Questlove working on J Dilla documentary

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter “Schitt’s Creek” co-creator Dan Levy is making his feature film directing debut with “Good Grief,” a bittersweet comedy set at Netflix. The movie will star Levy, Ruth Negga (“Passing”), Himesh Patel (“Station Eleven”), Luke Evans (“Beauty and the Beast”), Celia Imrie (“Better Things”), Arnaud Valois (“Spring Blossom”), David Bradley (“Game of Thrones”) and Jamael Westman (West End’s “Hamilton”). In addition to directing and starring in the film, Levy also wrote the screenplay. “Good Grief” centers on Marc Dreyfus, who chose to distract himself from the loss of his mom with a comfortable marriage. But when his husband also dies unexpectedly, Marc is forced to finally confront the grief he’s tried so hard to avoid, sending him and his two closest friends on a Parisian weekend of self discovery.  

Michael Jackson’s children said he now believes it was "highly unlikely".Mark Lester, 64, twice donated sperm to his late pal and is godfather to the pop star’s children Prince Michael, 25, Paris, 24, and Blanket, 20.The trio appear to share some resemblance to Mark’s own four children.READ MORE: Michael Jackson wasn’t 'fully functioning adult' after legal drama, says ex-securityAfter Jackson’s 2009 death aged 50 the actor - who was himself a child star - said he could be their father and offered to take a paternity test.But Mark, who played the title role in 1969 classic movie musical Oliver! has told the Daily Star he now does not believe he is the daddy.Asked what the chances were he replied: "Highly unlikely, I would say."It was all a big thing that blew up but I think it’s highly unlikely."Way more likely it was one of the doctors that Michael was seeing at the time.’’"Mark, who now works as an osteopath in Cheltenham, Glos, said he misses his famous godchildren."I haven’t spoken to them for years sadly,’’ he said."We spent a lot of time with Michael back in the day."His kids and my kids were all very close."So it would have been quite nice for my children to have kept communicating with them."But they live in the States and have their own things to do."I’d love to see them again. They were lovely kids.’"Mark, who acted from ages of eight to 19 with superstars such as Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Shelley Winters and Raquel Welch, said he was surprised at the fame his association with Jacko had brought him."Michael was a very well-known pop star but to me he was just a guy,’’ he said."His music was not really my thing.

Brian May, who once declared that Brexit was the "stupidest move" the UK had ever made, announced to the world that he was making new friends over in France in a bid to escape British politics, As Prime Minister Liz Truss teeters on the edge of power, the 72-year-old Queen star is putting all of that behind him and enjoying some quality time in the wine capital of Bordeaux.Posting tranquil photos of himself perched beside the river, Brian told his 3.1 million Instagram followers that he still considers himself to be a proud European."A moment of peace.

Emmerdale's James Hooton has shared behind-the-scenes details from Sam Dingle's "brutal" spiking cliffhanger as he teased whether his character lives or dies. Fans were left horrified on Monday's episode as the episode ended with Sam's body lifeless on a tractor spike after attempting to escape a cow stampede. During the latest instalment, the village continued to struggle with the terrifying storm and winds, especially over at Moira Dingle's farm.

Dan Levy has stacked the cast of his upcoming directorial debut, Good Grief.

House Party,” a raunchy, genre-bending comedy adventure co-produced by basketball legend LeBron James. Starring actors Jacob Latimore and Tosin Cole, the trailer gives glimpses at some of the hilarity and mayhem to come in the upcoming release, including a scene where the duo find themselves in James’ house, talking to a hologram the athlete created to shower him in words of affirmation. “He got a hologram of himself, just to give him compliments?” Latimore quips in the trailer. The feature is a remake of a 1990 comedy by the same title, though the plot has been adapted for a new, modern audience. As opposed to the two leads being high-schoolers in search of a fun night, Latimore and Cole play two aspiring club promoters who decide to host a massive party to distract from their financial troubles after being fired from their day-jobs as house cleaners.

Marcelo Cajueiro The Rio Intl. Film Festival wrapped Monday amid political tension and with a strong local competition that awarded Marcelo Gomes’ “Paloma” the top film prize. It is based on the true story of a poor trans woman who struggled to marry her partner in a religious ceremony. Following compact editions over the past three years, Rio Fest – traditionally Latin America’s main film fest – regained part of its original size and importance, as it premiered locally about 120 features selected from the top international film fests, resumed outdoor screenings and featured a hybrid market. The highlight was Premiere Brasil, the competition of 86 features and shorts for the Redentor kudos.

Meredith Woerner Deputy Editor, Variety.com The teaser trailer for the long-awaited “A Christmas Story” sequel is jam-packed with holiday nostalgia. From dusty “fragile” leg lamps to triple dog dare mistakes, the first look at the HBO Max movie sequel, officially titled “A Christmas Story Christmas,” promises all the holiday retread you could shake a turkey leg at. The original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley, returns to his iconic role now looking a lot more like “the old man” than the young little glasses-wearing kiddo who hungered for one thing, a Red Ryder air rifle. The 51-year-old actor joins past cast members as he returns to his hometown in hopes of recreating the magical Christmases from his past, this time for his own kids.

At September’s San Sebastian Festival, Movistar+, Spain’s biggest content investor, hosted a press conference for the world premiere of its newest original, “Offworld” (“Apagón”), featuring five stories, all set in a Spain without electricity, the result of a massive solar storm.  On-stage, fielding questions, were not “Offworld’s” actors, however, though they included Goya actress winner Patricia López Arnaiz, but the series’ screenwriters and directors. These took in Oscar nominee Rodrigo Sorogoyen (“Madre”), Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo, whose  “The Double Steps” and “Between Two Waters” both won San Sebastian Golden Shells, and Alberto Rodríguez, director of Goya best picture winner “Marshland.” 

