Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook on Twitter and Instagram.NEWSAn Inconvenient Truth.Participant, the socially conscious production company, has closed, which filmmaker Julie Cohen called “devastating news to anyone who cares about documentaries.” Their twenty-year track record includes many nonfiction films, such as An Inconvenient Truth (2006), but also narrative features like Spotlight (2015) and Roma (2018).New data suggests that Hollywood production has gradually rebounded after last year’s WGA and SAG strikes, though not to the levels of the “peak TV” streaming bubble.The Archival Producers Alliance has drafted best practices for the use of generative AI in documentary, cautioning against the “danger of forever muddying the historical record.”In PRODUCTIONMartin Scorsese is reportedly developing a Frank Sinatra biopic, to star Leonardo DiCaprio as the crooner and Jennifer Lawrence as Ava Gardner.
- 4/25/2024
- MUBI
Ethan Coen has assembled a stellar cast for “Honey Don’t!,” his follow-up to this year’s “Drive-Away Dolls.”
Thirteen new actors have joined the cast of “Honey Don’t!” that already includes stars Chris Evans, Margaret Qualley, and Aubrey Plaza. Rounding out the ensemble are “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Charlie Day, “Bros” star and comedian Billy Eichner, and “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” actress Talia Ryder, IndieWire has learned. Also joining the cast are Lera Abova, Jacnier, Gabby Beans, Kristin Connolly, Lena Hall, Don Swayze, Josh Pafchek, Kale Brown, Alexander Carstoiu, and Christin Antidormi.
“Honey Don’t!” is filming now in New Mexico and will be released by Focus Features, which also released “Drive-Away Dolls,” Ethan Coen’s first feature as a solo director separate from his brother Joel Coen. The new film is reportedly set in Bakersfield, California, with Evans playing a cult leader, Qualley portraying a private investigator, and Plaza as a mystery woman.
Thirteen new actors have joined the cast of “Honey Don’t!” that already includes stars Chris Evans, Margaret Qualley, and Aubrey Plaza. Rounding out the ensemble are “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Charlie Day, “Bros” star and comedian Billy Eichner, and “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” actress Talia Ryder, IndieWire has learned. Also joining the cast are Lera Abova, Jacnier, Gabby Beans, Kristin Connolly, Lena Hall, Don Swayze, Josh Pafchek, Kale Brown, Alexander Carstoiu, and Christin Antidormi.
“Honey Don’t!” is filming now in New Mexico and will be released by Focus Features, which also released “Drive-Away Dolls,” Ethan Coen’s first feature as a solo director separate from his brother Joel Coen. The new film is reportedly set in Bakersfield, California, with Evans playing a cult leader, Qualley portraying a private investigator, and Plaza as a mystery woman.
- 4/19/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
While the world awaits the imminent Coen Brothers reunion (reportedly a horror film!), Ethan Coen is busy at work with partner Tricia Cooke on their second film together, “Honey Don’t!.” The film’s in production now, and Deadline reports that Coen & Cooke had added a slew of new names to their cast list. Among the new players? “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” Charlie Day and comedian Billy Eichner, among others.
Continue reading ‘Honey Don’t!: Ethan Coen & Tricia Cooke’s Upcoming Comedy Adds Charlie Day, Billy Eichner & More at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Honey Don’t!: Ethan Coen & Tricia Cooke’s Upcoming Comedy Adds Charlie Day, Billy Eichner & More at The Playlist.
- 4/19/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Ethan Coen has rounded out the cast for his comedy Honey Don’t! for Focus Features and Working Title, on which we were first to report. Newcomers include Charlie Day (Fool’s Paradise), Billy Eichner (Bros), Lera Abova (Anna), Jacnier (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory National Tour), Gabby Beans (Presumed Innocent), Talia Ryder (Dumb Money), Kristen Connolly (The Cabin in the Woods), Lena Hall (Your Friends & Neighbors), Don Swayze (All Saints Day), Josh Pafchek (Marvel’s Runaways), Kale Browne (Mike), Alexander Carstoiu (Magnolia Flowers) and Christian Antidormi (Netflix’s Lincoln Lawyer).
As previously announced, Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans will lead the ensemble. Details as to the film’s plot are currently under wraps, though it’s said to be in the same vein as Coen’s comedy Drive-Away Dolls, starring Qualley, which Focus released earlier this year. Production is currently underway in New Mexico.
Coen is directing...
As previously announced, Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans will lead the ensemble. Details as to the film’s plot are currently under wraps, though it’s said to be in the same vein as Coen’s comedy Drive-Away Dolls, starring Qualley, which Focus released earlier this year. Production is currently underway in New Mexico.
Coen is directing...
- 4/19/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The 30th anniversary of the original animated film version of “The Lion King” will be celebrated at the Hollywood Bowl next month with a live-to-film concert/screening that will include cast members from both the movie and theatrical versions — and beyond — including Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Billy Eichner, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver and Bradley GIbson.
The shows will take place at the Bowl May 24-25 and be produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, Amp Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva.
The general on-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, with an American Express cardholder presale starting Tuesday at 10 a.m.
“Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary – A Live-to-Film Concert Event” will feature a full orchestra performing the Oscar-winning score composed by Hans Zimmer for the 1994 classic, conducted by Sarah Hicks. But the long tail that film has cast will be part of the celebration as well. The cast...
The shows will take place at the Bowl May 24-25 and be produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, Amp Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva.
The general on-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, with an American Express cardholder presale starting Tuesday at 10 a.m.
“Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary – A Live-to-Film Concert Event” will feature a full orchestra performing the Oscar-winning score composed by Hans Zimmer for the 1994 classic, conducted by Sarah Hicks. But the long tail that film has cast will be part of the celebration as well. The cast...
- 4/15/2024
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Few movies embody the pre-pandemic moviegoing days quite like "The Lion King," an expensive, fully CGI remake of a hand-drawn animation classic, which made over $1.5 billion in 2019 yet rarely seems to come up in pop culture conversations since its release. Whether you loved, hated, or forgot about the box office behemoth, we think its sequel, "Mufasa: The Lion King," is still worth considering. That's because the follow-up film is directed by Barry Jenkins, the wildly talented filmmaker behind Best Picture winner "Moonlight" and the recent Criterion Collection addition "The Underground Railroad," among other masterpieces.
