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Soap operas are supposed to be an escape, and right now, people need that.

Sadly, Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of 11-11-24 promise the beginning of a heartbreaking storyline, with more on the way.

Bill Hayes passed away last January, and Days films so far in advance that we’re first getting to the beginning of the end of Doug’s life now. Fortunately, there’s some good news coming to balance out this heavy story.

(Peacock/Screenshot) Doug’s Beautiful Send-off Will Be Made Even Harder Because Of Drake Hogestyn’s Death

Time can play cruel tricks, and one of the cruelest is that Drake Hogestyn passed away only a month before the scheduled send-off and tribute to Bill Hayes.

Days of Our Lives fans have been in a state of mourning since September 28, and John’s exit story started this past week, on the...

Days Of Our Lives (Dool) spoilers reveal that Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) will be worried about a new couple in town.

It seems that he could have a huge reason to worry considering that his cousin Javi Hernandez (Al Calderon) is about to get mixed up with Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart). What will these two get into that worries Rafe so much?

Days Of Our Lives – Leo Stark Has Been Nothing But Trouble

Days Of Our Lives spoilers indicate that Leo has not been the best person in Salem by any means. Leo came to town to run a con and until recently, that was the only way he could make money.

Leo blackmailed Sonny Kiriakis (Zach Tinker). Leo tried come after Sonny a second time when he accused him and Will Horton (Chandler Massey) of attempted murder.

Leo even took money from Ej Dimera (Dan Feuerriegel) to keep quiet...

Days of our Lives spoilers for Friday, November 1, push Chanel towards forgiving Johnny, while Johnny pushes Joy to forget…they ever met.

Johnny on the Spot

We are totally Team Chanel (Raven Bowens) on this one. If your husband is stupid enough to believe that you are cheating on him, if he is stupid enough to literally see the alleged cheating and not realize that the woman in question isn’t his wife, and if then hears her tell him where she actually was all day but he doesn’t believe her — despite the physical evidence — then this guy isn’t just too stupid to be married. He is too stupid to live.

But all that aside, Kate (Lauren Koslow) really needs her show’s star to forgive her show’s director. The show must go on, and all that!

More: Find out what happens next week on Days.

That Was No Woman,...

‘Days of Our Lives’ (Dool) spoilers for Thursday, October 31 reveal Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) have problems. Meanwhile, Body and Soul gets a new cast member. We’ll also see some Halloween fun. Here’s what you need to know.

‘Days of Our Lives’ Spoilers For Thursday, October 31: Trouble on set

First, ‘Days of Our Lives’ spoilers reveal Stephanie and Alex are stuck trying to figure out how to feel about what happened on the set. Obviously, they’ll have to deal with the embarrassment of their “rehearsal” being broadcast to basically everyone at that party. But Kate Dimera (Lauren Koslow) made herself clear.

They’re going to have to make a choice here as to whether they’d rather be employed, or together. We’re guessing we’ll see them try to stay apart for awhile before finally giving in to their feelings.

Days of our Lives spoilers for Thursday, October 31, highlight scary things happening in Salem, like Johnny groveling for Chanel’s forgiveness and Stephanie and Alex dealing with their little on-set sex romp.

Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word

Johnny (Carson Boatman) believed it when he heard that Chanel (Raven Bowens) was in another room, having sex with her co-star. As you do? Johnny didn’t actually check to see who it was there under Alex (Robert Scott Wilson); he just assumed. He didn’t listen to his wife’s alibi. He didn’t think through the situation logically. He just assumed. And then he yelled about it. And then he learned that he was wrong.

Chanel is, rightly, mighty peeved. And not in the mood for his excuses. Or his apologies. Johnny, nonetheless, keeps trying. As he has proven, once Johnny gets an idea in his head, nothing stops him.

‘Days of Our Lives’ (Dool) spoilers suggest that more happened the night Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) and Johnny Dimera met at the bar than casual conversation.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spoilers: Johnny Thought Chanel Slept With Alex

When Johnny meets Joy, he is convinced that his wife, Chanel Dupree Dimera (Raven Bowens), is cheating on him with her Body and Soul co-star, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson).

Johnny, Chanel, and Alex have all been working together on the soap-within-a-soap. When the show shot at the hospital, he was warned not to walk into a particular room because “Faith” and “Arrow” were “rehearsing” a bit too realistically.

