Here’s what’s new and interesting in the world of entertainment and the arts today:
- What sent Kanye West to the hospital?
- Netflix offers downloads of some shows, movies
- Will Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ be the late-breaking Oscar spoiler?
‘La La Land’ leads the pack with 12 nominations for Critics’ Choice Awards
The Broadcast Film Critics Assn. announced its film nominees for the 22nd Critics’ Choice Awards on Thursday, with whimsical Los Angeles love story “La La Land” landing 12 nominations.
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone both garnered nominations for their performances in the film, as did Damien Chazelle for director and screenplay.
“Arrival” and “Moonlight” scored a hefty 10 nominations each, including nods for picture and director.
Due to the inclusion of genre-specific categories, several actors managed multiple nominations, some for the exact same role.
Review: ‘Jackie’ is a transporting, transfixing biopic
Jackie, we hardly knew you.
Though no more than that single name is needed to bring to mind an entire universe of memories, mythology and celebrity, the woman it conjures had a core mystery that remained unassailable despite media scrutiny of the most relentless kind.
To convincingly pull the curtain back on that kind of a life, to be true to the tragic history and alive to the unexplored drama, to take smart and fearless ownership of what could have been an overly familiar story could not have been more difficult.
But what makes the success of “Jackie” even more remarkable is the paradoxical team that came together to persuasively imagine the behind-the-scenes drama that followed the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
“Jackie” follows First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, played by Natalie Portman, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Crafting the compelling script, which won the screenwriting prize at Venice, was a man best known as a successful television executive. Directing this story of an American legend was a Chilean filmmaker who’d never worked in English before. And the star was an actress who, despite an Oscar already under her belt, seems with this performance to be finally coming into her own.
CMT releases a new ‘Nashville’ trailer
Weddings, babies and teenage emancipations — oh, my! Fans of “Nashville,” rejoice: New episodes of your favorite country music drama are on the way.
CMT, which picked up the TV series for a fifth season after ABC canceled it, released the first official trailer for the return of the show centered around the always-complicated lives of country music stars Rayna James (Connie Britton) and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere).
Amazon makes a series out of Sid & Marty Krofft’s revamped ‘Sigmund and the Sea Monsters’ pilot
Brothers Sid and Marty Krofft, creators of family television shows “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost,” dicuss their latest creation, “Mutt & Stuff.”
Amazon Studios has picked up the Sid & Marty Krofft-produced series “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters” – a remake of their classic children’s TV show from the 1970s – after the show had been presented to viewers as a pilot.
“Sigmund and the Sea Monster” centers on two brothers, Johnny and Scotty, who along with their cousin Robyn befriend Sigmund, a friendly young sea monster. David Arquette stars as Captain Barnabus, a seagoing villain-type who relentlessly pursues the mini sea monster. The show will be part of Amazon’s Prime Video lineup.
As chronicled in an article earlier this year, the Krofft brothers have been on a bit of a roll lately. They have a successful ongoing kids program in “Mutt and Stuff” on Nickelodeon. Their action show, “Electra Woman & Dyna Girl,” launched online on Fullscreen. They are also looking to revive other past hits “The Bugaloos,” “H.R. Pufnstuf” and a new reinvention of “Land of the Lost.”
Kanye West is out of the hospital, but he’s not out of the rumor mill
With Kanye West finally out of the hospital after more than a week of treatment, the speculative drumbeats around “why did he snap?” and “what’s going on?” were still going strong.
First the news: Word that the rapper had checked out of UCLA Medical Center was confirmed by The Times on Wednesday.
Here are some of the tidbits that are circulating about what’s up with Yeezy and his family, and what might have sent him into treatment for exhaustion, sleep deprivation and possibly a few other things.
Amanda Seyfried is expecting a baby with Thomas Sadoski
Amanda Seyfried is pregnant, expecting a child with fiance Thomas Sadoski, her rep confirmed Wednesday.
The “Ted 2” actress and her “Life in Pieces” beau started dating earlier this year and got engaged in September, according to People, which first reported the baby news.
Seyfried showed off her bump in black Givenchy on Tuesday at an event launching the designer’s Live Irrésistible fragrance.
In the not-too-distant future, the parents-to-be will be seen on screen together in “The Last Word,” a comedy scheduled to hit theaters in March.
