Category Archives: Arts and Culture

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Wins At Toronto Film Festival

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By Creative Media Times

Fox Searchlight Pictures


Director Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” was a surprise winner at Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, winning the Grolsch People’s Choice Award, the event’s top prize. First runner up went to Craig Gillespie’s “I, Tonya”, the Tonya Harding biopic which stars Margot Robbie.

‘Three Billboards’, which screened at the Venice Film Festival earlier in the month where it took best screenplay, stars Frances McDormand as a grieving mom whose daughter was brutally raped and murdered. She then decided to commission the titular three billboards to protest and find the killer after no arrests have been made.

Considered an early harbinger for paths to the awards season, the award is voted by the TIFF moviegoers. Winners and runners up films at Toronto in the past such as “Spotlight,” “12 Years A Slave,” “The King’s Speech” and “La La Land” have gone on receive Oscar nominations. For the past 10 years, only 2011’s winner “Where Do We Go Now?” failed to score an Academy Awards best-picture nomination.

Written by Martin McDonagh, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” also stars Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage. The film is currently scheduled for a Nov. 10 release.

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First Look At David Harbour as Hellboy

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By Creative Media Times

Lionsgate

Hellboy creator Mike Mignola gives fans their first glimpse of David Harbour as Hellboy on Wednesday, posting a photo of the actor in character on social media. “Holy crap… first look #hellboy,” Mignola posted with the photo.

Harbour’s version of the powerful demon looks accurate to comics, and is not entirely a different look from that of Ron Perlman who played the role in the 2004 original and on it’s sequel in 2008, Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

The character’s latest iteration does look grittier and imposing, more realistically muscular, and has longer locks of hair .

Set to be directed by Neil Marshall, the currently untitled Hellboy reboot also stars Ian McShane, Milla Jovovich, Sasha Lane and Daniel Dae Kim.

With the release of the image, production is moving quickly as principal photography expected to get underway this month. The film is expected to be shot in U.K. and Bulgaria. The film is set to be released next year, but no specific release date has been announced.

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“Stranger Things,” “Westworld” Win Big At Creative Arts Emmy 2017

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By Creative Media Times

“Stranger Things” cast at Comic-Con 2017. Photo: aiphotoimaging.com


HBO’s sci-fi western “Westworld” and Netflix’s 80s throwback “Stranger Things” were big winners Sunday night at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, as both shows picked up five wins on night 2 of the ceremony. SNL also won five, two of which for best guest actor and actress in a comedy series, Dave Chappelle and Melissa McCarthy respectively. Also winning multiple awards were “The Night Of” and “Veep.”

The awards are strong harbinger for the televised Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony set for next Sunday, Sept. 17. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards honor “outstanding artistic and technical achievement in a variety of television program genres, guest performances in weekly series, as well as exceptional work in the animation, reality and documentary categories.”

The 2017 Creative Arts Awards were presented on two nights, September 9, Saturday, and September 10, Sunday. Sunday night’s ceremonies were focused scripted comedies and drama series, while Saturday night’s event honored the best in animatino, reality, variety and documentary shows.

Last night, Ava DuVernay’s political documentary from Netflix “13th” received the most awards with four, winning outstanding documentary special as well as for writing, original music and lyrics for “The Letter to the Free”, and motion design. Other notable winners were “Hairspray Live,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” James Corden, and “Saturday Night Live.”

See the full winners of Sunday winners, click here.
See the full winners of Saturday winners, click here.

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Disney Commits $1M To Harvey Relief Efforts. Hearst, Amazon, Apple, Walmart, Google and others also donate

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By Creative Media Times

Walt Disney Company and ABC television station KTRK-TV in Houston have committed to donate $1 million to the American Red Cross to help those who are affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“Our hearts go out to everyone in the devastating path of this historic storm,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “It’s hard to fully appreciate the impact, in part because it isn’t over yet. But we know thousands of people have lost everything and now face the daunting challenge of putting their lives and communities back together, and we’re using our unique resources and reach to help those in need.”

