Moviefone Editorial

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Six Triple Eight’

    (L to R) Kerry Washington as Captain Charity Adams and Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Laura Radford / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.
    (L to R) Kerry Washington as Captain Charity Adams and Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Laura Radford / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.

    Arriving on Netflix on December 20th, ‘The Six Triple Eight’ is the latest film from writer/director Tyler Perry and chronicles an inspiring real-life story of the all-Black section of the Women’s Army Corps, who were charged with an immense task.

    With mountains of undelivered mail stuck in hangers and both troops and their families frustrated by the lack of reliable deliveries, the unit had to figure out some way to get the lines of communication open again.

    Related Article: Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo Talk ‘UnPrisoned’ and Working Together

    Does ‘The Six Triple Eight’ Deliver?

    Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix.
    Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix.

    While he’s more known for his Madea work and melodramas, powerhouse director Tyler Perry has dipped his toe in the past before with 2022’s ‘A Jazzman’s Blues,’ though there he was channeling the Black experience into a fictional story.

    For ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ however, he’s diving right into actual history, the pressure of bringing a true –– yet criminally ignored –– story to screens weighing heavy on the filmmaker. There is a reason to feel that: the heroic work of the Six Triple Eight U.S. Army unit is worth celebrating, but Perry does sometimes fall victim to cliché and pat scenes that feel like something out of an After-School Special.

    While the real-life women faced plenty of resistance and no little racism in their mission, Perry choose to hammer the themes home in such repetitive and unsubtle fashion that it’s almost like using a giant bomb dropped from a B-52 when a sniper’s bullet might serve the job better.

    Script and Direction

    Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in 'Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.
    Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in ‘Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.

    Perry wrote the screenplay for his latest based on Kevin Hymel’s article “Fighting a Two-Front War” about the real-life Corps members. And with a wealth of material and so many potential stories to choose from, it’s a shame that what ended up on screen is such a relatively lightweight collection of seen-it-before stories.

    While there is certainly something to be said for the young woman grieving a lost love throwing herself into duty, a lot of that has been said before, and better. And while the unit notched a lot of resistance from Generals and other superior officers, the wealth of sheer racist characters on display here starts to feel like overload. The message is stamped into us rather than carefully sketched.

    In directorial terms, this is possibly Perry’s most accomplished film to date, opening with an impressive battle scene but then focusing in on the personal stories of the women involved. It’s not overly fussy visually, letting the characters breath –– at least those that actually warrant a story, which is only one or two.

    Cast and Performances

    The focus here is certainly on Ebony Obsidian, who is our main character and point of connection for the story. But as the narrative moves on, it’s Kerry Washington’s Major Charity Adams who begins to dominate.

    Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King

    (L to R) Gregg Sulkin as Abram David and Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.
    (L to R) Gregg Sulkin as Abram David and Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.

    Lena is the young woman mentioned above whose story starts with burgeoning love, only for the romance to be squashed before it can get going when her beau dies in combat. In the early going, Obsidian has to make do with Perry’s fairly obvious lines about love and racial barriers, and some of that continues once she signs up for the WAC, where she’s soon mocked by outsiders and the press for her seeming lack of spine.

    Yet once the character digs in and proves herself several times over, she comes alive a little more. Obsidian is able to bring all of her various sides to life with conviction, though she’s somewhat limited by what she’s given.

    Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams

    Kerry Washington in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Netflix.
    Kerry Washington in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Netflix.

    Washington, who is also an executive producer on the movie, is a commanding –– pun intended –– presence in the film, playing the woman whose duty it is the to oversee the training of the Six Triple Eight unit and then their mission when they’re finally dispatched to Europe to tackle the mail issue. This is clearly a role that Washington is passionate about, and that comes through the character and off the screen.

    Dean Norris as General Halt

    ‘Breaking Bad’ veteran is here playing less of a character and more of a group of racist stereotypes rolled into one person. He’s a swaggering good ol’ boy who tries to bully the Six Triple Eight out of their mission and puts barriers in at every turn. Norris does what he can with the role, but it never feels like an actual human.

    (L to R) Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt and Sam Waterson as President Roosevelt in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.
    (L to R) Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt and Sam Waterson as President Roosevelt in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.

    Sam Waterston as President Roosevelt and Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt

    Waterson has barely one scene as Roosevelt, but does impress in the role, while Sarandon, acting through a mouthful of teeth, puts her mark on the compassionate, authoritative Eleanor.

