Abed to pass on his knowledge of blockchain technology to UWI and UNH students
Bridgetown, BARBADOS; October 23 ,2018 : Gabriel Abed, co-founder of Bitt Inc and Digital Asset fund is confirmed to pass on his knowledge of blockchain technology to students at the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus, Barbados) and those at the University of New Hampshire School of Law (USA).
“Blockchain technology is positively disrupting every industry on a global scale in ways neither rivalled nor contemplated since the advent of the internet; students and professionals, no matter their discipline, should at the very least have an appreciation of the fundamentals of the technology – but more importantly, understand its impact,” Abed said.
The UWI give-back
At Barbados UWI Cave Hill Campus, Abed will be complimenting the University’s plans to accelerate the roll-out of more cutting edge programmes on its Smart Campus platform. ‘Blockchain Technology’ will be offered in the newly-minted Masters of Science in Information Technology.
“As a Barbadian, it is particularly satisfying to give back while at home,” Abed noted. He has pledged to donate any personal remuneration from his course delivery to a charity of his choice. “The reward for me is building an army of like-minded and educated individuals to advance the agenda of Barbados’ technology revolution,” Abed stated.
Intimately familiar with speaking on the global stage, Abed is a sought-after expert who delivers based on both his own educational background, but more so, his experience as a serial FinTech entrepreneur.
Dr. Janak Sodha, Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in Physics and Electronics at UWI, explained that Abed will assist with the content creation and initial delivery of the course, and plans to place special focus on real-world experiences on the use of blockchain technology and lessons on entrepreneurship.
“What he is doing for us and our University is a huge deal as the first entrepreneur of blockchain technology in the region,” Sodha has been quoted as saying. He added that universities offering similar programmes attaches high price tags and expressed pleasure at Abed’s willingness to not only partner with the University, but also give back to the community. UWI Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Cave Hill Campus, Professor V Eudine Barriteau, has welcomed the collaboration and the alignment.
The impact of blockchain across all professions
Abed will also be sharing his knowledge through the University of New Hampshire School of Law’s first-of-its-kind blockchain and cryptocurrency certificate program for professionals from business, emerging technology, finance, banking, and legal industries.
The University of New Hampshire School of Law has been a Top-10 ranked intellectual property (IP) program ever since U.S. News & World Report began ranking IP programs 27 years ago. Now, they are proud to pioneer the study of the next frontier of IP innovation: blockchain.
UNH Law’s Chair of Intellectual Property and Technology Online Programs, Professor Tonya M. Evans, has teamed up with Samson Williams of Axes & Eggs Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Think Tank (AAE) to develop this Certificate that comes with online accessibility.
As part of the course offering, students can get direct access to leading blockchain, cryptocurrency, and legal experts focused on empowering professionals to implement strategies to impact the legal landscapes of government, payment systems, intellectual property, regulation, and civil and criminal liability – Abed is listed as an Adjunct Professor.
He is particularly keen about the listed benefits of the course, which includes , “…in-depth knowledge to better understand both the import and impact of cryptocurrencies on the financial, political, social, and economic sectors of both developed and emerging societies, how to use tokens as a self-funding mechanism for projects within the crypto economy, a means of creating utility for a project, and, more broadly, the economic activity surrounding the issuance of tokens, the intellectual property implications of blockchain technology, and exploring various governmental use cases to address and solve for a host of public sector problems.”
He commends the University for its forward thinking and is grateful for the selection.
“Again, it’s about giving back and drawing the linkages between my own experiences and projects, blockchain tech and the way of the world today and in years to come,” he stated.
In photo : Gabriel Abed with Dr Janak Sodha and Professor Eudine Barriteau of the UWI.
2 Mile Hill have truly created something special with their annual concert series, Mahalia’s Corner. If the long lines outside of the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre – well before the doors open – and the packed venue are anything to go by, it is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Not just in the area of music, but in general.
Don’t let the fancy dresses, high heels and button ups and downs fool you either. This is not a stuffy, bougue, hoity-toity event in the least. The atmosphere is relaxed and audience members know very well how to, as they say, “get on dibby in a fete” and there was plenty of that to be witnessed.
This environment in which the audience could freely let loose and enjoy themselves was cultivated and enthusiastically encouraged by 2 Mile Hill themselves. They opened the show every night and were energetic, funny, charismatic, warm, personable and clearly enjoying themselves.
They frequently interacted with the audience, which made them feel all the more approachable. Aside from the personality they brought to the stage, 2 Mile Hill also demonstrated immense talent. Their performances are always something to behold and continuous proof as to why they are one of Barbados’ preeminent musical acts and why front-woman Mahalia Cummins is one of the most powerful vocalists on the island.
Alternating between contemplative pieces, intimate slow jams, fast paced songs and nostalgic throwbacks, the band never failed to rouse the audience, successfully setting the tone and pace for the night’s proceedings.
Mahalia’s Corner isn’t just about 2 Mile Hill demonstrating their skill and expertise, however. With it’s Open Mic sessions and surprise Spotlight Artists, it’s also a very good showcase for new voices and burgeoning talents in Barbados’s music scene.
Participants in the Open Mic sessions performed everything from Rap to Pop, R&B, spoken word poetry and Calypso. Not everyone who took to the stage was a newcomer; some of them were veterans. Not just to music, but to the Mahalia’s Corner Open Mic. Despite the varying levels of experience between the performers, for the most part they all performed beautifully and displayed incredible ability as artists.
Of note was young performer, Theres Lambert, who sang an original song, and may be familiar to anyone who attended the Honey Jazz Musical Festival back in January. She’ll be performing at Honey Jam on November 17th with her band, Focus. The audience absolutely loved her and for good reason; she has a great voice and is a good performer even just sitting behind a keyboard. Hopefully she will return to Mahalia’s Corner next years as a Spotlight Artist, with her band, and more space and time to truly express her talent.
This year’s Spotlight Artists were Kweku Jelani, Trinity Clarke, Kris Fields, Chad Montplaisir and Rhea Layne. Unfortunately, Zeitgeist was unable to attend the first show for this season of Mahalia’s Corner, so we missed Jelani’s performance. We did however make it to the remaining shows and caught the wonderful performances of these up and coming local artistes.
