Steven Spielberg is an acclaimed and multiple award-winning director in the movie industry. He made his theatrical debut in Hollywood with the 1974 movie, The Sugarland Express. But it took him just one more year to become a blockbuster director with his movie, Jaws. Since then, he has made numerous movies that have been critically as well as commercially successful. His movies have also earned him the title of the most commercially successful director in film history.
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg (image credit: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)
In the year 1985, Spielberg made a movie completely different from his usual blockbuster genre. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple starred Whoopi Goldberg in the lead, alongside the likes of Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. Coincidentally, this was Oprah’s movie debut, which also went on to secure her, her first Oscar nomination.
Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple...
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg (image credit: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)
In the year 1985, Spielberg made a movie completely different from his usual blockbuster genre. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple starred Whoopi Goldberg in the lead, alongside the likes of Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. Coincidentally, this was Oprah’s movie debut, which also went on to secure her, her first Oscar nomination.
Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple...
- 6/24/2024
- by Swagata Das
- FandomWire
Steven Spielberg’s decades-long career can only be described with one word – legendary. He is one of the pillars of modern cinema, giving birth to several genre-defining movies that would later go on to become Hollywood milestones. However, even a renowned filmmaker like him had to face backlash at times.
Steven Spielberg at the 2017 Sdcc (Credit: Gage Skidmore)
Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple was his attempt to tackle several social injustices that prevail to this day. However, his work received mixed reviews, even ruffling a few feathers the wrong way.
Suggested“It was much more a Scorsese picture than a Spielberg picture”: Clint Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven’ Writer Felt 1 Underrated Steven Spielberg Movie Wasn’t Fit for the Director
However, that didn’t make the Jaws creator flinch, in fact, he wouldn’t change anything about it if he were to remake it again today.
Steven Spielberg at the 2017 Sdcc (Credit: Gage Skidmore)
Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple was his attempt to tackle several social injustices that prevail to this day. However, his work received mixed reviews, even ruffling a few feathers the wrong way.
Suggested“It was much more a Scorsese picture than a Spielberg picture”: Clint Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven’ Writer Felt 1 Underrated Steven Spielberg Movie Wasn’t Fit for the Director
However, that didn’t make the Jaws creator flinch, in fact, he wouldn’t change anything about it if he were to remake it again today.
- 6/9/2024
- by Sayantan Choudhary
- FandomWire
On Friday, June 2, 2024, NBC aired a two-hour special episode of “Dateline” titled “The Girl with the Hibiscus Tattoo.” The episode featured an exclusive interview with Alice Walker, a key witness who spoke to “Dateline” for the first time about her unnerving encounter with Victor Paleologus. Victor Paleologus, a terrifying serial killer and predator, […]
“The Girl with the Hibiscus Tattoo”: Keith Morrison Interviews Alice Walker for “Dateline”...
“The Girl with the Hibiscus Tattoo”: Keith Morrison Interviews Alice Walker for “Dateline”...
- 6/2/2024
- by Paul M
- MemorableTV
Hey, "Dateline NBC" fans. We're back with another new preview session for you guys. In this one, we're going to take a look at what the Dateline NBC team is delivering in the next, new episode 40 of this current season 32, which is due out tonight, May 31, 2024. NBC was nice enough to give us a new, official press release for tonight's new episode 40. So, we will certainly pull it up for this preview session. Let's go. For starters, there is an official title for this new episode 40. It's called, "The Girl with the Hibiscus Tattoo." In tonight's new episode 40, the Dateline NBC team is going to do an exclusive interview with a woman named Alice Walker. She's a key witness in a case involving Victor Paleologus who is a vicious killer and serial predator. He was previously taken down by a group of his female victims.
- 5/31/2024
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Don’t miss a special episode of Dateline NBC titled “The Girl with the Hibiscus Tattoo,” airing on May 31, 2024. Keith Morrison will provide the latest updates on the case featured in his #1 Dateline podcast, “Murder in the Hollywood Hills.”
This broadcast will feature an exclusive interview with Alice Walker, a key witness who will share her unnerving encounter with Victor Paleologus for the first time on Dateline. Paleologus, a terrifying killer and serial predator, was brought down by a courageous group of women after luring them with false promises of fame and fortune amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
In addition to Walker’s interview, viewers can expect insights from Cathy DeBuono, another key witness in the case. Tune in to this special Dateline episode at 9 p.m. Et/8 p.m. Ct for an in-depth look at this gripping and harrowing case.
This broadcast will feature an exclusive interview with Alice Walker, a key witness who will share her unnerving encounter with Victor Paleologus for the first time on Dateline. Paleologus, a terrifying killer and serial predator, was brought down by a courageous group of women after luring them with false promises of fame and fortune amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
In addition to Walker’s interview, viewers can expect insights from Cathy DeBuono, another key witness in the case. Tune in to this special Dateline episode at 9 p.m. Et/8 p.m. Ct for an in-depth look at this gripping and harrowing case.
- 5/30/2024
- by Alex Matthews
- TV Regular
Taraji P. Henson has been one of the most vocal actresses in Hollywood at the moment. The Hidden Figures star gained recognition for her role in Hustle & Flow, and David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, for which she earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She has since starred in a number of films such as The Karate Kid.
Henson recently opened up about many of the issues she faced while filming the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. The novel by Alice Walker was first adapted by Steven Spielberg, which has since gained many criticisms for its portrayal of Black people. Henson called him out for one element in the film, which the filmmaker has admitted to in the past.
Taraji P. Henson Called Out Steven Spielberg For Mishandling The Color Purple A still from The Color Purple (2023) | Credits: Amblin Entertainment/Ow Films/Sgs...
Henson recently opened up about many of the issues she faced while filming the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. The novel by Alice Walker was first adapted by Steven Spielberg, which has since gained many criticisms for its portrayal of Black people. Henson called him out for one element in the film, which the filmmaker has admitted to in the past.
Taraji P. Henson Called Out Steven Spielberg For Mishandling The Color Purple A still from The Color Purple (2023) | Credits: Amblin Entertainment/Ow Films/Sgs...
- 5/23/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
It does not take a lot for Steven Spielberg to shine. His exceptional filmography speaks volumes on its own. The talent imbibed in one soul is enough to account for a great amount of masterpieces in the Hollywood industry. It takes understanding and skill to create stories the way he does. He has worked on various adaptations and mastered almost all of them perfectly.
Oprah Winfrey in The Color Purple | Credit: Warner Bros.
One of the adaptations he made was of Alice Walker’s renowned novel The Color Purple. While the movie found great critical acclaim, having been nominated for 11 Oscars, there was a certain set of audience that wasn’t too fond of the adaptation. Walker’s novel told stories of a woman who was in pain of different kinds. She spoke for many people all at once, in a way similar to Maya Angelou.
Steven Spielberg Got Thrashed...
Oprah Winfrey in The Color Purple | Credit: Warner Bros.
One of the adaptations he made was of Alice Walker’s renowned novel The Color Purple. While the movie found great critical acclaim, having been nominated for 11 Oscars, there was a certain set of audience that wasn’t too fond of the adaptation. Walker’s novel told stories of a woman who was in pain of different kinds. She spoke for many people all at once, in a way similar to Maya Angelou.
Steven Spielberg Got Thrashed...
- 5/22/2024
- by Adya Godboley
- FandomWire
You know that feeling of watching someone ice skate for the first time? Or when a little kid finally tries riding their bicycle without training wheels? That's sort of the feeling I get watching Steven Spielberg's movie adaptation of "The Color Purple."