/Film's own Ryan Scott caught an exclusive glimpse of "Mufasa: The Lion King" today in Las Vegas at CinemaCon, where Hollywood goes each year to show off the latest and greatest movies it has to offer. The "Lion King" prequel, which will reportedly tell a new story about a younger Mufasa and Scar, isn't set to...
/Film's own Ryan Scott caught an exclusive glimpse of "Mufasa: The Lion King" today in Las Vegas at CinemaCon, where Hollywood goes each year to show off the latest and greatest movies it has to offer. The "Lion King" prequel, which will reportedly tell a new story about a younger Mufasa and Scar, isn't set to...
- 4/11/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Director Barry Jenkins appeared at his first CinemaCon on Thursday to show off a trailer from Mufasa: The Lion King.
How did an arthouse director and Moonlight Oscar winner take on a four-quadrant movie? He wondered about that himself for a minute, he said, but he told the crowd that he’s seen the original 1994 movie 200 times with his nieces and nephews.
“When the script came to me, I was fascinated by watching these complex people dealing with complex emotions,” Jenkins told attendees at Caesars Palace Colosseum. “This film explores Mufasa’s rise to become the heroic king that we know.”
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ director Barry Jenkins on his personal ties to ‘The Lion King’ – and seeing the movie around 200 times | #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/Bgdb1qbXPH
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) April 12, 2024
The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, and we see that Papa isn’t that different from Simba,...
How did an arthouse director and Moonlight Oscar winner take on a four-quadrant movie? He wondered about that himself for a minute, he said, but he told the crowd that he’s seen the original 1994 movie 200 times with his nieces and nephews.
“When the script came to me, I was fascinated by watching these complex people dealing with complex emotions,” Jenkins told attendees at Caesars Palace Colosseum. “This film explores Mufasa’s rise to become the heroic king that we know.”
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ director Barry Jenkins on his personal ties to ‘The Lion King’ – and seeing the movie around 200 times | #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/Bgdb1qbXPH
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) April 12, 2024
The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, and we see that Papa isn’t that different from Simba,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney is welcoming the king of the Pride Lands back to Las Vegas. The studio unveiled a stirring, all-new trailer of “Mufasa: The Lion King” on Thursday at CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is expected to focus on the early years of the eventual ruler of the animals, as well as his menacing younger brother Scar. The film will feature the voices of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the younger version of Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones in the 1994 film and 2019 remake) and Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons in the 1994 version and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2019 remake).
The brief but majestic footage, which isn’t yet available to the public, explores the same stunningly realistic African savannah as its predecessor and begins with the iconic “Lion King” overture. A young Mufasa is seen leaping over rhinos and all kinds of...
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is expected to focus on the early years of the eventual ruler of the animals, as well as his menacing younger brother Scar. The film will feature the voices of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the younger version of Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones in the 1994 film and 2019 remake) and Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons in the 1994 version and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2019 remake).
The brief but majestic footage, which isn’t yet available to the public, explores the same stunningly realistic African savannah as its predecessor and begins with the iconic “Lion King” overture. A young Mufasa is seen leaping over rhinos and all kinds of...
- 4/11/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Walt Disney Pictures brought the Pride Lands to Sin City. The studio unveiled footage of “Mufasa: The Lion King” at their CinemaCon panel this Monday, showcasing Barry Jenkins’ prequel of the 2019 “Lion King” remake.
Jenkins accompanied the film to Las Vegas at CinemaCon, and he explained to the crowd, “what the director of ‘Moonlight’ is doing here to tell me about an 8-quadrant legacy film.” Well, he said making it was “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”
A photorealistic CGI film in the vein of the 2019 film, “Mufasa: The Lion King” will focus on the ascension of Mufasa (voiced in the prequel by “The Underground Railroad” star Aaron Pierre) to the ruler of the Pride Lands. Kelvin Harrison Jr. will also star as Scar, along with Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner, and John Kani all reprising their roles from the 2019 “Lion King” as Pumbaa, Timon, and Raifiki,...
Jenkins accompanied the film to Las Vegas at CinemaCon, and he explained to the crowd, “what the director of ‘Moonlight’ is doing here to tell me about an 8-quadrant legacy film.” Well, he said making it was “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”
A photorealistic CGI film in the vein of the 2019 film, “Mufasa: The Lion King” will focus on the ascension of Mufasa (voiced in the prequel by “The Underground Railroad” star Aaron Pierre) to the ruler of the Pride Lands. Kelvin Harrison Jr. will also star as Scar, along with Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner, and John Kani all reprising their roles from the 2019 “Lion King” as Pumbaa, Timon, and Raifiki,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Brian Welk and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Mufasa: The Lion King is coming out of the shadows and beginning to practice its roar.
On Tuesday, Disney and director Barry Jenkins played the movie’s first teaser trailer for theater owners gathered together this week in Las Vegas for CinemaCon. The teaser received a resounding round of applause for its stunning visuals and tone, and will be released in the coming weeks.
“It’s an expansive adventure,” said Jenkins when taking the stage.
The curiosity factor is running high when it comes to Mufasa. The music-infused film is an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King, which in turn was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic. “The film features the same immersive, photoreal environment that wowed audiences the first time,” said Disney global distribution president Tony Chambers.
Favreau’s version grossed a massive $1.7 billion at the global box office to become the...
On Tuesday, Disney and director Barry Jenkins played the movie’s first teaser trailer for theater owners gathered together this week in Las Vegas for CinemaCon. The teaser received a resounding round of applause for its stunning visuals and tone, and will be released in the coming weeks.
“It’s an expansive adventure,” said Jenkins when taking the stage.
The curiosity factor is running high when it comes to Mufasa. The music-infused film is an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King, which in turn was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic. “The film features the same immersive, photoreal environment that wowed audiences the first time,” said Disney global distribution president Tony Chambers.
