The next live-action Disney+ Star Wars series, The Acolyte, is set to premiere on June 5, and Lucasfilm has now released two new teasers, one of which might confirm (or at least hint at) a recent rumor that's been doing the rounds.
Possible spoilers follow.
The first promo once again sees Master Sol vow to track down his wayward apprentice, Mae, who has seemingly fallen to the Dark Side and become the titular acolyte (which she is referred to as for the first time here). We then see Mae confronted at the edge of a snowy cliff, where she professes her innocence: "I didn't do it... believe me!"
If she is being sincere here, it might just confirm a persistent rumor that actress Amandla Stenberg will actually play a dual role as twins, which means Mae could have an evil sister out there taking down Jedi and framing her sibling for the murders.
Possible spoilers follow.
The first promo once again sees Master Sol vow to track down his wayward apprentice, Mae, who has seemingly fallen to the Dark Side and become the titular acolyte (which she is referred to as for the first time here). We then see Mae confronted at the edge of a snowy cliff, where she professes her innocence: "I didn't do it... believe me!"
If she is being sincere here, it might just confirm a persistent rumor that actress Amandla Stenberg will actually play a dual role as twins, which means Mae could have an evil sister out there taking down Jedi and framing her sibling for the murders.
- 5/12/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Comienza la cuenta atrás. © Disney Plus+
Disney ha publicado el nuevo tráiler y póster de la nueva serie original de Lucasfilm, “Star Wars: The Acolyte”.
En “Star Wars: The Acolyte”, la investigación de una espeluznante ola de crímenes enfrenta a un respetado Maestro Jedi (Lee Jung-jae) con una peligrosa guerrera de su pasado (Amandla Stenberg). A medida que van apareciendo más pistas, se adentran en un oscuro camino en el que fuerzas siniestras revelan que no todo es lo que parece…
La serie cuenta con un elenco estelar, incluyendo a Amandla Stenberg (“Los Juegos del Hambre”), Lee Jung-jae (“El Juego del Calamar”), Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), Dafne Keen (“Logan”), Charlie Barnett (“Men in Black 3”), Jodie Turner-Smith (“After Yang”), Rebecca Henderson (“Appropriate Behaviour”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“1917”), Joonas Suotamo (“Star Wars”) y Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix”).
Leslye Headland (“Rusian Doll”) ha creado la serie, basada en “Star Wars” de George Lucas...
Disney ha publicado el nuevo tráiler y póster de la nueva serie original de Lucasfilm, “Star Wars: The Acolyte”.
En “Star Wars: The Acolyte”, la investigación de una espeluznante ola de crímenes enfrenta a un respetado Maestro Jedi (Lee Jung-jae) con una peligrosa guerrera de su pasado (Amandla Stenberg). A medida que van apareciendo más pistas, se adentran en un oscuro camino en el que fuerzas siniestras revelan que no todo es lo que parece…
La serie cuenta con un elenco estelar, incluyendo a Amandla Stenberg (“Los Juegos del Hambre”), Lee Jung-jae (“El Juego del Calamar”), Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), Dafne Keen (“Logan”), Charlie Barnett (“Men in Black 3”), Jodie Turner-Smith (“After Yang”), Rebecca Henderson (“Appropriate Behaviour”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“1917”), Joonas Suotamo (“Star Wars”) y Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix”).
Leslye Headland (“Rusian Doll”) ha creado la serie, basada en “Star Wars” de George Lucas...
- 5/9/2024
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
Lucasfilm released a new trailer for The Acolyte yesterday (see below) to mark this year's Star Wars Day celebrations, and a new poster for the next live-action Disney+ Star Wars series has now been unveiled at Ccxp Mexico.
Some fans on social media initially attempted to pass this off as our first look at Darth Plagueis, but a closer look (see the knives?) reveals that it's actually Amandla Stenberg's character, Mae.
Possible spoilers ahead.
Speaking of Master Sol's former apprentice, a rumor relating to this enigmatic Force-wielder has re-emerged with some additional details. According to Daniel Richtman, both Stenberg and Manny Jacinto will actually play dual roles as two pairs of twins - one good, one evil.
This would explain a few things May 4, 2024
New official stills from ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte.’ pic.twitter.com/mPNM4tjWQ9
— Nexus Point News (@NexusPointNews) May 4, 2024
In one month, the two-episode premiere of @OfficialAcolyte,...
Some fans on social media initially attempted to pass this off as our first look at Darth Plagueis, but a closer look (see the knives?) reveals that it's actually Amandla Stenberg's character, Mae.
Possible spoilers ahead.
Speaking of Master Sol's former apprentice, a rumor relating to this enigmatic Force-wielder has re-emerged with some additional details. According to Daniel Richtman, both Stenberg and Manny Jacinto will actually play dual roles as two pairs of twins - one good, one evil.
This would explain a few things May 4, 2024
New official stills from ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte.’ pic.twitter.com/mPNM4tjWQ9
— Nexus Point News (@NexusPointNews) May 4, 2024
In one month, the two-episode premiere of @OfficialAcolyte,...
- 5/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
May the 4th be with you!
To mark this year's Star Wars Day celebrations, Lucasfilm has released a brand-new trailer and poster for its next live-action Disney+ Star Wars series, The Acolyte.
In addition to some exciting lightsaber action, the teaser reveals more story details, as Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) vows to bring his wayward former apprentice Mae (Amandla Stenberg) to justice.
Mae doesn't appear to be the only one taking down Jedi, however, as we also get a first proper look at the mysterious Sith villain who is behind the murders. His (her?) face is obscured (with a mask not too dissimilar to the ones Kylo Ren and his Knights wore in the sequel trilogy), which may indicate that this formidable warrior will ultimately be unveiled as an already established character.
"I really wanted to tell a story about the Sith," showrunner Leslye Headland tells EW. "That was...
To mark this year's Star Wars Day celebrations, Lucasfilm has released a brand-new trailer and poster for its next live-action Disney+ Star Wars series, The Acolyte.
In addition to some exciting lightsaber action, the teaser reveals more story details, as Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) vows to bring his wayward former apprentice Mae (Amandla Stenberg) to justice.
Mae doesn't appear to be the only one taking down Jedi, however, as we also get a first proper look at the mysterious Sith villain who is behind the murders. His (her?) face is obscured (with a mask not too dissimilar to the ones Kylo Ren and his Knights wore in the sequel trilogy), which may indicate that this formidable warrior will ultimately be unveiled as an already established character.
"I really wanted to tell a story about the Sith," showrunner Leslye Headland tells EW. "That was...
- 5/4/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Today, in celebration of the annual Star Wars fan holiday, Disney+ debuted the new trailer and poster for Lucasfilm’s upcoming The Acolyte series. The thrilling, suspenseful live-action Star Wars series launches on Tuesday, June 4, with the first two episodes exclusively on Disney+.
In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
Leslye Headland created the series based on Star Wars by George Lucas and serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King, and Jason Micallef.
Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers. Rayne Roberts, Damian Anderson, Eileen Shim, and Rob Bredow are the producers.
The Acolyte series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto,...
In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
Leslye Headland created the series based on Star Wars by George Lucas and serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King, and Jason Micallef.
Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers. Rayne Roberts, Damian Anderson, Eileen Shim, and Rob Bredow are the producers.
The Acolyte series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto,...
- 5/4/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Rhiannon Giddens stoped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to showcase her bluesy, Cajun-infused song “You Louisiana Man.” The musician was joined by her live band and a back-up for the rousing performance, which saw Giddens singing and playing banjo.
“You Louisiana Man” comes off Giddens’ most recent LP, You’re the One, which dropped last August. The album marked her first solo effort in six years and her first collection of all-original songs. It was produced by Jack Splash and featured musical contributions by Giddens’ partner, multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, as well as Dirk Powell,...
