'Death on the Nile' tops a quiet box office weekend
Hollywood’s Super Bowl weekend largely fizzled with the muted debut of Kenneth Branagh’s long-delayed Agatha Christie whodunit, “Death on the Nile,” a tepid reception for the Jennifer Lopez romantic-comedy “Marry Me” and modest box-office bumps for Oscar nominees.
'Encanto,' 'House of Gucci' fuel Thanksgiving box office
Thanksgiving weekend moviegoing was still far from the feast it normally is, but Disney’s “Encanto” and the Lady Gaga-led “House of Gucci” both gave a lift to two genres that have been particularly battered by the pandemic: family movies and adult dramas.
Toronto Film Festival to open with ‘Dear Evan Hansen’
The adaptation of the Broadway hit and Tony-winner “Dear Evan Hansen,” Edgar Wright’s ’60s London themed “Last Night in Soho,” and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” are just a few of the major films coming to the Toronto International Film Festival this September.
Disney delays 'Black Widow,' Spielberg's 'West Side Story'
NEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co. has further postponed its next mega-movies from Marvel, including “Black Widow,” while also postponing Steven Spielberg's “West Side Story” a full year in the company's latest recalibration due to the pandemic. The Scarlett Johansson Marvel movie “Black Widow,” last set for Nov. 6, heads to May 7 of next year. That was the date set for “West Side Story,” but Spielberg's musical will instead debut in December 2021. Given the interconnected nature of Marvel releases, the latest delay of “Black Widow” had a domino effect on other films. Since the pandemic began, the company's “Mulan,” “Hamilton” and “Artemis Fowl” have gone direct to streaming, with “Mulan” made available for a $30 premium purchase by subscribers.
New this week: Spike Lee flick, 'Artemis Fowl,' Norah Jones
This image released by Netflix shows, from left, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Norm Lewis, Clarke Peters, Delroy Lindo and Jonathan Majors in a scene from the Spike Lee film "Da 5 Bloods." (David Lee/Netflix via AP)Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIESDa 5 Bloods: Its always the right time for a Spike Lee joint and thankfully Netflix has his latest ready to debut Friday. AP Music Editor Mesfin FekaduTELEVISIONGabrielle Union, engaged in a battle with NBC over her firing from Americas Got Talent, is firmly in control on L.A.s Finest, the drama she produces and stars in with Jessica Alba. Also back are closeted man of the cloth Leonard (Al Weaver) and Tessa-Peake Jones as an indispensable if stern housekeeper.
Kenneth Branagh co-writes song for 'Orient Express' that you'll never forget
With a huge presence in front of and behind the camera, Branagh's fingerprints are all over "Murder on the Orient Express," including the area of songwriting, a place he's only ventured to once before. Now, with "Murder on the Orient Express," Branagh has put his pen to paper once again for the lyrics to "Never Forget," the haunting end credits song for which Doyle wrote the music. In a phone conversation with the actor-filmmaker this week, Branagh discussed "Never Forget," an ethereal ballad sung by his co-star Michelle Pfeiffer. The song serves as an elegy for the tragic loss of a character at the heart of the film's narrative. "It reminded me of moments in my youth when I used to hear my granny get upset," Branagh recalled.