Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category

Movie of the Week Recommendation: Garage Sale Mystery: The Art of Murder

Posted in Movies, Recommendations, Reminder, Television, Video on January 4, 2017| Leave a Comment »

garage-sale-mystery-the-art-of-murder

The new Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie Garage Sale Mystery: The Art Of Murder will air on January 8 at 9 PM.

Jennifer Shannon (Lori Loughlin) is a garage sale shopping expert whose sharp observation skills allow her to uncover valuable antiques, as well as help her local police department investigate crimes. While arranging a charity garage sale event, Jennifer finds a body in the attic of a local residence.

While working to crack the case, Jennifer offers support to her loving husband, Jason, whose upcoming birthday has sparked a mid-life crisis. As Jennifer prepares to buy him the perfect gift, she receives an urgent voicemail from Tina, pleading for her immediate assistance. When she responds, the garage sale-expert-turned-sleuth finds herself standing face-to-face with a killer.

The cast includes Sarah Strange and Kevin O’Grady.

Here is a trailer for Garage Sale Mystery: The Art of Murder.

Read Full Post »

Movie of the Week Recommendation: Love On Ice

Posted in Movies, Recommendations, Reminder, Television, Video on January 3, 2017| Leave a Comment »

love-on-ice

On January 7, the Hallmark Channel movie Love On Ice will debut at 9 PM.

Former figure skating champion, Emily James, now 27 years old and considered a relic in the world of figure skating, gets an improbable shot to reclaim skating glory when a young coach sees greatness in her. Together, they find their love of skating goes far beyond the ice.

The cast includes Julie Berman (Chicago Med), Andrew Walker (A Dream of Christmas) and Gail O’Grady (NYPD Blue).

Here is a trailer for Love On Ice.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: New Faces of 2017

Posted in Movies, New Faces, Online Series, Television, Year End Round Up on December 30, 2016| 1 Comment »

Much like the Faces of 2016, there are always entertainers of note to be on the look-out for in the new year or those who made great waves throughout the current year who will, undoubtedly, be big stars in the new year.

Here are my predictions for the faces of 2017 (in no particular order):

malachi-kirby

1. Malachi Kirby – The British actor landed the plum role of Kunta Kinte in the History Channel remake of the classic telefilm Roots by author Alex Haley. He will follow that up with roles in the upcoming box office film Fallen based on the book of the same name by author Lauren Kate and he will provide his voice to the video game Squadron 42.

stephan-james

2. Stephan James – Stephan appeared as legendary Olympic athlete Jesse Owens in the box office film Race that was released in February of this year. Prior to that he was in the box office films When the Game Stands Tall and Selma; and he had a recurring role in the TV series L.A. Complex and Degrassi: The Next Generation. He will next be seen in the highly anticipated FOX event series Shots Fired that will air on FOX during mid-season of 2017.

jacob-tremblay

3. Jacob Tremblay – Jacob is the young Canadian actor who appeared as Jack in the much-buzzed about box office film Room. Prior to that he had a role in the made-for-TV movie My Mother’s Future Husband. He has four box office films coming up in 2017, including Before I Wake with Thomas Jane and Kate Bosworth; Burn Your Maps with Vera Farmiga and Virginia Madsen; Wonder with Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson and The Book of Henry with Lee Pace and Naomi Watts.

neel-sethi

4. Neel Sethi – He is the young Indian-American boy who landed the coveted role of Mowgli in the latest live action adaptation of The Jungle Book. This was his first acting role where he was selected out of a “cattle call” of 2,000 children who auditioned for the part.

elena-kampouris

5. Elena Kampouris – Elena landed the plum role of Paris, the daughter of Toula and Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. She previously appeared in the short-lived TV series American Odyssey, starring alongside Sarah Wynter and Peter Facinelli. She will next be seen in the box office film Before I Fall based on the novel of the same name by Lauren Oliver.

tori-anderson

6. Tori Anderson – Tori landed the lead role of Evie Covington in the new dramedy No Tomorrow, which debut in October on The CW and while the show will not be continuing beyond its original episode order, Tori is an up-and-comer. She previously had a short recurring role in Killjoys and was one of the regulars in Teen Nick drama Open Heart.

