
The documentary Pray Away is streaming on Netflix. It chronicles the journeys of leaders, members and survivors of Exodus International.
Categories
THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2
THE ADDAMS FAMILY is unhappy to see you again in a brand new poster
See THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 only in theaters October 1, 2021
Unhappy to see you again.
In Theaters October 1, 2021
Everyone’s favorite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with “scream time.” To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation. Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, IT, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?
CAST: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, Wallace Shawn, with Snoop Dogg as ‘IT’, with Bette Midler and Bill Hader
DIRECTED BY: Greg Tiernan
DIRECTED BY: Conrad Vernon
PRODUCED BY: Gail Berman, Conrad Vernon, Danielle Sterling, and Alison O’Brien
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY: Kevin Miserocchi, Jonathan Glickman, Cassidy Lange, Aaron L. Gilbert, and Jason Cloth
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter
#AddamsFamily2
Available assets on EPK.tv.
DISTRIBUTED THROUGH UNITED ARTISTS RELEASING.
© 2021 METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC.
Categories
Ridley Scott’s UNDERGODS
Director Chino Moya and producer Ridley Scott’s acclaimed sci-fi thriller UNDERGODS releases in theaters nationally May 7. It will also be available day-and-date on all major VOD platforms.
In a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world, K and Z roam the streets on the lookout for corpses and something even more valuable – fresh meat.
Following its world premiere at Fantasia last year, UNDERGODS went on to celebrate its UK premiere at Glasgow Film Festival in February. Since then, the film has gone on to receive two British Independent Film Award (BIFA) nominations.
From May 7, the acclaimed film will be released day-and-date; in select cinemas nationwide and On-Demand simultaneously. A limited-edition Blu-ray and vinyl soundtrack are also planned for later in the year.
Undergods stars Kate Dickie (The Witch, Game of Thrones), Ned Dennehy (Mandy, Peaky Blinders), Geza Rohrig (Resistance, Son of Saul), Burn Gorman (Pacific Rim, Enola Holmes) and Tanya Reynolds (Emma., Sex Education).
Undergods will be in select cinemas and On Demand from May 7
#Undergodsthefilm
ARTICIPATING THEATERS
Market Circuit/Platform Theatre City
Chicago Emagine Entertainment Emagine Frankfort Frankfort
Dallas-Ft. Worth Galaxy Galaxy Grandscape 15 (The Colony, TX) The Colony
Denver Arcangelo Entertainment Icon Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, CO) Colorado Springs
Detroit Emagine Entertainment Emagine Royal Oak 12 + EMAX (Royal Oak, MI) Royal Oak
Houston Arcangelo Entertainment Cine America Houston (Houston, TX) Houston
Las Vegas Galaxy Galaxy Boulevard Mall 9 Las Vegas
Los Angeles Galaxy Galaxy Mission Grove (Riverside, CA) Riverside
Minneapolis-St. Paul Emagine Entertainment Emagine Eagan 15 + EMAX (Eagan, MN) Eagan
Philadelphia Arcangelo Entertainment Westown Movies + GTX (Middletown, DE) Middletown
Reno Galaxy Galaxy Victorian (Sparks, NV) Sparks
Director: Chino Moya
Cast: Kate Dickie, Ned Dennehy, Geza Rohrig, Burn Gorman and Tanya Reynolds.
Run Time: 92 minutes
About Director Chino Moya
Born in Spain and a London resident, Chino Moya has just completed his first feature film, Undergods, supported by the British Film Institute and produced amongst others by Scott Free, Ridley Scott’s company.
In 2009, Chino wrote and directed his first short film, Out of Here, selected at over 40 festivals worldwide and a year later he shot a music documentary in Israel, Below the Sea Level. His futuristic music video for 2015 Grammy winner St Vincent’s Digital Witness has appeared in Time magazine and has been listed as one of the best videos of 2014 in the Huffington Post and Rolling Stone. He has also shot commercials around the world and collected awards like a Film Lion at Cannes.
In addition to his film work, in 2019 he published Flat Filters, his first comic book as a writer, illustrated by Israeli artist Tal Brosh, and his latest photography work, Monosodium Glutamate, is to be published as a photo book at the end of the year. He has also created the horror cinema podcast Terrordrome.
About Gravitas Ventures
Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, is a leading all rights distributor of independent feature films and documentaries. Founded in 2006, Gravitas connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working with talented directors and producers, Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands of films into over a hundred million homes in North America – over one billion homes worldwide. Recent releases include Our Friend directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel, Vanguard, directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan, The Secret: Dare to Dream, directed by Andy Tennant and starring Katie Holmes; End of Sentence starring Logan Lerman and John Hawkes; Looks that Kill; Tread; Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk, narrated by Bill Murray; and Colin Hanks’ All Things Must Pass. For more information, please visit gravitasventures.com, and follow @GravitasVOD on Twitter and @gravitasventures on Instagram.
About Red Arrow Studios
Red Arrow Studios is one of the world’s leading creators and distributors of entertainment content, comprised of an acclaimed network of international production companies and labels in seven territories; world-leading digital studio, Studio71, based in six countries; and global film and TV distributors Red Arrow Studios International and Gravitas Ventures. The group’s significant output includes scripted, non-scripted and formatted content and IP, from TV and film to short-form and branded content, made for an array of global networks and platforms. Red Arrow Studios is part of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, one of Europe’s leading media groups. redarrowstudios.com.