Moviefone Editorial

Tag: what men want

  • ‘Shaft’ Actor Richard Roundtree is Dead At 81

    'Shaft's Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree.
    (L to R) ‘Shaft’s Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree.

    Preview

    • Actor Richard Roundtree, best remembered for playing detective John Shaft, has died.
    • Roundtree was 81 and had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.
    • Co-stars and those influenced by him have paid tribute to his memorable work.

    Actor Richard Roundtree, who will be forever linked to cult movie detective John Shaft from 1971’s ‘Shaft,’ has died. He was 81.

    Roundtree, a famous breast cancer survivor, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died surrounded by family at his bedside.

    His agency, and manager Patrick McMinn, released a statement about his death:

    “Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree. His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

    “Trailblazing” is as good a term as any for Roundtree, who portrayed the first Black private detective on screen. Yet while he’ll most closely be identified with his Blaxploitation career and particularly the iconic Shaft character, the actor enjoyed a long run of work on screens big and small.

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    Early life

    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971's 'Shaft.'
    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971’s ‘Shaft.’ Photo: MGM.

    Richard Roundtree was born in New Rochelle, New York, played football for Southern Illinois University and did some modeling before the acting bug bit.

    He was drawn to theater and joined New York’s acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company, then starred as Jack Johnson in ‘The Great White Hope’ off-Broadway before the role of John Shaft presented itself –– a lucky break secured after Sidney Poitier refused to screen test for the role, leading director Gordon Parks to cast Roundtree instead.

    The role of John Shaft, the “hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt” private detective, changed Roundtree’s life and the course of Hollywood by introducing him as an unapologetic protagonist and subterranean fighter of crime.

    He went on to play the role in the sequels ‘Shaft’s Big Score!’ and ‘Shaft in Africa’ as well as the short-lived 1973 ‘Shaft’ TV series.

    The actor’s many film credits include 1981’s ‘Inchon’, ‘City Heat‘ (1984) as well as ‘Se7en’, ‘George of the Jungle’, ‘Body of Influence’, ‘Amityville: A New Generation’, and ‘What Men Want’. He was last seen in Paul Weitz’s comedy ‘Moving On’.

    Related Article: Suzanne Somers of ‘Three’s Company’ and ‘Step By Step’ Dies At Age 76

    TV roles

    Leslie Uggams and Rochard Roundtree in 'Roots.'
    (L to R) Leslie Uggams and Richard Roundtree in ‘Roots.’ Photo: Warner Bros Television.

    On the small screen, Roundtree had one of his best opportunities in the breakthrough miniseries ‘Roots’, playing a handsome, well-groomed carriage driver with whom Kizzy (Leslie Uggams) falls in love until she sees that when the master (George Hamilton) calls, Roundtree grovels.

    Roundtree starred in the miniseries ‘AD’ and had a supporting role in the series ‘Outlaws’ (CBS, 1986-1987) as Ice McAdams. He was part of the cast of the short-lived multi-racial NBC daytime drama ‘Generations,’ playing a doctor forced to live in hiding for 15 years for a murder he did not commit. He also appeared in a number of sitcoms and other series, including ‘Being Mary Jane’.

    Tributes from co-stars

    'Shaft's Richard Roundtree.
    ‘Shaft’s Richard Roundtree.

    Roundtree reprised his most famous role in the 2000 John Singleton movie ‘Shaft’, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2019 Tim Story-directed sequel.

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    Jackson took to Instagram to pay tribute:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CyzcJOspbAT/

     

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    Gabrielle Union, who worked with Roundtree in ‘Being Mary Jane’, tweeted her own tribute:

     

    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971's 'Shaft.'
    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971’s ‘Shaft.’ Photo: MGM.

    Richard Roundtree Movies:

    Buy Richard Roundtree Movies On Amazon

    To watch our exclusive interviews with Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree about 2019’s ‘Shaft,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • What’s New on Digital, DVD/Blu-ray, TV, & Netflix This Week: May 6-12

    What’s New on Digital, DVD/Blu-ray, TV, & Netflix This Week: May 6-12

    Warner Bros.

    At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

    NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

    ‘The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part’ (May 7)

    Everything is not so awesome in the sequel to the 2014 animated hit. In fact, everything is bleak in the sequel. Of course, Emmet (Chris Pratt) is as naively upbeat as usual, but their world has turned into a “Mad Max”-like dystopian wasteland after the arrival of LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space. To fight back, Emmet, Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) and friends will have to journey to unexplored worlds and make interesting new allies. And Emmet may have to discover his inner hero.

