Entertainment Archives - My Modern Met

RIP Louis Gossett Jr: Celebrating the First Black Man To Win Best Supporting Actor Oscar

Regina Sienra — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:30:04 +0000

RIP Louis Gossett Jr: Celebrating the First Black Man To Win Best Supporting Actor Oscar

Louis Gossett, Jr., who made film history in 1982 by becoming the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, had just passed away at the age of 87. A star of stage and screen, Gossett earned many accolades during his life, including two Golden Globe wins as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for a guest starring role in the TV miniseries Roots.

Born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, Gossett made his stage debut at the age of 17. Encouraged by his high school English teacher to audition for a Broadway part, he landed a part in the play Take a Giant Step in 1953. While his sporting skills and 6'1″ height gave him the opportunity to play for the New York Knicks, he declined it to continue pursuing an acting career. In 1959, he played the role of George Murchison in the play A Raisin in the Sun. He then reprised his role in the movie version released two years later.

Gossett's most popular role was that of drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), which earned him the Academy Award. Starring alongside Richard Gere and Debra Winger, Gossett played a strict man whose no-nonsense character ultimately uplifts the protagonist. In his 2010 memoir, An Actor and a Gentleman, Gossett described the award as, “More than anything, it was a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor.”

Despite his success, he had some run-ins with racism from police officers in Los Angeles in the 1960s, including a time when he was chained to a tree and handcuffed for three hours for walking around a residential Beverly Hills area after 9 p.m. “Now I had come face-to-face with racism, and it was an ugly sight,” he wrote. “But it was not going to destroy me.” Moved by these events, he created the Eracism Foundation to help create a world where racism doesn't exist.

More recently, Gossett appeared in the HBO limited series Watchmen (2019) as well as the latest musical film version of The Color Purple (2023), where he played Ol' Mister Johnson, sharing the screen alongisde Taraji P. Henson and Colman Domingo, among others. “He was open and generous. Kind beyond measure. Regal. We owe so much to him. What a monumental life he lived,” Domingo wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Gossett's passing was announced by his family via a statement, in which no cause of death was revealed. His cousin, Neal L. Gossett, reminisced about the actor's time walking with Nelson Mandela, his sense of humor, and his values. “Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for.”

Louis Gossett, Jr., the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, passed away at 87.

Photo: bossmoss/Depositphotos

A star of stage and screen, Gossett earned many accolades during his life, including two Golden Globe wins as well as a Primetime Emmy Award.

Louis Gossett, Jr. (Left) with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier in a scene scene from the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun.' (Photo: Friedman-Abeles, New York via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

More recently, Gossett appeared in the HBO limited series Watchmen (2019) as well as the latest musical film version of The Color Purple (2023).

Photo: s_bukley/Depositphotos

“He was open and generous. Kind beyond measure. Regal. We owe so much to him. What a monumental life he lived,” actor Colman Domingo wrote on X.

Richard Pryor and Lou Gossett Jr. backstage at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles (Photo: Los Angeles Times via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

h/t: [AP]

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READ: RIP Louis Gossett Jr: Celebrating the First Black Man To Win Best Supporting Actor Oscar

Singing Nuns Are Bringing 13th-Century Latin Hymns to Contemporary Music Charts

Regina Sienra — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:15:52 +0000

Singing Nuns Are Bringing 13th-Century Latin Hymns to Contemporary Music Charts

Most chart-topping singers these days are 20 and 30-somethings with a daring fashion sense and lavish lifestyles. But as luck would have it, the UK’s best-selling classical artist debut in recent years is Poor Clare Sisters of Arundel, a choir of nuns whose ages range from 50 to 96. After making it to the fifth spot in the UK albums chart with their first album, Light for the World, the group is back with yet another collection of songs, titled My Peace I Give You.

The nuns first broke onto the scene in 2020, when they released Latin hymns and medieval texts with a 21st-century twist. While their choice of songs could be seen as unorthodox, the Poor Clare Sisters of Arundel put out their first record at the height of the pandemic, offering calm and solace with their music at a tumultuous time. “It's been quite incredible the number of letters we've had from people all over the world saying they're not religious but that our music has touched them,” Sister Gabriel, who joined the order of enclosed nuns in 1994 at age 23, told BBC Radio Sussex.