“You Louisiana Man” comes off Giddens’ most recent LP, You’re the One, which dropped last August. The album marked her first solo effort in six years and her first collection of all-original songs. It was produced by Jack Splash and featured musical contributions by Giddens’ partner, multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, as well as Dirk Powell,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
La batalla entre el bien y el mal alcanza un nuevo nivel en ‘The Acolyte’. © Disney Plus+
¡La espera ha terminado para los fans de Star Wars! El primer tráiler y el emocionante póster de la nueva serie original de Lucasfilm, “Star Wars: The Acolyte”, ya están aquí.
En “Star Wars: The Acolyte”, la investigación de una espeluznante ola de crímenes enfrenta a un respetado Maestro Jedi (Lee Jung-jae) con una peligrosa guerrera de su pasado (Amandla Stenberg). A medida que van apareciendo más pistas, se adentran en un oscuro camino en el que fuerzas siniestras revelan que no todo es lo que parece…
La serie cuenta con un elenco estelar, incluyendo a Amandla Stenberg (“Los Juegos del Hambre”), Lee Jung-jae (“El Juego del Calamar”), Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), Dafne Keen (“Logan”), Charlie Barnett (“Men in Black 3”), Jodie Turner-Smith (“After Yang”), Rebecca Henderson (“Appropriate Behaviour”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“1917”), Joonas Suotamo...
¡La espera ha terminado para los fans de Star Wars! El primer tráiler y el emocionante póster de la nueva serie original de Lucasfilm, “Star Wars: The Acolyte”, ya están aquí.
En “Star Wars: The Acolyte”, la investigación de una espeluznante ola de crímenes enfrenta a un respetado Maestro Jedi (Lee Jung-jae) con una peligrosa guerrera de su pasado (Amandla Stenberg). A medida que van apareciendo más pistas, se adentran en un oscuro camino en el que fuerzas siniestras revelan que no todo es lo que parece…
La serie cuenta con un elenco estelar, incluyendo a Amandla Stenberg (“Los Juegos del Hambre”), Lee Jung-jae (“El Juego del Calamar”), Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), Dafne Keen (“Logan”), Charlie Barnett (“Men in Black 3”), Jodie Turner-Smith (“After Yang”), Rebecca Henderson (“Appropriate Behaviour”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“1917”), Joonas Suotamo...
- 3/21/2024
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
‘The Acolyte’ is an upcoming TV series set in the Star Wars universe, created by Leslye Headland. It’s set at the end of the High Republic era, before the main Star Wars films. Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae are the leads.
Headland’s interest in Star Wars began in 2019, and she started developing the series for Lucasfilm in April 2020. The title was announced in December, and filming took place from October 2022 to June 2023. The series, comprising eight episodes, will debut on Disney+ on June 4, 2024. Today, the first trailer for the show was released, giving us a look at the exciting cast of characters.
Amandla Stenberg plays Mae, a former padawan who has become a formidable warrior. Mae finds herself entangled in a dark mystery that unexpectedly places her at the heart of a conflict.
Lee Jung-jae portrays Sol, a revered Jedi Master. Master Sol is known for his wisdom,...
Headland’s interest in Star Wars began in 2019, and she started developing the series for Lucasfilm in April 2020. The title was announced in December, and filming took place from October 2022 to June 2023. The series, comprising eight episodes, will debut on Disney+ on June 4, 2024. Today, the first trailer for the show was released, giving us a look at the exciting cast of characters.
Amandla Stenberg plays Mae, a former padawan who has become a formidable warrior. Mae finds herself entangled in a dark mystery that unexpectedly places her at the heart of a conflict.
Lee Jung-jae portrays Sol, a revered Jedi Master. Master Sol is known for his wisdom,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
‘The Acolyte’ is an upcoming television series set in the Star Wars universe, created by Leslye Headland. It takes place at the end of the High Republic era, before the events of the main Star Wars films. Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae are starring in the leading roles. Headland’s interest in the Star Wars franchise began in 2019, and she started developing the series for Lucasfilm in April 2020. The title was announced in December, and filming took place from October 2022 to June 2023. The eight-episode series is set to premiere on Disney+ on June 4, 2024.
Today the first trailer for the show was released and we got the first look at the exciting roster of characters.
Mae is portrayed by Amandla Stenberg, a padawan turned dangerous warrior.
Mae gets swept up into a sinister mystery—one that puts her into the center of a conflict in unexpected ways.
Star Wars databank
Played by Lee Jung-jae,...
Today the first trailer for the show was released and we got the first look at the exciting roster of characters.
Mae is portrayed by Amandla Stenberg, a padawan turned dangerous warrior.
Mae gets swept up into a sinister mystery—one that puts her into the center of a conflict in unexpected ways.
Star Wars databank
Played by Lee Jung-jae,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
“In an age of light… a darkness rises” in the upcoming Disney+ series “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” and the official trailer has arrived ahead of the show’s premiere on June 4.
The first Two episodes will premiere on June 4. Watch the trailer below.
Joining Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) are Emmy Award-winner Lee Jung-jae (Squid Game), Manny Jacinto (Nine Perfect Strangers), Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim), Rebecca Henderson (Inventing Anna), Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll), Dean-Charles Chapman (1917), and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix).
In “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg).
“As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….”
“The Acolyte” comes from creator, showrunner, and executive producer Leslye Headland (Russian Doll). The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy,...
The first Two episodes will premiere on June 4. Watch the trailer below.
Joining Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) are Emmy Award-winner Lee Jung-jae (Squid Game), Manny Jacinto (Nine Perfect Strangers), Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim), Rebecca Henderson (Inventing Anna), Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll), Dean-Charles Chapman (1917), and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix).
In “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg).
“As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….”
“The Acolyte” comes from creator, showrunner, and executive producer Leslye Headland (Russian Doll). The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy,...
- 3/19/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Leading up to the Grammy nominations on Nov. 10, Rolling Stone is breaking down 16 different categories. For each, we’re predicting the nominees, as well as who will (and who should) win on Grammy night.
Americana is a wide-open category, partly because it’s hard to define. “I always look at half of the folk category and think they are more Americana than half of the Americana nominees,” says Nelson Gullett, an Americana radio veteran and music director at Wdvx in Knoxville. And as the nomination of Jackson Browne’s Downhill...
Americana is a wide-open category, partly because it’s hard to define. “I always look at half of the folk category and think they are more Americana than half of the Americana nominees,” says Nelson Gullett, an Americana radio veteran and music director at Wdvx in Knoxville. And as the nomination of Jackson Browne’s Downhill...
- 10/31/2023
- by Jonathan Bernstein
- Rollingstone.com
Rhiannon Giddens appeared on The Daily Show to perform her recent song “Another Waste Life” and to discuss her Pulitzer-winning opera, Omar, with current host Michael Kosta. Giddens offered a poignant, emotional rendition of “Another Wasted Life,” which comes off her latest LP, You’re the One.
During her interview with Kosta, Giddens discussed creating Omar, as well as the tragic story of Kalief Browder, whose suicide in prison inspired “Another Wasted Life.” She also spoke about the cultural importance of the banjo in American history, reflecting on her love...
During her interview with Kosta, Giddens discussed creating Omar, as well as the tragic story of Kalief Browder, whose suicide in prison inspired “Another Wasted Life.” She also spoke about the cultural importance of the banjo in American history, reflecting on her love...
- 10/19/2023
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
You don’t see too many science fiction comedy-dramas heading into movie theaters these days – or any days, quite frankly – so that alone is cause to celebrate the arrival of “Landscape With Invisible Hand,” the odd title of an intriguing film that opens today (Friday) in limited release, starring a cast of mostly unknowns with the exception of Tiffany Haddish in a prime co-starring role. It’s written and directed by Cory Finley, who directed the Emmy-winning 2020 made-for-tv movie “Bad Education” that starred Hugh Jackman. And its composer is Michael Abels, a Pulitzer Prize winner and two-time Emmy nominee whose genre-defying scores include the Jordan Peele horror trio “Get Out,” “Us” and “Nope.”
