When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately…murder.
Director:
Ridley Scott |
Stars:
Lady Gaga,
Adam Driver,
Al Pacino,
Jeremy Irons
“Harry Potter” reunion. And it’s finally happening.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton and more of the Hogwarts gang will travel back to the magical school with filmmaker Chris Columbus for an HBO Max special to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the franchise’s first film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which premiered in the U.S. Nov. 16, 2001.
“Happy 20th Anniversary Potterheads!” Watson wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “Thank you to the fans that have continued to show their support well after the last chapter closed. The magic of the world wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for fighting to make it such an inclusive and loving place.”
Felton added, “Is this what school homecoming is like?”
HBO Max announced the retrospective special, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” Tuesday, corresponding with the anniversary. The special will arrive Jan. 1 and feature in-depth interviews and cast conversations and give a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the franchise, according to a press release.
The Gryffindor trio and Felton will be joined by memorable cast members like Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, He Who Must Not Be Named (Ralph Fiennes) and others. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the special was not noted in the release.
More:‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ turns 20: How well did our movie review age?
More:Meet the tween ‘Harry Potter’ stars in USA TODAY’s first interview with the cast
HBO released a teaser trailer for the special in which we see flashbacks from the Harry Potter films and hear Albus Dumbledore’s voice saying: “Mysterious thing, time. When in doubt, I find retracing my steps a wise place to begin.”
It appears Watson took Dumbledore’s advice. In a commemorative Instagram post, Watson turned back the hand of time – much like Hermione did with a Time Turner in 2004’s “The Prisoner of Azkaban” – and reflected on her journey in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
“Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favorite fictional character of all time,” she wrote Tuesday on the 20th anniversary. “I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting… BUT I (expletive) WELL KNEW!!! And still know.”
She added: “I still miss the crew who made these films all the time. Thank you for all of your hard work too – I know your contributions sometimes get overlooked.”
In a statement, Warner Bros. president Tom Ascheim said the the retrospective special “is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon—from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”
It was 20 years ago when three children – Radcliffe, Watson and Grint – were plucked from obscurity and thrust into the international spotlight, portraying the stars of one of the most well-known stories of all time in a big-budget franchise adaptation.
They were 11, 10 and 11, respectively, when they were introduced at a news conference in 2000, the stars of “Sorcerer’s Stone,” and they would spend the next 10 years starring in the wildly successful film series based on Rowling’s books.
“I am proud not just of what we as group contributed as actors to the franchise but also as the children that became young adults that walked that path,” Watson added. “I look at my fellow cast members now and I am just so proud of who everyone has become as people. I am proud we were kind to each other that we supported one another and that we held up something meaningful.”
As child actors go, they fared better than many. But that doesn’t mean it was easy.
“The three of them share a bond that no one else could ever relate to,” says Dina Sartore-Bodo, managing editor at HollywoodLife.com. “They were the biggest stars of their age, in a franchise with a dedicated fandom who were desperate for every detail of the movies to be exactly how they envisioned in the books. That’s a lot of pressure.”
A decade ago, China’s ambition to change the world’s political structures was less clear, but “now I think they genuinely do want to change the world on an ideological level,” said Charles Parton, an associate fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, a British think tank.
The first trailer for the third entry in the Fantastic Beasts film series has hit the internet today. Titled Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the film will see series lead Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) team up with a younger Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) in order to stand against dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) and his army of loyal followers.
The film is a sequel to 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald, which received a rather lukewarm reception from both critics and the passionate Harry Potter fanbase. This third outing is being positioned as an effort to course-correct, as Warner Bros looks to get its Wizarding World franchise back on track.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the original Potter novels, wrote the first two Fantastic Beasts films solo but has been taken off sole screenwriting duties this time. Instead, The Secrets of Dumbledore has been co-written by Rowling alongside Steve Kloves, who penned the screenplay for every Potter film bar Order of the Phoenix.
That’s not the only change for this third installment in the franchise. Johnny Depp who played the villainous Grindelwald in the first two films has been recast. Now Mad Mikkelsen will be stepping into the role this time around. This trailer gives us our first glimpse of the veteran actor as Grindelwald, and it certainly looks like he’s up to the job of playing the tyrannical sorcerer.
The film also appears to be something of a global trotting adventure with the trailer showcasing several new Wizarding World locations, but one place that will be instantly familiar to fans is Hogwarts. The school is prominently featured in the trailer, and we can expect a sizable chunk of the proceedings to be set with the walls of the iconic castle.
