Sony Pictures Invites NFL Teams, Players & their Families to Watch 'Concussion'

Will Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, a physician who uncovers the truth about concussions and brain damage on football players in the Sony Film "Concussion" (Photo by Sony Pictures Entertainment).

CULVER CITY, Calif. – With the motion picture "Concussion" already a topic of national conversation among NFL fans and commentators, Sony Pictures Entertainment is offering NFL players and their families free admission to the movie during the duration of the film's run, which begins on Christmas Day.

The studio has already engaged many current and former NFL players, holding private screenings in each team's city in advance of its opening. By reaching out to the people who are most impacted by the film's themes, the studio is engaging with the NFL players to join the national dialogue about the film.

Commenting on the announcement, Ridley Scott and Producer Giannina Scott (who first brought the project to him and produced it with him), said, "This is a movie for the players, so we wanted to give them a chance to see it before its nationwide release and free admission during its run in theaters.

The movie is so inspiring – Will Smith gives one of the best performances of his career as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a man who shined a light on the truth. The odds were stacked against him, but he had the truth on his side, and now, his discovery is all anyone's talking about. We think the players will enjoy watching this movie about Dr. Omalu's incredible courage – courage that changed the game."

Players will receive complimentary admission for themselves and one guest by presenting their NFLPA membership card at any Cinemark theater nationwide.

Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known.

The film, a Columbia Pictures presentation in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures, is written and directed by Peter Landesman, based on the GQ article "Game Brain" by Jeanne Marie Laskas, and produced by Ridley Scott, Giannina Scott, David Wolthoff, Larry Shuman and Elizabeth Cantillon, and executive produced by Michael Schaefer, David Crockett, Ben Waisbren, Bruce Berman and Greg Basser.

'Resident Evil 5' Crew Member Crushed to Death by Prop Car

Milla Jovovich stars in the upcoming “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” from Sony's Screen Gems (Photo by Davis Films/Impact Pictures (RE5) Inc. and Constantin Film International GmbH).

LOS ANGELES - A 34-year-old crew member on the film “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” is dead after a prop car crushed him on set in Cape Town, South Africa, according to several media reports.

Authorities said Ricardo Cornelius was part of a group of crew members who were manually rotating a U.S. Army Hummer in the horror-thriller in early December,  when the vehicle apparently slipped off its platform and pinned him beneath. He was taken to a local hospital and put on life support, but he was later pronounced dead.

The tragedy comes just after "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" stunt woman Olivia Jackson revealed that she’ll have to amputate her arm after she severly injured it during a motorcycle chase during the production.

“Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” is the fifth film of the series. It stars Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose, Ali Larter and Iain Glenn in the final film of the movie franchise based on the popular Capcom video game about an apocalyptic future. It is directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. The film is scheduled for release on Jan. 27, 2017 by Screen Gems.

Comedy Central Renews 'Nathan for You'

Nathan Fielder returns in "Nathan for You" for season four, after Comedy Central renewed the half-hour comedy for another season (Photo by Comedy Central).

NEW YORK – From fighting for the local neighborhood shop, to starting a national fitness craze and developing a new clothing line for a good cause, there is nothing business-related that Nathan Fielder can’t or won’t tackle. Comedy Central’s hit series “Nathan For You,” which critics have called “insanely brilliant,” has been renewed for a fourth season, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, President, Original Programming, Comedy Central. The third season wrapped up earlier this month  with Fielder’s most daring project to date in the extended season finale.

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue my non-sexual relationship with Viacom,” said Fielder.

“Nathan showed such professionalism transitioning our relationship into a platonic one last season, he deserves another,” added Alterman.

For the extended finale, Fielder underwent seven months of physical training to prepare for his most ambitious project to date. Fielder sets out to prove that there’s a hero in all of us and he risks everything to pull off the most astonishing life transformation ever to be broadcast on television.

Described by The New York Times as “the television series with the most incisive take on the 21st-century economy,” “Nathan For You” is a hit among Comedy Central’s core young audience. The third season rating rose nearly 20% among Men 18-24 and the full episode streams on digital platforms increased 24%, led by a 92% increase on Comedy Central’s App. In all, total weekly video streams increased over 40% vs. the series’ second season.