Rising star Trinity Clarke – who has already become a household name – once again proved that big talent can come in small packages, especially in one so young. Kris Fields’ performance was over too soon; he had effortless swagger, a commanding presence and exuded confidence. Chad Montplasir had a melodious voice and a suave, sophisticated vibe. Rhea Layne gave a spirited performance that was full of sass and attitude, but in a very endearing way.
Of course the highlight to any night of Mahalia’s Corner is the Featured Artist. The audience was treated to appearances by Allison Hinds, the Three Kings (Alix Cage, Raphael Saul and John Yarde), Ch’An, The Mighty Gabby and Kerwin DuBois.
Each of the Featured Artists was a cherry on top of an amazing night of music and entertainment. 2 Mile Hill warmed up the audience, but the Featured Artists really electrified them and turned them up to eleven. None more so than Kerwin DuBois. The Mighty Gabby may have had the biggest turn out – the lounge section on his night was sold out – but it was DuBois who had the greatest impact on and response from the audience. They were hooting, hollering, cheering, whining, wukking up and dancing. DuBois was a very lively performer.
The Three Kings were an absolute dream. Their voices blended well together and whether they sang as a trio or individually, they gave impassioned performances that were filled with sincere emotion. We got to see Alix Cage again when he performed the single “Fyah” with Mahalia’s Corner fan favourite Ch’An, whose opening number for her set (which featured the Marlon Legall Voice Project) was dramatic, theatrical and ethereal. She was even better than she was the last time she appeared at Mahalia’s Corner; she was strong and bewitching. When it was The Might Gabby’s turn on stage, he showed us all what it looks like when a master is at work; he haf just as much energy as the younger performers and expertly captured the audience’s attention.
As always, this year’s season of Mahalia’s Corner was, in a word, spectacular. It was a great follow-up to the not so long past Crop Over season and a fantastic start to the final quarter of 2018. The Christmas Special edition, which will be held on December 9th, is far too far away.
Local pop/punk band Sundown Superhero – which consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Emile Sabga, bass guitarist and vocalist Craig Haniff and drummer Philip Norville – dropped their debut album, Wake Up The Neighbourhood, today. The six track album feautres their lead single “California Dime” and their second single “Midnight Knock.” The album was produced by local musician and producer Simon Pipe of Creek Productions and L.A. based tracking and mixing engineer Jordan Silva (who has worked with Sum 41, Weezer, Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande).
Speaking to Gine On?! Magazine ahead of the album’s release, Haniff said:
“It’s everything that we wanted to get off of our mind as a band. Everything Emile’s been through in life, everything Philip…[has] been through in life and everything I’ve been through in life…we’ve been working on these songs for the last seven years and it’s kind of like “Hey! Listen to us. We got something to say.”… We write songs that we [think] everybody [can] connect with…most of our songs are about heartbreak because when we wrote them that was what we were going through.”
The boys also spoke to Zeitgeist last month when they announced the album’s release.
Wake up the Neighbourhood is available now on YouTube, BandCamp and Soundcloud. Give it a listen over on the band’s website.
Between Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, Mary Poppins Returns, Bumblebee and the very recently announced Deadpool movie (which is now rumoured not to be a PG-13 re-cut of the previous film, but a whole new holiday movie), December is crowded with films that are big budget blockbusters that their respective studios no doubt expect to make a lot of money come Christmas.
With so much competition in just one week, and with two other releases on the same day (Bumblebee and Deadpool), Warner Bros. and DC Films are truly putting their all into promoting the latest entry in the DCEU, Aquaman. The film’s latest trailer – dubbed an “extended video” – certainly makes a case for why audiences should be paying to see it above everything else hitting theatres in that December 14th – December 21st time period.
It Borrows From Other Great (Or At Least Good) Properties
It doesn’t take close inspection of this trailer to see that Aquaman shares some similarities with films and other I.P.s that have come before it. Those familiar elements are drawn from I.P.s that are universally adored by audiences.
Arthur and Mera’s trek across the desert and discovery of an ancient Atlantean ruin is reminiscent of the Indiana Jones films. Mera needing Arthur’s sweat to activate the artifact harkens back to the climax of The Fifth Element and the runes are similar to those found in Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Their facing off against Black Manta and his henchman feels very much like an Uncharted game or the 2011 The Adventures of Tin Tin 3D animated film (which itself was compared to Uncharted). Atlantis looks a lot like Atlantica from Disney’s The Little Mermaid in some shots from the trailer. Aquaman has even been compared to Black Panther since it’s first trailer premiered.
Pointing out these similarities is not to say that Aquaman is stealing or anything of the sort. All media borrows from other media within and without it’s specific medium. As they say, “there are no original ideas”; only fresh takes and new perspectives on old ones. Some of the best things ever made are a mixture of ideas that came before it and what separate them from derivative rubbish is expertise, creativity and imagination. Aquaman looks to be the latter and not the former.
Speaking of the look of Atlantis…
The Production Design is Exquisite
Every single shot of Atlantis in this trailer is stunning. From the Greco-Roman architectural designs of the ruins of the ancient Atlantean city, to it’s splendour in its heyday, to the city’s new underwater home that beautifully blends old, new, natural and technological and the opulent and otherworldly throne room. It’s all impeccable and awe-inspiring. It establishes Atlantis as a once and still great civilisation.
Click for full size image.
There’s Dynamic Camerawork And Exhilarating Action/Fight Sequences
The camerawork in the fight sequence between Arthur and Mera and Black Manta and his goons was compelling and draws one into what is taking place on screen, particularly because of the long take. Energetic camerawork is seen later in the trailer when Queen Atlanna – Arthur’s mother – fights off enemies in the home she shares with Arthur’s father, Tom Curry. Both instances in the trailer that no doubt elicited reactions of “That was so cool!” Because they were.
Fun fact: The director of Aquaman, James Wan, directed Furious 7 (as well as Saw, Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, The Conjuring and The Conjuring2). So if the preview of the aforementioned sequence felt like a Fast and Furious film, now you know why. That is enough to set expectations for what the action sequences – and this film on the whole – will be like. The Furious films may not be works of art and testaments to cinematic achievement, but they have always been thrilling and entertaining and that same energy comes through in this trailer.
Aquaman may well turn out to be a huge, steaming pile of garbage, but it’s pretty much guaranteed that it will be a very enjoyable huge, steaming pile of garbage.