    Supporting Cast

    Oprah Winfrey pops up almost as briefly as Waterson to play the influential activist Mary McLeod Bethune, though she’s mostly used for exposition. Around Obsidian, the likes of Sarah Jeffrey, Kylie Jefferson, Pepi Sonuga and particularly Shanice Shantay make for a fun and supportive friend group.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell, Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams and Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Cr. Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.
    (L to R) Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell, Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams and Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Cr. Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.

    Perry, looking to stretch himself here, finds that his ambition sometimes exceeds his grasp, but it’s a decent enough take on the tale. Still, a historical event as important as this (especially one that has been so underreported) still might have benefitted from other eyes and hands on the script.

    ‘The Six Triple Eight’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Six Triple Eight?

    The movie is inspired by the first and only Black Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in World War II. Despite facing racism and sexism –– and grueling working conditions – they were committed to serving their country with honor and distinction. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.

    Who is in the cast of  ‘The Six Triple Eight’?

    • Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams
    • Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King
    • Dean Norris as General Halt
    • Sam Waterston as Franklin Roosevelt
    • Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune
    • Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt
    • Milauna Jackson as Captain Campbell
    • Kylie Jefferson as Bernice Baker
    • Shanice Shantay as Johnnie Mae
    • Sarah Jeffery as Dolores Washington
    • Pepi Sonuga as Elaine White
    (L to R) Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell and Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.
    (L to R) Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell and Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Bob Mahoney / Perry Well Films 2 / Courtesy of Netflix.

    List of Movies Directed by Tyler Perry:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Six Triple Eight’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Tyler Perry Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Color Purple’

    Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery and Fantasia Barrino as Celie,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery and Fantasia Barrino as Celie,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    In theaters on December 25th, ‘The Color Purple’ represents just the latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book following Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated 1985 drama and the 2004 stage play musical from which this new movie draws its inspiration.

    Both the first movie and the stage musical are tough acts to follow, to say nothing of the impactful original novel. But, under the direction of Blitz Bazawule, the new film proves to be a powerful story driven by some excellent performances.

    Does ‘The Color Purple’ sing?

    Fantasia Barrino as Celie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Fantasia Barrino as Celie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Lynsey Weatherspoon. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Though it has a lot to live up to, ‘The Color Purple’ does indeed work, breathing fresh, impressive life into the story as it did on stage.

    It doesn’t hurt that the cast offer memorable performances, successfully selling the music side while also delivering on the dramatics. This is, at times an uncomfortable film to watch –– by design, since it tells the story of women facing horrific repression and racism while managing to push through.

    Produced by Oprah Winfrey (who co-starred in the original), the latest take on the tale will have you reaching for the tissues and punching the air, sometimes at the same time.

    ‘The Color Purple’: Script and Direction

    Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Eli Ade´. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    While Marcus Gardley’s script makes some tweaks to both| Alice Walker’s novel and Marsha Norman’s musical book, they make sense for this merging of two formats and keep the new musical movie feeling of a piece with both previous versions.

    You’ll be gripped by Celie’s story as she deals with an unwanted forced marriage to man who effectively treats her like a servant while satisfying himself elsewhere to separation from her beloved sister and all the other indignities loaded upon her.

    Yet, aside from a couple of bravura sequences (one which takes place on a giant gramophone record is particularly effective and creative), the direction from Blitz Bazawule –– whose previous work includes thriller ‘The Burial of Kojo’ and Beyoncé’s ‘Black is King’ visual album –– is largely standard, which lets the performers shine.

    It must be said, though, that the visual directorial side of the movie is the weakest aspect, largely rescued by the commitment of the people on screen. The big dance numbers are ably directed, but they don’t feel special in general.

    ‘The Color Purple’: Performances

    Danielle Brooks as Sophia in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (Center) Danielle Brooks as Sophia in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Eli Ade´. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    As mentioned, this is a collection of veterans doing excellent work and star-making performances for some of the newer faces.

    Prime among them is Fantasia Barrino, who makes her movie debut after success in the music and on stage, where she took over the Celie role in the musical. She’s fantastic here, bringing believable grief, pain, joy and resilience to the screen, her character’s journey giving her plenty to work with.