It’s not just Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law who return from the previous Fantastic Beasts films. Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, and Katherine Waterston are all back. Plus, fans will be thrilled to see Dan Fogler returning as the loveable muggle Jacob Kowalski — although, it appears this time he’s been granted a wand of his own. David Yates is also back behind the camera, directing his seventh movie in the Harry Potter series.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is scheduled to hit theaters on April 8, 2022, but Potter fans don’t need to wait that long for a dose of magical goodness. HBO Max will be airing a Harry Potter reunion special on New Year’s Day, which will surely delight fans of the boy wizard both old and new.
Looking for something else to stream while you wait? Check out our guide on what to watch tonight for our recommendations.
A movie starring Oscar-winner Regina King is set to start filming in Cincinnati this week, the latest major motion picture to be filmed in the Queen City.
The Oscar-winning actress, who has ties to Cincinnati, will produce and star in the film titled “Shirley.”
The movie will tell the story of Shirley Chisholm, America’s first Black congresswoman.
The movie is written and directed by Oscar-winning writer/director John Ridley, from “American Crime” and “Needle in a Timestack.”
“We are thrilled to help bring this incredible motion picture to Cincinnati because of the jobs and economic impact it has on the region,” said Kristen Schlotman, executive director of Film Cincinnati. “Cincinnati continues to be a world-class destination for production.”
“Shirley” follows the dynamic presidential campaign launched in 1972 by Shirley Chisholm. The feature is based on her life story rights through an exclusive agreement with the Chisholm estate, and the movie will provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of the ground-breaking political leader during a seminal period in modern American history.
Casting calls have already been put out for extras to star in the film.
D. Lynn Meyers Casting will be in charge of the casting for the feature film.
“If you’re interested in seeing yourself on the big screen, send us an email with photos, contact info, and clothing sizes to lynnmeyersextras2021@gmail.com,” D. Lynn Meyers Casting wrote on Facebook.
Cincinnati has been a destination for movie makers for a long time and the head of the film commission tells WLWT 2022 is set to be an amazing year for the industry.
The Jefferson Parish Library’s Harry Potter Yule Fest is back with a twist. Instead of a one-day event, it will be a monthlong experience featuring ongoing activities and grab-n-go crafts.
Starting Nov. 29 and running until Jan. 6, 2022, activities can be completed to earn points toward Harry Potter-themed raffle prizes.
These activities include:
Weekly Harry Potter grab-n-go craft kits. Patrons may request kits online and have them sent to any library location. Weekly kits will feature one of the following each week: wands, potions, Patronus scratch art, and a Marauder’s Map ornament.
A weekly downloadable craft that will be made available at the same time as the grab-n-go crafts
A Harry Potter activity book with puzzles and coloring sheets that can be downloaded or picked from a Jefferson Parish library branch
Snitch Scavenger Hunt – find the hidden snitches and decipher the magical spell.
House Elf on the Shelf Hunt – Find the hidden Dobby and earn a secret code word
Photo booth — Harry Potter-themed photo booths will be available at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, and the West Bank Regional Library, 2750 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, as well as other larger branch libraries. Patrons can pose in Harry Potter photo booth and tag us on social media – #HPYule2021.
Keep track of your completed activities and crafts at jplibrary.beanstack.org and patrons will entered into drawings for Harry Potter themed prizes.
TALKING BOOKS AND BRAILLE: The library partners with the state Library of Louisiana Talking Books and Braille Library to provide free public library service to Louisiana residents of all ages who cannot easily read standard printed materials due to a visual impairment, physical disability or a reading disability, whether it is permanent or temporary.
Anyone who is legally blind or totally blind is eligible. People with a physical disability that prevents them from holding a book or turning its pages are also eligible. Individuals with a reading disability certified by a doctor may also use the services.
The collection consists of more than 75,000 titles in nonprint formats (Braille, cassette, digital cartridge, and large print) on a broad range of fiction and nonfiction subjects, for all ages. The library lends playback machines to those using the recorded materials. Recorded magazine subscriptions are also available.
Books and magazines are mailed free to and from library patrons wherever they reside. Currently, more than 6,000 Louisiana residents actively use the library service.
WORLD WAR II DISCUSSION GROUP: David Stone, former foreign service officer at the U.S. Department of State, will discuss the Munich Conference of 1938, at 7 p.m. Dec. 2, at the River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway.
The controversial event allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland in west Czechoslovakia. The agreement was reached by Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy.
WHO?: The Dr. Who group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
Doctor Who is a cult favorite about the journeys of a time-traveling eccentric. Members of the library’s Doctor Who Video Club watch episodes and discuss them afterward. Bob Sylvia hosts.