It Has A Vibrant Colour Palette…
Gone are the dull, lifeless, dreary greys, blacks and blues of early DCEU fare. Much like with Wonder Woman, Aquaman is embracing colour and it works. The film is very pleasing to the eye. This shift in colouring is of course part of Warner Bros. and DC Films’ overall tonal shift for their superhero franchise films. The colouring here is warm and inviting; words that aren’t often used to describe films of this nature, but are apt descriptors in the case of Aquaman. The colour makes the world in which these characters exist more appealing, especially as one which the audience would like to inhabit.
…And Well Realised CGI
The CGI in this trailer is quite good – I’d even dare to call it virtually seamless – and there is a lot of it to be seen. From the very first shot in the trailer, right on through to the end, there is non-stop CGI in this trailer and hardly any of it looks terrible. If any at all. Queen Atlanna’s dive off of the pier looked very inhuman, but, she’s isn’t human; she’s Atlantean. Entirely CGI elements like capes, hair, sea creatures and more or less all of Atlantis look very convincing. As does the giant CGI battle and the former Atlantean king summoning whales out of the water (or whatever is going on in that shot). Warner Bros. and DC Films spent their CGI budget well.
It’s only October. This film comes out in a little over two months and as they say, the CGI in trailers isn’t usually complete and therefore isn’t indicative of what the final product will look like. So who knows, it might just look even better when the film hits cinemas.
Click for full size image.
He’s Just Being Jason
If you’re a fan of Jason Momoa’s personality and antics, then you’re sure to love him here. He’s essentially just being himself, which is exactly what James Wan wanted. We got a taste of Momoa’s interpretation of Arthur Curry in Justice League and he was one of the better parts of that film. He was personable, charismatic, funny and charming. This trailer promises more of the same. One thing seemingly missing from Arthur’s characterisation, however, is the hard liquor chugging, scowling ruffian that he was in the first Justice League trailer and in the scene in which Bruce recruits him. That aspect to the character was only ever seen in those two, short instances, though.
He’s Wearing His Costume From The Comics!
It had been rumored since February that Momoa would don the green and gold in this film and now it’s been confirmed! There was even an image of an Aquaman figure showing Momoa’s version of the character in the classic suit back then and a new figure in a slightly different version was just previewed by Sideshow Collectibles. The green and gold costume is here and Momoa looks pretty darn good in it.
Watch the new Aquaman trailer for the 100th time below:
This past Saturday the Dome Mall played host to the Honey Jam auditions for the 2018 programme.
Judges. Photo provided by Ebonnie Rowe. Photograpghy by A3KD.
A panel of 11 judges, including: Mahalia, Faith Callender, Adaeze, Barry Hill, Vayne, Paul Husbands,Empress Zingha, Andre Clarke, Island Levvy, JJ Poulter, and Cici were impressed by what they heard and looking forward to seeing the chosen artists on the big stage.
Honey Jam founder Ebonnie Rowe said:
“I was extremely pleased with the level of talent that came out and to see brand new artists along with artists who had tried out in earlier years and weren’t chosen but took it as an opportunity to improve and came back stronger. This is a positive youth initiative that we are happy to offer again and are looking for support to be able to continue. I can’t wait to introduce Barbados to some new faces and voices. I would like to see more of is artists in more varied genres, those who can also play an instrument and also artists auditioning with Soca. It’s unbelievable that in 8 years no one has ever auditioned with Soca! We have to get away from the idea that soca is just to be marginalized locally to one short season. It has the potential to become mainstream and played on all platforms around the world. It would be amazing to see an artist from Barbados be the one to make that happen in Soca and be winning Grammys and such. We have the talent!”
Any artists who were unable to make the live auditions at Dome Mall can submit a 1 minute video along with their photo and bio to honeyjambarbados@gmail.com.
The lineup will be finalized by the end of September and then between October and November, the artists will attend a vocal & performance workshop, a songwriting workshop, and a music business workshop along with other experiences and opportunities, culminating with the concert November 17.
Ebonnie Rowe and Mahalia. Photo provided by Ebonnie Rowe.
Mahalia – 2MileHill, Mahalia’s Corner
I believe that Honey Jam is amazing for young artists who have something in them that they want to share and may not yet have the confidence and need somewhere to start, a jump off point, a stepping stone.
Honey Jam is really good in that way – even though it is a concert you also get elements you need to grow as an artist – you get vocal, songwriting and industry workshops. You learn about other aspects of the music industry that you can also pursue. Ebonnie makes those educational opportunities available at no cost to the attendees, and not just to those chosen for the programme that year but to both women and men in general who are interested to attend to get that knowledge. Any programme that gives multi-talented people in Barbados a place – I think that’s very important for them to have a place that they feel safe and they can share and learn and grow and inspire.
Today has been amazing. It’s always an amazing experience and the thing that stands out to me at today’s auditions and whenever I go to anything related to Honey Jam is the amount of talent that we have. It’s always mindblowing to see the young women who come out and when they step on the stage it’s an amazing surprise at how talented they are.
Ian Donovan, sponsor, Massy Properties, Manager Dome Mall
It’s always fantastic to see and hear all the young talented people we have in Barbados. This is a fantasic opportunity for them to showcase. I enjoy it every single time. It’s a joy to be here. This is extremely important. HJ is a fantastic opportunity for young people. I think business people in Barbados need to come out and see it and do more for it to be able to continue. Ebonnie does everything she can to keep it going and thanks to her efforts there are a lot of young women who have used the opportunity as a jumping off point and are well on their way to success. There are so many more out there and they can be found right here and without this opportunity they may not be discovered. I appeal to Corporate Barbados to support this initiative whether as a sponsor, to buy tickets to the show. The point is it’s a fantastic vehicle and young people need it.
Alyx Alanis. Photo provided by Ebonnie Rowe. Photograpghy by A3KD.
Empress Zingha, writer, poet, artist manager, co-founder Gine On Magazine
I think Honey Jam is very important as a platform for young talent. Today we had so many great artists– it was hard to judge – everyone was so talented! We’re forever saying like a broken record how much talent we have in Barbados. When we see these artists come out to the auditions we wonder where were they? Why haven’t we seen them before? Were they hiding under a bushel? That’s why we need these platforms so they can be seen.
There are not enough platforms such as Honey Jam. Big up to Ebonnie who keeps doing this year after year out of sheer love for the artform.
We need to have more people in culture showcasing what Barbados can do and people who are interested in coming in. who respect the artists. We need more mentors within the community to help those who are trying to succeed in arts and culture. This is something that Honey Jam provides.