Based on a hotly-received young-adult novel by author M.T. Anderson, the film from MGM, Plan B Entertainment and Annapurna Pictures is something of an eccentric mashup of the alien horror and teen romantic comedy genres with some...
Based on a hotly-received young-adult novel by author M.T. Anderson, the film from MGM, Plan B Entertainment and Annapurna Pictures is something of an eccentric mashup of the alien horror and teen romantic comedy genres with some...
- 8/18/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Plot: In the near future, aliens have taken over the earth, and the economy will be ruined. The upper-class lives in hovering sky domes while the working class toils on earth, trying to make ends meet in a world where virtually all industries have ceased to operate. In this impoverished future, a sensitive teen artist (Asante Blackk) navigates first love, the need to express himself creatively, and his family’s relationship with the occupying aliens.
Review: Landscape with Invisible Hand is unusual for an alien invasion story. Based on the book by M.T. Anderson, Cory Finley (Thoroughbreds and Bad Education) depicts an alien takeover that happened without any violence. Instead, the aliens superior technology and business acumen allowed them to make deals with the wealthiest, most influential humans, and now they have their hands (or flippers) in everything.
The aliens in this look almost comical. They resemble slimy coffee tables...
Review: Landscape with Invisible Hand is unusual for an alien invasion story. Based on the book by M.T. Anderson, Cory Finley (Thoroughbreds and Bad Education) depicts an alien takeover that happened without any violence. Instead, the aliens superior technology and business acumen allowed them to make deals with the wealthiest, most influential humans, and now they have their hands (or flippers) in everything.
The aliens in this look almost comical. They resemble slimy coffee tables...
- 8/16/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Get an inside first look at Cory Finley’s new sci-fi drama Landscape With Invisible Hand – starring Asante Blackk, Kylie Rogers and Tiffany Haddish. The film opens in theaters August 18.
Years into a benevolent alien occupation of Earth, the human race is still adjusting to the new world order and its quirky coffee table-sized overlords called the Vuvv. Their flashy advanced technology initially held promise for global prosperity, but rendered most human jobs – and steady income – obsolete. When 17-year-old artist Adam Campbell (Asante Blackk) and new girlfriend Chloe Marsh (Kylie Rogers) discover the Vuvv are particularly fascinated with human love and will pay for access to it, they decide to livestream their budding romance to make extra cash for themselves and their families. Life is good, for a while, until the flame of their teenage love fizzles out and they’re forced to make very different, absurdly life-altering sacrifices for their families.
Years into a benevolent alien occupation of Earth, the human race is still adjusting to the new world order and its quirky coffee table-sized overlords called the Vuvv. Their flashy advanced technology initially held promise for global prosperity, but rendered most human jobs – and steady income – obsolete. When 17-year-old artist Adam Campbell (Asante Blackk) and new girlfriend Chloe Marsh (Kylie Rogers) discover the Vuvv are particularly fascinated with human love and will pay for access to it, they decide to livestream their budding romance to make extra cash for themselves and their families. Life is good, for a while, until the flame of their teenage love fizzles out and they’re forced to make very different, absurdly life-altering sacrifices for their families.
- 8/10/2023
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Daniels and Brittany Snow were among those named Wednesday as panelists for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ career development program, the Academy Gold Rising program.
Now in its seventh year, the initiative is for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities. Through a series of orientations and panels, upstart filmmakers will get a firsthand crash course into the creation of feature films and moviemaking, with Gold Rising participants paired with an Academy member for an eight-week mentorship. Academy members from every branch will be on hand to support the program.
Also Read:
Kcet Leads Los Angeles-Area Stations in Emmy Nominations
Panelists include recent Oscar winners Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schienert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), composer Michael Abels, actor Brittany Snow (“Pitch Perfect”), sound editor Bobbi Banks, composer Kris Bowers, cinematographer Michael Goi, sound editor Greg Hedgepath, Oscar-winning editor Paul Rogers and producer Jonathan Wang.
“We...
Now in its seventh year, the initiative is for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities. Through a series of orientations and panels, upstart filmmakers will get a firsthand crash course into the creation of feature films and moviemaking, with Gold Rising participants paired with an Academy member for an eight-week mentorship. Academy members from every branch will be on hand to support the program.
Also Read:
Kcet Leads Los Angeles-Area Stations in Emmy Nominations
Panelists include recent Oscar winners Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schienert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), composer Michael Abels, actor Brittany Snow (“Pitch Perfect”), sound editor Bobbi Banks, composer Kris Bowers, cinematographer Michael Goi, sound editor Greg Hedgepath, Oscar-winning editor Paul Rogers and producer Jonathan Wang.
“We...
- 6/7/2023
- by Jason Clark
- The Wrap
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its seventh year of the Academy Gold Rising career development program. Gold Rising teams up with several studios and organizations to aid students and young professionals from underrepresented communities develop their careers in the film industry.
This year’s slate includes 90 students and 21 film and entertainment companies. The eight-week program kicked off on Wednesday with a two-day orientation process, consisting of a presentation on the Academy Film Archive and tours of the Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
The Gold Rising program will commence with a graduation ceremony on August 10. After completion of the program, participants will be matched up with an Academy member for an eight-month mentorship experience.
“We are incredibly honored to host a new group of emerging filmmakers who will undoubtedly bring their passion, stories and insights to the program each day,” said Academy...
This year’s slate includes 90 students and 21 film and entertainment companies. The eight-week program kicked off on Wednesday with a two-day orientation process, consisting of a presentation on the Academy Film Archive and tours of the Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
The Gold Rising program will commence with a graduation ceremony on August 10. After completion of the program, participants will be matched up with an Academy member for an eight-month mentorship experience.
“We are incredibly honored to host a new group of emerging filmmakers who will undoubtedly bring their passion, stories and insights to the program each day,” said Academy...
- 6/7/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay and McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
Kelvin Harrison Jr plays the Caribbean-born maestro, once declared ‘the most accomplished man in Europe’, who takes on Mozart in a duel-by-violin
Period drama’s narrow focus on telling and re-telling the same stories has, historically at least, deprived audiences of some rip-roaring screen fare. That’s now changing, as evidenced by this film about 18th-century Parisian polymath Joseph Bologne Aka Chevalier de Saint-Georges. As played by Kelvin Harrison Jr, this fascinating fellow escaped a Caribbean slave plantation – his mother was a Senegalese-African woman; his father her enslaver – to reach the highest echelons of French society. There he excelled as a champion fencer, composer and virtuoso violinist, described by US founding father John Adams as “the most accomplished man in Europe”.
Screenwriter Stefani Robinson and director Stephen Williams have now brought his story to the screen, beginning with an impressive scene in which Bologne upstages Mozart at his own concert...
Period drama’s narrow focus on telling and re-telling the same stories has, historically at least, deprived audiences of some rip-roaring screen fare. That’s now changing, as evidenced by this film about 18th-century Parisian polymath Joseph Bologne Aka Chevalier de Saint-Georges. As played by Kelvin Harrison Jr, this fascinating fellow escaped a Caribbean slave plantation – his mother was a Senegalese-African woman; his father her enslaver – to reach the highest echelons of French society. There he excelled as a champion fencer, composer and virtuoso violinist, described by US founding father John Adams as “the most accomplished man in Europe”.
Screenwriter Stefani Robinson and director Stephen Williams have now brought his story to the screen, beginning with an impressive scene in which Bologne upstages Mozart at his own concert...
- 6/7/2023
- by Ellen E Jones
- The Guardian - Film News
Scores for ‘Nope,’ ‘White Lotus,’ ‘God of War: Ragnarok’ Win Top Honors at ASCAP Screen Music Awards
Some of today’s most talked-about film and TV composers walked off with Composers Choice Awards at Tuesday night’s annual Screen Music Awards of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in West Hollywood.
Michael Abels won Film Score of the Year for Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror movie “Nope.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Kim Neundorf won Television Score of the Year for HBO’s black comedy “The White Lotus” And Bear McCreary won Video Game Score of the Year for Sony Interactive’s acclaimed “God of War: Ragnarok.”