    It’s not just her show, though: Danielle Brooks (of ‘Orange is the New Black’ and ‘Peacemaker’) also does great work as Sofia, making a complicated character (she’s initially presented as a verbally abusive loudmouth, but is given other shades to play as we dig into her story also) soar and fully making the role her own in a movie where there are a host of great turns. A sequence where the consequence of her actions turns out to be particularly tough is a real experience.

    Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Ser Baffo. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Taraji P. Henson, who sang to previously memorable effect in ‘Hustle and Flow’, is here blues singer Shug Avery, the vivacious subject of Mister’s (Colman Domingo) affection but soon becomes even more important to Celie in terms of inspiration and freedom.

    The younger Celie and her sister Nettie are brought to winning life by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and ‘The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey, and while their screentime is relatively short, they wring every ounce out of it, setting the foundation upon which Barrino builds.

    Colman Domingo as Mister in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Colman Domingo as Mister in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Ser Baffo. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

    Around the lead characters orbits a rogue’s gallery and men and others, especially Domingo as Celie’s wayward, dismissive husband, who is more than just a villain –– he has his own issues, including pressure from his father.

    Corey Hawkins, as Sofia’s first husband, a man with dreams of opening a juke joint (for music and drinking), is a likeable presence among some much more troublesome male figures. Be under no illusion, though: this is the women’s’ film through and through.

    ‘The Color Purple’: Final Thoughts

    H.E.R. as Squeak and Corey Hawkins as Harpo in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) H.E.R. as Squeak and Corey Hawkins as Harpo in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic,’The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Lynsey Weatherspoon. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Balancing the traumatic side of the story with redemption and elation, ‘The Color Purple’ will surely be a player in the awards season, particularly for its lead cast. It manages to tread the line between the original book, the first movie and the stage musical, this is a successful blend of the three and its own thing at the same time.

    Is it the best musical of the season? We’ve a feeling the sheer inventiveness of ‘Wonka’ presents a challenge, but for classic old-school belted songs sharing space with deep drama and historical perspective, this one is hard to beat.

    ‘The Color Purple’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Color Purple’?

    ‘The Color Purple’ is a decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman’s journey to independence.

    Celie (Fantasia Barrino) faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

    Who else is in ‘The Color Purple’?

    The movie’s cast also includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

    Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic, 'The Color Purple,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ bold new take on a classic, ‘The Color Purple,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Eli Ade´. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Color Purple’:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Color Purple’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘The Color Purple’ on Amazon

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  • CinemaCon 2023: Warner Bros. Presentation

    'Barbie' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    Having caused ripples with filmmakers and nervous feelings for already-threatened theater chains during the pandemic by putting a swathe of movies either directly on streaming service HBO Max or releasing them day-and-date online, Warner Bros. was somewhat naturally ready to go all-in on the big s screen as part of its presentation to cinemas bosses.

    Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav opened with his commitment to theatrical, adding that the studio has 14 movies planned for cinemas in 2023, looking to ramp up to 20 in the coming years.

    “I’m convinced, there is no other place to see a motion picture, to have impacts on all parts of the world…we believe in full windowing of the business, we don’t believe in streaming. We’re in no rush to bring movies to Max,” he said, referring to the to-be-retitled streaming service.

    ‘The Color Purple’

    'The Color Purple' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘The Color Purple’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    Zaslav has a longstanding business relationship with Oprah Winfrey (he oversaw development on her OWN network) and helped to introduce a project she’s deeply involved with –– the new musical version of Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Color Purple’.

    Winfrey took the stage with the movie’s director Blitz Bazawule and told the room it was her first time at CinemaCon. “This is first circle moment for me to be a part of this film,” said Winfrey who starred in that original adaptation of the Alice Walker novel.

    Winfrey said that the new musical version brings “magical realism, wholesome family goodness” to the screen. She happily introduced Bazawule,

    “We knew you were the director to bring this version to the screen. How did you know you were the one?”

    'The Color Purple' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘The Color Purple’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    Bazawule: “I started this journey with the utmost respect for you, but also for Alice Walker, whose book gave us this amazing story…. At its core it’s about finding your voice, your family and breaking through obstacles which keep you down.”

    “We’re going to get the groups in the seats,” said Winfrey, “It’s a celebration of sisterhood.”

    They showed off the filled with lush Southern backgrounds, beaches, grand period costumes. We see Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery saying, “I was married to a man I didn’t know”. There’s a shot of a 1920s band set on stage, and Henson adds “We got to show these folks we belong.” The movie stars Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Jon Batiste, Halle Bailey and more.