My experience as a judge is awesome. I am not a singer but I am an artist manager and a poet.
The amount of talent blew me away. I think people should come out and support the homegrown artists and scouts should come and see what we have – support our culture – not only people from Barbados but from all over. They will be well happily surprised by what they see at the show November 17!
Chrissy D
I think a platform like this is fantastic. There are so many young girls who want to be a star but to get the information they need and training there aren’t a lot of opportunities for them to learn about the industry. That’s what Honey Jam provides. The opportunity to meet local and overseas experts in the industry to teach the dos and don’ts.
When you get on the big stage the show runs like a massive concert –audio, lighting, style everything is so professional. It is great and needed.
Hosting is great, a lot of fun. Always a pleasure for me to host the auditions. An opportunity to give some of the artists a little feedback and encouragement. A lot of them are scared, for many it’s their first time on stage and they are freaked out. So it’s Good for me to just be there – tell them that they can do it and to just breathe. It’s also great to see everyone who came out to cheer them on!
Korena Danielle Photo provided by Ebonnie Rowe. Photograpghy by A3KD.
Barry Barman Hill, Cover Drive
I think HJ is a great! What Ebonnie is doing to bring strong talented artists to the forefront is brilliant. Tons and tons of talent in Barbados and we need to showcase them. We need to bring people forward. I really appreciate 100% what Ebonnie is doing. It’s really good. As a judge at the auditions which I’ve been doing for a few years now – everyone was great and it was hard to choose. I’m so happy to see the progress I’m seeing and growth in the talent. I love that!
Island Levvy, Recording Artist
I think a platform like HJ is very important. As a young artist coming up I felt like there were not enough avenues to showcase your talent and get feedback, get assistance.
I like that it’s not a competition – it focusses on growth and encouraging young women to come out and show their talent. It’s very beneficial to the culture. I think they should include males one day. I wish I had an opportunity like that as a male when I was coming up trying to be an artist. There are so many things you can learn as an artist just from being able to get in front of judges and perform.
I was really honoured to be chosen to judge – I liked the experience and being able to see how many talented artists there are in Barbados. It’s so heartwarming to see that. I love to see it and it motivates me.
Cici – Honey Jam host/ radio & tv personality
Even before the girls came to the stage, even though they didn’t know each other I saw a sisterhood forming. There was one girl in particular who seemed very nervous and another young lady was there encouraging her which I think is super important so we had people who may have never performed in this kind of space before which is an opportunity they have to get experience, to build a name for themselves. It’s a great platform to start because you’re going to get training – songwriting, vocal & performance, music business information so you are better equipped to go out into the world. The sisterhood as well is very important – to have that support, that community looking out for you. We’ve seen the artists wind up working together, writing, touring, etc. That’s what it’s all about and why it’s so important.
At today’s experience – so much talent! No one was bad. It was just varying degrees of good. For some you could tell it was their first time but over months leading up to the concert they will receive training and will learn and grow and I really am excited to see their personalities and that raw talent grow and shine on the night of the show! The transformation from audition to stage – makeup, hair, stage presence, vocals – can’t wait for the show!
Honey Jam Team Members Photo provided by Ebonnie Rowe.
Adaeze – producer, writer, artist, business and studio owner
Being a part of Honey Jam for about 6 years and going through all of the various stages and participating in all aspects of the programme I really have to say that I think Honey Jam is one of the keys to development for artists in general because the workshops are open to all artists. It really is the shot that a lot of them need to build a fan base, to get the training that they need and I really would love to see more people support it financially and take hold of the vision because from my experience and seeing what other islands have and other countries have I think we have a real gem in Honey Jam in Barbados.
Check out this list of sequels, remakes, adaptations and reboots that will be arriving in cinemas this fall! From comic book films and historical epics, to horrors and romantic comedies. This fall movie season has a bit of everything for fans of already established intellectual properties.
A Simple Favor – September 14th
Directed by: Paul Fieg
Written by: Jessica Sharzer
Genre: Black Comedy, Mystery
Based on: A Simple Favor, a novel by Darcy Bell
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding and Andrew Rannells.
Synopsis: Centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy vlogger who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily’s (Blake Lively) sudden disappearance from their small town. Stephanie is joined by Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding) in this thriller filled with twists and betrayals, secrets and revelations, love and loyalty, murder and revenge.
The Predator – September 14th
Directed by: Shane Black
Written by: Fred Dekker and Shane Black
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction
Based on: The Predator is the fourth film in the Predator franchise.
Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen and Sterling K. Brown.
Synopsis: From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black’s explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.
Nappily Ever After – September 21st (Netflix)
Directed by: Haifaa al-Mansour
Written by: Tina Gordon Chism, Lisa Loomer, Adam Brooks and Gina Prince-Bythewood
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Based on: Nappily Ever After, a novel by Trisha R. Thomas
Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Ernie Hudson, Lyriq Bent, Lynn Whitfield, Ricky Whittle and Camille Guaty.
Synopsis: In Nappily Ever After, Violet Jones (Sanaa Lathan) has a seemingly perfect life — a high-powered job, an eligible doctor boyfriend and a meticulously maintained, flawless coiffure. But after a life-changing event doesn’t go according to her plan, and a hair-raising incident at the hairdresser, her life begins to unravel. Eventually, Violet realizes that she was living the life she thought she was supposed to live, not the one she really wanted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xh9XFxo2Hg
The House with a Clock in its Walls – September 21st
Directed by: Eli Roth
Written by: Erik Kripke
Genre: Fantasy
Based on: The House with a Clock in its Walls, a novel by John Bellairs
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Owen Vaccaro, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sunny Suljic and Kyle MacLachlan.
Synopsis: The magical adventure tells the spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart. But his new town’s sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.
Smallfoot – September 28th
Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick
Written by: Karey Kirkpatrick and Clare Sera
Genre: Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Musical
Based on: Yeti Tracks, book by Sergio Pablos
Starring: Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common, LeBron James, Danny DeVito, Gina Rodriguez, Yara Shahidi, Ely Henry and Jimmy Tatro.
Synopsis: Smallfoot turns the Bigfoot legend upside down when a bright young Yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” brings him fame and a chance with the girl of his dreams. It also throws the simple Yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in a rollicking story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.
Venom – October 5th
Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
Written by: Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg and Kelly Marcel
Genre: Comic Book, Superhero
Based on: Marvel Comics character
Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Scott Haze and Reid Scott.