Additionally, Disney will host a “Day of Giving” benefit which kicks off on morning newscasts of ABC local affiliates Thursday, August 31, then continues over to Good Morning America. Throughout the day on ABC, Freeform, Radio Disney as well as across all related social media, there will be a “call to action” to donate to the American Red Cross, with donations going to those affected by the storm.

The Hearst Corporation is donating $1 million to the Greater Houston Red Cross. Hearst also will match employee donations up to an additional $1 million to the Red Cross’s efforts. Here is the full text of the announcement:

PepsiCo is also making commitments, which includes a $1 million grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to the American Red Cross.

As it has done in the past, Apple is promoting donations through a link on iTunes, as well as its website, as do Amazon, Google and Walmart.

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Aliens, Shakespeare, and Diversity: An Interview with Sci-Fi Star, Cas Anvar

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Eric Gasa

THE STRAIN — Season Four – Pictured: Cas Anvar as Sanjay Desai. CR: Russ Martin/FX


Cas Anvar’s career is part occupation, part dream come true. Not very often does a Sci-Fi nerd grow up to become a Sci-Fi actor but for the rising Anvar, he enjoys the best of both worlds. Anvar can be found in a number of roles in big titles, from Argo and the Oscar-nominated ROOM, to the galaxy’s top fighter pilot in SyFy’s, The Expanse.

I had the opportunity to chat with Anvar one afternoon in preparation of the latest episode of his FX show, The Strain, where he plays the part of the nefarious Sanjay Desai. The Strain airs this Sunday, August 6, at 10 pm EP. Though our time was brief, Anvar spared none of it when sharing his excitement for his work and what lies on the road ahead.

EG: How did you get into acting?

Cas Anvar: I’ve been doing it my whole life since I was in high school. I was introduced to acting through Shakespeare actually. Started in theatre. Went to the National Theatre School of Canada. Started my own Shakespeare company after that and have been acting ever since.

Who were some of your inspirations as a young actor?

That’s an interesting question. I really admire Liam Neeson, Hugh Jackman, and Robert Downey Jr.

Was starring in a Sci-Fi program always a dream of yours? Were you a huge Sci-Fi fan growing up?

I’ve always been a huge nerd. I grew up with sci-fi, fantasy, and horror games, comic books, and all that stuff. I went to Comic Con as a kid and never imagined that I would be on the other side of that table signing autographs one day. Playing in something like The Expanse where I get to play a Han Solo character with wisecracks and one-liners, is a huge thrill for me.

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Book Review: The Shadow Land

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By Elizabeth Walker

If you don’t know a lot about the history of post-war Eastern Europe, prepare to be drawn in. Elizabeth Kostova’s newest novel is set in Bulgaria, both in the forties/fifties and new millennium. The Shadow Land tells two stories in parallel – one about a violinist named Stoyan Lazarov, another about a recent college graduate – and interweaves them in a masterful tale of grief, mystery, and adventure.

Alexandra is in her early twenties and has lived the past decade in the shadow of her brother’s untimely death. In attempt to both escape Jack’s memory and yet also become closer to it, she chooses to teach English in Bulgaria. On her first day in this foreign land, she crosses paths with a family en route to bury the ashes of Stoyan Lazarov. When Alexandra mistakenly picks up the ashes, she becomes a player in Stoyan’s fascinating story. She makes friends with Bobby, a philosopher poet, and together they travel across the country trying to unravel the intricacies of Stoyan Lazarov’s life and return the ashes to the family.

Most readers will be familiar with the horrific stories of Hitler’s concentration camps, but many remain oblivious to the violence inflicted on political prisoners under other administrations. The Shadow Land gives gruesome depictions of the pain and disease these people experience often based only on trumped-up charges. The fact that these atrocities are experienced by a gifted musician only serve to make them more ghastly.

The Shadow Land does drag at times. The way Kostova describes Alexandra’s grief does not seem wholly believable, and it is easy to be exhausted by the cyclic, repetitive nature of Alexandra and Bobby’s search for the Lazarov family. Essentially they spend hundreds of pages going to a place, not finding the Lazarovs, and going somewhere else.