In a tie, Documentary Score of the Year went to both Amanda Jones for the National Geographic nature series “Super/Natural” and Jeff Cardoni for HBO Max’s skateboarding doc “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer also won a second award for Television Theme of the Year for “The White Lotus.”
Composers Choice...
Michael Abels won Film Score of the Year for Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror movie “Nope.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Kim Neundorf won Television Score of the Year for HBO’s black comedy “The White Lotus” And Bear McCreary won Video Game Score of the Year for Sony Interactive’s acclaimed “God of War: Ragnarok.”
In a tie, Documentary Score of the Year went to both Amanda Jones for the National Geographic nature series “Super/Natural” and Jeff Cardoni for HBO Max’s skateboarding doc “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off.” Cristobal Tapia de Veer also won a second award for Television Theme of the Year for “The White Lotus.”
Composers Choice...
- 5/17/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens was taking a walk after having dinner with her children and saw a tweet.
She had won the Pulitzer Prize for music. “It was literally a total shock,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter from Ireland, where she currently lives.
The work that won her the prestigious prize alongside composer Michael Abels is Omar, the opera about Muslim American slave Omar ibn Said. It is based on his autobiography A Muslim American Slave: The Life of Omar ibn Said, which was written in 1831 and is the only known memoir written by a slave in America in Arabic.
Omar ibn Said
“I was minding my own business in my studio trying to be creative and my lawyer called me and said without any hello, ‘You just won the Pulitzer Prize!’ And it took me the rest of the call to be convinced that he wasn’t lying,” says Abels,...
She had won the Pulitzer Prize for music. “It was literally a total shock,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter from Ireland, where she currently lives.
The work that won her the prestigious prize alongside composer Michael Abels is Omar, the opera about Muslim American slave Omar ibn Said. It is based on his autobiography A Muslim American Slave: The Life of Omar ibn Said, which was written in 1831 and is the only known memoir written by a slave in America in Arabic.
Omar ibn Said
“I was minding my own business in my studio trying to be creative and my lawyer called me and said without any hello, ‘You just won the Pulitzer Prize!’ And it took me the rest of the call to be convinced that he wasn’t lying,” says Abels,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rhiannon Giddens has announced plans for her first solo album in six years. You’re the One will be released Aug. 18 via Nonesuch Records and marks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s first collection of all-original songs.
Giddens offered a preview of the project with the title track, a joyous, lovestruck ode to a partner who erased her doubts and made her world colorful. “I wanna love you forever/And I’ll be with you/For worse and for better/And I never thought I’d fall/But you’re the one,...
Giddens offered a preview of the project with the title track, a joyous, lovestruck ode to a partner who erased her doubts and made her world colorful. “I wanna love you forever/And I’ll be with you/For worse and for better/And I never thought I’d fall/But you’re the one,...
- 5/9/2023
- by Jon Freeman
- Rollingstone.com
“Chevalier” opens with an electrifying violin battle between two musicians. One of them is Mozart, the subject of several movies, most famously Milos Forman’s Oscar-winning “Amadeus.” As the scene progresses, however, it becomes clear that — much like that previous film — “Chevalier” will belong not to Mozart but to his musical sparring partner, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).
Bologne’s story is so incredible that it’s hard to believe no one has made a major film about it before. The son of a French plantation owner and an African slave born in 1745, he was a celebrated violinist and composed symphonies, operas, and string quartets — as well as serving as confidante to Marie Antoinette. Then, the man President John Adams once described as “the most accomplished man in Europe” drifted into obscurity while his white counterparts became world-famous figures.
Appropriately, given Bologne’s historical importance, director Stephen Williams...
Bologne’s story is so incredible that it’s hard to believe no one has made a major film about it before. The son of a French plantation owner and an African slave born in 1745, he was a celebrated violinist and composed symphonies, operas, and string quartets — as well as serving as confidante to Marie Antoinette. Then, the man President John Adams once described as “the most accomplished man in Europe” drifted into obscurity while his white counterparts became world-famous figures.
Appropriately, given Bologne’s historical importance, director Stephen Williams...
- 4/26/2023
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
It took the combined talent of composers Kris Bowers and Michael Abels to help filmmaker Stephen Williams ensure Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ music lives on after his life story was erased from the history books.
Williams’ new film, “Chevalier” tells the story of the illegitimate son of a plantation owner and slave. Played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., Chevalier is a promising young Black musician who excels at fencing, playing the violin and wooing the court of Marie Antoinette.
In dividing their tasks, Abels wrote the music for the on-camera performances while Bowers composed the film’s score.
Speaking with Variety, Abels says, “Each [on-camera] performance piece needed to feel authentic to the scene that you see it in.” Whether it was weaving in a Mozart element, hints of Bologne’s compositions, or pieces from the opera “Ernestine,” which Chevalier is working on. He adds, “At the same time, we are...
Williams’ new film, “Chevalier” tells the story of the illegitimate son of a plantation owner and slave. Played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., Chevalier is a promising young Black musician who excels at fencing, playing the violin and wooing the court of Marie Antoinette.
In dividing their tasks, Abels wrote the music for the on-camera performances while Bowers composed the film’s score.
Speaking with Variety, Abels says, “Each [on-camera] performance piece needed to feel authentic to the scene that you see it in.” Whether it was weaving in a Mozart element, hints of Bologne’s compositions, or pieces from the opera “Ernestine,” which Chevalier is working on. He adds, “At the same time, we are...
- 4/21/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, should have been as famous as Mozart — except he wasn’t.
Stephen Williams‘ new film “Chevalier” starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the titular violinist explores why. From Searchlight Pictures, the film opens in theaters on April 21 and follows Chevalier, a name bestowed on him after he caught the attention of Marie Antoinette, the illegitimate son of an African slave and plantation owner. Before bursting onto the scene, he performed violin concertos while building his fencing skills, becoming known as the “Black Mozart.”
In a clip from the film, Bologne takes on a challenge against Mozart (Joseph Prowen), accepting a violin duel.
As previously reported, Harrison Jr. spent months perfecting his violin skills to portray Chevalier. Michael Abels shared composing duties with Kris Bowers and wrote the on-camera musical performances.
For the film’s opening scene that introduces the talents of Bologne to the French upper class,...
Stephen Williams‘ new film “Chevalier” starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the titular violinist explores why. From Searchlight Pictures, the film opens in theaters on April 21 and follows Chevalier, a name bestowed on him after he caught the attention of Marie Antoinette, the illegitimate son of an African slave and plantation owner. Before bursting onto the scene, he performed violin concertos while building his fencing skills, becoming known as the “Black Mozart.”
In a clip from the film, Bologne takes on a challenge against Mozart (Joseph Prowen), accepting a violin duel.
As previously reported, Harrison Jr. spent months perfecting his violin skills to portray Chevalier. Michael Abels shared composing duties with Kris Bowers and wrote the on-camera musical performances.
For the film’s opening scene that introduces the talents of Bologne to the French upper class,...
- 4/10/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Though his life and accomplishments were largely erased under Napoleon, the extraordinary figure at the center of Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier” really did exist. Born on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, the son of a white plantation owner and his Black slave, Joseph Bologne went on to excel in spheres rarely accessible to people of color in 18th-century French society. Here was a champion swordsman and celebrated musician invited to play his violin at Versailles, where Marie Antoinette reportedly accompanied him on the harpsichord.
So why has it taken so long for his story to be told?
The time certainly seems right to rediscover the Chevalier — an honorary title that reveals how high Bologne rose under France’s overtly racist Code Noir, as well as a fitting name for the film. A compelling example of Black excellence dating back even before the French Revolution, the English-language “Chevalier” doesn’t feel nearly...
So why has it taken so long for his story to be told?