Drinking and driving? In Canada, you could get punished with Nickelback music
Canadian police officers are turning to an alternative form of punishment in order to deter people from drinking and driving this holiday season.
Police officers in the town of Kensington have concocted a new plan in hopes of preventing people from the offense: music by Nickelback. Are we having fun yet?
“When we catch you, and we will catch you, on top of a hefty fine, a criminal charge and a year’s driving suspension, we will also provide you with a bonus gift of playing the offices copy of Nickelback in the cruiser on the way to jail,” the Kensington police said in a Facebook post, which included tips about planning ahead to avoid drinking and driving.
Adding insult to injury? The post included a photo of a sealed copy of Nickelback’s 2001 album, “Silver Side Up.”
“Please, let’s not ruin a perfectly good unopened copy of Nickelback,” continued the post. “You don’t drink and drive and we won’t make you listen to it.”
The post does not reveal exactly why the Kensington police department owns a brand-new cassette of the Nickelback album, but at least its power is being harnessed for good.
Hopefully, the threat of listening to Chad Kroeger and his fellow Canadian rockers will be enough to keep the streets of Kensington safe this winter.
Concept art for the ‘Power Ranger’ movie’s Alpha 5 reveals an alien-looking new design
It’s no secret that “Power Rangers” is a departure from the original TV series, and the latest concept art for the movie’s new Alpha 5 is further proof.
Even fans who thought the updated looks for Rita, the Rangers’ suits and the Zords were adequate mental preparation for any other redesigns were likely surprised by Alpha’s new design. To borrow some words from Alpha: “Ay yi yi yi yi.”
Revealed by IGN, this new take on the Power Ranger ally is more than a bit of a departure from the character’s original look.
In the TV series, Alpha was Zordon’s panicky but devoted robotic assistant who served as the Rangers’ adviser and friend. While the new Alpha retains the gold saucer-shaped helmet as well as the red body, not much else is recognizable. It looks like Alpha is now less of a robot and more of an actual alien.
After seeing the Alpha’s new look, one can only wonder how Zordon might be reimagined for “Power Rangers.”
Bill Hader will be providing the voice for Alpha in the upcoming movie, which is set to hit theaters March 24.
MORE: ‘Power Rangers’ fans respond to new Alpha 5 design with a resounding ‘no’
A tour through dark chapters of American history hits close to home at site of internment camp
Over the last month, I’ve logged some serious mileage across California for a story about race and the national parks that was published on Sunday. It explores the ways in which the National Park Service, a federal agency originally charged with protecting wilderness, has come to conserve places that have been the sites of both contentious and inspiring incidents related to race in American history.
As part of the assignment, I toured the Port Chicago Naval Magazine outside San Francisco and sat next to the graves of labor activists Cesar and Helen Chavez in the bucolic Tehachapi Mountains outside Bakersfield. I visited the sites of the former Japanese American internment camps at Tulelake and Manzanar.
On one of those journeys, I casually posted a photograph of an old theater on Tulelake’s main street on social media. My pal Nate Chinen, a New York-based jazz writer whose father was Japanese American, left me a comment: “This is the town where my father spent his first four years, in internment.”
When I saw it, my heart sank.
Netflix offering downloads of some shows to watch offline
Netflix Inc. will now allow users to download shows and movies to their smartphones and tablets to watch when they’re offline, the company said Wednesday.
Netflix said many popular movies and series are already available for download, including its original shows “Orange Is the New Black” and “The Crown.”
Besides garnering some amount of goodwill from customers, Netflix may also benefit from the data it can gather from users of the new feature.
Miley and Dolly are begging of you, please don’t take their man
NBC’s celebration of all things Dolly Parton continued Tuesday night as the country music legend joined “The Voice” to perform her classic song “Jolene” with goddaughter Miley Cyrus (with an assist from Pentatonix.)
Parton was perfect, but the collaboration was really Cyrus’ moment to shine, her voice nicely suited for the song’s soulful lyrics.
Fans yearning for more Dolly content can check out her NBC film, “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” premiering tonight at 9.
