Nickelodeon Launches "The Halo Effect" Series Highlighting Teens Who Are Helping and Leading Others

Nick Cannon is producing a new docu-series, "The HALO Effect" for Nickelodeon that highlights teens helping others  (Courtesy photo).

The HALO Effect, a brand-new docu-series that profiles in every episode a young activist who is making a positive change in his or her community and inspiring others to do the same. Each 30-minute episode will focus on a teen taking on issues ranging from poverty, to helping military families, to the environment. Premiering January 2016 on Nick, the monthly series is executive produced by Nick Cannon's NCredible Entertainment and Morgan Spurlock's Warrior Poets.
LOS ANGELES - Nickelodeon is announcing the debut of

The HALO Effect series, which will be hosted by Sydney Park (Instant Mom), builds upon the network's successful pro-social initiative of the same name and the annual HALO Awards concert special (airing this year on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. [ET/PT]). The HALO Effect aims to inspire kids and teens to be active leaders in their communities by offering an insider's look at the personal stories of individuals who have been inspired to give back. Each episode will be capped by the profiled teen kicking off a "HALO Effect Challenge," an action or activity encouraging viewers to become a part of the HALO movement by giving them ways to Help and Lead Others (HALO) in their own communities.

"The HALO Effect is another pro-social platform letting our audience connect to the issues they care about and to the work of friends and peers who are actively improving their communities," said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, and Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon. "Together with our monthly grants program and annual HALO Awards Thanksgiving concert event, the HALO Effect TV series will provide a window in to how central the idea of ‘Helping and Leading Others' is to today's generation of kids and young adults."

The first teen featured in The HALO Effect will be Jessica Collins, a 16 year-old from Shelbyville, KY. At the age of 10, she was inspired by the film The Blindside, and the realization that there are kids who don't have a bed, to create "A Place to Sleep." With the help of her church, family and the generous contributions of local residents who donate funds, beds and their time, this non-profit organization has provided more than 700 families with bed frames, mattresses and bedding.
The HALO Effect host Sydney Park is best known for her role as Gabby Phillips on Nickelodeon's primetime series Instant Mom and One Crazy Cruise TV movie. She can next be seen in the upcoming independent feature film The Standoff.

The HALO Effect series builds upon Nickelodeon's off-channel prosocial year-round initiative of the same name, which launched in 2013 and recognizes one deserving teen every month for their work to help and lead others in the community. To date, more than 20 teens across the country have been honored and have received more than $100,000 in grants to fund their non-profit organizations.
The HALO Effect is executive produced by Nick Cannon and NCredible Entertainment, as well as Morgan Spurlock, Richard Arlook, Jeremy Chilnick, Matthew Galkin and Ethan Goldman of Warrior Poets.

Mockingjay Part 2 Holds 1st Place For Thanksgiving Weekend Box Office

Jennifer Lawrence stars in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," which topped the weekend box office (Photo by Lionsgate).

LOS ANGELES - Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," starring Jennifer Lawrence, dropped by 50 percent this weekend, but still managed to hold on to the box office top spot with $52 million, nearly reaching the $200 million mark.

Its $198.54 million makes it the franchise's only entry that failed to top $200 million by its second weekend of release and in all likelyhood will become the lowest earning film of the series. Yet it still appears to be one of only around ten movies this year to surpass the $200 million mark in domestic box office.

The Disney Pixar release "The Good Dinosaur" came in second with $39 million, with a total domestic sales take of come to $55.45  million though still a lower than the usual opening for a Pixar movie. "Creed," the newest release from the "Rocky" franchise which features Stallone playing the aging character, came in third place with a $29.63 million opening. "Creed," experts say, appears likely to reach $100 million which would make it the first movie in the franchise since "Rocky IV" in 1985 to top that figure.

Sony's "SPECTRE" continued to do well with a $12.89 million take for fourth place in the weekend box office race, for a four-week total of $176.12 million. Fifth place went to Fox's "The Peanuts Movie" with $9.75 million for a four-week total of $116.80 million.