Synopsis: sFollowing a scandal, journalist Eddie Brock attempts to revive his career by investigating the Life Foundation, but comes into contact with an alien symbiote that bonds with Brock, giving him superpowers as long as they share the same body. Together, they must work to stop other Symbiotes from infecting all of humanity, taking on the shared moniker Venom.
A Star is Born – October 5th
Directed by: Bradley Cooper
Written by: Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Based on: Remake of the 1937 film, A Star is Born
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle and Sam Elliott.
Synopsis: Follows a Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), a country music star who is on the brink of decline when he discovers a talented unknown named Ally (Stefani Germanotta). As the two begin a passionate love affair, Jack coaxes Ally into the spotlight, catapulting her to stardom. But as Ally’s career quickly eclipses his own, Jack finds it increasingly hard to handle his fading glory.
First Man – October 12th
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Written by: Josh Singer
Genre: Biopic, Drama
Based on: First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, a novel by James R. Hansen
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Jason Clarke, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Ciarán Hinds, Christopher Abbott, Patrick Fugit and Lukas Haas.
Synopsis: The riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969.
Halloween – October 19th
Directed by: David Gordon Green
Written by: Jeff Fradley, Danny McBride and David Gordon Green
Genre: Horror, Slasher
Based on: Halloween is the eleventh film in the Halloween franchise
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Virginia Gardner and Nick Castle.
Synopsis: Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
The Hate U Give – October 19th
Directed by: George Tillman Jr.
Written by: Audrey Wells and Tina Mabry
Genre: Drama
Based on: The Hate U Give, a novel by Angie Thomas
Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, KJ Apa, Algee Smith, Lamar Johnson, Issa Rae, Sabrina Carpenter, Common and Anthony Mackie.
Synopsis: Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds: the poor, mostly black, neighborhood where she lives and the rich, mostly white, prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressures from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.
Johnny English Strikes Again – October 26th
Directed by: David Kerr
Written by: William Davies
Genre: Action, Comedy
Based on: Johnny English Strikes Again, is the third Johnny English film
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Olga Kurylenko, Jake Lacy and Emma Thompson.
Synopsis: Johnny English Strikes Again is the third instalment of the Johnny English series, with Rowan Atkinson returning as the accident-prone secret agent.
The new adventure begins when a cyber attack reveals the identity of all active undercover agents in Britain, leaving Johnny English as the Secret Service’s last hope. Called out of retirement, English dives head first into action with the mission to find the mastermind hacker. As a man with few skills and analogue methods, Johnny English must overcome the challenges of modern technology to make this mission a success.
Suspiria – October 26th
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Written by: David Kajganich
Genre: Horror
Based on: Remake of the 1977 film Suspiria by by Dario Argento and Daria Nicolodi
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth, Lutz Ebersdorf, Angela Winkler, Ingrid Caven, Elena Fokina, Sylvie Testud, Renée Soutendijk, Christine LeBoutte, Fabrizia Sacchi, Małgosia Bela, Jessica Harper and Chloë Grace Moretz.
Synopsis: An ambitious and bright American student arrives abroad to study at a world-famous school. She begins to suspect that the academy may be a front for a more menacing organization when the once-quiet campus is rocked by a brutal murder and several other cruel and strange homicides.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms – November 2nd
Directed by: Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston
Written by: Ashleigh Powell and Tom McCarthy
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Based on: The story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann and the ballet The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Starring: Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy, Eugenio Derbez, Matthew Macfadyen, Richard E. Grant, Misty Copeland, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman.
Synopsis: All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.
The Grinch – November 9th
Directed by: Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney
Written by: Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow
Genre: Animated, Christmas
Based on: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, a story by Dr. Seuss
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch
Synopsis: The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit.
The Girl in the Spider’s Web – November 9th
Directed by: Fede Álvarez
Written by: Steven Knight, Fede Álvarez and Jay Basu
Genre: Crime Thriller
Based on: The Girl in the Spider’s Web, a novel by by David Lagercrantz
Starring: Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason, LaKeith Stanfield, Sylvia Hoeks and Stephen Merchant.
Synopsis: Spider’s Web follows superhacker Lisbeth Salander and investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist as they find themselves at the center of a tangled web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt governments.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald – November 16th
Directed by: David Yates
Written by: J.K. Rowling
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Jude Law and Johnny Depp.
Synopsis: At the end of the first film, the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise wizards and witches up to rule over all non-magical beings.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
Widows – November 16th
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Written by: Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueen
Genre: Heist Thriller
Based on: Widows, TV series by by Lynda La Plante
Starring: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall and Liam Neeson.
Synopsis: Widows is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Viola Davis), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.
Ralph Breaks the Internet – November 21st
Directed by: Rich Moore and Phil Johnston
Written by: Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon
Genre: Animated, Comedy
Based on: Ralph Breaks the Internet is the sequel to Wreck-It Ralph
Starring: John C Reily, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Taraji P. Henson, Alan Tudyk and Gal Gadot.
Synopsis: Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”
Creed II – November 21st
Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
Written by: Sylvester Stallone and Cheo Hodari Coker
Genre: Sports Drama
Based on: Creed II is the eighth film in the Rocky franchise
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Dolph Lundgren, Florian Munteanu, Phylicia Rashad, Andre Ward, Wood Harris and Brigitte Nielsen,
Synopsis: Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.
Mary Queen of Scots – December 7th
Directed by: Josie Rourke
Written by: Beau Willimon
Genre: Drama, Epic, Historical
Based on: My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots, biographical novel by John Guy
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, David Tennant, Joe Alwyn, Martin Compston, Brendan Coyle and Guy Pearce.
Synopsis: Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.
Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse – December 14th
Directed by: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman
Written by: Phil Lord
Genre: Animated, Superhero
Based on: Marvel Comics character
Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Jake Johnson, Liev Schreiber, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez and Lily Tomlin.
Synopsis: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask.
Mortal Engines – December 14th
Directed by: Christian Rivers
Written by: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson
Genre: Post-apocalyptic Adventure
Based on: Mortal Engines, a novel by Philip Reeve
Starring: Hugo Weaving, Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Leila George, Patrick Malahide and Stephen Lang.