    The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 7 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include outtakes, deleted scenes, a sing-along, and making-of featurettes.

    ‘What Men Want’ (May 7)

    The 2000 comedy gets gender-swapped. Now, it’s Taraji P. Henson who can hear the voices of the opposite sex in her head. At first, she uses it to try to get ahead as a sports agent, but soon finds that the new “power” are creating even more problems in her life.

    The movie arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on May 7 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, and audio commentary.

    ‘The Prodigy’ (May 7)

    Can maternal instinct stand up to a supernatural evil? “Orange Is the New Black” star Taylor Schilling plays Sarah, a mother whose young son has been overtaken by an evil force. She must choose between her desire to protect her son and a desperate need to investigate what — or who — is causing his dark turn.

    The movie arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on May 7 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include commentary and featurettes.

    ‘The Heiress’ (May 7): Criterion’s new release features a 4K digital restoration of William Wyler’s acclaimed drama based on the Henry James novel “Washington Square.” The film earned Academy Awards for lead actress Olivia de Havilland and its stunning costume design by the iconic Edith Head, which is explored in a new featurette.

    NEW VIDEO ON DIGITAL, DEMAND, AND STREAMING

    ‘Climax‘ (May 7)

    Gaspar Noé plays agent provocateur once again with this psychological horror dance movie (just re-read how insane that sounds). The story centers on a French dance troupe partying after rehearsal, but their evening takes a dark turn thanks to LSD-laced sangria. It’s a wild and propulsive trip that gives new meaning to sensory overload. Available on Digital HD.

    NEW ON NETFLIX

    ‘Abyss’ (May 6)

    The new Korean drama follows two people who are brought back to life with the help of a soul-reviving marble — but are reincarnated with completely difference appearances. You know, that old story.

    ‘Lucifer’ Season 4 (May 8)

    After getting canceled by Fox, the drama rises from the ashes for a fourth season on Netflix. Still reeling from Chloe seeing his devil face, Lucifer now has to deal with a new challenge: Eve, the original sinner. Does she want revenge for tempting her out of Eden … or something else entirely?

    ‘Wine Country’ (May 10)

    What do you get when you mix a lot of wine with Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, and Ana Gasteyer? A hilarious and heartfelt comedy that just keeps the jokes flowing. The movie, directed by Poehler, follows a group of women celebrating one’s 50th birthday, and as the alcohol flows, they begin to question their friendship’s and futures.

    ‘The Society’ (May 10)

    This thriller series is a modern take on “Lord of the Flies.” A bunch of teens mysteriously finds themselves in a facsimile of their town, but without any trace of their parents or other adults. Left to their own devices, everything is fun and games until their little society starts breaking down and they must learn how to survive.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJzU-b5EU9c

    For more, see what else is new on Netflix in May 2019.

    TV WORTH WATCHING

    ‘State of the Union’ Miniseries Premiere, SundanceTV (May 6, 10 p.m.)

    This experimental short-form series, written by Nick Hornby and directed by Stephen Frears, consists of 10 episodes lasting 10 minutes each. Rosamund Pike and Chris O’Dowd play a couple who attempt to repair their crumbling marriage through weekly therapy sessions.

    ‘Chernobyl’ Miniseries Premiere, HBO (May 6, 9 p.m.)

    The five-part miniseries dramatizes the 1986 nuclear accident, one of the worst human-made catastrophes in history. Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård and Emily Watson star.

    ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Season 6 premiere, ABC (May 10, 8 p.m.)

    Scattered across the galaxy, the team works to find their footing in the wake of losing Agent Coulson.

    ‘Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men’ Miniseries Premiere, Showtime (May 10, 9 p.m.)

    As the Wu-Tang Clan celebrates the 25th anniversary of their breakout record “Enter the Wu-Tang,” this four-part docuseries looks back on their career, combining intimate and reflective interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHFxvsqMZMg

  • What’s New on Digital, DVD/Blu-ray, TV, & Netflix This Week: April 22-28

    What’s New on Digital, DVD/Blu-ray, TV, & Netflix This Week: April 22-28

    Columbia Pictures

    At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

    NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

    ‘Escape Room’ (April 23)

    Six strangers enter an escape room hoping to have a good time. But what starts out as a fun experience soon turns into a living nightmare as they realize the room is a trap that is part of a sadistic game of life or death.