See how awards shows rank, from must-see to pass
We’re just turning the calendar to December, and already awards shows are popping up fast and furious, keeping statue assembly line elves working long into the nights. The Gotham Awards were Monday. Something called the National Board of Review announced its nominees Tuesday. The New York Film Critics Circle and Broadcast Film Critics Assn. will reveal their slates Thursday.
And on Friday they rested. Because even God probably can’t keep up with awards season.
Which is why we decided to rank the awards shows, letting you know which groups to watch and which to ignore. No need to thank us … unless you win one of these things someday. Then you damn well better mention us in your acceptance speech. (Except if it’s a Hollywood Film Award, that is.)
JoJo, Bebe Rexha and Serayah join VH1’s ‘Divas’ holiday special
VH1 is returning from its four-year “Divas” hiatus with a vengeance.
The network announced Wednesday that JoJo, Bebe Rexha and Serayah will be performing a live version of Darlene Love’s “All Alone on Christmas” on “VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night.”
The artists join an already-stacked lineup of powerhouse voices for the special, including Mariah Carey, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Vanessa Williams and Teyana Taylor.
“VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night” airs Monday.
Hillary Clinton surprises Katy Perry with an intro at UNICEF Snowflake Ball
Katy Perry was there for Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign, and on Tuesday night in New York City, the politician was there for the pop star in return.
“We need champions like Katy,” surprise guest Clinton said as part of the presentation of UNICEF’s Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award to Perry, who has been an international goodwill ambassador for the children’s charity since 2013.
The former presidential candidate got a sustained standing ovation at the fundraising gala when she appeared onstage, plus more cheers when she said that the “Roar” singer’s lyrics “remind us when you get knocked down to get back up,” the Associated Press reported.
In her acceptance speech, Perry credited Clinton with motivating her to do more than just sing.
“Hillary has lit that voice inside of me,” Perry said, “and that light will never go out!”
The “California Gurls” singer attended the gala with a British guy: boyfriend Orlando Bloom, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 2009 and last year’s Hepburn award recipient.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Grant Tinker, former NBC boss and MTM Enterprises founder, dies at 90
Grant Tinker, who brought “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and other hits to the screen as a producer and a network boss, has died.
Tinker died Monday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his son, Mark Tinker. He was 90.
Though he spent years at NBC, Tinker is best known for his work at MTM Enterprises. He founded the company in 1970 with then-wife Mary Tyler Moore. In addition to Moore’s own groundbreaking situation comedy, MTM scored with series including “Rhoda,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Hill Street Blues.”
Tinker became NBC chairman in 1981 and led the network out of the cellar with hits such as “The Cosby Show” and “Cheers.”
‘Hawaii Five-O’ actor Keo Woolford dies at 49
Actor and filmmaker Keo Woolford, known recently for his role as Detective James Chang on CBS’ remake of “Hawaii Five-0,” died Monday after suffering a stroke three days earlier, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Publicist Tracy Larrua confirmed his death, noting also that he died at Pali Momi Medical Center in West O’ahu.
His other credits included 2012’s “Act of Valor” and 2014’s “Godzilla.”
He was also recently appointed kumu hula (teacher of hula, basically) of Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero’s award-winning performance Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua.
“Hawaii Five-O” co-star Daniel Dae Kim and actress Kelly Hu were among those adding tributes on Twitter.
Lin-Manuel Miranda joins ‘The Kingkiller Chronicle’ film and TV adaptations
Looks as if Lin-Manuel Miranda has no plans to slow down anytime soon. The “Hamilton” mastermind has added the film and TV series adaptations of “The Kingkiller Chronicle” to his ever-expanding list of projects.
Miranda will be the creative producer behind Lionsgate’s adaptations, in addition to serving as a producer. Miranda will also compose original music and write the songs for the project.
A fantasy trilogy by Pat Rothfuss, “The Kingkiller Chronicle” tells the story of the master sword fighter, magician and musician Kvothe. So Miranda will only be creating music for the greatest musician in the world -- no big deal.
The film adaptation will be based on “The Name of the Wind,” the first book of the trilogy, and will be written by Lindsey Beer.
The TV series, on the other hand, will look beyond the books’ storyline. Miranda will join Rothfuss in developing new characters and storylines for the show. The film and TV show will be developed simultaneously.
Miranda, of course, has previously revealed that there is a connection between “Hamilton” and “The Kingkiller Chronicle.”