With his unorthodox approach to problem solving, Fielder’s genuine efforts to do good often draw the real people he encounters into an experience far beyond what they signed up for. “Nathan For You” is produced by Abso Lutely Productions. Fielder, Leo Allen, Dave Kneebone, Christie Smith and Dan McManus are Executive Producers. Jim Sharp and Rachel Olson are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

'Nebraska' Actress Angela McEwan Dies at 81

Actress Angela McEwan, who is known for her acclaimed role in the Academy Award-nonimated 2013 film "Nebraska" has passed away (Photo by Scribe Services Public Relations).

LOS ANGELES, Calif.  –  Actress Angela McEwan, who earned acclaim for her pivotal role in the Oscar-nominated film “Nebraska,” died Sunday, Dec. 20 due to complications of lung cancer. She was 81.

The actress earned critical acclaim for her work in the Alexander Payne-directed film, playing small town newspaper editor Peg Nagy, opposite Will Forte who starred in the film with Bruce Dern who earned a 2014 Academy Award Best Actor nomination for his role.

Among the reviews she received were:

“But perhaps the biggest discovery is Angela McEwan, who plays Peg Nagy, the sweet editor of the small town's newspaper, who had had a crush on Woody when they were in high school and still regrets losing him to Kate,” wrote Susan King of the Los Angeles Times.

“The sweetest, most acute work is by Angela McEwan as Peg, an old girlfriend of Woody’s and the wisest soul in two states. She and Woody broke up, she tells David, because ‘I wouldn’t let him round the bases,’” wrote the late Richard Corliss for Time Magazine.

“The loveliest, most poignant scene in the film takes place in the sleepy office of the town’s newspaper, where David goes in quest of information and chats with the elderly editor (Angela McEwan), who, it turns out, has history with the family. It’s the scene that quietly wrenches the movie apart and makes the distant, unspoken past vibrate with a revived passionate power,” wrote Richard Brody of The New Yorker.

Such reviews encapsulated the talent of McEwan whose career in acting had begun just a scant few years earlier when she decided to return to acting after abandoning it to raise a family more than 50 years earlier.

“My mom had an amazing capacity to see good in everyone. I can’t recall ever hearing her say something negative about others,” said her son Carlos McEwan. “She believed that everyone tries to do their best within their abilities, so there is no reason to be negative. The other ability was her incredibly positive outlook on her life. Given her prognosis and the way she was physically feeling, she would be in her right to be grumpy or short, but never ever was she anything but positive and upbeat.”

McEwan’s longtime agent, Jeff Wolfman of the Fred R. Price Talent Agency said: “She was one of the kindest and gentlest souls I have ever met. Yes, soft spoken, but Angie had a huge heart and chutzpah to spare.”

Born on April 23, 1934 in Santa Monica, McEwan dreamed of becoming an actress as a child. Despite her mother’s opposition, she began to study acting at Los Angeles City College and later at UCLA when she met Guillermo McEwan a young man from Nicaragua who was studying medicine.

They soon married and moved to Mexico where she began acting. They then moved to Temple Texas and she continued to act in local theatre and was on the board of directors for the Temple Civic Theatre all while being a wife and mother. She earned a Masters Degree in Spanish from UC Irvine and taught there for several years before becoming a criminal court Spanish interpreter for nearly 30 years. After her gastroenterologist husband retired about 10 years ago, she began taking acting lessons and soon began getting roles in low budget films and television shows such as “New Girl,” “Parks and Recreation,” and others before earning her role in “Nebraska.” Most recently she had a recurring role in HBO’s cult comedy “Getting On.”

Among her other work is the upcoming independent film “The Boonville Redemption” and the film “Moments of Clarity,” released earlier this year. An accomplished writer, McEwan’s poetry was featured in such literary magazines as Revista Chicano Riquena, LUZ, Apostrophe and many others.

She was first diagnosed with cancer in October 2014 just prior to the premiere of “Getting On.” She continued to audition and work steadily even as her illness and treatment took their toll.

McEwan is survived by her sons Carlos McEwan and William McEwan and her grandchildren Lynsey, Ian and Ellis McEwan. Her husband Guillermo McEwan died in 2009. Services are pending.

