Late last year cable giant Lifetime announced that they would be remaking the 1989 classic ‘Steele Magnolias’. As though that news was not shocking enough, the network also disclosed that the new version of the film would have an all-black cast. Starring Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Condola Rashad, the film will follow six Louisiana women as they experience the ups and downs of life.

Of the remake, Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of Lifetime Entertainment stated,

The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding and falls in line with our strategy to make Lifetime a first stop for the industry’s best both in front of and behind the camera. Queen Latifah, Phylicia, Alfre, Jill, Adepero and Condola are some of the most celebrated women in music, film, television and stage—and we could not be more thrilled and honored for them to bring Robert Harling’s poignant story about the strength of women to a whole new generation.

News of the remake has stirred much debate on the internet. There are those who are thrilled that the film will be told from black women’s perspectives. Then, there are those who are upset that a classic will potentially be ruined.

Adapted from Robert Harling’s stage play of the same name and starring Sally Field and Dolly Parton, ‘Steel Magnolias’ premiered in November 1989. It instantly became a favorite among film lovers and went on to gross more than 95 million dollars at the box office. The film was originally intended to be a short story as Harling attempted to cope with the death of his younger sister, Susan Harling Robinson, a diabetic.

Instead, a full-length play developed. The idea behind the play was to show the strength of women through humor and conversation. Harling wanted to keep the integrity of his family’s ordeal intact, so for the film he cast several of Susan’s actual nurses, doctors and other hospital staff in their real life roles.

The title, ‘Steel Magnolias’, refers to the delicacy of a magnolia flower and the strength of steel. A total oxymoron, it suggests that not all things which are thought to be pretty, but weak, are so. The women in the film prove that when faced with tragedy, they are more than delicate darlings to be admired.

No official release date has been set for the film; however, the network has recently released a trailer to stir excitement among fans.

Image Courtesy of   Jose Gil / Shutterstock.com

The article ‘Steel Magnolias’ Gets a Makeover appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J is set to host the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, marking the first time in seven years that the music industry’s premier event will have an official host. Music’s Biggest Night takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at  www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Music’s Biggest Night,” said LL COOL J. “I will always have fond memories of my first GRAMMY Awards and to now be hosting the GRAMMY show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music — it’s gonna be a great night!”

LL COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this will be his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast. Recent past hosts include Queen Latifah at the 47th GRAMMY Awards and Jon Stewartfor the 43rd and 44th GRAMMY telecasts. Over the years, additional GRAMMY hosts include Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell, among others.

LL COOL J joins previously announced performers and current GRAMMY nominees  Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. Aldean and Minaj will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Mars, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer,  Louis J. Horvitz is director, andDavid Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

Dooley Productions / Shutterstock.com

The article LL COOL J to Host 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

From Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Portman’s stacked bracelets to Angelina Jolie and Jessica Biel’s diamond stud earrings, Hollywood’s leading actresses chose to celebrate their achievements with platinum jewelry at the 69^th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Platinum is naturally white, so it never changes color or fades, thereby maximizing the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones. It is the ideal setting for the red carpet. Following is a list of stars that celebrated the night’s achievements in platinum:

Angelina Jolie

-Platinum and diamond stud earrings (25 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz
-Platinum and diamond ring (12 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

Reese Witherspoon

-Platinum and European cut diamond drop earrings (9 carats each) by Fred Leighton
-A pair of platinum and diamond bracelets from 1900 by Fred Leighton
-Platinum and diamond bracelet from the 1920s by Fred Leighton

Natalie Portman

-Platinum and diamond drop earrings by Harry Winston
-3 platinum and diamond bracelets by Harry Winston
-Platinum and pear shaped diamond cluster ring by Harry Winston

Jessica Biel

-Platinum and round diamond opera length necklace worn down her back by Tiffany & Co.
-Platinum and round solitaire diamond stud earrings by (6.12 carats) by Tiffany & Co.

