What's streaming now: A gaggle of TV sleuths, the foul-mouthed bear 'Ted' and a Kevin Hart heist
This week’s new streaming entertainment releases include an album by Colombian-American musician Kali Uchis, Seth MacFarlane revives his filthy teddy bear character Ted in a new series for Peacock and Martin Scorsese’s true-crime epic “The Killers of the Flower Moon” begins streaming on Apple TV+.
'Past Lives,' Lily Gladstone win at Gotham Awards, while Robert De Niro says his speech was edited
Celine Song’s wistful romance “Past Lives” has earned top honors at the Gotham Awards at an award-season kickoff where the night’s biggest drama came in a political speech by Robert De Niro that the actor claimed had been edited.
Martin Scorsese is still curious — and still awed by the possibilities of cinema
“Killers of the Flower Moon” is an audacious big swing by Martin Scorsese to continue his kind of ambitious, personal filmmaking on the largest scale at a time when such grand, big-screen statements are increasingly a rarity.
New this week: 'Only Murders in the Building,' 'More Power'
This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album from Imagine Dragons, the reuniting of “Home Improvement” sitcom buddies Tim Allen and Richard Karn for “More Power” and the return of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as unlikely crime-solving New York City neighbors in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.”.
Tribeca plans in-person, outdoor film festival for June
The Tribeca Film Festival said Monday, March 29, 2021, it plans to hold its 20th edition in-person and with outdoor screenings in June. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)NEW YORK – The Tribeca Film Festival said Monday that it plans to hold its 20th edition in-person this June and with outdoor screenings spread throughout New York's five boroughs. “The Tribeca Film Festival was born out of our mission to bring people together in the aftermath of 9/11. Major film festivals — the Berlin International Film Festival and the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas — have thus far turned to virtual editions. France's Cannes Film Festival, usually held in May, is aiming for an in-person festival in July.
Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die,' 'Alien,' dies at 81
FILE - Actor Yaphet Kotto appears on his wedding day in Baltimore, Md. Kotto, the commanding actor of the James Bond film Live and Let Die and as Lt. Al Giardello on the 90's NBC police drama "Homicide: Life on the Street, died Monday, March 15, 2021 at age 81. Kottos wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death Monday in a Facebook post. (AP Photo/John Gillis, File)NEW YORK – Yaphet Kotto, the commanding actor who brought tough magnetism and stately gravitas to films including the James Bond movie “Live and Let Die” and “Alien," has died. Kotto’s wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death Monday in a Facebook post.
Despite bleak 2020, celebrities make effort to brighten year
(AP Photo)LOS ANGELES – Yes, 2020 may seem like a complete fail with all the constant bad news and tragic moments. It’s been filled with gloom and doom(scrolling), but some celebrities and those inspired by them have tried to brighten a bleak year. He reassigned his 10 seamstresses in New York to produce thousands daily for health care workers on the frontlines. The singer and husband Emilio Estefan's restaurant Estefan Kitchen served up homemade meals for health care workers in Miami. The challenge coordinated offers by celebrities and athletes to raise funds to feed those in need during the pandemic.
Liam Neeson's 'Honest Thief' notches No. 1 at box office
LOS ANGELES – Liam Neeson’s thriller “Honest Thief” stole the top spot at the box office in yet another quiet weekend of moviegoing. The Open Roads Films movie brought in $3.7 million in North America the weekend of its U.S. debut. The film, starring Neeson as a notorious bank robber who turns himself in but was double crossed by two FBI agents, opened in Canada last week. Despite coming in second, the comedy starring Robert De Niro earned $2.5 million. The action-thriller starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson has totaled $50.6 million in the U.S.
'Dune' ditches 2020, while AMC commits to staying open
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Timothee Chalamet, left, and Rebecca Ferguson in a scene from "Dune." Warner Bros. said late Monday that its sci-fi pic Dune will now open in October 2021, instead of this December. The studio also pushed back its Matrix sequel by 8 months to late 2021 and The Batman to 2022. Warner Bros. said late Monday that its sci-fi pic “Dune” will now open in October 2021, instead of this December. The studio also pushed back its “Matrix” sequel by 8 months to late 2021 and “The Batman” to 2022.