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Leads the Weekend Box Office

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" smashed the opposition on its opening weekend for Disney (Photo by Lucasfilm).

LOS ANGELES - To no one's surprise, Disney's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" led the weekend box office with a crushing $247.97 million on its opening weekend, blasting the opposition with more than $200 million more than the second place film.

The earth-shattering figure comes as iconic film franchise is experiencing a huge resurgence among fans who have been awaiting the franchise's return with J.J. Abrams taking over as director and its main visionary. George Lucas, who sold the rights to his iconic science fiction franchise along with his Lucasfilm studio to Disney in 2012, was not involved in the production of a "Star Wars" film  for the first time.

Coming in second, was 20th Century Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks; The Road Chip" which opened with $14.29 million amid littel fanfare. In third place was the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler comedy for Universal "Sisters" which opened with $13.92 million.

"The Hunger Games Mockingjay - Part 2" was fourth with $5.89 million for a five-week total of $254.48 million. "Creed" from Warner Bros. dropped by one notch last week by coming in fifth place with $5.01 million for four-week total of $87.83 million.

The rest of the top 10 stacked up this way:

6. "The Good Dinosaur" (Disney) $4.35 million for a four-week total of $96.66 million

7. "Krampus" (Universal) $4.11 for a three-week total of $35.14 million

8. "In the Hear of the Sea" (Warner Bros.) $3.48 for a two-week total of $18.62 million

9. "Dilwale" (UTV Ent.) $1.92 million on its openting weekend for the Bollywood release

10. "Bajirao Mastani" (Eros Int.) $1.74 million on its opening weekend for the Bollywood release

'Star Trek Beyond' Trailer is Released

Chris Pine returns as Capt. Kirk in the Paramount's "Star Trek Beyond," directed by Justin Lin, set for release in July 2016 (Photo by Paramount Pictures).

LOS ANGELES - The much awaited trailer for Paramount's "Star Trek Beyond" has been released, featuring a lot of action, weird aliens and even a soundtrack featuring the Beastie Boys' 1990s rocker, "Sabotage."

Although many Trekkers were disappointed in 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness," many may well have reason to rejoice with Justin Lin, of "The Fast and The Furious" fame directing from a new team of writers, Simon Pegg and Doug Jung.

The new trailer shows Capt. Kirk (Chris Pine) speeding down an alien landscape in a motorcycle, while strange aliens attack the Enterprise while "Sabotage" plays, giving fans hope for a return to J.J. Abrams original action-packed "Star Trek" reboot.

The film stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Carl Urban, Simon Pegg, Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella, Anton Yelchin and John Cho. It is produced by J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk and Roberto Orci. It is scheduled for release on July 22, 2016.

Here is the trailer:

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' Tops The Weekend Box Office

Warner Bros.' "In the Heart of the Sea," starring Chris Hemsworth, sank on its opening weekend at the box office, earning just $11.05 million (Photo by Warner Bros.)

LOS ANGELES - Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" topped the weekend box office for the fourth straight week with $11.41 million, while Warner Bros.' Chris Hemsworth starrer, "In the Heart of the Sea" sank with a paltry $11.05 million on its opening weekend for second place.

"In the Heart of the Sea" tells the story of the whaling ship Essex which was sunk by a whale and served as the inspiration for Herman Melville's "Moby Dick." The movie, with a $100 million budget, appears destined to crash and burn as moviegoers all but dismissed the Ron Howard film with the apparent disdain of the ancient whale toward its human prey.

The 'Hunger Games' finale reached a total of $244.60 million after four weeks since its release. The sci-fi adventure had little oppostion with the only other major studio release, Paramount's "The Big Short," earned $705,520 in just eight screens, finishing in 15th place. The film tells the story of the financial and housing meltdown of 2008.

Third place went to Disney's "The Good Dinosaur" with $10.31 million for a three-week total of  $89.48 million. It was followed by Warner Bros. "Rocky" spinoff "Creed," which earned $10.12 million for a three-week total of $79.32 million. In fifth place was Universal/Legendary Pictures' Christmas horror tale, "Krampus," which garnered $8.42 million for two-week total of $28.56 million.