The rest of the top 10 stacked up this way:

6. "The Night Before" (Sony) $8.38 million for a two-week total of $24.28 million

7. "The Secret in their Eyes" (STX Entertainment) $4.42 million for a two-week total of $13.95 million

8. "Spotlight" (Open Road Films) $4.42 million for a two-week total of $12.26 million

9. "Brooklyn" (Fox Searchlight) $3.95 million for a four-week total of $7.39 million

10. "The Martian" (Sony) $3.22 million for a nine-week total of $218.54 million

Contest Gives Fans a Chance to Attend 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Red Carpet Premiere

Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is set for release on Dec. 18 nationwide (Photo by Lucasfilm).

LOS ANGELES - “Star Wars” fans have the chance to attend the premiere of “The Force Awakens” in Los Angeles or London. According to a video released today, director J.J. Abrams announced the campaign in partnership with Omaze which gives anyone who donates $10 charitable donation the chance to the film's premiere.

“A year and a half ago, we launched production with a brand new charitable initiative called ‘Star Wars: Force for Change’ that aims to inspire all of us to make a positive difference in the world,” Abrams said in the video now on YouTube. “And since then, with your help, we’ve raised nearly 7 million dollars to support UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children around the world.”

Two grand prize winners will be chosen and will be allowed to bring three guests. They will receive flights and a stay at a four-star hotel for the red carpet premiere in either Los Angeles or London and have the opportunity to meet the cast, walk the red carpet, watch the film and attend the movie premiere's official after party.

The proceeds for the campaign will benefit 15 different charities chosen by the cast and filmmakers. For the list of charities, visit www.omaze.com/starwars. 

Here's the video;

NBC Wins Its Fourth Consecutive November Sweep

Jaimie Alexander stars in NBC's "Blindspot," which tied for the November Sweeps' top rated series (NBC/Universal Media LLC photo).

LOS ANGELES - NBC has won the November 2015 primetime Nielsen sweep in adults 18-49, marking the network’s fourth consecutive November victory. NBC’s November win was led by “Sunday Night Football,” primetime’s #1 series on the Big 4 networks; “The Voice,” #1 alternative series; and “Blindspot,” tied as the sweep’s top-rated new series in 18-49.

The four wins in a row represent NBC’s longest November streak since the network took four straight from 2000 through 2003, and it equals NBC’s longest November winning streak in people meter history dating back to 1987. According to “live plus same day” results through 25 of the month’s 28 nights (Oct. 29 through Sunday Nov. 22), NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in every key demographic – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 – while ranking #2 in total viewers.

NBC currently leads the sweep in 18-49 by a +21% margin (with a 2.3 rating vs. a 1.9 for #2 Fox, “live plus same day”), which, if it stands in final sweep results, will be the biggest percentage win for any network in a November sweep in 19 years (since 1996, +22% for NBC over #2 ABC). Last year’s NBC margin for the full 28 nights was +15% (2.3 vs. 2.0 for #2 ABC). NBC is retaining 100% of its year-ago November average in adults 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.3 for the same 25-night portion of the November 2014 sweep) as well as adults 25-54 (a first-place 2.9 vs. last year’s 2.9) and retaining 99% in total viewers (8.134 million vs. 8.243 million) with three nights to count.

NOVEMBER SWEEP AVERAGES

Through 25 of 28 Nights, Oct. 29-Nov. 22, L+SD

Net… Adult 18-49 Rating…Total Viewers

NBC…2.3…8.134 million

CBS…1.8…9.566 million

ABC…1.7…6.606 million

Fox…1.9…6.120 million

CW…0.6…1.475 million

Among Big 4 regular schedules, NBC ranks #1 in 18-49 for the sweep on Mondays (with a 2.8 rating average), Tuesdays (2.1) and Sundays (6.1).

For the November sweep to date, “Sunday Night Football” is the #1 primetime series on the Big 4 in adults 18-49 (7.5 rating, “live plus same day”) and also ranks #1 in total viewers, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, all key adult-male demos and kids 2-11.

The Monday edition of “The Voice” is November’s #1 alternative series in adults 18-49 (3.2) and every other key demographic. NBC’s “Blindspot” and the newly premiered “Chicago Med” are currently tied as the month’s top-rated first-year series on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, with 2.2 ratings each (L+SD).

Joining “Sunday Night Football” in the November sweep Top 30 among primetime Big 4 series are Monday’s “The Voice” (#5), Tuesday’s “The Voice” (#7), Monday’s “Blindspot” (tied for #12), Tuesday’s “Chicago Med” (tied for #12), Tuesday’s “Chicago Fire” (tied for #18) and Wednesday’s “Law & Order: SVU” (tied for #26). Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

In “live plus same day” averages for the 10:30 lead-in to local news, Monday through Friday, NBC tied for #1 during the sweep in the key news demo of adults 25-54, with a 1.8 rating (tied with ABC’s 1.8 and ahead of CBS’s 1.7).