Johnny didn’t listen and walked in on who he thought was Chanel and Alex, but it was Alex and Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klien). He quietly closed the door and walked out, not saying anything to Chanel.

A few nights later, he was at...

Days of our Lives predictions dive into the juicy storylines with Fiona Cook (Serena Scott Thomas). And Xander Cook (Paul Telfer), Also, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf). Johnny Dimera (Carson Boatman) sees his worst nightmare comes true on set. It is with Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) and Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens). Johnny and Joy are getting cozy. And Nancy Wesley (Patrika Darbo) is mad her daughter hooks up with a married man. And Joy has officially lands a role on “Body and Soul”. She will work with Johnny’s wife, Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens). Will Joy keep their secret?

Days of our Lives: Fiona Cook, Xander Cook and Brady Black Days of our Lives Predictions: Fiona Cook’s Juicy Storylines with Xander Cook and Brady Black

Dool predictions see Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) get in the middle of Stefan Dimera’s (Brandon Barash) divorce from Gabi Hernandez (Camila Banus). Stefan decides to fight for his marriage.

Days Of Our Lives fans are not loving the soap within a soap narrative of “Body and Soul”. What started off as a cute love letter to the genre ran its course almost as soon as it began. Now it’s become that whiny ex who keeps asking for one more chance without making any effort to show they can do better.

Thus far, the storyline to revive the fictional defunct soap has served little more purpose than to give a few Salemites career opportunities for which they have no education or experience, provide Deidre Hall a chance to show off her gross inability to play multiple characters, and give fans more Leo shenanigans.

Days Of Our Lives Spoilers – Ron Carlivati Has More In Store For “Body and Soul”

But Ron Carlivati, liked him or not, has always been good at twisting the plot when you least expect it.

Since...

Days of our Lives spoilers for next week’s episodes of the hit Peacock soap tease more of the same with a bit of a twist.

Although the daytime drama has been moving right along for months, we are kind of at a standstill with some storylines.

The aftermath of Sarah’s (Linsey Godfrey) accident will drag out for months as Brady (Eric Martsolf) takes the blame.

Body and Soul has just begun, so fans can expect it to last a long time despite mixed reactions from Days viewers.

A couple of twists are shaking things up in Salem, like Holly (Ashley Puzemis) learning Eric (Greg Vaughan) killed her father and, of course, fake Abigail (AnnaLynne McCord).

All of those things and more are taking center stage on Days of our Lives next week.

Fiona plays Brady and Sarah

Even though the charges against Brady have been dropped, he’s...

Days of Our Lives (Dool) spoilers note that Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) may be in trouble. During a recent episode he mentioned the “friendship” between Everett Lynch/Bobby Stein (Blake Berris) and Connie Villinski (Julie Dove) without knowing the implications of his statement.

Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) had just been given her late ex’s ashes without knowing exactly what to do with them.

Days Of Our Spoilers – Leo Stark’s Innocent Comment Could Cost Him His Life

As Everett didn’t have friends or family, she felt the burden of trying to guess where her ex wanted to be laid to rest.

Leo suggested turning to Connie, one of Everett’s old friends, which both intrigued Stephanie and shocked her. Could the Head Writer of Body and Soul land in hot water for revealing this?

Dool spoilers remind fans that the time that Connie and Everett were in each...

Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers report that Holly Jonas finally discovers the truth about Eric Brady‘s hand in her father’s untimely death. When he comes home to offer support to his brother, Brady Black, the ugly facts are exposed. Will Tate Black be the one to break it to her that Daniel Jonas died because of her favorite stepdaddy? Next, Johnny Dimera must overcome a very uneasy situation with Chanel Dupree when she works with an ex-fling, Alex Kiriakis. Does working so closely together spark old feelings for each other? Finally, Gabi Hernandez tells Stefan Dimera what happened between her and his brother. Will he forgive her, or is it Splitsville for the couple during the weeks of September 2-12, 2024, on the NBC Peacock exclusive?

Days of our Lives 2-Week Spoilers: Holly Jonas Discovers Eric Brady’s Secret

Dool’s two-week spoilers reveal that Holly Jonas (Ashley...

‘Days of Our Lives’ (Dool) two-week spoilers indicate that it’s the start of a new month, and while summer may be over, things are just getting heated up in Salem.

