It is the fifth movie based in Disney’s Marvel Universe to hit the milestone.

The film stars Chadwick Boseman as the crime-fighting ruler of Wakanda, a fictional African nation with the most advanced technology on earth.

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B Jordan and Daniel Kaluuya play key roles, with The Hobbit star Martin Freeman as CIA agent Everett Ross.

The film has been widely praised as game-changing – including by Michelle Obama – for having a largely black cast and a black director, Ryan Coogler.

Box office analyst Jeff Bock told the New York Times: “I think about it like a wall crumbling. In terms of Black Panther, no studio can say again, ‘Oh, black movies don’t travel, overseas interest will be minimal.'”

Based on Disney’s estimate of ticket sales, the film passed the $1bn mark on the 26th day of its release.

Film information site IMDB says 32 movies have scored a box office billion, including 2012 James Bond offering Skyfall, the 2017 Beauty and the Beast reboot starring Emma Watson, and modern children’s classic Frozen.

A hero among heroes

Earlier this week UK figures showed Black Panther was out-selling fellow superhero outings Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, after grossing £35.4m in three weeks.

Of the 18 Marvel films released to date, only two had made more money in the UK at a comparable stage – 2015’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron (£40.4m) and 2012’s The Avengers (£40.3m).

Signs of the film’s success were good from the start – Black Panther more than doubled the amount it was predicted to take in the US and Canada over its opening weekend.

Last month, director Mr Coogler wrote a heartfelt letter thanking fans for their support.

“I am struggling to find the words to express my gratitude at this moment.” he wrote.

“Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong.

“Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film, that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you.”

Patty Jenkins, the director who smashed records herself with 2017’s Wonder Woman, shared her delight at Black Panther’s “incredibly meaningful success”.

–

Source: BBC

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David Bergstein, who served as executive producer of the 2015 film“In the Heart of the Sea,” was found guilty by a federal jury in Manhattan on Thursday of charges including investment adviser fraud and securities fraud.

Bergstein, a resident of Hidden Hills, California, who at the time of his arrest in 2016 was the chief executive of merchant banking firm Cyrano Group Inc, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8.

A lawyer for Bergstein, 55, did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Bergstein was indicted in November 2016 along with Keith Wellner, the former general counsel of Weston Capital Asset Management, whose hedge fund investors were defrauded by the defendants, according to prosecutors.

Wellner later pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Bergstein and Wellner from 2011 to 2012 engaged in a scheme to conceal information from Weston investors about transactions involving their money, and transferred funds from one pool of Weston investors to make payments to another.

The indictment said they also misappropriated some investor funds for their own and others’ benefit. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman in a statement said the fraud cost investors more than $26 million.

According to court papers, the case related to a probe of individuals including investment banker Jason Galanis involved in market manipulation for reinsurer Gerova Financial Group Ltd.

Weston had done a deal with Gerova in 2010 that prosecutors said prompted the first of two schemes involving Bergstein and Wellner. Galanis in 2016 pleaded guilty to securities fraud in connection with the Gerova fraud.

Albert Hallac, Weston’s founder, pleaded guilty in 2016 to charges that he schemed to defraud Weston investors.

Bergstein previously controlled several movie production companies including ThinkFilm and Capitol Films Development. He took an advisory role in Walt Disney Co’s 2010 sale of Miramax to an investor group that included a business partner.

His movie credits include serving as an executive producer of 2004’s“The Whole Ten Yards” and 2007’s“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.”

In 2010, five of Bergstein’s film companies including Capitol Films and ThinkFilm were forced into bankruptcy at the urging of a group of creditors, court records showed.

–

Source: Reuters

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She was 44.

“The Cosby Family thanks many people for their prayers for their beloved and beautiful Ensa,” read a statement from the family obtained by CNN.

Renal disease is a condition that impairs kidney function.

Ensa Cosby voiced strong support for her father after he was accused of sexual assault, saying she believed he was innocent.

Last May, Ensa and her sister Erinn released audio statements in support of their famous father.

“I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal,” Ensa Cosby wrote.

“My father has been publicly lynched in the media,” she said. “My family, my young daughter, my young niece and nephew have had to stand helplessly by and watch the double standards of pretending to protect the rights of some, but ignoring the rights of others and exposing innocent children to such appalling accusations about someone they love dearly and who has been so loving and kind to them is beyond cruel.”

The elder Cosby has denied the allegations.

