Tag: Green Book
-
‘Devotion’ Review: Jd Dillard Brings ‘Top Gun’ Mojo to Historic Account of a Barrier-Breaking Black Pilot
African American boxing champ Muhammad Ali famously refused to fight for his country, justifying himself with the oft-quoted quip, “No Viet Cong ever called me n—–.” That’s one-half of American history, and an important one. “Devotion” tells the other, presenting the story of a Black pilot so determined to defend — and die for, if…
-
‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’: Zac Efron Enters the Vietnam War with a Six-Pack in True Story
Zac Efron is determined to bring his six-pack (of beer) to the frontlines of the Vietnam War.The first trailer for the Apple Original Film “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” gives a glimpse at Efron as Chickie Donohue, a real-life hero who traveled to Vietnam during the war to bring soldiers their favorite American beer.Per an…
-
Bobby Rydell, 1960s Pop Idol and Star of ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ Dies at 79
Bobby Rydell, the epitome of the early ’60s “teen idol,” who parlayed that fame into a starring role opposite Ann-Margret in the 1963 film “Bye Bye Birdie,” died today at age 79. The cause of death was pneumonia.His death just days away from his 80th birthday was confirmed by radio legend Jerry Blavat, Rydell’s longtime…
-
‘Coda’ Has Changed Oscar Movies’ Release Strategies Forever
In analyzing how “Coda” achieved its Best Picture win, we must face a discomfiting reality: Beyond Oscar qualification, theatrical play had very little to do with its success.Most years, winning Best Picture includes a careful effort by its distributor to make it hit. Recent winners such as “Parasite” and “Green Book” played theaters during the…
-
Queer Films Could Sweep Awards as ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘Flee’ Gain Momentum
While the years following 2016’s “Moonlight” have been surprisingly fruitful for high-quality queer film, one might not know it from glancing at Oscar nominations from years past. Last year, Céline Sciamma’s luminous period romance “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” was not even selected as France’s official entry for Best International Feature, despite provoking universal…
-
Oscar-Nominated Short Film ‘A Concerto Is a Conversation’ Bridges Generations in a Tale About Family and Race in America
Oscar-nominated short film “A Concerto Is a Conversation” is the story of love between a grandfather and his grandson woven together through music. It’s also a narrative about race in America.Composer Kris Bowers, the virtuoso behind “Green Book” and “When They See Us,” wears multiple hats for the film, as co-director (with friend Ben Proudfoot),…
-
Spike Lee Talks ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Awards Snub as Reminiscent of ‘Green Book’ Win
With Oscar nominations dropping on Monday morning, many are wondering if Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed Netflix feature, “Da 5 Bloods” could go home empty-handed. The feature, focused on the lives of four African-American Vietnam vets who return to the country seeking the remains of their fallen commander and a cache of gold, has only secured…
-
Viggo Mortensen Says Universal ‘Retreated for Too Long’ During ‘Green Book’ Backlash
The 2019 Best Picture Oscar winner “Green Book” is back in the conversation as the film’s star Viggo Mortensen starts rolling out his directorial debut “Falling,” where he plays a gay man taking care of his homophobic, ailing father. In “Green Book,” he played the driver of Dr. Don Shirley, the concert pianist played by…
-
Mahershala Ali Was Directly Involved in Hiring Marvel’s First Black Female Writer for ‘Blade’
Marvel Studios’ upcoming “Blade, the Vampire Slayer” has found a writer in Stacy Osei-Kuffour. That’s in huge part thanks to star Mahershala Ali who, according to The Hollywood Reporter, was directly involved in bringing Osei-Kuffour aboard. A 2019 Primetime Emmy nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for “PEN15,” the playwright turned TV writer…