“‘The Story of Tonight’ is me trying to capture the feel of Kvothe & his friends leaving the Eaolian,” Miranda tweeted, before sharing the specific passage from “The Name of the Wind.”
In addition to the film and TV adaptations, Miranda has the option to be involved in future stage adaptation of the books.
Grab a tissue: Idina Menzel sings ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ in new ‘Beaches’ trailer
Lifetime has released a trailer for “Beaches,” giving viewers their first extended look at the upcoming TV remake starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long. Of course, the trailer is set to Menzel’s rendition of the tear-jerker “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Like the original, the new “Beaches” follows the lifelong friendship of aspiring performer C.C. Bloom (Menzel) and wealthy heiress Hillary Whitney (Long). Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey originated those respective roles in the 1988 film.
“Beaches” will air on Jan. 21, giving you plenty of time to stock up on tissues.
‘Bachelor in Paradise’? Not so much for Grant and Lace, who have split
Grant Kemp and Lace Morris, the high-strung couple known as “Grace” on the most recent “Bachelor in Paradise,” are affianced no more, according to “Entertainment Tonight.”
“We have so much love for each other, and it’s weird because the chemistry is there,” Morris said, “and I’m thinking, ‘Why can’t we make this work?’”
“Issues” were part of what pumped up the drama between the two before they got engaged on the most recent incarnation of “BIP.” That and the matching wrist tattoos.
Their post-”Paradise” adventures have included an appearance on “Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After?” in which Grant had to lead a blindfolded and terrified Lace through a relationship-retreat high-wire ropes course.
(Because reality TV makes for a totally normal relationship experience. Also, on “Happily Ever After?,” “Bachelor” Ben Higgins is still talking about his fear of being unlovable -- only now he’s doing it in couples counseling. Turns out it goes all the way back to when he was in second grade.)
“I think the odds are definitely against us,” Grant told “ET.” “But I know the person that she is. That’s the person I wanted to marry.”
Lace moved out of their San Francisco place a few days ago and is back in Denver.
“We both have our issues we need to work on,” she said, “and we can’t really give each other what we need at this time.”
Dolly Parton ‘heartbroken’ by fires in Tennessee, says Dollywood is OK
After raging fires in Tennessee forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in and around Gatlinburg, Dolly Parton offered her prayers and support Tuesday and gave fans an update on the fate of Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge.
“I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken,” the Tennessee native said Tuesday in a statement. “I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe. It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared.”
The fires, which were fueled by wind after burning for weeks in Tennessee and nearby drought-stricken states, were believed to have wiped out an entire resort of more than 100 buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters, the Associated Press reported.
Read More“Last night, for the safety of our guests, resort staff evacuated families in 50 rooms staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and families staying in 19 cabins at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins,” the park said Tuesday on its website. It’ll be closed at least through Wednesday, though DreamMore Resort will be open “on a limited basis for those in need and for registered guests.”
Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains, the Associated Press reported. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, officials told the AP.
Review: ‘Drunk History’s’ funny and inspiring all-’Hamilton’ episode with Lin-Manuel Miranda
Tuesday night on “Drunk History,” Lin-Manuel Miranda joins host Derek Waters in a very special all-”Hamilton” episode. Unlike the sold-out-until-the-Cory-Booker-administration Broadway hit, which Miranda wrote and performed in — lately in the news when the presence of vice president-elect Mike Pence caused a clamor — there is no rapping. But there is a performance of Semisonic’s “Closing Time.”
Emmy contender Derek Waters explains how Jake Johnson’s booze-fueled story about Otis Redding inspired the creation of “Drunk History,” which will soon feature Lin-Manuel Miranda drunkenly discussing Alexander Hamilton.
Review: Leah Remini’s Scientology docuseries is a compelling, if unsophisticated, investigation of church
It’s hard to imagine it now, but there was once a time when few Americans outside the Celebrity Centre knew what an E-meter was.
For decades, Scientology was known as a mysterious religion popular with Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. But in recent years, the church, founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, has spawned a cottage industry of journalistic exposes and jaw-dropping memoirs in which former devotees allege abusive, cult-like behavior and outlandish beliefs.