Favreau’s version grossed a massive $1.7 billion at the global box office to become the...
- 4/11/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Shortly after denying Nelson Peltz a seat on the Disney board, the House of Mouse is sharing first looks at two of their upcoming films, Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King. The Hollywood Handle was the first to share the Mufasa image, which Disney debuted as part of the studio’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The picture for Mufasa: The Lion King depicts a young Mufasa standing at the edge of a cliff while staring out at a desaturated Pride Land. The Barry Jenkins-directed sequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 live-action hybrid focuses on Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, and is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.
First look at ‘Mufasa: The Lion King.’
Releasing in theaters on December 20. pic.twitter.com/O902KU3K66
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 3, 2024
Mufasa: The...
First look at ‘Mufasa: The Lion King.’
Releasing in theaters on December 20. pic.twitter.com/O902KU3K66
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 3, 2024
Mufasa: The...
- 4/3/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
A star-studded host committee, Academy Awards nominees and presenters, along with some of the most powerful industry influencers came together on March 9, 2024, for MPTF's 22nd Annual ‘Night Before’ benefit.
Co-Chaired by Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathé, America Ferrera & Ryan Piers-Williams, Jodie Foster, and Paul Giamatti, the annual event raised over $4.3 million.
“MPTF and I have such a rich, wonderful history together of taking care of our own. I’m so proud to support this incredible organization and help raise crucial funds to support our industry family when they need it most,” said Jodie Foster.
America Ferrera stated, “I’m proud to be part of a benefit that brings our community together while helping sustain the important mission of MPTF.”
Sterling K. Brown noted, “I’ve been involved with MPTF for many years and am honored to chair the Night Before with my peers. This is not only a great...
Co-Chaired by Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathé, America Ferrera & Ryan Piers-Williams, Jodie Foster, and Paul Giamatti, the annual event raised over $4.3 million.
“MPTF and I have such a rich, wonderful history together of taking care of our own. I’m so proud to support this incredible organization and help raise crucial funds to support our industry family when they need it most,” said Jodie Foster.
America Ferrera stated, “I’m proud to be part of a benefit that brings our community together while helping sustain the important mission of MPTF.”
Sterling K. Brown noted, “I’ve been involved with MPTF for many years and am honored to chair the Night Before with my peers. This is not only a great...
- 3/14/2024
- Look to the Stars
The 32nd annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party co-hosted by Elton John, David Furnish, Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka and Tiffany Haddish raised a record-breaking $10,800,000 million in support of the Foundation’s lifesaving work to end the AIDS epidemic.
Elton John and David Furnish speak onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party
Credit/Copyright: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation
The star-studded gala took place on Sunday, March 10 at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles and featured an unforgettable show-stopping performance of “Are You Ready For Love” by R&b-Soul-Pop Trio Gabriels and Elton John. The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors, sponsors, and supporters whose unwavering commitment made this incredible achievement in the Foundation’s history possible.
Presenting Sponsors of the event include A+E Networks, Chopard, Gilead Sciences, Health Care Advocates International, Robert and Dana Kraft,...
Elton John and David Furnish speak onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party
Credit/Copyright: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation
The star-studded gala took place on Sunday, March 10 at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles and featured an unforgettable show-stopping performance of “Are You Ready For Love” by R&b-Soul-Pop Trio Gabriels and Elton John. The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors, sponsors, and supporters whose unwavering commitment made this incredible achievement in the Foundation’s history possible.
Presenting Sponsors of the event include A+E Networks, Chopard, Gilead Sciences, Health Care Advocates International, Robert and Dana Kraft,...
- 3/12/2024
- Look to the Stars
The Motion Picture & Television Fund raised more than $4.3 million at its 22nd annual star-studded benefit on Saturday night.
The exclusive event was co-chaired by Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathé, America Ferrera and Ryan Piers-Williams, Jodie Foster and Paul Giamatti.
Funds raised from the event will be used to support industry members and their families who benefit from MPTF’s charitable programs and services, such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and residency on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, which now serves as “home” to many television and film veterans. During the recent work stoppages, MPTF received over 13,000 calls for aid and provided more than $8 million in charitable financial assistance.
“MPTF and I have such a rich, wonderful history together of taking care of our own,” said Foster. “I’m so proud to support this incredible organization and help raise crucial funds to support our industry family when they need it most.
The exclusive event was co-chaired by Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathé, America Ferrera and Ryan Piers-Williams, Jodie Foster and Paul Giamatti.
Funds raised from the event will be used to support industry members and their families who benefit from MPTF’s charitable programs and services, such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and residency on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, which now serves as “home” to many television and film veterans. During the recent work stoppages, MPTF received over 13,000 calls for aid and provided more than $8 million in charitable financial assistance.
“MPTF and I have such a rich, wonderful history together of taking care of our own,” said Foster. “I’m so proud to support this incredible organization and help raise crucial funds to support our industry family when they need it most.
- 3/10/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There’s something uniquely cinematic about romantic comedies — something that makes them a natural fit for the movies and vice-versa. There’s an intoxicating alchemy that allows us to believe in the magic of meet-cutes, happily-ever-afters, and all the agonizing contrivances that tend to pop up between the two. Love it seems gives storytellers permission to transpose the stuff of operas and fables into the fabric of real (or at least overly glossed but still recognizable) life.
On paper, a film like “Pretty Woman” might be a retrograde fairy tale about a sex worker with a heart of gold and the rich businessman who can afford it, but the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is so explosive that you surrender to the sentiment of it all. Literally nothing in Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” makes sense if you stop and think about it for even a few seconds. The...
On paper, a film like “Pretty Woman” might be a retrograde fairy tale about a sex worker with a heart of gold and the rich businessman who can afford it, but the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is so explosive that you surrender to the sentiment of it all. Literally nothing in Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” makes sense if you stop and think about it for even a few seconds. The...