Make no mistake: Spielberg's 1985 film version of Alice Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, which he directed from a script by his eventual "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" co-writer Menno Meyjes, is quite lovely to look at; it's a Spielberg picture so that much goes without saying. Whoopi Goldberg is similarly splendid as the grown-up Celie Harris-Johnson, a queer Black woman living in early 20th-century Georgia who endures horrific abuse at the hands of the men in her life yet finds kindness, support, and love from the Black women around her.
It's not that Spielberg had never tackled a "serious" adult movie before that,...
Make no mistake: Spielberg's 1985 film version of Alice Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, which he directed from a script by his eventual "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" co-writer Menno Meyjes, is quite lovely to look at; it's a Spielberg picture so that much goes without saying. Whoopi Goldberg is similarly splendid as the grown-up Celie Harris-Johnson, a queer Black woman living in early 20th-century Georgia who endures horrific abuse at the hands of the men in her life yet finds kindness, support, and love from the Black women around her.
It's not that Spielberg had never tackled a "serious" adult movie before that,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Steven Spielberg used a filming technique he hadn’t applied since E.T. to shoot the classic film Saving Private Ryan. But he didn’t expect the demoralizing effect that would have on the film.
The special film technique Steven Spielberg used for ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Tom Hanks | CBS/ Getty Images
Spielberg already knew he was going to direct a world war two movie before he did Saving Private Ryan. He just didn’t know what movie that was gonna be before the Tom Hanks war film. He was soon sent the film’s script by a screenwriter, and found the war movie he wanted to do.
“As a matter of fact, it was the only time in my several decades of having an agent that they actually gave me a screenplay that I wound up directing,” he once told the DGA.
What separated Saving Private Ryan from most of...
The special film technique Steven Spielberg used for ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Tom Hanks | CBS/ Getty Images
Spielberg already knew he was going to direct a world war two movie before he did Saving Private Ryan. He just didn’t know what movie that was gonna be before the Tom Hanks war film. He was soon sent the film’s script by a screenwriter, and found the war movie he wanted to do.
“As a matter of fact, it was the only time in my several decades of having an agent that they actually gave me a screenplay that I wound up directing,” he once told the DGA.
What separated Saving Private Ryan from most of...
- 5/17/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Barbara O. Jones, an actress in the independent Black cinema of 1970s Los Angeles in such films as Bush Mama and Daughters of the Dust, has died at her home in Dayton, Ohio. She was 82.
Her brother, Marlon Minor, confirmed her April 8 death to The New York Times and said the cause had not been determined.
Jones moved from the Midwest in search of a film career, and became active in the UCLA film school, a movement that has been called the L.A. Rebellion.
She appeared in several short student films, including Child of Resistance (1973), in which she played an imprisoned activist loosely based on Angela Davis, and Diary of an African Nun (1977), adapted from a short story by Alice Walker.
Her first leading role in a feature film was in Bush Mama (1979). The movie’s story followed the daily life of Dorothy, played by Jones. The film was...
Her brother, Marlon Minor, confirmed her April 8 death to The New York Times and said the cause had not been determined.
Jones moved from the Midwest in search of a film career, and became active in the UCLA film school, a movement that has been called the L.A. Rebellion.
She appeared in several short student films, including Child of Resistance (1973), in which she played an imprisoned activist loosely based on Angela Davis, and Diary of an African Nun (1977), adapted from a short story by Alice Walker.
Her first leading role in a feature film was in Bush Mama (1979). The movie’s story followed the daily life of Dorothy, played by Jones. The film was...
- 5/5/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Wildcat, directed and co-written by Ethan Hawke and starring Maya Hawke as Flannery O’Connor, opens this weekend in New York and LA. One of nation’s most evocative, brilliant and ambitious writers, O’Connor was diagnosed with Lupus at 24 and reluctantly settled in with her mother, played by Laura Linney, at a dairy farm in Georgia, continuing to write until she died in 1964 at age 39. Raised in the Jim Crow south, where her work is set, she chronicled cruelty and hypocrisy in luminous prose.
The film premiered at Telluride and debuts theatrically this weekend in New York and LA via Oscilloscope. Four-time Oscar nominee Hawke spoke with Deadline on Wildcat‘s backstory, how it weaves between the author’s life and her fiction, and the current challenged state of indie film – “It’s never been easier to make an independent film. It’s never been more...
The film premiered at Telluride and debuts theatrically this weekend in New York and LA via Oscilloscope. Four-time Oscar nominee Hawke spoke with Deadline on Wildcat‘s backstory, how it weaves between the author’s life and her fiction, and the current challenged state of indie film – “It’s never been easier to make an independent film. It’s never been more...
- 5/4/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Full disclosure: I’ve been looking forward to this interview ever since I read the novel Ash Wednesday as a teenager. Ethan Hawke, co-writer and director of Wildcat, is an actor and filmmaker who has been as important to me as any artist in my life. The opportunity to discuss his new film––a feverish, faith-fueled look into the life of writer Flannery O’Connor as inspired by her fiction––with Hawke was both welcome and daunting.
The film stars Maya Hawke as O’Connor, alongside a stellar supporting cast that includes Laura Linney, Philip Ettinger, Rafael Casal, Steve Zahn, Cooper Hoffman, Willa Fitzgerald, Alessandro Nivola, and Liam Neeson. Ahead of the film’s release this Friday, we talk about the intimidation of adapting a great writer’s work, the joy of filming a great scene in a master shot, and inviting your audience into the conversation.
The Film Stage: What...
The film stars Maya Hawke as O’Connor, alongside a stellar supporting cast that includes Laura Linney, Philip Ettinger, Rafael Casal, Steve Zahn, Cooper Hoffman, Willa Fitzgerald, Alessandro Nivola, and Liam Neeson. Ahead of the film’s release this Friday, we talk about the intimidation of adapting a great writer’s work, the joy of filming a great scene in a master shot, and inviting your audience into the conversation.
The Film Stage: What...
- 5/2/2024
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Ethan and Maya Hawke Almost Abandoned ‘Wildcat’ After Discovering Flannery O’Connor’s Racist Letters
“Wildcat” director Ethan Hawke was introduced to the books of Flannery O’Connor by his mother, but it was his then-teenaged daughter, Maya, who introduced him to a more personal side of the writer.
Maya Hawke, then a teenager looking for something original to recite for her Julliard audition, dug into O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal,” which captured the young, yet-to-be-published writer searching for meaning in journal entries she addressed to God. When Maya’s acting career took off with “Stranger Things,” and she approached O’Connor’s age writing the journal entries, Maya optioned the rights and asked her father to develop them into a film for her to portray O’Connor.
It was deep into the scriptwriting process that Ethan was introduced to yet another, far uglier side of O’Connor: Paul Elie’s 2020 New Yorker article, “How Racist Was Flannery O’Connor?” featured bigoted quotes from O’Connor’s personal correspondences.
Maya Hawke, then a teenager looking for something original to recite for her Julliard audition, dug into O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal,” which captured the young, yet-to-be-published writer searching for meaning in journal entries she addressed to God. When Maya’s acting career took off with “Stranger Things,” and she approached O’Connor’s age writing the journal entries, Maya optioned the rights and asked her father to develop them into a film for her to portray O’Connor.
