The highly anticipated Grammy Awards weekend full of events just wrapped and in a night filled with the best of hip hop and smooth sips of PATRÓN Tequila, the celebration was palpable at the Hip Hop Til Infinity immersive exhibit.
The Private Eye, Illusion Islands’ latest thriller, is a boatload of twists and turns that leads the viewer to question even their own judgment as it progresses. But to writer and director Jack Cook, at its very core, the film is a love story.
The mystery romance comedy thriller marks the feature directorial debut of Cook, and features Matt Rife in the lead role as Mort Madison, a private investigator whose life takes a downward spiral. The story focuses on the shifting perspective of Madison, who is hired by a mysterious woman named Michelle, played by Clare Grant. Michelle tasks Mort with spying on a man named David, who she claims to be her lover. But as Mort delves into the investigation, he finds himself falling for Michelle. In an unexpected turn of events, Mort decides that the only way to be with Michelle is to eliminate David from the equation. Viewers can look forward to a mind blowing twist as Mort’s pursuit of love takes an unexpected and thrilling path.
To pull off a film with so many twists and turns while also keeping the cadence of romance is no easy feet, yet Cook does so seamlessly, making the film one of a kind. On Friday, the cast gathered in New York City for the premiere of the film. In attendance was Cook, ELLIOT, Denzel Whitaker, Lexy Panterra, Charles Worth, Elijah Boothe , Eugenia Kuzmina, Eric Roberts, and many more. We chatted with the cast and crew about their experiences working on the film, check out the conversations below!
The Private Eye will be in select theaters on February 9th! Check out the trailer here!
The recent launch party hosted by INITIO Parfums Privés at Lume Studios in Soho was an immersive and alluring experience, perfectly complementing the unveiling of their newest fragrance, Narcotic Delight. The venue, adorned with a red-hued room and carefully curated drinks, added to the evenings mystique, creating an atmosphere that was both chic and sexy. The music enhanced the aesthetic, elevating the sense of desire surrounding the experience.The strategic perfume placements, wall art & guests added an intentional touch to the event, with an elegant presence that avoided overdone extravagance settling instead for a bold and sophisticated ambiance that captivated every attendee’s senses.hedione
Narcotic Delight is a sensual aphrodisiac with fragrance notes of cherry, vanilla, cognac, black and pink pepper, tobacco, & an overdose of hedione. Hedione, a versatile chemical compound widely used in the fragrance industry, adds a light and sweet floral scent. Recognized for its adaptability, hedione is a key ingredient in both feminine and masculine scents. INITIO Parfums Privés takes pride in crafting perfumes that transcend gender boundaries, ensuring a beautiful fragrance for everyone.
The Carnal Blends collection, spearheaded by Narcotic Delight, introduces a sensory journey with fragrances like
As the night unfolded, INITIO Parfums, took a moment to express gratitude to the attendees. Reflecting on the brand’s journey since its launch in 2015, they congratulated their team on the event’s success and thanked the guests for their unwavering support. At the end of the night, guest were treated to a gift of their own Narcotic Delight perfume, everything from the detail in the packaging exuded elegance.
As a global company INITIO Parfums Privés has successfully bridged heritage and modernity, embodying quality perfumery that honors the rich tradition of French fragrances while carving its niche in the global fragrance market. Their commitment to providing a luxurious and unique experience makes them a standout presence in the realm of niche luxury fragrances.
Narcotic Delight is available to purchase on their website, Saks, and other distribution partners.
On Thursday, February 1st, celebrities assembled at the 8th annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show, sponsored by Zero Prostate Cancer, Johnson & Johnson, and the Fashion Group Foundation. Models for the night included actors, news hosts, current and former athletes, reporters and journalists—even two Tony winners.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Blue Jacket Fashion Show)
The Blue Carpet Fashion show was founded by fashion designer Frederick Anderson as a platform to openly discuss prostate cancer. Throughout the day on Thursday, the Blue Jacket Initiative took to the streets to set up free testing and provide educational materials on prostate cancer across New York City. The organization is also raising funds for future prostate cancer testing resources and to support patients in need.
The event’s festivities began with a “blue carpet,” where the models of the night gave previews of what they would be wearing for the evening. Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winning actor and singer Billy Porter was only on the blue carpet for mere seconds before rushing backstage to fetch his favorite piece of the outfit. He returned a moment later, accessorized with a Thom Brown bag.
Other special guests for the evening also assembled on the blue carpet, including journalist and talk show host Tamron Hall and actress Holly Robinson Peete.