    ‘The Color Purple’ will be in theaters on December 25th.

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    ‘Barbie’

    'Barbie' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    ‘The Color Purple’ might indicate prestige, but pink was really the color for both the opening of the presentation –– launched by distribution chiefs Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps who were decked out in hot pink suits with ties and sneakers to match –– and of ‘Barbie’, which has been making waves following its trailer and poster launch.

    Co-writer/director Greta Gerwig took the stage with stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera to promote the movie, with Gerwig laughing as she told partner/co-writer Noah Baumbach to “move aside” when he suggested he might direct.

    But the star of the presentation was Gosling –– clad in a pink jacket –– who revealed how the filmmakers helped him find the character of Ken.

    Here’s what he said,

    “I have to be honest, I had up until this point, I only knew Ken from afar. I didn’t know Ken from within,” the actor explained. “If I’m being really honest, I doubted my Ken-ergy. I didn’t see it. Margot and Greta, I feel like they conjured this out of me somewhere.”

    The foursome debuted some unseen footage, which helped flesh out the story of the movie as seen in the recent trailer. Robbie’s title character is seemingly going about her technicolor life until strange things start happening, like cold showers and burnt waffles and then the ultimate ailment — flat feet. Her fellow Barbies suggest she go and see “weird Barbie,” played by Kate McKinnon who offers two options, to go back to her regular Barbie life or real-life as displayed by a stiletto or a Birkenstock.

    Barbie then sets off on a journey to the real world and is surprised by Ken who joins her in the backseat of her convertible.

    ‘Barbie’ drives into theaters on July 21st.

    'Barbie' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    Related Article: CinemaCon 2023: Sony Pictures Presentation

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    ‘The Meg 2: The Trench’

    From the looks of the trailer for the giant shark sequel, the filmmakers (including director Ben Wheatley) are doubling down on the monster action, bringing lots more creatures plus a new, bigger Megalodon shark.

    Jason Statham returns as the heroic Jonas, seen in the footage leaping into the air on a jet ski to face off against a shark with a sword. Are we getting into ‘Sharknado’ territory? Possibly, but that’s part of the fun.

    ‘The Meg 2: The Trench’ chomps its ways into theaters on August 4th.

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    ’Wonka’

    Timothée Chalamet was on hand to bring fresh footage from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel ‘Wonka’, in which he plays the candy creator.

    The trailer, which was for the room only, showed off plenty of mainstays of the Willy Wonka character, including chocolate that makes one float, and a surprise: Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa, which got big laughs from the crowd. Chalamet called working with Grant as a “dream come true.” He added of the Oompa-Loompa character, “it was a trip.”

    Directed by ‘Paddington’s Paul King, the musical movie will sing for its supper (and more likely dessert) in theaters from December 15th.

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    ‘Dune: Part Two’

    'Dune Part Two' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Dune Part Two’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    Chalamet was back, joined by co-star Zendaya and director Denis Villeneuve on stage to show off teaser footage for the second part of Villeneuve’s giant sci-fi adaptation.

    This time, we’re promised more action as Chalamet’s Paul Atreides starts his battle to avenge his murdered family and free the planet Arrakis from the cruel Harkonnens. Zendaya is back –– and actually part of the story this time –– as Chani, a warrior from the native Fremen.

    The footage showed some big moments, such as Paul riding one of the native Sandworm creatures, plus new cast members such as Florence Pugh and Austin Butler, who will be Princess Irulan and the calculating sword-slinger Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Who hopefully doesn’t sound like Elvis Presley.

    ‘Dune: Part Two’ heads to theaters on November 3rd.

    'Dune Part Two' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Dune Part Two’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    ‘The Nun 2’

    There was horror to be found with the sequel to ‘Conjuring’ spin-off ‘The Nun’, with a first look at the new movie, directed by Michael Chaves.

    As expected, it’s scary stuff, with young girls playing a dare game that soon turns terrifying. Taissa Farmiga’s Sister Irene is back to help deal with the new demonic threat. Expect freakish goat creatures, rivers of blood and lots of screaming.

    Farmiga and co-star Storm Reid took the stage to talk up the film with the former explaining that Sister Irene returns because “she has a strong sense of duty”. Filming at a real abandoned church in France frightened Farmiga so much that she needed an escort to walk her around the location.

    ‘The Nun’ will vow to frighten audiences on September 8th.