In “most current” results for the season to date, NBC is running #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the 10:30 lead-in to local news, averaging a 2.8 rating Monday through Friday in the key news demo of adults 25-54, ahead of CBS (2.7) and ABC (2.4). NBC has improved its season-to-date position versus one year ago, when it was tied for #2 with CBS and ABC ranked #1.

Production Begins on Warner Bros. Pictures' Wonder Woman Feature Film

Israeli actress Gal Gadot stars in the upcoming Warner Bros. release "Wonder Woman" (Courtesy Photo).

LOS ANGELES - Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ Wonder Woman feature film, the highly anticipated action adventure from director Patty Jenkins (“Monster,” AMC’s “The Killing”), starring Gal Gadot (the “Fast & Furious” movies) in the role of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman.

The character will make her big screen debut this spring in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” but the new film will mark her first time headlining a feature. The film also stars Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films) as Captain Steve Trevor, Robin Wright (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Netflix’s “House of Cards”), Danny Huston (“Clash of the Titans,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), David Thewlis (the “Harry Potter” films, “The Theory of Everything”), Ewen Bremner (“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “Snowpiercer”), Saïd Taghmaoui (“American Hustle”), Elena Anaya (“The Skin I Live In”) and Lucy Davis (“Shaun of the Dead”).

The film is being produced by Charles Roven, Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder, with Richard Suckle, Stephen Jones, Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and Rebecca Roven serving as executive producers. Joining Jenkins behind the camera are director of photography Matthew Jensen (“Chronicle,” “Fantastic Four,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie,” “A Very Long Engagement,” “Pan”), and Oscar-winning editor Martin Walsh (“Chicago,” “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “V for Vendetta”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Topsy-Turvy”).

Principal photography will take place on location in the U.K., France and Italy. Set to open in 2017, the Wonder Woman feature film is based on characters created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Horror Film Based Upon Nazi Figure Comes to DVD and Blu-ray

LOS ANGELES - SGL Entertainment is releasing for the Nazi Horror Film "Reichsfuhrer SS"in the US and Canada on Blu-ray and DVD on November 24.

The DVD is the Unrated Directors Cut, and is loaded with extras like a Full Motion Menu, Deleted Scenes, Before and After Effects Reel, Scene Selection Page, Alternate Credits, Audio Commentary and Movie Trailers. The Blu-ray has all the same features but also includes the Theatrical version as well as the Unrated Directors Cut, all in Full 1080p HD.

Synopsis: The Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler was Adolf Hitler's most loyal henchman and one of the most feared men of WWII. Surprisingly, he had only one problem... He had no stomach for murder! When the Reichsfuhrer-SS becomes physically ill during the execution of Russian POW's on the Eastern front in 1941, ruthless, careerist SS General Hans Shellenberg rats Himmler out to the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. Hitler tests his loyal Heinrich, forcing him to commit the murder of a Polish prisoner named Danuta with his own hands... thus awakening the Monster within him that will horrify the world for generations to come! Himmler may please his Fuhrer in 1941, but what awaits him after he commits suicide in 1945 is nothing less than Hell itself. See what happens when Himmler meets Erebus, the gatekeeper of Hell! See the nightmarish suffering that awaits the infamous Nazi leader who murdered millions!

The movie stars: David B. Stewart III, Angelina Leigh, Chuck Maher, Martin Slamon, John Martineau, Tina Krause, TAMMY Jean, Joseph Barford, Anthony Cerrano, Kelly Weston, Joe Ronca and Carmela Hayslett. Reichsfuhrer SS was Written and Directed by David B. Stewart III with Cinematography by John Martineau and was Produced by David B. Stewart III and John Martineau.

Reichsfuhrer SS will be Available in the US and Canada on Blu-ray and DVD on November 24th 2015, and will also be coming soon to Comcast Xfinity Cable TV and the Top VOD Sites like iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, M-GO and More via SGL Entertainment with their partners MVD Visual and Indie Rights Distribution.