adria-arjona

7. Adria Arjona – Adria will be seen as Dorothy Gale in the January 2017 debut of the much-buzzed about NBC drama Emerald City, which is a dark and twisted adaptation of the legendary Wizard of Oz tale. Prior to that she appeared in season two of True Detective. She will next be seen in Pacific Rim: Maelstrom and Life of the Party with Melissa McCarthy, Julie Bowen and Gillian Jacobs.

aulii-cravalho

8. Auli’I Cravalho – Movie goers can hear Auli’I’s voice in the new animated film Moana, which was released in November. She was discovered by an Oahu casting agent who noticed her singing in a charity competition. She won the role of the latest Disney princess from hundreds of women in the pacific islands. In fact, she was the very last girl auditioned.

maddie-bailio

9. Maddie Bailio – Maddie is a talent Texan theatre student who landed the coveted role of Tracey Turnblad in Hairspray Live! which debuted on NBC earlier this month. She beat out over 1,000 other girls for the legendary role. This is her major first acting gig, but she is no stranger to stage work.

sasha-lane

10. Sasha Lane – Sasha is a 19-year-old newcomer to acting who was spotted by writer-director Andrea Arnold among tens of thousands of students on Panama City beach. Arnold convinced Sasha to do an impromptu audition, which led to her being cast as Star in the box office film American Honey. She has three upcoming projects, including The Miseducation of Cameron Post with Chloe Grace Moretz and Shoplifters of the World with Joe Manganiello.

joe-alwyn

11. Joe Alwyn – This British-born actor landed the lead role in Ang Lee’s latest film Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which hit theatre screens last month. Joe had never stepped in front of a camera before auditioning for this film. He will next be seen in the film The Sense of an Ending with Downton Abbey and Good Behavior actress Michelle Dockery and will later be seen alongside Gerard Butler in the thriller Keepers.

millie-bobby-brown

12. Millie Bobby Brown – Young actress Millie was born and raised in Spain before her family moved to Florida, and now she is the one of the stars of the much-buzzed-about Netflix fantasy horror drama Stranger Things; she played Eleven. Prior to this she appeared in the BBC series Intruders; she was young Alice in the short-lived TV series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and she had guest roles in NCIS, Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy.

tom-holland

13. Tom Holland – Tom is the latest British actor to take on an iconic American comic book character: Spider-Man. Filmgoers will recognize him from Captain America: Civil War and they will soon see him in the latest adaptation of the Marvel legend in the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming and the 2018 Avengers: Infinity War. He also has two other films coming out – The Current War with Benedict Cumberbatch and Pilgrimage with Jon Bernthal and Richard Armitage. His previous work includes In the Heart of the Sea, The Impossible and the mini-series Wolf Hall.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2017? Please share.

TOMORROW: Closing Out 2016

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The Faces of 2016

Posted in Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 29, 2016| 1 Comment »

The following list highlights the actors and actresses on television and on the big screen who really caught viewers’ attention throughout this year. They appear in no particular order:

brie-larson

1. Brie Larson – Brie has been acting since she was a young girl eventually appearing in episodes of Raising Dad, United States of Tara and Community. But it was her Oscar-winning role in the independent film Room that put her on the map. Since then she has landed the role of Captain Marvel in the latest upcoming Avengers franchise film as well as the stand-alone Captain Marvel film. She will be seen in next year’s Kong: Skull Island movie alongside Tom Hiddleston along with the films The Glass Castle, Unicorn Store and Basmati Blues.

connor-jessup

2. Connor Jessup – TV viewers will recognize him from his stand-out role as middle son Ben Mason on the long-running alien apocalypse series Falling Skies on TNT, but he really turned heads in the ABC anthology series American Crime.

margot-robbie

3. Margot Robbie – She made a name for herself in Australian on the long-running soap opera Neighbours and then landed on the short-lived US series Pan Am. But it was her role in The Wolf of Wall Street that got her attention. She had a big year in 2016, appearing Whiskey Tango Foxtrot with Tina Fey, The Legend of Tarzan alongside Alexander Skarsgard and stealing the show as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad. She has four films in the works for 2017, including a stand-alone Harley Quinn film.

katy-mixon

4. Katy Mixon – Katy is well known to viewers of the CBS comedy Mike & Molly for her role of Victoria Flynn and she was one of the voice actors in the 2015 animated movie Minions; but she made a big move this year by landed the lead role in the new ABC comedy American Housewife, which was given a full season order in November by the network.