It was deep into the scriptwriting process that Ethan was introduced to yet another, far uglier side of O’Connor: Paul Elie’s 2020 New Yorker article, “How Racist Was Flannery O’Connor?” featured bigoted quotes from O’Connor’s personal correspondences.
- 4/23/2024
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Barbara O. Jones, the admired actress who emerged from the L.A. Rebellion movement of Black filmmakers at UCLA in the 1970s to star in Haile Gerima’s Bush Mama and Julie Dash’s Daughters of the Dust, has died. She was 82.
Jones died Tuesday at her home in Dayton, Ohio, her brother, Raymond Minor, told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Rest In Peace & Power,” Dash wrote on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Julie Dash (@dash_julie)
For Gerima, Jones portrayed an imprisoned woman fighting for social justice in the 36-minute short film Child of Resistance (1973) — the character was inspired by activist Angela Davis — and a welfare recipient in Watts who undergoes an ideological transformation in the filmmaker’s feature debut, Bush Mama (1979). Both films were made at UCLA.
Jones starred as a Ugandan nun questioning her faith in Dash’s 13-minute student film Diary of an...
Jones died Tuesday at her home in Dayton, Ohio, her brother, Raymond Minor, told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Rest In Peace & Power,” Dash wrote on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Julie Dash (@dash_julie)
For Gerima, Jones portrayed an imprisoned woman fighting for social justice in the 36-minute short film Child of Resistance (1973) — the character was inspired by activist Angela Davis — and a welfare recipient in Watts who undergoes an ideological transformation in the filmmaker’s feature debut, Bush Mama (1979). Both films were made at UCLA.
Jones starred as a Ugandan nun questioning her faith in Dash’s 13-minute student film Diary of an...
- 4/18/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Lands ‘Black Samurai’ Movie From ‘The Color Purple’ Director Blitz Bazawule (Exclusive)
In a competitive situation, Warner Bros. has landed “The Color Purple” director Blitz Bazawule’s next project, which takes on the legendary Yasuke, an African warrior who became the first Black samurai.
Sources tell Variety that Warner Bros. beat out three other studios and streamers’ bids on the script, tentatively titled “Black Samurai,” which Bazawule wrote on spec and will direct and produce under his Inward Gaze banner.
After impressing the industry with his 2018 debut “The Burial of Kojo,” helming episodes of Ava DuVernay’s “Cherish the Day” and working with Beyoncé on her feature-length visual album “Black Is King,” Bazawule made his major studio debut with 2023’s “The Color Purple.”
The Ghanaian filmmaker, who brought his unique visual language to the Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg-produced musical movie, is said to have done the same with his take on Yasuke, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo...
Sources tell Variety that Warner Bros. beat out three other studios and streamers’ bids on the script, tentatively titled “Black Samurai,” which Bazawule wrote on spec and will direct and produce under his Inward Gaze banner.
After impressing the industry with his 2018 debut “The Burial of Kojo,” helming episodes of Ava DuVernay’s “Cherish the Day” and working with Beyoncé on her feature-length visual album “Black Is King,” Bazawule made his major studio debut with 2023’s “The Color Purple.”
The Ghanaian filmmaker, who brought his unique visual language to the Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg-produced musical movie, is said to have done the same with his take on Yasuke, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo...
- 4/10/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Colman Domingo is an Emmy winner, as well as Academy Award and Tony-nominated actor, playwright and director. Domingo and Gossett Jr. co-starred in 2023’s “The Color Purple,” one of the late Oscar winner’s final films.
There is a moment that our wunderkind director Blitz Bazawule set up for the great Louis Gossett Jr. and me that is one of my most memorable cinematic moments of my entire career. It is a moment created just for our offering of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple.”
The moment of legacy between two characters are shared as the world of the film and its women have evolved past these two broken and harmful humans that are steeped in generational trauma. It is a silent moment. Blitz saw something in one of our rehearsals and leaned into it. He allowed for us to tap into something that only we as Black men can...
There is a moment that our wunderkind director Blitz Bazawule set up for the great Louis Gossett Jr. and me that is one of my most memorable cinematic moments of my entire career. It is a moment created just for our offering of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple.”
The moment of legacy between two characters are shared as the world of the film and its women have evolved past these two broken and harmful humans that are steeped in generational trauma. It is a silent moment. Blitz saw something in one of our rehearsals and leaned into it. He allowed for us to tap into something that only we as Black men can...
- 4/1/2024
- by Colman Domingo
- Variety Film + TV
The Color Purple team accepted the Outstanding Motion Picture award for their film at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The stars on stage to accept the award were Fantasia Barrino, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Rebecca Walker and Aba Arthur.
Barrino stunned in a white dress with black gloves, Pearl Mpasi went with pink, Bailey celebrated St. Patrick’s Day Eve wearing green, Brooks held the award in a black gown and Henson was all gammed up in yellow. Walker wore sparkles with a lavender coat.
The Color Purple is a film based on the book by Alice Walker. Rebecca Walker is her daughter.
The story focuses on Celie, a black woman from the Jim Crow South. The book was turned into a movie produced by Steven Spielberg in 1985. Then it was made into a Tony Award-winning musical. Now, Oprah Winfrey...
The stars on stage to accept the award were Fantasia Barrino, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Rebecca Walker and Aba Arthur.
Barrino stunned in a white dress with black gloves, Pearl Mpasi went with pink, Bailey celebrated St. Patrick’s Day Eve wearing green, Brooks held the award in a black gown and Henson was all gammed up in yellow. Walker wore sparkles with a lavender coat.
The Color Purple is a film based on the book by Alice Walker. Rebecca Walker is her daughter.
The story focuses on Celie, a black woman from the Jim Crow South. The book was turned into a movie produced by Steven Spielberg in 1985. Then it was made into a Tony Award-winning musical. Now, Oprah Winfrey...
- 3/19/2024
- by Gianna Stephens
- Uinterview
The Color Purple topped the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.
The Blitz Bazawule-directed remake was named best motion picture and took home three more awards during the televised awards show Saturday night. Going into the telecast, the movie had already won seven awards, presented during non-televised ceremonies earlier this week, from its 16 nominations. So, in total, The Color Purple took home 11 NAACP Image Awards.
Producer Oprah Winfrey was a surprise presenter for the NAACP Image Awards’ top prize of Entertainer of the Year, which went to President’s Award honoree Usher, and when she took the stage towards the end of the telecast she shared her appreciation for “all of this Color Purple love.”
Earlier, star Danielle Brooks accepted the best motion picture award as best actress winner Fantasia Barrino and supporting actress recipient Taraji P. Henson were part of the group joining her onstage.
Brooks thanked the film’s cast and...
The Blitz Bazawule-directed remake was named best motion picture and took home three more awards during the televised awards show Saturday night. Going into the telecast, the movie had already won seven awards, presented during non-televised ceremonies earlier this week, from its 16 nominations. So, in total, The Color Purple took home 11 NAACP Image Awards.
Producer Oprah Winfrey was a surprise presenter for the NAACP Image Awards’ top prize of Entertainer of the Year, which went to President’s Award honoree Usher, and when she took the stage towards the end of the telecast she shared her appreciation for “all of this Color Purple love.”
Earlier, star Danielle Brooks accepted the best motion picture award as best actress winner Fantasia Barrino and supporting actress recipient Taraji P. Henson were part of the group joining her onstage.
Brooks thanked the film’s cast and...
- 3/17/2024
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 55th annual NAACP Image Awards got underway on Monday with Victoria Monét and Chris Brown leading the list of early winners.
