ARTHUR THE KING
Rating: About Ratings
Opens: 03/15/2024
Running Time: 90
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman, Bear Grylls, and Paul Guilfoyle.
Crew: Director: Simon Cellan Jones. Producers: Mark Wahlberg, Mark Canton, Andre Coutu, Stephen Levinson, Patty Long, Luis Ignacio Rodrigues, Courtney Solomon, Tessa Tooley and Tucker Tooley. Executive Producers: Michael Brandt, Dorothy Canton and Mikael Lindnord. Screenwriters: Michael Brandt and Mikael Lindnord. Cinematographer: Jacques Jouffret.
REVIEW: By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

The new adventure film "Arthur the King" from director Simon Cellan Jones ("The Family Plan") and screenwriter Michael Brandt (TV's "Chicago Med/Fire/PD") is meant to tug at the old heartstrings and succeeds at most every turn. The movie is an inspirational true story based on Mikael Lindnord's 2016 book "Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home."

"Arthur the King" is a remarkable story about a dog who, against all odds, becomes so much more than man's best friend. I'll be surprised if you don't get a bit choked up over this one.

The movie centers around Michael Light (a terrific Mark Wahlberg, "The Family Plan"), an elite, professional adventure racer. He's retired from the sport which consists of running, biking, climbing, and kayaking hundreds of miles in the most grueling and challenging locations throughout the world. Michael didn't go out on top like he wanted to. Now, he's trying to adjust to the real world at home with his gorgeous wife Helena (Juliet Rylance, TV's "Perry Mason") also a former racer, and helping out his father Charlie (Paul Guilfoyle, TV's "Julia") who is a successful real estate agent. Michael knows his heart isn't in this job. His dad knows it too.

What Michael really wants is a second chance at competing because he lets his ego get in the way the first time around.

He made bad decisions which cost his team a chance to win the competition. While his wife of course has moved on from the incident, other members like Chik (Ali Suliman, "The Swimmers") who suffers from a bum knee now and social media sensation Liam (Simu Liu, "Barbie") can only imagine what could have been if Michael had listened to them.

Realizing that her husband won't be himself if he doesn't go for the challenge again, Helena insists that Michael give it another shot. This time won't be easy. He has to convince corporate sponsors to take another chance on him. They reluctantly do. Michael pulls together his team that includes a fiercely competitive mountain climber named Olivia (an excellent Nathalie Emmanuel, "F9: The Last Saga") who has her own personal reasons for joining the guys.

As they start their grueling 435-mile endurance race through the Dominican Republic, they find an unlikely source of inspiration and guidance. It's a dirty, wounded old dog that takes a liking to Michael and his meatballs.

This isn't an ordinary hound. He's managed to keep up with the crew despite being sick. At one point he even saves them from walking over a cliff. From that moment on, all of them have a special interest in caring for Arthur the King.

When Arthur the King is on screen, the race is still important, but you're really rooting for Arthur to survive and cross the finish line right along with them. There are some hurdles that Michael and the team encounter that places Arthur in jeopardy of being left behind. Michael isn't about to let that happen. Although his team is clearly ahead of the others and they could easily finish in first place, Michael and his squad take a stand on behalf of Arthur the King. It still makes them winners and their actions capture the hearts of viewers and dog lovers everywhere.

Dogs are certainly having their day and enjoying their closeups in the movies lately. Messi, the border collie from "Anatomy of a Fall" became an overnight sensation. The dog that plays Arthur, in real life, his name is Ukai and I'll tell you the audience I saw the movie with applauded wildly for him when he was nursed back to life.

"Arthur the King" is a rousing sports drama and a dog lovers delight.

Check Out This Trailer For "ARTHUR THE KING"

Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty...
 

Rated: PG-13
Opens: 03/15/2024
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Rated: R
Opens: 03/07/2024
Ricky Stanicky

Rated: PG
Opens: 03/08/2024
Kung Fu Panda 4

Rated: PG-13
Opens: 03/01/2024
Dune: Part Two

Rated: PG
Opens: 02/23/2024
Ordinary Angels

Rated: PG-13
Opens: 02/14/2024
Bob Marley: One Love


OLD SCHOOL VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH

<b>MAHOGANY</b> Title: MAHOGANY
Year Released: 1975
Running Time: 109
Production Company: Paramount Pictures
Director: Berry Gordy, Tony Richardson and Jack Wormser
Director of Photography: David Watkin
Screenwriter: John Byrum and Toni Amber
Author: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

REVIEW: DIANA ROSS AND BILLY DEE WILLIAMS DAZZLE IN "MAHOGANY"

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for? When you look behind you, there's no open doors. What are you hoping for? Do you know? "Theme from Mahogany...
NEW ON DVD

<b> FREESTYLE 101: HIP-HOP HISTORY</b> Title: FREESTYLE 101: HIP-HOP HISTORY
Year Released: 2023
Running Time: 102
Production Company: Indie Rights Movies
Director: Frank Meyer
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"Life is like Freestyle. Sometimes you have to improvise and other times you have to be ready to battle." (Chuck D, Public Enemy).

