What a pair of absolute legends. <p><strong>The Background</strong>: Corey Chichizola has been with CinemaBlend since 2015, starting as the Weekend Editor before climbing up the ranks and eventually becoming the Movies Editor. Born and raised in New Jersey and an alumnus of Ramapo College, he's combined his degrees in theater and literature to cover the the way stories are told in TV and film. On top of helping run the news cycle, Corey has been honored to do a variety of on camera interviews with his personal heroes, and has been particularly privileged to speak with actors about their process on set. Before joining the CB team he worked in the New York theater world, and is thrilled to be in such close proximity to the city that never sleeps.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What He's Into</strong>: Corey is one of CinemaBlend's biggest horror nerds, and is happy to cover all thing spooky, especially related to favorite franchises like Halloween and Scream. He's also taken his passion and education for theater to cover the movie musical beat on the website. While a movies editor, Corey is also a television addict, watching what seems like a billion different shows every year. Aside from scripted programs, he's got a passion for certain corners of the Reality TV world including Survivor, RuPaul's Drag Race, and the Real Housewives. He's also got a passion for the mockumentary subgenre on both the big and small screens, especially projects like Drop Dead Gorgeous, Waiting for Guffman, and The Office.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What's He's Excited About Right Now</strong>: Anything that Jordan Peele will give us, Talk to Me, the Exorcist reboot, the final season of Handmaid's Tale.</p>
The Queen of Country has died at the age of 80. <p><strong>The Background</strong>: Sarah El-Mahmoud has been with CinemaBlend since 2018, starting as a freelancer shortly after graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Journalism. In college, she was the Managing Editor of the award-winning college paper, The Daily Titan where she specialized in writing/editing long-form features, profiles and arts &amp; entertainment coverage, including her first run-in with movie reporting, with a phone interview with Guillermo del Toro for Best Picture winner, The Shape of Water.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What She's Into</strong>: Sarah is CinemaBlend's resident YA enthusiast, often bringing her lifetime love of books and the stories behind their often contentious adaptations to the site. Deeply into when music and movies intersect, from knowing the hype musical tracks of Mamma Mia!, beautiful scores of Michael Giacchino and yes, the absolute banger Twilight soundtrack way too well. She is also passionate about highlighting and interviewing voices within the industry to help open the door for Hollywood to better represent the world through movies and television. Horror, she really loves horror movies. The world of animation as well... OK don't make her pick one genre.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What She's Excited About Right Now</strong>: The continued resurgence of horror and musicals. The next Hunger Games movie, Mike Flanagan's upcoming shows, the Wicked movies and the final Spider-Verse animated film.&nbsp;</p>
The beloved actress made a sweet declaration this year. <p><strong>The Background</strong>: Erik Swann is a Senior Content Producer at CinemaBlend. He began working with the publication in 2020 when he was hired as Weekend Editor. Today, he continues to write, edit and handle social media responsibilities over the weekend. On weekdays, he also writes TV and movie-related news and helps out with editing and social media as needed. He graduated from the University of Maryland, where he received a degree in Broadcast Journalism. After shifting into multi-platform journalism, he started working as a freelance writer and editor before joining CB. During his time with the site, he's been able to cover some excellent TV shows and films and interview some wonderful stars.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What He's Into</strong>: Erik is a superhero fan, and his love for comic books began after he first watched Batman: The Animated Series as a child. He also enjoys comedies, action/adventure flicks, dramas and science fiction. He has a love for sports as well, particularly professional basketball. Though he's a Maryland/Washington D.C. native, he roots for the Boston Celtics. Some of his all-time favorite TV shows are BTAS, Breaking Bad, Sanford and Son, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Better Call Saul and Atlanta. And when it comes to movies, Beverly Hills Cop, A Raisin in the Sun, Toy Story, Iron Man, Star Wars, and Wall Street are among his favorites. He also enjoys a good pizza (preferably with pepperoni and mushrooms) while he's watching entertaining films and TV series.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What He's Excited About Right Now</strong>: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Reservation Dogs Season 3, Ahsoka, Loki Season 2, Invincible Season 2, Next Goal Wins and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.</p>
Kaylee Hottle was 18 years old. <p><strong>The Background</strong>: Riley Utley is the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. She has written for national publications as well as daily and alt-weekly newspapers in Spokane, Washington, Syracuse, New York and Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with her master’s degree in arts journalism and communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Since joining the CB team she has covered numerous TV shows and movies -- including her personal favorite shows <em>Ted Lasso </em>and <em>The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel</em>. She also has followed and consistently written about everything from Taylor Swift to <em>Fire Country</em>, and she's enjoyed every second of it.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What She's Into</strong>: Riley’s range in likes is random and wide, from Marvel to musicals and from<em> Game of Thrones</em> to the latest Netflix rom-com you can catch her watching just about anything. Her favorite movies include but are not limited to <em>When Harry Met Sally, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, Finding Nemo</em> and <em>The Grand Budapest Hotel</em>. She loves going to the movie theater, consuming copious amounts of popcorn and logging whatever she saw on Letterboxd immediately afterward. She constantly walks around quoting <em>Ted Lasso, SNL</em> and <em>Parks and Rec</em>. She has been known to create the occasional PowerPoint explaining the MCU to those who don’t get it. In the non-media realm, Riley is a massive college basketball fan. She is a firm believer that the Gonzaga men’s basketball team is the best team of all time, and she is patiently waiting for the day they finally win a national championship. She grew up in Washington and loves skiing, coffee and making sure that people know she is from the state, not D.C.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>What She's Excited About Right Now</strong>: Anything Taylor Swift or Andrew Garfield does, finally seeing strong female representation in the MCU and eventually seeing Jonathan Bailey sing his heart out in <em>Wicked</em>.&nbsp;</p>
This is a fitting tribute to a member of their "ohana." https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pDD2yQeoswqS5Dhrxf253d.jpg
Celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis paid their respects to Shelley Duvall following the news that The Shining actress passed away.
Celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda, President Biden, and more tribute to Broadway legend Chita Rivera after her death.
Two-Time Oscar nominee and A Christmas Story star Melinda Dillon passed away in January.
Austin Butler shares his own memories getting to know the late daughter of Elvis Presley.
Hugh Jackman Josh Gad, and more share condolences following the death of Angela Lansbury.
Anne Heche had an ongoing lawsuit against her ex-husband before her death.
Tanya Brown has responded after Chris Rock equated The Slap with her murder.
After her death, Anne Heche’s memoir is selling for hundreds of dollars
As the LAPD closes its investigation into Anne Heche's crash, stars are continuing to pay tribute to her.