All of the models for the evening soon took to the runway to strut their stuff in their blue ensembles. Every model who participated, and the designers who dressed them, were as followed:
Billy Porter, dressed by Thom Browne
J. Harrison Ghee, dressed by Terry Singh
Rodney Peete, dressed by The Privilege
Marcus Samuelsson, dressed by The Privilege
Wilson Cruz, dressed by Arjona Collection
Luis Miranda, Jr., dressed by Talya Bendel x HAAS
Don Lemon, dressed by The Privilege
Nigel Barker, dressed by Ben Sherman
Alex Lundqvist, dressed by Stephen F
Young Paris, dressed by Arjona Collection
Eric West, dressed by AARC55
Les Trent (Inside Edition), dressed by Don Morphy
James Aguiar (Modern Luxury), dressed by jameAstyle X Fleur’d
Carlos Greer (Page Six & Extra TV), dressed by AKNVAS
Frank DiLella (NY1), dressed by Bruno Magli
Louis Finley (NY1), dressed by Levi’s
Jeremy Helligar (People Magazine), dressed by Elie Balleh
John Dias (WCBS-TV), dressed by Gustavo Moscoso
John Hill (Sirius XM), dressed by Don Morphy
Ty Hunter, dressed by Tommy Hilfiger
Brian Ceballo, dressed by POTRO
Don Hood, dressed by Magpies & Peacocks
Ty-Ron Mayes, dressed by BARABAS
Omar Hernandez, dressed by Gustavo Moscoso
Kris Bennett, dressed by Burkindy x Jahnkoy
Erik Bottcher (NYC Council Member), dressed by Carlos Campos
Dr. Brad Schaeffer, dressed by Elie Balleh
Phillip Bloch, dressed by AKNVAS
Mike Woods (Fox5 New York), dressed by SOU KUU (by THE NORTH FACE)
Richard Thomas (TAO Hospitality Group), dressed by Gustavo Moscoso
Dr. Ash Tewari (Johnson & Johnson spokesperson), dressed by Elie Balleh
Tyrone Brewer (President, U.S. Oncology, Johnson & Johnson), dressed by J.Mclaughlin
Robert Ginyard (Prostate Cancer Survivor and Zero Prostate Cancer spokesperson), dressed by J.Mclaughlin
To learn more about the Blue Jacket Fashion Show, and to place a donation to help their patient support and awareness efforts, you can visit their website here.
On Wednesday January 31, Prime Video held the premiere of their newest series Mr & Mrs Smith at Brooklyn’s Weylin venue. The premiere saw the screening of the pilot and an additional episode along with an after party.
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” stars Donald Glover as John and Maya Erskine as Jane. The two give up their average lives to become special agents but under the guise of being a married couple in NYC. The series is a modern adaptation of the famous 2005 film of the same name which originally starred Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
There were a number of actors who appeared in the series present at the screening including Eiza González and Michaela Coel. Billy Campbell, who is best known for his roles on “Dynasty” along with “Once and Again,” has a short stint in episode three.
Campbell spoke with us about his character on the carpet saying, “It’s emotional. I had a very small part, but it’s like an arch. It’s a sweet little arch, but it’s a very emotional arch. And I don’t always have the pleasure of being able to do that.”
The actor additionally raved over the chemistry between the two leads of the series; a sentiment felt by everyone on the carpet. Francesca Sloane, show runner and co-creator of the series, made a point that at the center of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” is romance between these two leads.
For anyone who is a fan of the original, this chemistry is far different than expected. In fact, the series doesn’t take much for its original material. Sloane said, “We completely started with a fresh canvas. We really first just wanted to make a story that made sense for the kind of creators that Donald and I are to tell a story, and it felt like something very unique.”
Glover serves as co-creator, director, executive producer, and main lead of the project. It’s not surprising as the multifaceted creator often takes on a great deal on his projects such as his shows “Atlanta” and “Swarm.” As an established creative in his field, Glover admits, “Be surrounded by people you actually trust. People who you trust their taste. It’s not all about you being right. It’s about the piece.” Glover also makes reference to working with his creative partner Hiro Murai who has stood by him on multiple projects.
Be sure to check out the remaining interviews on our Instagram page or below.
Following the screening, the after party occurred on the lower level of the venue. The space was decorated to fit the vibe of a series’ tone. With artwork that moved to reveal hidden secrets, and a machine that revealed if one was a low risk or high risk agent. Guests were also invited to indulge in cocktails suited for an spy as well.
We decided to have our martinis shaken, and stirred of course.
The night was truly excellent, and the series is definitely one to watch, not only for nostalgic purposes but for a refreshing take on the thriller genre.
Our review of the first few episodes of “Mr.& Mrs. Smith” is available now. The series is also available to stream on Prime Video.
In the thrilling realm of true crime, few franchises have left as indelible a mark as Dr. Death. From its inception as a gripping podcast to the Peacock Original streaming series adaptation, the franchise has consistently captivated true-crime enthusiasts worldwide.
Grammy-nominated artist Latto came to New York City to celebrate the premiere of Netflix’s new limited series, Griselda. Held at Capitale in Bowery, we went back to the 1970s, when music, dance, and fashion created an elite club culture that required a guest-list-only atmosphere.
Courtesy of Netflix
Guests were welcomed into the grand ballroom with an Instagram-worthy photo wall that had already garnered a line; mind you, this was just in the doorway. So, you know, it was going to be a jam-packed night.
After we took all the pictures, we made our way to the bar for an early cheers to the weekend with some series-themed cocktails: “The Godmother Mojito” and “La Madrina Margarita,” amongst your typical party drinks.
