Thursday, December 29, 2016

Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival to Open Jan. 14

Kirk Douglas will be Honored at the Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival when it screens his 1953 film "The Juggler" on Jan. 15 (Publicity Photo).
LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Review-Journal is proud to sponsor the 16th annual Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival, running Jan. 14 – 29. The longest running, most popular film festival in Nevada continues to present informative and entertaining contemporary global Jewish cinema for the entire community. 

The host venue for the majority of the festival's films is the Adelson Educational Campus, 9700 Hillpointe Road, in Summerlin.
The opening night screening is "On the Map," the true story of the 1977 Israeli Maccabi Basketball team that made history by beating the Soviet Red Army team and winning their first European title. "On the Map" will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, in the Brenden Theatres in the Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. The film's director, Dani Menkin, will be in attendance to conduct a dialogue with the audience after the screening. 

Highlights of the 2017 Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival include a tribute to Kirk Douglas in honor of his 100th birthday and lifetime achievement in cinema and Jewish philanthropy. His 1953 film "The Juggler" about a Holocaust Survivor who immigrates to Israel will be shown at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Adelson Educational Campus and is co-presented by the Jewish National Fund.
The most popular film at Jewish film festivals this year, "The Women's Balcony," will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Cinemark Theatres in the South Point Hotel and Casino, 9777 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 

Another standout presentation is "And When I Die, I Won't Stay Dead," a new documentary film by Billy Woodberry about black, Jewish Beat poet Bob Kaufman (1925-1986). This screening is co-presented by Clark County Poet Laureate and Nevada State College. The film will be moderated by former San Francisco Poet Laureate, Jack Hirschman, and Clark County Poet Laureate, Bruce Isaacson, and will be shown at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in Bldg. 200 of Nevada State College, 1300 Nevada State Drive, and again at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Adelson Educational Campus.
All films will be accompanied by the filmmakers, or related experts in the subject matter, who will provide introductions and moderate post-screening discussions with the audience.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2017 Is Open For Entries

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- The HGTV Dream Home Giveaway is open for entries through 5 p.m. ET Friday, February 17. Viewers can vie for the chance to move into the HGTV® Dream Home on St. Simons Island, Georgia through this new contest. Fans can enter twice a day by visiting HGTV.com/HGTVDreamHome for a chance to win the grand prize package valued at more than $1.7 million. Eligible U.S. residents can log on to HGTV.com for full details and official rules.

In addition to the approximately 3,200-square-foot residence and all its furnishings, the grand prize winner will receive the keys to a new Honda Pilot, plus $250,000 from national mortgage lender Quicken Loans®.

Interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn has restored a hidden gem into a one-of-a-kind getaway with a design aesthetic that can be described as Southern Transitional. With Sea Island as the backdrop, the 1980s-built home maintains a traditional look that embodies true Southern charm with an emphasis on architecture reflective of its coastal location. 

"The charming seaside location of St. Simons fits the bill as a 'dreamy' location where our fans can see themselves relaxing by the backyard fire pit or hosting friends by the pool," said Ron Feinbaum, general manager and senior vice president of Home Promotions for Scripps Networks Interactive. "Working with architect Michael Stauffer and builder Allen Construction, we were able to transform this home into a residence with design inspiration that our fans can use in their own homes."  

The main living spaces reflect an entertaining-savvy layout that features muted, muddy earth tones mixed with bright whites. Comfortable furniture and formal statement pieces are intertwined with casual textiles. A selection of modern art elevates the house to a game-changing showstopper. The three bedrooms and four bathrooms take their cue from the property's mossy vegetation with shades of green, and the neutral browns are a nod to the nearby beaches. Complete with a private pool, the abode is a fresh new take on Southern style.

Viewers can catch the DIY Behind the Build: HGTV Dream Home special chronicling the home's remodeling process, tonight at 11 p.m. ET on DIY Network, and the HGTV Dream Home Special which airs New Year's Day at 8 p.m. ET on HGTV.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Texture Magazine Announces 2016's Most-Covered Personalities




NEW YORK -- The editors of Texture, the premier magazine content app, have tallied up the magazine covers published in 2016 and created this list of 2016 cover kings and queens. "Magazines are fantastic barometers of curiosity and obsession.   