    The movie arrives on Blu-ray, and DVD on April 23 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include deleted scenes, an alternate ending, an alternate opening, and making-of featurettes.

    ‘Destroyer’ (April 23)

    Nicole Kidman got a Golden Globe nomination for her transformative performance as a cop named Erin Bell, who is placed into a moral and existential crisis. As a young cop, she went undercover with a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the gang’s leader re-emerges many years later, she’s forced to face her past and the demons that still haunt her.

    The movie arrives on Blu-ray, and DVD on April 23 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include audio commentaries and a making-of featurette.

    ‘Alien’ (April 23): The 40th anniversary of Ridley Scott’s seminal sci-fi film brings a new 4K restoration supervised by the director himself. The 1979 original spawned a franchise that still endures today (and is even made into outstanding high school productions).

    ‘A Face in the Crowd’ (April 23): Criterion releases a new 4K restoration of Elia Kazan’s biting satire, which features a young Andy Griffith pre-TV fame. He plays an entertaining and ambitious buffoon who reaches the heights of television stardom and political demagoguery. Hmm, sounds familiar.

    NEW VIDEO ON DIGITAL, DEMAND, AND STREAMING

    ‘What Men Want’ (April 23)

    The 2000 comedy gets gender-swapped. Now, it’s Taraji P. Henson who can hear the voices of the opposite sex in her head. At first, she uses it to try to get ahead as a sports agent, but soon finds that the new “power” are creating even more problems in her life. Available on Digital HD.

    ‘The Prodigy’ (April 23)

    Can maternal instinct stand up to a supernatural evil? “Orange Is the New Black” star Taylor Schilling plays Sarah, a mother whose young son has been overtaken by an evil force. She must choose between her desire to protect her son and a desperate need to investigate what — or who — is causing his dark turn. Available on Digital HD.

    ‘Cobrai Kai’ Season 2 (April 24)

    The “Karate Kid” sequel series returns picks up where the first season left off. Johnny (William Zabka) grapples with his dojo students being winners — and jerks. He also faces his abusive old sensei John Kreeze (Martin Kove). Meanwhile, Daniel takes in new students to learn Mr. Miyagi’s ways. Available to on YouTube.

    NEW ON NETFLIX

    ‘Street Food’ (April 26)

    The creators of “Chef’s Table” take their hunger-inducing cinematography to the streets of nine countries across Asia. The episodes highlight the stories of perseverance that bring each country’s cuisine and culture to life.

    For more, see what else is new on Netflix in April 2019.

    TV WORTH WATCHING

    ‘1969’ Miniseries, ABC (April 23, 10 p.m.)

    This six-part docuseries chronicles the wild year of the moon landing, Manson murders, Chappaquiddick scandal and Woodstock with that of Nixon’s first year in office, John Lennon’s Bed-Ins for Peace, FBI shootouts with black activists and the Stonewall Uprising.

    ‘The Red Line’ Series, CBS (April 28, 10 p.m.)

    From superproducers Ava DuVernay and Greg Berlanti, this drama that follows the lives of three vastly different Chicago families whose stories of loss and tragedy intersect in the wake of the mistaken shooting of an African American doctor by a white cop.

  • Box Office: ‘Lego Movie 2,’ ‘Cold Pursuit’ Have Underwhelming Debuts

    Box Office: ‘Lego Movie 2,’ ‘Cold Pursuit’ Have Underwhelming Debuts

    Warner Bros.

    Is the “Lego” franchise running out of steam? The fourth film in the franchise, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” debuted in first place, but with considerably less than projected.

    Its $34.4 million debut is almost 50% behind 2014’s “The Lego Movie.” The first “Lego” film had a surprisingly strong $69 million launch before ending its theatrical run with $469 million worldwide. But it did outperform the 2017 spinoff, “The Lego Ninajgo Movie,” which debuted with $20 million in its first weekend.

    According to Variety, “The Lego Movie 2” was the most expensive film in the franchise so far, with a budget of $100 million, compared to previous budgets in the $60-80 million range.