The three-day virtual Image Awards show is hosted by Khloe Thomas. Night 1 featured presenters Bellah (Hulu’s “Queenie”), Da’Vinchi (Starz’s “Bmf”), Danielle Jalade (Disney’s “Saturdays”), Gabrielle Nevaeh (Nickelodeon’s “That Girl Lay Lay”) and Vanessa Simmons (BET+ “Deadly Entanglement”) revealing winners in the recording and literary categories.
Monét had received the most nominations in the recording categories with six nominations, followed closely by Usher who earned five nods, including entertainer of the year. During the virtual ceremony, the “Jaguar II” hitmaker won outstanding new artist and outstanding album — marking her first two NAACP Image Award wins and adding to a trophy case which already boasts three Grammys. Usher won for outstanding male artist, while the female artist prize went to H.E.R. Brown’s wins...
The three-day virtual Image Awards show is hosted by Khloe Thomas. Night 1 featured presenters Bellah (Hulu’s “Queenie”), Da’Vinchi (Starz’s “Bmf”), Danielle Jalade (Disney’s “Saturdays”), Gabrielle Nevaeh (Nickelodeon’s “That Girl Lay Lay”) and Vanessa Simmons (BET+ “Deadly Entanglement”) revealing winners in the recording and literary categories.
Monét had received the most nominations in the recording categories with six nominations, followed closely by Usher who earned five nods, including entertainer of the year. During the virtual ceremony, the “Jaguar II” hitmaker won outstanding new artist and outstanding album — marking her first two NAACP Image Award wins and adding to a trophy case which already boasts three Grammys. Usher won for outstanding male artist, while the female artist prize went to H.E.R. Brown’s wins...
- 3/12/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
It was a rough Oscar night for Martin Scorsese fans: despite "Killers of the Flower Moon" being nominated for 10 Academy Awards this year, it somehow managed to lose every single one of them. Even "Best Actress," which many assumed would be a shoo-in for Lily Gladstone, instead went to Emma Stone for her performance in "Poor Things." Meanwhile, most of the categories "Killers of the Flower Moon" competed in went to "Oppenheimer," which dominated nearly the whole night.
Emma Stone's performance is excellent, but Lily Gladstone's is like no other. Performances of conspicuous effort always win over quieter ones.
— Richard Brody (@tnyfrontrow) March 11, 2024
In a strange way, the sheer number of nominations makes the loss sting even more. What are the odds of losing in all 10 categories? When was the last time a movie was nominated so much and won so little? The answer is 2019's "The Irishman," also directed by Scorsese,...
Emma Stone's performance is excellent, but Lily Gladstone's is like no other. Performances of conspicuous effort always win over quieter ones.
— Richard Brody (@tnyfrontrow) March 11, 2024
In a strange way, the sheer number of nominations makes the loss sting even more. What are the odds of losing in all 10 categories? When was the last time a movie was nominated so much and won so little? The answer is 2019's "The Irishman," also directed by Scorsese,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
1993 was a year of change for filmmaker Steven Spielberg. On June 11, the director's dinosaur thriller "Jurassic Park" was released, making huge amounts of money and, eventually, becoming one of the biggest blockbusters of the decade. On December 15, the director's soul-rattling Holocaust drama "Schindler's List" was released, inviting a wave of praise and astonishment from audiences. It went on to win seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Up until June of 1993, Spielberg was perhaps best known for his action blockbusters and adventure films ("The Color Purple" and "Empire of the Sun" notwithstanding). After December 1993, Spielberg would become seemingly less interested in genre films and far more interested in movies aimed squarely at adults. He didn't seem terribly invested in his 1997 sequel to "Jurassic Park," titled "The Lost World," and, indeed, Spielberg's adventure films released since then have all felt distant and automatic, especially when compared to his more politically-bent historical dramas like "Munich,...
Up until June of 1993, Spielberg was perhaps best known for his action blockbusters and adventure films ("The Color Purple" and "Empire of the Sun" notwithstanding). After December 1993, Spielberg would become seemingly less interested in genre films and far more interested in movies aimed squarely at adults. He didn't seem terribly invested in his 1997 sequel to "Jurassic Park," titled "The Lost World," and, indeed, Spielberg's adventure films released since then have all felt distant and automatic, especially when compared to his more politically-bent historical dramas like "Munich,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Best supporting actress nominee Danielle Brooks hit the Oscars red carpet wearing a Dolce & Gabbana satin corset gown.
The Color Purple star — who looks radiant in the black dress featuring a dramatic leg slit — has been working with star stylist Jennifer Austin for less than six months, but the relationship has quickly evolved from friends and colleagues to a sensibility that felt only familial.
“From the first moment, we felt like sisters,” Austin tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I had met her a few times, and I’ve always been a fan of hers, from Orange is the New Black to when I would see her performing in The Color Purple or The Piano Lesson in New York. She’s so talented and has such an incredible energy, so when my agent called to ask whether I wanted to take this meeting, my response was ‘Absolutely!'”
Austin became a...
The Color Purple star — who looks radiant in the black dress featuring a dramatic leg slit — has been working with star stylist Jennifer Austin for less than six months, but the relationship has quickly evolved from friends and colleagues to a sensibility that felt only familial.
“From the first moment, we felt like sisters,” Austin tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I had met her a few times, and I’ve always been a fan of hers, from Orange is the New Black to when I would see her performing in The Color Purple or The Piano Lesson in New York. She’s so talented and has such an incredible energy, so when my agent called to ask whether I wanted to take this meeting, my response was ‘Absolutely!'”
Austin became a...
- 3/10/2024
- by Laurie Brookins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2024 Oscar nominees for Best Supporting Actress are Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”), Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”), America Ferrera (“Barbie”), Jodie Foster (“Nyad”), and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”). Our odds currently indicate that Randolph (3/1) will emerge victorious, followed in order of likelihood by Blunt (4/1), Brooks (4/1), Ferrera (9/2), and Foster (9/2).
The only one of these five actresses with any previous Oscar bids to her name is Foster, who is also this year’s oldest nominee by two full decades. Before she bagged two lead trophies for “The Accused” (1989) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992), she broke through at age 14 with a supporting mention for “Taxi Driver” (1977), becoming the seventh youngest Oscar-nominated performer at the time. Since 47 years separate her first and second featured notices, she now holds the record for longest span between consecutive bids in a single acting category.
As the potential eighth recipient of three or more acting Oscars, Foster...
The only one of these five actresses with any previous Oscar bids to her name is Foster, who is also this year’s oldest nominee by two full decades. Before she bagged two lead trophies for “The Accused” (1989) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992), she broke through at age 14 with a supporting mention for “Taxi Driver” (1977), becoming the seventh youngest Oscar-nominated performer at the time. Since 47 years separate her first and second featured notices, she now holds the record for longest span between consecutive bids in a single acting category.
As the potential eighth recipient of three or more acting Oscars, Foster...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
It's fair to say that "Schindler's List" changed the course of Steven Spielberg's career. The wunderkind filmmaker invented the blockbuster with "Jaws" and rose to become one of the most successful directors of all time. But there was something Spielberg wanted more than fame and money: respect. He didn't just want to be the blockbuster guy; he wanted to be taken seriously as an artist.
"Schindler's List" was the film that finally did that, signaling Spielberg as a "serious" filmmaker capable of winning multiple Oscars for his hard work. The historical drama earned Spielberg some of the best reviews of his career, and it took home seven Academy Awards — including giving Spielberg his first Best Director Oscar.