Despite her father’s fame, Ensa Cosby led a life away from the spotlight.

She is one of five children born to the superstar actor and his wife, Camille.

The couple’s only son, Ennis, was murdered at the age of 27 in 1997 during a failed robbery attempt.
Funeral plans for Ensa have not yet been announced.

–

Source: CNN

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The movie was instead plagued by a Frankenstein edit, production drama and tragedy, and continues to be a major topic of conversation. The studio has a yearlong wait between that and their next film, that being James Wan’s Aquaman.

Unlike most of the previous DC productions, Aquaman has continued on without much worry. For many moviegoers, Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Arthur Curry was one of the highlights of Justice League.

That should give Aquaman a decent starting base when it comes to attracting audiences, but so far the general public is still waiting on the trailer.

There’s been footage to debut at cons already, and now a select few have seen a version of the movie.

Warner Bros. held a very early test screening today for Aquaman on their studio lot, and while those in attendance are not allowed to publicly reveal their thoughts, third-parties can. Batman-News shared some of the early reactions they’ve received, with both individuals noting an action-heavy and emotional film.

While the details aren’t great, the general reaction most definitely is. WB is very much in need of another win when it comes to their DC lineup, so any early positive buzz is good news.

Hearing that it is action-heavy falls in line with what some actors involved have described, such as Yahya Abdul-Matteen II as Black Manta.

The emotional part is where Aquaman could help separate itself from being another middle-of-the-road comic book movie.

The best ones typically have some dramatic weight to them, and having an emotional story should help accomplish just that.

This is however a very early version of whatever Aquaman will be when it hits theaters in December. Principal photography wrapped in October of last year, so planned reshoots are surely still to come.

The feedback from today’s test screenings could go a long way in determining what to change, but also what not to.

That said, test screening reactions are not always the best way to gauge if a movie is actually going to be good. Over six months before it hit theaters, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice infamously received a standing ovation during WB’s executive early screening.

Additionally, Suicide Squad‘s early fan screening reactions were very positive, while Justice League also reportedly received positive reactions.

In the case of Aquaman, a quiet production featuring great talent is enough of a reason to be excited, so these reactions are a nice reminder of that if nothing else. Now we just have to hope the actual film delivers.

–

Source: ScreenRant

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He died on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at the Agona Swedru Government Hospital in the Central Region.

The actor, who has been off the movie scene for some time due to old age and ill-health, was taken to the hospital on Saturday, February 10, after he complained he was not feeling well.

In July, 2017, the Member of Parliament for Agona East Constituency, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr, donated an amount of GH¢1,000, food items and toiletries, when she visited him at his residence at Agona Swedru.

In the same month, the leadership of Ghana Actors Guild also paid a visit to the ailing actor.

The delegation comprising Actors Guild President Samuel Fiscian, Welfare Officer Kalsoume Sinare, Secretary Ziggy Netteyson, Mikki Osei Berko among others, presented a mobile phone and an undisclosed amount of money to Super OD.

Other personalities including former President Mahama, in November 2017, also visited the veteran actor after the Unity Walk by National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cape Coast.

Super OD, rose to the prime of his acting career in the 70s, and also gained prominence in the 90s for his comic roles in Ghanaian series, Akan Drama on Ghana Television.

The actor was part of the Oppong Drama Group which later became known as Osofo Dadzie Group.

Super OD left behind at least 13 children. He was 84.

–

By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The year 2017 has been very eventful with a lot of song releases and hits, few movies and for the other recherché arts forms, the story has not been different; not too much attention has been given them.

I have therefore put together the top 10 entertainment issues that got a lot of people talking – stories that travelled beyond the core people of entertainment. They have been arranged in descending order.

• Afia Schwarzenegger’s ‘cheating’ video

In September, 2017 a video which suggested that comedienne and actress Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa aka Afia Schwarzenegger had been caught in bed with another man went viral. This video which was purportedly recorded by Lawrence Abrokwah, her husband, captures Afia in a headscarf, trying to cover her nakedness with a white towel.

In the video, the ‘husband’ Lawrence threatens to pour something in a bottle he claims is acid on her face. Afia is heard crying and begging Lawrence not to pour the acid on her.

It was later reported that Lawrence Abrokwah, husband of Afia had been charged by the police for recording and circulating the video that captures Afia’s nakedness, and threatened to harm her.

The issue has since been in court and reports have it that new charges have been added to the initial charges.