LEARN HEBREW: Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Rededication, begins at sundown Nov. 28. It’s a great time to commit to learning Hebrew.
The Jefferson Parish Library offers a free language-learning program called Mango that features dozens of languages, including Hebrew.
Go to the library’s website, click on the “databases” tab at the top of the page, and scroll down the left-hand side of the page. Modern Hebrew is the official language of Israel, while premodern Hebrew is used for prayer or study in Jewish communities.
Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.
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“There’s gotta be someplace without Greasers or Socs, with just people.” Studiocanal and Warner Bros have unveiled a brand new trailer for the 4K restoration of Francis Ford Coppola’s coming-of-age classic The Outsiders, which originally opened in theaters in 1983. This came just four years after Apocalypse Now, and nine years after finishing The Godfather: Part II. Based on the 1967 best-selling young-adult novel by S. E. Hinton, The Outsiders is considered the first “Brat Pack” movie, as it stars then-unknown young actors in many of their first break-through roles, including C. Thomas Howell (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Rob Lowe (“The West Wing,” “Parks and Recreation”), Emilio Estevez (St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club, Young Guns), Matt Dillon (Crash, There’s Something About Mary), Tom Cruise (Top Gun, Mission Impossible, Jerry Maguire), Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing, Point Break, Ghost), Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai), and Diane Lane (Unfaithful, Under the Tuscan Sun), who went on to superstar-calibre careers. The rivalry between two gangs, the poor Greasers and the rich Socs, only heats up when one gang kills a member of the other. The film is getting a fresh 4k theatrical run in September. Fire it up below.
Here’s the new 4K restoration trailer (+ poster) for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders, from YouTube:
The Outsiders takes place in ’60s Oklahoma, centring on two rival teen gangs: The ‘Greasers’, a class term that refers to the young men on the East Side, the poor side of town, and the ‘Socs’, short for Socials, who are the ‘West-side rich kids’. Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell), a tender-hearted and kind teenager’s life is changed forever one night when a scuffle with his friend Johnny (Ralph Macchio) inadvertently leads to the death of a rival gang member, and the boys are forced to go into hiding to avoid arrest. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, with Dallas (Matt Dillon) and other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.The Outsiders was directed by American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, made four years after Apocalypse Now, and released the same year as Rumble Fish. The screenplay is by Kathleen Knutsen Rowell, adapted from S.E. Hinton’s novel of the same name. The update was done by American Zoetrope: “We took the unusual path of locating all the various elements that went into creating the film’s most elaborate visual effects sequences and re-scanned them. Luckily, Mr. Coppola is an archivist at heart, and he kept every piece of film he shot, so we were able to unify scenes from the film using the original camera negative.” This should look pristine.
Warner Bros + Studiocanal will re-release the new 4K restoration of Coppola’s The Outsiders, known as The Outsiders: The Complete Novel. In theaters in the US on September 26th, 2021, then on Blu-ray / HBO Max on November 16th. In theaters in the UK this fall, then on Blu-ray in the UK on November 8th. The film originally opened in theaters in March of 1983 in the US at first. Who’s planning to rewatch this one?
Working in the wildly successful Potter films would give them their identity, bring them unimaginable fame, and prove to be their acting school as well. They journeyed from childhood to adulthood in each other’s company, becoming close pals during the eventful journey.
This writer was in his early 30s when Harry Potter had hit the big screen for the first time. Before that happened, one had been persuaded to read Harry Potter by a friend’s child. After one did, it was easy to understand why people the world over – and not just children – had fallen in love with the vividly portrayed world of magicians, good and bad.
One realised that author J K Rowling was capable of crafting an endless series of gripping subplots as her characters journeyed through their lives in an alternate universe that had wands, Quidditch, magical spells, Voldemort and much more. The impact, in short, was magical.
The film under review has its share of funny moments. We get to know that Richard Harris, who played the Hogwarts principal Albus Dumbledore in the first two films, had mistaken the animatronic bird Phoenix for a real one. Helena Bonham Carter, who played the Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, takes out her carefully preserved false teeth that she would wear when she played the character.
Veronica Vanij and Ashmit Patel are shooting for their upcoming film Dreamy Singh in Haridwar during peak winters. They are having a ball of a time. This movie has been talked about for quite some time and we are surely going to hear much more on this.
They have had a long time preparing for this one and the stills from the sets show that they are engaged in some intense work. Veronica is quite excited about her work in the film.