Synopsis: Thousands of years after civilization was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, humankind has adapted and a new way of living has evolved. Gigantic moving cities now roam the Earth, ruthlessly preying upon smaller traction towns. Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan)—who hails from a Lower Tier of the great traction city of London—finds himself fighting for his own survival after he encounters the dangerous fugitive Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar). Two opposites, whose paths should never have crossed, forge an unlikely alliance that is destined to change the course of the future.
Mary Poppins Return – November 19th
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Written by: David Magee
Genre: Fantasy, Musical
Based on: Mary Poppins Returns is the sequel to Mary Poppins
Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Colin Firth and Meryl Streep.
Synopsis: Set in Depression-era London of the 1930s, Mary Poppins Returns sees Michael and Jane Banks (Whishaw and Mortimer) now grown up. After Michael suffers a personal loss, Mary Poppins re-enters the lives of the Banks family and, along with the street lamplighter Jack (Miranda), uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.
Aquaman – December 21st
Directed by: James Wan
Written by: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall
Genre: Comic-book, Superhero
Based on: DC Comics character
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman.
Synopsis: Aquaman is the king of Atlantis, born half-human as Arthur Curry and half-Atlantean. The film will focus on a surface world constantly ravaging the sea and the undersea Atlanteans, who are ready to lash out in revolt.
Bumblebee – December 21st
Directed by: Travis Knight
Written by: Christina Hodson and Kelly Fremon Craig
Genre: Science fiction
Based on: Transformers toys by Hasbro
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Ortiz, Jason Drucker and Pamela Adlon.
Synopsis: On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.
Alita: Battle Angel – December 21st
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Written by: James Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis
Genre: Action, Cyberpunk
Based on: Gunnm (Battle Angel Alita) manga by Yukito Kishiro
Starring: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley and Keean Johnson.
Synopsis: Set several centuries in the future, the abandoned Alita (Rosa Salazar) is found in the scrapyard of Iron City by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate cyber-doctor who takes the unconscious cyborg Alita to his clinic. When Alita awakens she has no memory of who she is, nor does she have any recognition of the world she finds herself in. Everything is new to Alita, every experience a first. As she learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield Alita from her mysterious past while her street-smart new friend, Hugo (Keean Johnson), offers instead to help trigger her memories. A growing affection develops between the two until deadly forces come after Alita and threaten her newfound relationships. It is then that Alita discovers she has extraordinary fighting abilities that could be used to save the friends and family she’s grown to love. Determined to uncover the truth behind her origin, Alita sets out on a journey that will lead her to take on the injustices of this dark, corrupt world, and discover that one young woman can change the world in which she lives.
The Search is on for all music genres at September 22 Honey Jam Auditions!
Honey Jam auditions are just days away coming up this Saturday September 22! Mahalia, Faith Callender, Adaeze, Barry Hill, Vayne, Paul Husbands, Andre Clarke, Island Levvy, JJ Poulter, and Caroline Reid are some of the music industry reps who will make up the lineup of judges at the September 22 Honey Jam auditions!
Artists chosen for a coveted spot in the 2018 developmental programme will also attend a series of workshops including Vocal & Performance, Songwriting and an industry workshop. The concert will take place on Saturday, November 17 and will feature both new artists and guest alums.
Hosted by Chrissy D, the auditions are open to the public who are encouraged to come out and cheer on the young artists. All genres of music are welcome, including hip hop, soca, reggae, jazz, gospel, rock, pop, rnb, dance, opera, soul, country!
Artists are asked to arrive 1 hour early at 4pm to register. Adm for artists and spectators is $10
If you’re tired of the constant cycle of reboots, remakes, re-imaginings, prequels, sequels and adaptations that plague the Hollywood film landscape, and would like a film based on an original idea, then this is the list for you. It’s not a complete, definitive list of the original film options this movie season, but it’s a starting point. Check out the list below for more.
White Boy Rick – September 14th
Directed by: Yann Demange
Written by: Andy Weiss, Logan Miller and Noah Miller
Genre: Biopic, Crime, Comedy-Drama
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Tyree Henry, Rory Cochrane, RJ Cyler, Jonathan Majors, Eddie Marsan, Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie.
Synopsis: Set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic and the War on Drugs, White Boy Rick is based on the moving true story of a blue-collar father and his teenage son, Rick Wershe Jr., who became an undercover police informant and later a drug dealer, before he was abandoned by his handlers and sentenced to life in prison.
Night School – September 28th
Directed by: Malcolm D Lee
Written by: Kevin Hart, Harry Ratchford, Joey Wells, Matt Kellard, Nicholas Stoller and John Hamburg.
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Taran Killam, Romany Malco, Keith David and Loretta Devine.
Synopsis: Follows a group of misfits who are forced to attend adult classes in the longshot chance they’ll pass the GED exam.
Bad Times at the El Royale – October 12th
Written and Directed by: Drew Goddard
Genre: Thriller
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson, Cynthia Erivo, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman and Nick Offerman.
Synopsis: Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have a last shot at redemption… before everything goes to hell.
Serenity – October 19th
Written and Directed by: Steven Knight
Genre: Neo-noir, Thriller
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane, Djimon Hounsou and Jason Clarke.
Synopsis: From the creative mind of Oscar nominee Steven Knight comes a daringly original, sexy, stylized thriller. Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) is a fishing boat captain leading tours off a tranquil, tropical enclave called Plymouth Island. His quiet life is shattered, however, when his ex-wife Karen (Anne Hathaway) tracks him down with a desperate plea for help. She begs Dill to save her – and their young son – from her new, violent husband (Jason Clarke) by taking him out to sea on a fishing excursion, only to throw him to the sharks and leave him for dead. Karen’s appearance thrusts Dill back into a life he’d tried to forget, and as he struggles between right and wrong, his world is plunged into a new reality that may not be all that it seems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz8nNAZ61y0
Bohemian Rhapsody – November 2nd
Directed by: Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher
Written by: Anthony McCarten
Genre: Biopic
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Allen Leech and Mike Myers.
Synopsis: Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound, their near-implosion as Mercury’s lifestyle spirals out of control, and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. In the process, cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.
Nobody’s Fool – November 2nd
Written and Directed by: Tyler Perry
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, Amber Riley, Omari Hardwick and Whoopi Goldberg.
Synopsis: Trying to get back on her feet, wild child Tanya (Tiffany Haddish) looks to her buttoned-up, by the book sister Danica (Tika Sumpter) to help her get back on track. As these polar opposites collide — with hilarious and sometimes disastrous results — Tanya discovers that Danica’s picture-perfect life — including her mysterious boyfriend — may not be what it seems.