Spielberg had to work his way up to making such a serious movie, and "Schindler's List" wasn't the first time the filmmaker chased Oscar gold and artistic respect. In a new oral history of "Schindler's List,...
"Schindler's List" was the film that finally did that, signaling Spielberg as a "serious" filmmaker capable of winning multiple Oscars for his hard work. The historical drama earned Spielberg some of the best reviews of his career, and it took home seven Academy Awards — including giving Spielberg his first Best Director Oscar.
Spielberg had to work his way up to making such a serious movie, and "Schindler's List" wasn't the first time the filmmaker chased Oscar gold and artistic respect. In a new oral history of "Schindler's List,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Danielle Brooks knows The Color Purple’s Sofia inside out. She spent a year as the boisterous wife in the Broadway revival in 2015, and boasts that she knows everything from the character’s Zodiac sign to the color socks she wore. A decade before her fiery onstage performance, a 15-year-old Brooks admired Felicia P. Fields as Sofia in its initial run on Broadway, whose defiant demeanor made her vulnerable to racial violence. Despite her lifelong ties to the role, she still had to prove herself for the big budget movie musical.
- 2/26/2024
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
Ryan Michelle Bathe, Danielle Brooks and Sterling K. Brown enjoyed their night at the 15th Annual Aafcs Awards at Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills.
Bathe stunned in a sleeveless, white dress with shiny spots attached. Brooks went for a purple and black combination for her outfit. Brown sported a suit and necklace.
Brooks is known for her role as Sofia in the film, The Color Purple alongside American Idol alum, Fantasia Barrino.
Sofia played the character made famous by Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 Steven Spielberg film.
The movie is an adaptation of the novel by Alice Walker and the Broadway musical.
The post Ryan Michelle Bathe, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. Brown Attend Aafcs Awards appeared first on uInterview.
Bathe stunned in a sleeveless, white dress with shiny spots attached. Brooks went for a purple and black combination for her outfit. Brown sported a suit and necklace.
Brooks is known for her role as Sofia in the film, The Color Purple alongside American Idol alum, Fantasia Barrino.
Sofia played the character made famous by Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 Steven Spielberg film.
The movie is an adaptation of the novel by Alice Walker and the Broadway musical.
The post Ryan Michelle Bathe, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. Brown Attend Aafcs Awards appeared first on uInterview.
- 2/26/2024
- by Gianna Stephens
- Uinterview
It’s a busy weekend for nominees and wannabes alike. A handful of Oscar darlings are newly available on streaming platforms, and a few worthwhile also-rans are out there for the taking, too.
What to watch this week: “Oppenheimer“
The Best Picture front-runner gets another boost thanks to its long-awaited streaming debut. Christopher Nolan recently nabbed the Directors Guild of America award, making his colossal biopic about the creation of the atomic bomb almost unbeatable. The movie first hit VOD in November, but “Oppenheimer” is now available on Peacock, which is owned by Universal, the movie’s distributor. Now it become death, destroyer of Oscar competition.
Other contenders:
“The Color Purple“: The newest adaptation of Alice Walker‘s Pulitzer-winning novel didn’t fare as well with the Oscars as Warner Bros. hoped it would, but Danielle Brooks still made off with a nomination for the same role that earned...
What to watch this week: “Oppenheimer“
The Best Picture front-runner gets another boost thanks to its long-awaited streaming debut. Christopher Nolan recently nabbed the Directors Guild of America award, making his colossal biopic about the creation of the atomic bomb almost unbeatable. The movie first hit VOD in November, but “Oppenheimer” is now available on Peacock, which is owned by Universal, the movie’s distributor. Now it become death, destroyer of Oscar competition.
Other contenders:
“The Color Purple“: The newest adaptation of Alice Walker‘s Pulitzer-winning novel didn’t fare as well with the Oscars as Warner Bros. hoped it would, but Danielle Brooks still made off with a nomination for the same role that earned...
- 2/17/2024
- by Matthew Jacobs
- Gold Derby
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor has some criticism for her movie The Color Purple.
The 54-year-old actress, who received an Oscar nomination for King Richard and wide acclaim for her performance in this year’s film Origin, had a small role in the new movie musical as Celie’s mom.
In a new interview with Buzzfeed, Aunjanue was asked for her thoughts on the backlash the movie received for erasing queer romance. The relationship between Celie and Shug Avery is much more prominent in the book and stage musical than it was in either film adaptations.
Keep reading to find out more…
“The Color Purple is a book about Black lesbians. Whether the choice was made to focus on that or not in the cinematic iterations of The Color Purple, it’s still a movie about Black lesbians. People can try to say the story is about sisterhood, but it’s a story about Black lesbians.
The 54-year-old actress, who received an Oscar nomination for King Richard and wide acclaim for her performance in this year’s film Origin, had a small role in the new movie musical as Celie’s mom.
In a new interview with Buzzfeed, Aunjanue was asked for her thoughts on the backlash the movie received for erasing queer romance. The relationship between Celie and Shug Avery is much more prominent in the book and stage musical than it was in either film adaptations.
Keep reading to find out more…
“The Color Purple is a book about Black lesbians. Whether the choice was made to focus on that or not in the cinematic iterations of The Color Purple, it’s still a movie about Black lesbians. People can try to say the story is about sisterhood, but it’s a story about Black lesbians.
- 2/16/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Directed by Blitz Bazawule from a script by Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker’s novel comes to life on the big screen once again with this stage-to-screen adaptation of the classic coming-of-age story. Fantasia Barrino leads the cast in her feature film debut as Celie, who, despite a life of hardships (from personal to societal), finds strength and solace in sisterhood. Featuring an A-list ensemble including Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., and more, the Oscar-nominated “The Color Purple” makes its streaming debut on Max on Friday, Feb. 16. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max.
How to Watch 'The Color Purple' When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com About 'The Color Purple'
“The Color Purple” takes on a new hue as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis,...
How to Watch 'The Color Purple' When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com About 'The Color Purple'
“The Color Purple” takes on a new hue as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Having trouble predicting who will win Best Supporting Actress at the 2024 Academy Awards? Let’s consult Gold Derby’s Oscar Experts! These savvy prognosticators from major media outlets have chimed in with their first round of predictions, and they say the race is Da’Vine Joy Randolph‘s to lose for “The Holdovers.” The other four Oscar nominees are Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”), Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”), America Ferrera (“Barbie”) and Jodie Foster (“Nyad”).
As of this writing, a leading 18 out of our 20 Oscar Experts are predicting a victory for Randolph: Andrea Mandell (People Magazine), Anne Thompson (Indiewire), Christopher Rosen (Gold Derby), Eric Deggans (NPR), Jazz Tangcay (Variety), Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Matt Neglia (Next Best Picture), Michael Musto (Queerty), Nikki Novak (Fandango), Peter Travers (ABC), Ray Richmond (Gold Derby), Sasha Stone (Awards Daily), Susan King (Gold Derby), Susan Wloszczyna (Gold Derby), Tariq Khan (Gold Derby), Thelma Adams (Gold Derby...
As of this writing, a leading 18 out of our 20 Oscar Experts are predicting a victory for Randolph: Andrea Mandell (People Magazine), Anne Thompson (Indiewire), Christopher Rosen (Gold Derby), Eric Deggans (NPR), Jazz Tangcay (Variety), Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Matt Neglia (Next Best Picture), Michael Musto (Queerty), Nikki Novak (Fandango), Peter Travers (ABC), Ray Richmond (Gold Derby), Sasha Stone (Awards Daily), Susan King (Gold Derby), Susan Wloszczyna (Gold Derby), Tariq Khan (Gold Derby), Thelma Adams (Gold Derby...