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    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    Jason Momoa in 2018's 'Aquaman.'
    Jason Momoa in 2018’s ‘Aquaman.’

    James Wan’s ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ kicked off a half hour chunk of the presentation dedicated to DC movies.

    Though James Gunn is away touring the world for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ he sent a video message. Fellow DC Studios CEO Peter Safran was in person to talk up the slate.

    Here’s what he said,

    “Each of these films not only delivers a stunning cinematic experience that uniquely highlights our iconic DC heroes, but they also blaze a trail forward into our DC universe that we are cracking with our next chapter.”

    Neither James Wan nor star Jason Momoa were on hand, though they appeared via video to introduce a new trailer for the aquatic hero’s sequel.

    Wan said ‘Aquaman 2’ visits “beautiful, strange new worlds” where it explores “interesting new characters.” “It’s an action-adventure story with a really fun bromance between Arthur (Momoa) and Orm (Patrick Wilson). Orm was a villain the first time around, but this time Arthur needs him.”

    As for the trailer, it finds Momoa battling Yahya Abdul Mateen II’s Black Manta –– who this time has his own Trident, and is causing big trouble for our hero, requiring the Orm assist. Oh, and Aquaman has a child now.

    The movie swims to theaters on December 20th.

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    ‘Blue Beetle’

    'Blue Beetle' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Blue Beetle’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    ‘Blue Beetle’ director Angel Manuel Soto and star Xolo Maridueña brought an extended trailer for the movie about a young man who becomes an unwitting superhero (at least until he embraces the powers granted him by a weird scarab).

    Unlike some other heroes, Maridueña’s Jamie Reyes has a family who knows about his superhero side. “Good luck hiding something from your Latino mother,” Soto said to laughs, while Maridueña described his character as the only superhero who doesn’t seem to want his powers.

    ‘Blue Beetle’, heads to theaters on August 18th.

    'Blue Beetle' CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
    ‘Blue Beetle’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.

    ‘The Flash’

    Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash, Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl and Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'The Flash,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash, Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl and Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Flash,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC

    A new trailer for ‘The Flash’ was shown, adding in more to the story of Barry Allen’s troubles with the multiverse.

    Directed by Andy Muschietti, the superhero film finds Barry (Ezra Miller) causing problems when he uses his powers to save his parents – and breaks the universe in the process. As the trailer shows, he’ll need the help of Michael Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl to stop a multiverse variant of ‘Man of Steel’s General Zod (Michael Shannon), who has free rein in a world where heroes don’t appear to exist.

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    The trailer promises a lot of action, some quips and Keaton being cool as Bats. The whole movie premiered for the CinemaCon crowd, but most audiences will have to wait until June 16th.

    Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'The Flash,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Flash,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Movies Presented at Warner Bros. 2023 CinemaCon Presentation:

    Buy Warner Bros. Movies On Amazon

  • Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey Starring in ‘Six Triple Eight’

    Kerry Washington
    Kerry Washington on ABC’s ‘Scandal.’ Photo: ABC/DANNY FELD

    Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey are headed off to war.

    No, they haven’t somehow signed up for the military, they’ll instead lead the cast of Tyler Perry’s new film for Netflix, ‘Six Triple Eight’.

    In case that title has you furrowing your brow, here’s some background details: ‘Six Triple Eight’ tells the true story of the 855 women who joined the war effort with little knowledge of their Herculean task at hand, which was to sort through and fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. Facing discrimination, unfamiliar land and a war-torn country, they persevered and succeeded—in record time—in sorting over 17 million pieces of mail. Their efforts allowed American soldiers to reconnect with their families and loved ones back home. Per a press release from Netflix when the film was originally announced last month, “The motto that kept them going each day was one they created themselves: ‘No Mail, Low Morale.’ The women of the 6888 weren’t just delivering mail, they were delivering hope.”

    Drawing from an article written by Kevin M. Hymel and published in WWII History Magazine about the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion, Perry sparked to the story and wrote the script for the new movie, his fourth for Netflix.

    Oprah Winfrey from OWN's 'Super Soul Sunday.'
    Oprah Winfrey from OWN’s ‘Super Soul Sunday.’

    The real-life heroes have largely been written out of, or ignored by, history books, but their recognition took a step forward when President Joe Biden signed the bill for the women to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor last March.

