Month: June 2024

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Take a look at the official trailer for HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

'House of Dragons' HBO MAX TV series on big tv screen. Game of Thones house of dragons television show at home

HBO has released the official trailer for the Season 2 of House of the Dragon, set to debut on June 16 for eight episodes. The show is a prequel to the HBO series Game of Thrones, which was based on Martin’s ‘Song of Ice and Fire’ book series.

The new season will continue to chronicle the House Targaryen civil war, based upon George R.R. Martin’s book ‘Fire & Blood.’ House of the Dragon centers on the Dance of the Dragons, a war of succession between rival factions: the Blacks, led by Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and her husband, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), and the Greens, headed by Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) and his mother, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). In the Season 2 trailer, “war is coming” as Rhaenyra (D’Arcy), Daemon (Smith) and their allies plan an assault on King’s Landing, the stronghold of the Greens.

Season 2 features returning cast members Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham. Additionally, new cast members this season include: Gwayne Hightower, Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.

Check out the Season 2 trailer – here.

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Trailer for ‘Wicked’ features Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo at the 30th Vanity Fair Oscar Party. LOS ANGELES^ USA. March 10^ 2024.

Universal Pictures dropped the trailer for the initial installment of the two-part film adaptation of the stage musical, Wicked. The studio shared the trailer featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, posting on social media: “Pink goes good with green. #WickedMovie trailer 💚💖.”  The film version of Wicked is written by Winnie Holzman and directed by Jon M. Chu (‘Crazy Rich Asians’).

Wicked, based on the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire novel, is inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The film tells the origin story of the witches of Oz — Elphaba (Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, the future Glinda the Good, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.  The trailer shows Glinda and Elphaba meet as students at Shiz University in the Land of Oz, forging an unlikely but profound friendship.

An official film synopsis reads: “Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future.”  The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University headmistress Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.

Part One of ‘Wicked’ is set to open in theaters Nov. 27; with Part Two to follow on Nov. 27, 2025.  Take a look at the trailer: here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Israel announces four more hostage deaths, including 3 older men seen in Hamas video

Israeli civilians gathered in solidarity for the missing and kidnapped Israeli people^ and demanding to bring the hostages home now from Gaza war. Tel Aviv^ Israel - November^ 2023

The Israel Defense Forces announced that four Hamas hostages being held in Gaza “are no longer alive,” after being taken on Oct 7, 2023.  Three of the men, identified as Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Haim Peri, were 80 years old, or older, and appeared in a December video released by Hamas under the title, “Don’t let us grow old here,” according to satellite television channel Al Mayadeen.  Peri said in the video that all three men had chronic illnesses and accused Israel of abandoning them. The fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.

The IDF said it had told the families of the victims that they are no longer alive and that their bodies are held by the Hamas terrorist organization, based on intelligence and was confirmed by a Ministry of Health expert committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Religious Services and the Chief Rabbi of Israel. The circumstances of their deaths in Hamas captivity are still under examination, according to the IDF, which says it uses a “a wide variety of methods to gather information about the hostages who remain in the Gaza Strip.”

Chief spokesperson for the IDF, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said “Their loved ones were killed a few months ago during Hamas captivity in Gaza and their bodies are still being held by Hamas. We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during an operation there against Hamas.”

More than 250 people were taken hostage and moved to Gaza during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel but more than 100 were released during a temporary truce last year. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office believes there are still 124 hostages, living and dead, in Gaza; of the remaining 120 who were taken on October 7, Israel now believes 41 are dead.

Last week, President Joe Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza. The three-phase proposal would secure the release of hostages paired with a ceasefire. Following news of the four deaths, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum in Israel reiterated its demand to the Israeli government to immediately approve the proposal. The group said in a statement Monday: “The Israeli government must send out a negotiating delegation this evening and return all 124 hostages, both living and murdered, to their homes. Chaim, Yoram, Amiram, and Nadav were kidnapped alive, some of them were with other hostages who returned in the previous deal – and they should have returned alive to their country and their families.” 

Editorial credit: Omri Eliyahu / Shutterstock.com

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Vice President Kamala Harris to represent U.S. at upcoming Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland

Kamala Harris addressing the media from a presidential podium in the East Room of the White House. Washington D.C.^ USA - October 24 2022

Vice President Kamala Harris will represent the United States at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, taking place in Switzerland on June 15th. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will join Harris as part of the U.S. delegation. Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said on X it was “pleased with the participation of” Harris for the upcoming summit.