EJ Panaligan editor Allen Media Group’s African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports and entertainment platform theGrio has announced the inaugural The Grio Awards. The black-tie event will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 22th with co-hosts comedian Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs. The award show’s inaugural honorees are slated to attend in-person, including: The event will also feature special musical performances by Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, Fantasia and LaBelle. Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director, and DJ Kiss will serve as both DJ and announcer. Additional guests slated to attend include Sheryl Lee Ralph, Judge Christine Perez, Dave Winfield, Judge Lauren Lake, Judge Mabelean Efphram, April Ryan, Natasha Alford, Michael Harriot, Panama Jackson, Nikole Hannah Jones, Ben Chavis and Marla Gibbs.

Lisa Levine If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Last minute Halloween costumes need to be embraced as we have all needed to scrounge up a costume for a last-minute invite or round of trick-or-treating. And now, thanks to next-day delivery services such as Amazon Prime, there is no lack of thoughtful pop-culture inspired costume ideas that you can perfect just a day or two before the big weekend. From “Ted Lasso” and “Top Gun” to “Stranger Things” and “Schitt’s Creek,” here are the best last-minute Halloween costumes that will arrive just in time for the 31st. Need further inspiration? Check out more pop-culture Halloween costumes here and the best Halloween costumes for men and women. This Emmy-winning show can do no wrong and Jason Sudeikis’s Ted Lasso, is an easy costume to embrace and emulate. Our convenient pick comes with everything you could want for this look including a monochromatic tracksuit, a visor-style hat, mustache and whistle.  Courtesy of Amazon

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor The North American rights to Firas Khoury’s coming-of-age drama “Alam” (The Flag) have been sold to Film Movement. The film premiered at Toronto Film Festival, and will be playing in competition at Rome Film Festival on Tuesday. The first trailer debuts here (below). MPM Premium is handling international sales. Michael Rosenberg of Film Movement said: “Set among a group of Palestinian teens living in Israel, Firas Khoury’s debut feature marries universal themes of growing up with the complex political awakening young Palestinians are forced to undergo living under occupation. Film Movement is excited to bring this tender coming of age drama to North American audiences next year.”

Liza Foreman Fremantle is partnering with electronics giant Samsung to bring a dedicated FAST channel, “The Jamie Oliver Channel” to audiences in the U.K. Available from 12th October, the channel is dedicated to the most well-known titles from the British chef, catering to Samsung TV Plus watchers with cooking content for all occasions. Samsung TV Plus delivers over 1,600 channels across 24 countries, spanning news, sports, and entertainment. London-based Future Studios has launched factual series “Unbelievable Me” (10 x 45’) at Mipcom.

Clayton Davis J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion” was announced as the Audience Award winner for best narrative film following the conclusion of the Middleburg Film Festival. The Sony Pictures historical drama, which stars Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell, was a heavy favorite from patrons and could be a quiet dark horse contender in the Oscar race. Dillard and actor Christina Jackson were both in attendance in Virginia for a post-screening Q&A. Written by Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart, the film is based on Adam Makos’ novel and tells the inspirational, true story of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots who fought in the Korean War in the 1950s. “We were honored to have these filmmakers join us at the festival to present their exceptional films to our audiences and engage in thoughtful conversations,” said Susan Koch, MFF executive director.

Marta Balaga “Phoenix Rise,” fresh off its world premiere at Cannes’ MipJunior, is a “show about second chances,” say creators Matt Evans and Perrie Balthazar. Produced by Canada’s Sinking Ship Entertainment and BBC Kids & Family Productions, it sees six marginalized students forming a bond at their new school in the U.K.’s West Midlands. With 20 episodes clocking in at 30 minutes, it’s targeting an audience of 10 years and older. Alex Draper, Luca Alves, Lauren Corah, Tara Webb, Krish Bassi, Imogen Baker and Orla McDonagh star.  “Kids lead frantic lives. We wanted to capture that energy while also giving emotional moments some room to breathe,” Evans and Balthazar tell Variety in a joint statement.  

Kylian Mbappe was roundly booed upon arrival at the Ballon d’Or.The Paris Saint-Germain star turned up to the luxury Theatre Du Chatelet wearing a flash tuxedo. But he was met with jeers from those in his home city of Paris, with recent reports of disgruntlement at being with his current side thought to be at the heart of it.The PSG star signed a long-term deal only this year despite links with a move to Real Madrid.

Questlove is set to executive produce a new documentary about the legendary J Dilla.The new film, titled Dilla Time, will see the Roots drummer working alongside the influential late artist’s estate for a project described as “part biography, part musicology, and part musical meditation”.Questlove said: “Explaining musical genius is my mission. To be able to tell the world about the musician that had the most influence on me is a dream come true.

A new documentary on the legendary Detroit producer and rapper J Dilla is in the works from executive producer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, drummer for The Roots and director of the Oscar-winning Summer of Soul. The film is based on the book Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm by Dan Charnas. Questlove will team up once more alongside Joseph Patel, his co-producer on Summer of Soul, with a producing team of Zarah Zolhman, Shawn Gee, Tariq Trotter, Rodrigo Bascuñán, Darby Wheeler, and Anupa Mistry (both Patel and Mistry are former employees of The FADER).

Oscar-winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson has lined up his next project – a documentary on the late groundbreaking hip hop producer J Dilla (James Dewitt Yancey).