The time certainly seems right to rediscover the Chevalier — an honorary title that reveals how high Bologne rose under France’s overtly racist Code Noir, as well as a fitting name for the film. A compelling example of Black excellence dating back even before the French Revolution, the English-language “Chevalier” doesn’t feel nearly...
- 4/5/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Will Smith was the surprise guest that set the room abuzz Wednesday night at the 14th annual African American Film Critics Assn. Awards at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
But Smith had tough competition in the emotional-speech department from fellow honorees that included Danielle Deadwyler, Viola Davis, Angela Bassett and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Deadwyler, who won lead actress honors for her tour de force role in “Till,” drew the crowd’s the attention to the world-changing impact of Mamie Till-Mobley, whose provocative decision to show pictures of her son’s brutalized corpse helped ignite the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and ’60s.
Like other speakers, Deadwyler drew a direct comparison to the conditions that existed more than a half-century ago to the present day, when politicians are pursuing racist legislation designed to restrict the teaching of American history in schools as it relates to the Black experience over the past 400 years.
But Smith had tough competition in the emotional-speech department from fellow honorees that included Danielle Deadwyler, Viola Davis, Angela Bassett and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Deadwyler, who won lead actress honors for her tour de force role in “Till,” drew the crowd’s the attention to the world-changing impact of Mamie Till-Mobley, whose provocative decision to show pictures of her son’s brutalized corpse helped ignite the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and ’60s.
Like other speakers, Deadwyler drew a direct comparison to the conditions that existed more than a half-century ago to the present day, when politicians are pursuing racist legislation designed to restrict the teaching of American history in schools as it relates to the Black experience over the past 400 years.
- 3/2/2023
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
The African-American Film Critics Association (Aafca) Award ceremony honored the variety of Black experiences depicted on screen, along with Black excellence in front of and behind the camera. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Till, Emancipation and The Woman King were among the top winners at Wednesday’s event at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. The event, hosted by Roy Wood Jr., also marked Will Smith’s first return to an awards stage following the 2022 Academy Awards.
When accepting the Beacon Award for Emancipation, Smith (who arrived to a flurry of cameras and hugs) said: “Emancipation was the individual most difficult film of my entire career.… It’s really difficult to transport a modern mind to that time period. It’s difficult to imagine that level of inhumanity.” After recalling filming a tense scene in the summertime on set, Smith continued: “In this room are people who really suffer for the art, to...
When accepting the Beacon Award for Emancipation, Smith (who arrived to a flurry of cameras and hugs) said: “Emancipation was the individual most difficult film of my entire career.… It’s really difficult to transport a modern mind to that time period. It’s difficult to imagine that level of inhumanity.” After recalling filming a tense scene in the summertime on set, Smith continued: “In this room are people who really suffer for the art, to...
- 3/2/2023
- by Evan Nicole Brown
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Will Smith returned to awards season festivities Wednesday evening, taking the stage to accept the Beacon Award at the African American Film Critics Association Awards. The speech marked Smith’s first in-person speech at an awards ceremony since his controversy at the 2022 Oscars, in which the actor slapped Chris Rock onstage.
Smith’s “Emancipation” costar Charmaine Bingwa and Aafca cofounder Gil L. Robertson introduced Smith and Antoine Fuqua, the historical drama’s director, early in the evening’s ceremony. After Fuqua’s minute-long thanks to Aafca, Apple TV+ and the film’s cast and crew, Smith took the microphone to recount the production of the film.
“‘Emancipation’ was the individual most difficult film of my entire career. It was all outdoors, that is true,” Smith joked, earning laughs from the crowd.
“It was the second day of shooting and 110 degrees… I was in a scene with one of the white actors.
Smith’s “Emancipation” costar Charmaine Bingwa and Aafca cofounder Gil L. Robertson introduced Smith and Antoine Fuqua, the historical drama’s director, early in the evening’s ceremony. After Fuqua’s minute-long thanks to Aafca, Apple TV+ and the film’s cast and crew, Smith took the microphone to recount the production of the film.
“‘Emancipation’ was the individual most difficult film of my entire career. It was all outdoors, that is true,” Smith joked, earning laughs from the crowd.
“It was the second day of shooting and 110 degrees… I was in a scene with one of the white actors.
- 3/2/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy and Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
Wednesday night at the 2023 Scl Awards (Society of Composers & Lyricists), Michael Abels won the award for top studio film score for his work on “Nope,” while Ryan Lott and his experimental band Son Lux earned the statuette for Outstanding Independent Film Score for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The 4th annual gala took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Read on for all of the 2023 Scl Awards winners.
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was a champion along with Alexandre Desplat and Roeban Katz in the Outstanding Song for a Musical or Comedy category for the tune “Ciao Papa” from “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.” Also scoring a victory in a song category was the legendary Diane Warren, who became the first songwriter to receive an honorary Oscar in December. She accepted her award in Outstanding Song for a Drama or Documentary for “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman.
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was a champion along with Alexandre Desplat and Roeban Katz in the Outstanding Song for a Musical or Comedy category for the tune “Ciao Papa” from “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.” Also scoring a victory in a song category was the legendary Diane Warren, who became the first songwriter to receive an honorary Oscar in December. She accepted her award in Outstanding Song for a Drama or Documentary for “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman.
- 2/16/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
The composers of the scores to “Nope” and “Everything All at Once” and songs for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” have won the film awards at the fourth annual Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards, which were handed out on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Michael Abels won for “Nope” in the Outstanding Score for a Studio Film category, where he was up against Oscar nominee Carter Burwell for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” as well as the scores for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” “The Batman” and “Don’t Worry Darling.” In the Outstanding Score for an Independent Film category, the award went to the only Oscar nominees in the category, Son Lux for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Diane Warren won the award for a song from a drama or documentary film for “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman,” while Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz and Guillermo del Toro won for the song “Ciao Papa” from “Pinocchio.
Michael Abels won for “Nope” in the Outstanding Score for a Studio Film category, where he was up against Oscar nominee Carter Burwell for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” as well as the scores for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” “The Batman” and “Don’t Worry Darling.” In the Outstanding Score for an Independent Film category, the award went to the only Oscar nominees in the category, Son Lux for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Diane Warren won the award for a song from a drama or documentary film for “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman,” while Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz and Guillermo del Toro won for the song “Ciao Papa” from “Pinocchio.
- 2/16/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Diane Warren and Everything Everywhere All at Once composer Son Lux were among the Oscar nominees who won at the 2023 Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards on Wednesday night.
Warren won best original song for a drama or documentary for “Applause” from Tell It Like a Woman, which is also nominated for best original song at the 2023 Oscars. Son Lux’s Ryan Lott accepted the award for best score for an independent film for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Son Lux is nominated for the Oscar for best original score and Lott is a nominee for best original song for his work on “This Is a Life,” both from Everything Everywhere All at Once.
In the category of best original score for interactive media, Stephanie Economou won for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, just 10 days after her Grammy win.
Guillermo del Toro and lyricist Roeban Katz won best song...
Warren won best original song for a drama or documentary for “Applause” from Tell It Like a Woman, which is also nominated for best original song at the 2023 Oscars. Son Lux’s Ryan Lott accepted the award for best score for an independent film for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Son Lux is nominated for the Oscar for best original score and Lott is a nominee for best original song for his work on “This Is a Life,” both from Everything Everywhere All at Once.
In the category of best original score for interactive media, Stephanie Economou won for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, just 10 days after her Grammy win.
Guillermo del Toro and lyricist Roeban Katz won best song...
- 2/16/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Society of Composers & Lyricists (Scl) presented the winners of the 4th Annual Scl Awards for score and songs in visual media tonight at the Skirball Cultural Center.
The evening was hosted by Darren Criss, who also gave the audience a musical performance. Awards were presented across seven categories for music in visual media in addition to the Spirit of Collaboration Award and two Jury Awards.