That said, Kostova has obviously painstakingly researched her setting and has woven an intricate mystery comparable to her debut novel, The Historian. This makes the reader want to stick with The Shadow Land, despite its length, less to find out what happens to Alexandra than to the gifted musician and the family who want to offer him eternal peace.

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“THE LAIKA EXPERIENCE” In San Diego Draws Enormous Crowds, Scores Record Merchandise Sales And Heartfelt Fan Kudos

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Oscar®-winning Animation Studio, Creators of Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings, Judges First Pop-Up Exhibit During Comic-Con and PRIDE Celebrations A Huge Success

[San Diego, CA; July 25, 2017] — 48 LAIKA puppets are packed up in protective wrapping, sets and props from all four Oscar®-nominated LAIKA films are en route back to the studio in Oregon, and the LAIKA brand ambassadors who guided over 7,000 fans on detail-laden tours of The LAIKA Experience from July 14-23 in San Diego are relaxing their strained vocal chords. And for the fans who lined up for hours to get a close-up look at the artistry and magic of their favorite animation studio, favorite moments from The LAIKA Experience continue to excite the imagination.

Atop the bespoke storefront that was converted into the pop-up exhibit for the Oregon-based animation studio, nine-foot tall cutouts of its cinematic heroes, Coraline, Norman, Eggs and Kubo, beckoned visitors as they strolled in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. The LAIKA Experience, located at 520 Fifth Avenue, featured an up-close look at the artistic detail and imagination behind LAIKA’s groundbreaking films, all of which have been nominated for Academy Awards® and numerous other honors. The exhibit showcased the evolution of the studio’s unique blend of handcrafted stop-motion animation and visual effects magic in four imaginatively themed rooms inspired by each of LAIKA’s films. The extensive display of original sets, puppets and props immersed guests in LAIKA’s fantastical worlds.
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Nicholas Hoult Eyed To Play Young Tolkien

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By Creative Media Times

Nicholas Hoult by GabboT


Nicholas Hoult is in early talks to play as author J.R.R. Tolkien in Fox Searchlight and Chernin Entertainment’s “Tolkien,” Deadline reports Tuesday.

The film will be directed by Finnish film director Dome Karukoski, from a script by Stephen Beresford and David Gleeson.

J. R. R. Tolkien was the author of the fantasy classics The Lord of the Rings, originally a sequel to his children’s fantasy The Hobbit, then later turned into three volumes The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Since then, The Lord of the Rings has become one of the best selling novels ever, and together with The Hobbit became the source for Peter Jackson’s blockbuster hit films.

According to Deadline, the film will focus on the orphaned Tolkien’s experiences during his youth on the outbreak of World War I, experiences which influenced his work on The Lord of the Rings novels.

Hoult gained recognition from his role as a divergent schoolboy Marcus Brewer in 2002’s critical and boxoffice hit About A Boy. He also played Nux in George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road and as Hank McCoy/Beast on three X-Men films (X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse). He will reprise the role in next year’s X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

In addition to Tolkien, Hoult seem to attract real life character roles in biographical dramas lately. Later this year, he will be playing another celebrated author J. D. Salinger in Danny Strong’s Rebel in the Rye and then as inventor Nikola Tesla in this December’s “The Current War.”

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Great Moments From San Diego Comic-Con 2017

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By Armando

Every year, geeks around the world converge at Comic-Con, the 4-day event of all things about comicbooks and pop culture held every summer in San Diego. And this year is just as big and fun, not to mention hot and very sweaty as ever.

The big offerings from Marvel and DC did dominate the conversations. But with so many things happening every day all in and around the convention center, there is always something for everyone.

From trailers for upcoming studio blockbusters and tv shows, to exciting gaming announcements, to extravagant cosplays, and of course, some of the world’s most talented comic artists, Comic-Con continues to surprise and delight attendees.

Here’s some of the most memorable moments of from this year’s San Diego Comic-Con:

Blade Runner: Warner Bros unveiled a new trailer for Blade Runner 2049″ and brought with them the cast and the director Denis Villeneuve. Warner Bros. sensational SDCC presentation at Hall H’s 180-degree gigantic screens featured the upcoming “Blade Runner 2049” then later showed on stage a virtual hologram of Jared Leto.