- 2/9/2024
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Warner Bros. PIctures’ The Color Purple will make its streaming debut on Max on February 16.
The Blitz Bazawule-directed musical adaptation stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Danielle Brooks.
Adapted from the novel and Broadway musical, the film takes on the classic story of love and resilience. Torn apart from her sister Nettie (Bailey) and her children, Celie (Barrino) faces many hardships in her life, including an abusive husband simply called Mister (Domingo). With the support of sultry singer Shug Avery (Henson) and stand-her-ground stepdaughter Sofia (Brooks), Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.
Bazawule directs from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, whose script is based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray,...
The Blitz Bazawule-directed musical adaptation stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Danielle Brooks.
Adapted from the novel and Broadway musical, the film takes on the classic story of love and resilience. Torn apart from her sister Nettie (Bailey) and her children, Celie (Barrino) faces many hardships in her life, including an abusive husband simply called Mister (Domingo). With the support of sultry singer Shug Avery (Henson) and stand-her-ground stepdaughter Sofia (Brooks), Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.
Bazawule directs from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, whose script is based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Color Purple” will make its streaming debut on Max on Feb. 16.
The movie musical remake from Warner Bros. and director Blitz Bazawule is up for an Academy Award and received two SAG Award nominations and 17 NAACP Image Award nods. It stars Fantasia Barrino, who reprises the role of Celie after playing her on Broadway in 2007, as well as Danielle Brooks, who received a Tony nomination for the Broadway role and is now competing for a best supporting actress Oscar.
Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson and Halle Bailey also star in “The Color Purple,” which boasts producers including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones, and is a film adaptation of the Broadway musical, which itself adapted the 1985 Spielberg film based on Alice Walker’s novel.
“Spielberg did justice to Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-winning novel, but he also left room to expand and improve,” wrote Variety chief film...
The movie musical remake from Warner Bros. and director Blitz Bazawule is up for an Academy Award and received two SAG Award nominations and 17 NAACP Image Award nods. It stars Fantasia Barrino, who reprises the role of Celie after playing her on Broadway in 2007, as well as Danielle Brooks, who received a Tony nomination for the Broadway role and is now competing for a best supporting actress Oscar.
Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson and Halle Bailey also star in “The Color Purple,” which boasts producers including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones, and is a film adaptation of the Broadway musical, which itself adapted the 1985 Spielberg film based on Alice Walker’s novel.
“Spielberg did justice to Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-winning novel, but he also left room to expand and improve,” wrote Variety chief film...
- 2/9/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast of Peacock’s limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist in the series regular role of Vivian Thomas, a savvy businesswoman and Chicken Man’s (Kevin Hart) mistress.
The series reunites Henson with Hart who have collaborated on multiple projects including the films Think Like a Man and Not Easily Broken. Additionally, Fight Night also brings Henson back together with Terrence Howard and Craig Brewer, with whom she collaborated on Hustle & Flow and Empire, among other projects.
Set in Atlanta, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but an entire city’s destiny.
As Deadline exclusively revealed on Wednesday morning, Dexter Darden will star as the legendary boxer in the limited series. In addition to Henson,...
The series reunites Henson with Hart who have collaborated on multiple projects including the films Think Like a Man and Not Easily Broken. Additionally, Fight Night also brings Henson back together with Terrence Howard and Craig Brewer, with whom she collaborated on Hustle & Flow and Empire, among other projects.
Set in Atlanta, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but an entire city’s destiny.
As Deadline exclusively revealed on Wednesday morning, Dexter Darden will star as the legendary boxer in the limited series. In addition to Henson,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Event cinema title Dear England is the widest new release at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, playing in 716 UK venues through National Theatre Live.
The play first screened in 694 venues yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. As well as cinemas, it is screening in many non-cinema venues such as community centres and village halls.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 European Championships, and the 2022 World Cup.
Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Joseph Fiennes as England manager Gareth Southgate,...
The play first screened in 694 venues yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. As well as cinemas, it is screening in many non-cinema venues such as community centres and village halls.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 European Championships, and the 2022 World Cup.
Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Joseph Fiennes as England manager Gareth Southgate,...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Event cinema title Dear England is the widest new release at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, playing in around 800 UK cinemas through National Theatre Live.
The play first screened in 694 cinemas yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. The exact weekend location number is to be confirmed; should it be above the 777 sites of James Bond film No Time To Die from 2021, it would be the widest opening ever in UK-Ireland cinemas.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup,...
The play first screened in 694 cinemas yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. The exact weekend location number is to be confirmed; should it be above the 777 sites of James Bond film No Time To Die from 2021, it would be the widest opening ever in UK-Ireland cinemas.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup,...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
When the sun rose on the 2024 Oscar nominations for Best Picture, 10 films ended up being invited to the party while countless others were not. For the record, the Academy Awards nominees in the top category were “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest.” Oscar fans voted in our overnight poll to tell us which also-ran likely came in 11th place in the Best Picture race, and a majority (52%) say it was “The Color Purple.” In fact, no other contender even comes close.
Below are the complete poll results for what people think just missed the Best Picture lineup. Do you agree or disagree with your fellow Oscar fans? Be sure to sound off down in the comments section.
52% — “The Color Purple”
14% — “May December”
13% — “All of Us Strangers”
12% — “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
6% — “Nyad...
Below are the complete poll results for what people think just missed the Best Picture lineup. Do you agree or disagree with your fellow Oscar fans? Be sure to sound off down in the comments section.
52% — “The Color Purple”
14% — “May December”
13% — “All of Us Strangers”
12% — “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
6% — “Nyad...
- 1/25/2024
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Fresh off receiving his first Oscar nomination, Colman Domingo has been cast as Joe Jackson, the father of Michael Jackson, in the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic “Michael.”
The casting announcement comes after the news Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar would portray the King of Pop, with 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi tackling the singer during his early days.
“It’s exciting to do it with Jaafar,” Domingo tells Variety exclusively during an upcoming episode of the Awards Circuit Podcast. “Jermaine Jackson’s son is playing Michael, and he is breathtaking, and I think Graham King, the producer, has assembled an incredible cast.”
He adds in a statement: “I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon. Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex...
The casting announcement comes after the news Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar would portray the King of Pop, with 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi tackling the singer during his early days.
“It’s exciting to do it with Jaafar,” Domingo tells Variety exclusively during an upcoming episode of the Awards Circuit Podcast. “Jermaine Jackson’s son is playing Michael, and he is breathtaking, and I think Graham King, the producer, has assembled an incredible cast.”
He adds in a statement: “I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon. Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex...
- 1/25/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
When the 2024 Oscars nominations were announced on January 23, 10 movies were sitting pretty in the Best Picture line-up: “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest.” Of this year’s notable also-rans (and there were many), which one just missed receiving an Oscar Best Picture nomination for 2024? Vote in our poll below to let us know which one You think was #11 on voters’ ballots.
SEE2024 Oscar nominations: Full list of contenders in all 23 categories
Based on Gold Derby’s racetrack odds, the snubbed film with the best chance of reaping a Best Picture bid was “The Color Purple” in 11th place. Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Hollywood bigwigs like Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, this Warner Bros. crowd-pleaser is based on the popular stage musical version of “The Color Purple,” which in...