    Perry has recruited Washington––who will also be an executive producer on the movie––and Winfrey to star. But they’re just the tip of the ensemble for this one, which also includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Jay Reeves, Jeanté Godlock, Moriah Brown, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Gregg Sulkin, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston and Susan Sarandon.

    Having juggled a few ideas in the wake of working on his most recent movie, ‘A Jazzman’s Blues’ (also for Netflix), Perry decided to push ahead on his World War II project, moving quickly to lock in the cast he needed.

    The director started the cameras rolling on this one this week, so the battalion will finally see their story told on screen for the first time. He had considered turning the idea into a TV series (with Krystal M. Harris providing the script), but the movie version has leapfrogged past that.

    Washington, probably still best known for TV series ‘Scandal’, was last seen on screen in ‘The School for Good and Evil’. Winfrey, who built a huge media career in addition to winning awards as an actor, is among the producers of an upcoming film adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’ musical, itself based on the 1985 movie that launched Winfrey’s movie career with an Oscar nominated role.

    Tyler Perry at the BET Awards.
    Tyler Perry at the BET Awards.
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  • ‘Weird’: Full Trailer for the Al Yankovic Story

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    We’re getting ever closer to the release of ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’, which has Daniel Radcliffe bringing the curly-locked comedy musician to screens for a biopic that only earns that title in the loosest of terms (on purpose).

    Now here comes the full trailer, which pitches the movie along the lines of ‘Walk Hard’, injecting a lot of a parody feel into Al’s life.

    There’s certainly a lot of material to draw from in the musician’s career to date: “Weird Al” Yankovic has enjoyed quite the career as the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time.

    A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release ‘Mandatory Fun’ was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only three artists to have had their own top 40 hits in each of the last four decades (the other two being, coincidentally, Michael Jackson and Madonna).

    On August 27, 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also popped up in a host of movies, shorts, and TV series, either as himself or other characters, and might be best known for indie comedy movie ‘UHF’, which was released in 1989.

    The Roku Channel's 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.'
    The Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’

    The new movie, which was spurred by Yankovic’s decision to chronicle his “depraved and scandalous” life (we’re still trying to figure out if he’s joking on that front) will chart his days spoofing the likes of the Madonna and Michael Jackson. He wrote the script alongside director Eric Appel, who has worked on projects such as ‘Silicon Valley’ and various Funny Or Die shorts (the comedy company is producing the movie alongside Tango).

    Radcliffe certainly looked the part in the initial imagery, and the teaser showed him doing a fair approximation of Yankovic’s trademark voice and singing style. Plus, he’s clearly been learning his way around an accordion. And it certainly does its job, making you want to see more from the movie, which also features Rainn Wilson, Julianne Nicholson, Quinta Brunson and Toby Huss among its cast.

    One of the highlights, though, would seem to be Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, who ends up leading our hero astray in a torrid affair that sets him on a path to drugs and drink. Again, a lot of this is aiming to spoof the usual talent biopic.

    But it also looks like a lot of fun, with a fully committed performance by its star and more accordion moments than anyone truly asked for. But it’s Weird Al, so that comes with the territory.

    ‘Weird’ will premiere as part of the Midnight Madness strand at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival before becoming available on the Roku Channel from November 4th.

    Daniel Radcliffe is "Weird" Al Yankovic in the Roku Channel's ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.'
    Daniel Radcliffe is “Weird” Al Yankovic in the Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’
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  • Quinta Brunson Playing Oprah in “Weird” Al Biopic

    Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, and Daniel Radcliffe as "Weird Al" Yankovic in The Roku Channel's 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.'
    (L to R) Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, and Daniel Radcliffe as “Weird Al” Yankovic in The Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’

    The casting reveals continue to arrive for ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’. According to a new picture, ‘Abbott Elementary’ creator, writer and actor Quinta Brunson is aboard the film, playing entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey.

    She’s pictured alongside Daniel Radcliffe, who plays comedy musician “Weird” Al Yankovic in a closet full of his colorful clothing.

    Yankovic has enjoyed quite the career as the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time.

    A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release ‘Mandatory’ Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only three artists to have had their own top 40 hits in each of the last four decades (the other two being Michael Jackson and Madonna, both of whom Al has parodied in his time).

    Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna
    Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna in the Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’

    On August 27, 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded “Weird” Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also popped up in a host of movies, shorts, and TV series, either as himself or other characters, and might be best known for indie comedy movie ‘UHF’, which was released in 1989.