The rest of the top 10 stacked up this way:

6. "The Night Before," (Sony) $4.13 million for a four-week total of $38.43 million

7. "SPECTRE" (Sony) $4.04 million for a six-week total of $190.81 million

8. "The Peanuts Movie (Fox) $2.68 million for a six-week total of $124.99 million

9. "Spotlight" (Open Roads) $2.51 million for a six-week total of $20.30 million

10. "Brooklyn" (Fox Searchlight) $1.99 million for six-week total of $14.35 million

The Trailer for the 'Independence Day' Sequel has Arrived

A screengrab from the trailer for the 20th Century Fox “Independence Day” sequel, “Resurgence,” (Photo by YouTube).

LOS ANGELES - The trailer for the 20th Century Fox “Independence Day” sequel, “Resurgence,” has arrived, featuring lots of explosions, scenes of death and destruction.

“Resurgence” is the sequel to Roland Emmerich’s 1996 science fiction blockbuster starring Will Smith, who incidentally, does not return to this new sequel.

The cast includes Vivica A. Fox, Jeff Goldblum, Liam Hemsworth, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe, Judd Hirsch, Sela Ward and Charlotte Gainsbourg along with Bill Pullman, who played President Thomas J. Whitmore in the original film.

The new film tells the story of a now united Earth must face a new alient threat that appears even more formidable than the original aliens who devastated the planet before being vanquished by a coalition of nations and a rag-tag group of military pilots.

The new installment is set for release on June 24, 2016.

The trailer can be seen here:

Warner Bros. to Debut Trailer for J.K. Rowling's 'Fantastic Beasts'

Poster artwork for the upcoming "Harry Potter" spinoff by J.K. Rowling, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (Photo by Warner Bros.).

LOS ANGELES - Warner Bros. Pictures will debut the first announcement trailer for the much-anticipated adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” via worldwide satellite on Dec. 15.

The trailer will give audiences the first glimpse at a never-before-seen part of the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling. Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars in the central role of wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident … were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston (“Steve Jobs,” “Inherent Vice”) as Tina; Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) as Jacob; Alison Sudol (“Dig,” “Transparent”) as Tina’s sister, Queenie; Ezra Miller (“Trainwreck”) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (“In America,” “Sweet and Lowdown”) as Mary Lou; Oscar winner Jon Voight (“Coming Home,” TV’s “Ray Donovan”) as Henry Shaw, Sr.; Ron Perlman (the “Hellboy” films) as Gnarlack; Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) as Seraphina; Jenn Murray (“Brooklyn”) as Chastity; young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty; and Colin Farrell (“True Detective”) as Percival Graves.

The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose beloved “Harry Potter” books were adapted into the top-grossing film franchise of all time. Her script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” written by her character Newt Scamander.

The film reunites a number of people from the “Harry Potter” features, including producers David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram.

Collaborating with Yates behind the scenes are: Oscar-winning director of photography Philippe Rousselot (“A River Runs Through It,” the “Sherlock Holmes” movies), three-time Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig (“The English Patient,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Gandhi,” the “Harry Potter” films), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (“Chicago,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Alice in Wonderland”), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Tim Burke (“Gladiator,” the “Harry Potter” films), Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Christian Manz (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”), and Yates’ longtime editor Mark Day (the last four “Harry Potter” films).

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is being filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, which was home to the “Harry Potter” films for a decade. Some scenes were also shot on location in Liverpool, England. Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX on November 18, 2016.

Rami Malek of USA's 'Mr. Robot' Is Nominated for SAG Award

Rami Malek, star of USA's "Mr. Robot" has been nominated for for Outstanding Performance By a Male Actor In a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (Photo by USA Network Media).

LOS ANGELES - MR. ROBOT star Rami Malek today received a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance By a Male Actor In a Drama Series.

“USA is enormously proud of Rami Malek, who brilliantly played a very complex lead role -- both through his masterful narration sequences and his compelling on-screen portrayal of Elliot,” said USA Network President Chris McCumber. “We are thrilled the Screen Actors Guild recognized his incredible work.”

