Sanctions on Russian oligarch donors hit Israel institutions
Billionaire Moshe Kantor has severed his longstanding ties to Tel Aviv University — joining a growing list of Russian Jewish oligarchs who have scaled back their philanthropic activities after coming under international sanctions for their ties to President Vladimir Putin.
TCM Film Festival returns to Hollywood with Spielberg, more
Classic film lovers know the importance of a grand entrance and the folks at Turner Classic Movies are pulling out all the stops for the return of the TCM Classic Film Festival this week in Hollywood. After two years of virtual editions because of the pandemic, the festival kicks off Thursday with the help of Steven Spielberg, who will be on hand to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.”
news.yahoo.comA key to bridging the political divide: Sit down and talk?
One Small Step, which Isay established in 2018, is among a growing number of nonprofit initiatives whose aim is to narrow America's increasingly toxic political divide. But he felt it was a start, and he named his initiative accordingly: One Small Step. One Small Step, which Isay established in 2018, is among a growing number of nonprofit initiatives whose aim is to narrow America's increasingly toxic political divide. Yet they'd never met and probably never would have, if not for their joint involvement in One Small Step. But as One Small Step has developed, expansion has followed, with roughly 800 people meeting in pairs in about 40 cities.
Spielberg donates Genesis Prize money to justice nonprofits
FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, file photo, filmmaker Steven Spielberg poses at the 2019 "An Unforgettable Evening" benefiting the Women's Cancer Research Fund, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Spielberg has been awarded Israels prestigious 2021 Genesis Prize, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Steven Spielberg said Thursday that he will donate his $1 million Genesis Prize to 10 nonprofits that are working for racial and economic justice. In February, Spielberg received Israel’s prestigious 2021 Genesis Prize in recognition of his contribution to cinema, his philanthropic works and his efforts to preserve the memory of the Holocaust. Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, wrote in a statement: “Our democratic foundations are being challenged, and the COVID crisis has further increased social and economic disparities. Steven Spielberg’s decision to focus his Genesis Prize on the pursuit of racial and economic justice reflects the urgent need for us to act.”President Joe Biden congratulated Spielberg for the award in a letter released Thursday.
Comic, Netflix staple Jo Koy talks race, rejection in memoir
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Like many famous comics, Jo Koy had early struggles at comedy clubs. "Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo,” out Tuesday, is an ideal companion to Koy's stand-up with its humorous — and at times painful — origin stories behind some of his most popular bits. The book shows how Koy's mixed-race background ultimately shaped his brand of comedy and his determination not to give up on his childhood dream. “I’ve always been open to just letting people be inside my life,” Koy said. Even with all these opportunities, Koy's mother sometimes asks him if he'll drop stand-up for a regular job “with benefits.”“I don’t think about retiring.
Hal Holbrook, prolific actor who played Twain, dies at 95
FILE - Actor Hal Holbrook appears during an interview in his New York apartment on Feb. 8, 1973. Holbrook died on Jan. 23 in Beverly Hills, California, his representative, Steve Rohr, told The Associated Press Tuesday. Holbrook died on Jan. 23 in Beverly Hills, California, his representative, Steve Rohr, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Holbrook’s material is uproarious, his ability to hold an audience by acting is brilliant,” said The New York Times. AdWhen he wasn’t portraying Twain, Holbrook showed impressive versatility.
With red carpets rolled up, the Oscar race goes virtual
Hollywoods awards season has gone virtual. For Awards Daily founder Sasha Stone, who has been covering the Oscars since 2000, it’s like nothing she’s ever seen — an awards season without glamour, without red carpets, without anything that feels real. And awards season, such as it is, has gone virtual. The Oscar race will Zoomed. Not everyone is sorry that awards season — an increasingly bloated, overlong, high-priced slog from September to February — has been turned upside down.
NY's Cuomo to receive International Emmy for virus briefings
Andrew Cuomo is set to soon receive an International Emmy award for his once-daily televised briefings on the coronavirus pandemic that killed tens of thousands of New Yorkers this spring. International Academy President & CEO Bruce L. Paisner said Cuomo is being honored with the academy's Founders Award for using his briefings to inform and calm the public. "The governor’s 111 daily briefings worked so well because he effectively created television shows, with characters, plot lines, and stories of success and failure,” he said. And at least 6,600 residents have died in nursing homes, according to state data, which doesn't state how many nursing home residents died in hospitals. Still, the state's daily average of COVID-19 cases over the past seven days has more than doubled in two weeks as cases surge nationwide.
'Smash' Musical Is Officially Heading to Broadway
Smash is heading to Broadway! "I am personally thrilled to be a part of this musical and its road to Broadway," said Steven Spielberg. "Weve all felt that [Marc] Shaiman and [Scott] Wittmans incredible score for Smash belonged on Broadway. Many of the songs that Shaiman and Wittman wrote for the TV, including the Emmy-nominated "Let Me Be Your Star" will be used in the stage musical. RELATED CONTENT:The Biggest Coronavirus Cancellations and Postponements'Hamilton' Full Production With Original Broadway Cast to Stream on Disney PlusPregnant Broadway Star Patti Murin Says She Likely Has Coronavirus But Can't Get Tested
Artificial intelligence project lets Holocaust survivors share their stories forever
In an innovative attempt to harness the artificial intelligence technologies of the present and the future to keep alive the stories of the past, Holocaust survivors may be the first people ever to be able to continue carrying on conversations (virtually, at least) even after their deaths. Heather Maio had worked for years on Holocaust-related exhibits and knew that "Schindler's List" director Steven Spielberg had created the Shoah Foundation to record the testimonies of thousands of Holocaust survivors. Kor died last summer, but using the Shoah foundation's technology, Stahl was able to conduct another 60 Minutes interview with Kor's digital image. "He had a gorgeous face, a movie star face, and very pleasant, actually," Kors' digital image told Stahl. Gutter's digital image replied.