For More Info on Reichsfuhrer SS, go to: www.sglmoviestore.com/horror/reichsfuhrer-ss

Russian Punk Band Pussy Riot is the Subject of a New Documentary

Members of punk rock band Pussy Riot during a concert. The band is the subject of a new documentary titled "Looking for Kleptocracy (Courtesy Photo).

LOS ANGELES - The Russian punk band "Pussy Riot" is back! This time it has taken a starring role in a new 90-minute documentary film titled "Looking For Kleptocracy," in which an unlikely group of filmmakers and journalists are sent on an outlandish mission to uncover a mafia controlled government in a former Soviet bloc country. The assignment quickly unravels into more than they bargained for.

The film is being written and directed by Kevin Booth and Christopher Barrett, and being produced by Kevin Booth, Christopher Barrett, Trae Booth, Taylor Barrett and Paul Thomas.

"When communism fell, a long list of countries, including Bulgaria, were caught in a hopeless state of reinvention. As a filmmaker, I found that making the connection between the current mafia-controlled government and the regime of Vladimir Putin a tricky task," said Booth.

Booth continued, "As a former professional hard rock bass player, Russian rock bands always seemed like a joke. That was until I watched the HBO documentary called 'Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer.' It took balls of steel to do what the [all-female] Russian punk band did. It resulted in Vladimir Putin sending two of the members to a forced labor prison camp for two years. When the leader of Pussy Riot, Nadia Tolokonnikova, accepted our invitation to come to Bulgaria, we knew that we had a chance to create something special."

The film is being shot in Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Miami.

Paramount and Hasbro Moving Forward with New Transformers and G.I. Joe Films

An image from 2014's "Transformers: Age of Extinction" from Paramount Pictures (Photo by Industrial Light & Magic, Paramount Pictures and Hasbro).

LOS ANGELES - Paramount and the toymaker Hasbro have chosen Akiva Goldsman to head a writers room for the G.I. Joe franchise, the Transformers franchise and the Hasbro property "Micronauts" which is a series of interchangeable space-related toys. The move is part of its effort to move forward with plans for new movies of those franchises.

Goldsman will also supervise the fifth “Transformers” movie. Paramount is now negotiating with writers room members Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (“Iron Man”) along with Ken Nolan (“Black Hawk Down”) to write the script.

"G.I. Joe" which arose out of the famed Hasbro toy line, has spawned “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra” which earned $678 million in 2009 and as well as that same year's “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.” which took in $375 million.

The studio says that the writers' room was developed as a way of creating new ideas for the franchises.

“Transformers,” also based on the toy line of the same name, premiered in 2007, and was then followed by 2009's “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," 2011's “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” and by “Transformers: Age of Extinction” in 2014.

'Prometheus 2' Renamed 'Alien: Covenant' with Ridley Scott to Direct

The original creature in 1979's "Alien" is shown in a still from the iconic film. A new film from the franchise is moving forward with Ridley Scott set to direct (Photo by 20th Century Fox).

LOS ANGELES – 20th Century Fox has announced that veteran director Ridley Scott is returning to the “Alien” franchise to direct its upcoming film which had been originally dubbed “Prometheus 2” but is now titled “Alien: Covenant,” set for release in 2017.

The studio announce that the new film will be a prequel to the Alien series, which originally began in 1980 with the original “Alien.”

The film had been scheduled to be a follow up to 2012’s “Prometheus,” starring Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron, but it soon evolved into a part of the Alien franchise.

The studio released the following synopsis for the upcoming film: “Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created in Alien with Alien: Covenant, the second chapter in a prequel trilogy that began with Prometheus — and connects directly to Scott’s 1979 seminal work of science fiction. Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, the crew of the colony ship Covenant discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world — whose sole inhabitant is the 'synthetic' David (Michael Fassbender), survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition."

The synopsis makes the first official mention of Prometheus being the first in a prequel trilogy for the Alien series. Scott has previously said that the series could potentially become up to four movies.

Coincidentally, Neill Blomkamp is said to be working on a another Alien project which Scott is producing but that takes place after the 1986 sequel “Aliens.”

CBS Replaces 'Supergirl' and 'NCIS: Los Angeles Episodes Due to Paris Attacks

Chyler Leigh, left, Helen Slater and Melissa Benoist in a scene from "Supergirl" airing tonight on CBS (Photo by WBEI).