gal-gadot

5. Gal Gadot – The Israeli born actress was not only a model and former Miss Israel, but she also served in the IDF, the military force of the State of Israel before landed the role of Gisele in the Fast and Furious franchise before landing the coveted role of Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman in the 2016 Batman vs. Superman movie as well as the long-awaited Wonder Woman film set to hit the big screen next year. She is also set to don the golden lasso and bullet-proof bracelets in two upcoming Justice League flicks.

mahershala-ali

6. Mahershala Ali – Avid TV viewers will recognize this talented actor from his role on the USA Network series The 4400 – when he used his screen name Mahershalalhashbaz Ali – but it has been his work in House of Cards, the movies Free State of Jones and Moonlight as well as the streaming series Marvel’s Luke Cage. He will also be seen in the December film Hidden Figures; and he has three films set to debut next year.

haley-bennett

7. Haley Bennett – In 2007, Haley appeared as ditzy pop star Cora Corman in the film Music and Lyrics, but while she continued to appear in a number of movies over the years, it has been her roles in this year’s The Girl on the Train and The Magnificent Seven that put her on the map. She also has a role in the Warren Beatty-led film Rules Don’t Apply and has two big movies coming out next year.

aja-naomi-king

8. Aja Naomi King – Aja has been a series regular on the much-buzzed about ABC drama How to Get Away With Murder for the past three TV seasons and then she landed the plum leading role of Cherry in the much-talked about feature film The Birth of a Nation. Before that she appeared in the short-lived shows Emily Owens M.D. and Black Box.

felicity-jones

9. Felicity Jones – Felicity has been an actress since 1996, appearing in roles on the small and big screen, but it was her role in 2014 of The Theory of Everything that really got her attention. This year alone she has appeared alongside Tom Hanks in the film Inferno from Dan Brown, she has the lead role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and she will appear in January’s film A Monster Calls.

adele

10. Adele – She has been a powerful force – and voice – in the music world since her debut album hit shelves in 2008. She has won countless awards for her first two albums 19 and 21, but it was the release of her latest album 25 that really put her over the top. She had a huge tour during 2016 and four years after her last album, she has added even more awards to growing collection.

tatiana-maslany

11. Tatiana Maslany – Tat, as she is known to her cast members, has been in the public eye since the BBC America series Orphan Black debuted in March of 2013 although she had quite a long resume before that. But it was in 2016 where she finally got her just reward: winning an Emmy Award for her complicated, multiple roles in the show.

bridget-regan

12. Bridget Regan – She is the most ubiquitous actress of the year, appearing as deadly assassin Dottie Underwood in Marvel’s Agent Carter, tough as nails fighter Sasha Cooper on The Last Ship, criminal mastermind Sin Rostro on Jane the Virgin and most recently as Megan Hunt on Grey’s Anatomy.

tobias-menzies

13. Tobias Menzies – He is the most ubiquitous actor of the year, appearing in the fan favorite Starz series Outlander in the dual role of Frank Randall and 18th Century villain Black Jack Randall, he returned as Edmure Tully in Game of Thrones and he starred as Geoffrey Dromgoole alongside Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie in the AMC mini-series The Night Manager. He will next star with Kate Beckinsale in January’s box office flick Underworld: Blood Wars.

Who are some of the faces from this year who caught your attention either on television, in music or in film? Please share.

TOMORROW: New Faces of 2017

Read Full Post »

Mini-Series of the Month Recommendation: Sherlock

Posted in Movies, Recommendations, Reminder, Television, Video on December 28, 2016| Leave a Comment »

sherlock-the-six-thatchers

Sherlock will be back with another New Year’s Day episode entitled The Six Thatchers on January 1 at 9 PM on PBS.

Season four begins with the mercurial Sherlock Holmes back once more on British soil as Doctor Watson and his wife Mary prepare for their biggest challenge yet: becoming parents.

Here is a trailer for Sherlock:

Read Full Post »

Movie of the Week Recommendation: A Rose for Christmas

Posted in Movies, Recommendations, Reminder, Television, Video on December 28, 2016| Leave a Comment »

a-rose-for-christmas

The new Hallmark Channel movie A Rose for Christmas will debut on January 1 at 9 PM.

Andy (Rachel Boston) is a passionate and talented artist whose Pasadena family has been building Rose Parade floats for generations. But when her Dad gets sick and can’t lead this year’s efforts as usual, Andy has no choice but to take the helm and supervise the construction and decoration of their client’s float over Christmas with only a few weeks to go. And to make matters worse, she’s saddled with the extra challenge of dealing with Cliff (Marc Bendavid from Dark Matters), a demanding businessman whose company commissioned the float.

