Selma Director Ava Du Vernay Makes History

Vanessa Obioha
It was a historical moment for Ava DuVernay last Tuesday as she became the first woman of colour to direct a live-action film that boasts a budget over $100m.
The film, a Disney production ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ penned DuVernay for directing since February but was officially announced on Tuesday.

DuVernay is now the third woman to direct a $100m film. Kathryn Bigelow was the first with her 2009’s K-19: The Widowmaker followed by Patty Jenkins for the upcoming Wonder Woman.
However, DuVernay thinks she is not the first coloured woman to achieve that status, at least not by a long shot. She tweeted her gratitude to Disney for helping her break the glass ceiling.
The film centers on the bespectacled Meg Murry and her courageous quest to save her scientist father.

Jimmy Fallon Replaces Ricky Gervais in 2017 Golden Globes
Ricky Gervais won’t be hosting the Golden Globes Award for the fifth time next year. The host of NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Fallon is to host the 2017 Golden Globes ceremony on 8 January 2017.
The announcement was made by the NBC Entertainment chairman, Robert Greenblatt at the Television Critics Association’s press tour in Beverly Hills last week.

It is the first time the comedian will be hosting the award ceremony. He has previously hosted the 2010 Primetime Emmy awards and lauded greatly by critics.
He is the preferred choice for Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hosts the annual event and picks the awards because of his friendly disposition with celebrity guests on his late-night show.
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Beethoven’s Eroica is the Greatest Symphony of All Time
According to 151 conductors across the globe, the thrilling electrifying piece of music by Beethoven is the best symphony of all time. Eroica topped BBC’s Music Magazine 20 Greatest Symphonies with this survey. It is followed by Beethoven’s ninth symphony ‘Choral’ while Mozart’s last symphony, No 41 ‘Jupiter’ occupy the third position.
Eroica, third symphony from Beethoven was written in 1803, and originally dedicated to celebrate Napoleon . Beethoven wanted to call it the Bonaparte, but changed his mind when he heard that Napoleon had declared himself emperor.

The British conductor Jonathan Nott, music director of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, told the magazine the Eroica was boundary-breaking. “This symphony is not about the glory of God, it’s about humans – our struggles, challenges and victories. You come away having experienced the power and joy of being alive.”
Other winners in the list include Mahler, Brahms, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky and others.

Bradley Cooper in Talks With HBO for ‘The Rise of ISIS’ miniseries
Never underestimate the power of a book. After reading the griping story of Joby Warrick’s 2016 Pulitzer-winning book ‘Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS’, Academy Award-nominated actor, Bradley Cooper was inspired to bring the book to screen.
The book highlights the rise of the feared terrorist group, from its origins in a remote Jordanian prison to its groundbreaking transformation and celebrated success in Syria, alongside the arduous task of international agents assigned to clamp it down.

For this particular project, Cooper is partnering with HBO and will executive produce the film alongside
Todd Phillips while Gregg Hurwitz (‘Orphan X’, ‘Wolverine’) will pen the adaptation and also executive produce the miniseries. ‘Game of Thrones’ Tim Van Patten will direct and also share the executive producer credits.

Jackie Chan to Direct First Sci-Fi Movie
In summer 2017, Jackie Chan’s first directorial sci-fi movie ‘Bleeding Steel’ will be released. Chan stars as the main character: a spy assigned to protect a witness involved in a life and death conspiracy. The film also stars Ou Yang Nana, Show Luo, Callan Mulvey, Tess Haubrich and others.

Show Luo whose life-long dream is to act alongside Chan is ecstatic about his role in the film. He will be the investigator trying to find the truth in the whole feud. Chan however revealed that Lou’s name came up after he read the script because of his ability to process humour effectively.
Chan also produced the film.

Empire’s Star Terrence Howard Sued Over Payment Dispute
In a new lawsuit against the Empire’s actor, Authentic Talent and Literary Management disclosed that it saved the Oscar nominee from being fired from the hit hip-hop series Empire.

Howard who played the role of music executive mogul Lucious Lyon in the series has been in one scandal or the other following his messy divorce scandal with his second wife Michelle Ghent in 2013.
The talent management company is suing Howard for unpaid dues and seeking $250,000 plus 10 percent of his future earnings with the show.

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