"Rami Malek has given MR. ROBOT its beating heart and tortured soul,” said Jeff Wachtel, President & Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “It’s impossible to imagine this groundbreaking show with any other actor at its center."

The nomination comes on the heels of a string of recent awards and nominations for the series. Most recently, MR. ROBOT won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Long Form Series and received two Writers Guild Award nominations for drama and new series. The series was also recognized with three Satellite Award nominations for drama series and actors Rami Malek and Christian Slater. Slater was also nominated for Favorite Cable TV Actor at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards. The series took home its first win in March of 2015 at this year’s South By Southwest Festival, where it nabbed the coveted Audience Award in the Episodics category. Mr. ROBOT was also named an official selection of the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival in April.

MR. ROBOT follows Elliot (Malek), a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and as a vigilante hacker by night. Elliot finds himself at a crossroads when the mysterious leader (Christian Slater) of an underground hacker group recruits him to destroy the firm he is paid to protect. Compelled by his personal beliefs, Elliot struggles to resist the chance to take down the multinational CEOS he believes are running (and ruining) the world. The series also stars Portia Doubleday (“Her”), Carly Chaikin (“Suburgatory”) and Martin Wallström (“Simple Simon”).

The first season received tremendous buzz, becoming a critically acclaimed hit with a nearly perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series also resonated with a large audience, ranking as the summer’s #2 basic cable scripted series and #4 new basic cable scripted series of the year in L7 P18-49 and P25-54. To-date, MR. ROBOT has been sampled 23MM times across all platforms -- including linear, VOD, iTunes, USAnetwork.com and multiple digital outlets.

The series is regularly ranked among the top five most downloaded series on iTunes. Prior to MR. ROBOT, Malek’s television credits include memorable arcs on “24” and “The Pacific” – a performance that garnered rave reviews and led to him being cast by Tom Hanks in “Larry Crowne” at Universal and ‘Bill Condon’ in the last installment of “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.” He has also appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams. Malek also recently starred in “Night at the Museum 3” opposite Ben Stiller.

The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 30, 2016. The dramatic second season of MR. ROBOT returns in Summer 2016. From Universal Cable Productions, MR. ROBOT is from writer and executive producer Sam Esmail (“Comet”) and executive producers Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin (“True Detective”) and Chad Hamilton (“Breakup at a Wedding”).

NBC To Launch Seeso, a New Streaming Comedy Channel on Jan. 7

LOS ANGELES - Seeso, the new ad-free streaming comedy channel from NBC Universal Digital Enterprises, will launch on Thursday, January 7.

The channel will be available on www.seeso.com, iOS and Android platforms in January with additional platforms added in the coming months. Subscribers will have access to over 2,000 hours of original content right out of the gate, with new, original content rolling out daily. "We think the world needs more laughter, so we put together what we think is the best collection of comedy in one place. Come, seeso for yourself,” said Evan Shapiro, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises.

At launch, Seeso subscribers will have access to exclusive original series including “The UCB Show,” from hosts, creators and Upright Citizens Brigade founders Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh; “Dave and Ethan: Lovemakers,” from Broadway Video’s Above Average Productions; “Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane,” a musical comedy about mismatched housemates – one attorney, one puppet; “Before the Morning After,” featuring some of the world’s best comedians, drunk in a diner at 2 a.m. at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and animated sketch series “The Cyanide & Happiness Show,” based on the popular web comic.

The first episodes of all five shows are available during Seeso's current Free Beta. New episodes of each show will be added every week, starting January 7 - all part of Seeso's resolution to offer audiences new original premium comedy episodes every week of the year in 2016. Members also will have access to Seeso’s full and growing library of stand-up comedy, including the first ever OTT live stand-up special “The Guest List: Live From The Barrel House,” which aired in beta earlier this month, as well as the next live special on January 13 at 10pm ET/7pm PT.

Additional exclusive stand-up specials available at launch include “Besser Breaks The Record,” an hour-long stand up special from Upright Citizens Brigade’s Matt Besser and “Rory Scovel: The Charleston Special,” an hour-long stand up special from Rory Scovel. Plus, each and every day, Seeso will add new, exclusive daily-doses of stand-up from comics around the country.