cbsnews.comFor the first time, Steven Spielberg won't direct an Indiana Jones film, report says
US director Steven Spielberg poses during a photocall for his film 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 18, 2008 in Cannes, southern France. Indiana Jones' iconic bullwhip will no longer be in the hands of director Steven Spielberg. On Wednesday, Variety reported that Spielberg will not direct the fifth movie in the Indiana Jones franchise and director James Mangold ("Ford v. Ferrari") is now in talks to take the helm. Spielberg has directed every Indiana Jones film since the first, "Raiders of the Lost Ark," which premiered in 1981. It's likely the film could see another delay now that Spielberg is out as director.
cnbc.comTop Hollywood celebrities and Silicon Valley investors are linked to the app that failed in Iowa
Steven Spielberg arrives at the premiere of 'Ready Player One' held at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2018 in Hollywood, CaliforniaSome of the best-known Silicon Valley investors and top names in Hollywood are behind the nonprofit group that launched the app that broke down during the Iowa caucus Monday night. Iowa Democrats were using an app developed by Shadow, a progressive start-up managed by a three-year-old nonprofit called Acronym. That funding is going toward "advancing progressive causes through innovative communications, advertising and organizing programs," Acronym says on its site. In addition to Shadow, Acronym is an investor in a digital news organization called Courier Newsroom and digital strategy firm Lockwood Strategy. Fourteen investors have each contributed at least $100,000 to Pacronym, all between October and December.
cnbc.comSteven Spielberg Wraps 'West Side Story,' Celebrates 'Endlessly Surprising'
The cast of West Side Story is feeling pretty and witty and wrapped, as Steven Spielberg announced that filming on the musical officially came to a close on Saturday. To mark the end of production, Steven wanted to share a few thoughts and images with you. ET recently spoke with Elgort, who described this West Side Story as a "total reimagining" of the original. "There's dancing and singing and the music is the same, but otherwise it's a total reimagining and it all comes from Steven's vision," he explained. RELATED CONTENT:Rita Moreno on 'Making Right Some of the Wrongs' of Original 'West Side Story' (Exclusive)Ansel Elgort Talks 'Magical' 'West Side Story' Experience: 'It's Been a Dream' (Exclusive)'West Side Story' Shares First Look at Ariana DeBose as Anita in Steven Spielberg Remake
Steven Spielberg gives sneak peek of 'West Side Story'
(CNN) - That's a wrap on "West Side Story." The musical remake from director Steven Spielberg finished filming just days ago and to celebrate, the legendary filmmaker shared on social media -- via studio 20th Century Fox's official account -- some sneak peek photos from the set. It's a wrap on West Side Story. To mark the end of production, Steven wanted to share a few thoughts and images with you. : @nikotavernise (Photos 1, 2) / #StevenSpielberg (Photo 3)#WestSideStory #StevenSpielberg pic.twitter.com/4PdhHxueKz 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) October 2, 2019The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.
Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum to Reprise Their Original Roles for 'Jurassic World 3'
The original stars of Jurassic Park Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum will all be returning for 2021s third Jurassic World film, ET has learned. Colin Trevorrow, who directed 2015s Jurassic World and the recently televised Jurassic short, Battle at Big Rock, and co-wrote both World and 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, will return to write and direct this film. Steven Spielberg, who directed the 1993 original film, 1997s The Lost World, and executive produced 2001s Jurassic Park III, 2015s Jurassic World, 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, will join Trevorrow as an executive producer on the film. Id be all the way in China!Goldblum also starred in The Lost World and had a brief cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Neil was the lead of Jurassic Park III and Dern also made a cameo in the film.
Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum to Reprise Their Original Roles for 'Jurassic World
The original stars of Jurassic Park Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum will all be returning for 2021s third Jurassic World film, ET has learned. Colin Trevorrow, who directed 2015s Jurassic World and the recently televised Jurassic short, Battle at Big Rock, and co-wrote both World and 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, will return to write and direct this film. Steven Spielberg, who directed the 1993 original film, 1997s The Lost World, and executive produced 2001s Jurassic Park III, 2015s Jurassic World, 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, will join Trevorrow as an executive producer on the film. Id be all the way in China!Goldblum also starred in The Lost World and had a brief cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Neil was the lead of Jurassic Park III and Dern also made a cameo in the film.
Appeal in John Steinbeck lawsuit heard in court
Kaffaga, executor for the estate of her mother Elaine Steinbeck, had alleged that long-running litigation over the author's estate prevented her from making the most of his copyrights at a time when marquee names such as Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lawrence were interested in bringing masterpieces "The Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden" back to the screen. She said the deals instead fell apart over the years.
chicagotribune.comPreview: The New Force Behind Star Wars
Director J.J. Abrams, a self-described "fanboy" of the Star Wars franchise, got the job to direct "The Force Awakens" with an assist from Steven Spielberg. Bill Whitaker interviewed the director six weeks before the premiere. Watch Whitaker's report on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
cbsnews.comReese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in new thriller
Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in new thriller Stars step out for "Devil's Knot" premiere, plus Steven Spielberg presents President Obama with humanity award. Suzanne Marques has those stories and more in today's Eye on Entertainment.
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