Month: February 2021

Content group iZen has optioned Eduardo Mendoza’s acclaimed Spanish historical novel “City of Marvels” (La Ciudad de los Prodigios) and is developing it as a six-part series. No broadcaster or streaming platform has yet been attached to the project. iZen’s Zebra Producciones was behind epic Amazon Prime Video historical series “El Cid,” with “Money Heist”
0 Comments
When a dramatic feature film gets made out of an investigative magazine article, there’s usually some conventional heroic hook to it (the fight against corporate malfeasance, a think-different athlete or artist). But not always. “Silk Road,” written and directed by Tiller Russell, is a fervently topical, at times intriguing, but ultimately rather sketchy drama about
0 Comments
TikTok star Tayler Holder is officially making the transition from influencer to musician with his first single, “100 Rounds.” But his debut may not be what some expected. Backed by an atmospheric beat that showcases Holder’s smooth vocals, “100 Rounds” is an outright, intimate display of sensuality. With a powerful chorus that sees Holder exercising
0 Comments
To say “Sin” is about Michelangelo is much too reductive. Rather than offering up a definitive portrait of the Italian artist, Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky has crafted instead a poetic meditation around the many contradictions that surround the “David” and “Pietà” sculpture artist: He’s divine. He’s a scoundrel. He’s a genius. He’s crazy. He’s all
0 Comments
Mark Anthony Morales, known as Prince Markie Dee of early rap group the Fat Boys and a hit songwriter and producer for Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and others, has died, according to his manager, Louie “Uncle Louie” Gregory. He was 52. While the Fat Boys were often considered a novelty act of early hip-hop,
0 Comments
Kingston, Jamaica born-and-bred vocalist Ewart Beckford, better known as the reggae artist U-Roy, died on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at his home in Jamaica. He was 78 years old. An influential singer of gently melodic reggae, his conversational rapping was also known as “toasting.” “As we mourn the loss, we have the memories of this amazing
0 Comments
As usual, NBC’s “Chicago” crossover trio, which consists of the three dramas “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” and “Chicago PD,” took up the top three slots in Wednesday, Feb. 17’s overnight primetime numbers. The fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen+Live Same Day indicate that a new episode of the third installment of executive producer Dick Wolf’s franchise,
0 Comments
Stone Canyon Entertainment has announced the start of production on “Who Are the Marcuses,” a feature documentary about a mysterious couple who donated half a billion dollars to Israel, the largest single gift in the history of the state. Matthew Mishory is directing, with Stone Canyon’s Bradford Schlei and Alvaro Fernandez producing, and executive producers
0 Comments
Emmy Award-winning “Schitt’s Creek” star Annie Murphy is a little less Alexis in her latest lead role for AMC and a little more generic sitcom wife gone off-script (and sanguinary). During its Television Critics’ Association Winter Press Tour, the network released a trailer for the genre-busting dark dramedy “Kevin Can F**k Himself,” premiering sometime this
0 Comments
The “Power” universe is expanding for the Starz franchise’s third spinoff “Power Book IV: Force,” with eight series regulars now joining lead Joseph Sikora. Cast members announced for the spinoff include Isaac Keys (“Get Shorty”), Lili Simmons (“Ray Donovan”), Gabrielle Ryan (“The Have and Have Nots”), Shane Harper (“Hightown,” “A Teacher,”) Kris D. Lofton (“Ballers”),
0 Comments
As part of its mission to invest $100 million in organizations focused on achieving social justice, the Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund has announced its initial six grant recipients: Black Cultural Archives, Black Futures Lab, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Howard University, REFORM Alliance and Rhythm & Blues Foundation. The WMG/BFF SJF
0 Comments
Dominique Boutonnat, the president of France’s powerful National Film Board, will remain in post despite his indictment last week following a lawsuit for alleged sexual assault and attempted rape filed by his 22-year-old godson. Boutonnat, a 51-year-old film financier and producer who took the helm of the CNC in July 2019, was placed under investigation
0 Comments
When Harry Lennix first signed up to appear in Zack Snyder’s 2013 Superman film “Man of Steel,” he thought he was playing General Swanwick, the U.S. military’s primary point of contact with Henry Cavill’s Kryptonian superhero. In Snyder’s follow-up, 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Lennix returned as Swanwick, who’d been promoted to Secretary
0 Comments
“Rocks,” “His House” and “The Father” were the leaders at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), which were announced Thursday. Coming-of-age drama “Rocks” won best British independent film, with Kosar Ali winning the awards for both best supporting actress and most promising newcomer with her young co-star D’Angelou Osei Kissiedu winning best supporting actor. Lucy
0 Comments
Actor, producer, author and The Honest Company founder Jessica Alba has changed representation, moving her business empire to UTA. Known for her roles in “Sin City” and “The Fantastic Four” franchise, plus her starring role in James Cameron’s “Dark Angel” series, Alba is a bonafide action star, with more than 25 feature film credits bringing
0 Comments
The “FBI” franchise at CBS could soon be expanding. Variety has learned from sources that the network is plotting a new spinoff called “FBI: International.” The potential series would deal with the agents that make up the international branch of the FBI. Per the Bureau’s website, they have 63 legal attaché offices and more than two
0 Comments
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have flocked to streaming services at an unprecedented rate — speeding up the migration already under way in the entertainment business toward direct-to-consumer models. To dive into the trends, the Variety Streaming Room hosted a discussion on the state of direct-to-consumer entertainment marketing with a panel of marketing professionals. Moderator
0 Comments
Hollywood is calling out Sen. Ted Cruz for abandoning Texas for Cancún, Mexico, while millions across the state grapple with a deadly storm-induced power outage. The extreme cold is unusual for the state, leaving Texans especially vulnerable. According to the BBC, one county saw over 300 suspected carbon monoxide cases and at least four people
0 Comments
Tim Allen and Richard Karn are reuniting again 30 years after their “Home Improvement” days for the History Channel’s forthcoming unscripted competition series “Assembly Required,” but don’t expect sitcom shenanigans while watching. Instead, the duo will lean into their real-life friendship and tried-and-true on-screen chemistry for a “kind of a live version of ‘Tool Time,’”
0 Comments