Reuters Entertainment News Summary

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs. Channing Tatum finds grace in 'crazy' true crime tale 'Roofman' Hollywood star Channing Tatum transforms into a gentle and goofy real-life criminal in the comedy drama "Roofman". Directed and co-written by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Derek Cianfrance, the movie tells the story of U.S. Army veteran and father of three Jeffrey Manchester, who was nicknamed "Roofman" for robbing over 40 McDonald's restaurants by breaking in through the roof. Described by his friend as the "smartest dumb guy I know", the film sees Manchester being sentenced to 45 years in prison for his crimes and using his wits and observational skills to escape. Instead of going on the run, Manchester manages to hide in a toy store for months and falls for one of its employees, Leigh, played by Kirsten Dunst. The movie tracks his efforts to evade capture and shows him winning over Leigh's daughters and charming the congregation of the church she frequents with his caring demeanour before eventually getting caught. "I grew up in Florida and I've known people like Jeff. I was probably like two decisions away from being Jeff myself in certain aspects of my life," Tatum said as he premiered the movie at the London Film Festival on Tuesday. "Jeff's story is about someone that just can't get out of his own way and I think a lot of us are like that. I think this movie is about empathy and grace," Tatum said. "Blue Valentine" and "The Light Between Oceans" director Cianfrance said he was intrigued the contradictions in Manchester's behaviour. "The crazy stuff that happens in the movie, I didn't have to make much up. I just had to tie a few things together for thematics," he said. "I just followed the crazy truth that I learned about. I felt like a kind of an emotional investigator." Manchester has not been able to see the movie but has felt the ripples of its release behind the bars, Cianfrance said. "Some really positive things have happened. There's people in Jeff's life who he hasn't talked to in a long time who have started to see the film, and he's been starting to get in contact with them. They're answering his calls now. He called me about a week ago and said,' Derek, if I could give you a hug, I would'," Cianfrance said. "That was, yeah, that was a moment.""Roofman" is out in U.S. theatres now and released globally in October. D'Angelo, trailblazing neo-soul singer, dies at 51, family says Grammy-winning R&B artist D’Angelo, a pioneer of neo-soul music, died at the age of 51 on Tuesday "after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer," his family said in a statement. "We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind," his family said, adding "the shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life."

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