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Tag: Morgan Freeman

  • Morgan Freeman Hilarious as He Narrates Actions of L.A. Pedestrians, “Grown-Ass Men Taking Pictures of Themselves On a F***ing Stick”

    Morgan Freeman was beyond hilarious on when he visited Jimmy Kimmel Live this week, and narrated the actions of some pedestrians on the streets of L.A. The actor, whose voice may now be heard on your GPS, was especially taken with people and their use of selfie sticks.

    “‘Perfect Selfie’ Paul, that’s what we called him. How he loved that selfie stick. Looking for that perfect selfie,” Morgan Freeman said, as he watched people walking, talking, and standing around the streets of L.A. “Could this be the one? Light’s just right, maybe over by this wall? No. Not perfect enough for ‘Perfect Selfie’ Paul.”

    “Perfect Selfie” Paul soon met his match. Morgan Freeman had just as much fun with this one, too, giving him the name “Sam.”

    “Oh look who it is! Another guy with a selfie stick. ‘Selfie Stick’ Sam,” he said. “Just two grown-ass men, taking pictures of themselves on a f—ing stick.”

    Did you catch Morgan Freeman while he visited with Jimmy Kimmel this week? If not, you must check out the episode On Demand.

    There’s just something extra funny about a man like Morgan Freeman, with his distinguished voice, poking fun at men with selfie sticks.

  • Morgan Freeman Will Tell You Where to Go

    Morgan Freeman has the kind of voice people want to listen to forever. Deep and soothing, his articulation and cadence provide intrigue regardless of the topic. Just imagine if Morgan Freeman could tell you where to go–pointing you toward your destination. Very soon that dream will be a reality.

    Vibe reports that Morgan Freeman is teaming up with Google’s free navigation app Waze. That means Freeman can soon direct us to the nearest coffee shop, or boutique, and he can tell us how to reach the beach with the soft white sand and gently lapping waves.

    But wait–there’s more.

    Since Morgan Freeman on your GPS is part of the promotion for his upcoming film, London Has Fallen, he (in his role as the vice president) will speak to you–the driver–as though you’re the president.

    How cool will it be to hear Morgan Freeman providing directions to wherever you need to go? It will be many, many steps above the computer-generated voices we’ve become accustomed to hearing. Don’t you agree?

    Here’s how to make sure it’s Morgan Freeman you’re listening to once you’ve downloaded Waze.

    After opening Waze, click Settings>Sound>Voice Language>Morgan Freeman.

    You can also catch Morgan Freeman in London Has Fallen, in addition to on your GPS. You can check him out in theaters starting on March 4.

  • Morgan Freeman Unhurt After Private Plane Makes Emergency Landing

    Morgan Freeman was uninjured after the private plane in which he was traveling made an emergency landing.

    According to the Associated Press, the 78-year-old Oscar-winning actor and his pilot made the emergency landing after blowing a tire while during take off, authorities said.

    Morgan’s friend, Mayor Bill Luckett of Clarksdale, Mississippi, said the aircraft made a “controlled forced landing” just before nightfall Saturday at an airport in Tunica soon after taking off from Clarksdale.

    According to one sheriff’s official, the plane went off the runway after landing.

    In a statement issued by Freeman, the actor said g he was heading to Texas from Mississippi aboard his plane to shoot a segment for the series, The Story of God.

    “Sometimes things don’t go as planned and a tire blew on takeoff, which caused other problems,” Freeman said in the statement. “But thanks to my excellent pilot Jimmy Hobson we landed safely without a scratch.”

    “I cannot say the same about my plane,” Freeman, who has a home in Mississippi, added in the statement. “I appreciate the concern and prayers for our safety.”

    Freeman didn’t elaborate on the state of the plane — an SJ30 — described by SyberJet Aircraft on its website as a light business jet.

    Randy Stewart, the chief deputy in the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed there were no injuries, that Freeman was not piloting the craft and that an inspector would check the plane Sunday.

    According to the Hollywood Reporter, Morgan Freeman is set executive produce and host of National Geographic’s The Story of God, where he will immerse himself in religious experiences and rituals across the globe. The series will air in 2016 in 171 countries and 45 languages.

  • Morgan Freeman Supports The Complete Legalization of Marijuana, ‘I’ll eat it, drink it, smoke it, snort it’

    Morgan Freeman has no qualms about endorsing the complete legalization of marijuana.