- 2/14/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
It’s a chilly Sunday night in Manhattan’s West Village and somehow the hottest ticket in town involves a sexually repressed Abraham Lincoln, hoop skirts, and comedian Cole Escola in a wildly convincing nineteenth-century wig.
There’s a line down the block outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and inside, the energy builds as patrons make their way through packed halls and walkways to their seats. Queer isn’t just a vibe here, it’s built into the streets — just three blocks from the Stonewall Inn — etched into the gold stars on the sidewalk,...
There’s a line down the block outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and inside, the energy builds as patrons make their way through packed halls and walkways to their seats. Queer isn’t just a vibe here, it’s built into the streets — just three blocks from the Stonewall Inn — etched into the gold stars on the sidewalk,...
- 2/6/2024
- by CT Jones
- Rollingstone.com
The stars came out for Kate.
Kate Berlant’s one-woman show with the one name title opened at the Pasadena Playhouse on Jan. 21, and the night featured a parade of bold-faced names in the 91101. Checking out the 75-minute production — written and performed by Berlant with direction by Bo Burnham — were Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Olivia Wilde, Kumail Nanjiani, Vanessa Bayer, Bob Odenkirk, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly, Nathan Fielder, Billy Eichner, Lionel Boyce, Abbi Jacobson, Rachel Sennott, Jordan Firstman, Reggie Watts, Paul Downs, Vanessa Bayer and Chelsea Peretti. Also, there was the show’s director Burnham with rumored girlfriend Phoebe Bridgers.
The stars responded to the show, which “explores the events of her life that have brought her to this moment,” with a standing ovation. Before that, however, they lined up for pics on a step-and-repeat that featured oversized images of Berlant in various poses (seen above). Drinks and light...
Kate Berlant’s one-woman show with the one name title opened at the Pasadena Playhouse on Jan. 21, and the night featured a parade of bold-faced names in the 91101. Checking out the 75-minute production — written and performed by Berlant with direction by Bo Burnham — were Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Olivia Wilde, Kumail Nanjiani, Vanessa Bayer, Bob Odenkirk, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly, Nathan Fielder, Billy Eichner, Lionel Boyce, Abbi Jacobson, Rachel Sennott, Jordan Firstman, Reggie Watts, Paul Downs, Vanessa Bayer and Chelsea Peretti. Also, there was the show’s director Burnham with rumored girlfriend Phoebe Bridgers.
The stars responded to the show, which “explores the events of her life that have brought her to this moment,” with a standing ovation. Before that, however, they lined up for pics on a step-and-repeat that featured oversized images of Berlant in various poses (seen above). Drinks and light...
- 1/23/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kate Berlant had the support of many celeb friends at the opening night performance of her one-woman play Kate!
An L.A. crowd including Olivia Wilde and Brie Larson stepped out to attend the performance on Sunday night (January 21) at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, Calif.
Tatiana Maslany, Billy Eichner, Molly Shannon, Martha Plimpton, John C. Reilly and wife Alison Dickey, Kumail Nanjiani and wife Emily V. Gordon, Vanessa Bayer, D’Arcy Carden, Zoe Lister-Jones, cute couple Abbi Jacobson and Jodi Balfour, Bob Odenkirk, Lionel Boyce, Natasha Leggero, Chelsea Peretti, Timothy Simons, and Cazzie David were among the stars there.
Brie (who attended with a new rumored boyfriend) and Maya Rudolph aren’t pictured, but were both in attendance.
In the play, which previously had a sold-out run in New York, Kate explores the events of her life that have brought her to this moment. Embodying many characters in this tour de force performance,...
An L.A. crowd including Olivia Wilde and Brie Larson stepped out to attend the performance on Sunday night (January 21) at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, Calif.
Tatiana Maslany, Billy Eichner, Molly Shannon, Martha Plimpton, John C. Reilly and wife Alison Dickey, Kumail Nanjiani and wife Emily V. Gordon, Vanessa Bayer, D’Arcy Carden, Zoe Lister-Jones, cute couple Abbi Jacobson and Jodi Balfour, Bob Odenkirk, Lionel Boyce, Natasha Leggero, Chelsea Peretti, Timothy Simons, and Cazzie David were among the stars there.
Brie (who attended with a new rumored boyfriend) and Maya Rudolph aren’t pictured, but were both in attendance.
In the play, which previously had a sold-out run in New York, Kate explores the events of her life that have brought her to this moment. Embodying many characters in this tour de force performance,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Just as movie theaters seemed to finally recover from the pandemic — and the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon augured a new age of bold studio filmmaking — here comes 2024 to (potentially) spoil the party.
It’s not just that studios pushed many potential blockbusters into 2025 amid Hollywood’s labor strikes. It’s that hardly any of the movies still on the calendar appear to have wind at their backs.
Here’s just a sampling of how 2024 could unfold at the box office.
Sure Thing
“Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.)
Release date: March 1
Thrill factor: In the time since “Dune: Part One” grossed $402 million globally (which is not nothing; the sci-fi epic debuted simultaneously on HBO Max), Timothée Chalamet only cemented his star power with “Wonka.” And Zendaya actually gets some screen time in the sequel.
Chill factor: The box office has been completely unpredictable post-pandemic. Who would have guessed that “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” would...
It’s not just that studios pushed many potential blockbusters into 2025 amid Hollywood’s labor strikes. It’s that hardly any of the movies still on the calendar appear to have wind at their backs.
Here’s just a sampling of how 2024 could unfold at the box office.
Sure Thing
“Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.)
Release date: March 1
Thrill factor: In the time since “Dune: Part One” grossed $402 million globally (which is not nothing; the sci-fi epic debuted simultaneously on HBO Max), Timothée Chalamet only cemented his star power with “Wonka.” And Zendaya actually gets some screen time in the sequel.
Chill factor: The box office has been completely unpredictable post-pandemic. Who would have guessed that “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” would...
- 1/3/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin and Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Luke Macfarlane opened up about past crushes, his history with the Hallmark Channel and his starring role in Billy Eichner‘s queer romcom Bros during an interview with Daniel Tosh.
The 43-year-old actor sat down for a lengthy conversation on the Tosh Show podcast.
