#FIRSTLOOK: THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT STARRING KERRY WASHINGTON – NEW TRAILER

Kerry Washington stars in Tyler Perry‘s THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT, arriving December in select theatres and on Netflix. Today we get a new Trailer!

Netflix Release Date: December 20

In Select Theaters: December 6

DIRECTOR: Tyler Perry
SCREENPLAY BY: Tyler Perry, based on the article “Fighting A Two-Front War” by Kevin M. Hymel published in WWII History Magazine by Sovereign Media
PRODUCED BY: Tyler Perry, Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig, Carlota Espinosa
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Peter Guber, Kerry Washington
CAST: Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, Jay Reeves, Jeffery Johnson, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Donna Biscoe, Gregg Sulkin, Scott Daniel Johnson, Susan Sarandon, with Dean Norris, and Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey

Logline:
The Six Triple Eight is inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.

Synopsis:
The Six Triple Eight is inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII. 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. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the film stars Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Produced by Tyler Perry, Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig and Carlota Espinosa, the film features an ensemble cast including Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, Susan Sarandon, with Dean Norris, and Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey. Based on the article by Kevin M. Hymel, the film features an original song “The Journey” written by Diane Warren and performed by H.E.R., with choreography by Debbie Allen.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW STILL FROM “A JAZZMAN’S BLUES”

Writer/Director Tyler Perry is back with A JAZZMAN’S BLUES, arriving this September on Netflix. Above is a new Still from the Film.

Synopsis: 

A sweeping tale of forbidden love, A JAZZMAN’S BLUES unspools forty years of secrets and lies soundtracked by juke joint blues in the deep South. Written, directed and produced by Academy Award honoree Tyler Perry, the film stars Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer as star-crossed lovers Bayou and Leanne alongside an ensemble cast that includes Amirah Vann, Austin Scott, Milauna Jemai Jackson, Brent Antonello, Brad Benedict, Kario Marcel, Lana Young and Ryan Eggold. The film features an original song performed by Ruth B., songs arranged and produced by multi-Grammy winner & two-time Academy Award nominee Terence Blanchard, music by Aaron Zigman and choreography by Debbie Allen.

A JAZZMAN’S BLUES arrives September 23, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#INTERVIEW: “DON’T LOOK UP”

By Mr. Will Wong

The incredibly star-studded DON’T LOOK UP comes to us from acclaimed Director/Writer Adam McKay (Vice, The Big Short). The Dark Comedy centers on two Astronomers, Randy Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) who embark on a Media Tour to warn the world that a comet is approaching, potentially destroying our planet.

We are incredibly-honoured to be among the group of Journalists selected to attend the global press conference for DON’T LOOK UP, and joining us were an impressive bunch

Leonardo DiCaprio tells us about working with McKay and also comments on the marred public perception of Scientists.

DiCaprio: “Adam created this Film, which was about the Climate Crisis, but made it with a sense of urgency by making it about a comet that is about to hit earth within eight months. And it’s about how Science has become politicized and there’s alternative facts. I was just thinking to play a character who’s solely based on so many people I’ve met from the scientific community, in particular Climate Scientists who have been trying to communicate the urgency of this issue and feeling like they’re subjected to the last page on the newspaper. There’s too many other things we’re inundated with. I love the way he portrayed these two different characters, one that is incredibly-outspoken, this Greta Thunberg-type of character in Jen‘s and mine who is trying to play within the system.”.

“I also love the way he was incredibly truthful about how we’re so immensely distracted from the whole truth nowadays and of course Covid hit and there was a whole new scientific argument going on there. It’s such an important Film to be a part of at this particular time.”.

Lawrence: “It’s just so sad and frustrating to watch people who’ve dedicated their lives to learning the truth and be turned away because people don’t like what the truth has to say.”.

Adam McKay talks about his use of Comedy in delivering this very serious real-life message.

McKay: “We were talking about the idea of dealing with Climate Crisis which is so overwhelming and arguably the greatest threat to life in the history of mankind. It almost can feel like an animal attacking you, but if you’re able to laugh, that means you have some distance. I actually think that’s really important and you can feel urgency and sadness, and feel lost, while also having a sense of humour. And that was the intention of the Movie after the crazy last five, ten years we’ve all had. Wouldn’t it be funny to just laugh at this? So that was kinda the approach.”.

DiCaprio talks about the necessity of some of the blockbuster names in the Film to get the message out about Climate Change.

