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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

Academy Announces Diverse First Slate of Oscars Presenters, Performers

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Pharrell Visits "The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show"It looks like the Academy is trying to make amends for the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, with its announcement of a diverse first slate of presenters and performers for next month's Oscars ceremony.

The list was revealed in alphabetical order and without designating exactly who's performing and who's presenting, though it appears that the performers will most likely be nominees Lady Gaga (up for Best Original Song for "Til It Happens to You" from "The Hunting Ground"), The Weeknd ("Fifty Shades of Grey" tune "Earned It"), and Sam Smith ("Spectre" theme "The Writing's On the Wall").

Presenters will include past Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro, Whoopi Goldberg, and Charlize Theron, as well as Tina Fey, Ryan Gosling (a 2007 nominee for "Half Nelson"), Kevin Hart, Jacob Tremblay, and Pharrell Williams (a nominee and performer in 2014 for "Despicable Me 2"'s ubiquitous "Happy"). Many more names are expected where those came from.

The Academy has pledged to increase diversity among its ranks by doubling its number of women and minority members by 2020. It appears that inviting a more diverse slate of presenters to this year's ceremony is also part of its inclusiveness plan.

The Oscars, hosted by Chris Rock (who's likely to address the controversy head-on), will take place on Sunday, February 28 on ABC.

[via: The Academy]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard 'Honor Toto' in 'Africa' Music Video

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kristen bell, dax shepard, africa, totoKristen Bell and Dax Shepard have once again proven that they're one of the cutest celeb couples ever with a new music video they made in celebration of '80s band Toto and their tune "Africa." Oh yeah, and they actually shot it in Africa.

Bell shared the video on social media this week, telling followers that she and Shepard made the clip because "nobody really wants to see the album of your vacation photos." According to the couple, the video was shot on their last vacation before the birth of their first daughter, Lincoln, in 2013.

"Our sole objective was to rage hard and honor Toto properly," the couple wrote on YouTube.

Based on the final product, we have to say they succeeded. The goofy clip is interspersed with lots of gorgeous shots of scenery and wildlife from their trip, including close encounters with hippos, lions, giraffes, zebras, and gorillas, among other beasts. The couple also cameo, lip-syncing to the song and dancing their hearts out -- and yes, there's plenty of rain, which they (appropriately) bless.

According to SFGate, Shepard and Bell were actually fined while filming the clip back in 2012, since they apparently were dancing with animals where they shouldn't have been.

"We wanted to see the wildebeest migrate so we had driven five hours in the car, we finally got to them on the Serengeti, we got out of the car (and) we started doing a dance for this music video," Shepard explained at the time. "We weren't paying attention and then the Serengeti police showed up and they fined us $50 for dancing at the Serengeti."

Luckily, they were able to keep the footage, and the rest is history. Check out the fun, goofy video above, and plan on having "Africa" stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

[via: Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, SFGate]

Photo credit: YouTube

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Leonardo DiCaprio Met Pope Francis to Discuss Climate Change

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The Revenant Press Conference in MexicoLeonardo DiCaprio just took Oscar campaigning to a whole -- and holy -- new level: The "Revenant" star had an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday morning.

Okay, Leo didn't go solely in support of his recent push for a little gold guy. Instead, he met with His Holiness to discuss climate change, and brought along his father, George DiCaprio, and the fundraising chairman of his namesake foundation, Milutin Gatsby. Still, you don't see any other Oscar nominees visiting the Vatican this awards season.

According to E!, DiCaprio is a longtime admirer of the pope and his support of environmental causes. During DiCaprio's private 15-minute meeting with the pontiff, the pair "discussed Leonardo's charitable foundation and how they can work together on climate change."

The actor greeted the pope by kissing his ring, and saying in Italian, "Your Holiness, thank you for granting me this private audience with you." The pair also exchanged gifts, with DiCaprio presenting the pontiff with a book of paintings by 15th century Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, whose work "Garden of Earthly Delights" hung above DiCaprio's crib when the actor was a baby.