During it, he spoke candidly about the 16 movies he’s done for the Hallmark Channel, touching on everything from the types of roles he’s starred in and the pay. Luke even weighed in on controversial actress Candace Cameron Bure who left the network and if the network actors are competitive with one another.
He also reflected on the misfiring of Bros, which was a darling with critics but failed to net success at the box office. On the topic of the movie, he revealed one Nsfw scene that cost $30,000 but was cut from the final script.
Luke was also playfully put on blast for one...
The 43-year-old actor sat down for a lengthy conversation on the Tosh Show podcast.
During it, he spoke candidly about the 16 movies he’s done for the Hallmark Channel, touching on everything from the types of roles he’s starred in and the pay. Luke even weighed in on controversial actress Candace Cameron Bure who left the network and if the network actors are competitive with one another.
He also reflected on the misfiring of Bros, which was a darling with critics but failed to net success at the box office. On the topic of the movie, he revealed one Nsfw scene that cost $30,000 but was cut from the final script.
Luke was also playfully put on blast for one...
- 12/28/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Canada, the home of winter, looks to have no shortage of snowy inns set against fairytale-like landscapes with piles and piles of the white, fluffy stuff.
That’s because Hallmark, long a major producer of Christmas TV movies, shoots a lot of holiday flicks in Canada, even if the plotlines are set south of the border. So do a lot of other U.S. producers for whom British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario offer real snow, iconic mountains and other varied wintry locations to keep American producers in furry parkas coming north with their cameras and Hollywood stars.
In fact, there’s more to budget-friendly production tricks than fake snow on these TV movie shoots, as humble Canada stands in small-town America strung with colorful lights. Shooting north of the border allows producers to tap generous tax breaks and currency savings, seasoned local actors and crews and ample studios and costume...
That’s because Hallmark, long a major producer of Christmas TV movies, shoots a lot of holiday flicks in Canada, even if the plotlines are set south of the border. So do a lot of other U.S. producers for whom British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario offer real snow, iconic mountains and other varied wintry locations to keep American producers in furry parkas coming north with their cameras and Hollywood stars.
In fact, there’s more to budget-friendly production tricks than fake snow on these TV movie shoots, as humble Canada stands in small-town America strung with colorful lights. Shooting north of the border allows producers to tap generous tax breaks and currency savings, seasoned local actors and crews and ample studios and costume...
- 12/25/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This week’s Saturday Night Live cold open gave us a C-span report on the GOP-led Congress’ bizarre hearing this week consisting of testimony from a trio of university presidents on the subject of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses. There was: MIT president Sally Kornbluth (Chloe Fineman), University of Pennsylvania president Elizabeth Magill (Heidi Gardner), and Harvard president Dr. Claudine Gay (Ego Nwodim).
Maga minion Rep. Elise Stefanik (played by Chloe Troast) kicked off the proceedings, saying, “Now, I’m going to start screaming questions at these women like I’m Billy Eichner.
Maga minion Rep. Elise Stefanik (played by Chloe Troast) kicked off the proceedings, saying, “Now, I’m going to start screaming questions at these women like I’m Billy Eichner.
- 12/10/2023
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
Just hours after Liz Magill resigned as president of the University of Pennsylvania over the evasive answers she and two other academic leaders gave in a testimony at a House hearing this week, the three were being mocked on the Saturday Night Live cold open.
So was Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-ny), the Trump-supporting congresswoman whose queries nevertheless triggered a bipartisan furor directed at university presidents, who have been faced with weeks of protests on their campuses over the Israel-Gaza war. In clips that went viral this week, Stefanik asked whether someone calling “for the genocide of Jews” would violate the schools’ code of conduct. The university presidents did not answer “yes” or “no” and instead gave nuanced responses.
In the SNL skit, staged as C-span coverage, the three gave even more opaque answers.
As an amped up Maga star, Chloe Troast’s Stefanik shouts at the university presidents, “screaming questions...
So was Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-ny), the Trump-supporting congresswoman whose queries nevertheless triggered a bipartisan furor directed at university presidents, who have been faced with weeks of protests on their campuses over the Israel-Gaza war. In clips that went viral this week, Stefanik asked whether someone calling “for the genocide of Jews” would violate the schools’ code of conduct. The university presidents did not answer “yes” or “no” and instead gave nuanced responses.
In the SNL skit, staged as C-span coverage, the three gave even more opaque answers.
As an amped up Maga star, Chloe Troast’s Stefanik shouts at the university presidents, “screaming questions...
- 12/10/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
As the U.S. surpasses 240 school shootings in 2023, setting the stage for a record-breaking year of gun violence in schools, Sandy Hook Promise (Shp) is launching “Just Joking,” its latest public service announcement (PSA) to underscore how important it is to take threats of gun violence seriously.
The PSA features a lineup of renowned comedians – including Billy Eichner, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Jay Pharoah, Roy Wood Jr., Caitlin Reilly, David Cross, Iliza Shlesinger and Rachel Bloom – who lend their wit to deliver a sobering message: Threats are not jokes. If you see a warning sign of violence, always say something.
In the PSA, audience members assume that comedians are performing regular stand-up routines and “Just Joking.” However, it is later revealed that what the audience thought were punchlines were actually all real threats made by school shooters across the country – including the shooter at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX who...
The PSA features a lineup of renowned comedians – including Billy Eichner, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Jay Pharoah, Roy Wood Jr., Caitlin Reilly, David Cross, Iliza Shlesinger and Rachel Bloom – who lend their wit to deliver a sobering message: Threats are not jokes. If you see a warning sign of violence, always say something.
In the PSA, audience members assume that comedians are performing regular stand-up routines and “Just Joking.” However, it is later revealed that what the audience thought were punchlines were actually all real threats made by school shooters across the country – including the shooter at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX who...
- 10/4/2023
- Look to the Stars
The Creative Coalition’s annual Humanitarian Awards takes place the week of the Primetime Emmys — but even though the big show was pushed to January, the benefit luncheon still took place on Thursday, Sept. 14 at the La Peer Hotel rooftop in West Hollywood, attracting a wide range of honorees and presenters.