    In a recent interview with the Daily Beast, Morgan Freeman said he fully supports the legalization of pot, saying it has far more uses than alcohol, which is legal.

    “They used to say, ‘You smoke that stuff, boy, you get hooked!’ ” Morgan Freeman said with a laugh. “My first wife got me into it many years ago. How do I take it? However it comes! I’ll eat it, drink it, smoke it, snort it!”

    Morgan Freeman said he not only uses it recreationally, he relies on weed for the pain of fibromyalgia.

    “I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm, and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana,” Morgan Freeman said. “They’re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they’ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, ‘Legalize it across the board!’”

    Morgan Freeman noted the difference between the original Woodstock in 1969 versus the 30th-anniversary event in 1999, which resulted in riots and arrests over the use of marijuana.

    “And what negative effects does it have?” Freeman continues. “Look at Woodstock 1969. They said, ‘We’re not going to bother them or say anything about smoking marijuana,’ and not one problem or fight. Then look at what happened in ’99.”

    What do you think of Morgan Freeman‘s enthusiasm for marijuana?

  • Morgan Freeman Says: Legalize It, Sonny!

    Morgan Freeman is saying what everybody else has been thinking: Marijuana is illegal, federally. Alcohol is not. And one of those is bullshit.

    The Daily Beast spoke to Morgan Freeman recently and the topic of his marijuana use came up. Morgan freeman was in a car accident seven years ago and had to be rescued with the Jaws of Life. His left shoulder, arm, and elbow were shattered; nerves in his arm had to be repaired. He still has daily pain and health concerns over it.

    And The Man with the Golden Voice smokes pot to help with his pain.

    “They used to say, ‘You smoke that stuff, boy, you get hooked!” says Morgan Freeman. “My first wife got me into it many years ago. How do I take it? However it comes! I’ll eat it, drink it, smoke it, snort it! This movement is really a long time coming, and it’s getting legs—longer legs.”

    Here is where Morgan Freeman draws the alcohol-marijuana argument clearly. Remember, alcohol was declared illegal in the United States fora while. That was a dark time. We learned better, didn’t we?

    “Now, the thrust is understanding that alcohol has no real medicinal use. Maybe if you have one drink it’ll quiet you down, but two or three and you’re fucked.”

    As if there weren’t already a mountain of evidence that politicians are choosing to ignore, Morgan Freeman lays out the case clearly.

    “Marijuana has many useful uses,” Morgan Freeman says. “I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm, and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana. They’re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they’ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, ‘Legalize it across the board!’”

    Ok, so some may argue that they can see making it available in some form as a prescription drug. Maybe they are still afraid of the downside. But Morgan Freeman asks about that downside.

    “And what negative effects does it have?” Morgan Freeman asks. “Look at Woodstock 1969. They said, ‘We’re not going to bother them or say anything about smoking marijuana,’ and not one problem or fight. Then look at what happened in ’99,” he says.

  • Rachel Weisz in Two Films Vying for Cannes Film Festival Top Prize

    Rachel Weisz has two chances for shining brightly at the Cannes Film Festival next month. The actress stars in La Giovinezza, an Italian-directed film that also stars Jane Fonda and Michael Caine. In addition, Weisz stars in a Greek entry, The Lobster, alongside Colin Farrell.

    The star of The Mummy, Rachel Weisz is nothing if not amazingly versatile at her craft. Whether performing in a horror flick, a tear-jerker, or an action film–Weisz is on her game.

    Rachel Weisz debuted in the film world back in 1994 in Death Machine, but her breakthrough came two years later when she appeared alongside Morgan Freeman and Keanu Reeves in Chain Reaction. In addition to these films, Weisz has appeared in Eragon, The Lovely Bones, The Bourne Legacy, Oz the Great and Powerful, and several more.

    While appearing at Cannes, Rachel Weisz will show two sides to that versatility. La Giovinezza features two old friends vacationing at the foot of the Alps. They ponder about the confusion in their children’s lives and seriously consider their careers.

    In The Lobster, Weisz channels her inner sci-fi in a film where single people must find mates within 45 days or they are transformed into animals and released into a life in the woods.