DiCaprio tied the triptych to the environment, telling Pope Francis of the painting, "As a child I didn't quite understand what it all meant, but through my child's eyes it represented a planet, the utopia we had been given. And [in] the third panel, we see a blackened sky that represents so much to me of what's going on in the environment today."

In addition to the book, the actor also presented Francis with a check from his foundation, which he asked the pope to give to a charity "close to your heart." Pope Francis gave DiCaprio a leatherbound copy of his 2015 statement on the environmental crisis, "Laudato Si," as well as his 2013 work, "Evangelii Gaudium."

[via: E! News]

Photo credit: LatinContent/Getty Images

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'Back to the Future' Fans, Rejoice! The DeLorean Is Going Back Into Production

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Back To The Future 30th Anniversary CelebrationIf you're a diehard "Back to the Future" fan with money to burn, we've got some great news: The DeLorean is going back into production for the first time in more than 30 years.

Stephen Wynne, CEO of the DeLorean Motor Company, announced the plans this week in an interview with the Houston NBC affiliate, near the company's Humble, Texas headquarters. The car, which became famous thanks to its role as the time machine in the "Back to the Future" series, was once synonymous with '80s opulence. But the company went bankrupt in 1982, and since the late '80s has operated purely as a repair and refurbishment outlet, restoring existing models of the vehicle.

The company had been unable to produce new versions of the kitschy car because the design rights were owned by the estate of the vehicle's namesake, the late John DeLorean, and not the company itself. Now, Wynne says, they have the official greenlight to start new production, the first time the car will be manufactured on American soil.

Wynne estimates that the company has enough existing parts to make about 300 new cars, which will be replicas of the 1982 model DeLoreans. Refurbished models retail for between $45,000 and $55,000; the new models are expected to run significantly higher, though Wynne hopes to sell them for less than $100,000.

The first new DeLorean is expected to roll off the line in early 2017. We can't wait for the future.

[via: NBC Houston, CNBC]

Photo credit: Getty Images for Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

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Tyra Banks Welcomes Baby Boy Via Gestational Surrogate

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US-ENTERTAINMENT-HOLLYWOOD-WOMENTyra Banks can add another item to her impressive resume: The supermodel-actress-entrepreneur is a new mom.

Banks revealed in an Instagram post that she and boyfriend Erik Asla have welcomed a son, York Banks Asla. A rep for the supermodel confirmed the news to People, and said the bouncing baby boy was born via gestational surrogate.


"The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here," Banks wrote on Instagram of her new addition. "He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone."

The 42-year-old star had previously opened up about her struggles with infertility, telling People last year that she had undergone several IVF procedures without success. Now, Banks and Asla are finally parents.

"We are so excited for our new baby boy bundle of joy," Banks told People in a statement this week. "The journey to now has not been an easy process, as I've shared before. But there was a beautiful bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and his father, Erik."

Congrats to the happy family!

[via: Tyra Banks, People]

Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

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'Conan' Shows How No Animals Were Harmed in 'The Revenant'

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"The Revenant" is up for 12 Academy Awards this year, with Leonardo DiCaprio considered *thisclose* to a lock for Best Actor. Conan O'Brien addressed the film in his "Conan" monologue, and mentioned the "pretty intense scenes with animals, particularly bears and horses." He added, "A lot of animal rights groups would normally be concerned about this, but the director went pretty far out of his way to show that no animals were harmed during the making of 'The Revenant.' You can tell when you watch the movie."

He then posted a clip from the movie, which includes a shot you probably don't recall seeing in the theater, where a horse that looks like it's about to fall off a cliff magically flies away, then tells the audience, "See? I'm fine, everybody! I die peacefully in my sleep eight years from now. So long!"

Here's the clip:




It is kind of funny that audiences are much, much more concerned about what happens to film animals than their human counterparts. Maybe it's easier to imagine it's real when it happens to an animal, whereas we know Leo is alive and well and probably romancing a new supermodel as you read this.