    Paramount

    In second place was  “What Men Want,” the gender-swapped remake of the 2000 comedy “What Women Want.”  The comedy, which stars Taraji P. Henson as a woman who can suddenly hear what men think, earned $19 million from 2,912 locations. (The 2000 film opened with $33 million, but received a plum December release instead of being dumped in the February film wasteland.)

    Lionsgate

    “Cold Pursuit,” the latest revenge thriller starring Liam Neeson, secured third place with  $10.9 million from 2,630 screens. That’s one of the lowest openings of the actor’s career. Although expectations for the film weren’t that high, controversy over his remarks — he said he wanted to kill a random black man after a friend’s rape 40 years ago  — can’t have helped. Lionsgate canceled the red carpet at the film’s premiere due to the fallout.

    By comparison, his film “Run All Night” opened with $11 million in March 2015, “The Commuter” opened with $13.7 million in January 2018, and “Non-Stop” earned $28.8 in its first weekend in February 2014.

    The Prodigy trailer still
    Orion Pictures/YouTube

    Another new release, the horror film “The Prodigy,” scared up  $5.8 million debut from 2,530 locations for sixth place. (According to Variety. Boxofficemojo estimates place it closer to $6 million.) It stars “Orange Is the New Black”‘s Taylor Schilling as a woman who begins to fear her son is evil. It received a 47% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and audiences gave it an only slightly better 57% rating.

    Here are the top 10 estimates for February 8-10, 2019

    1. “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part,” $34,400,000
    2. “What Men Want,” $19,000,000
    3. “Cold Pursuit,” $10,800,000
    4. “The Upside,” $7,220,000
    5. “Glass,” $6,422,000
    6. “The Prodigy,” $6,004,403
    7. “Green Book,” 3,567,000
    8. ” Aquaman,” $3,300,000
    9. “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse,” $3,040,000
    10. “Miss Bala,” $2,725,000

    [Via Variety]

  • ‘What Men Want’ Review: Taraji Deserves Better

    ‘What Men Want’ Review: Taraji Deserves Better

    Paramount

    In 2000’s “What Women Want” it might have been snarkily revolutionary, if way late even then, to suggest that members of the so-called “fairer sex” are complex, fierce and formidable. But 20 years and a gender-swapped premise later, “What Men Want” advances a depressing argument that guys are with few exceptions as competitive, sexist and simple-minded as they always were — but now, women are evidently changing to become more like them. Taraji P. Henson’s fearlessly committed performance almost rescues this story of a desperately ambitious woman gifted with the ability to hear men’s innermost impulses, but director Adam Shankman’s predilection for the broadest and dumbest possible execution of any given idea undercuts any comedic bite, genuine insight or emotional resonance the film potentially had.

    Henson (“Hidden Figures”) plays Alison “Ali” Davis, an Atlanta sports agent growing increasingly tired of white, male colleagues getting praised and promoted while her own accomplishments are repeatedly undermined and disregarded. But while cutting loose at her friend’s bachelorette party, Ali drinks some funky tea given to her by a fortune teller named Sister (Erykah Badu) and ends up hitting her head, gaining the ability to hear her male colleagues’ thoughts. But after being promised the opportunity to make partner if she signs Jamal Barry (Shane Paul McGhie), the next basketball superstar, Ali discloses these newfound abilities to her long-suffering assistant Brandon (Josh Brener) and hatches a plan to outwit her competitors.

    Unfortunately, Jamal’s future is being carefully controlled by his unpredictable father Joe “Dolla” (Tracy Morgan), whose thoughts reveal an unchecked id but little for Ali in the way of insights on how to win his confidence. But when Joe admits that he’s put off by Ali’s workaholic independence, she unwittingly enlists a recent one-night stand, Will (Aldis Hodge), and his six-year-old son Ben (Auston Jon Moore) to pretend to be her family in the hopes of scoring Jamal’s highly-coveted contract.

    Paramount

    Even before the first male thought is revealed on screen by writers Tina Gordon (“ATL,” “Drumline”) and Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory (shared alumni of “Veep,” “Frasier” and “The Larry Sanders Show”), the prospect of what little there is to be learned from that inner monologue feels like a joke whose punchline we already know. Consequently, the only revelations that Ali discovers are that (a) her colleagues are keeping her out of the loop, and (b) when she muscles her way back in, they know better how to strategize, coddle and outmaneuver fragile egos, both male and female, than she does. Though the panorama of perspectives that she soon becomes aware of occasionally includes an amusing non sequitur or unexpected earwig, most of those voices are effectively confirming not just what she already knows about her bullying, sexist colleagues, but what we (the audience) do as well.