Stranger Things Season 2 Trailer: The lively and hilarious cast and creators of “Stranger Things” were in Hall H. The very entertaining group talked about the series then later unveiled a very well received a new trailer. With a touch of nostalgia to the tune of Michael Jackson’s Thriller with Vincent Price’s voiceover, Watching the trailer in that gigantic screen was spectacular.

Black Panther: Marvel brought in the cast of Black Panther and previewed an exclusive action-packed footage, and it was a big hit. The intense footage received immediate standing ovation from audience while cast gathered for a group hug and impressed by what they saw. I can’t really blame them. Footage was fantastic!

Thor: Ragnarok: Cast of the movie stormed Hall H at Comic-Con and talked about the film and revealed new details. The cast brought with them some brand new spectacular action-packed trailer and footage. Also present was New Zealand director Taika Waititi and producer Kevin Feige, who was presented with Comic-Con’s Inkpot Award for his contributions to the world of comic books and everything comics fandom.

Charlize Theron: The statuesque Academy Award winner took the stage for Entertainment Weekly’s “Women Who Kick Ass”, and talked about her butt-kicking new character in Atomic Blonde, and the need for more female directors following the success of Wonder Woman, which was directed by Patty Jenkins who directed Theron in her Oscar-winning performance in “Monster”.

Jason Momoa runs to Hall H stage carrying Aquaman’s trident, shortly before the cast of Justice League arrived on stage. The guy sure knows how to entertain, pumped up the loud and excited crowd. Momoa also unveiled a short clip from the upcoming highly anticipated James Wan film “Aquaman”.

Justice League: Clearly one of the highlights of Comic-Con 2017, especially after the record breaking box-office run of Wonder Woman this summer, the Justice League cast Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa, who was already on stage by the time the cast arrived, electrified the full house of 6,000 hyperactive fans at Hall H. There was, however no talk of Wonder Woman sequel, while Henry Cavill was not in attendance.

Cosplay: There is no shortage of cool cosplay in Comic-Con as one might expect, and this year is no exception. Even with the painful summer heat and crowded long lines, San Diego brought it this year with some really cool costumes. They were all there, from Star Wars to Pennywise the Clown, from the most recognizable to hilarious, from high priced couture to home sewn, and those that just make you go hmmmmm (guys in Wonder Woman costumes were surprisingly plenty this year). And hey, its always fun to see a Darth Vader struggling to eat a cheeseburger.

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Comic-Con 2017 Week: Justice League Trailer Teases Possible Return Of Superman

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By Armando

Justice League panel
Photo: Armando AIPhotoImaging.com


There was a lot of excitement at Comic-Con Saturday morning with fans anticipating what Warner Bros has in store.

Those who waited long lines were rewarded when Warner Bros. brought out the highlight of the studio’s Hall H lineup: cast of Justice League, and a new action-packed trailer presented on the venue’s massively gigantic wrap-around screens.

First up was an animated Jason Momoa (Aquaman), running from the back of a packed 6,000-capacity room and up to the stage which pumped the fans into hysterics. He was shortly followed by the rest of the cast members Ben Affleck (Batman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ezra Miller (The Flash), Ray Fisher (Cyborg) arriving to screaming fans and standing ovation. Missing on the event was Henry Cavill, though the end of the trailer seem to suggest he may be back from the dead.

Also absent from the panel is the film’s new director Joss Whedon and its original director Zack Snyder. But that didn’t stop the cast from showering praises to Snyder. “None of us will be here without him,” says Fisher.

The trailer shows just the right tone fans should expect from a movie helmed by two major comic-book giants. There is of course plenty of comicbook slugfest, while also looking fun, definitely suggesting a slight pivot from where Man of Steel started and continued on to Batman V Superman and Suicide Squad. The trailer is also fully aware of Wonder Woman’s new-found level of popularity, but just enough character build where each character shined.

Justice League will be in theaters Nov. 17.

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