Your favorite characters are poised for an intriguing and exciting fall that promises shocking secrets will be revealed, and plot developments will be plentiful. Without further ado, here are the spoilers for September 2nd to 13th.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spoilers Week September 2nd to 6th: Play dirty

The week gets started on a steamy note. Ej Dimera (Dan Feuerreiegel) and Gabi Hernandez-dimera (Cheire Jimenez) decided to play dirty and sleep together to get revenge on Stefan Dimera (Brandon Barash).

Stefan will inevitably walk in on them. He’ll be so enraged that he’ll throw a punch at his brother. Look for Ej and Gabi to confront their mutual attraction later on.

Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) wants to do the right thing.

Days of Our Lives (Dool) spoilers for Monday, September 2 promise some interesting moments as a new week kicks off in Salem.

Next On Days Of Our Lives

A husband learns something ‘uncomfortable’ about his wife, while another Salemite gets help from a friend when it comes to a soapy audition, and a friend draws a line in the sand. Learn more about what to expect during Monday’s show, below!

Days Of Our Lives Spoilers – Johnny Dimera’s Realization

Dool spoilers for Monday, September 2 indicate that Johnny Dimera will come to an “uncomfortable” realization regarding Chanel Dimera (Raven Bowens).

Must Read – General Hospital’s Kate Mansi Rooting For Dool’s Abigail Return & Chad Reunion – Possible Days of Our Lives Comeback?

Sounds like there’s a good chance he learns about her threesome with Allie Horton (Lindsay Arnold) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) from years ago. Will this change his...

Days Of Our Lives spoilers for September 2-6, 2024 reveal that Ej Dimera (Dan Feuerriegel) is set to turn Gabi Hernandez’s (Cherie Jimenez) world upside down. And, Gabi might just spill the beans to Stefan Dimera (Brandon Barash) about her steamy encounter with his brother.

On Monday, Hattie Adams (Deidre Hall) has a warning for Bonnie Kiriakis (Judi Evans). Though it’s unclear if anyone really cares on the NBC Peacock soap opera. But the real action starts on Friday when Gabi proposes a revenge scheme to Ej. And, he’s more than ready to jump on board. Despite recently scolding Stefan for his infidelity, Ej seems eager to get his hands on Gabi.

Other Dool spoilers show that Paulina Price (Jackee Harry) and Abe Carver (James Reynolds) have a little spat. And, Johnny Dimera (Carson Boatman) discovers something about Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) that leaves him feeling uneasy. But don’t worry,...

Days of our Lives spoilers for next week’s episodes of the hit Peacock soap tease a full week of chaos, lies, and a return.

After just leaving for Paris with Nicole (Arianne Zucker), Eric (Greg Vaughan) comes home to be there for Brady (Eric Martsolf).

While in town, Eric can’t escape having another blow-up with Ej (Dan Feuerriegel), and this time, Holly (Ashley Puzemis) ends up collateral damage when she learns what Eric did to her father.

Speaking of Brady, John (Drake Hogestyn) senses something isn’t right with Brady’s story about the accident and begins to search for answers.

Brady may not need his dad’s help because Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) remembers something from the hit-and-run. The question is whether it will help or hurt him.

The return of Eric and the aftermath of the accident are just the beginning of what will happen on Days of our Lives next week.

Days of our Lives early weekly spoilers reveal Eric Brady‘s return to Salem. He moved Nicole Walker and their son Jude to Paris, France. However, when he learns of his brother Brady Black’s predicament back home, he hops on a plane to support him. Will Eric be a sight for sore eyes? Meanwhile, Alex Kiriakis auditions for Body and Soul. However, Chanel Dupree and Johnny Dimera freak out when they learn the news. Can the two work together? Or will Abe Carver and Kate Roberts need to find a different actor to play her love interest? Finally, Gabi Hernandez and Ej Dimera face an undeniable truth. Will they discover they have the hots for each other the week of September 2-6, 2024, on the NBC Peacock exclusive?

Days of our Lives Early Weekly Spoilers: Eric Brady Comes Home

Dool early weekly spoilers report that Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan) returns to Salem.

The days are getting longer everywhere, except Palm Springs, where darkness is on the ascent each May. That’s when the city plays host to the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary May 9-12 with a program of a dozen classic films from the 1940s and ’50s. Great directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Rossen, Andre de Toth and Anthony Mann and stars like Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield, Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Ryan will have desert dwellers and visitors alike eager to blot out the sun for four days, culminating in the festival’s customary Mother’s Day crime spree.