The Humanitarian Awards recognizes talent who donate their time, resources and their celebrity to promote worthy social causes. This year, honors went to Jason Alexander, Pauline Chalamet, Billy Eichner, Wendie Malick, Arian Moayed and Lena Waithe, as well as Josefina López, who was saluted with the Your Voice Carries Weight award. Presenters included Alyssa Milano, Cazzie David, Lawrence O’Donnell, Gloria Calderón Kellet, Samantha Hanratty, Debbie Levin, Bradley Whitford and Darnell Moore.
Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton hosted the luncheon, which opened with remarks from The Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk; both cited the org’s continued fight for arts funding and education.
The Humanitarian Awards recognizes talent who donate their time, resources and their celebrity to promote worthy social causes. This year, honors went to Jason Alexander, Pauline Chalamet, Billy Eichner, Wendie Malick, Arian Moayed and Lena Waithe, as well as Josefina López, who was saluted with the Your Voice Carries Weight award. Presenters included Alyssa Milano, Cazzie David, Lawrence O’Donnell, Gloria Calderón Kellet, Samantha Hanratty, Debbie Levin, Bradley Whitford and Darnell Moore.
Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton hosted the luncheon, which opened with remarks from The Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk; both cited the org’s continued fight for arts funding and education.
- 9/25/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
It's been a tough stretch for theatrical comedy over the last couple of years, save for a couple of hit rom-coms in "The Lost City" and "Ticket to Paradise." Beyond that, comedy has largely had to fight for scraps at the box office, with even Billy Eichner's well-liked "Bros" bombing in downright disconcerting fashion. But as the fall season approaches, MGM and Orion are hoping to break through with "Bottoms," an irreverent and wildly acclaimed comedy that stars Rachel Sennott and "The Bear" breakout Ayo Edebiri.
It's difficult to find comparisons for a movie like this in terms of a wide-release theatrical comedy. Having seen the movie, I can confidently say it's wildly original and straight-up bonkers. I would look at "Bros" doing just $14.7 million worldwide as the floor in a worst-case scenario. Oddly, I would look at something like "Barbarian," which had that "you need to see this...
It's difficult to find comparisons for a movie like this in terms of a wide-release theatrical comedy. Having seen the movie, I can confidently say it's wildly original and straight-up bonkers. I would look at "Bros" doing just $14.7 million worldwide as the floor in a worst-case scenario. Oddly, I would look at something like "Barbarian," which had that "you need to see this...
- 8/25/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Veteran actor Patricia Clarkson thinks it’s time for her “Monica” co-star Trace Lysette to play the love interest of the “hot guys in Hollywood.”
“The next big step is to play opposite Brad Pitt,” she tells Variety. “It’s time for her to be the love interest of these stars. It’s where she belongs.”
The two actors are both on the awards circuit for the critically acclaimed drama which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival last year, resulting in Lysette receiving an 11-minute standing ovation. The “Transparent” actor was the first openly transgender performer to headline a film in competition at the oldest running festival in the world. After acquiring the movie in December, IFC Films released it in theaters on May 12, 10 days after the start of the WGA strike.
Now, the poignant drama is among the first movies previously released in theaters to receive...
“The next big step is to play opposite Brad Pitt,” she tells Variety. “It’s time for her to be the love interest of these stars. It’s where she belongs.”
The two actors are both on the awards circuit for the critically acclaimed drama which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival last year, resulting in Lysette receiving an 11-minute standing ovation. The “Transparent” actor was the first openly transgender performer to headline a film in competition at the oldest running festival in the world. After acquiring the movie in December, IFC Films released it in theaters on May 12, 10 days after the start of the WGA strike.
Now, the poignant drama is among the first movies previously released in theaters to receive...
- 8/25/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The annual report from USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that Universal’s “Bros” accounted for 80% of the transgender characters in the 100 top-grossing movies of 2022.
According to the study, just 87 of 4,169 speaking or named characters (2.1%) in 2022 movies were LGBTQ+. Of that number, five characters identified as transgender and four of them appeared in “Bros.”
Written by and starring Billy Eichner, the film made history as the first gay rom-com to be given a wide theatrical release by a major studio and featured a cast almost exclusively made up of LGBTQ actors. The film was released in September 2022 and despite disappointing box office returns (“Bros” earned just $14.7 million worldwide), qualified under the Annenberg researchers’ criteria.
Authored by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Dr. Katherine Pieper and Sam Wheeler, the study assessed a total of 69,858 speaking characters covering the 1,600 top films from 2007 to 2022, examining the inclusion factors of gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity and characters with disabilities,...
According to the study, just 87 of 4,169 speaking or named characters (2.1%) in 2022 movies were LGBTQ+. Of that number, five characters identified as transgender and four of them appeared in “Bros.”
Written by and starring Billy Eichner, the film made history as the first gay rom-com to be given a wide theatrical release by a major studio and featured a cast almost exclusively made up of LGBTQ actors. The film was released in September 2022 and despite disappointing box office returns (“Bros” earned just $14.7 million worldwide), qualified under the Annenberg researchers’ criteria.
Authored by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Dr. Katherine Pieper and Sam Wheeler, the study assessed a total of 69,858 speaking characters covering the 1,600 top films from 2007 to 2022, examining the inclusion factors of gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity and characters with disabilities,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released its annual report Thursday on Hollywood’s track record on including women and people of color in front of and behind the camera, and the data shows little improvement in 2022.
The study, led by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, examined the top 100 grossing films in each year from 2007 to 2022, covering 69,858 speaking roles. While the female share of leading roles rose to a record 44% in 2022, the share of overall speaking roles stood at just 34.6%, marking no improvement from 2021 and only 4.7 percentage points higher than 2007.
In addition, only 15% of the top films surveyed in 2022 had a speaking role female share of at least 45%, same as in 2007.