    In other Rachel Weisz news, the actress was chosen as one of Variety’s Power of Women honorees. She received the honor for the work she does to help students attain college educations.

    “Both my parents were immigrants and it was the most important thing that I go to a good university,” she told Variety.

    The Cannes Film Festival entries don’t represent down time for Rachel Weisz. She is presently working on The Light Between Oceans based on the book of the same name by M.L. Stedman.

    Do you expect Rachel Weisz and one or both of her films will emerge a big winner at Cannes next month? The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 15 to May 24.

  • Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg ‘Make Out Everywhere,’ Leading Morgan Freeman to Tell Them to ‘Get a Room’

    Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg make out everywhere, according to, well, Donnie Wahlberg.

    During a recent People Now segment, Donnie Wahlberg conceded that he and Jenny McCarthy make out everywhere and was once told by Morgan Freeman to “get a room” when he caught them making out.

    “We make out everywhere, there are no holds barred,” said Donnie Wahlberg. “Morgan Freeman told us at the Emmy’s to ‘get a room’ after we were making out.”

    Perhaps that is the workout Jenny McCarthy relies on to stay in shape, because the 42-year-old actress conceded to OK! magazine that exercise is not necessarily a priority.

    “Exercise is often pushed to the back burner. When I do have the time, I walk on a treadmill with a steep decline for 45 minutes a day,” said Jenny McCarthy.

    “Listening to a few of my favorite songs, like Shake It Off and You’re the One That I Want from Grease, helps motivate me,” said McCarthy.

    Apart from getting it on with her husband, Jenny McCarthy reportedly relies more on her diet to keep her in shape. She told the magazine that she often begins her day with a smoothie and two scrambled eggs. She also seems to have some knowledge about which snacks will benefit her the most.

    “A little fat in your diet helps speed up metabolism… [watermelon] helps reduce water retention,” she explained.

    “I avoid gluten as much as possible because it’s hard to digest and I’m allergic. [But] I can’t help [a Chicago-style pizza]… I love eating.”

  • Tim Robbins Joins Shawshank Redemption Reunion

    Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman have done lots of films, but The Shawshank Redemption will follow them forever. It’s been 20 years since Shawshank hit the big screen. And now Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and director Frank Darabont are commemorating the modern classic.

    Based on a novella by Stephen King called “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”, the film has stood the test of time. It did not do that well in theaters originally, but caught life when it hit video. Tim Robbins’ portrayal of Andy Dufresne, a man imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, is among his finest roles.

    “€œIt was the best script I had ever read,€” Robbins said of the film.

    But think about how long it’s been since the film was released. Twenty years — that’s longer than it took Andy to dig out of Shawshank. As Morgan Freeman famously narrated:

    “In 1966, Andy Dufresne escaped from Shawshank prison. All they found of him was a muddy set of prison clothes, a bar of soap, and an old rock hammer, damn near worn down to the nub. I remember thinking it would take a man 600 years to tunnel through the wall with it. Old Andy did it in less than 20.”

    Speaking of Morgan Freeman, his character has become a bit of a legend. It’s not just Freeman’s now-ubiquitous resonant narration. It’s the fact that he’s black.

    In the film, Andy Dufresne asks his new friend, Ellis Boyd Redding, why they call him “Red.”

    “Maybe it’s because I’m Irish,” Red replies.

    The line always gets laughs. But in the original novella, Red actually is an older, white Irishman. When he says that line to Andy, it is not all that funny. But after casting Morgan Freeman, Frank Darabont left the line in the movie as a joke.

    Frank Darabont himself has gone on to do many things, and is currently best known for The Walking Dead television series.

    “I really cling to the letters from people for whom the movie really meant something,” Darabont said at a Shawshank reunion and screening hosted by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. “It stopped somebody from committing suicide, or at least they credit it for it having saved their lives that day. Whatever someone needed to hear that day to reinforce them as a human being, the movie gave it to them. It’s only then you realize you’ve made something more than just a two-hour movie.”

  • Ashley Judd Has Highs And Lows With New Project And Box-Office Sales

    Last week was one with highs and lows for actor Ashley Judd. The 46-year-old is taking on a new film project after news that her recent endeavors haven’t been doing well at the box office.

    Judd starred in Dolphin Tale 2, which opened on September 11 and stars Harry Connick, Jr. and Morgan Freeman. The family film was predicted by analysts to win on its opening weekend, but it only garnered $16.5 million for Warner Bros. on Sunday.