DiCaprio: “I’ve been looking for a movie about the subject for decades now. This is an issue where everyone feels ultimately like, ‘What kind of difference can we make?’ and what can we contribute to this cause. Adam really cracked the code with so many comparisons that we can make to the Climate Change crisis with this story line. As a whole, it’s the most important topic we all can be talking about on a regular basis. It takes Artists like this to change the narrative, to create conversation.”.

In DON’T LOOK UP, the central comet is named after Lawrence‘s character. She is asked about how her character feels about this.

Lawrence: “I think at first it’s very exciting until it becomes a catastrophe, and you’re named something people are not happy about. There was an evolution where at first she was very proud of this and then resentment built.”.

Kid Cudi talks about his experience on this Film as DJ Chello, while also contributing to the Film’s theme song “Just Look Up” with Ariana Grande, who plays Riley Bina.

Cudi: “It was nerve-wrecking. It felt like even though I was there for three days, it felt like a family setting and everybody embraced me. It was my first time meeting Tyler Perry, and he’s so cool and I didn’t realize he was so tall! I learned sometimes you’ve just gotta relax and go with the flow and be within your space and comfortable. I talk to Kathryn Hahn, whom I’m friends with, and she told me about Adam. She said, ‘Just be ready for him to throw anything!’ and that made me even more scared.”.

“When Nicholas Britell (Song Producer) played the song for me, I said, ‘Holy shit! Where do I fit? How do I approach this?’. He had something written for me and we tried that, but it just wasn’t working. Maybe it would be better if I approach it with my own flavour and take that approach. This is not me writing a song from a Kid Cudi perspective, this is from DJ‘s perspective and they’ve (DJ and Riley) just linked back up, and he’s pretty much confessing and expressing his love to her, and he’s just kinda forgetting about the importance of the song. I’m just happy to be with my baby. I took this approach. You’re on-stage with this girl making this song with the love of your life. You just had a huge fallout and everyone around the world knew about it. So it was this reunion moment. It was intense at first because Ariana is such an incredible Artist. Her vocal performance is just stellar. I’m just really happy we were happy to figure it out and it worked.”.

“Just Look Up” can be heard here:

Lawrence also talks about her experience working with Grande, being a huge fan of hers.

Lawrence: “It was shocking, she’s so tiny. I’m a huge fan of her music. It was overwhelming. Our worlds don’t normally collide. I felt like a radio contest winner. I didn’t know how to talk to her. I just did my best.”.

Jonah Hill and DiCaprio each talk about their mutual admiration for one another, working together this a third time. Hill plays the President’s son Jason Orlean.

Hill: “Honestly, I’ve always been a fan of Leo and have had mad respect for how much he puts his money and time where his mouth is in regards to this issue, so not only as a friend, but someone who is out there talking a big game, and actually walks the walk.”.

DiCaprio: “He is an absolute genius, this friend of mine. He has this ability to improvise, take control of a scene and have the narrative be shifted in amazing, colourful ways. It is a sight to witness and truly remarkable to experience. He’s absolutely a genius. I would love to work on a hundred more films.”.

Lawrence: “Amen, really fun.”.

Hill: “I agree with what he said (laughs). Real talk, I’ve worked with now pretty much all the best Actors in the world, a lot who are up here right now, and there’s been no more loyal friend in show business. Aside from that, put all those feelings aside. What you see when they yell “action!’ and what he does, no disrespect, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Hands down. Just kidding! Duh! (looking at Meryl Streep) I’ll text you how I feel!”.

Tyler Perry talks about playing TV Host Jack Bremner, opposite Cate Blanchett who plays Brie Evantee.

Perry: “I actually made a couple phone calls to people who are on morning shows right now that I admire, I sent them part of the Script. I said, ‘Why don’t you read this and send it back to me on your iPhone?’. And they did, so I got some bits here and there. Those guys are professional Journalists. They were very helpful helping me pull that off.”.

McKay: “Tyler is being very humble, by the way. The big trick between him and Cate Blanchett is that they really had to have a chemistry. It was so remarkable within five minutes, it was as if they’d been on a show together for ten years!”.

Perry: “That happens when there’s sexual chemistry! That was obvious. I said, ‘Okay, I just have to flirt, I get it!’. She’s gonna kill me!”.

Meryl Streep talks about her character President Orlean and where she pulled inspiration and the sacrifices of being a public servant.

