Here's the Scoop...
The new Guillermo del Toro movie is getting big praise from all over the place!
Guillermo del Toro's sci-fi drama The Shape of Water was nominated for a leading 14 Critics' Choice Awards, including Best Picture.
Call Me By Your Name, Dunkirk, Lady Bird and The Post each earned eight nominations and are also vying for Best Picture.
Blade Runner 2049 earned seven nominations, followed by The Big Sick and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri with six apiece, and Get Out and I, Tonya with five nods each.
Among the television nominees, the Hollywood-themed, limited series Feud: Bette and Joan led with six, followed by Big Little Lies and Fargo with five and Glow with four.
Up for three awards are American Gods, black-ish, Game of Thrones, Godless, The Good Fight, The Handmaid's Tale, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, This is Us and The Wizard of Lies.
Winners will be announced live at the Critics' Choice Awards gala on Jan. 11. The ceremony is slated to air live on The CW Network.
"2017 has proved to be an incredibly exciting year in movies -- and one of the most wide-open in terms of awards possibilities," Broadcast Film Critics Association President Joey Berlin said in a statement. "The mix of legendary filmmakers and performers along with vibrant new voices representing fresh and varied styles and perspectives has entertained and challenged critics and audiences alike. It's been a joy to experience these films and we can't wait to celebrate them all on Jan. 11."
"Choosing a handful of outstanding programs or personalities to nominate in any category is a daunting task given the sheer volume of high quality options today on broadcast and cable television and streaming services," added Broadcast Television Journalists Association President Ed Martin. "But after much careful consideration and thoughtful debate I believe we have filled all of our categories with the most deserving nominees."
I've always been a fan of Guillermo del Toro, but I thought his last movie, 'Crimson Peak', was a big disappointment; so I'm a bit hesitant with his newest outing. Maybe the critics are right. I guess I'll just have to buy a ticket and take the ride.
Be Well,
Steve
Comments? Questions? Nooz?
Email Steve
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Bryan Singer disputes Fox's reason for his 'Bohemian Rhapsody' firing
Filmmaker Bryan Singer says his attempt to care for a sick parent -- and not erratic behavior -- was to blame for his firing from the Fox film Bohemian Rhapsody.
The director issued a statement through his attorney Andrew B. Brettler Monday night, after the studio announced he would no longer be helming the movie.
"Bohemian Rhapsody is a passion project of mine," Singer said. "With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents. This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services. This was not my decision and it was beyond my control."
"Rumors that my unexpected departure from the film was sparked by a dispute I had with Rami Malek are not true," Singer added. "While, at times, we did have creative differences on set, Rami and I successfully put those differences behind us and continued to work on the film together until just prior to Thanksgiving. I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first."
20th Century Fox said it fired Singer from the film after he failed to show up for work on multiple occasions.
Sources also told Deadline there were tensions on the set between Singer and some of the actors, including the lead, Rami Malek, who plays Mercury, and Tom Hollander, who plays Queen manager Jim Beach.
Malek reportedly complained to the studio about Singer's unprofessional behavior, including an incident in which the director allegedly threw an object during an argument.
The studio has not announced who will take over as director of the film.
Terry Crews sues agent Adam Venit for sexual battery
Terry Crews has filed a lawsuit against Adam Venit of media agency WME.
The actor is seeking damages for assault, battery, sexual battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and negligent retention and supervision, E! News reported. Crews has said Venit groped him in 2016.
"It is now time to hold Venit accountable for his sexual predatory behavior and to hold WME accountable for its conduct in condoning, ratifying, and encouraging Venit's sexual predatory behavior," Crews, a former client of WME, said in the complaint filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Crews said on Twitter in October that the Hollywood executive groped him during an event while he was with his wife Rebecca. "This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME," he recounted at the time.
"My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates," Crews said of how he was sexually assaulted.
Venit was suspended from WME following the allegations but was able to return to work. He is no longer the head of the company's motion picture group and instead serves as an agent.
Crews, in the complaint, further detailed what happened when he met Venit in 2016 and how Adam Sandler, a client of Venit, witnessed the incident and then later apologized to Crews for the agent's actions.
'"Adam, come get your boy! He's grabbing my nuts!"' the filling says Crews yelled to Sandler who "shook his head at Venit in disbelief as Venit just stood there giggling and smirking at Crews and his wife."
"Notwithstanding Adam Sandler's apology, Venit's sexual assault had an immediate negative impact on Crews in addition to the actual pain it caused, " it reads. "He also suffered from psychological issues as a result of the sexual assault and has stated that he has never felt more emasculated and objectified."
LOOSE LIPS:
"I auditioned with Matthew, isn't that weird? Never said that in public before. I auditioned with Matthew, which was completely fantastic. It just wouldn't have been the whole 'Jack and Rose, Kate and Leo' thing."
--Kate Winslet, revealing Matthew McConaughey auditioned for Leonardo DiCaprio's role in Titanic, on The Late Show
??? Guess Who ???
Which actor and former pro wrestler is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Dec. 13?
Netflix fires 'Ranch' star Danny Masterson amid sexual abuse allegations
Netflix says it has fired Danny Masterson, who co-stars in its comedy series The Ranch alongside Ashton Kutcher, Debra Winger and Sam Elliott.
"As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of The Ranch. [Monday] was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him," the streaming service said in a statement.
The Hollywood Reporter said the 41-year-old actor will appear in the second half of Season 2 of The Ranch since the episodes have already been filmed.
Masterson's firing comes as four women have accused him of sexually assaulting them in incidents dating back to the early 2000s.
The actor denied the allegations to TMZ.
"I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix's decision to write my character off of The Ranch. From Day 1, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit," he said. "I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one. In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, in the current climate, it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused."
Masterson and Kutcher previously worked together on That '70s Show from 1998-2006.
Blake Lively injured while filming 'The Rhythm Section,' production suspended
Blake Lively has sustained an injury while filming upcoming spy thriller The Rhythm Section in Dublin, Ireland.
"Paramount, Global Road (fka IM Global) and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today confirmed that filming has been temporarily suspended on The Rhythm Section as Blake Lively sustained an injury to her hand whilst filming an action sequence," the studio said in a statement.
"Production will resume as soon as possible," it continued.
The film, which also stars Jude Law, is based on a novel by Mark Burnell. Lively will star as main character Stephanie Patrick as she searches for the truth and seeks revenge after her family is killed in a planned plane crash.
Lively has been seen on set donning a brunette pixie cut and baggy clothes.
It remains unclear if the production delay will affect the film's planned Feb. 22 release date.
??? Guess Who ???
Which actor and former pro wrestler is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Dec. 13?
Dwayne Johnson is scheduled to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Dec. 13.
"A true true honor. What a full circle journey. So grateful and so many people to thank. See everyone there! Tequila on me," Johnson tweeted Wednesday.
Johnson's star will be located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Hollywood & Highland, said the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
"Everyone loves Dwayne Johnson! We predict that his star will be a very popular one to visit on our famous walk. Not only does Dwayne have a great personality and talent, but he also does a great amount of philanthropic work which is part of the criteria for earning an immortal spot on the Walk of Fame. We envision scores of photos being taken at his star by his fans," Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, said in a statement.
Johnson, 45, will soon be seen in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Rampage. His other credits include Central Intelligence, the Fast and the Furious film franchise and Moana.