    The hard news for Dolphin Tale 2 follows just one week after Judd’s other film project, The Identical, opened to a dismal amount of less than $1.5 million. The film opened in 1,900 theaters and stars Ray Liotta and Blake Lane, but still did poorly over the weekend when it showed at 1,294 locations. The opening weekend haul for the Christian-themed indie musical drama was a mere $390,000, which gave it a per-screen average of $306, according to the film’s distributor, Freestyle Releasing.

    Despite these professional lows, Judd has a good record of starring in box-office hits such as the young adult movie Divergent and Olympus Has Fallen. The Double Jeopardy lead also recently signed on for a new project, the teen coming-of-age comedy Good Kids. The film will be spearheaded by Nicolas Chartier’s Voltage Pictures and will co-star A Better Life actor Demian Bichir.

    In Good Kids, Judd plays a beautiful Cape Cod tennis wife, while Bichir will play a senior tennis coach at the club. The film reportedly started shooting in Massachusetts on September 12. It follows the story of four young overachievers who have graduated high school and are about to enter college. The students realize that they missed out a lot on key experiences by being “good kids” and decide to make up for it during the summer after graduation.

  • Morgan Freeman: Voice of God Huffs Helium on Fallon

    Ever since Morgan Freeman spent “the longest night of [his] life” in Shawshank Prison as “Red” (“Maybe it’s because I’m Irish,”) narrating the travails of Andy Dufresne, he has been a sought-after voiceover artist.

    The Shawshank Redemption was in 1994. Prior to that, Freeman had filled Shakesperean roles in Julius Caesar and Coriolanus, a hard-hitting school principal in Lean on Me, Robin Hood’s right-hand man alongside Kevin Costner, and his career-high turn as Easy Reader on PBS’ The Electric Company.

    But it was Shawshank that launched Freeman’s voice into the realm of narration and voiceover. He has narrated movies and television series. He is the voice of Visa credit cards. And in 2003, he got to be God in Bruce Almighty.

    It has long been a gimmick for talk show hosts and other jokesters to get Freeman on their show to read or recite things. The odder the material the better. In fact, Freeman’s voice ranks right up there with William Shatner in terms of comic effect of the narration when applied to oddball scripts.

    Far more often, a voice actor who can approximate Freeman has been used to read all manner of strange material, such as this excerpt from Fifty Shades of Grey.

    So, it was only to be expected that Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon would have his turn at getting Freeman to do some talking on his show. But Fallon had a little twist to add to the proceedings. He pulled out two red balloons, both filled with helium, and asked his guest to huff the gas with him to get that well-known comical voice effect.

    Freeman played along. And the result was late-night comedy gold.

    Image via YouTube

  • Morgan Freeman, Jimmy Fallon Alter Pitch via Helium

    Morgan Freeman and Jimmy Fallon both altered the pitch of their voices on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this past week by inhaling helium–fresh from a balloon. It all started when Freeman agreed to conduct an interview with the late night host after inhaling the gas. It was a take off of sorts from the actor’s Emmy-nominated Science Channel show, Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman–a show Freeman produces and Fallon claims to love.

    “I really shouldn’t be doing this,” Freeman said in a very high-pitched–rather squeaky voice. “It’s very undignified.”

    “I’m going to do it, too,” Fallon said, adding, “It’s so fun when you come here.”

    Jimmy Fallon, of course, has a contagious giggle that gets to audience members and guests alike. He asked Morgan Freeman if he would ever return to the show.

    “I’m never coming back,” replied the actor, after inhaling the helium yet again.

    Of course Morgan Freeman was on hand touting his new film Lucy, which also stars Scarlett Johansson. The film opened in theaters nationwide on Friday.

    Hopefully everyone who sees the film and also saw Morgan Freeman post-inhalation with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday night can get the sound of the actor’s raised pitch out of their heads. It’s really very difficult to take someone who sounds like that seriously.

    Needless to say, hearing Jimmy Fallon after he had inhaled the helium didn’t sound so off beat. Fallon is simply synonymous will silliness. It’s a perfect fit.

    Did you catch Morgan Freeman when he guest starred on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon? Will you be checking him out in Lucy, too?