"FREESTYLE 101: HIP-HOP HISTORY"

Chuck D, the former frontman of the influential and iconic 1980s hip hop group Public Enemy has always had a way with words. He's the narrator of the new documentary "Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History," from director Frank Meyer ("Risen: The Story of Chron "Hell Razah" Smith," and the digital producer of TV's "American Ninja Warrior").

"Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube.

In the documentary, Chuck D discusses the genre's halcyon days through the lens of freestyle rap. "Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube.

The documentary features masters of the game such as Ice-T, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Fat Joe, The Game, Del the Funky Homosapien, Sean Kingston, M.O.P., The LOX, Freestyle Fellowship, R.A. The Rugged Man, Cold Crush Bros, Pete Rock, Masta Ace, MC Supernatural, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Tech N9ne, Jurassic 5, Crooked I, Insane Clown Posse, and many more.

Plus, the film features among the last interviews ever given by fallen rappers Guru (Gang Starr), Prodigy (Mobb Deep), Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) and Sean Price (Health Skeltah).

"Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History," arrives during a blockbuster year for hip-hop as the genre celebrates its 50-year anniversary. It's a fascinating glimpse into the artform that blossomed from a New York block party in the Bronx with DJ Kool Herc and two turntables and has since become a dominate and influential cultural force throughout the world.

The film also follows New York battle rapper Iron Solomon and L.A. indie art rapper Open Mike Eagle as they discover firsthand what freestyle skills mean in today's music industry.

Not only is the film a lesson in hip hop history, but it also serves as an inspirational guidebook for those striving to get into the business and survive it.

Open Mike Eagle discusses how the artists back in the day had to do it all. They had to be graffiti artists, break dancers and a DJ.

Ice-T notes that freestylers had the ability to think fast on their feet. He also talks about how in his eye, Supernatural (Reco Dewayne Price) is the best freestyler around. Ice-T recalled seeing Supernatural pick people out of an audience and make up these intricate rhymes.
In 2006, Supernatural set a new world record for the longest continuous freestyle rap at the Rock The Bells Festival in San Bernardino, California. The guy rapped for 9 hours and 15 minutes. In the documentary Supernatural said it's just a fun game for him to see what he can do off the top of his head.

"Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History" is filled with several funny and impressive stories, freestyle battles and performances. It’s a proud and welcome celebration of black culture. A true hip-hop and rapper's delight.
(Highly Recommended).

Editor's Note: "Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History" is available now on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube.

Watch This Trailer For "FREESTYLE 101: HIP-HOP HISTORY"

<B> RIDE ON</B> Title: RIDE ON
Year Released: 2023
Running Time: 90
Production Company: Well Go USA Entertainment
Director: Larry Yang
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"RIDE ON"

Look who is back. It's Jackie Chan. It's been a minute since we've seen the affable actor on screen.

I’m still waiting for the "official" word on "Rush Hour 4." Both Chan and Chris Tucker have said in recent interviews they are on board and want to make it happen. Hopefully soon.

Until then, you can check out Chan in "Ride On," a comical, sappy and heartwarming movie from director/writer Larry Yang ("Another Shot" and "Mountain Cry").

"Ride On" is really a sentimental ode to stuntmen and animal performers.

In "Ride On," Chan plays Lao Luo, a washed-up stuntman who used to be all the rage in the movie industry. No one could even think about doing some of the amazing stunts that Lao would perform on his trusted horse, Red Hare. They were quite a pair back in the day.

Now, he makes a meager living posing for tourists at the movie studio with Red Hare.

Lao still has that adventurous streak in him and Red Hare isn't ready to ride off into the sunset either. Here's the thing. The movie industry has changed, and Lao's financial situation is dire. He's deep in debt and the collectors want to seize Red Hare. Lao can't let that happen.

