Movies/TV category, Page 154
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ reviews range from disappointing to satisfying
The latest installment of “Star Wars” films is almost here. But if you can’t wait for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” here’s some reviews from around the web, ranging from disappointment to satisfaction. • Gizmodo’s Germain Lussier writes that “the film plays like a 150-minute checklist of cool stuff...
Television’s ‘Survivor’ dealing with #MeToo-era issues
NEW YORK — The CBS game “Survivor” ends its 39th edition this week reeling from controversy over its first-ever forced removal of a contestant, a Hollywood agent sent packing after young women complained about inappropriate touching. The abrupt exit of player Dan Spilo, for what CBS said was an off-camera...
Odd-looking extras sought for Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ seriesVideo
Are you less than attractive? Maybe have a wonky eye? Maybe no eye at all? Well, your big break may have just arrived. The Wall Street Journal reports the Auckland, N.Z.-based BGT Actors Models and Talent is on the hunt for odd-looking extras to be a part of Amazon’s new...
Post Malone to headline Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
You can ring in the New Year with Post Malone: The rap-pop star will perform at “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020” in New York City on Dec. 31. Dick Clark Productions announced Tuesday that K-pop group BTS, country singer Sam Hunt and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette...
Rick Sebak documents his ‘Seven Weeks in Magee’ in latest ‘Nebby’ showVideo
After a fall in August 2018 requiring surgery, WQED producer Rick Sebak began a long recovery in UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital’s transitional care unit. His friends and fans soon began showering him with gifts, surprises and plenty of food. Naturally, he has turned the experience into a new program for his...
Sick of the old holiday staples? 10 movies you may have missedVideo
Though much beloved and holiday staples, yet another viewing of “A Christmas Story” or “Home Alone” might be enough to bring out your inner Grinch … with a vengeance. Looking for something still holiday-ish, that might just become a new favorite? Here are 10 to consider: 1. ‘Meet Me in...
‘Jumanji’ ends ‘Frozen 2’ hot streak to claim top spot
“Jumanji: The Next Level” puts “Frozen 2” on second-place ice, while Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell” opened with one of the worst box office debuts for the director. The Sony film starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart brought in $60.1 million in the U.S. and Canada to break a three-day record...
Hallmark to reinstate same-sex marriage commercial it pulledVideo
NEW YORK — The Hallmark Channel will reinstate same-sex marriage commercials that it pulled from the network, according to a company statement sent Sunday. An ad for wedding planning site Zola featuring two brides kissing at the altar was pulled following a complaint from the conservative group One Million Moms....
How streaming, diversity, #MeToo shaped TV decade of change
“Game of Thrones” was both an unprecedented achievement and old-school role model in the TV decade that’s rolling its final credits. Installments of the elaborately produced hit were doled out one at a time by an established outlet, premium cable channel HBO. That was standard TV operating procedure until, suddenly,...
‘Mad Men’ actress Christina Hendricks files for divorce
LOS ANGELES — “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks filed for divorce Friday from her husband of 10 years, actor Geoffrey Arend. Hendricks filed the marriage dissolution documents in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. The 44-year-old Hendricks and the 41-year-old Arend have no children. The two announced their separation...
Blue-collar character actor Danny Aiello has died at age 86Video
NEW YORK — Danny Aiello, the blue-collar character actor whose long career playing tough guys included roles in “Fort Apache, the Bronx,” “The Godfather, Part II,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and his Oscar-nominated performance as a pizza man in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” has died. He...
Potential owners surface for shuttered Regent Square Theater
While the Regent Square Theater sits quiet, there is interest in the movie screen illuminating again. The Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media closed the South Braddock Avenue movie theater on Nov. 25 for financial reasons. The PCAM continues to explore options for the theater, spokeswoman Hannah Arnold said in...
The Rock a betting favorite to headline WrestleMania 36
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson could be getting back in the ring, according to one betting website. Oddschecker, which shows bets from a number of companies, has odds from SkyBet on “who will contest the main event” of WrestleMania 36, WWE’s biggest event of the year. The favorite: Roman Reigns vs....