SEE2024 Oscar nominations: Full list of contenders in all 23 categories
Based on Gold Derby’s racetrack odds, the snubbed film with the best chance of reaping a Best Picture bid was “The Color Purple” in 11th place. Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Hollywood bigwigs like Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, this Warner Bros. crowd-pleaser is based on the popular stage musical version of “The Color Purple,” which in...
- 1/23/2024
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The final countdown is on. The BAFTA nominations are in, which means all the precursors are accounted for – aside from the delayed Writers Guild Awards. One of the last major Oscar players made its digital debut the same day that voting ended. Will that put the movie at the top of Academy members’ minds?
The contender to watch this week: “The Color Purple“
One of the lingering questions ahead of next week’s Oscar nominations is how “The Color Purple” will fare. The newest adaptation of Alice Walker‘s Pulitzer-winning novel has been up and down throughout precursor season, but its two SAG Award nods — particularly the venerated ensemble prize — could hint at a decent haul. The surest bet is newly BAFTA-recognized Danielle Brooks, reprising her barn-burning role from the Broadway production. Otherwise, the movie could show up in Best Costume Design, Best Original Score (it is a musical after all), Best Production Design,...
The contender to watch this week: “The Color Purple“
One of the lingering questions ahead of next week’s Oscar nominations is how “The Color Purple” will fare. The newest adaptation of Alice Walker‘s Pulitzer-winning novel has been up and down throughout precursor season, but its two SAG Award nods — particularly the venerated ensemble prize — could hint at a decent haul. The surest bet is newly BAFTA-recognized Danielle Brooks, reprising her barn-burning role from the Broadway production. Otherwise, the movie could show up in Best Costume Design, Best Original Score (it is a musical after all), Best Production Design,...
- 1/20/2024
- by Matthew Jacobs
- Gold Derby
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
The Boys in the Boat (George Clooney)
This is, from start to finish, an underdog sports picture. Edgerton puts a welcome spin on the gruff-but-caring coach archetype, and Turner does the same with his lead character. Soft-spoken, stern, and handsome, this is a role someone like Ronald Reagan would have excelled at bringing to the screen some 80 years ago; Turner, luckily, is more interesting to look at and a better actor. Alexandre Desplat’s score is maybe the most playful thing about this film, and it works when it needs to. The race sequences are unquestionably Boys‘ highlight, Clooney making use of zoom lenses and well-placed cameras to capture the speed and fluidity of each competition. There is a real tension mined in these scenes,...
The Boys in the Boat (George Clooney)
This is, from start to finish, an underdog sports picture. Edgerton puts a welcome spin on the gruff-but-caring coach archetype, and Turner does the same with his lead character. Soft-spoken, stern, and handsome, this is a role someone like Ronald Reagan would have excelled at bringing to the screen some 80 years ago; Turner, luckily, is more interesting to look at and a better actor. Alexandre Desplat’s score is maybe the most playful thing about this film, and it works when it needs to. The race sequences are unquestionably Boys‘ highlight, Clooney making use of zoom lenses and well-placed cameras to capture the speed and fluidity of each competition. There is a real tension mined in these scenes,...
- 1/19/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Barrino entered American Idol in 2004 as a young single mother who struggled to read, and won over the nation with her powerhouse voice and personality. Now she is starring in her first film. She discusses poverty, violence, Oprah – and gratitude
‘I wasn’t going to show my face,” Fantasia Barrino says, speaking on a video call from Los Angeles. “But I was like: ‘How rude. I can see her pretty face.” Born and raised in High Point, a small city in North Carolina, Barrino, 39, is famous in the US as the teenage single mother who won American Idol 20 years ago. Now, she is going global, playing Celie in the new musical screen adaptation of The Color Purple, produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. A star could go any which way with that kind of rags-to-riches story, but you would expect at least a little showbiz haughtiness. I have never...
‘I wasn’t going to show my face,” Fantasia Barrino says, speaking on a video call from Los Angeles. “But I was like: ‘How rude. I can see her pretty face.” Born and raised in High Point, a small city in North Carolina, Barrino, 39, is famous in the US as the teenage single mother who won American Idol 20 years ago. Now, she is going global, playing Celie in the new musical screen adaptation of The Color Purple, produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. A star could go any which way with that kind of rags-to-riches story, but you would expect at least a little showbiz haughtiness. I have never...
- 1/18/2024
- by Zoe Williams
- The Guardian - Film News
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
“The Color Purple,” which took home the awards for Best Musical, Best Ensemble and Best Music at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, will finally be available to watch from the home. The film becomes available to rent/purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV on Jan. 16, and will release on 4K Uhd, DVD and Blu-ray on Mar. 12
Buy Now: The Color Purple On Prime Video $19.99
The digital and physical releases include dozens of special features including three featurettes with the director Blitz Bazawule, filmmakers and the star-studded cast about the making of the film, in addition to behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage showing the process of transforming Alice Walker’s novel into a musical.
Fantasia Barrino, who starred as Celie in the 2007 Broadway production of “The Color Purple,...
“The Color Purple,” which took home the awards for Best Musical, Best Ensemble and Best Music at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, will finally be available to watch from the home. The film becomes available to rent/purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV on Jan. 16, and will release on 4K Uhd, DVD and Blu-ray on Mar. 12
Buy Now: The Color Purple On Prime Video $19.99
The digital and physical releases include dozens of special features including three featurettes with the director Blitz Bazawule, filmmakers and the star-studded cast about the making of the film, in addition to behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage showing the process of transforming Alice Walker’s novel into a musical.
Fantasia Barrino, who starred as Celie in the 2007 Broadway production of “The Color Purple,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
Movie musicals are not only back, they're back with a surprising vengeance. Between Paul King's "Wonka" prequel singing and dancing its way to the top of the box office over the winter holidays, Blitz Bazawule's film version of the "Color Purple" Broadway adaptation enjoying a massive opening on Christmas Day, and now Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr.'s "Mean Girls" movie musical making fetch happen for real, it's fair to say the musical genre has emerged as an unexpected savior for theaters at a time when we're really starting to feel the effects of the AMPTP having dragged out the two-pronged WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023.
If you've been waiting to get your musical theater on at home (no judgment from us -- you do you), you're in luck! While you'll have to wait a while still for "Wonka" and "Mean Girls" to hit the home market,...
If you've been waiting to get your musical theater on at home (no judgment from us -- you do you), you're in luck! While you'll have to wait a while still for "Wonka" and "Mean Girls" to hit the home market,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
When “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros.) opened on Christmas Day, it grossed over $18 million, fueled by marketing campaign that focused on group sales to attract its core audiene. Its total was $40 above what “Les Miserables” did on December 25, 2012 (its opening day) before it grossed nearly $150 million in the U.S./Canada.
Unfortunately for the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel (and Steven Spielberg’s 1985 movie), the operation was a success but the patient did less well. Through three weeks of play, despite an A Cinemascore suggesting strong audience response, it has grossed only $58 million, barely three times its opening day. The recent weekend, its third, took in under $2 million after losing almost two-thirds of its theaters.
On Tuesday, after 22 days in theaters, it will become the first holiday release to reach home audiences on PVOD (at $19.99 to rent). Perhaps it can find greater success there.
It comes as Netflix,...
Unfortunately for the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel (and Steven Spielberg’s 1985 movie), the operation was a success but the patient did less well. Through three weeks of play, despite an A Cinemascore suggesting strong audience response, it has grossed only $58 million, barely three times its opening day. The recent weekend, its third, took in under $2 million after losing almost two-thirds of its theaters.