LOS ANGELES - CBS has replaced episodes of Monday night's "Supergirl" and NCIS: Los Angeles" due to plot similarities with the Paris terrorist attacks last Friday.

The "Supergirl" episode slated for tonight was supposed to deal with a series of bombings, but instead, the network opted to replace the episode in favor of the episode "Livewire" where Supergirl deals with the relationship she has with her foster mother, played by Helen Slater, who coincidentally, played Supergirl in the 1984 film of the same name.

The "NCIS: Los Angeles" episode also scheduled for tonight was about the search for a girl who was involved with a terrorist group that was recruiting girls.

ABC, however, still plans to air its new episode of the terrorism-themed first-year series "Quantico."

"Supergirl" stars Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, Calista Flockhart, Jeremy Jordan and David Harewood.

"NCIS: Los Angeles" stars, Chris O'Donnell, Barrett Foa, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen.

Madonna's MTV Video Music Award for 'Papa Don't Preach' to be Auctioned Off

 Madonna in a still from her music video for her 1986 hit "Papa Don't Preach" (Photo by Sire/Warner Music).

LOS ANGELES - Madonna's iconic MTV Video Music Award 'MoonMan' statuette awarded in 1987 for 'Papa Don't Preach' will be auctioned Boston-based RR Auction.

'Papa Don't Preach' was released in mid-1986 as the second single from Madonna's third studio album True Blue. Within eight weeks of release the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved critical acclaim. Directed by James Foley, the music video shows Madonna's second image makeover, featuring her with cropped platinum blonde hair and a more toned and muscular body. Georges-Claude Guilbert, author of Madonna as Postmodern Myth, describes this look as a 'combination of Marilyn Monroe, Jean Seberg and Kim Novak.'

The video and lyrical content dealing with teenage pregnancy and abortion stirred worldwide controversy-even the Pope made comments-and the attention only increased its popularity.

In addition to winning this award for Best Female Video, "Papa Don't Preach" received two other VMA nominations as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. Award originates from a high-ranking member of Madonna's management team.

"The MTV 'MoonMan' is one of the most recognizable awards in all of entertainment and this is an exceptionally rare example," said Robert Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. The Music and Entertainment Icons Auction from RR Auction will run from November 12 through November 19. More details can be found online at www.rrauction.com

Below is the music video for "Papa Don't Preach":

Writer's Guild Names 'Annie Hall' Funniest Screenplay

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton star in 1977's Academy Award-winning "Annie Hall" (Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer).

LOS ANGELES - The members of the Writers Guild of America have named Woody Allen's 1977 comedy "Annie Hall," the Funniest Screenplay.

The announcement was made during the presentation of awards for the 101 funniest screenplays held at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood following two hours of panel discussions and clips, which were hosted by Rob Reiner.

"Annie Hall" beat out iconic scripts from such films as “Some Like it Hot,” “Groundhog Day,” “Airplane!” and “Tootsie,” all of which were in the top five. The other top 10 screenplays were “Young Frankenstein,” “Dr. Strangelove,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “National Lampoon’s Animal House."

The “Annie Hall” screenplay, written by Allen and Marshall Brickman, received the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1977. Allen had six other scripts on the select list. They were “Sleeper,” “Bananas,” “Take the Money and Run,” “Broadway Danny Rose,” Love and Death” and “Manhattan.”

Mayor of Philadelphia Proclaims November 25 'Creed' Day'

Sylvester Stallone reprises his iconic role of Rocky Balboa opposite Michael B. Jordan in the film "Creed" (Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/ Warner Bros./ New Line Cinema).

PHILADELPHIA – Standing atop the Philadelphia Art Museum’s iconic steps, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter proclaimed today that Wednesday, November 25 “Creed” Day in honor of the upcoming film—opening that same day—which explores the next chapter in the “Rocky” saga. Joining Mayor Nutter to receive the official proclamation were Sylvester Stallone himself and fellow “Creed” stars Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson, and the film’s writer/director, Ryan Coogler, and producer Irwin Winkler.

The film, which brings Rocky Balboa face-to-face with the son of his one-time rival and best friend, Apollo Creed, was shot in and around the City of Brotherly Love. The museum steps, and the statue of Rocky that stands at the bottom of them, can, in fact, be seen in “Creed.”

