Entertainment

Isiah Whitlock Jr., celebrated for his iconic portrayal of R. Clayton "Clay" Davis in "The Wire," has passed away at 71 following a brief illness.

Regina Hall's role in the black comedy thriller "One Battle After Another" has garnered significant Oscar buzz, while her participation in the animated feature "SpongeBob" fulfilled a long-held aspiration.

Word In Black has curated a selection of books by, about, or for Black people, emphasizing their often overlooked promotion by major publishers. These works provide clarity, comfort, and possibility, highlighting the richness of Black narratives.

Since the inception of American cinema, Black-led films have played a crucial role in providing representation and reflecting the complexities of the Black experience. Black filmmakers, in response to early stereotypical portrayals, have taken control of their narratives, crafting movies that resonate with Black audiences and affirm their identities.

The documentary "Sean Combs: The Reckoning" has ignited discussions about the ascent and decline of Diddy. However, some critics contend that it failed to address the pervasive issues of misogyny, sexism, and sexual abuse within hip-hop culture.

The release of "Wicked: For Good" has ignited a nationwide dialogue concerning weight loss, eating disorders, and societal pressures towards thinness. The film's cast has become a focal point, with their slender appearances being leveraged in pro-eating disorder narratives and prompting widespread speculation regarding their weight changes.

Netflix has announced an agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's film studio and HBO assets for $82.7 billion, including debt, following a competitive bidding process that saw participation from Paramount and Comcast.

Sean Combs' legal team has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Netflix, urging the streaming service to halt the release of a docuseries about him. The letter accuses Netflix of utilizing unauthorized footage and collaborating with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, a known adversary of Combs.

Curtis Jackson, known professionally as 50 Cent, serves as a producer for the Netflix docuseries "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," set to premiere on Tuesday. The series draws inspiration from Cassie Ventura's testimony in a federal sex trafficking trial against Combs earlier this year.

Universal's "Wicked: For Good" has achieved a record-breaking domestic opening of $150 million, positioning itself as the second-highest domestic opener of the year and establishing a new benchmark for fantasy-adventure sequel openings.