Police help defeat California bill on removing problem cops
Law enforcement groups successfully argued that the proposed system would be biased and lack basic due process protections. Removing California from that list was a top priority of the California Legislative Black Caucus and had support from hundreds of entertainers, including Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Robert De Niro. Law enforcement organizations and unions insist they also want a way to permanently remove troubled officers so they can't simply move from one department to another. Six of the nine members would be required to have backgrounds opposing police misconduct, while the remaining three would represent law enforcement. Rejecting some compromise language from the governor, but accepting 40 amendments that drove a wedge further with law enforcement, we think thats what derailed the measure, he said.
'Jaws,' 'Black Panther' and more coming back to the drive-in
Jaws, Black Panther and Back to the Future are just a few of the modern popcorn classics coming to the drive-in this summer. Its in Tribecas DNA to bring people together in times of need, said Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder and CEO. We dont want to lose going to the movies, Tribeca CCO Paula Weinstein added. Other forms of mass entertainment have been jumping on the drive-in bandwagon too: Live Nation on Monday announced its first-ever drive-in concerts series in the U.S. for July. The Tribeca Drive-In series is not exclusively for movies either.
American Film Institute postponing gala with Julie Andrews
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The American Film Institute says it is postponing its 48th annual AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute honoring Julie Andrews in an apparent response to the new coronavirus outbreak. The organization originally planned to give Andrews its Life Achievement Award on April 25 in Los Angeles. Andrews' acting career has spanned several decades, winning an Academy Award in 1965 for her starring role in "Mary Poppins." The 84-year-old won two Grammy Awards and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Andrews will be the 48th recipient of the prestigious honor from the AFI, joining Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, George Clooney and Denzel Washington.
The Groundbreaking Technology Used to Make Robert De Niro Look Younger in 'The Irishman'
Groundbreaking new technology is helping iconic actors shed years off their faces and, in some cases, decades off their faces. In Martin Scorseses upcoming epic for Netflix, The Irishman, stars Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci are aged both backward and forward, appearing as fresh-faced lads and senior citizens. Why Im concerned, were all concerned is that were so used to watching them as the older faces, Scorsese said. Was it threat?The Irishman isnt 2019s only big film with leads who are de-aged, as Will Smith also erased decades in the movie Gemini Man.For Smith's younger version of himself, the special effects went a step further. We took Will Smith and put in a full CGI creature, like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, visual-effects supervisor Guy Williams told Entertainment Weekly.
De Niro's attorney calls gender discrimination complaint absurd
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images(CNN) - An attorney for Robert De Niro is disputing allegations of gender discrimination by a former employee against the actor. "Robert De Niro is someone who has clung to old mores," Robinson's complaint states. "The allegations made by Graham Chase Robinson against Robert De Niro are beyond absurd," Tom Harvey, De Niro's attorney, said in a statement to CNN. The company claims Robinson binge-watched 55 episodes of "Friends" on the job and ran up massive bills for personal use on a corporate American Express card. In Robinson's countersuit, she claims De Niro's complaint "concocted false allegations" and came only after her attorney had notified him that she was considering filing a lawsuit.
Robert De Niro's Ex-Employee Says in Lawsuit He Was 'Hostile' and 'Abusive'
Robert De Niro is being sued by his former employee for alleged harassment, and in a new voicemail released by the woman, De Niro can allegedly be heard calling her names and cursing at her. Graham Chase Robinson said she was hired by the actor in 2008, when she was 25. Robinson is suing the actor for gender-based harassment and back wages. Robinson eventually quit because "she could no longer endure the hostile work environment," according to the lawsuit. De Niro himself is suing Robinson for $6 million for embezzlement, among other allegations.
Could 'Joker' Controversy Hurt Film's Opening?
There was heavy security at Wednesday night's New York opening of the controversial new movie "Joker." All New York theaters showing the movie will reportedly have a police presence. In the movie, Joaquin Phoenix plays a downtrodden loner who adopts the Joker persona to inflict extreme violence. Some critics fear the movie may prompt violence after the 2012 shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, where The Dark Knight Rises was being shown. Reviews were mostly positive and at last months Venice Film Festival, the film received a seven-minute standing ovation.
