'Game of Thrones' Cinematographer Defends Battle of Winterfell's Darkness - TMZ

'GoT' Cinematographer Defends Ep. 3's Darkness ... I Promise We Shot 'The Long Night' Right!!!

4/30/2019 1:00 AM PDT

EXCLUSIVE

"Game of Thrones" Battle of Winterfell left fans cheering and complaining -- the latter due to it being too damn dark -- but the cinematographer wants to make it clear ... the gripes aren't his fault.

Fabian Wagner -- who was also the cinematographer on lauded 'Thrones' episodes like "Hardhome" and "Battle of the Bastards" -- tells TMZ, he's aware folks are upset that "The Long Night" looked TOO nightly, and he has an explanation.

First, Fabian believes the pixelation and muddy dark colors fans saw on their TVs and mobile devices are due to HBO's compression of the episode ... which leads to poorer visual quality. This is made worse if it's being viewed on a streaming service with a weak connection ... or in a room that's too bright.

As Wagner puts it ... "[GoT] has always been very dark and a very cinematic show" and should be watched in a dark environment. Ideally, this means viewing it like you would a movie -- in a dark theater.

Since that's not realistic for 'Thrones,' Fabian suggests making your viewing room at home as dark as possible, avoid watching on your phone or in places that are lit up ... and adjust your TV settings.

The cinematographer also points out ... the showrunners and director wanted the episode to be dark. Wagner says the battle scenes were intended to be intense, claustrophobic and disorienting -- like they would be in real life -- but not confusing.

Fabian says, "We tried to give the viewers and fans a cool episode to watch," and he believes they did, adding ... "I know it wasn't too dark because I shot it."

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https://www.tmz.com/2019/04/30/game-of-thrones-cinematographer-fabian-wagner-battle-of-winterfell-too-dark-explanation/

2019-04-30 08:00:00Z
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What The Creator Of Thanos Thought About Avengers Endgame And The Ending - GameSpot

Avengers: Endgame is finally in theatres, and it brings about an end to storylines and narrative arcs that started a decade ago.

One major storyline has been the Infinity Gauntlet narrative that's been the driving force of the interconnected stories thus far with the evil Thanos . Jim Starlin, who created Thanos (and Gamora and Drax) and also wrote the Infinity Gauntlet comic, has now shared his thoughts on Avengers: Endgame and Thanos's fate.

SPOILERS FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME FOLLOW BELOW

Speaking to IGN, Starlin said he was "amazed" and "flabbergasted" by the events of Endgame. "The up and downs that you have on it. There's some really heartbreaking moments mixed in with a lot of really funny little instances here and there," he explained.

Thanos is killed twice in Endgame; once by Thor, who lops his head off, and a second time--for good--when Tony Stark wields the Gauntlet and snaps Thanos out of existence. Starlin remarked that he was particularly impressed by the way actor Josh Brolin performed Thanos's final moments, when he accepted his fate and sat silently, awaiting his doom.

"His final moments in the movie I think are just priceless," Starlin said. "His demeanor once he realizes what's happening, I think that's just one of those little moments in film that everyone is gonna remember. It's like acceptance and taking it like a man, you know? I thought that was perfectly played."

Also in the interview, Starlin said the character Gamora in the Marvel movies is above all the closest representation of what he created in the comics.

You can watch the full interview here at IGN.

Read next: Chris Pratt Shares "Illegal" Avengers Endgame Video From Film Set

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https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-the-creator-of-thanos-thought-about-avengers-/1100-6466550/

2019-04-30 05:37:00Z
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Avengers Assembled: Chris Pratt’s “Highly Illegal” Video From ‘Endgame’ Set Logs 14 Million Views - Deadline

“Avengers assemble!” That battle cry has been part of Marvel Comics lore since 1964 but the 55-year-old motto may have taken on new layer of meaning thanks to a behind-the-scenes video posted Sunday night on Instagram by Marvel Studios ensemble star Chris Pratt. The video, which quickly became a viral sensation, is purported to be a forbidden glimpse at an Avengers: Endgame set that was packed with the famous faces of Hollywood’s history-making superhero franchise.

By all appearances, the short clip was filmed surreptitiously with a smart phone during the making of Endgame, which just blew away every significant box office record with Hollywood’s first billion-dollar opening weekend.  The wagging and bobbing of the camera might leave some viewers seasick but the more common symptom reported Monday by diehard Marvel fans was dizziness from the collective star-wattage in the guerrilla footage.

Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Rudd, and Sebastian Stan are some of the stars visible in video, which was pinging across social media with great fervor all day. More than 14 million views of the video were logged in its first 20 hours on Instagram.

Chris Evans, who plays Captain America in the Marvel films, is one of Pratt’s compatriots who reacts to the presence of a banned phone camera in action on the ultra-secretive set. “Big trouble, big time,” Chris Evans says with a jab and laugh to Pratt.  Pratt, who plays the wise-cracking, anti-authority maverick Star Lord, ends this video by confessing his crime. “This is a highly illegal video,” Pratt is heard to say.

While it’s doubtful that the Marvel’s star is truly in hot water, there had been an intense level of secrecy over the many months leading up to the Avengers: Endgame release. Co-directors Joe and Anthony Russo publicly implored fans to not divulge the secrets (and should have also asked NFL superstars, too) of the third act of the superhero epic and Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige is an avowed believer in tightly guarded secrets whose perspective might be best summed up as, “Loose lips sink scripts.”

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https://deadline.com/2019/04/avengers-assembled-chris-pratts-highly-illegal-video-from-endgame-set-logs-14-million-views-1202604440/

2019-04-30 03:56:00Z
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Despite Schuyler County announcement, Woodstock 50 organizers say show will go on - WBNG-TV

WATKINS GLEN (WBNG) — On Monday Schuyler County Administrator Tim O’Hearn said he was told the 50th anniversary concert of Woodstock, set to take place in August at Watkins Glen International, is canceled. However organizers of the three day festival say not so fast.

In a statement to 12 News Woodstock 50 organizers said:

“We are committed to ensuring that the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture.   Although our financial partner is withdrawing,  we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners.  We would like to acknowledge the State of New York and Schuyler County for all of their hard work and support. The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be,  and it’s going to be a blast.”

Monday, financial investor in the event, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live said it’s pulling funding stating:

“Despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name.”

Michael Lane, a Woodstock founder and organizer of Woodstock 50 said Dentsu executives don’t have the right to “unilaterally” cancel the event.

O’Hearn said earlier on Monday that the concert cancelled would cost Schuyler County millions of dollars, but “we’ll lick our wounds and we’ll move on.”

Jeremy Wilson, manager of Jerlando’s Pizza in Watkins Glen, said summer is a profitable time of the year and hopes some event can make up for it. If the festival is no longer in Watkins Glen, Wilson said it would be awful for hotels and its guests who would have to cancel plans.

While event organizers said it will go on, there’s no mention if it will still be at Watkins Glen or rescheduled at another time or place, still residents are in shock about the announcement they heard from O’Hearn Monday afternoon.

“There were going to be a lot of bands coming that you didn’t think would’ve came to Woodstock then others well known and respected, still shocking,” said Kyle Hancharik of Watkins Glen.

The festival lineup was released weeks ago with dozens of bands and well known artists to celebrate the 1969 Woodstock music festival in Bethel, NY. A Woodstock anniversary concert in Bethel is still planned to go on.

“Like” Michael Schwartz on Facebook and “Follow” him on Twitter.  

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2019-04-30 03:55:33Z
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Who dies in "Game of Thrones"? Proof that Ghost and both dragons survive "Game of Thrones" battle of Winterfell - CBS News

Tactical technology & "Game of Thrones"

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

After years of anticipation leading up to the epic battle between the living and the dead on "Game of Thrones," fans finally know the fate of their favorite characters — and the dreaded Night King — after Sunday's episode of the hit drama. However, two characters were notably missing from the post-battle scenes: Jon Snow's direwolf Ghost and one of Daenerys Targaryen's two remaining dragons, Drogon and Rhaegal.

Season eight's 82-minute third episode, "The Longest Night," depicted Ghost at the start of the battle of Winterfell standing on the front lines alongside long-time adviser and friend to Daenerys, Jorah Mormont, as well as the Dothraki army. The army was the first to fight the White Walkers and wights in the episode, running into the darkness with weapons blazing. However, as the flames extinguished, and some surviving soldiers came running back to Winterfell's gates in terror — Ghost seemed lost for good.

Daenerys' two surviving dragons, with the undead Viserion lost to the Night King's army, were also seen going into battle many times in the episode. The dragons fought Viserion above the clouds, set fire to many of the wights as they charged toward Winterfell — and Drogon even unsuccessfully attempted to burn the Night King to a crisp with its fire-breath. While one dragon is seen surrounding Daenerys as she mourns Jorah's tragic death, the other is nowhere to be seen at the end of the episode.

So, did they make it out alive? Well, fans won't have to wait until the next episode for the answer, because the new preview appears to have given it away.

HBO played the preview for the fourth episode after the credits rolled, and a few familiar faces make quick appearances in the clips. At the 18th second of the 40-second teaser, Daenerys and a group of victorious soldiers appear outside of Winterfell, with some carrying torches. Ghost also appears to be in the shot, standing in the crowd. Then, 22 seconds into the clip, a pair of dragons fly in front of Sansa Stark as she gazes from the turrets of Winterfell.

Two dragons appear to fly as Sansa Stark watches. HBO

Ghost, Jon Snow's direwolf, appears to be standing among a crowd outside of Winterfell in the trailer for the season's fourth episode. HBO

So, it appears the show's favorite animals have survived the bloody battle, but they may not be safe for long. As, "the last war" against Cersei and her followers is still to come.

Watch the full trailer below

Game of Thrones | Season 8 Episode 4 | Preview (HBO) by GameofThrones on YouTube

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-dies-in-game-of-thrones-proof-ghost-and-both-dragons-survive-game-of-thrones-battle-of-winterfell/

2019-04-30 03:01:00Z
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Where all the surviving Avengers will probably go after 'Endgame' - Mashable

The Infinity Saga may be over, but there's still a future for Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Image:  Film Frame ©Marvel Studios 2019

By Alexis Nedd2019-04-29 16:38:22 UTC

WARNING: This post contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame. Only read if you have seen Avengers: Endgame. Seriously. So many spoilers. 

It might have seemed impossible for one movie, however long, to wrap up the first ten years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Avengers: Endgame managed to do just that. 

While some Avengers sacrificed themselves to save the universe and others chose a different path for themselves, the end of the Infinity Saga is only the end of one chapter in Marvel's ever-expanding story. 

Some of the surviving characters will live on as stars of their own TV series on Disney's upcoming streaming service, and others still have something of a future in the MCU. Here's where the main characters ended up after Endgame and our best guess for where (and if) they'll turn up next.

Spider-Man, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and Captain Marvel

Spider-Man and Black Panther both have movies coming up, so the only mystery there is the usual speculation as to what those movies will be about. Fans won’t even have to wait that long for Spider-Man: Far From Home, which is said to be the last movie in Phase 3 and comes out on July 5th. Doctor Strange 2  and Captain Marvel 2 have not yet been confirmed, but as the only solo heroes that don’t yet have planned sequels (not including The Hulk), it’s likely they’ll get their second outings in Phase 4. 

Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy

For all of Thor’s bad dealings with Thanos, he lucked out in Endgame’s final moments. After bequeathing the crown of New Asgard to Valkyrie, the Guardians of the Galaxy accepted him as a member of their crew (which Star-Lord wasn’t nuts about, but whatever) so he can find a new purpose somewhere in space. It seems likely that Thor is an official Guardian now and will appear in Guardians of the Galaxy 3, ensuring the God of Thunder’s continued presence in Phase 4 of the MCU. 

Gamora

The Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2 is definitely dead after Thanos traded her life for the Soul Stone, but Endgame found a way to bring Zoe Saldana back to the MCU by having a pre-Guardians Gamora arrive in the current timeline with Past Thanos. She betrayed Thanos to fight with the Avengers in the Battle of Upstate but disappeared after the battle was won. Peter Quill’s last Endgame scene shows him using his ship’s scanners to search for Past Gamora, and it seems unlikely he’ll give up looking for her. She’ll probably turn up in Guardians 3.

Ant-Man and The Wasp 

Ant-Man & The Wasp ended with Scott Lang and Hope Pym trying to help former villain Ghost with her painful phasing condition, but the Snap got in the way of them tying up that loose end. If Ant-Man gets another movie in Phase 4 or beyond, it’s possible that Ghost will be cured and may possibly join up with her ex-nemeses as a hero. Or just a buddy. There’s also plenty more to explore with the Quantum Realm and its many secrets...or horrors.

Loki

Nothing’s ever simple with the God of Mischief. Even though Loki died for real in Infinity War, he’s also set to star in a yet-untitled series on Disney’s upcoming streaming service Disney+. It’s possible that Loki’s series will be a prequel to the events of Thor, but Endgame introduced another option for Loki’s appearance. 

When the Avengers go back in time to the Battle of New York, the Loki in that timeline escapes capture with the Tesseract. Captain America may have fixed that blip when he returned the infinity stones, but in the off chance he didn’t, Past Loki is still floating around somewhere, very much alive. The Loki series may follow that Loki, who is ignorant of the events of Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok, and who knows? He might even find his way back to the current timeline of the MCU. 

Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and Steve Rogers

Sam and Bucky will be starring together in their own Disney+ series. There’s not a lot of info about their show Falcon & Winter Soldier, but Sam inheriting Captain America’s shield is sure to change the expected dynamic between Steve Rogers’ BFFs. Steve himself is an old, old man now and unlikely to appear in future MCU movies in the capacity of a fighting hero, but it would be neat if he showed up for a quick cameo in Falcon & Winter Soldier to formalize Sam’s new role. Also — is Sam keeping the Falcon name even though he’s the new Cap? 

Hawkeye

After not appearing in Infinity War and apparently going on an anti-crime murder spree for half a decade, Clint Barton came in clutch for Endgame and won a hard-earned retirement to the farm and family he loves so much. Disney+ has a Hawkeye series on their future roster, but early reports show that the Hawkeye of that show will likely be Kate Bishop, another Marvel hero to use the Hawkeye name. It would be silly to have a Hawkeye show without the OG though, so maybe look for Clint to pop up on Disney+ to pass the bow onto his successor. 

Hulk 

First there was Banner. Then there was Hulk. Now, there is BannerHulk. It took Bruce years to reconcile the duality of man and monster within him and his all-green, all-the-time new look in Endgame spelled a promising future for everyone’s favorite gamma ray–laden science bro. Even though his happy ending with Black Widow was ripped from him on Vormir, Bruce seemed to come out of Endgame with a lot to live for. As for this place in the future of the MCU, it’s hard to tell. There’s no obvious place for him in any upcoming movies, but he’d be a nice cameo for Thor in Guardians of the Galaxy or a replacement mentor for Peter Parker. 

Wanda Maximoff 

Wanda rarely fares well in Avengers movies. In Age of Ultron she lost her brother, in Infinity War she lost her robot boyfriend, and while she was incredibly badass in Endgame she didn’t get a lot of screen time. Luckily, Wanda is another character who will be back in a Disney+ show, this one titled WandaVision. Since Vision died in Infinity War, WandaVision might take place in the past, but some fan theorists think that Wakandan genius Shuri may have completed her download of Vision’s consciousness during Infinity War’s Battle of Wakanda and has the technology to build a new Vision 2.0 without the aid of the mind stone. So...Wanda will be back, either in the past or with an upgraded vibranium boyfriend. Only time will tell which. 

Happy Hogan

OK, so Happy isn't exactly an Avenger, but he did manage to survive all the way from the first Iron Man until now, so he's at least an honorary member. Also, the trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home showed that he's back in New York wooing Aunt May and making Peter uncomfortable. Happy will always mourn Tony Stark and take care of Stark's daughter Morgan, but perhaps he and May will take it to the next level in later Spider-Man movies. It's about time Peter got a new uncle. Hopefully Happy will last longer than Ben. 

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https://mashable.com/article/what-happens-avengers-after-endgame/

2019-04-29 16:38:00Z
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John Singleton to Be Removed From Life Support, Family Says - TheWrap

Filmmaker John Singleton will be removed from life support Monday, his family said in a statement.

Singleton suffered a stroke 13 days ago. Court documents filed last Thursday by his mother said that the “Boyz N the Hood” director was in a coma.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today,” the Singleton family said in a statement. “This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.”

More to come…

Read the full statement below:

It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today.  This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.

John Singleton is a prolific, ground-breaking director who changed the game and opened doors in Hollywood, a world that was just a few miles away, yet worlds away, from the neighborhood in which he grew up.

John grew up in South Central L.A with a love of cinema that showed itself early on. He went on to become one of the most lauded graduates of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Within months of graduating, John returned to South Central to shoot his debut feature, Boyz N the Hood. The movie, which was unusually shot in sequence, masterfully captured a story of friendship, youth and the peril of hard choices in a community marred by gang violence. The film earned special honors at its debut at Cannes and Singleton went onto become the youngest director and first African-American writer-director nominated for the Academy Award.  Two decades later, the film was placed in the Library of Congress, a marker of its cultural and historical significance.

John loved nothing more than giving opportunities to new talent and his films came to be known for career -making roles with actors who the industry would come to embrace; talents such as Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Ice Cube, Tyrese and Taraji P. Henson.

Singleton’s work spanned genres and showcased his curiosity and creativity: the remake of Shaft, was a homage to his mentor, Gordon Parks. He also made historical films such as Rosewood and action films such as 2 Fast 2 Furious. Films like Baby Boy and Four Brothers were prescient in the questions they posed about men and the crisis in American masculinity. As streaming platforms created new opportunities in television, Singleton took his talents to shows such as Billions, The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story and Empire.  Most recently, he co-created and executive produced the current FX hit drama series Snowfall, in which he engaged such writing talents as Walter Mosley.

John was such a supernova in his youth that we forget that he was only beginning to fully assert his gifts as a director. Kurosawa was 52 when he directed High Low. Hitchcock was 56 when he directed To Catch a Thief.   As much as we will treasure his body of work, we were looking forward to the films John would have made in the years ahead.

In his private life, John is a loving and supporting father, son, brother, and friend who believed in higher education, black culture, old school music and the power of film.

John’s confidence in his place in Hollywood was only matched for his passion for the sea.  John kayaked in Marina Del Rey every morning.  His greatest joy, when not on set, was sailing his boat, J’s Dream, up and down the Pacific Coast. The American writer Willa Cather once said, “There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in the storm.”  We who have grown up with John, made movies with him, sailed with John and laughed with John, know the universe of calm and creativity he created for so many.  Now in the wake of his death, we must navigate the storm without him.  It is, for us, heartbreaking.

Like many African Americans, Singleton quietly struggled with hypertension. More than 40% of African American men and women have high blood pressure, which also develops earlier in life and is usually more severe.  His family wants to share the message with all to please recognize the symptoms by going toHeart.org

We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpour of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.  We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received.

John Daniel Singleton will be survived by his extraordinary mother, Sheila Ward, his father, Danny Singleton and his children Justice, Maasai, Hadar, Cleopatra, Selenesol, Isis, and Seven.

Details about memorial services will be provided at a later date.

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https://www.thewrap.com/john-singleton-to-be-removed-from-life-support-family-says/

2019-04-29 17:16:00Z
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