Ben platt

Neo-nazis tend to be a noisy bunch, and it takes an extraordinary and confident work of art to drown out their loud, ugly racket. Parade , opening tonight on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, is that work of art. With a serendipitous advertising slogan – “This Is Not Over Yet” – borrowed from one of the most powerful songs from a lovely score, the revival of 1998’s Parade arrives just when it’s needed most, providing an eloquent smackdown response to the rise in antisemitism made all too clear by the hate group protesting outside the show’s first preview (they haven’t been back). With a cast as fine as it is large, led by Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond – two of the best singers currently on Broadway – Parade , set in 1913 Georgia, scores its topical points with all the artistry and theatrical know-how to meet and exceed its noble intensions. Parade is as commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years. Directed by Michael Arden, … [Read more...] about ‘Parade’ Broadway Review: Ben Platt & Micaela Diamond Lead Exceptional March Through History

EXCLUSIVE : Fresh off a surprise “work in progress” screening at SXSW , Robert Rodriguez’s action-thriller Hypnotic , starring Ben Affleck , has been set for a May 12 U.S. release. As we revealed last month , Ketchup Entertainment will be launching the movie on more than 2,000 screens. The looming release for a movie that remains unfinished is yet another talking point in the project’s tumultuous journey to screen. Little has been straight-forward for Hypnotic but the warm reception it received on Sunday night was a welcome respite for its creatives and financiers. It’s unusual for a big budget film to get a public ‘work in progress’ screening at a festival but Austin was a smart choice given the home crowd’s reverence for Texas-native Rodriguez. The director said today: “I’ve been working on this film for many years now, and to see the reaction from my home town audience at SXSW was humbling and validating. I look forward to now sharing it with all movie … [Read more...] about Robert Rodriguez & Ben Affleck’s ‘Hypnotic’ Gets May Release Date Following Surprise SXSW “Work In Progress” Screening

There’s a reason they call him The Darkling. Ben Barnes ‘ General Kirigan is on a downward spiral in Season 2 of Netflix ‘s Shadow and Bone as he seeks to expand The Fold and reign over Ravka. While in Season 1, the then-leader of Ravka’s Grisha army was a respected and charismatic Shadow Summoner, Kirigan has done away with the facade for Season 2. After surviving a Volcra attack that led everyone to believe he’d died, Kirigan has returned — very much alive and with a literal shadow army at his disposal that he’s using to stoke enough fear in the remainder of the Grisha army that they will help him defeat Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), who has set out to find the supposedly mythical creatures that can amplify her powers enough to destroy The Fold. “[Kirigan] was always on the wrong side. He’s always the villain. But in this season, it’s unleashed a little bit and he doesn’t have an army to rely on. He doesn’t have these masks of charm to rely on,” Barnes told … [Read more...] about Ben Barnes Breaks Down General Kirigan’s Dark Spiral In Season 2 of ‘Shadow And Bone’

EXCLUSIVE: Oppenheimer, A Quiet Place Part II and Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy is embarking on his next project with the feature adaptation of Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novel Small Things Like These . Murphy will star in and produce the film that’s been greenlighted by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon ’s Artists Equity , which will finance the project. Principal photography is underway in Ireland. Ciarán Hinds and Emily Watson are also starring in the drama whose source material has been likened to a Dickens tale. The story takes place over Christmas in 1985, when devoted father Bill Furlong (Murphy) discovers the startling secrets being kept by the convent in his town, and some shocking truths about his own life as well. The project reunites director Tim Mielants and Murphy, who previously worked together on the BAFTA-winning Peaky Blinders . Enda Walsh, a longtime collaborator of Murphy’s, wrote the script. Murphy and producer Alan Moloney … [Read more...] about Cillian Murphy To Star In & Produce ‘Small Things Like These’ Backed By Ben Affleck & Matt Damon’s Artists Equity

EXCLUSIVE : Ben Browning is returning to FilmNation Entertainment as President of Production. He comes aboard at month’s end. Browning will be responsible for developing the studio’s film slate. He last served as head of content for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio, working on Harry and Meghan , which became Netflix’s biggest ever docuseries debut. He was EP on that and Spotify’s hit podcast Archetypes with Meghan . Browning will report to CEO Glen Basner and will be based in Los Angeles. Prior to Archewell, Browning won the BAFTA Award and was Academy Award and PGA nominated, overseeing and producing dozens of successes for FilmNation Entertainment when he previously led the production team.  Films included the Academy Award winning Promising Young Woman , directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Carey Mulligan; Michael Showalter’s The Big Sick starring Kumail Nanjiani, Sean Baker’s Red Rocket starring Simon Rex, and … [Read more...] about Ben Browning Returns As FilmNation President Of Production; Oversaw ‘Harry and Meghan’ Docuseries In Archewell Stint

