Month: October 2023

Five Nights at Freddy’s debuted at No. 1 in North America over the weekend, earning $78 million in receipts this weekend. The film is also streaming on Peacock.

The film, directed by Emma Tammi, stars Josh Hutcherson as a washed-up security guard who takes a job safeguarding a long-shuttered family-themed pizza restaurant — however, the pizzeria’s giant animatronic animal characters spring to life and go on murderous rampages. He’s also trying to maintain sole custody of his 10-year-old sister (Piper Rubio) and prevent her from falling into the clutches of their Aunt Jane (Mary Stuart Masterson). Kat Conner Sterling and Matthew Lillard also star, with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop created the animatronic characters.

Coming in at No. 2 is Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, followed by Killers of the Flower Moon at No. 3, After Death at No. 4 and The Exorcist: Believer at No. 5.

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Jon Bon Jovi will be honored as the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year at the annual benefit gala, to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 — two nights before the 66th annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena.

Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, said in a statement: “MusiCares is thrilled to honor Jon Bon Jovi at the 2024 Person of the Year Gala. His remarkable contributions to rock and roll have not only left an indelible mark on the music industry, but also in the hearts of countless fans around the world. Furthermore, his long-standing commitment to serving food-insecure and unhoused individuals inspires us all. We’re looking forward to celebrating him and the many ways he has made a difference in this world.”

In addition to his musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is being recognized for his philanthropic work. In 2006, he established the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which is dedicated to disrupting the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness. The MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony is one of the marquee events featuring during Grammy Week. It includes a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner and concert featuring other artists paying tribute to the honoree. At 61, Bon Jovi youngest solo honoree since Don Henley received the honor at age 59 in 2007. He is also the second New Jersey native to receive the honor, following Bruce Springsteen in 2013.

Bon Jovi said in a statement: “I’m truly humbled to be this year’s MusiCares honoree. MusiCares’ work with music professionals is vitally important in creating much-needed support and wellness programs that cultivate a healthier and more vibrant community for us all. Philanthropic work has been a cornerstone of my life and has always run in tandem to my music career and achievements. Nearly two decades ago when I formed the JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchens, I saw firsthand and continue to see today the impact of charitable community-based work. I know this for sure: helping one’s community is helping one’s self.”

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, visit MusiCares.org.

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The family of Matthew Perry are speaking out after the actor died by an apparent drowning at his home at age 54 on Saturday.

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Perry’s family said they are “heartbroken” by his “tragic” death. The statement read: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.” Matthew was raised by his father, John Bennett Perry, mother, Suzanne Morrison, and stepfather, Dateline journalist Keith Morrison.

Perry was found dead at his home in the Los Angeles-area home, with TMZ reporting that Perry was found in a jacuzzi at the residence. First responders were called to the residence for cardiac arrest, and no drugs were found at the scene and no foul play was reported. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department later shared that officers responded to a call at Perry’s address regarding the death of a male in his 50s, though authorities would not confirm the deceased’s identity.

Warner Bros. TV, which produced Friends, said in a statement about the beloved actor: “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”

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Brandy has announced her first holiday album, Christmas with Brandy, will arrive November 10th via Motown Records. “Christmas with Brandy” will feature classic covers and original holiday material, and marks Brandy’s first album since 2020’s critically acclaimed “B7.” Christmas with Brandy includes the singer’s cover of the Stevie Wonder classic holiday song “Someday At Christmas,” as well as “Jingle Bells,” and “Deck the Halls.” Other highlights include “Christmas Gift,” where the artist is joined by her daughter, Sy’Rai.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Brandy will also be starring in the Netflix original film Best. Christmas. Ever!, debuting November 16th on the streaming service. The film, directed by Mary Lambert, also stars Heather Graham, Jason Biggs, Matt Cedeño, Wyatt Hunt, Abby Villasmil, and Madison Skye Validum.

In Best. Christmas. Ever!, Brandy stars as Jackie, with Graham portraying Charlotte. The duo play old college friends who unexpectedly reunite for the holiday; per People, the official film synopsis reads: “Every Christmas Jackie sends a boastful holiday newsletter that makes her old college friend Charlotte feel like a lump of coal. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte and her family on Jackie’s snowy doorstep just days before Christmas, she seizes the opportunity to prove her old friend’s life can’t possibly be that perfect.”

Check out the trailer for “Best. Christmas. Ever!” – here.
To pre-order Christmas with Brandy, head here.

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Netfix’s new reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge,” based on the hit South Korean drama, has shared its first trailer, with a tagline reading: “Make friends. Make enemies. Make a million dollars.”  

The new show features 456 contestants, who will compete in trials inspired by the deadly games in Squid Game in the hopes of winning $4.56 million. However, unlike the dystopian original ‘Squid Game’, contestants are expected to survive defeat. The trailer for Squid Game: The Challenge shows the contestants arrive at the open-air bunk room and participate in challenges, including a game of Red Light, Green Light, and a timed race across a bridge high up in the air.

The original Squid Game became the first South Korean show to top the Netflix charts in the United States. It won two Emmys in 2022 (Best Actor in a Drama and Best Director of a Drama categories for Lee Jung-jae and Hwang Dong-hyuk), and was renewed for Season 2. Netflix added eight new cast members, including Iz*One alum Jo Yu-ri, to Season 2 in June.

“Squid Game: The Challenge” debuts on Netflix Nov. 22. The series will run for 10 episodes dropping weekly with the finale set to air Dec. 6. Take a look at the trailer – here.

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The Beatles surviving band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr announced Thursday that the band will release a “last” new song, with the help of AI technology.

The song, “Now and Then”, will debut Nov. 2; it is written and sung by late singer-songwriter John Lennon. McCartney and Starr produced new parts for the song, which features guitar parts recorded by Harrison in 1995. A series of social media posts shared the details: “NOW AND THEN. THE LAST BEATLES SONG. OUT 02.11.23. #NowAndThen New expanded and mixed editions of the “Red and Blue” albums to be released 10.11.23.
Pre-order now: https://TheBeatles.lnk.to/NowAndThen”

According to The Guardian, McCartney and Starr completed the track more than four decades later with the help of the same technology used to enhance the audio in Peter Jackson’s docuseries The Beatles: Get Back. Jackson and a sound team led by Emile de la Rey used the software to isolate Lennon’s vocals from the original demo, which Lennon recorded in New York City in the late 1970s. McCartney said in a statement: “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”  Starr added: “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”

In addition, on Nov. 10, The Beatles/1962-1966 (often called The Red Album) and The Beatles/1967-1970 (The Blue Album) will be released in 2023 Edition packages. The original editions were released in 1973, three years after The Beatles’ break-up, and reached No. 3 and No. 1, respectively, on the Billboard 200. Preorder and pre-save 1962-1966 and 1967-1970 (2023 Editions) here.

To pre-order ‘Now and Then’, head here: https://TheBeatles.lnk.to/NowAndThen.

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