Seeso’s rich library of classic comedy content also will include the pioneers of sketch comedy Monty Python, with newly remastered and remixed HD editions of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” and other Python classics, including “The Meaning of Life,” “Holy Grail,” and “Life of Brian;” fan favorites like “30 Rock,” “Fawlty Towers,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Saved By the Bell,” “The IT Crowd,” “The Mighty Boosh,” both the US and original UK versions of “The Office, ” and every season of “The Kids in the Hall,” remastered into HD, as well as cult comedies “Garth Marenghi's Dark Place,” “Nathan Barley,” all of the series in the Alan Partridge cannon (starring Steve Coogan), “A Bit Of Fry and Laurie” (starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry), “Gigi” (starring Josh Gad) and much more.

Additionally, next day, full-length episodes of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and 40 plus years of “Saturday Night Live” will be available. Throughout the year, Seeso will unveil additional original shows, including “HarmonQuest,” a comedic journey into the hilarious world of fantasy roleplaying with Dan Harmon and his Comedian Companions; Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, a reality show spoof from executive producers Scott Aukerman, Ben Garant, Tom Lennon and Kulap Vilaysack; dark family comedy “Flowers,” starring Julian Barratt and Olivia Colman; stand-up series “Take My Wife” from creators and hosts Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher; among numerous others.

Comedy fans who want a sneak peek of Seeso’s unique, artisanal mix of new comedies, exclusive shows, classic stand-up performances and curated films are invited to go to www.seeso.com now, during its beta launch, where users can enter a valid email address (with no credit card info required). After launch, viewers can still sample Seeso, with no commitment or credit card required.

Jimmy Buffet to Perform on 'Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest'

LOS ANGELES - Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett will make a special live appearance from his concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2016."

Buffett will bring everyone to a "Margaritaville" state of mind as he performs his timeless song right after the ball drops at midnight, ringing in the start of 2016. The full evening will include over 38 performances and five-and-a-half hours of music. America's biggest celebration of the year will take place on Thursday, Dec. 31 beginning at 8 p.m., EST/PST, on the ABC Television Network.

The show will include special performances and reports on New Year's celebrations from around the globe. Ryan Seacrest will host and lead the traditional countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York City as he has for the last 10 years with live reporting from actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy.

As previously announced, New York-headliner Carrie Underwood will be joined by Luke Bryan, Demi Lovato and Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, who will perform for over one million fans live in Times Square and millions more on TV. The Billboard Hollywood Party in Los Angeles will be hosted by Fergie with performances by headliner One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Fall Out Boy, Andy Grammer, Ellie Goulding, Elle King, Tove Lo, Rachel Platten and Walk the Moon. Additional performers will be announced soon.

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2' Led a Slow Weekend Box Office

Jennifer Lawrence stars in Lionsgate's “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” which topped the weekend box office for the third straight week (Photo by Lionsgate).

LOS ANGELES - “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” topped the weekend box office on a slow post Thanksgiving Weekend. The sci-fi sequel took in $18.6 million, for a three-week total of $227.11 million on a weekend that is usually one of the year's weakest.

The only new major release was “Krampus,” a comic horror film from Legendary and Universal that earned $16.02 million - it had been predicted to earn between $10-13 million. The movie tells the story of a demon who unleashes mayhem into a family’s Christmas celebration. It stars Adam Scott and Toni Collette and was directed by Michael Dougherty (“Trick ‘r Treat”).

Warner Bros.'s “Creed” rode strong buzz to finish third with $15.54 million to the “Rocky” franchise's newest film to a total to $65.14 million. Disney's “The Good Dinosaur” tied for third third place with $15.51 million, followed in fifth place by Sony's James Bond thriller "SPECTRE" with $5.42 million for a five-week total of $184.52 million

The rest of the top ten stacked up this way:

6. "The Night Before" (Sony) $4.92 million for a three-week total of $31.99 million

7. "The Peanuts Movie" (Fox) $3.52 for a five-week total of $121.44 million

8. "Spotlight" (Open Roads) $2.93 million for a five-week total of $16.63 million

9. "Brooklyn" (Fox Searchlight) $2.43 million for a five-week total of $11.21 million

10. "The Secret in their Eyes" (STX Entertainment) $1.95 million for a three-week total of $17.24 million

Robert Loggia, known for Iconic Role in 'Scarface,' Dies at 85

LOS ANGELES - Actor Robert Loggia, who was known for gravelly voiced gangsters from "Scarface" to "The Sopranos" but who was most endearing as Tom Hanks' toy-company boss in "Big," has died. He was 85.