Despite their newfound fame, the nuns, who represent six different nationalities, live in a rural community in Sussex. The women live within an 800-year-old tradition, working and praying according to the form of life drawn up by St. Clare of Assisi in 1253.

While most acts feel anxious regarding their sophomore album, the Poor Clare Sisters of Arundel couldn't pass up the opportunity. Recorded at the convent chapel in Arundel, West Sussex, and mixed at Abbey Road Studios, My Peace I Give You aims to bring music from the 13th century back to the mainstream charts. It also offers “a message of peace for a fractured world and the importance of caring for the planet.”

The core of the album is “The Canticle of Creation,” written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1224 and divided across seven songs. This composition holds a special place in the nuns' heart, since St. Francis of Assisi was a friend of their order founder. “They lived eight centuries ago,” Sister Gabriel told The Guardian. “But they knew many things we still struggle with today, including how important it is to understand our relationship with the environment.”

Since helping others is central to the work of the nuns, they donated the profits from the sales of their first album and will do the same with the second. To them, the real gain is having helped so many people with their music. “My longing is for our music to touch people's hearts, and that's been the response,” said Sister Graça. “A lot of people saying, ‘I don't believe in God, but there is something about your music that takes me somewhere that I had never experienced before.' That's it.”

My Peace I Give You comes out on May 24, 2024. Scroll down to listen to the first single off the album.

The Poor Clare Sisters of Arundel, a choir of nuns whose ages range from 50 to 96, have the UK’s best-selling classical artist debut in recent years.

After making it to No.5 on the UK albums chart with their first album, the group is back with yet another collection of songs, titled My Peace I Give You.

Take a listen to the first single:

Poor Clare Sisters of Arundel: Website | Facebook | Spotify

All images via Universal Music.

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Gershwin’s Long-Lost Musical “La La Lucille” Rediscovered and Performed for the First Time

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READ: Singing Nuns Are Bringing 13th-Century Latin Hymns to Contemporary Music Charts

Regina King and Jimmy Kimmel Share Tender Moment During First Interview Together Since Her Son’s Death

Regina Sienra — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:30:59 +0000

Regina King and Jimmy Kimmel Share Tender Moment During First Interview Together Since Her Son’s Death

Photo: info@photographybyeugene.com/Depositphotos (left); everett225/Depositphotos (right)

Late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel is known for his sardonic sense of humor, which he subjects both his audience and guests to equally. However, this doesn't mean he is ice cold, as he has spoken passionately about important topics, like gun control, while fighting back tears. Recently, his sensitivity sparked a tender moment with Oscar-winning actor Regina King, who appeared as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote her new movie, Shirley, which tells the story of the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm.

While King has a long and storied career that spans four decades and over 50 screen credits, she stepped away for a few years due to a major loss in her family. In January 2022, King's son and only child, Ian, died by suicide at the age of 26. After taking some much needed time away from the spotlight, the actress just restarted her TV appearances, with Kimmel's show being only her second stop after a Good Morning America interview, where she talked about her son's passing for the first time.

“Grief is a journey, you know? I understand that grief is love that has no place to go,” King said to GMA's Robin Roberts. “I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ian's mom, you know? Only me. And so it's mine. And the sadness will never go away. It'll always be with me. And I think I saw somewhere, the sadness is a reminder of how much he means to me, you know?”

Kimmel, who has hosted his late night show for over 20 years, has welcomed King several times, and they've developed a friendship. That's why when she visited his show for the first time since taking a break, Kimmel wanted to show his support and make sure King was doing ok. “It's very good to see you,” the host greeted the actor. “How are you doing right now?” To which King replied with a smile, “Right now, I'm good.” Kimmel responded, getting choked up, “Good, I'm glad to hear that. I know you've been through a lot the last year.” Touched by this, King leaned over to Kimmel, and grabbing his hand and tenderly said, “It's good to see you, Jimmy.”