On Tuesday, after 22 days in theaters, it will become the first holiday release to reach home audiences on PVOD (at $19.99 to rent). Perhaps it can find greater success there.
It comes as Netflix,...
- 1/15/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
The African American Film Critics Association on Monday announced the winners of the 15th annual Aafca Awards as well as the organization’s picks for the 10 best films of the year.
Neon’s Origin, Amazon Studios’ American Fiction and Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple all won multiple honors, with American Fiction and The Color Purple leading with four wins apiece.
American Fiction earned wins for best comedy, best supporting actor for Sterling K. Brown and best screenplay and emerging filmmaker for writer-director Cord Jefferson, who adapted Percival Everett’s novel Erasure into a biting satire of the publishing and entertainment industry’s limited view of Black storytelling.
The Color Purple received the awards for best musical, best ensemble and best music. Danielle Brooks also won best supporting actress for her role in the second adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, reprising her role as Sofia, which Brooks played...
Neon’s Origin, Amazon Studios’ American Fiction and Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple all won multiple honors, with American Fiction and The Color Purple leading with four wins apiece.
American Fiction earned wins for best comedy, best supporting actor for Sterling K. Brown and best screenplay and emerging filmmaker for writer-director Cord Jefferson, who adapted Percival Everett’s novel Erasure into a biting satire of the publishing and entertainment industry’s limited view of Black storytelling.
The Color Purple received the awards for best musical, best ensemble and best music. Danielle Brooks also won best supporting actress for her role in the second adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, reprising her role as Sofia, which Brooks played...
- 1/15/2024
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On this morning’s Crew Call, we talk with The Color Purple producers Oprah Winfrey and Scott Sanders on blazing a path for their Broadway musical to the big screen.
Winfrey, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 feature take of the Alice Walker novel, gives props to best friend Gayle King for the actual Broadway musical.
You can listen to our conversation below:
While Sanders, the producer on the original stage musical, was rehearsing during the early aughts, King went to see it, expecting the show to be a waste of time. King was ready to relay some bad news to Winfrey. However, that didn’t happen, and a $11M stage production reaped $103M on Broadway in its first 2005-08 run.
Winfrey says that King “ended up staying for the full rehearsal and then calling me, saying, ‘You’ve got to come see this!'”
Sanders says, “I remember going over to her,...
Winfrey, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 feature take of the Alice Walker novel, gives props to best friend Gayle King for the actual Broadway musical.
You can listen to our conversation below:
While Sanders, the producer on the original stage musical, was rehearsing during the early aughts, King went to see it, expecting the show to be a waste of time. King was ready to relay some bad news to Winfrey. However, that didn’t happen, and a $11M stage production reaped $103M on Broadway in its first 2005-08 run.
Winfrey says that King “ended up staying for the full rehearsal and then calling me, saying, ‘You’ve got to come see this!'”
Sanders says, “I remember going over to her,...
- 1/14/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In late 2023, Taraji P. Henson created headlines for her outspoken candor on the press tour for The Color Purple. In various conversations supporting the Warner Bros. film — a musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, previously adapted for film in 1985 by director Steven Spielberg — Henson has tearfully relayed her frustrations as a Black woman in Hollywood.
Despite an Oscar nomination and four Emmy nods, Henson has admitted that finding roles that represent her stature as a respected leading lady still proves difficult. “The industry had me thinking I was too edgy, I’m street, I’m this, I’m that, and I ain’t Hollywood pretty. But the fight in me and my purpose, once I understood I had a purpose in this thing, I was like, ‘Oh no,'” she told The Hollywood Reporter in December. “There’s a place for me because there’s a girl...
Despite an Oscar nomination and four Emmy nods, Henson has admitted that finding roles that represent her stature as a respected leading lady still proves difficult. “The industry had me thinking I was too edgy, I’m street, I’m this, I’m that, and I ain’t Hollywood pretty. But the fight in me and my purpose, once I understood I had a purpose in this thing, I was like, ‘Oh no,'” she told The Hollywood Reporter in December. “There’s a place for me because there’s a girl...
- 1/14/2024
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
She kicked off her career with Orange is the New Black and is now starring in a new version of The Color Purple. Danielle Brooks talks about conquering stage fright, her religious upbringing and filling Oprah Winfrey’s shoes
Things started to go wrong one morning in May. It was 2016 and Danielle Brooks was, by all possible metrics, killing it. Having launched her career in the radical prison dramedy Orange is the New Black, she was starring on Broadway in The Color Purple. That day she was meant to be joining the cast on breakfast TV to perform – the Tony nominations were about to be announced – but she couldn’t make it out of the house, nerves making her feet heavy. She watched instead from home and when her nomination was announced she “cried a puddle of tears”. They had a show that night. She’d performed hundreds of times by then,...
Things started to go wrong one morning in May. It was 2016 and Danielle Brooks was, by all possible metrics, killing it. Having launched her career in the radical prison dramedy Orange is the New Black, she was starring on Broadway in The Color Purple. That day she was meant to be joining the cast on breakfast TV to perform – the Tony nominations were about to be announced – but she couldn’t make it out of the house, nerves making her feet heavy. She watched instead from home and when her nomination was announced she “cried a puddle of tears”. They had a show that night. She’d performed hundreds of times by then,...
- 1/14/2024
- by Eva Wiseman
- The Guardian - Film News
As big a deal as it was to become the first “American Idol” winner on Broadway, Fantasia Barrino looks back on her experience replacing Tony winner Lachanze as Celie in “The Color Purple” with a certain level of sorrow. “No one told me how to come out of the character,” said the Grammy-winning singer and actress to IndieWire. “My life was pretty crazy [at that moment], so I was carrying my cross and Celie’s cross at the same time, and that was overload. That was heavy. And so when I was done with it, I was like, ‘I’m done. I would never do this again. I would never step into her shoes again.’”
Coming up on two decades ago, Barrino became the winner of Season 3 of “American Idol” at only 19 years old. Standing on stage belting “I Believe” as tears streamed down her face, and silver confetti rained down, the young single mother from High Point,...
Coming up on two decades ago, Barrino became the winner of Season 3 of “American Idol” at only 19 years old. Standing on stage belting “I Believe” as tears streamed down her face, and silver confetti rained down, the young single mother from High Point,...
- 1/13/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Tensions come to a head in the Easter dinner scene from Blitz Bazawule’s musical adaptation “The Color Purple.” In this moving moment from the film based on Alice Walker’s novel and the beloved Broadway production of the same name, Celie (Fantasia Barrino) confronts Mister (Colman Domingo), the brute farmer she was married off to by her father as a teen, and the years of abuse she’s endured at his hands. Meanwhile, Sofia (Danielle Brooks) breaks down in tears and gratitude for Celie staying by her side while Sofia was locked up in jail after refusing to work for the mayor’s wife.
Also gathered from the ensemble at the table are Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson as bluestress Shug Avery, Oscar winner Jon Batiste as Grady, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, and Oscar winner H.E.R. as Mary Agnes.
The acclaimed film, one of the biggest Christmas Day openings ever,...
Also gathered from the ensemble at the table are Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson as bluestress Shug Avery, Oscar winner Jon Batiste as Grady, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, and Oscar winner H.E.R. as Mary Agnes.
The acclaimed film, one of the biggest Christmas Day openings ever,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
imdb.1eye.us, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.