Overlord – November 9th
Directed by: Julius Avery
Written by: Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith
Genre: Horror, War
Starring: Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, Jacob Anderson, Pilou Asbæk, Iain De Caestecker, John Magaro and Bokeem Woodbine.
Synopsis: On the eve of D-Day, a group of American paratroopers are dropped behind enemy lines to carry out a mission crucial to the invasion’s success. But as they approach their target, they begin to realize there is more going on in this Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation.
Outlaw King – November 9th (Netflix)
Directed by: David Mackenzie
Written by: David Mackenzie, Bathsheba Doran, James MacInnes, Mark Bomback and David Harrower
Genre: Action, Drama, Historical
Starring: Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh, Billy Howle and Tony Curran.
Synopsis: The untold, true story of Robert the Bruce who transforms from defeated nobleman to outlaw hero during the oppressive occupation of medieval Scotland by Edward I of England. Despite grave consequences, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies an impassioned group of men to fight back against the mighty army of the tyrannical King and his volatile son, the Prince of Wales.
Instant Family – November 16th
Directed by: Sean Anders
Written by: Sean Anders and John Morris
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Octavia Spencer, Isabela Moner, Tig Notaro and Margo Martindale.
Synopsis: When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family.
At Eternity’s Gate – November 16th
Directed by: Julian Schnabel
Written by: Jean-Claude Carrière, Julian Schnabel and Louise Kugelberg
Genre: Drama
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Oscar Isaac, Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner and Niels Arestrup.
Synopsis: A journey inside the world and mind of a person who, despite skepticism, ridicule and illness, created some of the world’s most beloved and stunning works of art. This is not a forensic biography, but rather scenes based on Vincent van Gogh’s (Willem Dafoe) letters, common agreement about events in his life that present as facts, hearsay, and moments that are just plain invented.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – November 16th (Netflix)
Written and Directed by: Joel Cohen and Ethan Cohen
Genre: Anthology, Western
Starring: James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Zoe Kazan, Liam Neeson, Tim Blake Nelson and Tom Waits.
Synopsis: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a six-part Western anthology film, a series of tales about the American frontier told through the unique and incomparable voice of Joel and Ethan Coen. Each chapter tells a distinct story about the American West.
The Favourite – November 23rd
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
Genre: Drama
Starring: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
Synopsis: At the center of the story is the Queen herself (Olivia Colman), whose relationship with her confidante, adviser and clandestine lover Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) is turned upside down by the arrival of the Duchess’s younger cousin Abigail (Emma Stone). Soon the balance of power shifts between the women as they jockey for influence with the Queen and the court.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqYlnvghV-U
Under the Silver Lake – December 7th
Written and Directed by: David Robert Mitchell
Genre: Neo-noir
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Zosia Mamet, Jimmi Simpson, Luke Baines and Patrick Fischler.
Synopsis: Sam, an affable but aimless young man, becomes an unwitting detective who quickly finds himself in over his head as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of his beautiful neighbor, with whom he has fallen in love. As he combs through Los Angeles searching for any kind of clues he can find, he stumbles upon a larger, more sinister conspiracy than he ever imagined, involving billionaires, celebrities, urban myths, and even pop culture as we know it.
We’ve given you some of the, at this point, veteran television series that have proven themselves to be quality entertainment with their popularity and longevity, that will be returning to the small screen this fall. Now it’s time to check out a few of the new series that are hoping to join those ranks. If the trailers are anything to go by, these series just might make it there. But we won’t know until we watch! Check out the list below.
The First – September 14th
Will Air On: Hulu
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction
Starring: Sean Penn, Natascha McElhone, LisaGay Hamilton, Oded Fehr, James Ransone, Hannah Ware, Anna Jacoby-Heron and Keiko Agena.
Synopsis: The First will follow “the first human mission to Mars, while exploring the challenges of taking the first steps toward interplanetary colonization. The story focuses not only on the astronauts, but also on their families and loved ones, as well as the ground team on Earth.”
Synopsis: Married couple June (Rudolph) and Oscar (Armisen) live a comfortable but predictable life in suburban Riverside, CA. For 12 years they’ve had the same conversations, eaten the same meals and taken pleasant vacations at the same rented lake house. But after June talks Oscar into shaking things up with a ski trip, the pair find themselves in completely unfamiliar territory.
The Good Cop – September 21st
Will Air On: Netflix
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Josh Groban and Tony Danza.
Synopsis: This hourlong dramedy procedural from Monk creator Andy Breckman stars Tony Danza and Josh Groban as father-and-son cops. It’s based on an Israeli series.
Maniac – September 21st
Will Air On: Netflix
Genre: Dark Comedy
Starring: Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.
Synopsis: Maniac follows “Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim, two strangers drawn to the late stages of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial, each for their own reasons. Annie’s disaffected and aimless, fixated on broken relationships with her mother and her sister; Owen, the fifth son of wealthy New York industrialists, has struggled his whole life with a disputed diagnosis of schizophrenia. Neither of their lives have turned out quite right, and the promise of a new, radical kind of pharmaceutical treatment—a sequence of pills its inventor, Dr. James K. Mantleray, claims can repair anything about the mind, be it mental illness or heartbreak—draws them and ten other strangers to the facilities of Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech for a three-day drug trial that will, they’re assured, with no complications or side-effects whatsoever, solve all of their problems, permanently.”
Manifest – September 24th
Will Air On: NBC
Genre: Drama
Starring: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J. R. Ramirez, Parveen Kaur and Luna Blaise.
Synopsis: When Montego Air Flight 828 lands after a turbulent but otherwise routine flight, the 191 passengers and its crew learn that while only a few hours passed for them, the rest of the world has considered them missing—and presumed dead—for over five years. As the passengers try to reintegrate themselves into the world, some of them experience strange phenomena, leading them to believe “they may be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhKmfJrnrw0
New Amsterdam – September 25th
Will Air On: NBC
Genre: Drama
Starring: Ryan Eggold, Freema Agyeman, Janet Montgomery, Jocko Sims, Anupam Kher and Tyler Labine.
Synopsis: New Amsterdam follows Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) as he becomes the medical director of one of the United States’ oldest public hospitals, aiming to reform the neglected facility to provide exceptional care to patients.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nFaAQTQNBY
Single Parents – September 26th
Will Air On: ABC
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Taran Killam, Leighton Meester, Kimrie Lewis, Jake Choi, Marlow Barkley, Tyler Wladis, Devin Trey Campbell, Mia Allan, Ella Allan and Brad Garrett.