The real star of the night was the “motel,” a.k.a., the best interactive photo exhibit that took you straight into the world of the new series. Motel staffers directed us through the silent disco room, which, once you put those headphones on, transported us to the disco. Then, the staffers escorted us through the powder room to touch up on our hair, nails, and makeup before going to the most fabulous accessory room to choose our looks for the end of our journey, the 360 photo booth.
Courtesy of Netflix
We left the motel with a Polaroid from the silent disco room, the series soundtrack vinyl, and a pair of sunglasses from the limited-edition Griselda X Foster Grant collection.
For the rest of the night, we enjoyed some more drinks and the ambiance and fueled up with empanadas from Toma before the night’s performance. Rapper Latto closed out the night with an extravagant performance. While the crowd cheered through her whole set, Latto shouted out Karol G, took shots with the crowd, and ended the night on a high note that had guests running home to binge-watch the new series.
Courtesy of Netflix
Starring Sofia Vergara, Griselda is a dramatized depiction of Griselda Blanco, the creator of one of the most powerful cartels ever. Her savviness and ambition earned her the title of “The Godmother.”
Griselda, starring Sofia Vergara, is available now, only on Netflix.
The successful premiere screening of Lulu Wang’s new series gives audiences a fresh perspective into the rich world of Expats.
On Wednesday evening, showtime hosted a pre-screening of their brand new series “The Woman In The Wall” at the Metrograph in New York City. Starring Ruth Wilson and Daryl McCormack. The series is a six-episode suspense thriller produced by Joe Murtagh. The series takes place in Ireland about a deranged not so stable Lorna Brady (Wilson), who wakes up in her home to find a dead woman on her floor. She’s not sure if she’s responsible for the women’s murder or how the corpse even ended up in her home. Now, you might be wondering how one cannot know if they’ve killed someone. Lorna has suffered a lot of emotional and painful trauma ever since she was incarcerated at a convent at just 15 years old, where she gave birth to her only daughter, who was stolen from Lorna and never to be seen again. We then meet Detective Colman, who comes into town to investigate another crime, the death of a beloved priest. Still, these two storylines quickly become one, and Lorna becomes Colman’s number-one suspect. The series is inspired and loosely based on the Magdalene laundries. These were institutions run by the Roman Catholic Church and operated from the 18th to the late 20th centuries. They were run to house “fallen women.” When asked what attracted Executive Producer Joe Murtagh to create the series he responded,
“I knew it nothing about this, this unbelievable scandal which rocked Ireland until 1996 and 1998 that touched thousands of lives. I couldn’t believe it happened, but more so, I couldn’t believe that I didn’t know it had happened, and anyone I spoke to after that didn’t know what happened outside of Ireland even to this day, they never heard of this, and so ultimately it was it came from a desire to rectify that, but just to get the story out there by any means possible so the people who are still fighting for justice, will hopefully be more empowered to do what they do best because more people know.”
| THE WOMAN IN THE WALL, Starring Ruth Wilson and Daryl McCormack, Premieres on Streaming January 19 on Paramount+ with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® Plan, Ahead of Its On-Air Debut on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on January 21 |
Picture this: you walk into a family restaurant with four of your closest buddies. The individual that greets you is immediately at attention, and politely says, “We’ve been waiting for you.” You follow him to a secluded upstairs table, as he gently picks up and removes the placard that says, “Reserved.” As you take a seat, he announces, “There will be a special menu for you all tonight.”
Bruschetta Pizza: simply delectable
This scenario seems to be straight out of an episode of The Sopranos, and yet there I was, living it in real life. I had been invited to Da Nico Ristorante in downtown Manhattan, which possessed “Tony’s Table”, a special table used as a shrine to The Sopranos and surrounded by The Sopranos memorabilia. Here, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the show, we received a special menu that contained items named with references to the show, such as the Vesuvius Scrapiello or the Not For Tony. A cocktail menu with a similar naming system was provided as well. I felt like I had the power and luxury of a gangster, and for once could understand what it felt like to be in Tony’s shoes.
Not For Tony, but for me
The waiter started us off with a bottle of wine and several appetizers, including a bruschetta pizza, a plate of cold cuts and cheeses, and a plate of hot antipasti that included samples of chicken or cheese finger food. Everyone was extremely attentive and constantly brought new and exciting things for us to try, and we loved every bite of it.
Each plate was perfect
When it came time for the entrees, I know I had to get the Not For Tony, a Sopranos-spin on the classic Eggplant Parmesan. My friends ordered Carmela’s Baked Ziti and an Agent Harris Marsala, and like family, we shared it all.
Cheers.
After that terrific meal, the waiters brought over some desserts, which included a plate of fresh fruit and a plate of zeppole, an italian pastry covered in powdered sugar. We also each were given a shot of a green sweet liquor, which we cheersed and downed simultaneously. As I sat back, I reflected upon the parallels between where I was now and Tony’s restaurant frequents with his friends. Sure, I did not have a criminal empire, but I had friends that I treated like family, laughs, and good food, all of which Tony was very familiar with.
Visit Da Nico Ristorante to see Tony’s Table for yourself, and try some of the best food I have had in recent memory for yourself.