“It is clear that the entertainment industry has little desire or motivation to improve casting processes in a way that creates meaningful change for girls and women,” Smith said. “The lack of progress is particularly disappointing following decades of activism and advocacy.
The study, led by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, examined the top 100 grossing films in each year from 2007 to 2022, covering 69,858 speaking roles. While the female share of leading roles rose to a record 44% in 2022, the share of overall speaking roles stood at just 34.6%, marking no improvement from 2021 and only 4.7 percentage points higher than 2007.
In addition, only 15% of the top films surveyed in 2022 had a speaking role female share of at least 45%, same as in 2007.
“It is clear that the entertainment industry has little desire or motivation to improve casting processes in a way that creates meaningful change for girls and women,” Smith said. “The lack of progress is particularly disappointing following decades of activism and advocacy.
- 8/17/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
One of the genres that has struggled most in the post-pandemic landscape theatrically is comedy. Divorced of movies connected to major franchises, straight-up comedy has had a tough go outside of streaming in recent years, with only romcoms like "The Lost City" and "Ticket to Paradise" truly breaking out as unqualified success stories. Be that as it may, Universal Pictures is entering the late summer fold with an R-rated comedy in the form of "Strays," which features an A-list cast as talking dogs. Will the gimmick work? It just might.
Box Office Pro currently has the film taking in between $15 and $25 million on its opening weekend next week. That would put it in a tight race with Warner Bros. and DC's "Blue Beetle," which is eyeing a $13 to $18 million start. It is pretty damn interesting that we're at a place where an R-rated comedy, in which Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx voice foul-mouthed dogs,...
Box Office Pro currently has the film taking in between $15 and $25 million on its opening weekend next week. That would put it in a tight race with Warner Bros. and DC's "Blue Beetle," which is eyeing a $13 to $18 million start. It is pretty damn interesting that we're at a place where an R-rated comedy, in which Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx voice foul-mouthed dogs,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Kevin Spacey has addressed his controversial 2017 statement in which he came out as gay in response to Anthony Rapp’s accusation of sexual misconduct.
“Members of the LGBTQ+ community were upset because I came out while I was responding to an accusation and now I understand why it was read that way,” Spacey told a court in London, U.K. “It wasn’t how I intended it.” The actor is giving evidence in the third week of his trial at Southwark Crown Court. He has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of sexual assault against four different men.
In 2017, Rapp was the first man to come forward publicly with his allegation of sexual misconduct, telling Buzzfeed the “House of Cards” actor had made sexual advances towards Rapp at a party when Rapp was 14 years old.
Spacey set out the circumstances surrounding the statement, which was widely condemned by peers at the time including Billy Eichner,...
“Members of the LGBTQ+ community were upset because I came out while I was responding to an accusation and now I understand why it was read that way,” Spacey told a court in London, U.K. “It wasn’t how I intended it.” The actor is giving evidence in the third week of his trial at Southwark Crown Court. He has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of sexual assault against four different men.
In 2017, Rapp was the first man to come forward publicly with his allegation of sexual misconduct, telling Buzzfeed the “House of Cards” actor had made sexual advances towards Rapp at a party when Rapp was 14 years old.
Spacey set out the circumstances surrounding the statement, which was widely condemned by peers at the time including Billy Eichner,...
- 7/13/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Bros star Luke Macfarlane can add another title to his resume: Dad!
He announced on social media that he and his partner, Hig Roberts, are parents to a daughter.
On Instagram, Macfarlane said, “Tess Eleanor Macfarlane – Born June 4, 2023. We started life with some hectic days and received world-class care. On Father’s Day, we got to take her home. Her Dads can’t wait to introduce her to all the remarkable people and the beautiful world we live in.”
Along with the sweet words, he released pictures and videos – one of which was the couple exiting the hospital with their new infant.
A number of Macfarlane’s costars showed their love for him on social media.
> Celebrity Kids & Their Famous Parents – Slideshow!
Comedian Billy Eichner, who played alongside Macfarlane in Bros, responded with many heart emojis.
Allison Sweeney, who starred with Luke in Hallmark’s A Magical Christmas Village, wrote,...
He announced on social media that he and his partner, Hig Roberts, are parents to a daughter.
On Instagram, Macfarlane said, “Tess Eleanor Macfarlane – Born June 4, 2023. We started life with some hectic days and received world-class care. On Father’s Day, we got to take her home. Her Dads can’t wait to introduce her to all the remarkable people and the beautiful world we live in.”
Along with the sweet words, he released pictures and videos – one of which was the couple exiting the hospital with their new infant.
A number of Macfarlane’s costars showed their love for him on social media.
> Celebrity Kids & Their Famous Parents – Slideshow!
Comedian Billy Eichner, who played alongside Macfarlane in Bros, responded with many heart emojis.
Allison Sweeney, who starred with Luke in Hallmark’s A Magical Christmas Village, wrote,...
- 7/1/2023
- by Bita Shokrian
- Uinterview
It’s been an eventful year for Luke Macfarlane, who reunites with Bros director Nick Stoller for Apple TV+’s comedy series Platonic alongside Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne.
In the show that hails from co-creators Stoller and Francesca Delbanco and is currently streaming, Macfarlane plays attorney Charlie, who is raising three children with wife Sylvia (Byrne) and has to adjust to her rekindled friendship with the unpredictable Will (Rogen).
Macfarlane has had a full plate recently, having co-starred opposite Billy Eichner in last fall’s Universal release Bros, which spurred plenty of debate when it underperformed at the box office. He is also known for his Christmas films, including starring in numerous Hallmark projects and appearing in Netflix’s 2021 feature Single All the Way, which was the streamer’s first rom-com to focus on LGBTQ lead characters.
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Macfarlane weighs in on why...
In the show that hails from co-creators Stoller and Francesca Delbanco and is currently streaming, Macfarlane plays attorney Charlie, who is raising three children with wife Sylvia (Byrne) and has to adjust to her rekindled friendship with the unpredictable Will (Rogen).
