Jon Batiste tops Grammys; Silk Sonic soars, Rodrigo crowned
Jon Batiste won album of the year honors for “We Are” at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, giving him five trophies on a night that saw the ’70s funk of Silk Sonic take record of the year and song of the year and newcomer Olivia Rodrigo take three awards.
After a year away, Oscar nominees celebrate together
94th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon - Arrivals Will Smith, left, and Denzel Washington arrive at the 94th Academy Awards nominees luncheon on Monday, March 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The Oscar race may be heating up, but you wouldn’t know it to peek in on the nominees luncheon Monday in Los Angeles. Attendees packed into a ballroom at the Fairmont Century City for the annual luncheon, where nominees get to mingle and celebrate. Will Smith and Denzel Washington, both best actor nominees this year, smiled and grabbed each other's hands. Bill Corso, an Oscar winning hair and makeup artist, is one who was on the committee that made the decision.
wftv.comKotsur, 'Summer of Soul' take early Indie Spirit Awards
2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Show Troy Kotsur accepts the award for best supporting male for "CODA" at the 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss)SANTA MONICA, Calif. — (AP) — “CODA’s” Troy Kotsur and the documentary “Summer of Soul” were among the early winners at the 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards Sunday. Offerman said he hopes “Putin (expletive) off and goes home” and implored the audience to send him off with a “Spirit Awards salute.” Many raised their hands with a middle finger. Historically, the Spirit Awards are held on the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars, but this year was moved up a few weeks. “Summer of Soul” won best documentary. Troy Kotsur got another boost before the Oscars, winning best supporting actor for “CODA.” He also won the Screen Actors Guild prize.
wftv.com‘Summer of Soul,’ ‘Drive My Car’ make Oscars shortlist
Documentaries about Julia Child, “Black Woodstock,” the pandemic and The Velvet Underground and acclaimed international films like Japan’s “Drive My Car,” Iran’s “A Hero” and Norway’s “The Worst Person in the World” just got a little closer to scoring Oscar nominations.
'CODA,' 'Summer of Soul' win top prizes at Sundance Awards
Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival Awards were unlike any before and had filmmakers calling in from around the world Tuesday night to cap off the festival’s first virtual edition. “Hive,” from first time filmmaker Blerta Basholli, was awarded the world cinema grand jury prize and the audience award. “Writing With Fire,” a documentary about India’s only all-female newspaper, won the world cinema documentary audience award. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival runs through Wednesday.
Questlove uncovers 'Black Woodstock' in his hit Sundance doc
The film will debut at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. (Sundance Film Festival via AP)Sundance Institute programs. Known as “Black Woodstock,” the festival occurred during the same summer as Woodstock — and just 100 miles away — but received far less attention. It debuted Thursday night at the Sundance Film Festival where it spawned immediate acclaim and countless at-home dance parties for virtual festivalgoers — a party Questlove extended with a live-streamed after-party DJ set. Morris Park for a celebration of soul, gospel, funk and, most of all of Black identity at a pivotal point in African American culture.
Sundance Film Festival unveils slate for 1st virtual edition
This image released by Sundance Institute shows a scene from "In The Same Breath," which will debut at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. (Sundance Film Festival via AP)Sundance Institute programs. Organizers on Tuesday unveiled a robust and diverse slate for the festival, which will be largely virtual due to the pandemic. Yutani said that the Sesame Street documentary, “Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street” is likely to be a crowd favorite. “We all are so excited about the possibility of encountering people who’ve never been to the festival," Jackson said.
Questlove's quest: To find woman who bought him a turntable
PORTLAND, Maine – Ahmir Thompson, founder of The Roots and drummer for the “Tonight Show” band, wants to find the kind stranger who bought him a turntable and several records at the tender age of 5. “Being the irresistible cat that I was, I talked an older woman named Ellie into buying me a stereo and a record collection,” Questlove posted on Facebook and Instagram. Ellie wrote the youngster's order on a napkin: “Bad Blood” by Neil Sedaka, “Dance With Me” by Rufus, and the Jackson 5. His parents were upset that he'd been chatting up a stranger when Ellie returned the next day bearing gifts. He’s so cute of course I wanted to start his record collection!!
New this week: 'Enola Holmes,' Public Enemy and Bonnaroo
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— “Enola Holmes”: It’s somewhat fitting that “Stranger Things” breakout Millie Bobby Brown gets her first starring role in a Netflix film, “Enola Holmes,” coming to the streamer Wednesday. — The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival was supposed to take place in June in Tennessee but was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. This week, though, the festival is launching Virtual ROO-ALITY, a three-night live broadcast featuring new performances as well as content from the Bonnaroo archive. The two-hour film will be available at 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday at pbs.org/frontline and on YouTube at 9 p.m. EDT.
Malik B, founding member of The Roots, has died at 47
This image provided by @mpozitolbertphotography shows Malik B in studio. Malik B, whose real name is Malik Abdul Basit, was a major contributor to the group, which includes Ahmir Questlove Thompson and Tariq Black Thought Trotter. (@mpozitolbertphotography via AP)LOS ANGELES Malik B, a rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died. Malik B, whose real name is Malik Abdul Basit, was a major contributor to the group, which includes Ahmir Questlove Thompson and Tariq Black Thought Trotter. We regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit, the group said on Twitter.
DaBaby, Roddy Ricch to help BET celebrate awards virtually
The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. Comedian, actress and TV personality Amanda Seales will host the 2020 BET Awards, which will air on CBS for the first time. Drake is the leading nominee: Hes up for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. Ricch and Megan Thee Stallion follow Drake with five nominations each.