Streep: “There were so many places to take things from because there’s so many preposterous people who put themselves in public places shamelessly. It was kinda fun to put together this character who was about amassing power and money, more power and more money. And nice hair and nails to top it all off. And unfortunately, that’s what the cost of what being a public servant is. You really have to make a big sacrifice. Your family makes a sacrifice and you have to be willing to do that. It’s amazing we ever get good people to do it. We need them right now. It’s a high cost in public service, that’s for sure.”.

DiCaprio talks about a compelling moment in DON’T LOOK UP where he delivers an impassioned speech.

DiCaprio: “Adam and I worked on that speech probably 50 times together. What I really wanted to do was try to articulate the frustration of the scientific community, how one is sitting on a pulpit trying to tell the truth and all these other noises are drowning out the main message. So we worked a lot together trying to understand the frustration of the scientific community and how one would be in a situation like that. How do you put on this professional jacket to cut through straight to the truth of the situation?”.

The Cast is asked about moments in the Film they found chilling.

Streep: “There is a scene in a bar with Tyler and Cate and everything’s going to shit outside. She says, ‘I just wanna get drunk and talk shit about people’. I know a lot of people like that. It’s not an unusual reaction but it chilled my bones.”.

“I don’t want to give any spoilers, but there’s also when they’re in the car with Timothée Chalamet and he proposes an idea to Jen and she goes ‘Yeah’. And it’s so clear it’s no way it’s ever gonna happen. The human dream is you hope something good will happen even though we know something bad is. That’s the kernel of truth, that we push this information away because it’s too painful.”.

DON’T LOOK UP is in select theatres December 10, 2021 and on Netflix December 24, 2021.

Our Review will be up shortly.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#BOXOFFICE: “A QUIET PLACE” OPENS LOUD

Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. A QUIET PLACE, directed by and starring John Krasinski (and also partner Emily Blunt!) quietly has been building buzz and raves were loud after its SXSW Premiere recently in Austin. It debuts atop the Box Office with a smashing $50 million for Paramount Pictures from 3,508 theatres. It gets a 97% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

In second is last week’s champ READY PLAYER ONE with $24 million from 4,234 theatres, a total $94 million over two weeks for Warner Bros.

Third is new entrant BLOCKERS with $20 million from 3,379 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Comedy was made for $19 million and gets 83% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore for first-time Feature Director Kay Cannon.

BLACK PANTHER is far from done, in fourth this weekend with $8.2 million in its eighth week out for Marvel/Disney. It has made $665 million to-date in North America.

Tyler Perry’s ACRIMONY debuts in fifth with $7.3 million from 2,006 theates for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. The Director’s highest opening still goes to 2009’s Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail with $41 million.

CHAPPAQUIDDICK debuts in seventh with $5.7 million from 1,560 theatres for Entertainment Studios/D Films. The TIFF ’17 selection starring Jason Clarke gets an impressive 79% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

THE MIRACLE SEASON rounds-out the Top Ten in its opening with $3.8 million from 1,707 theatres for LD Entertainment/Elevation Pictures. It gets 36% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.

 

#BOXOFFICE: “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN” RISES TO THE TOP AMIDST COMPETITIVE ONSLAUGHT OF NEW FILMS

Mr. Peabody & Sherman in its second week of release takes the top of the Box Office despite some stiff challenges from some new Films.  The Animated Feature earned $21.2 million for 20th Century Fox after opening in second spot last weekend.  To date, it has grossed $63 million.

After debuting at the top last weekend, 300: Rise of an Empire slips to second spot this weekend for Warner Bros. with $19.1 million. In two weeks, the Action-Fantasy has earned an impressive $78 million.

Need for Speed opens in third spot for DreamWorks Pictures with $17.3 million from 3,315 theatres.  Critics gave the Film 24% on the Tomatometer, despite Audiences having praise for the Film starring  Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul, giving it an B+ CinemaScore.

Non-Stop continues to perform well in its third week with $10 million for Universal Pictures, placing it in fourth. The Film starring Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore thus far has made $78 million.

Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club opens in fifth spot for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $9 million. Critics gave the Comedy starring Nia Long, Terry Crews, Eddie Cibrian, Amy Smart at more a 22% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a A-CinemaScore.

It was close for the bottom of the Top ten with The Grand Budapest Hotel in its second week of limited release performing exceedingly well for Fox Searchlight, with $2.1 million from only 66 theatres across North America.  Its per-screen average is a record-setting $55k. Critics gave the new Dramedy from Wes Anderson an outstanding 91% on the Tomatometer. Meanwhile, Fan-funded Veronica Mars, handled by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, also grossed $2.0 million from only 291 theatres; Critics gave it a respectable 76% on the Tomatometer. Another Kristen Bell Film, Frozen also brought-in $2 million for Disney in its 17th week of release amazingly.