Synopsis: The series begins when the group meets Will, a 30-something guy who’s been so focused on raising his daughter that he’s lost sight of who he is as a man. When the other single parents see just how far down the rabbit hole of PTA, parenting and princesses Will has gone, they band together to get him out in the dating world and make him realize that being a great parent doesn’t mean sacrificing everything about your own identity.
I Feel Bad – October 4th
Will Air On: NBC
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Sarayu Blue, Paul Adelstein, Aisling Bea, Zach Cherry, Johnny Pemberton and James Buckley.
Synopsis: I Feel Bad follows Emet, a wife, mother, and career woman who “feels bad” when she deviates from her own standards of perfection while trying to “have it all.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Vg5dpyno8
The Romanoffs – October 12th
Will Air On: Amazon Video
Genre: Anthology, Drama
Starring: Marthe Keller, Aaron Eckhart, Inès Melab, Louise Bourgoin, Corey Stoll, Kerry Bishé, Janet Montgomery, Noah Wyle, Christina Hendricks, Isabelle Huppert, Jack Huston, Mike Doyle, Paul Reiser, Amanda Peet, John Slattery, Emily Rudd, Jon Tenney, Mary Kay Place, Michael O’Neill, Diane Lane, Ron Livingston, Andrew Rannells, Cara Buono, Nicole Ari Parker, Juan Pablo Castañeda, Radha Mitchell, Griffin Dunne, Kathryn Hahn, Jay R. Ferguson, Annet Mahendru, Clea Duvall, Hugh Skinner, Adèle Anderson, Hera Hilmar as Ondine, Ben Miles, JJ Field and David Sutcliffe.
Synopsis: The Romanoffs is a contemporary series “set around the globe, centering on separate stories about people who believe themselves to be descendants of the Russian royal family.”
Legacies – October 25th
Will Air On: The CW
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural
Starring: Danielle Rose Russell, Matt Davis, Kaylee Bryant, Jenny Boyd, Aria Shahghasemi, Quincy Fouse and Peyton Alex Smith.
Synopsis: Legacies follows Hope Mikaelson, the “tribrid” daughter of Klaus Mikaelson and Hayley Marshall, who is descended from some of the most powerful vampire, werewolf, and witch bloodlines. Two years after the events of The Originals, 17-year-old Hope attends the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. The school provides a haven where beings such as vampires, witches, and werewolves can learn to control their supernatural abilities and impulses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XF09xzl_T8
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – October 26th
Will Air On: Netflix
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Jaz Sinclair, Michelle Gomez, Chance Perdomo, Lucy Davis, Miranda Otto, Richard Coyle, Ross Lynch and Tati Gabrielle.
Synopsis: Sabrina Spellman must reconcile her dual nature as a half-witch, half-mortal while fighting the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit.
Escape at Dannemora – November 18th
Will Air On: Showtime
Genre: Drama
Starring: Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano and Carmine Paladino.
Synopsis: “Escape at Dannemora is based on the headline-making true story of a 2015 prison break in upstate New York, which spawned a massive manhunt for two convicted murderers who were aided in their escape by a married female prison employee with whom they both became sexually entangled.”
Photo provided by Craig Haniff. Photography by Nathan Mack.
Hot on the heels of their stellar performances at AnimeKon IX: World of Wonder and the One Movement Invitational Skate Contest, local pop-punk band Sundown Superhero has announced that their first EP, Wake Up The Neighbourhood, will be released this October. The band teased the release of the EP back in April when they were featured on the Barbadian online music streaming service, Selecta Charts.
Of the release, band members Emile Sabga (lead vocals, guitar), Craig Haniff (bass, vocals) and Philip Norville (drums) said:
“It’s been a long time coming, to be honest. You wouldn’t know it, but we wrote some of these songs upward of 7 years ago! To finally see them blossom is super exciting, and we can’t wait to share them with everyone. These songs mean a lot to each of us in our own ways, but for me, they remind me of all the things we’ve been through together (both good and bad) as a band and as friends.” – Emile.
“WAKE UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD!!!! Name says it all! I’m craaaaazy hype for it. We worked incredibly hard on it. These songs have been written for a while so to see them reach the stage they’re at now is just fantastic! Can’t wait for it. October 2018!!!” – Craig.
“After months of recording, re-recording and revisiting these tracks, we are finally in a position to release a collection of some of the songs we’ve been working on these last couple [of] years. I personally believe we finally have a product that we’re proud to stamp with the Sundown Superhero/Punk Rock seal of approval.” – Philip.
For a preview of what to expect from the band when Wake Up The Neighbourhood drops next month, listen to their singles “California Dime” and “Midnight Knock” on their YouTube channel (where you can also view the music video for the latter single). Sundown Superhero’s music is available on Selecta Charts, Spotify, and Apple Music.
2 Mile Hill have truly created something special with their annual concert series, Mahalia’s Corner. If the long lines outside of the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre – well before the doors open – and the packed venue are anything to go by, it is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Not just in the area of music, but in general.
Of note was young performer, Theres Lambert, who sang an original song, and may be familiar to anyone who attended the Honey Jazz Musical Festival back in January. She’ll be performing at Honey Jam on November 17th with her band, Focus. The audience absolutely loved her and for good reason; she has a great voice and is a good performer even just sitting behind a keyboard. Hopefully she will return to Mahalia’s Corner next years as a Spotlight Artist, with her band, and more space and time to truly express her talent.
Local pop/punk band Sundown Superhero – which consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Emile Sabga, bass guitarist and vocalist Craig Haniff and drummer Philip Norville – dropped their debut album, Wake Up The Neighbourhood, today. The six track album feautres their lead single “
It doesn’t take close inspection of this trailer to see that Aquaman shares some similarities with films and other I.P.s that have come before it. Those familiar elements are drawn from I.P.s that are universally adored by audiences.
Honey Jam auditions are just days away coming up this Saturday September 22! Mahalia, Faith Callender, Adaeze, Barry Hill, Vayne, Paul Husbands, Andre Clarke, Island Levvy, JJ Poulter, and Caroline Reid are some of the music industry reps who will make up the lineup of judges at the September 22 Honey Jam auditions!