Still fighting back tears, Kimmel did what he does best—quickly lightening the mood by asking King if she had bumped into her Miss Congeniality 2 co-star William Shatner backstage. Despite the shortness of the moment, it was enough for viewers at home to praise Kimmel's empathy and King's resilience. By acknowledging the loss and the effect it has had on the actress in a delicate and personal manner, King and Kimmel shared a quiet yet poignant moment that spoke volumes.

You can watch the warm gesture in the video below.

If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. You can find a helpline in your area, by visiting the International Association for Suicide Prevention helpline. If you're in the United States, you can dial 988 to speak with a mental health professional, 24/7, in English or in Spanish. The lifeline also uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages.

Jimmy Kimmel shared a tender moment with Oscar-winning actor Regina King, who appeared as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote her first movie since the passing of her son, Ian.

h/t: [BuzzFeed]

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READ: Regina King and Jimmy Kimmel Share Tender Moment During First Interview Together Since Her Son’s Death

Iconic ‘Titanic’ Movie Door That Sparked Years of Debate Just Sold for $718,750 at Auction

Regina Sienra — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:20:37 +0000

Iconic ‘Titanic’ Movie Door That Sparked Years of Debate Just Sold for $718,750 at Auction

If you've ever watched Titanic, chances are you've joined the most heated debate around the movie's star-crossed lovers. Was there room for both Jack and Rose on that fateful floating door? Whatever side you're on, one thing's for sure—this movie prop is a key part of one of the biggest movies ever released. Over 20 years after its rise to popularity, the door was auctioned as part of a movie-themed sale, garnering $718,750, more than any other item up for grabs.

The auction, titled Treasures From Planet Hollywood, was run by Heritage Auctions. While almost 1,600 items were put up for sale, no other item sparked the level of interest the Titanic piece did. “The ornate structure was in reality part of the door frame just above the first-class lounge entrance,” writes Heritage Auctions. Despite it being no more than a broken slab of a door, it holds great significance to the film itself and fans of the movie.

The sale also included Indiana Jones' whip from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Tobey Maguire’s black symbiote suit from Spider-Man 3, which sold of $525,000 and $125,000 respectively. As for Titanic, the door wasn't the only item to bring in thousands of dollars. Rose’s white chiffon dress sold for $118,750, while the the ship’s helm wheel went for $200,000, and the brass engine order telegraph sold for $81,250.

For all its artificially distressed state, the Titanic door is a testament to the detailed production design of the movie. The Louis XV-style movie prop features floral accents and scrolling curves, following the H.M.S. Titanic original designs faithfully—except for a plaque on the back that explains the purpose of the prop as “floating panel that he uses to save her life in the sinking sequence of the film.” Heritage Auctions adds, “Both the salvaged piece of debris and the film prop reflect the opulent design scheme of original ship builder Harland and Wolff.”

Long before having to save a collector from putting their $718,750 purchase to the test, director James Cameron engaged in a scientific study to see whether both characters could have survived thanks to that fateful door. The result? Having both of them on the door would have tipped it over, but sharing it by keeping only their upper halves out of the water could have bought them hours before being rescued. What's more, Rose could have given him her her life vest. Ultimately, the director knew what Jack would do. “I think his thought process was, ‘I’m not going to do one thing that jeopardized her,’ and that’s 100 percent in character.”

The fateful floating door from Titanic was auctioned as part of a movie-themed sale, garnering $718,750, more than any other item up for grabs.

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Una publicación compartida por ACMI (@acmionline)

“The ornate structure was in reality part of the door frame just above the first-class lounge entrance,” writes Heritage Auctions.

For all its artificially distressed state, the Titanic door is a testament to the detailed production design of the movie.

Heritage Auctions: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Robb Report]

All images via Heritage Auctions.