    Oprah certainly has her own story – wrangling her way into a career as a TV talk show host, she’s long since built a global empire in addition to winning awards as an actor and producer. According to the latest update from the movie, Brunson’s role is more of a cameo.

    The movie, which was spurred by Yankovic’s decision to chronicle his “depraved and scandalous” life (he’s probably joking on that front) will chart his days spoofing his fellow musicians. He wrote the script alongside director Eric Appel, who has worked on projects such as ‘Silicon Valley’ and various Funny Or Die shorts (the comedy company is producing the movie alongside Tango).

    Radcliffe certainly looks the part, and the teaser showed him doing a fair approximation of Yankovic’s trademark voice and singing style. Plus, he’s clearly been learning his way around an accordion. And it certainly does its job, making you want to see more from the movie, which also features Evan Rachel Wood (as Madonna) Rainn Wilson (as radio personality Dr. Demento), plus Julianne Nicholson and Toby Huss (as Al’s parents) among its ensemble.

    And, according to the latest release, “an A-list cast of thousands their agents won’t let us reveal.”

    Brunson has been celebrating some awards history recently, becoming the first Black woman to earn three Emmy nominations in the comedy categories in the same year for ‘Abbott Elementary’. The high-school-based comedy has also seen high ratings and a quick second-season renewal from network ABC.

    She also has credits including ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ and ‘Miracle Workers’, which stars Radcliffe.

    ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ will be on the Roku Channel this fall, though there’s no strict date for its release yet.

    Daniel Radcliffe as 'Weird Al' Yankovic in The Roku Channel's 'Weird: The 'Weird Al' Yankovic Story.'
    Daniel Radcliffe as ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic in The Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Story.’
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  • Jon Batiste Joins ‘The Color Purple’

    Jon Batiste at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards
    Jon Batiste, Alan Ferguson, and Alex P. Willson accept the Best Music Video award for Freedom onstage during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony at MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images For The Recording Academy.

    Jon Batiste, best known as a musician and the bandleader/musical director of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ is making strides on the acting front. He’s joining the already star-studded cast of movie musical adaptation ‘The Color Purple’.

    The film, which represents the next stage of the story – originated with Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel, which is set in Georgia, 1909. With an abusive father, the only person who 14-year-old Celie cares for and loves is her younger sister Nettie. Then Celie is married off to Albert Johnson, a brutal, uncaring man. After an incident between Nettie and Albert, Albert bans Nettie from his property and it appears that Celie may never see her again.

    Steven Spielberg directed an Oscar-nominated movie adaptation that saw theaters in 1985. That, in turn led to a musical adaptation that opened in 2005, running until 2008 and earning 11 Tony Award nominations. It was revived in 2015 to even more success, including two Tony wins. It has since been produced in several countries and launched various tours.

    All that acclaim means that a movie musical was all but inevitable. Spielberg is a producer alongside Oprah Winfrey (who appeared in the original film and earned one of its Oscar nominations) and musical legend Quincy Jones. Blitz Bazawule, who directed Beyoncé’s visual album ‘Black Is King’ is calling the shots, working from a script by ‘The Chi’s Marcus Gardley.

    Drawing from both the novel and the movie, the screen musical will combine both elements.

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    Batiste will portray Grady, husband to Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson). The debonair, sweet-talking piano man is described as “the epitome of charm and eloquence.”

    The cast is an impressive one, including Fantasia Barrino (in her own feature film debut) as Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Colman Domingo as Mister, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, H.E.R. as Squeak, Halle Bailey as Young Nettie, Ciara as Nettie, Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie, David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery, Tamala J. Mann as First Lady, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Stephen Hill as Buster, Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister and recent Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis as Mama, mother to Celie and Nettie.

    ‘The Color Purple’ is now shooting and will be in theaters on December 23, 2023.

    It’s been a successful year for Batiste so far – he scored five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. And ‘The Color Purple’ isn’t his first experience with movies, as he already has an Oscar on his shelf thanks to working on the score for Pixar’s ‘Soul’. Winning alongside Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Batiste is only the second African American composer in history to win the trophy.

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  • Prince Harry, Oprah Teaming Up For Apple TV+ Doc Series on Mental Health

    Prince Harry, Oprah Teaming Up For Apple TV+ Doc Series on Mental Health

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    British royalty and American TV royalty are colliding!