However, sources say the marriage had collapsed about months before the video went viral.

• Rashida ‘Housefly’

Rashida Black Beauty, an 18-year-old Berekum native girl known for her notoriety for insulting her ‘Malafaka’ ex-boyfriend last year, was seen in a 2 minutes video where she can be seen in some provocative poses.

Rashida’s nude video leaked on the internet was described as the most disgusting nude video to be ever leaked in Ghana.

Later, the social media sensation-turned-actress was invited by the Berekum police for interrogations over why and how her nude video leaked.

• Jennifer Lomotey and the Krobo tussle

Kurl Songx, winner of MTN Hit maker 2016 released a single titled ‘Jennifer Lomotey’ this year. The song which features Sarkodie came under serious criticism by a section of the public who believed a portion of Sarkodie’s rap was demeaning to Krobos.

In the song, Sarkodie raps: “Krobo nii baa papa a ahwenie da ne sisi. Okomfo Anokye de adwaman no abo ne dua.” This literally translates as “A good Krobo lady with beads around her waist. Okomfo Anokye has cursed her with promiscuity.”

Okomfo Anokye is great priest of the Ashanti Kingdom who is believed to have cursed Krobo women with promiscuity.

‘History’ has it that some Krobo girls got cursed by Okomfo Anokye with promiscuity because they had seen his nakedness when he was bathing by the riverside.

The song irked the Krobo community so they requested it was edited and apology was rendered to the entire Krobo community.

The Krobo youth group Kloma Hengme, through their lawyers also asked that an amount of GHc 2m was paid to the community as recompense for impugning their image.

Even though Kurl Songx and his management did not budge to the requests of the Krobos, they did not sue them as they had earlier threatened.

• Stonebwoy’s marriage

Just a day after being signed on to the Zylofon Media record label, dancehall artiste Stonebwoy got married to Louisa Ansong.

The wedding which has generated buzz on social media was strictly by invitation. Report had it that there was high security presence at the Unique Floral at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra.

Earlier on, the traditional marriage had been held at Louisa’s family house in Tema.

Louisa Ansong is a dentist who graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Ghana in 2016. She won a lot of academic awards when she graduated.

• Christabel Ekeh’s nude photos 

Another scandal that broke in 2017 was when actress Christabel Ekeh splashed on her Instagram page, nude photos of herself in a yoga sitting position and in an almost backflip position.

However, she said the nude pictures were the new image she was carving. When asked who this ‘new Christabel’ was, the actress who has starred in popular movies like ‘potomanto’, and ‘sweet mistake’ answered, “it is whoever you can imagine.” “That’s why I’m not wearing anything. So whatever you want to wear on me, that’s your imagination”.

Contrary to speculations that the actresses’ account may have been hacked into and the pictures posted by someone else, the actress took responsibility for the act.

Some even questioned why the police did not arrest her for putting her naked pictures out there.

• Joe Mettle wins VGMA Artiste of the Year

The 2017 edition of the annual Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) ended on a high-note with gospel artiste, Joe Mettle setting a record of being the first non-secular artiste to win the most coveted “Artiste of the Year” award.

He beat competition from five (5) other contenders in that category including the reigning Artiste of the Year, EL to win the award.

Joe Mettle won two other awards; Male Vocalist of the year and Gospel artiste of the year.

Kofi Kinaata also took home three (3) different awards. Music producer and singer, Nacee also won two awards.

Manifest, Stonebwoy and VVIP also took home two awards each in various categories.

Hiplife sensation, Medikal, who earned the most nomination in this year’s award, failed to win any award at the event.

Joe Mettle earned a lot of commendation and respect from people who had thought it was impossible for a gospel artiste to win the overall artiste of the year award in the VGMAs.

Some have even suggested that he stands a good chance to win the same award in 2018 for his works in the year 2017.

• VGMA Bribery allegations 

Prior to the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, George Quaye, Head of Communications for Charterhouse, the organisers of Ghana Music Awards, was reported to have said on his entertainment television show, Pundits on GH One TV that the most offers of bribe that had come to him as an executive of the VGMA scheme were from gospel artistes.

Days after the alleged bribery scandal broke, George Quaye took a u-turn to apologise.

He added that his motive for expressing regret for his derogatory comments was because he wasn’t ready to mention those artistes involved in the scandalous acts.

Some Gospel musicians including Ohemaa Mercy and Minster OJ, vowed never to be part of the awards if George Quaye failed to mention names of which gospel artistes tried to bride the award organisers.