At this point, Scientology is as much an active religion as it is fodder for the various juicy tell-alls that have familiarized readers of People magazine with once-obscure concepts like Operating Thetans and the Bridge to Total Freedom.
The latest entry in this flourishing sub-genre is “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.” Premiering Tuesday on A&E, the eight-part docuseries follows actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini as she meets with other church defectors and listens to their often-harrowing stories.
‘I hate it’: Shannen Doherty starts radiation for breast cancer
“First day of radiation treatment. I look like I’m about to make a run for it, which is accurate.”
That’s what Shannen Doherty wrote on Instagram as she documented her experience Monday, giving the world glimpses of both her bald head and her trepidation.
The former “Beverly Hills, 90210” actress said radiation therapy was “frightening.”
“Something about not being able to see the laser, see the treatment and having this machine moving around you just scares me,” said Doherty, 45.
“I’m sure I’ll get used to it but right now,” Doherty concluded, “I hate it.”
Doherty has been fighting breast cancer since March 2015 and had a single mastectomy in May 2016. In August, she shaved her head and explained that because the cancer was in at least one lymph node, she was going through chemotherapy and then radiation.
Her diagnosis came to light because of a lawsuit Doherty filed against her former management company in which she alleged, among other things, that the firm failed to pay her 2014 insurance premium on time, resulting in a lack of medical coverage until she could re-enroll in 2015. The firm has denied the allegations.
Lauren Graham wrote her new book on the familiar sets of the ‘Gilmore Girls’ revival
Lauren Graham explains how she managed to write a book while simultaneously reprising her career-defining role as fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore in “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” which die-hard fans gobbled up over Thanksgiving weekend.
It’s what she did just outside Luke’s Diner, in the bounds of Miss Patty’s dance school, even while at the Dragonfly Inn. There is hardly a place in Stars Hollow, the fictional setting of “Gilmore Girls,” that didn’t serve as a makeshift writing sanctuary for Graham as she crafted a collection of essays.
Kanye West reportedly isn’t stable enough to leave the hospital
A week after Kanye West was reluctantly hospitalized, the rapper reportedly doesn’t appear ready to head home anytime soon.
Despite rumors that West would check out after the holiday weekend under the care of his personal physician, people “with direct knowledge of the situation” told TMZ on Monday that West still wasn’t stable enough leave Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
A West rep had no official update on the rapper’s status early Monday, but insiders’ clues have been filling in some of the blanks. One major topic of discussion has been Kim Kardashian West’s role as a stabilizing factor in her husband’s life.
Sources involved with the situation told The Times last week that it had taken two hours to persuade Yeezy to agree to hospitalization — ostensibly for dehydration and sleep deprivation.
Paisley Park will mark the anniversary of Prince’s death with a four-day celebration
The first anniversary of Prince’s death will be a big deal at his former home in Minnesota, where friends, musicians and others will come together for four days of programming and music in honor of the artist, Paisley Park Studios announced Monday.
In addition to live music, Celebration 2017, from April 20 to 23, will include panel discussions, guided tours and other presentations focusing on Prince’s creative contributions.
General admission runs $499 for 20 hours of access; a $999 VIP ticket includes that plus reserved seating, autograph opportunities, meals and more. Tickets went on sale Monday.
Prince was found dead at his Chanhassen, Minn., home on April 21, 2016. He was 57.
Food Network is rebooting ‘Iron Chef America’ franchise
Culinary titans will clash once again in Kitchen Stadium. The Food Network is planning a new “Iron Chef America” series called “Iron Chef Gauntlet.”
According to Variety, “Iron Chef Gauntlet” is expected to start production early next year. While details about the new show are sparse, the series will bring back longtime Food Network host Alton Brown.
Brown, who was the host and commentator of both “Iron Chef America” and “The Next Iron Chef,” confirmed his involvement with a photo teasing his new role for “Gauntlet.”
For the uninitiated, “Iron Chef America” (based on the Japanese “Iron Chef” TV show) saw chefs from around the world challenge various Iron Chefs to a 60-minute showdown involving a secret ingredient. The two teams present judges with five courses that were scored based on taste, plating and originality.
H&M wishes you a very Wes Anderson Christmas
Wes Anderson fans are in for a Christmas treat. The filmmaker has brought his distinct flair -- and recurring collaborator Adrien Brody -- to a holiday ad for the clothing company H&M. And it’s basically exactly what you think a Wes Anderson H&M commercial would be.