Mayor Nutter also gifted the team from “Creed” with individually inscribed miniature Liberty Bells to mark the occasion; they, in turn, presented the mayor with a framed rendering of the mural, created as a special tribute to the city, that was installed this morning at the Front Street Gym in North Philly, a location that features prominently in the new film.

Following the presentations, former football star Vince Papale—who, much like Rocky, went from underdog to hometown hero to sports superstar when he became a walk-on Philadelphia Eagle—opened the floor for questions from the press in attendance.

From Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s “Creed.” The film reunites Coogler with his “Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed, and explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” story, starring Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

“Creed” also stars Tessa Thompson (“Selma,” “Dear White People”); Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s “Steel Magnolias”); and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew.

Ryan Coogler directed from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on a story by Coogler. The film is being produced by Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton and Sylvester Stallone, with Nicolas Stern executive producing.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures present, in association with New Line Cinema, a Chartoff Winkler Production, “Creed.” The film opens nationwide on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, with select international territories as well as all television distribution being handled by MGM.

“Creed” has been rated PG-13 for violence, language and some sensuality.

The Trailer for Quentin Tarantino's 'The Hateful Eight' is Released

Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kurt Russell star in Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" (Photo by The Weinstein Co.).

LOS ANGELES - The Weinstein Company has premiered an all-new official trailer for "The Hateful Eight."  The film hits select theaters on Christmas Day and everywhere on January 8, 2016

"The Hateful Eight," set six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter  John Ruth (Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as "The Hangman," will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and  Chris Mannix (Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town's new Sheriff.

Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie's Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie's, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Bichir), who's taking care of Minnie's while she's visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all...

Britney Spears to Guest Star in the CW's 'Jane the Virgin' Monday

LOS ANGELES - Yes, it's true! Britney Spears is set to guest star on the next episode of The CW's "Jane The Virgin" titled "Chapter Twenty-Seven," on Monday, Nov. 9.

In the episode, Jane (Gina Rodriguez) thinks she is finally ready to make a decision about her love life. Alba (Ivonne Coll) has taken the proper steps to become a citizen, but Xo's (Andrea Navedo) past might make it more difficult than anyone was expecting. Rogelio (Jaime Camil) learns that his nemesis, Britney Spears, is at the Marbella Hotel and he is determined to confront her about their past. Michael (Brett Dier) is so caught up in his ongoing feud with Rafael (Justin Baldoni) that he ends up in big trouble at work. Meanwhile, Petra (Yael Groblas) gets an offer from her ex Milos (guest star Max Bird-Ridnell) she just can't refuse. Jann Turner directed the episode written by Jessica O'Toole . The episode airs Monday, Nov. 9 on The CW. Get a sneak peek below!

The show tells the story of Jane Villanueva who as a young girl, her grandmother, Alba, convinced her of two things: telenovelas are the highest form of entertainment, and women must protect their virginity at all costs. Now age 23, Jane is a driven young woman studying to become a teacher, nursing a dream to be a writer, and supporting herself with a job at a hot new Miami hotel.

The series stars Gina Rodriguez ("Filly Brown," "The Bold and the Beautiful") as Jane, Justin Baldoni ("Single Ladies," "The Bold and the Beautiful") as Rafael, Brett Dier ("Ravenswood") as Michael, Andrea Navedo ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Golden Boy") as Xiomara, Yael Grobglas ("Reign") as Petra, Ivonne Coll ("Switched at Birth," "The Bold and the Beautiful") as Alba and Jaime Camil ("Devious Maids," "Que Pobres Tan Ricos") as Rogelio.

The Trailer for 'The Hateful Eight' Has Been Released

Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kurt Russell star in Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" (Photo by The Weinstein Co.)

The Weinstein Company has premiered an all-new official trailer for "The Hateful Eight."  The film hits select theaters on Christmas Day and everywhere on January 8, 2016

"The Hateful Eight," set six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter  John Ruth (Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as "The Hangman," will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and  Chris Mannix (Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town's new Sheriff.

Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie's Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie's, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Bichir), who's taking care of Minnie's while she's visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all...

Check out the trailer below: 

Sylvester Stallone to Guest on 'El Rey Network Presents: Director's Chair'

LOS ANGELES - It's easy to forget just how good of a writer and story teller Sylvester Stallone was despite the turkeys he's turned out lately. But all in all, anyone that watches the original "Rocky" will see what I'm talking about.