The Spirit of Collaboration Award was presented to Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz and Oscar-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle. The composer and filmmaker have collaborated on five films, including Babylon, La La Land, Whiplash, the First Man, and Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. The presentation of the award was accompanied by a musical performance including “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from La La Land, the First Man theme for harp and theremin, and a Babylon Medley, including “Voodoo Mama” and “Herman’s Hustle.
The evening was hosted by Darren Criss, who also gave the audience a musical performance. Awards were presented across seven categories for music in visual media in addition to the Spirit of Collaboration Award and two Jury Awards.
The Spirit of Collaboration Award was presented to Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz and Oscar-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle. The composer and filmmaker have collaborated on five films, including Babylon, La La Land, Whiplash, the First Man, and Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. The presentation of the award was accompanied by a musical performance including “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from La La Land, the First Man theme for harp and theremin, and a Babylon Medley, including “Voodoo Mama” and “Herman’s Hustle.
- 2/16/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
It's that time of year again for Fangoria's anticipated Chainsaw Award nominations for horror movies and terrifying television, and we have a look at the full list of nominations, including Ti West's Pearl, Jordan Peele's Nope (leading with 10 nominations), and the second season of Don Mancini's Chucky TV series:
Press Release: Fangoria and Fangoria Studios have released their 2023 Chainsaw Award nominations, which recognizes outstanding achievements in horror film and television. Since 1992, the Chainsaw Awards have honored top achievements in the horror genre, with past recipients including Wes Craven, George A. Romero, Lupita Nyong’o, Anthony Hopkins, and Elisabeth Moss.
“Nope,” written and directed by Jordan Peele, leads the pack with ten nominations including Best Wide Release Movie and Best Director. Other nominees include “Barbarian,” “Pearl,” “Hellraiser,” “Chucky” and “Yellowjackets.” Fangoria has also introduced two new categories this year: Best Short and Best Cinematography.
Editor-in-chief of Fangoria Phil Nobile Jr. states,...
Press Release: Fangoria and Fangoria Studios have released their 2023 Chainsaw Award nominations, which recognizes outstanding achievements in horror film and television. Since 1992, the Chainsaw Awards have honored top achievements in the horror genre, with past recipients including Wes Craven, George A. Romero, Lupita Nyong’o, Anthony Hopkins, and Elisabeth Moss.
“Nope,” written and directed by Jordan Peele, leads the pack with ten nominations including Best Wide Release Movie and Best Director. Other nominees include “Barbarian,” “Pearl,” “Hellraiser,” “Chucky” and “Yellowjackets.” Fangoria has also introduced two new categories this year: Best Short and Best Cinematography.
Editor-in-chief of Fangoria Phil Nobile Jr. states,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
On Friday, Fangoria and Fangoria Studios released their 2023 Chainsaw Award nominations, which recognize outstanding achievements in horror film and television. First established in 1992, the Chainsaw Awards honor works and artists in a genre frequently overlooked by traditional organizations and critics groups. Past recipients include Wes Craven, George A. Romero, Lupita Nyong’o, Anthony Hopkins and Elisabeth Moss.
“Nope,” Jordan Peele’s follow-up to “Us,” received the most nominations of any film in Chainsaw Award contention, with 10 nominations including best wide release movie and best director. Other nominees include “Barbarian,” “Pearl,” “Hellraiser,” “Chucky” and “Yellowjackets.” Fangoria also introduced two new categories this year: Best Short and Best Cinematography.
Founded in 1979, Fangoria has become one of the most influential horror brands in the genre, living up to its moniker as “First in Fright.” At one time the only place on newsstands where fans could read about the world of contemporary horror, Fangoria...
“Nope,” Jordan Peele’s follow-up to “Us,” received the most nominations of any film in Chainsaw Award contention, with 10 nominations including best wide release movie and best director. Other nominees include “Barbarian,” “Pearl,” “Hellraiser,” “Chucky” and “Yellowjackets.” Fangoria also introduced two new categories this year: Best Short and Best Cinematography.
Founded in 1979, Fangoria has become one of the most influential horror brands in the genre, living up to its moniker as “First in Fright.” At one time the only place on newsstands where fans could read about the world of contemporary horror, Fangoria...
- 1/27/2023
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Variety Film + TV
We will update all our Oscar predictions throughout the season, so keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Oscar race. The nomination round of voting will take place from January 12 to January 17, 2023, with the official Oscar nominations announced on January 24, 2023. The final voting is between March 2 and 7, 2023. Finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12 and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
See our initial thoughts for what to expect at the 95th Academy Awards here.
The State of the Race
The Oscar nominees for Best Original Score on Tuesday were led by 90-year-old John Williams, who received his 53rd nomination for Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans.” The remainder of the field is composed of two-time “La La Land” winner (score and original song) Justin Hurwitz for “Babylon,” three-time nominee Carter Burwell for “The Banshees of Inisherin,...
See our initial thoughts for what to expect at the 95th Academy Awards here.
The State of the Race
The Oscar nominees for Best Original Score on Tuesday were led by 90-year-old John Williams, who received his 53rd nomination for Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans.” The remainder of the field is composed of two-time “La La Land” winner (score and original song) Justin Hurwitz for “Babylon,” three-time nominee Carter Burwell for “The Banshees of Inisherin,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
“Nope” was made in the grandest traditions of Hollywood. Jordan Peele, probably more so than any other studio director today, is a commercial filmmaker with a great deal to say about our world, but is able to successfully embed intellectual complexity into the sharp clarity of a well made, well told piece of entertainment that keeps the audience on the edge of its seats. “Nope” was commercially successful, well reviewed, regarded as a real piece of cinema made by a serious director, with A-list artisans and impeccable craft. It’s a film you’d expect to be embraced the by the Oscar craft branches.
While visually and aurally striking, there’s nothing flashy, look-at-me about the filmmaking of “Nope.” Despite its technical innovations (more later), it’s classical filmmaking at its best. Peele strove to create a spectacle — and not that modern, flat, green-screen version of spectacle, with its eyeball...
While visually and aurally striking, there’s nothing flashy, look-at-me about the filmmaking of “Nope.” Despite its technical innovations (more later), it’s classical filmmaking at its best. Peele strove to create a spectacle — and not that modern, flat, green-screen version of spectacle, with its eyeball...
- 1/26/2023
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Ninety-year-old John Williams received his 53rd nomination, and a team of composers was nominated for original score for only the eighth time in Oscar history during this morning’s Academy Awards nominations.
Yet, despite the presence of two women and three African-American composers on this year’s 15-film shortlist, none made the final five. So Chanda Dancy (“Devotion”) and Hildur Guðnadóttir (“Women Talking”) were left off, as were Michael Abels (“Nope”) and Terence Blanchard (“The Woman King”).
With his nomination for “The Fabelmans,” the venerable Williams, scoring his 29th film over the past 50 years for director Steven Spielberg, retains his record as the most-nominated composer and most-nominated living person.
He already has five Oscars, including three for Spielberg, and according to Academy statistics is also believed to be the oldest nominee in a competitive award category.
Son Lux’s nomination for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is especially interesting as...
Yet, despite the presence of two women and three African-American composers on this year’s 15-film shortlist, none made the final five. So Chanda Dancy (“Devotion”) and Hildur Guðnadóttir (“Women Talking”) were left off, as were Michael Abels (“Nope”) and Terence Blanchard (“The Woman King”).
With his nomination for “The Fabelmans,” the venerable Williams, scoring his 29th film over the past 50 years for director Steven Spielberg, retains his record as the most-nominated composer and most-nominated living person.
He already has five Oscars, including three for Spielberg, and according to Academy statistics is also believed to be the oldest nominee in a competitive award category.
Son Lux’s nomination for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is especially interesting as...
- 1/24/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
by Nathaniel R
MIchael Abels photographed for the LA OperaOne of the most exciting film composers to gain prominence in the past decade is Michael Abels. He's received multiple nominations for his work and prizes, too like the Jerry Goldsmith Award and the World Soundtrack Award. We wait impatiently for an Oscar nomination to follow, given his memorable inventive scores that have played such a huge part in the mass appeal of the films of Jordan Peele. We were honored to sit down with him to talk about his diverse interests in musical genres, his history with piano and voice, his Nope score, and what's next.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity...