Joe Pesci steals show at 'The Irishman' screening in New York
Joe Pesci at a press conference for "The Irishman" during the 57th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, on Sept. 27, 2019, in New York City. Pesci, wearing a pork pie hat and dark sunglasses, gave short answers and quick quips throughout the 30-minute conversation that followed a screening of the film at Lincoln Center in New York City on Friday. Moderator Kent Jones, also joined by producers Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Jane Rosenthal, asked Pesci, who is mostly retired from acting, what it was like to return to movies. When Jones asked him to elaborate, Pesci asked Rosenthal what the moderator was going on about. When asked if he felt pressure to do the movie, Pesci had a bit more to say.
How Netflix helped to make Scorsese's 'The Irishman' a reality
CNN imageHOLLYWOOD, Calif. - "The Irishman" had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, but the film might not have made it this far had it not been for Netflix. Director Martin Scorsese said he had tried for years, but ultimately failed, to get the funding to make the gangster film. Netflix has had acclaimed hits like "Roma," which won multiple Oscars last year, and popular hits like "Bird Box." "The Irishman" made news last month when Netflix announced that it would skip a traditional wide theatrical release. Scorsese pushed for "a robust national theatrical release" for "The Irishman," according to the New York Times.
Robert De Niro has some choice words for his Fox News critics
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images(CNN) - Robert De Niro says he thinks Democrats had no choice but to open an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. "It has to happen," De Niro told CNN Business' Brian Stelter on "Reliable Sources" Sunday. "I don't think he's capable of resigning," De Niro told Stelter. "F--- them, f--- them," De Niro said to Stelter of his critics on Fox News, before theatrically apologizing for cursing. As for his portrayal of Mueller on "Saturday Night Live," De Niro said he hopes to bring the character back.
'The Irishman' official trailer is mobbed up
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - If the Academy Awards cast a mob movie, it would probably look a lot like "The Irishman." The official trailer has dropped and expands on the teaser trailer released in July. De Niro stars as mob hitman Frank Sheeran who becomes entangled in the disappearance of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa, played by Pacino. In the new trailer Sheeran is seen being questioned by his attorney Bill Bufalino, played by Ray Romano, which allows for some flashbacks on his murderous deeds. The Netflix film reunites director Scorsese with frequent collaborators De Niro and Pesci who have all worked together on various projects, including the iconic mob film "Goodfellas."
Bradley Cooper Makes Dapper Surprise Appearance at 'Joker' Premiere -- Pics
The Joker premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival on Monday got an extra dose of star power! Bradley Cooper graced the red carpet of the DC film, posing with the film's cast, including Joaquin Phoenix, who plays the Clown Prince of Crime. Although his appearance was a surprise to fans, the 44-year-old leading man wasn't merely there to show his support -- he's a producer on the project. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August, where it earned the Golden Lion jury award and sweeping acclaim for Phoenix's portrayal of villainous titular character. RELATED CONTENT:Joaquin Phoenix Goes Full Joker While Shooting Intense Chase SceneJoaquin Phoenix Transforms Into the Joker in First Clip of Him in Full MakeupSee First Look at Joaquin Phoenix in 'Joker' Standalone Film
'The Irishman': Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in First Teaser for Martin Scorsese's
Martin Scorsese is back with his most ambitious film yet. On Wednesday, Netflix debuted the first teaser for The Irishman, the directors upcoming saga about organized crime in a post-war America told through the perspective of a hustler and hitman, Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro). Exploring the inner workings of illegal enterprises, the film chronicles one of the countrys greatest unsolved mysteries: the 1975 disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). First teased during the 2019 Academy Awards, the latest trailer offers the first official look at footage from The Irishman, including a significantly de-aged De Niro, whose role spans decades in the film. NetflixWhile an official release date has yet to be announced, the film will make its world premiere on Sept. 27, on opening night of the 57th New York Film Festival.