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Jesse Owens Has Nazis on the Run in This Exclusive 'Race' Trailer

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EXCLUSIVE - "Race"
As Jesse Owens puts it in this exclusive new trailer for the biopic "Race," "On that track, there ain't no black and white, there's only fast and slow." Jesse was fast. In the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, he was faster than anyone, winning four gold track-and-field medals. Guess who was slow? It's you, Hitler. It's YOU!

Hitler didn't actually run in those games himself, but the Germany-set stage was his big opportunity to show off the superiority of the Aryan race. That did not work out, thanks in large part to an American hero who happened to be black.

"Race" stars Stephan James ("Selma") as Jesse Owens, with Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, Carice van Houten, William Hurt, and Shanice Banton in supporting roles. If you weren't already aware of the historical context, this trailer starts with a documentary-feel to put you in the moment, then confronts the realities of race and racing head-on. The trailer is inspiring enough to make you proud, but it also serves as a reminder that this powerful moral victory against the racist Nazis came at the hands of a guy who faced discrimination by his own fellow Americans for the same reason of race.

Focus Features is releasing "Race" on February 19th.Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

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Watch Alison Brie Sell Jimmy Kimmel 400 Boxes of Girl Scout Cookies

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'Tis the season for your kids, and your neighbor's kids, and your co-worker's kids, to ask you to sign your life savings away to buy cookies so addictive they should be kept behind a pharmacist's counter. Everyone seems to be selling Girl Scout cookies right about now, even Alison Brie. The star of the new movie "How to Be Single" was a guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Wednesday night, and she showed up a bit early to pressure Jimmy into buying cookies.

Alison: "All the talk show hosts are buying them. Ellen bought 400 boxes."

Jimmy pointed out that Alison (age 33) is a bit old to be in the Girl Scouts. She said it's for her kids, then trotted out two "daughters" she claimed were her own, even though one of them is male and Alison doesn't actually have any children.

Eventually, Alison told Jimmy to stop f--king around and just buy the damn cookies. Not wanting to be outdone by Ellen, Jimmy signed up for 400 boxes (which is $2,000?!) and made Guillermo pay for them. (The best part of the video is Guillermo muttering "sonofab-tch" under his breath.) You're not supposed to pay until the cookies arrive, though, so clearly Alison is running a talk show scam. She should keep all the cookies for herself -- especially any Thin Mints. Dang, those things are good.



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The Most Unforgettable 'Friends' Love Interests, Ranked From Worst to Best

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It's no surprise that, during its 10-season run, "Friends" had (nearly) countless love interests. Some of them were awesome, while others... well, they pretty much sucked -- and they can make re-watching classic episodes feel like you're entering the seventh level of hell.

Here, then, is our ranking of the most memorable "Friends" love interests, all the way from "ugh" to "he's her lobster."

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'Trolls' Movie Teaser Trailer: Watch Them Whip, Nae Nae, and Get Eaten

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No childhood is safe! And no toy is safe from being gobbled up, even in its own movie. Earlier this week, a new "Angry Birds Movie" trailer came out, and now we have an official international teaser trailer for the "Trolls" movie coming later this year.

The trailer is ... interesting, starting with what sounds like a serious political speech to the masses:

"Here, right here, this is where we rebuild our civilization. It has everything we need: Fresh air, clean water ... and sweet acoustics!"

Then we see animated trolls dancing to "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," which immediately feels dated. But maybe that's appropriate for a movie about troll dolls.

Voice-over: "Meet the trolls! They sing, they dance and have lots of fun. But these creatures aren't just delightful ..."

At that, we see a giant hand reach down to pluck one of them.

Voice-over: "...they're delicious." Gulp. That escalated quickly.

The teaser doesn't tell us much about the plot, but it does mention it's from the creators of "Shrek," and features Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake. Many trailer viewers picked up a "Smurfs" movie vibe, for better or worse. So if you have kids who like the "Smurfs" movies, they may love this.


Here's the synopsis:

"DreamWorks' TROLLS is a hair-raising comedy filled with unbelievable adventure and incredible music. Known for their crazy, colourful, and magical hair, Trolls are the happiest, most joyous creatures ever to burst into song. But their world of rainbows and cupcakes is changed forever, when their leader Poppy (Anna Kendrick,) must embark on a rescue mission that takes her far beyond the only world she's ever known."