Emma Stone

­-Blackened platinum and ruby stud earrings (19 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

Lea Michele

-Blackened platinum and diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
-Blackened platinum and emerald ring (29 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

Claire Danes

-Platinum earrings with princess cut diamonds by Bulgari

Jessica Alba

-Platinum earrings with diamonds (37.14 carats) by Bulgari

Kate Beckinsale

-Platinum and diamond mesh bowtie earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
-Platinum and diamond braided cuffs by Lorraine Schwartz
-Platinum and diamond geometric cuff by Lorraine Schwartz
*Total is 300 carats of diamonds

Jodie Foster

-Platinum and diamond earrings (8 carats) by Bulgari
-Platinum bracelet with 84 diamonds (42.61 carats) by Bulgari
-Platinum and diamond ring by Bulgari

Stacey Keibler

-Platinum and diamond cluster earrings by Chopard (9 carats)

Sofia Vergara

-Platinum and diamond earrings by Harry Winston
-2 Platinum and diamond bracelets by Harry Winston
-Platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston

Jessica Chastain

-Platinum cluster earrings with pearl and diamonds by Harry Winston
-Platinum and diamond feather ring by Harry Winston
-Vintage platinum and diamond bracelet by Harry Winston

Emma Roberts (Warner Bros./InStyle party)

-Platinum and diamond cluster earrings (15 carats) by Chopard
-2 platinum and diamond cuffs (107 total carats) by Chopard
-Platinum and rose cut diamond ring (15 carats) by Chopard

Diane Lane

-Platinum chandelier earrings with yellow and white diamonds by Neil Lane
-Platinum cocktail ring with yellow and white diamonds by Neil Lane
-Platinum bangle bracelets with yellow and white diamonds by Neil Lane

Zooey Deschanel

-Platinum Estate ring from 1970 featuring pearl and diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels

Dianna Agron

-Platinum bow bracelet with onyx and diamonds from the 1920s by Fred Leighton
-Platinum line bracelet with diamonds and onyx from the 1920s by Fred Leighton

Sarah Hyland

-Blackened platinum and multicolored diamond flower earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
-Platinum and diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz
-Platinum and diamond cuff by Lorraine Schwartz

Piper Perabo

-Platinum and diamond cuff by Tiffany & Co.
-Platinum and diamond stud earrings by Tiffany & Co.

Debra Messing

-Blackened platinum, amethyst and emerald drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
-Platinum and emerald ring by Lorraine Schwartz

Julianne Moore

-Platinum earrings with diamonds and emerald bead tassels by Fred Leighton

Julianna Margulies

-Blackened platinum, green jade and diamond drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

Paula Patton

-Platinum and diamond “Firecracker” earrings by Kwiat
-Platinum and diamond bracelets by Kwiat

Madonna

-5 platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond cocktail ring by Neil Lane

Helen Mirren

-Platinum pendant earrings with sapphire and diamonds from the 1950s by Fred Leighton
-Platinum barrel link bracelet with sapphire and diamonds from the 1930s by Fred Leighton

Queen Latifah

-Platinum and diamond chandelier earrings (30 carats) by Chopard
-Platinum and asscher cut diamond bracelet (40 carats) by Chopard

Andrea Riseborough

-Platinum and diamond necklace (25 carats) by Neil Lane

Jane Lynch

-Blackened platinum, black diamond and blue sapphire earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
-Blackened platinum ring by Lorraine Schwartz
-Blackened platinum bracelet by Lorraine Schwartz

Jane Fonda

-Platinum and diamond drop necklace (38 carats) by Chopard
-Platinum and diamond bracelet (43 carats) by Chopard
-Platinum and cushion cut diamond drop earrings (7 carats) by Chopard
-Platinum and diamond heart shaped rings featuring 390 diamonds (14 carats) by Chopard

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

The article Stars Don Platinum Jewelry for the Golden Globe Awards appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.