Forced to work together, these two can’t help but clash – she’s a creative type who knows this flower-strewn process inside out, while he’s all business with no time for art. But working side-by-side over Christmas, they each learn the other is not who they seem. And together, with a ragtag team of volunteers, they might just have what it takes to create a magnificent Rose Parade float, if they can pull it together by New Year’s.

Here is a trailer for A Rose for Christmas.

Read Full Post »

Box Office Movies Coming in January

Posted in Movies, News on December 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Based on information provided by the Box Office Mojo and some internet research, here are just some of the movies you can expect to see in the movie theatres in January:

Sleepless
Opens: January 13

A police detective (Jamie Foxx) with a connection to the criminal underground finds his secret life exposed when he and his partner are caught stealing cocaine from a powerful drug lord, a move that puts his son’s life in danger. The film also stars Gabrielle Union, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney and Scoot McNairy.

The Book of Love
Opens: January 13

Henry (Jason Sudeikis) is an introverted architect. After his wife Penny (Jessica Biel) is killed in a car accident, he sets out to help Millie (Maisie Williams), a homeless teen, build a raft to sail across the Atlantic. The cast features Mary Steenburgen, Paul Reiser and Orlando Jones.

Underworld: Blood Wars
Opens: January 3

Vampire death dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) continues her struggle against the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her, with both sides trying to use the blood of her and her daughter to become Corvinus Strain hybrids. After hiding her daughter, Selene, David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance), attempt to end the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, though Selene must take a risk that may cost her her life. The cast includes Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Bradley James and Daisy Head.

The Founder
Opens: January 20

The true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) maneuvered himself into a position to buy the 1950s burger operation of Mac and Dick McDonald, creating a billion-dollar fast food empire. The film also stars Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson and Laura Dern.

xXx: Return of Xander Cage
Opens: January 20

Extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel), thought to be long dead, comes out of self-imposed exile to race villain Xiang (Donnie Yen) to recover a powerful weapon known as “Pandora’s Box”. Recruiting a group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself caught up in a deadly conspiracy of corruption among world governments. The cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose and Toni Collette.

A Dog’s Purpose
Opens: January 27

A devoted dog (voice by Josh Gad) discovers the meaning of its own existence by showing humans how to laugh and love over the course of several lifetimes. The film also stars Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson and K.J. Apa.

Gold
Opens: January 27

Kenny Wells (Matthew McConaughey), an unlucky businessman, teams up with geologist Michael Acosta (Edgar Ramirez) to find gold deep in the uncharted jungles of Indonesia. The cast includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach and Rachel Taylor.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Opens: January 27

Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, humanity is on its last legs after Alice (Milla Jovovich) is betrayed by Wesker (Shawn Roberts) in Washington D.C. As the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead hordes, Alice must return to where the nightmare began – Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse. The film also stars Ali Larter, Iain Glen, Ruby Rose, Eoin Macken and William Levy.

Movies coming out in February will be posted at the end of January.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: They Will Be Missed (2016)

Posted in Books, Condolences, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »

The following industry personalities (listed in alphabetical order) passed away in 2016 and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans:

Mohammad Ali (Boxing Legend)
René Angélil (Music Impresario and Céline Dion’s husband)

Kenny Baker (The Man Behind R2-D2 in “Star Wars”)
David Bowie (Legendary Singer)
Dave Brubeck (Legendary Jazz Musician)

Charmain Carr (Actress, “Liesl” from The Sound of Music)
Fidel Castro (Revolutionary leader and Cuba’s former President)
William Christopher (Actor, “Father Mulcahy” on M*A*S*H*)
Chyna (Former WWE Wrestler)
Leonard Cohen (Singer-Songwriter, Poet and Novelist)
Natalie Cole (Singer)
Pat Conroy (Author, “The Prince of Tides” and “The Great Santini”)

Gloria DeHaven (Actress from Golden Age of Hollywood)
Daniel Dion (Celine Dion’s brother)
Jerry Doyle (Actor, “Babylon 5”)
Larry Drake (Actor, “L.A. Law”)
Patty Duke (Legendary Actress)

Ronnie Claire Edwards (Actress, “The Waltons”)