As always, the festival is curated and hosted by a face familiar to any serious modern-day noir aficionado, Alan K. Rode, one of the principals of the Film Noir Foundation and a co-host of the Noir City festival every April in Hollywood. Rode’s Noir City cohort,...

Oscar Micheaux is a trailblazing American filmmaker whose name and fandom — including Spike Lee and the late John Singleton — are better known than his groundbreaking films. A festival opening in New York on Friday, May 3, at Film Forum aims to fix that.

Though competition is steep in the New York film space, with 17 films and several curated special events, “Oscar Micheaux and the Birth of Black Independent Cinema” is designed to make history. Seven films on the schedule are new restorations of the original prints. Some screenings will be accompanied by live musical performances, much like when silent films were originally exhibited in the 1910s and 1920s. On May 5, there’s also a tribute for the recently deceased author and filmmaker Pearl Bowser, a pivotal architect of the renaissance Micheaux’s work now enjoys. The lineup also boasts conversations with DJ Spooky (aka Paul Miller), who composed new scores for...

Ariana Grande’s grandmother is making history!

Marjorie Grande, or as she’s credited on Ari‘s new album “Nonna,” just notched a new record on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the senior-most artist ever to have appeared on the Hot 100, dating back to 1958.

Their eternal sunshine collaboration, “Ordinary Things,” debuted at No. 55 on the chart.

Keep reading to find out more…

Nonna beat out the record from the late Fred Stobaugh, who was 96 when “Oh Sweet Lorraine,” billed as Green Shoe Studio featuring Jacob Colgan, spent a week on the Hot 100 dated Sept. 14, 2013.

Late legend Tony Bennett now ranks third among acts with the most life experience on the Hot 100. He was 85 when “Body and Soul,” with Amy Winehouse, notched a week at No. 87 in 2011.

“Ordinary Things” closes with a clip of Nonna giving advice about marriage to her late partner, Frank. “Never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight,” she says.

Director and screenwriter Haruhiko Arai worked as an assistant director for Wakamatsu Productions before making his screenwriting debut with Shinjuku, Messy District: I'll Be There (1977), directed by Chusei Sone. He established his reputation in Japan and worldwide with works such as W's Tragedy (1984), Flakes of Snow (1985), and Someday (2011). For the latter Haruhiko received the Screenplay of the Year Award by the Japan Academy Film Prize. Body and Soul (1997) was his directorial debut. A Spoiling Rain (2023), IFFR 2024 selection, is his fourth feature film.

On the occasion of “A Spoiling Rain” screening at IFFR, we speak with him about the changes he have seen in the industry through the years, love and sex, adapting the particular novel, the casting and the current situation of the Japanese film industry.

translation by Shione Kunimori

My name is Haruhiko Arai. It has been 27 years since I was at the IFFR last time. 27 years ago, I...

Gary Graham, the beloved film and television actor, has passed away at 73. Graham was a featured player in the Alien Nation franchise, a chameleon of numerous characters in the Star Trek universe, and motion pictures across multiple genres. His ex-wife, actress Susan Lavelle, announced his passing in a Facebook message. She did not provide a cause of death for the gifted actor.

“It is with deep profound sadness to say that Gary Graham, my ex husband, amazing actor and father of our beautiful only child together, Haylee Graham, has passed away today,” wrote Lavelle. “We are completely devastated especially our daughter Haley. His wife, Becky was by his side.”

Graham got his start performing in episodic television in the mid-1970s. With his signature mop of swooping brown hair, Graham appeared in shows like Eight Is Enough, Starsky and Hutch, Police Woman, and more. When the 1980s came about, Graham contributed to shows like CHiPs,...

Gary Graham, who starred as the human detective who partners with an extraterrestrial newcomer to solve crimes on the Fox sci-fi television franchise Alien Nation, has died. He was 73.

Graham died Monday of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Spokane, Washington, his wife of nearly 25 years, Becky Graham, told The Hollywood Reporter.

In the Star Trek universe, Graham played the Ocampan community leader Tanis on Star Trek: Voyager in 1995; recurred as Ambassador Soval, a Vulcan ambassador to Earth, on Star Trek: Enterprise, from 2001-05; and portrayed the first officer Ragnar in Star Trek: Of Gods and Men (2007) and Star Trek: Renegades from 2015-17.