According to the White House, Harris is expected to highlight the U.S. commitment to “supporting Ukraine’s effort to secure a just and lasting peace,” at the international peace summit at Burgenstock Resort in Lucerne, Switzerland, which the White House says is “based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principles of the U.N. Charter.” Harris’ communications director, Kirsten Allen said in a statement: “The Vice President will also reaffirm support for the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against ongoing Russian aggression.”

The summit will immediately follow the 50th G7 summit that is set to take place in Borgo Egnazia in Italy’s southern Puglia region between June 13 and 15. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously urged President Joe Biden to personally visit Switzerland on behalf on the U.S., saying last month:”I believe that the peace summit needs President Biden, and other leaders need President Biden because they will look at the U.S.’s reaction.”

National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby defended Biden’s reason not to attend the June 15 summit; asked Monday if the president was sending the wrong message globally by forgoing the peace summit to attend a California fundraiser, Kirby said “there hasn’t been any single leader around the world who has supported Ukraine more and more stridently than Joe Biden.” He said Harris will be attending the summit “because of our desire to be represented around that table” and her presence will help demonstrate that “Ukraine has no stronger backer than the United States.” Kirby added that “No matter who represents the United States at this summit, it can’t be said that the United States has in any way walked away from supporting Ukraine.”

Editorial credit: Tennessee Witney / Shutterstock.com

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Anthony Mackie, Laura Dern and Glen Powell to star in John Lee Hancock’s film ‘Monsanto’

Anthony Mackie at the premiere for "We Have A Ghost" at the Tedum Theatre^ Hollywood. LOS ANGELES^ CA. February 22^ 2023

Glen Powell, Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern have signed on to star in “Monsanto,” the latest film from writer-director John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side,” “Saving Mr. Banks”).

Monsanto tells the true story of young, untried attorney Brent Wisner (Powell) who in 2019 takes on a seemingly insurmountable case against the giant U.S. chemical company Monsanto on behalf of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson (Mackie) who used Monsanto’s best-known product Roundup, a wildly financially successful weed and grass pesticide killer, as part of his job as a high school groundskeeper. Dern plays Dr. Melinda Rogers, the Monsanto Company’s chief toxicologist, who testifies with certainty that Roundup is safe during the landmark cancer trial.

Hancock said: “I was drawn to this contemporary David vs. Goliath true story because I found it dramatic, moving, quite funny and of critical importance in today’s world. My ambitions are to deliver a smart, thoughtful and commercial legal drama that takes the audience on a human journey.”

Powell said of the project: “I’ve always been fascinated by true stories of ordinary people against extraordinary odds. This story encapsulates that spirit with a critical issue that affects us all. And it’s a privilege to bring it to audiences with an exceptional filmmaker and powerful cast.”

Dern added: “I’ve loved my collaborations with John Lee and look forward to working with him again. There couldn’t be a more vital story to be a part of.”

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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See Lily Gladstone in the trailer for the film ‘Fancy Dance’

Lily Gladstone at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals at the Barker Hanger on January 14^ 2024 in Santa Monica^ CA

Apple TV has released the latest trailer for the drama film, Fancy Dance, featuring the directorial debut of Erica Tremblay and starring Lily Gladstone and Isabel Deroy-Olson. Fancy Dance, from Apple Original Films, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023

Gladstone stars as Jax, a woman scraping by on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation on Oklahoma, who has cared for her niece Roki (Deroy-Olson) since her sister’s disappearance. At the risk of Jax losing custody to Roki’s grandfather, Frank (Shea Whigham), Jax and Roki hit the road and scour the backcountry to track down Roki’s mother in time for an upcoming powwow. The cast also includes Ryan Begay, Crystle Lightning, Audrey Wasilewski.

The film’s synopsis reads: “Following her sister’s disappearance, Jax and her niece Roki must stick together. Desperate to keep what’s left of their family intact, Jax and Roki defy the law and hit the road on a journey to the Grand Nation Powwow in Oklahoma City .. What begins as a search gradually turns into a far deeper investigation into the complexities and contradictions of indigenous women moving through a colonized world while at the mercy of a failed justice system.”

Fancy Dance opens in select theaters June 21 and will start streaming June 28 on Apple TV+; you can watch the trailer – here.

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2 dead, 7 injured after shooting at suburban Pittsburgh bar

Pittsburgh^ Pennsylvania^ police car.

Police said on Sunday that a shooting at a bar in suburban Pittsburg left two people dead and seven others injured. The Allegheny County Police Department said the early morning Sunday shooting occurred at the Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar in Penn Hills, with its homicide unit responding to a request for help by Penn Hills Police Department after the early morning shooting.