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READ: Iconic ‘Titanic’ Movie Door That Sparked Years of Debate Just Sold for $718,750 at Auction

Breathtaking Compilations of the Most Beautiful Shots in Movie History

Mia Santarelli — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 14:45:18 +0000

Breathtaking Compilations of the Most Beautiful Shots in Movie History

Do you consider yourself a film fanatic? Put your cinematic knowledge to the test by exploring this carefully curated compilation of beautiful scenes in cinema. A compilation of “The Most Beautiful Shots In Movie History” was put together by The Solomon Society, an Ireland-based YouTube account. This two-part collection of iconic moments recalls resonant scenes that live in cinematic perpetuity. Each video runs for under four minutes but packs in a number of scenes from Golden Age classics as well as contemporary phenoms.

From the glory days of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and John Wayne to the modern-day marvels of Natalie Portman and Joaquin Phoenix, film continues to enchant humans with its visual storytelling capabilities. The history of this medium is undoubtedly fascinating, and The Solomon Society has taken it upon itself to do a deep dive into motion picture history and cherry pick what it considers to be some of the most beautiful scenes. Everything from composition and color to costuming and camerawork make these clips both beautiful and iconic.

One prime example of their selection is the famous elevator scene from the comedy-crime film Grand Budapest Hotel. In this composition, the illustrious Wes Anderson intentionally chose the deep purple against the bright red backdrop in this tightly cropped scene. Despite sharing a small, intimate space, the actors are seemingly disconnected from one another. Birdman, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, is also a representation of the creativity used in visual storytelling. A Steadicam tracks Michael Keaton's movement as he approaches the cashier at the liquor store. This intentional framing enhances the emotional distress of Keaton's character. Another notable excerpt highlighted by this video is from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The light of the sky fades as Luke Skywalker walks towards the binary sunset off in the horizon. Rich oranges and hues of blue establish a hopeful undertone to the scene, leaving viewers enamored with the wonders of cinematography. Like a symphony, George Lucas carefully organized the colors, lighting, score, script, set, and acting to come together to convey a particular story.

Each of these noteworthy moments in movies are a drop in the pool of cinematic history. Knowing that any one four-minute video can't capture every stunning scene, The Solomon Society has actually released a number of compilations, breaking down the “beauty” of them even further. Their videos include The Most Beautiful Black and White Shots, as well as compilations based on other factors: Multicolor, Blue, Red, Green, and even Space shots.

Scroll down to see some of the different videos they've compiled, and for even more, you can follow The Solomon Society on YouTube.

The Solomon Society has compiled what it deems “The Most Beautiful Shots In Movie History” in two parts.

Cinephiles can also appreciate their other compilations, including…

The Most Beautiful Black and White Shots

The Most Beautiful Multicolor Shots In Movie History

The Most Beautiful Space Shots In Movie History

The Most Beautiful Fire Shots In Movie History

The Most Beautiful BLUE Shots In Movie History

The Most Beautiful RED Shots In Movie History

The Most Beautiful Green Shots In Movie History

The Solomon Society: YouTube
h/t: [Kottke]

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READ: Breathtaking Compilations of the Most Beautiful Shots in Movie History

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Stars Pose in Underwater Photos To Raise Money for Conservation

Sarah Currier — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:20:24 +0000

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Stars Pose in Underwater Photos To Raise Money for Conservation

Actors Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet are all stars of the 2022 hit film Avatar: The Way of Water. Recently, they posed for photographer Christy Lee Rogers in an underwater photo series that celebrated our oceans while also raising money for a good cause.

The director of the Avatar series, James Cameron, and Disney commissioned the photos as a way to raise money for The Nature Conservancy. The organization has the goal of conserving 10% of the world’s oceans by 2030, and some of the proceeds from the sale of Rogers’ prints will go toward supporting that mission.

In addition to being for a good cause, the photos are also gorgeous in their own right. The actors are dressed in eye-catching blue and purple fabric that swirls and blends in with their equally beautiful surroundings. They are shot to look like they are floating, weightlessly, with closed eyes and spread arms, effortlessly in harmony with the world around them.