This year, no one will be shocked that President-elect Donald Trump was the magazine cover king, but it's hard to recall when a potential first daughter or first son-in-law received the coverage that Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, have received," says Maggie Murphy, editorial director of Texture. "Other trends included the rise of the Hadid sisters, the staying power of late-night hosts, and how taken we are with star-trepreneurs like Jessica Alba, who can be featured in Fast Company, Domino and turn heads on the cover of Cosmopolitan."

According to Texture, here are the most covered personalities of 2016.

    1. Donald Trump
    No surprise here: Being named Time's Person of the Year, along with profiles of the Trump family (especially Ivanka and son-in-law Jared) and the President-elect's most visible advisors (Kellyanne Conway, etc.), delivered this win.
    2. Hillary Clinton
    As her party's first female presidential nominee, Clinton landed her share of memorable covers, but the ugly swirl around her trusted aide, Huma Abedin, and those damn emails created more stories than iconic moments.
    3. The Kardashian/Jenner Axis
    With her appearance on Vogue's prestigious September issue, Kendall became the most fashionable sister of all.
    4. The Obamas' Farewell Tour
    They now rival the Reagans for the presidential couple with the most PDAs. They will be missed.
    5. Late-Night Hosts
    Jimmy Kimmel—along with James Corden, Trevor Noah, and Samantha Bee—racked up stories as well as ratings.
    6. The Hadid Sisters
    Watch out, Kardashians. Gigi and Bella are rising fast.
    7. Megyn Kelly
    Trump slayer. Ailes killer. And a must-read wherever she appears.
    8. Hamilton Mania
    Lin-Manuel Miranda had more than one (cover) shot. But this one's our fave.
    9. Mark Zuckerberg
    As fake news flourished, Zuck grew less elusive, granting real interviews about the state of the world's No. 1 media company.
    10. Jessica Alba
    Smart, stunning and savvy: The Honest entrepreneur shared her formula for success.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

USA to Air 'This Is Us' All Day Marathon on Saturday, Jan. 7


Stirling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson in a scene from NBC's "This Is Us" (NBC Photo).

NEW YORK, NY –  Viewers will have the chance to binge-watch the biggest hit of the fall season, “This Is Us,” when all 10 episodes of NBC’s breakout drama air on sister cable network USA. The catch-up marathon kicks off at 1 p.m. ET/PT on Saturday Jan. 7 with the pilot episode airing simultaneously on NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s USA, Bravo and E! networks. All episodes will then continue on USA through 11 p.m.

New episodes of “This Is Us” return to NBC on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

The official “This Is Us” social handles will support all airings during the marathon and viewers can follow along at:




“This Is Us” is the #1 new series of the season in adults 18-49, with its 4.6 rating in “live plus seven day” ranking it behind only “The Walking Dead,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Empire.” The series is averaging 14.6 million viewers. The Dec. 6 fall finale of “This Is Us” set new series records in L+7 with a 4.9 rating in 18-49 and 16.4 million viewers.

The series stars Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley. Chris Sullivan, Susan Kelechi Watson and Ron Cephas Jones.

The series has recently been honored by the AFI Awards as one of the top 10 television programs of the year. In addition, “This Is Us” was nominated for best drama TV series by the Golden Globes and received a nomination from the WGA for best new series. Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz were both nominated for a Golden Globe and Sterling K. Brown was nominated for a SAG Award.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

'Rob & Chyna' Picked up for Second Season by E!


Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna return for a second season on E!'s "Rob & Chyna" in 2017 (Photo by E! Entertainment).

LOS ANGELES – E! announced today the hit reality series “Rob & Chyna,” which follows Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna, his fiancĂ©e and mother of his newborn daughter Dream, has been picked up for a second season.  The eight-episode second season will premiere in 2017.

“Rob and Chyna’s romance struck such a chord with our viewers, who were engaged in their story even before we started filming the first season,” said Jeff Olde, EVP, Programming & Development, E! “We are excited to share the next chapter of their story.”

The premiere episode of “Rob & Chyna” remains cable’s most-watched unscripted launch of 2016 among adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49.  “Rob & Chyna” marks the second year in a row that E! has delivered cable's biggest unscripited launch (“I Am Cait” in 2015).