MIchael Abels photographed for the LA OperaOne of the most exciting film composers to gain prominence in the past decade is Michael Abels. He's received multiple nominations for his work and prizes, too like the Jerry Goldsmith Award and the World Soundtrack Award. We wait impatiently for an Oscar nomination to follow, given his memorable inventive scores that have played such a huge part in the mass appeal of the films of Jordan Peele. We were honored to sit down with him to talk about his diverse interests in musical genres, his history with piano and voice, his Nope score, and what's next.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity...
- 1/17/2023
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) has announced the winners and special honorees for its 14th Annual Aafca Awards, with “The Woman King,” its previously announced Best Picture of 2022, also taking home Best Director for Gina Prince-Bythewood.
In the acting categories, breakout stars Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”) and Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, while Best Supporting Actor went to Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”) and Best Supporting Actress to Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”).
Several films received multiple awards, with Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” winning Best Writing and Best Ensemble, “Till” also winning the Emerging Face award for star Jalyn Hall and the special Impact Award, and “Wakanda Forever” in particular also nabbing Best Song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” and two special honors: the Building Change Award to production designer Hannah Beachler and the Ashley Boone Award to producer Nate Moore.
In the acting categories, breakout stars Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”) and Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, while Best Supporting Actor went to Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”) and Best Supporting Actress to Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”).
Several films received multiple awards, with Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” winning Best Writing and Best Ensemble, “Till” also winning the Emerging Face award for star Jalyn Hall and the special Impact Award, and “Wakanda Forever” in particular also nabbing Best Song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” and two special honors: the Building Change Award to production designer Hannah Beachler and the Ashley Boone Award to producer Nate Moore.
- 1/16/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
“The Woman King” was honored as Best Picture and the film’s helmer Gina Prince-Bythewood took the prize as Best Director in the 14th Annual Aafca Awards for achievement in film. The announcement was made Monday morning by the African American Film Critics Association. Three other films also earned a pair of trophies, with Danielle Deadwyler winning Best Actress and Jalyn Hall earning the statuette as Emerging Face, both for “Till”; newly-minted Golden Globe victor Angela Bassett earned the trophy as Best Supporting Actress and “Lift Me Up” landed a Best Song win, both for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”; and “Glass Onion” snared triumphs for Rian Johnson’s writing along with Best Ensemble.
Other awards were picked up by Jeremy Pope (Best Actor for “The Inspection”) and Brian Tyree Henry (Best Supporting Actor for “Causeway”), while Carey Williams was cited as Emerging Filmmaker for “Emergency” and “Nanny” as Best Independent Feature.
Other awards were picked up by Jeremy Pope (Best Actor for “The Inspection”) and Brian Tyree Henry (Best Supporting Actor for “Causeway”), while Carey Williams was cited as Emerging Filmmaker for “Emergency” and “Nanny” as Best Independent Feature.
- 1/16/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
“The Woman King” won the top prize at this year’s African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) awards, taking home the award for best picture. The Sony Pictures film was up against “Till,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”; each feature ended up winning at least two awards.
Along with best picture, “The Woman King” notched an award in the best director category, with the honor going to Gina Prince-Bythewood. Meanwhile, “Till” won awards for Danielle Deadwyler as best actress and the emerging face award for Jaylin Hall; “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” won best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Angela Bassett won best supporting actress; “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” won best ensemble and Rian Johnson won for best writing.
Other winners included Brian Tyree Henry in “Causeway” for best supporting actor, Carey Williams in “Emergency” for emerging filmmaker and “Nanny” for best independent feature.
Along with best picture, “The Woman King” notched an award in the best director category, with the honor going to Gina Prince-Bythewood. Meanwhile, “Till” won awards for Danielle Deadwyler as best actress and the emerging face award for Jaylin Hall; “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” won best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Angela Bassett won best supporting actress; “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” won best ensemble and Rian Johnson won for best writing.
Other winners included Brian Tyree Henry in “Causeway” for best supporting actor, Carey Williams in “Emergency” for emerging filmmaker and “Nanny” for best independent feature.
- 1/16/2023
- by Thania Garcia
- Variety Film + TV
The African American Film Critics Association on Monday revealed winners of its 14th annual Aafca Awards honoring the best in film. The Woman King, Till, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery each won a pair of awards.
Among the honors, The Woman King was named the year’s best picture, with the film’s Gina Prince-Bythewood named best director. Danielle Deadwyler (Till) and Jeremy Pope (The Inspection) were named best actress and actor. Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) won the supporting prizes.
Special achievement honorees include Till, which received the Impact Award, and Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith receiving the Beacon Award for Emancipation.
“Aafca is deeply honored to recognize some of the most captivating films and performances of the year,” said Aafca president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “These thought-provoking stories of strength, determination and courage lift us and entertain us.
Among the honors, The Woman King was named the year’s best picture, with the film’s Gina Prince-Bythewood named best director. Danielle Deadwyler (Till) and Jeremy Pope (The Inspection) were named best actress and actor. Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) won the supporting prizes.
Special achievement honorees include Till, which received the Impact Award, and Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith receiving the Beacon Award for Emancipation.
“Aafca is deeply honored to recognize some of the most captivating films and performances of the year,” said Aafca president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “These thought-provoking stories of strength, determination and courage lift us and entertain us.
- 1/16/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) revealed the winners of the 14th annual Aafca Awards on Monday.
The Woman King, Till, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery each scored two Aafca Awards: The Woman King won best picture and best director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, Till won best actress for Danielle Deadwyler and the Emerging Face award for Jalyn Hall, Wakanda Forever won best supporting actress for Angela Bassett and best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Glass Onion won best writing for Rian Johnson and best ensemble.
Brian Tyree Henry won the best supporting actor award for his role in Causeway and Jeremy Pope won best actor for The Inspection, while best animated feature went to Wendell & Wild and best international feature went to Saint Omer.
Winners, as well as special honorees, will be honored at the 14th annual Aafca Awards on March 1 at the Beverly Wilshire,...
The Woman King, Till, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery each scored two Aafca Awards: The Woman King won best picture and best director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, Till won best actress for Danielle Deadwyler and the Emerging Face award for Jalyn Hall, Wakanda Forever won best supporting actress for Angela Bassett and best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Glass Onion won best writing for Rian Johnson and best ensemble.
Brian Tyree Henry won the best supporting actor award for his role in Causeway and Jeremy Pope won best actor for The Inspection, while best animated feature went to Wendell & Wild and best international feature went to Saint Omer.
Winners, as well as special honorees, will be honored at the 14th annual Aafca Awards on March 1 at the Beverly Wilshire,...
- 1/16/2023
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Which, of the 15 shortlisted original scores for 2022, will Oscar’s music branch choose as their final five nominees in the category?
It is as diverse a group as the branch has ever considered, both in terms of the composers and the nature of their music. The composers hail from seven different countries; two are women and five are people of color.
Five are past Oscar winners and five others are past Oscar nominees, although it’s the newcomers to the Oscar race who seem to be sparking the most attention in these final days before nomination voting begins Thursday.
Their music ranges from traditional orchestra to elaborate choral work, electronic sounds to experimental compositional techniques. Approximately 390 music-branch voters are eligible to vote.
A guide to the shortlist contenders:
“The Fabelmans”
Topping the list is 90-year-old John Williams, whose 29th film for director Steven Spielberg is the last in an unprecedented collaboration stretching over 50 years.
It is as diverse a group as the branch has ever considered, both in terms of the composers and the nature of their music. The composers hail from seven different countries; two are women and five are people of color.
Five are past Oscar winners and five others are past Oscar nominees, although it’s the newcomers to the Oscar race who seem to be sparking the most attention in these final days before nomination voting begins Thursday.