    Image via YouTube

  • Tea Leoni Returning to Televison, Gets OK from Kids

    Actress Tea Leoni will be returning to the small screen to star as Secretary of State Elizabeth Faulkner McCord, in the CBS political drama Madam Secretary.

    Madam Secretary, which will run after “60 Minutes” and before “The Good Wife” on Sundays, premieres on September 21. Leoni, 49, portrays a former CIA analyst turned college professor who is tapped by the president to become Secretary of State.

    Commenting on her character McCord, Leoni told E!, “There was something – I adored her. I adored her by page two, there’s no sarcasm to her. Sarcasm is too slow. I want to wake up and be her every day.”

    The former The Naked Truth star added, “I think in a lot of ways it’s inspiring to see women that we want to see. I think when I sort of set out to do this gal, I thought, ‘Who do I want in office?’ That’s been guiding my choices.”

    Here is a first look at Madam Secretary:

    Barbara Hall, who was a writer-producer for Judging Amy, and is presently a co-executive producer on Showtime’s Homeland, is the creator and executive producer of Madam Secretary, alongside Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman. Hall commented that former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is excited about the series, and has met with Leoni. “She’s very eager to weigh in and help us,” Hall remarked.

    Hall added that Madam Secretary is adapted from real events and will attempt to “pull back the curtain on how the State Department works.”

    Leoni, who is presently separated from husband David Duchovny, said that her children gave her the “go-ahead” to get back into a television gig.

    “I turned to my 12-year-old son and I said, ‘It’s going to be a little tricky. I’m not going to be around as much. Are you cool with that?’” Leoni said, adding, “He said, ‘Yeah, I was getting kind of sick of you.’”

    Madam Secretary also stars Tim Daly and Bebe Neuwirth.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Scarlett Johansson Answering Questions About ‘Lucy’

    Actress Scarlett Johansson will be answering questions about her new film Lucy via Twitter, according to Entertainment Weekly. Twitter users can tweet with #askLUCY and @EW today to send questions to Johansson herself, and EW will be sharing answers on Thursday.

    Lucy is a sci-fi action film directed, written, edited and produced by French director Luc Besson, and hits theaters on July 25. The plot revolves around a world controlled by criminal organizations, and Johansson plays the title character Lucy, who is forced into being a drug mule by a mob based in Taipei, Taiwan. A surgically implanted packet of drugs breaks open and leaks into her body, which causes a reaction that allows her to access more than the mythically standard 10% of her brain.

    Lucy then evolves into a superhuman, to where she can absorb vast amounts of information instantly and wield telekinetic powers. The film also stars Morgan Freeman.

    Here is a new clip from the film, in which Johansson’s character speeds through Paris:

    Another clip showing Lucy making an escape is also online:

    Here Lucy has an encounter with the Taiwanese mob:

    The 10% brain myth is a popular urban legend perpetuated by a misunderstanding of archaic brain research. Modern imaging has revealed that all areas of the brain are “firing,” though the exact functions of some regions are still misunderstood.

    In 2013 Johansson also appeared in director Jonathan Glazer’s excellent sci-fi thriller Under the Skin, playing a confused alien disguised as a woman, who seduces men in order to harvest their flesh, which is a delicacy on its home world.

    Here is the trailer:

    Johansson, who recently revealed that she was “tired of being sexy,” is expecting her first child with fiance Romain Dauriac, the owner of an independent advertising agency. The couple presently lives in the Rive Gauche district of Paris.

    Image via Youtube

  • ‘Harry Potter’ Actor Dies in Desert

    Harry Potter actor David Legeno died last week in the desert near Death Valley, California. His body was discovered by hikers Sunday in a remote location west of Zabriskie Point, and was later removed by a helicopter. According to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, the 50-year-old British actor had been hiking at the time of his death.

    “The remains have been identified as David Legeno, a 50-year-old United Kingdom man,” the sheriff’s office released in a statement. “It appears that Legeno died of heat related issues, but the Inyo County Coroner will determine the final cause of death. There are no signs of foul play.”

    It’s uncertain exactly when Legeno died. His body was partially decomposed and may have been out in the elements–including triple digit temperatures–for several days. Rick Bassman, who served as manager for the actor, confirmed his untimely passing.