    Apple and Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry is teaming up with Oprah Winfrey for a documentary series on mental health to air on Apple TV+.

    Last month, Winfrey joined a handful of other A-list stars to unveil Apple TV+ and its slate of shows, including this multi-part docuseries.

    At the time, she said it would show “how the scourge of depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress, addiction, trauma and loss is just devastating lives daily across the globe.”

    Kensington Palace noted that the Duke of Sussex has been engaged in “long-standing work on issues and initiatives regarding mental health, where he has candidly shared personal experience and advocated for those who silently suffer, empowering them to get the help and support they deserve.”

    In recent years, Prince Harry has spoken candidly about his own mental health struggles after the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

    In a statement, the Duke of Sussex said, “I truly believe that good mental health – mental fitness – is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self.”

    “It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times. Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive – sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better.”

    Winfrey was a guest at Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle last year.

  • Apple Officially Unveils its TV Service, Apple TV+

    Apple Officially Unveils its TV Service, Apple TV+

    Apple TV

    At a splashy event at its campus in Cupertino, California on Monday, Apple finally unveiled its standalone TV service, including the official name and several of the big projects it will house. Along with those answers, though, there remained some key questions.

    During the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the service will be called Apple TV+, and it will launch sometime this fall (an exact debut date is TBA). The subscription service will be available to all — and is not exclusive to Apple devices — in more than 100 countries; it will be ad-free, and most of its content will be downloadable.

    No pricing structure has been revealed yet.

    Many major stars were on hand to introduce their projects for the service, including Steven Spielberg (who’s producing a revival anthology of “Amazing Stories”); Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carell (who are starring in a morning TV drama that now has an official title: “The Morning Show”); Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard (starring in sci-fi series “See,” about a world in which sight no longer exists); and Kumail Nanjiani (“Little America,” which tells true stories of immigrants from across the world who move to the United States).

    Even Big Bird made an appearance, introducing “Helpsters,” from the makers of “Sesame Street,” which will teach preschoolers about coding skills. And J.J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles were on hand to tout “Little Voice” (Bareilles performed the titular theme song), a series about a young woman finding her voice through music.

    Apple saved the biggest surprise for last, bringing out Oprah to announce that she’s reviving her immensely popular Book Club as a new series for the service. She’s also filming two documentaries for Apple TV+, one about sexual assault and one about mental health.

    One of the biggest gaps in the presentation, however, was the lack of clips — or even key art — from any of the announced projects, aside from a quick sneak peek package that spliced together a few seconds from each series. Instead, Apple offered a slick video introducing the service, featuring talking heads from several of the above creators, as well as collaborators including Sofia Coppola, M. Night Shyamalan, Ron Howard, Octavia Spencer, Hailee Steinfeld, Damien Chazelle.

    Stay tuned for additional Apple TV+ details as Apple unveils them.

  • Oprah Winfrey to Interview Michael Jackson Accusers in ‘Leaving Neverland’ Special

    Oprah Winfrey to Interview Michael Jackson Accusers in ‘Leaving Neverland’ Special

    OWN

    Oprah Winfrey is taking on the controversy over HBO’s Michael Jackson documentary “Leaving Neverland.”

    The media mogul will interview Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck for a special to air on HBO and OWN immediately following the March 4 broadcast of the second part of the documentary.

    The special, titled “Oprah Winfrey Presents: After Neverland,” was taped before an audience that includes survivors of sexual abuse.

    “Leaving Neverland” focuses on Robson and Safechuck, who were befriended by Jackson as young boys.

    Through gut-wrenching interviews with Safechuck, now 40, and Robson, now 36, they recount childhood abuses they claim to have suffered at the hands of the Jackson, who passed away in 2009 at age 50.

    Jackson’s estate has filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO and its parent company, Time Warner. They claim that the network has violated a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract that was written after HBO aired one of Jackson’s concerts.

    After “Leaving Neverland” debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January, Jackson’s estate called the four-hour film “a tabloid character assassination.”

    Robson — a well-known choreographer who worked with NSYNC and Britney Spears — defended Jackson in court during the singer’s infamous 2005 child molestation case, but he says in the trailer that he wasn’t telling the truth.

    “I want to be able to speak the truth as loud as I had to speak the lie for so long,” he says.

    Watch the trailer for the documentary below. Part one premieres Sunday, March 3.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Ze8LjzV7Q&feature=youtu.be