May 05, 2019
Here's the list of the movies that we watched and reviewed in the month of April. Be sure to click them to see our reviews, the trailers, posters, and credits for these entertaining motion pictures. Hopefully, this will entice you to check some of these flicks out or save your peepers from prolonged exposure to some of the more cringe-inducing duds that we sat through. Don't worry, there are plenty of good ones! Trust me and us and him and her, too!
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Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew dies in Texas home
Peter Mayhew, best known as the actor who played Chewbecca in the Star Wars films, died Tuesday at his home in North Texas, the family said Thursday.
Mayhew, 74, played in five of the Star Wars movies as Han Solo's trusty sidekick and Millennium Falcon co-pilot. The London native starred in the original Star Wars in 1977, The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, Return of the Jedi in 1983, Revenge of the Sith in 2005 and The Force Awakens in 2015.
"He put heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films from his knock-kneed running, firing his bowcaster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth," his family said in a statement posted on Twitter. "But, to him, the "Star Wars" family meant so much more to him than a role in a film."
He created the Peter Mayhew Foundation to support individuals and families in crisis situations with food and supplies. Most recently the foundation support children in Venezuela. He was also part of the 501st legion, Wounded Warriors, Make-a-Wish and other nonprofit organizations.
"His kindness, generosity and care will live on in the Peter Mayhew Foundation with Angie taking the helm as his voice," the family said in the statement.
A memorial service for friends and family will take place June 29. A separate memorial for fans is set for December in Los Angeles. For additional information, information on the memorials or to offer condolences email ryan@ReelAppearances.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peter Mayhew Foundation.
He is survived by his wife Angie and three children.
He played a minotaur, which is a half-man and half-bull figure from Greek mythology, in his first film, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger in 1971. George Lucas then cast him in Star Wars later that year while he was working as an orderly.
The 200-year-old Wookiee co-piloted Han Solo's Millennium Falcon from the planet Kashyyyk. The voice of the character was created by sound designer Ben Burtt.
'Star Wars' cast, crew mourn Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew
Members of the Star Wars film franchise, including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams, shared remembrances of Peter Mayhew following the Chewbacca actor's death.
Mayhew died Tuesday at age 74 at his home in North Texas. He is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children.
Mayhew famously portrayed Chewbacca in five Star Wars films, including the original Star Wars in 1977, The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, Return of the Jedi in 1983, Revenge of the Sith in 2005 and The Force Awakens in 2015.
Chewbacca, a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk, was Han Solo's (Ford) partner and co-pilot aboard the Millennium Falcon.
"Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character," Ford said in a statement. "These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience."
"Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to its continued success and he was devoted to them. I an millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all. My thoughts are with his dear wife, Angie, and his children. Rest easy, my dear friend."
Hamill, who portrays Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, posted a photo with Mayhew on Twitter.
"He was the gentles of giants -- A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly -- I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken," Hamill wrote.
Williams, who portrayed Lando Calrissian, posted, "Much more than Chewie to me...My heart hurts...I will miss you dear friend...thanks for the great memories! #RIPPeterMayhew."
Star Wars creator George Lucas said in a statement, "Peter was a wonderful man. He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature...and I learned to always let him win. He was a good friend and I'm saddened by his passing."
Filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who directed Mayhew in The Force Awakens, tweeted, "Peter was the loveliest man...kind and patient, supportive and encouraging. A sweetheart to work with and already deeply missed."
Actor Joonas Suotamo, who took over the role of Chewbacca, said on Twitter, "Peter's warm welcome when I came aboard as his double in The Force Awakens meant so much to me. Studying the character he helped create was always a daunting task, but one that was made easier by his tutelage and kindness as we sought to bring Chewbacca to life for a new generation. He was an absolutely one-of-kind gentleman and a legend of unrivaled class and I will miss him."
Filmmaker Rian Johnson, who directed The Last Jedi, said on Twitter, "RIP Peter Mayhew. To create a beloved character with warmth and humor is a testament to any actor's spirit. To do it under a half ton of yak hair takes a true legend."