    What eventually becomes more of a priority to those screenwriters and Shankman as director is both empowering Ali and reminding her that in the boy’s club she desperately wants to be a part of, it’s  better to be a woman who is not beholden to their expectations. But this unfortunately requires the character to shuffle through some painful rom-com cliches where Henson has to battle her way through some embarrassing, not especially funny scenarios, and eventually Ali learns life lessons at the expense of people she cares about the most. Thankfully, and in spite of the schizophrenic pendulum-swing of the main character’s behavior, the supporting cast strikes a comfortable equilibrium between the story’s sillier and more serious elements: Wendi McLendon-Covey (“The Goldbergs”), Phoebe Robinson (“I Love Dick”) and Tamala Jones (“Castle”) play Ali’s chorus of hilarious, exasperated BFFs, while Max Greenfield (“New Girl”), and Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”), as a work colleague and Ali’s father, respectively, supply some real talk about men (or at least themselves) that doesn’t require mind-reading.

    Though Hodge plays a charming, convincingly saintly alternative to most of the rest of the men in Ali’s life, and Brener’s Brandon provides her with a suitably anxious sounding board-slash-Jiminy Cricket to fret over each new morally dubious gambit, the movie’s secret weapon is Badu, who defies its worn-out conventions and embraces the ethereal (and ridiculous) extremes of its premise. But even built on the sad continuing reality of disproportionate opportunities and pay between men and women (much less women of color), Henson’s flailing, frustrated character exposes few new truths about her male counterparts, and the movie as a whole says a lot less about gender disparities or the business world than it thinks. Ultimately, “What Men Want” showcases the kind of mainstream, multiracial comedies that audiences seem to want, but as a vehicle for a talented, hard-working performer like Henson to lead, it’s less than she deserves.

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  • ‘What Men Want’: Taraji P. Henson Rom-Com Gets New Release Date

    ‘What Men Want’: Taraji P. Henson Rom-Com Gets New Release Date

    Taraji P. Henson in What Men Want
    Paramount Pictures

    What Paramount Pictures wants is for Taraji P. Henson‘s upcoming rom-com to be released around a particular holiday.

    “What Men Want” was originally slated to open in January, but the film is now scheduled for a Feb. 8 debut, according to Deadline. The studio reportedly opted for the weekend before Valentine’s Day in a strategic move. Rom-coms are a great option around Valentine’s Day, after all, so it could be poised for bigger box office success.

    Based on director Nancy Meyers‘s 2000 romantic comedy “What Women Want” starring Helen Hunt and Mel Gibson, the upcoming movie switches things up. Instead of centering on a male protagonist who gains the ability to hear women’s thoughts, “What Men Want” follows Ali Davis (Henson), a sports agent. She is fighting to get ahead in a male-dominated field, when suddenly she gains an unexpected edge on her competition and a new romantic interest (Aldis Hodge).

    The protagonist’s journey sounds like it will be empowering for women, so the Adam Shankman-directed rom-com may attract friends who are out celebrating “Galentine’s Day,” too. There’s a lot to celebrate in February, and “What Men Want” is looking to be part of the festivities.

    “What Men Want” hits theaters Feb. 8.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Taraji P. Henson Knows ‘What Men Want’ in First Trailer

    Taraji P. Henson Knows ‘What Men Want’ in First Trailer

    what men want
    Paramount

    Careful what you wish for! In the first trailer for “What Men Want,” Taraji P. Henson’s about to plunge into a hellscape of toxic masculinity.

    The movie is a gender-swapped version of the 2000 film “What Women Want,” starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. In the new take, Henson plays a frustrated sports agent who’s tired of hitting the glass ceiling.

    After missing out on yet another promotion, she drinks some magical tea and suddenly she can hear the thoughts of all men. And surprise! They’re all sexist and condescending! Except for the ones that are just dumb and clueless! Wheeee!

    It’s interesting to see this premise swapped. In the original, Gibson’s character became more empathetic and sensitive. Not sure what Henson is supposed to learn in this one, except how to bro down and fail your way up the corporate ladder.

    “What Men Want” also stars Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske, and Erykah Badu.

    It opens in theaters January 11.