Joey Feek (Country Singer from Duo Joey + Rory)
Fyvush Finkel (Actor, “Picket Fences” and “Boston Public”)
Carrie Fisher (Actress, Princess Leia in Star Wars franchise)
Tommy Ford (Actor “Martin” and “The Parkers”)
Bernard Fox (Veteran Actor)
Glenn Fry (Guitarist and Singer “The Eagles”)

Zsa Zsa Gabor (Veteran Actress)
Michael Galeota (Disney Star) [he was only 31]
George Gaynes (Character Actor, “Punky Brewster,” “Tootsie” and “Police Academy”)
David Gest (Music Producer)
Gary Glasberg (NCIS Showrunner)
Ron Glass (Actor, “Barney Miller” and “Firefly”)
John Glenn (Former Astronaut and U.S. Senator)
Christina Grimmie (“The Voice” Competitor) [She was only 22]
Reg Grundy (Australian Media Mogul)

Merle Haggard (Country Music Legend)
Dan Haggerty (Actor, “Grizzly Adams”)
Earl Hamner (Creator of “The Waltons”)
Curtis Hanson (Director, “L.A. Confidential”)
Pat Harrington (Actor, “One Day at a Time”)
Florence Henderson (Actress, “The Brady Bunch”)
Steven Hill (Actor, “Law & Order” and original TV series “Mission: Impossible”)
Arthur Hiller (Director, “Love Story)
Robert Horton (Actor, “Wagon Train”)
Ken Howard (SAG-AFTRA President and Former Actor “White Shadow”)
Gordie Howe (Hockey Legend)
Beth Howland (Actress, “Alice”)
David Huddleston (Veteran Character Actor, “The Big Lebowski”)

Barry Jenner (Actor, “Family Matters” and “Dallas”)

Paul Kantner (Founding Member of Jefferson Airplane)
George Kennedy (Veteran Actor, “Airport”)

Harper Lee (Author, “To Kill a Mockingbird”)
Ron Lester (Actor, “Popular” and “Varsity Blues”)

Jerry Maren (Actor, “Wizard of Oz”) [the last of the Munchkins]
David Margulies (Actor, “Ghostbusters”]
Garry Marshall (Legendary Director)
George Martin (Beatles Producer)
Joseph Mascolo (Veteran Actor, “Days of Our Lives”)
Michael Massee (Actor, “The Crow” and “24”)
John McLaughlin (Host, “The McLaughlin Group”)
George Michael (Singer)

Noel Neill (Actress, the original Lois Lane from the 1950’s “Superman” TV series)
Agnes Nixon (Creator of All My Children and One Life to Live)
Marni Nixon (“Ghost Singer” for Deborah Kerr in The King and I; Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in Fair Lady)
James Noble (Actor, “Benson”)
Bill Nunn (Character Actor, “Do the Right Thing”)

Hugh O’Brian (Veteran Actor, “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp”)

Arnold Palmer (Golf Legend)
Jon Polito (Character Actor “The Big Lebowski” and “Miller’s Crossing”)
Prince (Legendary Musician, Singer and Songwriter)

Nancy Reagan (Former First Lady)
Janet Reno (First Female U.S. Attorney General)
Debbie Reynolds (Legendary Actress)
Alan Rickman (Veteran Actor)
Jack Riley (Actor, “The Bob Newhart Show”)
Doris Roberts (Veteran Actress)

Morley Safer (Legendary “60 Minutes” Reporter)
Theresa Saldana (Actress, “Raging Bull”)
Joe Santos (Actor, “Rockford Files”)
John Saunders (ESPN Commentator)
Antonin Scalia (Supreme Court Justice)
William Schallert (Veteran Actor and Former SAG President)
Garry Shandling (Actor and Comedian)
Jim Simpson (Sportscaster)
Frank Sinatra, Jr.
David Smyrl (Actor, “Sesame Street”)

Alan Thicke (Actor, “Growing Pains”)
Grant Tinker (Former NBC Chairman-CEO and Founder of MTM Enterprises)

Vanity (aka Denise Katrina Matthews) (Lead singer of 80’s girl group Vanity 6)
Peter Vaughan (Veteran Actor, “Game of Thrones”)
Robert Vaughn (Actor, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”)
Abe Vigoda (Actor, “Barney Miller”)

Janet Waldo (Voice actress for Judy Jetson from “The Jetsons”)
Tom Whedon (Father of Joss Whedon)
Maurice White (Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire)
Elie Wiesel (Nobel Prize-Winning Author)
Gene Wilder (Veteran Actor, “Willy Wonka” and “Young Frankenstein”)
Van Williams (Actor, “The Green Hornet”)

Anton Yelchin (Actor, “Star Trek”) [He was only 27]
Alan Young (Veteran Actor, “Mister Ed” Star)

NOTE: This list, in no way, covers all the industry talent who passed away this year. Again, condolences are extended to one and all.

