Rihanna-777
Canadian Screen Awards: Rebelle (War Witch) received 10 Canadian Screen Awards including Best Film Director, Best Actress for Rachael Mwanza and Best Supporting Actor for Serge Kanyinda. Rebelle was Canada’s entry in the Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars.
Alicia Keys performs April 2nd at ACC. Tickets at Livenation.com or ACC Box Office.
Oprah Winfrey beat out Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood when she was named America’ Most Influential Celebrity. Winfrey holds the title for the second straight year. She will be in Hamilton on April 13th.
Rihanna 777. A documentary that features the singer performing plus backstage and behind-the-scenes footage. It will air on Fox-TV on May 6th.
Hot Docs opens its 20th annual festival of documentaries on April 25th. The festival will screen a record 205 documentaries from 43 countries at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema and other venues through May 5th. Also featured is a new program to showcase filmmakers and their subjects in conversation after screenings. Among those featured in the Scotiabank Big Ideas series is “Anita” showcasing Law Professor Anita Hill, who came to prominence during the US Senate’s hearings to confirm President Bush’s nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Ms. Hill will appear with “Anita” director Frieda Mocks. The documentary and Anita Hill received a standing ovation when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival recently. For film information/tickets visit www.hotdocs.ca.
Drake would like to be paid by anyone using the acronym YOLO (You Only Live Once) on clothing (i.e. Walgreen’s on baseball caps, Macy’ on T-shirts) but he probably is a little late for that. Although YOLO is prominent on Drake’s hit album “The Motto” there are several registrations of the trademark already. A weight-loss company, a tourism company and others have made applications and an online furniture company has trademarked the logo for 54 cosmetic products. The owner says Drake is involved but that has not been confirmed. Meanwhile Drake can take credit for popularizing the term via his album but getting paid for its use may be another matter.
Coming to a Movie Theatre Near You!
April 12 – “42”. Jackie Robinson was the first Black American since the 1880s to be signed to play Major League Baseball. Robinson broke the color barrier and many records while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The team won six pennants in 10 seasons with Robinson. He was also the first Black player to be named National League MVP. The film stars Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford.
“Home Again” – Canadian writer/director Sudz Sutherland’s “sure to be” controversial drama about three Jamaicans who left their country as children and are deported back to live in Jamaica, a country they now have no connection to. The movie stars Tatyana Ali, Leyrig Bent and Stephan James as the people deported.