Graham also stood out as a sleazy dealer of porn films in the Paul Schrader thriller Hardcore (1979), starring George C. Scott, and he was the older brother of Tom Cruise’s character in Michael Chapman’s All the Right Moves (1983).

Graham starred as the L.A. detective...

Filmmaker Dee Rees made history on June 29 when her debut feature “Pariah” joined the Criterion Collection, making the Oscar and Emmy nominee the first Black American woman to have her work included. Before Rees, Euzhan Palcy, who is from Martinique, was the lone Black woman to have a film (1989’s “A Dry White Season”) selected.

“It feels like a formal acknowledgment of the film’s impact to the canon and being a part of the culture,” Rees tells Variety of having her movie chosen. “Even though artists have to try to find your validation from inside, it’s nice to be seen.”

And as a Black filmmaker in particular, Rees adds, “it’s important to be included for future generations of filmmakers, if [Criterion] is the thing that’s being taught in schools.”

“When they’re absent, then the assumption is there’s none in existence,” she explains. “There’s no Black filmmakers here,...

Five years after breaking out on the international film circuit with her acclaimed horror film “Raw,” French filmmaker Julia Ducournau is back with a new thriller and her first Palme d’Or contender. Premiering in competition at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival this July is “Titane,” a mysterious new Ducournau movie starring Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon (who won the Best Actor prize at Cannes 2015 for his performance in “The Measure of a Man”).

Ducournau is no stranger to Cannes. Her short film “Junior” premiered at Cannes 2011 and won the Petit Rail d’Or, while “Raw” debuted at Critics’ Week during Cannes 2016 and won the Fipresci Prize.

“Titane” is so mysterious that Neon is not even providing an official synopsis for the movie. Instead, the studio provided a definition for the movie’s title: “A metal highly resistant to heat and corrosion, with high tensile strength alloys, often used in medical...

“You fool! You can not stop me! I am the ninja! No one, nothing can stop me!.”

BearManor Media has published The Cannon Film Guide, a Trilogy of Books About the Movies Released By the Legendary 1980s B-Movie Studio, Cannon Films. Order The Cannon Film Guide Here

Volume One Available Now: Over 500 Pages Covering the Company’s First Five Years under the Leadership of B-Movie Icons Golan and Globus

From 1980 until 1994, The Cannon Group was responsible for the production of more than 200 films. Quantity, rather than quality, was the key to Cannon’s game: their output included many of the 1980s’ most beloved (and notorious) b-movies. Along the way they dipped their toes into every imaginable genre of movies, made stars out of Chuck Norris and Michael Dudikoff, kicked off the ninja and breakdancing crazes, and kept Charles Bronson working into the twilight of his career. While it’s rare...

The Academy has officially announced list of 93 contenders -- an all time record --  for this year's Best International Feature Film Oscar (submission chart here). So let's dive in! 

Last year's sole female nominee for Best International Feature, Nadine Labaki (Capernaum) is in front of the camera this time for Lebanon's new submission "1982"

by Nathaniel R

We've been tracking the just renamed foreign-language film race for so long that we love to dig in to stats a bit. You may recall that last year 20 of the 87 pictures were directed or co-directed by women. This year 28 of the 93 contenders are -- that's 30% of the list which is easily an all-time record! Here's another promising note for the future in regards to gender parity: female directors made only 2 of the nominated foreign-language films in the first quarter century of this category but things opened in the 1980s with four nominees from female directors,...

We wanted to present you with a very simple film like a glass of water. It was risky, all of my team believed in it, but we didn’t know if the audience would join us because this film is only approachable with a generous heart.Ildikó​ ​Enyedi accepting the Golden Bear in Berlin 2017

The only woman director among the Best Foreign Language Academy Award nominations, Ildikó​ ​Enyedi said this as she accepted the Golden Bear for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival last year.

Ildikó​ ​Enyedi is a Hungarian whose last feature, Simon the Magician, was made 18 years ago. My Twentieth Century was released in the U.S. by Aires in 1990.

SydneysBuzz: What were you doing during the 18 years before you made On Body and Soul, your next film after Simon the Magician?

Ildikó​ ​Enyedi: Most of the time I was just suffering. I was working every single...

Specialty distributor Fox Searchlight had a good day on Oscar nominations morning. (Disney take note.) Big hauls for “The Shape of Water” (13) and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (7) added up to a winning total of 20. With both films competitive in the big categories, Searchlight is in the pole position to be the big winner at the Academy Awards on March 4.