Their music ranges from traditional orchestra to elaborate choral work, electronic sounds to experimental compositional techniques. Approximately 390 music-branch voters are eligible to vote.
A guide to the shortlist contenders:
“The Fabelmans”
Topping the list is 90-year-old John Williams, whose 29th film for director Steven Spielberg is the last in an unprecedented collaboration stretching over 50 years.
- 1/10/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
As Martin Scorsese once said, “Music and cinema fit together naturally. Because there’s a kind of intrinsic musicality to the way moving images work when they’re put together. It’s been said that cinema and music are very close as art forms, and I think that’s true.” Indeed, the right piece of music–whether it’s an original score or a carefully selected song–can do wonders for a sequence, and today we’re looking at the 25 films that best expressed this notion this year.
From seasoned composers to accomplished musicians, as well as a smattering of soundtracks, each musical example perfectly transported us to the world of the film. Check out our rundown of the top 25, which includes streams to each soundtrack in full.
25. Dark Glasses (Arnaud Rebotini)
24. Catch the Fair One (Nathan Halpern)
23. Barbarian (Anna Drubich)
22. Return to Seoul (Various)
21. Babylon (Justin Hurwitz)
20. Mad God...
From seasoned composers to accomplished musicians, as well as a smattering of soundtracks, each musical example perfectly transported us to the world of the film. Check out our rundown of the top 25, which includes streams to each soundtrack in full.
25. Dark Glasses (Arnaud Rebotini)
24. Catch the Fair One (Nathan Halpern)
23. Barbarian (Anna Drubich)
22. Return to Seoul (Various)
21. Babylon (Justin Hurwitz)
20. Mad God...
- 1/3/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The Society of Composers & Lyricists has unveiled its Scl Award nominees for 2023, naming composers Alexandre Desplat (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), Carter Burwell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Michael Abels (Nope), Michael Giacchino (The Batman) and John Powell (Don’t Worry Darling) as its contenders for Outstanding Score for a Studio Film.
The Scl’s Musical/Comedy Song nominees are as idiosyncratic as they are starry this time around, with such veteran composers as Desplat and Danny Elfman (White Noise) nominated for Musical/Comedy song alongside Bros‘ Billy Eichner and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story‘s Weird Al Yankovic.
Entrants in the Drama/Documentary Song category include recent Honorary Oscar winner Diane Warren (Tell It Like a Woman), Taylor Swift (Where the Crawdads Sing), Lady Gaga (Top Gun: Maverick), Rihanna (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and the Oscar-winning Nine Inch Nails duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who this year penned a...
The Scl’s Musical/Comedy Song nominees are as idiosyncratic as they are starry this time around, with such veteran composers as Desplat and Danny Elfman (White Noise) nominated for Musical/Comedy song alongside Bros‘ Billy Eichner and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story‘s Weird Al Yankovic.
Entrants in the Drama/Documentary Song category include recent Honorary Oscar winner Diane Warren (Tell It Like a Woman), Taylor Swift (Where the Crawdads Sing), Lady Gaga (Top Gun: Maverick), Rihanna (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and the Oscar-winning Nine Inch Nails duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who this year penned a...
- 12/22/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Society of Composers & Lyricists has announced the nominations for its fourth annual honors for music in films, TV and video games, with French composer Alexandre Desplat and American composer Bear McCreary each scoring double nominations.
Scl, the primary organization for professional media composers, will present its awards Feb. 15 at the Skirball Cultural Center, with singer-actor-songwriter Darren Criss as host.
Voting ended Wednesday night in seven categories, just hours after the Motion Picture Academy announced its shortlists for song and score for 2022 films. The contrast between the lists is striking, with only five score nominees and six song contenders matching those on the 15-title Oscar shortlists.
The Scl nominees for outstanding score for a studio or independent film that also made Oscar’s shortlist on Wednesday are Alexandre Desplat (“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”), Carter Burwell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Michael Abels (“Nope”), John Powell (“Don’t Worry Darling”) and Son...
Scl, the primary organization for professional media composers, will present its awards Feb. 15 at the Skirball Cultural Center, with singer-actor-songwriter Darren Criss as host.
Voting ended Wednesday night in seven categories, just hours after the Motion Picture Academy announced its shortlists for song and score for 2022 films. The contrast between the lists is striking, with only five score nominees and six song contenders matching those on the 15-title Oscar shortlists.
The Scl nominees for outstanding score for a studio or independent film that also made Oscar’s shortlist on Wednesday are Alexandre Desplat (“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”), Carter Burwell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Michael Abels (“Nope”), John Powell (“Don’t Worry Darling”) and Son...
- 12/22/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Weird Al Yankovic are among the nominees announced Thursday morning for the Fourth Annual Scl Awards from the Society of Composers & Lyricists honoring scores and songs in visual media. Swift, Gaga and Rihanna were all nominated in the Outstanding Song for a Drama/Documentary category, Swift for her tune “Carolina” from “Where the Crawdads Sing,” Gaga along with Bloodpop for “Hold My Hand from “Top Gun: Maverick,” and Rihanna along with Tems, Ludwig Goransson and Ryan Coogler for “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Also nominated in that same category were Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for their song “(You Made it Feel Like) Home” from the film “Bones and All,” and Diane Warren for “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman.”
Singled out for honors in the Outstanding Score for a Studio Film category are Alexandre Desplat for “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio,...
Singled out for honors in the Outstanding Score for a Studio Film category are Alexandre Desplat for “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio,...
- 12/22/2022
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
The music from “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has been nominated for awards by the Society of Composers and Lyricists, the group announced on Thursday morning.
The 4th annual Scl Awards will take place on Feb. 15, 2023 at the Skirball Cultural Center in West Los Angeles and give out awards in four film categories, as well as one category for TV and another for interactive media.
Alexandre Desplat was nominated for the score to “Pinocchio” and for co-writing the song “Ciao Papa” from that movie, making him the only two-time nominee in the film categories. Bear McCreary also received a pair of nominations, one for the TV series “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” and one for the interactive “God of War Ragnarok.”
Five of the...
The 4th annual Scl Awards will take place on Feb. 15, 2023 at the Skirball Cultural Center in West Los Angeles and give out awards in four film categories, as well as one category for TV and another for interactive media.
Alexandre Desplat was nominated for the score to “Pinocchio” and for co-writing the song “Ciao Papa” from that movie, making him the only two-time nominee in the film categories. Bear McCreary also received a pair of nominations, one for the TV series “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” and one for the interactive “God of War Ragnarok.”
Five of the...
- 12/22/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga’s film songs shortlisted for the Oscars will compete at the upcoming Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards.
Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Swift’s “Carolina” from Where The Crawdads Sing and Gaga’s “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick are nominated for outstanding song for a drama/documentary. The Diane Warren-penned “Applause” from Tell It Like a Woman and “(You Made It Feel Like) Home” from Bones and All, written by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, round out the nominees.
Billy Eichner and “Weird” Al Yankovic earned nominations for outstanding song for a musical/comedy. “Love Is Not Love” from Bros and “Now You Know” from Weird: The Al Yankovic Story will battle “Light the Match” from Central Park (Danny Elfman), “Good Afternoon” from Spirited (Khiyon Hursey, Sukari Jones, Benj Pasek,...
Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga’s film songs shortlisted for the Oscars will compete at the upcoming Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards.
Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Swift’s “Carolina” from Where The Crawdads Sing and Gaga’s “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick are nominated for outstanding song for a drama/documentary. The Diane Warren-penned “Applause” from Tell It Like a Woman and “(You Made It Feel Like) Home” from Bones and All, written by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, round out the nominees.
Billy Eichner and “Weird” Al Yankovic earned nominations for outstanding song for a musical/comedy. “Love Is Not Love” from Bros and “Now You Know” from Weird: The Al Yankovic Story will battle “Light the Match” from Central Park (Danny Elfman), “Good Afternoon” from Spirited (Khiyon Hursey, Sukari Jones, Benj Pasek,...
- 12/22/2022
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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