Consequently, Peace FM’s Kwaso Aboagye alluded that if George Quaye was not ready to mention names of Gospel artistes that tried to bribe their ways through the VGMAs, then he was the one that took the bribe.

This resulted in George reporting Kwasi Aboagye to the National Communications Authority; the result of which was an apology Kwasi Aboagye rendered to George Quaye.

• Ghana @ 60 concerts and matters arising

The controversy of the Ghana 60 Years On celebration started with news that Don Moen was headlining the gospel concert for the anniversary.

Most people said it was wrong for a foreign gospel artiste to headline a concert that was meant to celebrate the nation’s independence.

During the anniversary parade, Agya Koo and some Kumawood actors put up a sketch about girl child education but most people criticised the act, saying it was not well staged.

Months later, Ghanaian poet and playwright, Chief Moomen, said he was facing the most difficult times of his career as government’s huge indebtedness to his company has put it on a verge of collapse.

The situation has put his upcoming stage production in jeopardy as he has to deal with the huge debt he incurred producing a play at the behest of the government.

In an emotional appeal published on Facebook on Thursday, the famed poet lamented that government had contracted him to show his ‘Wogbejeke’ theatre as part of activities to make Ghana’s 60th anniversary celebrations in March, and had since paid only half of the bill.

According to Chief Moomen, several attempts to get government to pay the other half of the bill has proven futile, forcing him into a terrible financial situation.

He said he has had to put his car on sale to help raise money to sustain his business.

The Chairman of the Ghana 60 Years On Planning Committee, Mr Ken Amankwah, however said they did not owe Chief Moomen any money and that, the playwright did not even make time to sign a contract with them. Even though Moomen insisted that what he said was true and would make sure he retrieved his money, it appears the issue has been dead and forgotten.

• The ‘One Corner’ dance craze

The year 2017 birthed Patapaa, an Agona Swedru-based artistes whose song ‘One Corner’ became a hit after the performing it at the Akwambo Festival at Agona Swedru.

The song came with a crazy dance accompanied with extra energy that requires one secludes oneself in a corner amidst gyrations.

Even though dance had been touted as demonic and a few people had been involved in accidents while performing it, it has travelled beyond the boundaries of Ghana.

• Miss Ghana brouhaha

Few days ago, UK-based Ghanaian blogger Chris-Vincent Agyapong of GhanaCelebrities.com published some audios of conversations with three former Miss Ghana winners which suggested that they had been unfairly treated by the organisers of the beauty pageant.

They alleged that the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Inna Mariam Patty exploited, verbally and sometimes physically assaulted them.

The three, Stephanie Karikari (Miss Ghana 2010), Antoinette Delali Kemavor (Miss Ghana 2015) and Giuseppina Nana Akua Baafi (Miss Ghana 2013) also narrated to the portal they were sometime pimped to raise money to support the pageant.

This has opened up the conversation of what young women go through in beauty pageants as more people come out to give accounts of their experiences with these pageants.

Meanwhile, the organisers are yet to respond to the specific allegations raised by the former beauty queens.

Conclusion

All these issues and many others have happened in 2017. Unfortunately, the negative stories made the bigger headlines. This reflects what the media feeds the people or what the people are interested in.

Let’s see what 2018 brings the arts and entertainment industry.

–

By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

([email protected])

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The Disney blockbuster became just the fourth film to open above $200m in the US. Aside from The Force Awakens ($248.8m), the others are The Avengers ($207.4m) and Jurassic World ($208.8m).

The Last Jedi is off to a similar start overseas, too, with $230m in international ticket sales, said Disney. That brings its three-day global haul to $450m. The film topped the box-office charts in a number of territories, including the UK, Germany and Japan.

The opening also gave the Walt Disney Company the opportunity to flex its muscles on the heels of the deal announced last week for it to purchase 21st Century Fox for $52.4bn. As part of the deal, Disney will take control of 20th Century Fox, one of Hollywood’s six major studios.

“The weekend that we’re in is a byproduct of the foresight and vision from our CEO Bob Iger to bring Lucasfilm into the fold,” said Disney distribution chief Dave Hollis, alluding to Disney’s 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm. “So as we think about the possibility of other things being added, you can’t help but be excited about the possibilities.”

Fox, as it happens, was the only studio to open another new wide-release film against The Last Jedi in the US. Its animated comedy, Ferdinand, grossed $13.3m. Another family film, Pixar’s Coco, took third place, bringing its four-week total to over $150m.