    David Legeno played the role of a werewolf named Fenrir Greyback in three of the Harry Potter films. He also starred in the 2012 film Snow White and the Huntsman with Kristen Stewart, as well as in Batman Begins in 2005. He recently wrapped production in an upcoming film called The Last Knights which also stars Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen.

    Tom Felton played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series of films. He took to both Twitter and Instagram to honor his former costar.

    Felton captioned the following Instagram photo taken with David Legeno in Harry Potter costumes, “Dave Legeno. It was always a pleasure. He was a great talent with a heart of gold and always had time for anyone. Dave was a soft, kind gentleman off screen but had the skill to be the complete opposite on screen. He taught me lots, You will be missed mate xx #DaveLegeno.”

    David Legeno was also an MMA fighter and boxer. He reportedly lived in southern England along with a daughter.

    Word has no doubt spread quickly throughout the Harry Potter family of actors about David Legeno’s death. It will be interesting to see if any of his other costars pay homage to the late actor.

    Image via YouTube

  • Scarlett Johansson Gains Special Abilities In “Lucy” Trailer [Video]

    There are a couple of big upcoming films for Scarlett Johansson this year, and one of them has just debuted its first trailer. She will be the star of an upcoming science fiction film called Lucy.

    Her character gains superhuman powers after ingesting a substance, while working as a drug mule for the mob. It is an action-packed film, and she should be fully prepared for the role after starring as Black Widow in The Avengers franchise.

    The film is directed by Luc Besson, who is a native of France, and has made some odd films that have become cult hits throughout his career. Previous films that he has done include The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional, and The Messenger: The Story Of Joan Arc.

    Scarlett Johansson plays Lucy, a woman living in a futuristic Taipei, Taiwan, and it takes place in 2069 AD. Things truly get exciting in the film after she inadvertently ingests a drug that she was carrying in her stomach, which was intended to be transported.

    The substance essentially gives her superhuman powers much like superhero would, and some the effects that it has on her include eyes that change color, the ability to write Chinese, superhuman strength, and unlimited intelligence.

    The new powers may end up costing her life, and as shown in the trailer, she becomes the target of several crime organizations. She becomes less like a human after every new ability, and could be forever changed.

    The film is set up as a thrill ride with Scarlett Johansson leading the way in an exciting thriller, and is sure to be a hit when it is released. It also stars Morgan Freeman as a scientist and professor who can possibly expand her life expectancy.

    Featuring Scarlett Johansson as a female lead in a futuristic thriller should remind fans of Luc Besson’s previous work such as The Fifth Element, which had Milla Jovovich in a major part. That film also featured complicated crime organizations, and a variety of people that were on the hunt for her.

    Lucy will open in theaters this summer, with a release date on August 8th. Her other film Under The Skin is also being released to theaters soon.

    Image via Youtube

  • ‘Island Of Lemurs: Madagascar’ Takes Audiences On An Exotic 3D Adventure

    The endangered primates of Madagascar take center stage in the IMAX 3D nature documentary entitled Island of Lemurs: Madagascar. The 40-minute feature gives the audience a majestic view of the lemurs’ exotic habitat on the southeastern African nation, as well as their journey across the Indian Ocean to their home. However, the film’s most significant message involves the preservation of these endangered species.

    Island of Lemurs is narrated by multi-awarded actor Morgan Freeman, who has also lent his distinctively deep and authoritative voice to the 2005 sci-fi disaster film War of the Worlds and the 2005 French nature documentary March of Penguins. Freeman declared that children must be educated on the importance of “plain old diversity” on Earth in order to lessen its destruction, which he referred to as a “catastrophe”.

    The documentary follows primatologist Dr. Patricia C. Wright as she carries out her mission of saving certain species of lemurs from complete extinction. She digs into the dense Madagascar jungle searching for possible mates for the few remaining lemur species.

    There are approximately 100 living species of lemurs in existence, and viewers get acquainted with a few of them in the documentary.

    Lemurs have not been given much attention until DreamWorks’ animated film franchise Madagascar was released in 2005. The films featured British actor Sacha Baron Cohen’s voice as the lemur King Julien and Andy Richter as a mouse lemur. Interestingly, Dr. Wright pointed out that lemur society is matriarchal, which means that a queen character would have been more appropriate.

    The film’s prologue relates the arrival of lemurs in Madagascar through a great storm that took over Africa more than 60 million years ago. The absence of predators on the island allowed the highly-evolved primates to thrive in their habitat, and the film somewhat zeroes in on the first species that existed then.

    Island of Lemurs is directed by frequent IMAX collaborator David Douglas and written by Madagascar writer-producer Drew Fellman. The film premieres April 4th.

    ‘Island Of Lemurs: Madagascar’ Trailer

    Morgan Freeman talks about documentary

    Image via YouTube

  • Morgan Freeman’s Show Part of Are We Alone Week

    Morgan Freeman’s voice sounds like what we would imagine the voice of God sounding like. It makes him the perfect host and narrator for the Science Channel show Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman. The Emmy-nominated documentary series is part of the Channel’s third annual “Are We Alone Week?” which starts on March 2. Through the Wormhole will air on March 5 at 10 pm ET.

    The March 5 episode will look into the supernatural question “Is God an Alien Concept?” Is it possible that if other worlds exist, do they also believe in God? Or, is the idea of God just an “Earth-thing?”

    Mr. Freeman sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss some of the topics that the show, which he produces, begs to question. “Any discussion about aliens is supposition. It’s all fantasy because you have to try and imagine that out of the billions of galaxies, each containing billions and billions of stars, many of which have their own systems, there has to be other life forms.” He added, “Whether they are like us or not — the question is, if they are, say, millions of years older than our civilization, what have they learned? And if we ever made contact with them, what would we learn?”

    Science Channel Executive Vice-President Debbie Adler Myers discussed the popularity of the “are we alone” question. “Our viewers’ favorite questions are No. 1, what happens when we die, and No. 2, are we alone? We’re taking a different, creative way into exploring that topic. It’s not just alien programming; it’s provocative alien programming grounded in science.”

    Through the Wormhole has aired on the Science Channel for four seasons, 38 episodes, which explored 38 different philosophical questions. A few of the mysteries examined include: “Do We Have Freewill?” “Did We Invent God?” “Can We Eliminate Evil?” “Is There A Sixth Sense?”

    Image via Wikimedia

  • Johnny Depp, Kate Mara Thrill In “Transcendence” Trailer

    Johnny Depp has shown us over the years that he has a dark side; he has chosen roles that veer towards the gothic, the creepy, the downright weird. And while he clearly has a gift for comedy, he certainly knows how to pull at our heartstrings with his big dark eyes and the inherent ability to make us sympathize with him.

    That ability may come in handy in the upcoming “Transcendence”, a technology-based thriller that sees Depp as a terminally ill scientist who figures out how to download his mind into a computer system, which, as you may imagine, comes with a few problems. The film, also starring “House Of Cards” actress Kate Mara and Morgan Freeman, isn’t due out until April, but you can check out the trailer below.

    Depp, who recently went through a difficult split from longtime partner Vanessa Paradis, recently proposed to his “Rum Diary co-star Amber Heard. The couple went to great lengths to hide the engagement for a while, but after they were seen out on the town with a giant ring on Heard’s finger, the cat was out of the bag. Depp reportedly became smitten with the blonde beauty during filming and is rumored to have bought her a horse not long into their relationship. The couple most recently worked on the film “London Fields” together; the movie doesn’t have a release date yet.

    Image via YouTube

  • Rita Moreno Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

    On Saturday, January 18, the Screen Actors Guild honored Rita Moreno, 82, with the 50th SAG Life Achievement Award. The SAG Life Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious rewards for actors, and is “bestowed for outstanding achievement in fostering the finest ideals of the acting profession.”

    Rita received a standing ovation as her old friend Morgan Freeman introduced her, and after a brief dance routine, she took to the microphone to show her gratitude for the award. “I am so (expletive) thrilled,” she said, throwing in an f-bomb. “I hope the man with the button was there on time.” Yes, if you were wondering, the word was bleeped during the live event. “Thank you. Oh! Oh… oh, I’m breathless,” she said. “I’m, I’m so – I’m so bloody happy. Late in the – I’m sorry about that word. Actually I’m not,” she said jokingly.

    “Late in the first act of my career I was recognized with an Oscar. I was 31 and so astonished and surprised, as you saw in the clip. You know, I could only muster, “I don’t believe it!” I leave you with that,” she said. “And now this unexpected honor at 82. But, hopefully… But, hopefully, it’s early in the third act – it’s early in the third act of my life,” she continued. “The truth… The truth is, I still – honestly I still can’t believe it. So, let me say this. Hi, Jeremy Renner. No, that’s not what I meant to say. Ooh!”