RIP Peter Mayhew. To create a beloved character with warmth and humor is a testament to any actor's spirit. To do it under a half ton of yak hair takes a true legend. ??- Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) May 3, 2019
LOOSE LIPS:
 "When a role came up in a movie called Cats, I just thought, I've got to do this. This is my calling in life to do this for the ladies. So I went to cat school, which they have on set readily available for us. Learned how to be as much like a cat as I possibly could."
--Taylor Swift, on being "obsessed with" and inspired by her cats and deciding to star in the film adaptation of Cats, in a video for TIME
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Which 'Kill Bill' star became the second Asian-American actress on Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Kelly Clarkson has surgery to remove appendix: 'Feeling awesome now!'
Kelly Clarkson underwent surgery to remove her appendix after hosting and performing at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
The singer, who had been suffering from appendicitis throughout the week, had the surgery Thursday in Los Angeles after appearing on the awards show Wednesday in Las Vegas.
"Not gonna lie.... I may or may not have broken down in tears after the show from pain," Clarkson said on Twitter after the procedure. "I flew home directly after the event, nailed the surgery early this morning, & feeling awesome now! Bye bye appendix #TheShowMustGoOn.
Clarkson still plans on appearing on The Voice on Monday, Entertainment Tonight reported.
Clarkson was the second performer at the Billboard Music Awards where she performed a medley of pop hits including Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey's "The Middle," Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin's "I Like It" and Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body."
Clarkson recently released a new music video for her song "Broke & Beautiful" from her animated film UglyDolls. She voices main character Moxy in the film which arrived in theaters Friday.
Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner officially tie the knot
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have obtained their marriage license and are officially husband and wife.
Entertainment Tonight confirmed the union between Jonas and Turner by obtaining a copy of the couple's marriage license, which they received on Wednesday.
People magazine also confirmed the news, citing online records that the singer and Game of Thrones star applied for a marriage license in Clark County, Nev.
Jonas and Turner announced their engagement in October 2017 after almost a year of dating. They were both present at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday and appeared to get married during a surprise Las Vegas ceremony that took place after the show.
The ceremony was documented on DJ and producer Diplo's Instagram story, which included video of Turner walking down the aisle as country duo Dan + Shay performed their song "Speechless."
Jonas' brothers Nick and Kevin were also featured in the video, serving as groomsmen.
??? Guess Who ???
Which 'Kill Bill' star became the second Asian-American actress on Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Lucy Liu was honored this week with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming only the second Asian-American woman to receive the coveted accolade.
In her acceptance speech Wednesday, the "Elementary" actress thanked Anna May Wong, the first Asian-American woman to receive a star, for being paving the way for actresses like herself, Variety reported.
"When I moved to Los Angeles, I actually lived on Vine Street, so it's thrilling to have Anna May Wong, who is the first Asian-American Actress, as my neighbor," Liu said in her speech. "A hundred years ago, she was a pioneer while enduring racism, marginalization and exclusion."
"We could actually start our own little Chinatown right her," she joked, as their stars are in close proximity on the Walk of Fame.
Liu, 50, said people often talk about her "mainstream success" and how she broke ground for other Asians to enter the industry, but she said she was fortunate to have such "trailblazers" as Wong and action star Bruce Lee.
"If my body of work somehow helped bridge the gap between stereotypical roles, first given to Anna May, and mainstream success today, I am thrilled to have been a part of that process," she said.
She then thanked show created David E. Kelly for casting her in the late 1990s hit comedy "Ally McBeal." She said when she was cast in the show alongside Calista Flockhart, it was rare to see diversity on the screen.
"David, thank you for taking a chance on me," she said, before also thanking her parents.
"This dream-fulfilling honor I am receiving today affirms that anyone who feels like an outsider can take her place among the stars," she said. "Thank you very much."
On hand for the ceremony were also members of her "Charlie's Angels" cast, including Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.
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