Set on a train, the short film stars Brody as Conductor Ralph, who has the unfortunate task of informing passengers that, due to circumstances beyond his control, the train will be arriving 11 hours late. As the delay will likely ruin most holiday plans, Conductor Ralph invites all the passengers to a brunch complete with seasonal decorations and “chocolate-flavored hot beverage with whipped topping.”
The short, titled “Come Together,” definitely bears Anderson’s quirky hallmarks, with the train and Brody conjuring a “Darjeeling Limited” feel. You almost forget that it’s an H&M ad until you realize the passengers’ wardrobe doesn’t quite match the rest of the Anderson aesthetic. Watch the full short above.
Black film critics predict the end of #OscarsSoWhite
The African American Film Critics Assn. released a statement Monday naming 2016 the best year ever for black people in cinema. The national organization also predicted an end, albeit potentially temporary, to #OscarsSoWhite.
“The studios and major film distributors really gave it to us this year,” said Gil Robertson, AAFCA’s co-founder and president. “By any measurement, it’s been an exceptional year for blacks in film. From comedies to high-quality dramas and documentaries, 2016 will forever represent a bonanza year for black cinema, and all cinema really.”
Black films in 2016 have ran the gamut from comedies and romantic thrillers to dramas and documentaries.
Tom Ford crafts a layered thriller-within-a-thriller with ‘Nocturnal Animals’
Tom Ford’s day job as one of the world’s best-known and most successful fashion designers puts him in an unusual position regarding his filmmaking. While audiences and critics may bring expectations that his movies occupy the same precise world as his fashion work, Ford sees them as very different endeavors with very different purposes for him.
“Well, I’m not doing it to make money. I make my money doing other things,” he said. “Fashion is where I make my living, and so consequently, when I design a fragrance, I think, ‘Is this going to sell? I love it, OK, but is it going to sell?’ And that’s not the way I think when I approach film. It’s ‘What do I want to say?’ ”
In the coolly unnerving “Nocturnal Animals,” Ford takes on the empty consumerism and lack of personal connection in modern life, which might also be seen as something of a rebuke of his other career. Amy Adams plays Susan Morrow, a Los Angeles fine-art dealer weary of her high-end world, who receives a package from her ex Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal) containing a novel dedicated to her.
Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Armie Hammer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson star in Tom Ford’s “Nocturnal Animals.”
Fashion, I’m just making surface... Whereas film can be about what you are deeply inside.
— Tom Ford
Grace VanderWaal performs ‘I Don’t Know My Name,’ shares her age-related angst on ‘Today’
Forget not knowing her name: Now “America’s Got Talent” winner Grace VanderWaal doesn’t know her age, either. And it’s pretty stinkin’ cute.
The 12-year-old is “stuck in sixth grade,” she said Monday on the “Today” show, where she performed her original tune “I Don’t Know My Name” as a palate cleanser after the long holiday weekend.
“I never went into seventh grade. I am now home-schooled. I’m stuck in sixth grade. I can’t get it out of my mind,” Grace told the hosts with a frustrated demeanor typically reserved for people going through retirement, menopause or the end of grad school.
“You know when you have a birthday, and you’re like, ‘I’m 9 — 10!’” she said. “I don’t correct myself. I’m just like, ‘Hi, I’m a sixth-grader!’”
So set an alarm and someone give her a heads-up on Jan. 15, OK? That’s when Grace turns 13. Meanwhile, Her EP “Perfectly Imperfect” comes out Friday.
‘Moana’ bests ‘Fantastic Beasts’ with $81-million five-day Thanksgiving box office haul
Disney’s “Moana” sailed to No. 1 at the box office over the long holiday weekend, with estimated ticket sales of $81.1 million — more than enough to bump last week’s chart-topper, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” to No. 2 on the U.S. tally.
Even more encouraging for Disney, though, might be that “Moana” — an animated musical about a Polynesian princess on a mission to save her island — now holds the record for the second-biggest five-day Thanksgiving opening.