Out of respect, please take a moment of silence.

TOMORROW: Ratings

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: And the Award Goes To 2016

Posted in Awards, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Every year there are lots of awards shows, some important, some just fun and numerous just silly or nonsensical, but the following list is just some of the top winners over the course of the year:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (January 2016):

Favorite Premium Cable Show: Homeland (Showtime)
Favorite TV Crime Drama: Person of Interest (CBS)
Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor: Nathan Fillion, Castle (ABC)
Favorite TV Crime Drama Actress: Stana Katic, Castle (ABC)
Favorite Network TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: Beauty and the Beast (The CW)
Favorite Cable TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: Outlander (Starz)
Favorite TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy Actor: Jensen Ackles, Supernatural (The CW)
Favorite TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy Actress: Caitriona Balfe, Outlander (Starz)
Favorite New TV Drama: Supergirl (CBS)
Favorite Cable TV Drama: Pretty Little Liars (Freeform)
Favorite Actress in a New TV Series: Priyanka Chopra, Quantico (ABC)
Favorite Cable TV Actress: Sasha Alexander, Rizzoli & Isles (TNT)
Favorite Breakout Artist: Shawn Mendes
Favorite Album: Meghan Trainor
Favorite Action Movie: Furious 7
Favorite Action Movie Actor: Chris Hemsworth
Favorite Dramatic Movie: The Martian
Favorite Family Movie: Minions

GOLDEN GLOBES (January 2016):

Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical: The Martian
Best TV Series – Drama: Mr. Robot
Best Animated Feature Film: Inside Out”
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama: Brie Larson in Room
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical: Matt Damon in The Martian
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Sylvester Stallone in Creed
Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama: Taraji P. Henson in Empire
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie: Christian Slater in Mr. Robot
Best Original Song: “Writing’s on the Wall” from “Spectre” by Sam Smith

CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS (January 2016):

Actress: Brie Larson in Room
Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl
Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone in Creed
Young Actor: Jacob Tremblay in Room
Animated Feature: Inside Out
Drama TV Series: Mr. Robot
Actor in TV or Limited Series: Idris Elba in Luther
Supporting Actress in Drama TV Series: Constance Zimmer in UnREAL

SAG AWARDS (January 2016):

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Spotlight
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Brie Larson, “Room”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Idris Elba, “Beasts of No Nation”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl”
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: Downton Abbey
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Idris Elba, “Luther”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Queen Latifah, “Bessie”
Life Achievement Award: Carol Burnett

GRAMMY AWARDS (February 2016):

Record of the Year: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Album of the Year: Taylor Swift, 1989
Best New Artist: Meghan Trainor
Best Musical Theater Album: Hamilton
Song of the Year: Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Best Rock Album: Muse, Drones
MusiCares Person of the Year: Lionel Richie

OSCARS (February 2016):

Best Picture: Spotlight
Animated Feature Film: Inside Out
Visual Effects: Ex Machina
Music (Original Song): “Writing’s On The Wall” from Spectre

SATURN AWARDS (June 2016):

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Nichelle Nichols
The President’s Award: Haven [the TV show]
The Dan Curtis Legacy Award: Eric Kripke
The Breakthrough Performance Award: Melissa Benoist
Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture: Ant-Man
Best Fantasy Film: Cinderella
Best Action / Adventure Film: Furious 7
Best Performance by a Younger Actor: Ty Simpkins (Jurassic World)
Best Costume: Alexandra Byrne (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
Best Independent Film Release: Room
Best Animated Film: Inside Out
Best Science Fiction Television Series: Continuum
Best Fantasy Television Series: Outlander
Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series: The Flash
Best New Media Television Series: Marvel’s Daredevil
Best Television Presentation: Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song
Best Actress on Television: Caitriona Balfe (Outlander)

EMMY AWARDS (September 2016):