He's so embarrassed, but reaches out to his estranged daughter Luo Xiaobao (Haocun Liu, "One Second") to help him. She's still working her way through college and is tapped out for money, but her law school graduate boyfriend Lu Naihua (Kevin Guo, TV's "My Heroic Husband") is loaded and comes from a wealthy family. She suggests Lu can tell Lao what his options are.

Lao isn't too worried about his safety because he can easily handle all the goons that are foolish to try and fight him.

Chan may have lost a step, but he's still got some moves and is quite funny during the fights scenes and makes the baddies pay for trying to steal Red Hare. When Lao's brawl goes viral, everyone wants to know who this guy is.

That leads to him getting back in the game and doing some movies with Red Hare. It also allows his daughter to come around and appreciate what a legend her father was and really still is.

The daddy/daughter moments in "Ride On" are earned and touching. Chan is just so likeable in everything he does and "Ride On" further showcases his talents as a martial arts legend, comedian and all-around actor.

Not to be overlooked is the horse, Red Hare. He's always ready for his close-up and is a real scene-stealer. "Ride On" is a genuinely charming and feel-good, family movie.
(Highly Recommended).

Editor's Note: "Ride On" debuts on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 24. The bonus content includes two featurettes and an English dub.

Check Out This Trailer For "RIDE ON"

<b>GANGNAM ZOMBIE</B> Title: GANGNAM ZOMBIE
Year Released: 2023
Running Time: 82
Production Company: Well Go USA Entertainment
Director: Soo-sung Lee
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"GANGNAM ZOMBIE"

Full disclosure. I love zombie movies. So, naturally when asked to screen "Gangnam Zombie," I couldn't resist. The title alone piqued my interest.

Directed by Soo-sung Lee ("Memories" and "House With A View"), "Gangnam Zombie," is a low budget, fun and funny horror/comedy with just enough jump scares. It's currently available on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD.

"Gangnam Zombie" stars Il-Joo Ji ("Blades of Blood"), Park Ji-yeon ("Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp"), from the chart-topping girl group T-ara, and Cho Kyung-hoon ("North Korean Guys").

The movie centers around the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Despite it being Christmas Eve, many of the residents of Seoul Korea's Gangnam district are still nervous and on edge since other COVID variants are on the rise. That's certainly reason to be alarmed, but what is really taking shape in the area is even more frightening.

What starts off as a typical workday, turns into much more when several people start exhibiting odd symptoms and quickly get sick.

No one quite knows why, but it appears this sickness can be traced to a theif who was bitten by an infected cat. Suddenly this guy is aimlessly walking the streets and has developed an insatiable desire for raw meat and human flesh.

A group of young people have gathered to watch him stumble along. They aren't willing to try and help him and it's easy to see why. He's a bloody, scary-looking mess. Besides, they'd rather record all his shocking behavior on their cell phones and post it on social media.

Meanwhile, Hyeon-Seok (Il-Joo Ji) is a taekwondo champion struggling to make ends meet and pay the rent from his lame vlog job. That's because his silly boss has run out of ideas for their YouTube channel. So, they all have to lie when the mall's landlord (Jung Yi-joo) comes to collect.

That's the least of their problems because zombies have descended on the mall. Now it's up to Hyeon-Seok to put his martial arts skills to use and protect his love interest Min-jeong (Park Ji-yeon) and others while trying to escape from these vicious zombies.

The special effects in "Gangnam Zombie" are rather limited, but still pretty effective particularly the closeup, bloody shots of all the zombies.

This is one of those movies, that doesn't reinvent the genre in any way, but you'll have a good time watching it with a group of your closest horror film friends.
(Recommended).

Editor's Note: Take a look at the trailer for "Gangnam Zombie" which is currently available on Digital, Blu Ray, and DVD.
"GANGNAM ZOMBIE"
  MOVIE TRIVIA
 
The "Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" was sung by Diana Ross in the 1975 movie "Mahogany." But, who initially recorded the song in 1973?
"Roberta Flack"
"Natalie Cole"
"Deniece Williams"
"Thelma Houston"
 
  "REEL" MOVIE NEWS
MICHAEL BIOPIC By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:

THE CAST IS SET FOR MICHAEL JACKSON BIOPIC "MICHAEL"

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International (UPI) have announced the actors cast to play Michael Jackson's brothers in the Jackson 5 biopic "Michael" which is slated for a worldwide release on April 18, 2025.

"The truly epic nature of this film required a total of ten actors with the talent to portray the Jackson 5 through the years,” said the film's producer Graham King ("Bohemian Rhapsody," "The Aviator" and "The Departed." "I'm thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film."

Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson will be introduced to worldwide audiences in the starring role of Michael Jackson, the beloved musical icon. Juliano Krue Valdi will star as the younger Michael. Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day" and "The Equalizer" films) will direct the film with King, from a script by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan ("The Aviator" and "Gladiator".

"Michael" will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.

In addition to King, "Michael" will be produced the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain. Lionsgate is distributing the film domestically, while Universal Pictures International will handle all territories apart from Japan, which Lionsgate will oversee.

Here is more information about the new cast members.

YOUNGER JACKSON 5 BROTHERS:

JAYDEN HARVILLE (YOUNG JERMAINE):

Jayden Harville, age 15, born in Newport Beach, California, is making his film debut as Young Jermaine Jackson. Harville began his career with Disney Jr. in a commercial for "Doc McStuffins" at age 5. In addition, Harville has been featured in advertisements for Got Milk, the NFL, Koosh products, and a recurring role in Nickelodeon's "Comedy Incubator."

JAYLEN LYNDON HUNTER (YOUNG MARLON):

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter is a 13-year-old singer, actor, songwriter, and dancer, born in Granada, Spain. He attended Young Actors Guild, where he started his acting journey at the age of seven in Memphis, Tennessee. He made his Broadway debut with Disney's "The Lion King" as Young Simba on the National Rafiki Tour from 2021-2023. Hunter previously played Young Marlon on the first National Tour of "MJ: The Musical," where he also served as an understudy for the role of Young Michael.

JUDAH EDWARDS (YOUNG TITO)

Judah Edwards hails from South Orange, NJ, and has been acting since a young age. Edwards can be seen in various projects, including "Saint X" (Hulu), and voices characters in "ADA Twist" (Netflix), "Blaze And The Monster Machines" (Nickelodeon), "Dee & Friends in Oz" (Netflix), and the podcast "Six Minutes Out of Time."

NATHANIEL LOGAN McINTYRE (YOUNG JACKIE):

New Yorker Nathaniel Logan McIntyre is known for his series regular role as Seren in the Oprah Winfrey Network series David Makes Man." He also played the lead in the Disney+ movie "Magic Camp," directed by Mark Waters, and had a role in the Netflix original feature "Barry," which tells the story of the early life of President Barack Obama. His modeling campaigns include Toys R Us, DKNY, and Benetton, and his commercial work includes HP Hood and Disney's Be Inspired. His other television credits include The Biography Channel's "Ghost Stories," "30 Rock," and Nickelodeon's "Tickety Toc" and "Umizoomi." He played Young Simba on tour in Disney's "The Lion King" before continuing the role on Broadway.

OLDER JACKSON 5 BROTHERS:

JAMAL R. HENDERSON (JERMAINE):

Jamal R. Henderson is a multi-hyphenate talent who originally got his professional start in modeling. He transitioned over to being an actor after an appearance on Netflix's hit series "Mindhunter." From there, he starred as the lead in the BET feature "South Central Love."

TRE HORTON (MARLON):

Tre Horton made a chance audition at the age of eight – to play an orphan in his school’s production of "Annie" – setting in motion a chain of events that would put his life on a new trajectory. Horton immediately fell in love with the stage and hasn't looked back since, training in dance, singing, and acting for many years. His previous roles include Luke in "Amen Corner," Ritchie in "A Chorus Line," and Lefou in "Beauty and the Beast," as well as numerous television & film productions.

RHYAN HILL (TITO):

Rhyan Hill is a dynamic young actor known for his series regular role as Devontae on BET+'s "The Michael Blackson Show." He also appeared in the hit series "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lovecraft Country." A multi-talented performer, Hill has also made waves in the dance world with a featured performance in Childish Gambino's iconic "This Is America" video; he has also shared the stage with such acclaimed artists as Lil Uzi Vert, BeBe Rexha, and MC Hammer.

JOSEPH DAVID-JONES (JACKIE):

This fall, Joseph David-Jones can next be seen starring in The CW's highly anticipated series "The 4400," a reimagining of the 2004 USA Network sci-fi drama. He previously appeared in Kathryn Bigelow's "Detroit" and in "Roman J. Israel, Esq." opposite Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell. He also co-starred in Lionsgate's "The Divergent Series: Allegiant." In television, David-Jones is well known for his starring role as Connor Hawke AKA The Green Arrow on The CW's longstanding action-superhero series "Arrow" and "DC's Legends of Tomorrow." He also appeared on CMT's hit series "Nashville."

ABOUT LIONSGATE:

Lionsgate encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company's film, television, subscription, and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 20,000+ title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.