Sinclair Broadcasting drops political commentary by former Trump aide Boris EpshteynVideo
Sinclair Broadcast Group has put an end to airing political commentary segments from former Donald Trump aide Boris Epshteyn and others. The final “must-run” segments end Friday. The move is part of Sinclair’s efforts to shift away from political commentary in favor of investigative reporting, according to NBC News. NBC...
Trailer debuts for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ movie musicalVideo
Before “Hamilton,” there was “In the Heights.” It was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway musical. And now it’s his first work to get a movie adaptation. The first trailer for the new film was released Thursday. The movie will hit theaters June 26. The story, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel...
‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ finally debuts at Penn Hills Cinemas
Moviegoers in Penn Hills told a theater owner “It’s you I like” when they picked his theater to watch the Fred Rogers biopic two weeks after the film’s opening weekend. Paul Looker, owner and manager of Penn Hills Cinemas, said around 200 people came out to his theater over the...
Review: Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’ becomes a puzzling hatchet jobVideo
“Richard Jewell” is a typically strong late-period Clint Eastwood docudrama that balances grand American themes while captivatingly dramatizing the villainization of the Atlanta Olympics bombing hero, only to needlessly tarnish itself with a wanton and unfounded depiction of a female journalist at the center of the 1996 media storm. Eastwood’s...
Ryan Reynolds says he related to Peloton actress’ plightVideo
Ryan Reynolds says he relates to the social media criticism heaped on the Peloton ad actress. In fact, that feeling led him to hire her for a commercial promoting his gin company. Reynolds spoke Tuesday about the uproar while promoting his new action flick, the Michael Bay-directed “6 Underground.” In...
‘The Office’ releases ‘Threat Level Midnight,’ Michael Scott’s action filmVideo
At long last, Michael Scott’s masterpiece has been unveiled. “The Office” YouTube channel posted the full version of “Threat Level Midnight,” the action film made by Steve Carell’s character in the show. The synopsis of Scott’s movie on the video reads “After secret agent Michael Scarn (played by Scott) is...
Review: New ‘Jumanji’ sticks with the formulaVideo
The creators of the latest “Jumanji” sequel have begun from an age-old premise — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And they’ve taken note of other successful franchises to adopt what must surely be a new Hollywood motto — just add more. So “Jumanji: The Next Level” brings together...
‘Parasite,’ ‘Bombshell’ get a boost in SAG nominations
Scarlett Johansson received two individual nominations, “Parasite” scored a best ensemble nod and both “The Irishman” and “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” solidified their Oscar favorite status in nominations announced Wednesday for the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards. The SAG Awards are one of the most closely watched...
National Film Registry announces diverse Class of 2019Video
More films directed or co-directed by women than ever before have been added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Among the 25 selected are Patricia Cardoso’s 2002 “Real Women Have Curves,” Gunvor Nelson’s 1969 “My Name is Oona” and the 1971 “A New Leaf,” which Elaine...
‘The Mandalorian’ gives female directors a chance to shine
“Star Wars” has faced criticism for having a lack of female directors, but the popular franchise is making an effort to place more women in the prominent role starting with the new series “The Mandalorian.” The Disney Plus series, which airs Fridays, broke new ground for “Star Wars” when Deborah...
Netflix: More than 26 million watched ‘The Irishman’ in 7 daysVideo
NEW YORK — Netflix says that 26.4 million households worldwide watched “The Irishman” in its first week of streaming. That figure includes those who watched at least 70% of Martin Scorsese’s 3 1/2 hour crime epic. Netflix selectively announces viewership for its films and series, and they aren’t substantiated by...
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ comes with seizure warning
Viewers with photosensitivity to flashing lights should use caution when watching “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” the movie studio said. Walt Disney Studios along with Epilepsy Foundation issued a statement last week, saying the film contains several sequences with imagery and sustained flashing lights that may affect those with...