Outstanding Drama Series: Game of Thrones (HBO)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black (BBC America)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey (PBS)
Outstanding Television Movie: Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (Masterpiece) (PBS)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Outstanding Drama Guest Actress: Margo Martindale, The Americans (FX)

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (August 2016)

Action/Adventure Film: Deadpool
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film: Captain America: Civil War
Drama Film: Miracles from Heaven
Breakout Star Movie: Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens)
Summer Movie: Finding Dory
TV Show Drama: Pretty Little Liars
TV Actor Drama: Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars)
TV Actress Drama: Ashley Benson, (Pretty Little Liars)
TV Show Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Once Upon a Time
TV Actor Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Grant Gustin (The Flash)
TV Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Lana Parrilla, (Once Upon a Time)
TV Villain: Janel Parrish, (Pretty Little Liars)
TV: Scene Stealer: Sasha Pieterse (Pretty Little Liars)
TV: Breakout Star: Matthew Daddario (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments_
TV: Breakout Show: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Summer TV Show: Teen Wolf

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (November 2016):

Favorite Duo or Rock – Pop/Rock: Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Female Country Artist: Carrie Underwood
Favorite Country Duo or Group: Florida Georgia Line
Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Adele

Congratulations to all of the above winners (and the countless others who won awards) this year. Are any of the above your favorites? Do you think there was an actor or actress who was overlooked this year? Please share your thoughts.

TOMORROW: Condolences

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The Hits and Misses on the Big Screen 2016

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Over the last few years I had reduced how many movies I saw at the theatre namely because of the proliferation of cell phones; and while that is still an issue no matter where you go now-a-days, I actually saw more movies this year than I have for quite some time.

Needless to say, I far surpassed seeing 25 movies this year, which is my usual goal annually, by seeing nearly 40 in total. Out of those that I had the chance to see this year, I enjoyed the following the most: the animated movies Sing, Zootopia, Moana and Finding Dory, the tearjerker Me Before You, the Marvel Universe hits Suicide Squad and Doctor Strange and the R-rated Deadpool.

I know that readers don’t care about what movies I saw throughout the year or which ones I liked best so let’s take a look at the 30 biggest box office winners from this year (approximately through the December 19 and December 20 weekend):

1. Finding Dory – 486 million
2. Captain America: Civil War – 408 million
3. The Secret Life of Pets – 368 million
4. The Jungle Book – 364 million
5. Deadpool – 363 million
6. Zootopia – 341 million
7. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – 330 million
8. Suicide Squad – 325 million
9. Doctor Strange – 226 million
10. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them – 208 million
11. Moana – 163 million
12. Jason Bourne – 162 million
13. Star Trek Beyond – 159 million
14. X-Men: Apocalypse – 155.4 million
15. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – 155.1 million
16. Trolls – 147 million
17. Kung Fu Panda 3 – 144 million
18. Ghostbusters – 128 million
19. Central Intelligence – 127.4 million
20. The Legend of Tarzan – 126.6 million
21. Sully – 125 million
22. Bad Moms – 114 million
23. The Angry Birds Movie – 108 million
24. Independence Day: Resurgence – 103 million
25. The Conjuring 2 – 102 million
26. Sausage Party – 98 million
27. The Magnificent Seven – 93 million
28. Ride Along 2 – 91 million
29. Don’t Breathe – 89 million
30. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – 87 million

On the other spectrum are the movies that were either a disappointment in the box office due to poor ticket sales or, more importantly, had a horrible trailer that made me completely disinterested in seeing them.

They appear in alphabetical order below:

Bad Moms
Bad Santa 2
Boo! A Madea Halloween
Central Intelligence
Dirty Grandpa
Don’t Breathe
Ghostbusters
Fifty Shades of Black
Hail, Caesar
Hateful 8
How To Be Single
Incarnate
Keanu
Keeping Up with the Joneses
Lights Out
Masterminds
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Neighbors 2
Nerve
Office Christmas Party
Popstar
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
Ride Along 2
Sausage Party
The Boss
The Boy
The Brothers Grimsby
The Conjuring 2
The Darkness
The Forest
The Other Side of the Door
The Shallows
War Dogs
Why Him?
Zoolander 2

What movies did you most enjoy seeing this year? Which movies were disappointments to you? Please share your thoughts and comments.

TOMORROW: Awards

PS: Merry Christmas!!!

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »