The Rogers Revue

Album Revue "Usher A"

Usher’s Latest Release Gets A Failing Grade

October 14, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Fourteen years ago, Usher released the album Confessions, which for me is still his iconic work. Since then all of Usher’s releases have been either good 2008’s Here I Stand or downright horrible 2016’s Hard II Love. On October 11, Usher tweeted that he would be releasing a new album, sending his fans into anticipation, hoping Usher, would finally deliver an album worthy of his talents. Sadly, Usher’s latest release simply titled A continues the downward spiral of Usher’s once-promising career.

Movie Revue "Goosebumps 2 : Haunted Halloween"

A Delightful Halloween Treat

October 13, 2018 Derrick Dunn Movie Reviews, Movies

The imagination of horror writer R.L. Stine returns to the big screen in Columbia Pictures Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween from director Ari Sandel. To my surprise, the sequel to 2015’s Goosebumps does not pick up where the original ended, instead, screenwriter Rob Lieber gives us more of a companion piece. Sarah (Madison Iseman) is attempting to get into Columbia University, while her younger brother Sonny (Jeremy Ray Taylor) and his best friend Sam (Caleel Harris) are enjoying life as preteens.

Movie Revue: Bad Times at the El Royale

Check into the El Royale

October 13, 2018 Derrick Dunn Movie Reviews, Movies

Writer & director Drew Goddard avoids the sophomore slump with the fantastic Bad Times at The El Royale from Twentieth Century Fox. Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have the last shot at redemption – before everything goes to hell. The seven strangers include a priest, a singer, a salesman, a bellboy, two sisters, and a cult leader.

Movie Revue "First Man"

First Man: A Unsuccessful Launch

October 13, 2018 Derrick Dunn Movie Reviews, Movies

Director Damien Chazelle directs Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong in First Man from Universal Pictures. Spanning a period of eight years, the film is the latest to tackle the space race. As opposed to making a fluff piece, screenwriter Josh Singer adapts James R Hansen’s official biography “First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong”. From the moment the film starts, it is clear that director Chazelle and Singer want to humanize Armstrong.

New drama series from co-creators Alex Tse and The RZA, and Executive Producer Brian Grazer receives Straight-to-Series order from Hulu

Hulu Orders New Drama Series “Wu-Tang: An American Saga”

October 11, 2018 TRR News Television, Television News

Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The upcoming drama series created and written by Alex Tse (SuperFly) and Wu-Tang Clan front man The RZA, has received a 10-episode order from Hulu and will be executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer (Empire, Genius) and Francie Calfo (Empire, Genius), Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA and Method Man, and Tse. Imagine Television creative executive James Seidman will oversee the project for Imagine.

Cierra Ramirez // Star of “The Fosters” releases new video “BAD BOYS” today

October 11, 2018 TRR News Music, Music News

Tribeca Music/EMPIRE Records recording artist Cierra Ramirez today releases a new video for her latest single “Bad Boys”. The video exclusively premiered yesterday on Sweety High who says “not only is the video visually stunning and fun to watch, it’s also oh-so-relatable.”

Oscar-Winning Director Barry Jenkins, Emmy-Winning Actress Regina King, Actress Kiki Layne, Actor Stephan James To Join Post-Screening ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ Discussion Oct. 27

“Widows” To Open Smithsonian African American Film Festival

October 11, 2018 TRR News Arts & Entertainment, Film Festivals

The Smithsonian African American Film Festival, presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, has announced its opening and closing film selections—joining the nearly 80 previously announced films that will be screened over the four-day event, including the 15 films that will premiere in competition in the Oprah Winfrey Theater. The inaugural film festival will open with Oscar-winning director Steve M^cQueen’s Widows (2018) and will wrap up with Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins’ latest, If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).

Mary J. Blige Opens the new ESA in DC

October 10, 2018 Renita Clarke Music, Music Reviews

The queen of hip-hop soul Mary J. Blige was the main act for the grand opening for the new venue in Southeast Washington DC, ESA (Entertainment and Sports Arena) Saturday night. Mary J. held nothing back with a powerful performance of all her hits throughout the years and a medley only the queen of hip-hop so could do. The new venue, that holds about 4,200 people, was a sold-out success on October 13th. The Grammy Award winning the lodge bar with her talented opening act British singer and songwriter Jacob Banks.

A24 is bringing Eighth Grade to 100 schools for Free This Fall

October 9, 2018 TRR News Movie News, Movies

We’re inviting educators to bring Eighth Grade to their classrooms, gymnasiums, and auditoriums so students across the country can experience the film that Rotten Tomatoes calls “exactly what teens need to see right now.”

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND FACULTY CAN ENTER THEIR SCHOOL FOR A FREE SCREENING THE WEEK OF 10/22 AT THISIS.EIGHTHGRADE.MOVIE

Movie Revue "A Star Is Born"

Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga Truly Shine in “Star”

October 6, 2018 Derrick Dunn Movie Reviews, Movies

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga electrify the screen in A Star Is Born from Warner Bros. Pictures. Cooper, who also directed and co-wrote the screenplay, stars as Jackson Maine, a talented but troubled musician nearing the end of his career due to his age and alcoholism. After a performance one night, Jackson decides to stop at bar for a drink, and little does Jackson know his life will change when he lays eyes on Ally (Lady Gaga).