So with this in mind, I encourage anyone who has the El Rey Network in their cable package to check out Stallone when El Rey Network Founder and Chairman Robert Rodriguez sits down with Stallone (Rocky - Rocky V, Rocky Balboa, Rambo, The Expendables) in an all-new episode of "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair," premiering Sunday, November 15 at 8PM ET/PT.

"Sylvester Stallone is truly a Renaissance man. He crafts the story, writes the screenplay, he directs, getting career best performances from his other actors. He not only stars in the movies but also has to maintain a peak physical condition the entire time," said Rodriguez. "What he does is superhuman. For the Director's Chair I had the opportunity to discuss his passion, drive, focus, and expertise in creating these myths and legends he has brought to audiences." "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair" Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 8:00pm ET

In the newest installment of "The Director's Chair" the Oscar(R)-nominated actor, director and creator of the Rocky franchise Sylvester Stallone discusses his craft with his Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over director Robert Rodriguez. In addition to his personal inspirations and influences, the two discuss Stallone's iconic career, from his love of painting to how his role in "Death of a Salesman" launched his acting career, to the development of his script for Rocky and what was required to convince the studio to let him play the titular role in the Oscar-winning film - a role responsible for his meteoric rise to stardom. Stallone also reveals how his creative vision has evolved over the years. From his beginnings as an artist to reinventing his boxing technique for Rocky, to his experience with method acting First Blood.?
 

"El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair" is a series of hour-long specials featuring the industry's most cutting edge directors as they engage in a revealing and unexpected exchange about the world of filmmaking. The series provides access to one-on-one interviews between Rodriguez and some of cinema's most iconic filmmakers. Past guests have included John Carpenter, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Mann, George Miller, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis and Quentin Tarantino.

'Star Trek' to Return to Television with All-New Series on CBS

A still from the original 1966-69 "Star Trek" series which is scheduled to be rebooted in an all-new version in January 2017, CBS has announced.

LOS ANGELES - CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new "Star Trek" television series in January 2017. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network's digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.

The next chapter of the "Star Trek" franchise will also be distributed concurrently for television and multiple platforms around the world by CBS Studios International.

The new program will be the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access, a cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of episodes from CBS's current and past seasons on demand, plus the ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for $5.99 per month. CBS ALL ACCESS already offers every episode of all previous "Star Trek" television series.

The brand-new "Star Trek" will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new "Star Trek" TV series. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films "Star Trek" (2009) with Roberto Orci, and "Star Trek Into Darkness" (2013) with Orci and Damon Lindelof. Both films were produced and Directed by J.J. Abrams.

The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman's Secret Hideout. Kurtzman and Heather Kadin will serve as executive producers. Kurtzman is also an executive producer for the hit CBS television series SCORPION and LIMITLESS, along with Kadin and Orci, and for HAWAII FIVE-0 with Orci.

"Star Trek," which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, is one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. The original "Star Trek" spawned a dozen feature films and five successful television series. Almost half a century later, the "Star Trek" television series are licensed on a variety of different platforms in more than 190 countries, and the franchise still generates more than a billion social media impressions every month.

Born from the mind of Gene Roddenberry, the original "Star Trek" series debuted on Sept. 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons - a short run that belied the influence it would have for generations. The series also broke new ground in storytelling and cultural mores, providing a progressive look at topics including race relations, global politics and the environment.

"There is no better time to give 'Star Trek' fans a new series than on the heels of the original show's 50th anniversary celebration," said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. "Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we're excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately."

"This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience, then boldly go where no first-run 'Star Trek' series has gone before - directly to its millions of fans through CBS All Access," said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President/General Manager - CBS Digital Media. "We've experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access, expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this growth with the iconic 'Star Trek,' and its devoted and passionate fan base, as our first original series."

"Every day, an episode of the 'Star Trek' franchise is seen in almost every country in the world," said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Global Distribution Group. "We can't wait to introduce 'Star Trek's' next voyage on television to its vast global fan base."

CBS ALL ACCESS offers its customers more than 7,500 episodes from the current television season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand nationwide, as well as the ability to stream local CBS stations live in more than 110 markets. Subscribers can use the service online and across devices via CBS.com, the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, as well as on connected devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku players and Roku TV, with more connected devices to come.

The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature film "Star Trek Beyond," which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016.