On her website, Rogers states, “Water is healing—it’s life itself. And as the provider of life—oxygen to all through tiny phytoplankton, our oceans need our care more than ever right now. It is a great honor to be able to help James Cameron, Jon Landau, and the ‘Avatar’ and Disney teams in realizing that dream of clean and protected world oceans—through the release of these images for The Nature Conservancy.”

Those interested in purchasing Rogers’ prints can do so through her website.

In a recent series, Christy Lee Rogers photographed stars Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet in an Avatar-themed underwater photoshoot.

James Cameron and Disney commissioned the photo series to raise money for The Nature Conservancy, which has the goal of conserving 10% of oceans by 2030.

The actors float harmoniously in the photos, illustrating how connected humanity is with the water around us.

Christy Lee Rogers: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Christy Lee Rogers.

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READ: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Stars Pose in Underwater Photos To Raise Money for Conservation

Gershwin’s Long-Lost Musical “La La Lucille” Rediscovered and Performed for the First Time

Madeleine Muzdakis — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 13:50:52 +0000

Gershwin’s Long-Lost Musical “La La Lucille” Rediscovered and Performed for the First Time

Sheet music from the early 20th century. (Photo: Wikimedia, Public Domain)

What's your favorite musical? Do you belt out “Defying Gravity” when you're alone? Do you still dance anytime “Seasons of Love” from Rent starts playing? Do you still dream of the incredible costumes from The Lion King? Chances are, if you're a Broadway enthusiast or music aficionado, you know George Gershwin's work. Born in 1898, the legendary composer produced classics throughout his short life before dying in 1937. He wrote the opera Porgy and Bess as well as the original Funny Face musical starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire.

Among his works, there was a gap—the musical known as La La Lucille had been missing, its words and music largely unknown for a century. While scholars had previously tried to recreate the lost work, this process took a sudden leap forward with the surprise discovery of the lost, original sheet music by a University of Michigan professor in the Amherst College Archives in Massachusetts.

La La Lucille premiered on Broadway in 1919. It was an important early work of Gershwin's composition, based on a book by Fred Jackson and paired with the lyrics of four authors. It is set on a wild night in New York when a married couple learns of a sudden inheritance, their acceptance of which is conditional on their divorce. The wife, a former showgirl named Lucille, and her husband plan a deception of comic proportions to keep both their love and the money. The music, composed entirely by a brilliant 20-year-old Gershwin, ushers the characters through the plot. However, the loss of sheet music for many songs has reduced these tunes to a few extant piano versions.

University of Michigan scholar Jacob Kerzner was perusing the Amherst College archives in summer 2023. In the Samuel French Collection, he discovered a surprising stack of about 800 pages full of scores. This complete orchestration includes music for flutes, cellos, and other accompanying instruments that had not been heard for almost a century. The musical's last recorded performance, while on the road, was in Massachusetts in 1926. This may be why the scores ended up in Amherst.

In February 2024, music students at the University of Michigan performed songs from the musical alongside this complete music. Junior Aquila Sol sang “Somehow It Seldom Comes True,” while junior Keyon Pickett performed “From Now On.” Professor Jayce Ogren conducted.

“We get to hear these fun flute lines that we hadn’t noticed,” Kerzner told M Live. “We get to warm up some of these ballads with strings, and we get to even see some of the changes in harmony that may not have been published in the piano-vocal, but that George Gershwin or Frank Saddler may have adjusted as they developed this show for Broadway.” A critical edition of the work is also said to be in the works.

The music and lyrics of La La Lucille, a lost Gershwin musical first performed in 1919, were rediscovered a century later by a scholar from the University of Michigan.

“La La Lucille” in its film adaption, 1920. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

The musical, discovered in Amherst College's archives, tells the story of a couple who receives a surprise inheritance.

Listen to some of the long-lost songs yourselves and enjoy the music.

h/t: [M Live]

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READ: Gershwin’s Long-Lost Musical “La La Lucille” Rediscovered and Performed for the First Time

Biologist Wins This Year’s ‘Dance Your PhD’ Contest With a Catchy Song About Kangaroo Behavior

Regina Sienra — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:50:13 +0000