Loggia's wife Aubrey Loggia said he died Friday at his home in Los Angeles after a five year battle with Alzheimer's. "His poor body gave up," she said. "He loved being an actor and he loved his life."

In a Twitter post today, Tom Hanks wrote: "A great actor in heart and soul," Hanks wrote. "A sad day."

With his rugged looks and gravelly voice, Loggia was well suited for gangster movies, such as his portrayal Miami drug lord Frank Lopez in "Scarface," which starred Al Pacino and an Italian mobster in "Prizzi's Honor," with Jack Nicholson.. He again played gangsters in David Lynch's "Lost Highway," the comedies "Innocent Blood" and "Armed and Dangerous," most memorably on David Chase's "The Sopranos," as the veteran mobster Michele "Feech" La Manna.

Ironically, his only Academy Award nomination came as supporting actor in 1985's "Jagged Edge." He played private detective Sam Ransom, who was investigating the a murder involving Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges.

The veteran actor was also recognized for his comedic performance in the1988 comed "Big," when he and Tom Hanks danced on a giant piano keyboard.

Loggia received an Emmy Award in 1989 for his work on the television series “Mancuso FBI,” in which he played the title role, an F.B.I. agent. In 2000, he was nominated for an Emmy for a guest role on Fox's “Malcolm in the Middle.”

Loggia is survived by his wife Audry and by four children: Tracy, John and Kristina, from a previous marriage, to Della Marjorie Sloan, and Cynthia Loggia Armstrong, as well as by six grandchildren.

Shanaya Fastje to Release New Singles in January

Sixteen-year-old author/singer Shanaya Fastje is preparing to release three new singles (Publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES –  Teenage author/singer Shanaya Fastje is set to release three new singles in January.

The 16-year-old performer, who stars in the web series "M.D. Squared," has been recording new music in Nashville this past year and today says her music is nearly ready for release.

“I am ecstatic to record new music that exhibits my evolution as a songwriter. Each new song is written as a story that may resonate differently within whomever listens,” Shanaya said. “They are dreamy but grounded, mystical but eloquent, still keeping with a theme of symbolism and metaphorical phrasing that will always be a part of who I am as an artist.”

Besides her music, Shanaya has also completed work on a science fiction/fantasy novel that is scheduled to be published in 2016. “My new book pieces together three idiosyncratic characters who use otherworldly powers, naivety, and their obsession to be momentous in order to save not only themselves but the world,” she said.

Earlier this month, Shanaya earned second place at the 2015 Latino Books Into Movies Awards for her anti-bullying book “Bully in the Mirror.” The awards ceremony, presented by Latino Literacy Now, was held on Nov. 7 at the Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival at Mount San Antonio College, Walnut, Calif.

 “When I first learned about my nomination for Books Into Movies, I felt a sense of excitement because the more ‘Bully in the Mirror’ – or messages alike – promulgates, the more opportunity there is for people to seek and receive help,” Shanaya said. “Latino Literacy Now International has changed my life. They believed in me, and that is most important to me – knowing you're not alone, because it gives you a powerful mindset to keep moving on and keep changing the world.”

Shanaya has been featured on shows such as “The Jeff Probst Show” and many others has earned much acclaim for her books, including the highly touted “Bully in the Mirror” which offers teens, teachers, parents and schools a comprehensive program aimed at effectively combatting bullying.

Blake Shelton to Host Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards

Country singer Blake Shelton is set to host Nickelodeon's "2016 Kids' Choice Awards" in March (Photo by Nickelodeon/Viacom International).

SANTA MONICA, Calif.-- Country Music superstar and coach on the Emmy winning NBC's The Voice, Blake Shelton, will host Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards, airing live on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Super-sized surprises will take over this year's Kids' Choice Awards honoring favorites from the worlds of film, music, and television, and giving kids a front-row seat to slime, stunts and celebrities. The show will be seen by kids around the globe on Nickelodeon channels in more than 180 countries and territories. Additional Kids' Choice Awards news will be announced in the coming months.