Arguably the big surprise today was Focus Features with 14 Oscar slots, as “Phantom Thread” scored an unexpected six nominations, including Best Picture and Paul Thomas Anderson for Best Director, on top of the Winston Churchill biopic “The Darkest Hour” landing six nods including Best Picture — a shock as it did not earn a PGA nomination. “Victoria & Abdul” also added two craft nominations.

Netflix earned eight Oscar nominations, a record for the streaming service, with narrative feature “Mudbound” nabbing four, two Best Documentary features (“Icarus” and “Strong Island”) and one...

Other contendors include Dunkirk, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Phantom Thread.

Source: Fox Searchlight

‘The Shape Of Water’

The nominations for the 90th Academy Awards have been announced in Los Angeles, with The Shape Of Water leading the way with 13 nods.

The romantic drama is nominated for best picture, best director (Guillermo del Toro) and best actress (Sally Hawkins). This is one fewer than La La Land’s record haul of 14 last year.

Read more: Full list of Oscars 2018 nominations

It is one of nine films in the best picture category and is competing against Call Me By Your Name, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, Get Out, Lady Bird, Phantom Thread, The Post and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Greta Gerwig becomes only the fifth woman to be nominated for best director, for Lady Bird. She is joined by del Toro, Jordan Peele (Get Out), Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk) and Paul Thomas Anderson (Phantom Thread). The best director lists for the...

On Body And Soul and I Am Not Your Negro are also in the process of being imported into China as Naac ramps up arthouse slate.

Source: Fox Searchlight Pictures

‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’

Golden Globe-winning drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri will receive a theatrical release in China on March 2 as part of an expanding slate handled by the territory’s National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas (Naac).

China’s Huaxia Distribution, one of only two state-approved distributors of foreign movies, is overseeing the film’s distribution, working closely with Fox Searchlight and the Naac. The alliance is responsible for booking the film into its members’ screens, which currently number around 600 in 89 cities across China. The three co-distributors will also collaborate on the film’s marketing.

“The number of screens in the alliance is increasing continuously, so by the time we release the film we expect it to be on more than 600 screens,” says Naac president...

'Amazing Tales from the Archives': Pioneering female documentarian Aloha Wanderwell Baker remembered at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival – along with the largely forgotten sound-on-cylinder technology and the Jean Desmet Collection. 'Amazing Tales from the Archives': San Francisco Silent Film Festival & the 'sound-on-cylinder' system Fans of the earliest sound films would have enjoyed the first presentation at the 2017 San Francisco Silent Film Festival, held June 1–4: “Amazing Tales from the Archives,” during which Library of Congress' Nitrate Film Vault Manager George Willeman used a wealth of enjoyable film clips to examine the Thomas Edison Kinetophone process. In the years 1913–1914, long before The Jazz Singer and Warner Bros.' sound-on-disc technology, the sound-on-cylinder system invaded the nascent film industry with a collection of “talkies.” The sound was scratchy and muffled, but “recognizable.” Notably, this system focused on dialogue, rather than music or sound effects. As with the making of other recordings at the time, the...

Those of a certain generation, will most likely remember actor/producer Leon Isaac Kennedy. While one can rightly say that he never achieved A-list status, he definitely had quite a run from the late 70’s to the early 90’s, and gained a following after his lead role as Too Sweet in the "Penitentiary" film trilogy, directed by the late Jamma Fanaka (for disclosure’s sake, I worked on the first one), "Body and Soul," "Lone Wolf McQuade" with Chuck Norris, and a host of TV roles. But some 20 years ago, as Kennedy said himself, “I knew I needed to look deeper and find a higher purpose for my life. I heard ‘the calling;’” and he left acting to become a...

The publisher’s book description:

Body And Soul

The song. That’s what London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant first notices when he examines the corpse of Cyrus Wilkins, part-time jazz drummer and full-time accountant, who dropped dead of a heart attack while playing a gig at Soho’s 606 Club. The notes of the old jazz standard are rising from the body—a sure sign that something about the man’s death was not at all natural but instead supernatural.

Body and soul—they’re also what Peter will risk as he investigates a pattern of similar deaths in and around Soho. With the help of his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, and the assistance of beautiful jazz aficionado Simone Fitzwilliam, Peter will uncover a deadly magical menace—one that leads right to his own doorstep and to the squandered...