    At that point, Rita decided to break out in song. “As I approach the prime of my life, I find I have the time of my life. Learning to enjoy at my leisure all the simple pleasures. And so I happily concede… this is all I ask, this is all I need,” she sang.

    Rita finished her speech by saying: “And finally, to quote my younger self, ‘I leave you with this…’ Hi Brad. No, that’s not what I meant to say,” she laughed. “I leave you with this, “So let the music play as long as there’s a song to sing and I will be, I will be, younger than spring. Thank you. Thank you, SAG/AFTRA. Thank you, fellow actors. Thank you.”

    Below is a video of Rita discussing her award backstage:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Johnny Depp’s New Film, Transcendence, Releases Trailer [Video]

    Johnny Depp is back at it with yet another upcoming film. The film is called Transcendence, and features an outstanding ensemble cast with Johnny Depp and several others. News of the film has been buzzing for a while, and the trailer has finally been released.

    Transcendence will see Johnny Depp return to his original type of character, playing a scientist in an odd type of science fiction thriller. The film centers on a terminally iill scientist who downloads his body into a computer.

    With this act, the computer grants him power beyond his wildest dreams, and soon, he becomes unstoppable. The trailer begins with Depp’s character, Dr. Will Caster, telling an audience “The path to building super intelligence requires us to unlock the most fundamental secrets of the universe.”

    Dr. Caster gets shot with a radiation-laced bullet, and he is told the effects are irreversible, which creates drastic consequences for him as the film progresses.

    The film is sure to be a hit with science fiction lovers, and with the star-power attached with the cast, will dazzle audiences come spring time when it is released.

    In case anyone missed it, here is a teaser trailer that was released last week.

    In addition to Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Dr. Will Caster, the film features performances from Kate Mara and Rebecca Hall, two of the most-desired actress around right now. Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, and Paul Bettany will also be in the film.

    In addition to Transcendence, Johnny Depp is currently working on an adaptation of Into The Woods, and London Fields, an upcoming film with his girlfriend, Amber Heard.

    Transcendence will be released in theaters on April 18, 2014. The film is presented by Warner Bros. and will feature the directorial debut from Wally Pfister, a cinematographer who has worked with Christopher Nolan on multiple occasions.

    Image via Youtube

  • Morgan Freeman Adds Another Award to His Trophy Case

    After a stellar career, tons of Academy Award nominations and bringing home the Oscar for the 2005 film “Million Dollar Baby,” actor Morgan Freeman can now add winner of the Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence to his resume.

    The 76-year old actor and director just won an award for narrating the book “Loukoumi And The Schoolyard Bully,” along with Nia Vardalos from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” fame. Beloved actress Olympia Dukakis received the award as well.

    The children’s book chronicles the story of Loukoumi, who get’s teased by the playground bully Igor the alligator for having such a unique name and Freeman plays the role of Igor. As the story concludes, the bully gives up his nasty ways and develops a tolerance and acceptance for Loukoumi and decides to turn from his bullying ways.

    Just within the past few years, the concept of bullying has gone from staying within the confines of the playground to reaching mainstream discussions among parents, teachers and politicians, which makes this book very timely, because it seems children are finally starting to speak out about the problem of being harassed, teased or pushed around.

    What’s also cool about the book is that proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so not only does “Loukoumi And The Schoolyard Bully” provide useful lessons for kids, it provides monetary assistance and helps St. Jude expand on the good work they’ve been doing.

    Besides Freeman, Vardalos and Dukakis, other characters in the book are played by John Aniston from ‘Days of Our Lives,” actor Frank Dicopoulos, disco diva Gloria Gaynor, news correspondent Alexis Christoforous and Tony award nominee Constantine Maroulis.

    The book was written by author Nick Katsoris, who’s written five other books on the Loukoumi character, which include “Loukoumi, Growing up with Loukoumi,” “Loukoumi’s Good Deeds,” “Loukoumi’s Gift” and “Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook,” which all make wonderful gifts this holiday season.

    Congrats go out to Mr. Freeman, the author and the rest of the cast.

    Image via YouTube