#FIRSTLOOK: BEN AFFLECK IN “GONE GIRL”

Based on Gillian Flynn‘s Best-Seller, David Fincher‘s GONE GIRL is set to rivet Audiences this Fall and we’re hoping with fingers crossed it gets a Toronto Premiere at TIFF ’14!  The Thriller centers on a Woman disappearing mysteriously on the day of her Wedding Anniversary, boasting a Cast which includes Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Missi Pyle, Scoot McNairy, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit and Tyler Perry.

The above Still featuring a v. intense-looking Affleck raising awareness about his missing Wife (Pike) was just released to build a bit of anticipation for the Film, which hits theatres Friday, October 3, 2014 via 20th Century Fox.

 

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

#BOXOFFICE: “THE EVIL DEAD” FULLY ALIVE AT BOX OFFICE

Huge debut this weekend for The Evil Dead, opening in 3,025 theatres with a stellar $26 million.  In an interesting turn of events, this weekend there were two ties for second place and fifth place. The Sony Pictures/FilmDistrict Flick interestingly enough received fairly positive reviews from Critics (65% on the Tomatometer), although Audiences responded not as well with a C+ CinemaScore. Poor feedback however didn’t seem to hurt the Remake of Sam Raimi‘s 1981 Horror at all. Made for only $17 million, it is a great success on all accounts.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation slips to second spot this weekend but still continues to be a force to be reckoned with, earning an impressive $21.1 million at number two for Paramount Pictures. In two weeks domestically, the Film has grossed$87 million. The Croods ties as second spot for 20th Century Fox, still going strong with $21.1 million also in its third week of release.  In total it has earned $125.7 million in North America to date.

Jurassic Park 3-D gets a second life at the theatres via Universal Pictures debuting at number four this weekend with $18.2 million, earning strong reviews in this incarnation (91% on the Tomatometer).  By comparison, the original version of the Film back in June 1993 opened with $47 million.

FilmDistrict/VVS Films’ Olympus Has Fallen and Tyler Perry‘s Temptation both tie for fifth spot with $10 million for Lionsgate/eOne Films in its second week out. Disney‘s Oz The Great in Powerful in seventh spot has surpassed the $200 million-mark in North America, earning $8.6 million in this its fifth week.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is Rom-Com, Admission, with $2.0 million in its third week of release.

#BOXOFFICE: “G.I. JOE: RETALIATION” FIRES IN EASTER WEEKEND DEBUT

Boys rule the Box Office this Easter Weekend with G.I. Joe: Retaliation debuting big with a stellar $40.8 million across North America, from 3,719 theatres.  Critics panned the $135-million Blockbuster from Paramount Pictures, but Audiences reacted well with an A- CinemaScore.   This latest Installment in the Franchise stars Bruce Willis, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Channing Tatum and Adrianne Palicki.

In second this weekend is last week’s Champ The Croods from 20th Century Fox with $26.6 million in its second week of release.  The Animated Feature takes advantage of the lack of Family-oriented Flicks out this weekend. To-date it has grossed an impressive $88.8 million in North America.

Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor debuts in third this weekend from 2,047 theatres – yet another successful release from the Actor/Writer/Director/Producer and overall Magnate.  Earning $22.5 million, the Drama-Thriller stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Lance Gross, Kim Kardashian, Brandy Norwood and Vanessa Williams; it does not star Perry in male nor female form.  Critics didn’t love the Film, earning 17% at Rotten Tomatoes.

Olympus Has Fallen slips to fourth in its second week of release with $14.1 million after a solid debut last week in second spot, just ahead of former Champ Oz the Great and Powerful from Disney with $11.7 million in fifth.

The Host unfortunately didn’t translate to big numbers despite it being an Adaptation of beloved Twilight Author Stephanie Meyer‘s Novel of the same name. Reviews were outright vicious, tallying-in at 12% on Rotten Tomatoes. It debuts in sixth with $11 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films.

Well-reviewed Spring Breakers by Director/Writer Harmony Korine lands in ninth with its expansion to 1,379 theatres with $2.5 million.  To date it has earned $10 million and despite strong limited release numbers, this didn’t translate as strongly with its expansion.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone in its third week of release, rounds out the Top Ten with $1.2 million.