About GK Films:

GK Films is one of the foremost creative forces in both major motion pictures and independent features. Helmed by Academy Award-winning producer, Graham King, the company has produced and executive produced more than 45 films, grossing over $1.8 billion at the domestic box office and over $4.6 billion worldwide. Heralded by critics and film groups, GK Films' projects have been nominated for 71 Academy Awards, 42 Golden Globe Awards and 66 British Academy Film Awards, among other accolades. The company produced the 2018 global phenomenon "Bohemian Rhapsody", which earned star Rami Malek an Oscar for his jaw-dropping portrayal of Freddie Mercury and is the second highest grossing musical biopic of all time. Previous GK Films projects include Martin Scorsese's 2006 crime drama, "The Departed," which garnered King the "Best Picture" Academy Award as a producer. Additionally, GK Films produced the critically acclaimed films "World War Z," "Argo, "Hugo," "Rango," "The Town," and "Tomb Raider", as well as "Traffic," "The Aviator," "Gangs of New York," "Ali" and "Blood Diamond." Up next, in addition to producing the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," is the story of the Bee Gees for the big screen.

Editor's Note: Information used in this report obtained from Lionsgate Publicity.


OSCAR NOMS ARE By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:

AND THE 96TH OSCARS NOMINEES ARE...

On Jan. 23, actors Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announced the nominees for the 96th Oscars from the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Here they are. Congratulations to all.

BEST PICTURE:

American Fiction (Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson, Producers)

Anatomy of a Fall (Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, Producers)

Barbie (David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, Producers)

The Holdovers (Mark Johnson, Producer)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, Producers)

Maestro (Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers)

Oppenheimer (Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, Producers)

Past Lives (David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Producers)

Poor Things (Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, Producers)

The Zone of Interest (James Wilson, Producer)

BEST DIRECTING:

Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall)

Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)

Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)

Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest)

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:

Bradley Cooper (Maestro)

Colman Domingo (Rustin)

Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)

Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction)

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:

Annette Bening (Nyad)

Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall)

Carey Mulligan (Maestro)

Emma Stone (Poor Things)

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:

Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction)

Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)

Ryan Gosling (Barbie)

Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things)

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:

Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)

Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple)

America Ferrera (Barbie)

Jodie Foster (Nyad)

Da'Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

American Fiction (Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson)

Barbie (Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach)

Oppenheimer (Written for the screen by Christopher Nolan)

Poor Things (Screenplay by Tony McNamara)

The Zone of Interest (Written by Jonathan Glazer)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

Anatomy of a Fall (Screenplay by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari)

The Holdovers (Written by David Hemingson)

Maestro (Written by Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer)

May December (Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik)

Past Lives (Written by Celine Song)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki)

Elemental (Peter Sohn and Denise Ream)

Nimona (Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan and Julie Zackary)

Robot Dreams (Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé and Sandra Tapia Díaz)

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM:

Bobi Wine: The People’s President (Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp and John Battsek)

The Eternal Memory (Nominees to be determined)

Four Daughters (Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha)

To Kill a Tiger (Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim)

20 Days in Mariupol (Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE:

Io Capitano (Italy)

Perfect Days (Japan)

Society of the Snow (Spain)

The Teacher’s Lounge (Germany)

The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM:

Letter to a Pig (Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter)

Ninety-Five Senses (Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess)

Our Uniform (Yegane Moghaddam)

Pachyderme (Stephanie Clement and Marc Rius)

War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko (Dave Mullins and Brad Booker)

BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT FILM:

The After (Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham)

Invincible (Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron)

Knight of Fortune (Lasse Lyskjaer Noer and Christian Norlyk)

Red, White and Blue (Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane)

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Wes Anderson and Steven Rales)

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM:

The ABCs of Book Banning (Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic)

The Barber of Little Rock (John Hoffman and Christine Turner)

Island in Between (S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien)

The Last Repair Shop (Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers)

Nai Nai & Wai Po (Sean Wang and Sam Davis)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:

El Conde (Edward Lachman)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Rodrigo Prieto)

Maestro (Matthew Libatique)

Oppenheimer (Hoyte van Hoytema)

Poor Things (Robbie Ryan)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:

Barbie (Jacqueline Durran)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Jacqueline West)

Napoleon (Janty Yates and Dave Crossman)

Oppenheimer (Ellen Mirojnick)

Poor Things (Holly Waddington)

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING:

Golda (Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby and Ashra Kelly-Blue)

Maestro (Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou and Lori McCoy-Bell)