While JJ Abrams’ reboot capitalised on a decade’s hiatus for Star Wars, Johnson’s sequel didn’t have the same benefit of freshness. It follows not only The Force Awakens (which ultimately grossed $2.1bn) but last year’s spinoff, Rogue One. That release opened with $155.1m, and grossed in total just more than $1bn globally. Critics gave Johnson’s film a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences endorsed it, too, with an A CinemaScore.

Signalling its faith in Johnson’s course for Star Wars, Lucasfilm earlier announced that Johnson will develop the next trilogy for the franchise, the first of which he’ll write and direct. Abrams is set to return to direct Episode IX after he was brought in to replace Colin Trevorrow. A separate spinoff, centred on a young Han Solo, is due out next summer.

The massive debut for The Last Jedi singlehandedly brightens what has been a disappointing year for Hollywood. The weekend was far and away the highest grossing of the year. According to comScore, the industry was down about 3.9% from last year, before this weekend. Now it’s 2.9% off the 2016 pace. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore, estimates the year will end about 2% down with a little over $11bn in ticket sales.

–

Source: Guardian UK

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But he continued to pursue music, having been inspired by the singer James Brown during a performance he saw as a teenager.

He was eventually signed to a New York label in the early 2000s, securing a spot as the opening act on tour for soul revival singer Sharon Jones – who died last year aged 60.

He recorded a string of singles before the release of No Time for Dreaming a decade later. It was named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s best albums of the year.

His critical success led to live performances at some of the world’s top music festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Primavera Sound.

• Full interview: Charles Bradley chats to Craig Charles

His rags-to-riches story was the subject of the documentary Charles Bradley: Soul of America. It followed Bradley from his initial signing to the record label, living in crippling debt, to his sold-out album release show.

Speaking to the BBC’s Craig Charles show in 2013, Bradley spoke about his difficult journey to stardom.

“I’ve been out there, ever since I was 16, doing music and searching for it – but I just never could find the people that really believed in me. It took a long time coming, but God, I’m glad it’s here,” he said.

But he admitted: “I just wish I’d have gotten my break when I was in my 20s.”

“I felt very bittersweet, because I’ve been looking for it for so long,” he said. And when asked about the “soul” and “experience” in his voice, he simply replied: “It’s hurt.”

Earlier in September, when announcing the tour’s cancellation, a message attributed to Bradley on his social media accounts said: “I love all of you out there that made my dreams come true.

“When I come back, I’ll come back strong, with God’s love. With God’s will, I’ll be back soon.”

Confirming news of Bradley’s death, his publicist said: “Mr Bradley was truly grateful for all the love he’s received from his fans and we hope his message of love is remembered and carried on.”

–

Source: BBC

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The preliminary price range of 10.25-11.50 euros per share would give Rovio a market value of between 802 million euros and 896 million euros ($955.34 million – $1.07 billion).

Rovio’s main owner, Trema International, which is owned by Kaj Hed, the uncle of company co-founder Niklas Hed, is expected to keep a 36.6 percent stake after the listing.

Trema currently owns 69 percent of Rovio’s shares.

Rovio said it expects to start trading on Helsinki bourse’s pre-list on September 29 and on the main list on October 3.

–

Source: Reuters

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Season one starts Friday, 8 September

Tuesdays to Fridays at 6pm

Cast:  Mark L. Walberg (Host)

Sometimes when asked difficult personal questions, a little lie won’t hurt unless you’re on the gameshow The Moment of Truth.  In the gameshow that has gained popularity across the world, contestants are given a polygraph test and asked 21 hard-hitting, personal and embarrassing questions in front of a live audience.

Some questions are “fun” ice breakers, whilst others could wreck relationships.  Host Mark L. Walberg administers the questions for the chance to win the elusive $500 000 prize.

Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne

Season one starts Sunday, 3 September

Sundays at 5pm

Andrew Mayne is a charming, underhandedly likeable troublemaker who also happens to be a brilliant illusionist.  Andrew uses his comically antagonistic sense of humour and creates an arsenal of illusions to help someone take revenge on a friend or family member who has done them wrong.  In each episode, Andrew has fun with his ‘man-on-the-street illusions’, all culminating in a spectacular trick that puts the wrong-doer- of-the-week in their place.

SONY MAX airs on DStv (Channel 128)

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