Said Shelton of his hosting duties: "I've been on countless stages throughout my life, but none have promised the madness, excitement and endless slime as Nick's Kids' Choice Awards, which is undoubtedly the ultimate party for kids. There is only one team here, and it's Team Kids' Choice so bring it on Nickelodeon!"

Sponsors of Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards include Cinnamon Toast Crunch™, Yoplait® GoGurt®, Fruit by the Foot™, McDonald's® USA, and Toyota.

Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards is produced by Nickelodeon Productions. Elizabeth Kelly, Michael Dempsey, Shelly Sumpter Gillyard and Jay Schmalholz are executive producers.

LeBron James' 'Uninterrupted' Secures $15.8M Financing Led by Warner Bros.

A multimedia network headed by NBA star LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter has gained $15.8 million in new financing (File photo).

LOS ANGELES  – “Uninterrupted,” the multimedia network for exclusive sports lifestyle content created by international icon LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter, has aligned with two Time Warner companies, global entertainment leader, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and existing partner Turner Sports, to raise $15.8 million in new financing. The additional capital will allow the growing athlete point-of-view platform to develop exclusive content, elevate the brand, expand to additional platforms, and further engage potential partners.

“The best thing about ‘Uninterrupted’ is there are so many creative opportunities for athletes to tell their stories,” said LeBron James. “I'm excited to be partnering with important, innovative companies like Warner Brothers and Turner to keep building ‘Uninterrupted’ as a place for athletes to go to connect with fans and share their stories in a different way.”

“With the unique ‘Uninterrupted’ platform, there is a real opportunity to create a special business that athletes, brands, and media partners can come together to create and distribute creative content,” said Maverick Carter, “Uninterrupted” CEO. “Whether it’s through real-time videos, original digital series, or documentaries, ‘Uninterrupted’ provides that creative outlet for athletes to share their stories in a way they can’t anywhere else.”

“LeBron and Maverick bring incredible energy, focus and creativity to everything they do and are excellent partners with us in TV, film and digital,” said Craig Hunegs, President Business and Strategy, Warner Bros. Television Group. “Joining forces with LeBron, other world-class athletes and Bleacher Report to aggressively build ‘Uninterrupted’ was an easy decision that’s great for fans and great for Warner Bros.”

In addition to having an equity stake in the company, Turner Sports will now serve as the primary sales arm for the newly expanded “Uninterrupted” venture. Building on its existing role as the platform’s original content host, Turner’s Bleacher Report and “Uninterrupted” will have a preferred content relationship.

Paramount to Release First Two Films on Digital Platforms.

"Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse," above, will be released on digital platforms for sale and rental beginning Dec. 8 as part of a deal between Paramount Pictures and select theatrical exhibitors (Photo by Paramount Pictures).

LOS ANGELES - Paramount Pictures announced today the home entertainment release dates of the first two films in the studio's groundbreaking digital revenue-sharing initiative with theatrical exhibitors. "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse" and "Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension" will debut on digital platforms for sale and rental beginning December 8 and December 15, respectively.

Under the revenue-sharing agreement with select theatrical exhibitors, the films were eligible to be released on home entertainment platforms 17 days after they dipped below 300 domestic theaters, giving consumers unprecedented early access to enjoy the movies at home following their theatrical runs. "Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension" was released in theaters on October 23rd and "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse" was released on October 30.

"This innovative agreement with exhibitors enables us to make these two films available to home viewers much earlier than usual, following their natural lifecycle in theaters," said Megan Colligan, President of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing for Paramount Pictures. "This flexible distribution model allows us to maximize the revenue potential of these films, satisfy consumer demand through legitimate digital access, while respecting and preserving an exclusive theatrical window."

Exhibitors participating in the initiative—including AMC Theatres, Cineplex Entertainment, National Amusements, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Southern Theatres and Landmark Cinemas—will receive a percentage of any of the studio's digital revenue for the period of digital availability through 90 days from the initial U.S. theatrical release, with each exhibitor's share proportional to its theatrical gross market share.