Its haul from Wednesday to Sunday beat that of Pixar’s “Toy Story 2,” which raked in $80.1 million in 1999. Early box-office returns for “Moana” came close to matching figures for 2013’s “Frozen,” which leads the five-day Thanksgiving list. But in the end, Disney’s summery adventure fell short of the wintry crown holder’s unsurpassed $93.5-million opening.
Anne Rice looks to bring ‘Vampire Chronicles’ to TV, ‘Game of Thrones’-style
Anne Rice is once again in control of the vampire Lestat and her other creations from the “Vampire Chronicles,” and she’s looking to expand on the legend through an epic television series.
Posting on her Facebook page, Rice talked openly about how Universal Studios and Imagine Entertainment had optioned the series, but the deal did not work out. Now, she and her son Christopher plan to develop “a detailed outline for an open ended series,” and they already have a good idea where their story will be heading.
“We will likely begin with ‘The Vampire Lestat’ and move on from there. ----- When we sit down finally to talk to producers, we will have a fully realized vision of this project with Christopher as the executive producer at the helm. I will also be an executive producer all the way,” said Rice on Facebook.
The “Vampire Chronicles” book series centers on Lestat de Lioncourt, a French nobleman turned into a vampire in the 18th century, and it has made onscreen appearances. The 1994 film “Interview with the Vampire,” starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, focused on Lestat (Cruise) himself, while a 2002 film presented a loose adaptation of the third novel of series, “The Queen of the Damned.”
The ‘Firefly’ cast and more pay tribute to Ron Glass
The death of Ron Glass, who most recently endeared himself to television fans as Shepherd Book in Joss Whedon’s “Firefly” series, spurred remembrances from around the Internet — and around the Whedonverse.
Co-stars in the “Firefly” series and “Serentity” film, plus other actors and producers such as Samuel L. Jackson and Clark Gregg went online to offer tribute to the “Barney Miller” actor.
‘Brady Bunch’ co-stars and many more in Hollywood react to the death of Florence Henderson
The outpouring of sadness and fond memories over the death of Florence Henderson at age 82 has come from all parts of Hollywood.
Three of her “Brady Bunch” co-stars expressed heartfelt messages for the actress known to generations of TV viewers as mom Carol Brady.
Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady on the iconic ‘70s TV show, wrote on Twitter, “Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my <3 forever. Love & hugs to her family. I’ll miss u dearly.”
Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady, wrote, “Deeply saddened. Florence was one of the most gracious people I have ever known, Proud to call her Mom and life long friend.”
And Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady, wrote, “I grieve for the passing of my dear friend, Florence. Privileged to have known her and the kindness of her heart. She will be missed.”
Earlier this week, just days before her death, Henderson was on the set of “Dancing With the Stars” to cheer on McCormick, who is competing on the show. Henderson was a contestant on the show in 2010 and was held in high regard by many at “DWTS.” Host Tom Bergeron and judge Len Goodman tweeted RIP messages.
Among the many other Hollywood personalities to tweet their love and remembrances of Henderson are Carl Reiner, Michael McKean, George Takei, Larry King, Debra Messing, Patricia Arquette, Al Yankovic and Jason Alexander.
Why Steve Harvey left stand-up to become the ‘hardest working man’ in showbiz
The taping for “Steve Harvey’s Funderdome,” an upcoming “Shark Tank”-style ABC competition series in which two entrepreneurs vie for the approval of a live audience, was just ending. But as the crowd started to leave the Television City studio in Hollywood, Harvey, the host who has unofficially inherited the late James Brown’s title of “the hardest working man in show business,” made it clear he was not done with them yet.
Florence Henderson, TV’s ‘Brady Bunch’ mom, dies at 82
Florence Henderson, whose portrayal of Carol Brady on the iconic television show “The Brady Bunch” created an idealized mother figure for an entire generation, died Thursday. She was 82.
Henderson died from heart failure about 7:30 p.m. while surrounded by her four children, her longtime manager and publicist, Kayla Pressman, said.
As Pressman’s telephone continued ringing, the woman who has worked with Henderson for 43 years — starting as her personal assistant — said the actress was “the most vibrant, beautiful inside and out person I’ve ever known in my entire life. We just never left each other. She was so wonderful to be with, and she was most loyal.”
Maybe I should thank that terrible makeup man because in a way, his botch job helped me get the part.
