Articles from January 2017



The People’s Choice is Johnny for Favorite Movie Icon

In the closing minutes of the People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday night, a surprise guest showed up: Johnny Depp, who won the prize for Favorite Movie Icon and thanked his fans for standing by him through “good times or bad.”

The 53-year-old actor looked a little teary as he slowly made his way through an acceptance speech, occasionally interrupted by fans screaming “I love you!”

“I came here for you, the people — who, through whatever good times or bad, you know, have stood by me, trusted me. Thank you,” Depp said. The crowd roared its approval.

Depp didn’t get into specifics, but he emphasized his gratitude. “You’ve very, very graciously invited me here once again tonight. So I appreciate that very much. You have no idea how much I appreciate it,” he continued. “I was very deeply affected by the kindness of your recognition and by your well wishes to my family and to myself, which is why it’s especially meaningful to me to be here in front of you to say thank you. And to tell you that I truly feel that need to thank you.”

“Because, in all honesty,” Depp concluded, “We all know that none of us, especially me, wouldn’t be standing up here if it weren’t for you tonight. So thank you.” He ended with a shout-out to his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, who died last spring: “Give ’em hell, Betty Sue,” he said, raising his trophy in the air and looking to the sky.

Jerry Bruckheimer talks about PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES

Listed by USA Today as one of the “Must See” films this year!

Not only will fans get to see Johnny Depp’s famed Captain Jack Sparrow as an 18-year-old, but the new Pirates is an “enormous” fifth chapter in the swashbuckling series, promises producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “It’s really edgy, still has the humor, but (offers) some real tension.” Everybody’s looking for the Trident of Poseidon, an artifact that will supposedly cure all curses, and the list includes Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), the new captain of the Flying Dutchman who’s trying to free his father from the curse of Davy Jones; young Henry (Brenton Thwaites), who’s searching for his own dad, and astronomer Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario); the decrepit and ghostly Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), who last encountered Jack when he was a teenager and now wants to kill the infamous buccaneer; and Sparrow himself.

Those wondering if Jack will get enough screen time with this big an ensemble need not worry, Bruckheimer says: “He’s still the star of the movie.”

Opening in the US on May 26

Amin Joseph joins the cast of “LAbyrinth”

Actor Amin Joseph has landed the supporting role of Kevin Gaines in the Brad Furman-directed drama LAbyrinth that stars Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker.

Based on the real life story of the LAPD corruption intertwined with murders of rap icons Notorious BIG and Tupac, the pic follows disgraced LAPD detective and journalist Jack Jackson on a hunt to solve the case, which threatens to crack the foundation of the police department. Good Films is producing the film and Miramax and Open Road Films are co-producing.

The movie is now filming in LA.

Willem Dafoe Joins MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

The actor is joining the star-studded ensemble cast of Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express.

Branagh is directing and starring as the investigator Hercule Poirot, who must solve a murder case aboard a train while being surrounded by duplicitous passengers. Penelope Cruz recently joined the cast, which also includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Leslie Odom Jr. and Tom Bateman.

Dafoe will play Mr. Hardman, a passenger on the train who says he sells typewriting ribbons, but may have a deeper tie to the murder victim.

Looks like Johnny will have lots of old friends joining him in this movie. Johnny and Dafoe worked together in Platoon and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

The movie is currently filming in the UK.

ONBC tidbits have started for The Mountain Shadow

Check out the latest book discussion from the Oprah Noodlemantra Book Club. The Mountain Shadow, by Gregory David Roberts is the sequel to Shantaram, a best-selling novel about India and GDR’s time there.

Moderators and tidbit writers Liz, fireflydances, and nebraska have already begun posting fascinating tidbits for the book. Lively discussion will follow.