Oppenheimer (Luisa Abel)

Poor Things (Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston)

Society of the Snow (Ana Lopez-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG:

"The Fire Inside" from Flamin' Hot (Music and Lyric by Diane Warren)

"I’m Just Ken" from Barbie (Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt)

"It Never Went Away" from American Symphony (Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson)

"Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)" from Killers of the Flower Moon (Music and Lyric by Scott George)

"What Was I Made For?" from Barbie (Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

American Fiction (Laura Karpman)

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (John Williams)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Robbie Robertson)

Oppenheimer (Ludwig Göransson)

Poor Things (Jerskin Fendrix)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:

Barbie (Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis)

Napoleon (Production Design: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Elli Griff)

Oppenheimer (Production Design: Ruth De Jong; Set Decoration: Claire Kaufman)

Poor Things (Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek)

BEST FILM EDITIG:

Anatomy of a Fall (Laurent Senechal)

The Holdovers (Kevin Tent)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Thelma Schoonmaker)

Oppenheimer (Jennifer Lame)

Poor Things (Yorgos Mavropsaridis)

BEST SOUND:

The Creator (Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic)

Maestro (Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic)

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor)

Oppenheimer (Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell)

The Zone of Interest (Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:

The Creator (Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts and Neil Corbould)

Godzilla: Minus One (Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams and Theo Bialek)

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One (Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland and Neil Corbould)

Napoleon (Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco and Neil Corbould)

The 96th Oscars Air live March 10 on ABC at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Check your local listings.


kuwalgi By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:

"IWAJU" IS A FIRST COLLABORATION BETWEEN WALT DISNEY ANIMATION AND PAN-AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY KUGALI

Walt Disney Animation Studios' collaboration with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali has culminated in the all-new six-part series "Iwaju,"which will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28.

Iwaju" is an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. The exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola, a young girl from the wealthy island, and her best friend, Kole, a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. Kugali filmmakers—including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku—take viewers on a unique journey into the world of "Iwaju," bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos.

The series is produced by Disney Animation's Christina Chen with a screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson. "Iwaju," features the voices of Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia.

Said Adeola, "Crafting the narrative of "Iwaju," has been a journey of creative alchemy, blending the rich cultural tapestry of Lagos with imaginative leaps into the future. Collaborating with my Kugali co-founders and the visionary artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios has been nothing short of magical. The heartbeat of my hometown resonates through every scene, and I am thrilled for the world to experience this unique fusion of tradition and futurism."

Also debuting Feb. 28 on Disney+ is "Iwaju," A Day Ahead," a documentary special filmed across three continents that shares the story of the founders of the Pan-African entertainment company, Kugali, who made their dream a reality creating an original animation series with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Created by the ABC News Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios team that brought you "Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2," the documentary shows anything is possible when talent meets opportunity.

"Iwaju": A Day Ahead" is directed by Megan Harding and executive produced by Amy Astley and Beth Hoppe.

ABOUT KUGALI:

With authenticity and creativity at its heart, Kugali is an African-owned and operated storytelling collective spearheading Africa's modern emergence into the AAA media landscape. Founded in 2017 by Tolu Olowofoyeku, Olufikayo Adeola and Hamid Ibrahim with the purpose of taking African stories to the world, Kugali Media has attracted recognition from companies like Disney and the BBC, as well as paved the way for a generation of new African storytellers to find their voices in graphic novels. Their most notable achievements include record-breaking crowdfunding campaigns, a slew of award-winning graphic novels and their upcoming Disney+ series in collaboration with Disney Animation, "Iwaju."

ABOUT WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, including the first fully animated feature film, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and 2019’s Frozen 2, the biggest animated film of all time. Among the studio's timeless creations are Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Zootopia and Encanto.

ABOUT ABC NEWS STUDIOS:

ABC News Studios, inspired by ABC News' trusted reporting, is an award-winning, premium news and documentary original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist spanning true-crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios' original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," "Sound of the Police," "The Lady Bird Diaries"and "Aftershock," and popular docu-series and documentaries, including "Killing County," "Wild Crime," "Mormon No More," "The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump" and "Jelly Roll: Save Me."

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star, and in the U.S., Disney Bundle subscribers can also access extensive Hulu content, including next day TV and Hulu Original titles, on Disney+. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content.

With unprecedented access to Disney's long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service, as part of the Disney Bundle in the U.S. that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, or as part of Combo+ in Latin America with Star+, the standalone general entertainment and sports streaming service in the region.

For more information, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.