First responders discovered the bodies of an adult male and adult female inside the bar around 3 a.m. Sunday, with seven additional victims also found. Some of those victims were transported from the scene and others showing up at hospitals, police said in a statement posted on social media. The statement said that one of the victims is in critical condition, while the remaining victims all had injuries that were not life-threatening.

Preliminary information shows “an altercation took place inside the bar and multiple individuals opened fire;” and no arrests were immediately reported. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Mass shooting in Akron, Ohio leaves 1 dead, 24 injured

Blue flasher /lights/siren on the police car at night.

Police report that one person was killed and 24 others were wounded in a mass shooting early Sunday morning in Akron, Ohio. According to a statement from the city’s mayor and police chief, police officers responded to 911 calls shortly after midnight, reporting shots fired and multiple victims struck in the area of Kelly Ave. and 8th Ave., about 40 miles south of Cleveland, just after midnight. It’s not clear what happened in the lead-up to the shooting.

The Akron Police Department said in a news release: “Officers were immediately dispatched and responded to the area. hortly after those calls came in, the call center received notifications from local hospitals that multiple persons were arriving in the emergency departments with gunshot wounds.”

At least 25 victims were shot, including the 27-year-old man who has since died. A weapon and “several dozen casings” were recovered from the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and no further suspect information is available, city officials said, calling on residents who may have information about the shooting to come forward.

A joint statement from Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding read: “We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that. For those who have information about this horrific shooting – we need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation. This can be done anonymously.”

Malik and Harding added: “This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers. As with all acts of violence in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones.”

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Jennifer Lopez cancels her summer ‘This Is Me…Now The Tour’

Jennifer Lopez at the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's 'Atlas' held at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood^ USA on May 20^ 2024.

Jennifer Lopez has canceled her This Is Me…Now The Tour, which was set to kick off next month.

Rumors had been circulating in recent months that many shows were set to be canceled due to poor ticket sales; however, Lopez shared that the tour cancellation was done so to take time off to spend with her ‘children, family, and close friends,’ which was announced directly to fans via her ‘OntheJLo’ Newsletter. Lopez, 54, wrote: “I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down. Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…”  The news also comes amid rumors that Lopez and her husband, Ben Affleck, have separated.

The 30+ city tour was set to begin on June 26th in Orlando with stops across North America in Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto, her hometown of New York City, and more before wrapping up in Houston on August 31st. The tour was intended to support the release of Lopez’s first studio album in nearly a decade, ‘This Is Me…Now’, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart.

Live Nation said fans who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster will automatically be refunded. Lopez is currently promoting the release of her Netflix movie “Atlas,” which debuted on the streaming platform on May 24.

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Ellen DeGeneres’ final special coming to Netflix, to embark on standup tour

Ellen DeGeneres at the world premiere for "Finding Dory" at the El Capitan Theatre^ Hollywood^ CA. June 8^ 2016

Ellen DeGeneres is returning to Netflix with a new stand-up special, her second for the streaming service, and according to the comedian, ‘her last.’ DeGeneres said in a statement: “To answer the questions everyone is asking me — yes, I’m going to talk about it. Yes, this is my last special. Yes, [wife] Portia [de Rossi] really is that pretty in real life.”

DeGeneres’s special comes six years after the former talk-show host’s last comedy special, 2018’s “Relatable,” as part of a two-special deal with Netflix. The special also marks DeGeneres’ first special since the 2022 end of her eponymous daytime talk show after 19 seasons, which came after she faced personal criticism and claims of a toxic workplace in the summer of 2020. Robbie Praw, VP of stand-up and comedy formats at Netflix, shared in a statement: “There is nobody quite like Ellen. She is a true legend and pioneer in so many ways. We can’t wait to bring fans another one of her hilarious comedy specials later this year.”

DeGeneres is also set to embark on a standup tour titled “Ellen’s Last Stand… Up.” A press release from the show’s producer Live Nation reads: “this summer, she will grace stages across North America for the last time, delivering her iconic and hilarious performances. This will be the last opportunity for fans to witness a comedy legend in her final curtain call.”  

DeGeneres also posted the news on her social media channels, with the caption: “Here it is! These are the cities and dates for my final stand-up tour. ..  Get your tickets at ellenshop.com/tour.”.  The tour will kick-off beginning in San Diego, Calif. on June 19, and culminate in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Aug. 17.  Head HERE for more information.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com