— Florence Henderson on her ‘Star Trek’ makeup job before her ‘Brady Bunch’ audition
The ‘Alien: Covenant’ poster has a warning for viewers
We’ve slowly been getting small glimpses of Ridley Scott’s “Alien: Covenant” over the last year or so, and now the film’s title beast gets its closeup.
Twentieth Century Fox today tweeted the film’s minimalist -- but maximally creepy -- poster with one word of advice: “Run.”
Although shrouded in shadows, the xenomorph in question appears to be very similar to the one seen in the very first “Alien.”
The latest installment in the long-running franchise, “Covenant” acts as a follow-up to the 2012 “Alien” prequel “Prometheus” and will presumably provide a bridge between that film and 1979’s “Alien.” It reunites the film’s stars Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace and Guy Pearce, and adds newcomers Katherine Waterston, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir and Billy Crudup.
Lady Gaga sees ‘bravery & courage’ in Kanye West’s decision to stop his tour
Lady Gaga reached out to Kanye West on Wednesday, offering her support in his decision to cancel the rest of his Saint Pablo Tour and urging others not to joke about him right now.
“I see in you bravery & courage to stop this tour & take care of YOU,” she said in a series of tweets. “You are a GREAT artist.”
In September, the “Born This Way” singer -- whose new album, “Joanne,” was released last month -- revealed via the Mirror that she has battled depression and anxiety and takes medication daily.
“I needed a moment to stabilize” after releasing her 2013 album, “Artpop,” she told the publication. “When my career took off, I don’t remember anything at all. It’s like I’m traumatized. I needed time to recalibrate my soul.”
OK Go outdoes itself with ‘The One Moment’ video
OK Go has released its latest music video, further proof that nobody else in music approaches videos quite like this L.A.-based band.
The video for “The One Moment” is a colorful exploration of time and the splendor of fleeting moments caught in about 24 seconds total.
“We constructed a moment of total chaos and confusion, and then unraveled that moment, discovering the beauty, wonder, and structure within,” the band explained on its website.
This moment of chaos features 327 total events including bursting balloons and exploding paint buckets. And, much like its 2006 treadmill video for “Here It Goes Again,” the events unfold in one continuous take.
Watch “The One Moment” above.
Doctor indicted in overdose death of founding 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts
An Alabama doctor has been indicted in the August overdose death of original 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts, who helped found the “Kryptonite” band in 1996.
Dr. Richard Snellgrove was charged in October with prescribing opioid drugs illegally to Roberts, according to a federal indictment unsealed last week and obtained by the Associated Press.
Snellgrove’s attorney told the AP that the doctor had done nothing wrong, saying any possible connection between drugs and the musician’s death was due to “improper use.”
Police found Roberts dead in the hallway of a West Bend, Wis., hotel the morning of Aug. 15. The 38-year-old had been in town to perform at a benefit concert for veterans.
According to a sworn statement by a Drug Enforcement
Administration agent, the musician was wearing a Fentanyl patch like one prescribed by Snellgrove two days earlier, and he also had pills matching ones the doctor prescribed, the AP reported. (The synthetic opioid was the same drug found in Prince’s home in pill form after the singer’s overdose death.)
The guitarist, who launched 3 Doors Down with vocalist Brad Arnold and bassist Todd Harrell, left the group amicably in 2012 to take care of health and circulation issues.
“I know he had prescription drug addiction. He suffered greatly from anxiety,” the guitarist’s father, Darrell Roberts Sr., told CNN in August. “I thought he had beaten it all.”
‘Moana,’ ‘Allied’ and other new films to see this weekend
A number of new movies will compete for your attention over the long weekend. Here are the LAT reviews to help you decide what to see:
- Those seeking a vacation from everyday reality without springing for that last-minute island getaway will appreciate the bright, bouncy animated Disney film “Moana.”
- “Allied,” starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, is a handsomely crafted, fitfully effective throwback to epics of love, betrayal and wartime espionage.
- Warren Beatty’s Howard Hughes film “Rules Don’t Apply” is not without its charms, but there aren’t enough of them and they don’t readily cohere. It’s interesting rather than involving.
- The dark comedy sequel “Bad Santa 2” doubles down on the naughty of the original, without enough nice to balance it out.