"Trolls" is currently scheduled for release on November 4, 2016.

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The 12 Best Animated Movie Sequels Ever Made

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You know what's weird about sequels to animated features? There aren't that many of them.

Maybe that's because kids are happy enough to watch "Frozen" for the 487th time that they don't really need a sequel. Nonetheless, we'll be getting a whole bunch of them this year, including "Finding Dory" and this week's "Kung Fu Panda 3" (opening Jan. 29).

And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Some animated sequels have actually been very good, amplifying the original story and finding new depth in the characters, in ways fans might not have imagined. Here are 12 of the best Toons Part II (and beyond).

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Dominic Monaghan on David Bowie's 'Lord of the Rings' Audition, LOTR Reunions

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No disrespect to the great Hugo Weaving, but David Bowie would've been an awesome Elrond. Bowie was already the Goblin King in "Labyrinth," and would've fit right into the world of "The Lord of the Rings." But, in one of Hollywood's many "what ifs," he wasn't cast in the franchise at all.

Dominic Monaghan, who played Merry, is now promoting Season 3 of his Travel Channel show, "Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan," and he talked to the Huffington Post about Bowie's LOTR audition:

"I was at the Hubbard's, which is a pretty notorious casting agency office in London, doing an audition for 'Lord of the Rings,' and when it ended I went over and talked to John Hubbard, who was running the audition, and he said, 'Hey, it went really well. You should wait around for 5 or 10 mins. We'll give you some feedback.' I thought, 'Oh, OK, cool, and I sat in the reception office. As I was reading a magazine waiting, David Bowie came in and signed his little list and went in. And I'm assuming he read for Gandalf. I can't think of anything else he would've read for. He may have read for something else, but I'm a huge David Bowie fan, and I was lucky enough to know his son now so just seeing him in person was pretty special to me."


According to HuffPost, online rumors suggested Bowie was gunning for Elrond, not Ian McKellen's Gandalf, but either way. You never know who's going to walk into a casting agency!

Speaking of LOTR, though, Dom was asked about any future cast reunions on "Wild Things." Billy Boyd, who played Merry's Hobbit BFF Pippin, was on the show, and HuffPost asked if any other "Lord of the Rings" reunions might be coming up. Here's how Dom answered:


"I've been chatting to Elijah [Wood] and Viggo [Mortensen] recently about whether they'd come with me for an episode for Season 4. I'm still very close with all those guys, Orlando [Bloom] and Sean Bean. Elijah and Viggo jump out for me a little more just because I've had more history with those guys, and they seem more inclined to get their hands dirty. [...] So that's something that could very easily happen in the future."


Sounds good, but what are you saying there, man? Orlando Bloom and Sean Bean don't like to get their tea-pouring hands dirty?

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Megan Mullally Describes the 'Panic' Over Her New Character's Swastika Tattoo

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Megan Mullally is one of the stars of NBC's new comedy "You, Me and the Apocalypse," but even Karen Walker of "Will & Grace" might need a minute to recognize her. In the new series, which starts tonight (January 28), Megan plays a white supremacist named Leanne, whom Jenna Fischer's wrongfully imprisoned character Rhonda meets in a New Mexico prison; the two then meet other characters and try to wait out the oncoming apocalypse together.

It won't take long for viewers to see that Leanne is a white supremacist, since she has a swastika tattooed right on her forehead. In an interview with TV Guide, Megan said everyone was "freaking out" about the tattoo. "I don't want to in any way give the impression I think that's OK. We were all in a panic like, 'We've got to cover it up! We've got to cover it!' I'm like 'How? What am I covering it with? I'm in a prison cell, would I wear a blanket on my head?'"

She said there wasn't much they could do about it, until later episodes when you'll notice Leanne suddenly has a hat that comes out of nowhere. "The good news about the character," Megan added, "is that she ultimately will learn that's not maybe the greatest approach to life, but it's going to take a while."


"You, Me and the Apocalypse" -- which also stars Rob Lowe as a priest -- premieres Thursday, January 28 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

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