Instagram/@ceo_theboss Ben Savage officially has a running mate for his political run -- he's tied the knot with his fiancée Tessa Angermeier after 4 years of dating, as he's launching his campaign for Congress. Instagram/@ceo_theboss The "Boy Meets World" star married Tessa last month, but has kept it low-key. He didn't post any pics from their big day, but one of his friends did. It appears his big bro, Fred Savage , was their officiant ... and based on the pics, Tessa, Ben and all their guests had a blast partying after the nuptials. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Ben announced their engagement in January, sharing a shot of them in Indiana and showing off her diamond ring. He captioned the post, "The best is yet to come." The newlywed's got a lot on his plate -- besides a honeymooon, he's running for a U.S. Congressional seat . Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. … [Read more...] about Ben Savage Marries Fiancée as Congressional Campaign Kicks Off

TMZ.com Jennifer Lopez is doing a juggling act ... she celebrated the launch of her shoe collection in Bev Hills Saturday, as she and Ben Affleck are scrambling to buy a house before the end of the month because the financial consequences are HUGE. Gallery Launch Gallery Backgrid Lots of stars showed up to support JLo, including Tiffany Haddish , Hailey and Chloe Bailey . and others. The event was packed, and JLo mingled with them all ... with security, of course. Backgrid Ben was actually a no-show... he was at the premiere of his new flick, "AIR" at SXSW. Ben and Jen have been in and out of escrow on various houses, and now it's crunch time. There's a new law that takes effect in L.A. County April 1st, which imposes a tax on multi-million dollar estates, and the financial consequences are enormous. They're in escrow right now on a house in Pacific Palisades, but given their track … [Read more...] about Jennifer Lopez Has Party for Shoe Line As She and Ben Affleck Scramble to Buy a House

Getty Ben Affleck is on top of the world lately -- making movies with his best bud, and having his wife star in films he's producing ... which he says is the pinnacle of success and happiness. The actor-director sat down with CBS Sunday Morning for a chat about his new movie, "Air" which follows the story of Nike signing Michael Jordan to his legendary shoe deal ... and which just debuted at SXSW this weekend to rave reviews and thunderous applause . CBS Sunday Morning The film stars Ben and Matt Damon , and the reunion has truly had a shining effect on BA -- as you can tell in this interview. He talks about how chasing money in showbiz (or any biz, really) isn't the key to fulfillment, as he says he's found out. Instead, he says he's realized that right now ... he's at his most joyous. That's because he loved coming to work for this "Air" flick -- hanging out with his childhood BFF and collaborating, seeing his kids more often and doing … [Read more...] about Ben Affleck’s On Cloud Nine Amid ‘Air’ Debut, JLo Flick on Horizon

EXCLUSIVE : Olga Kurylenko ( Black Widow ), Jenny Seagrove ( The Guardian ), Anna Friel ( Marcella ) and Ben Miles ( The Crown ) have wrapped production on the under-the-radar psychological thriller My Sister’s Bones , whose first-look images we can reveal today. Bill Kenwright’s BKStudios is behind the project, adapted from Nuala Ellwood’s novel of the same name. Supporting cast includes Harry Potter and Game of Thrones actor David Bradley, who recently voiced Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar winner Pinocchio , and Maggie Steed ( Ten Percent ). Shooting took place on location in Whitstable, Herne Bay, London and Morocco. The project marks the second film from director Heidi Greensmith, whose debut feature Winter garnered three awards at the New York Film Festival, including Best Director, as well as a BIFA nomination in the Discovery Award category. The film was adapted for the screen by Naomi Gibney ( Devils ). The film opens in a bleak police … [Read more...] about Olga Kurylenko, Jenny Seagrove, Anna Friel, Ben Miles & David Bradley Lead Bill Kenwright Thriller ‘My Sister’s Bones’; First-Look Images

Getty Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are out on their latest would-be new home -- the couple has pulled the plug on yet another real estate deal ... and they're once again on the hunt. MLS Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that Bennifer has fallen out of escrow on the $64 million Pacific Palisades mansion they seemed to have their sights set on earlier this month -- which was an absolute beauty that would've certainly accommodated their needs. It's unclear why they're bailing ... but we're hearing they're done with it, and are moving on. Getty/Backgrid Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's $55 Million Bel-Air Mansion Deal Falls Through Now, if you're keeping count -- this actually marks the third home they've fallen out of escrow on in the past year. There was a $55 million Bel-Air estate they were set to buy way back in April, but that sale fell through. They were also set to buy another PP palace last month -- … [Read more...] about Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez Drop Out of Escrow Again in $64 Million Home Sale