Macfarlane has had a full plate recently, having co-starred opposite Billy Eichner in last fall’s Universal release Bros, which spurred plenty of debate when it underperformed at the box office. He is also known for his Christmas films, including starring in numerous Hallmark projects and appearing in Netflix’s 2021 feature Single All the Way, which was the streamer’s first rom-com to focus on LGBTQ lead characters.
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Macfarlane weighs in on why...
- 7/1/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced that more than 250 LGBTQ and ally actors, notables, and other leaders signed a public letter created by GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign (Hrc) calling on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter to better enforce hate speech, harassment, misinformation, and other existing content policies aimed at protecting transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming users and all LGBTQ people.
The full letter and list of signatories can be found here.
The celebrities, influencers, and prominent public figures include: Alyssa Milano, Alan Cumming, Alok, Amber Ruffin, Amy Landecker, Amy Schumer, Angelica Ross, Annaleigh Ashford, Ariana Grande, Arisce Wanzer, Avan Jogia, Barbie Ferreira, Bebe Rexha, Bella Ramsey, Ben Barnes, Benito Skinner, Bethany Cosentino, Billy Eichner, Billy Porter, Bobby Berk, Bretman Rock, Brian Michael Smith, Busy Philipps, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Chella Man, Cheyenne Jackson, Christa Miller, Chris Perfetti,...
The full letter and list of signatories can be found here.
The celebrities, influencers, and prominent public figures include: Alyssa Milano, Alan Cumming, Alok, Amber Ruffin, Amy Landecker, Amy Schumer, Angelica Ross, Annaleigh Ashford, Ariana Grande, Arisce Wanzer, Avan Jogia, Barbie Ferreira, Bebe Rexha, Bella Ramsey, Ben Barnes, Benito Skinner, Bethany Cosentino, Billy Eichner, Billy Porter, Bobby Berk, Bretman Rock, Brian Michael Smith, Busy Philipps, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Chella Man, Cheyenne Jackson, Christa Miller, Chris Perfetti,...
- 6/28/2023
- Look to the Stars
A group of more than 400 actors — including Oscar winners Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Rami Malek — are urging SAG-AFTRA leaders to take a harder line as contract talks reach a critical point.
The members sent an internal letter Tuesday to the union’s negotiating committee and the leadership. They emphasized that “we are prepared to strike if it comes to that.”
“And we are concerned by the idea that SAG-AFTRA members may be ready to make sacrifices that leadership is not,” they continued.
The contract expires on Friday, and the leadership has the power to call a strike as soon as Saturday if no agreement is reached.
In the letter, the members urged their negotiators not to settle for anything less than a “transformative deal.”
“This is not a moment to meet in the middle, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the eyes of history are on all of us,...
The members sent an internal letter Tuesday to the union’s negotiating committee and the leadership. They emphasized that “we are prepared to strike if it comes to that.”
“And we are concerned by the idea that SAG-AFTRA members may be ready to make sacrifices that leadership is not,” they continued.
The contract expires on Friday, and the leadership has the power to call a strike as soon as Saturday if no agreement is reached.
In the letter, the members urged their negotiators not to settle for anything less than a “transformative deal.”
“This is not a moment to meet in the middle, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the eyes of history are on all of us,...
- 6/28/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign have teamed to issue a public letter signed by more than 250 notable names that urges CEOs of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Twitter to help curb anti-lgbtq hate on their platforms by better enforcing policies that protect that community.
The full list of signatories includes allies and LGBTQ talent like Elliot Page, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Amy Landecker, Amy Schumer, Angelica Ross, Bebe Rexha, Bella Ramsey, Ben Barnes, Billy Eichner, Billy Porter, Busy Philipps, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Cheyenne Jackson, Cynthia Nixon, Dylan Mulvaney, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Hailey Bieber, Hannah Gadsby, Janelle Monáe, Jinkx Monsoon, Judd Apatow, Kal Penn, Kendrick Sampson, Lena Dunham, Lena Waithe, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Niecy Nash Betts, Patrick Stewart, Patti LuPone, Ramy Youssef, Rosario Dawson, Sam Smith, Sara Bareilles, Sia, Shawn Mendes, Taika Waititi, Zoe Chao, Zooey Deschanel and others.
The letter is addressed to Mark Zuckerberg,...
The full list of signatories includes allies and LGBTQ talent like Elliot Page, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Amy Landecker, Amy Schumer, Angelica Ross, Bebe Rexha, Bella Ramsey, Ben Barnes, Billy Eichner, Billy Porter, Busy Philipps, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Cheyenne Jackson, Cynthia Nixon, Dylan Mulvaney, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Hailey Bieber, Hannah Gadsby, Janelle Monáe, Jinkx Monsoon, Judd Apatow, Kal Penn, Kendrick Sampson, Lena Dunham, Lena Waithe, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Niecy Nash Betts, Patrick Stewart, Patti LuPone, Ramy Youssef, Rosario Dawson, Sam Smith, Sara Bareilles, Sia, Shawn Mendes, Taika Waititi, Zoe Chao, Zooey Deschanel and others.
The letter is addressed to Mark Zuckerberg,...
- 6/27/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jennifer Lawrence’s new R-rated comedy, “No Hard Feelings,” hits theaters this weekend and made $2.15 million in previews at the box office.
The raunchy comedy from Sony is predicted to open with a soft $12 million in its opening weekend, which may not bode well considering its $45 million budget. It’s been a tough time for R-rated comedies at the box office lately, with the once profitable genre nearly going extinct. Besides this year’s “Cocaine Bear,” which made $87 million worldwide, the last few comedies, like Sony and Bert Kreischer’s “The Machine,” Billy Eichner’s “Bros,” Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro’s “About My Father” and Jo Koy’s “Easter Sunday,” haven’t not found much box office success.
Lawrence stars as Maddie, an Uber driver facing bankruptcy after her car is repossessed, in “No Hard Feelings.” But her luck changes when she accepts an odd Craigslist ad from...
The raunchy comedy from Sony is predicted to open with a soft $12 million in its opening weekend, which may not bode well considering its $45 million budget. It’s been a tough time for R-rated comedies at the box office lately, with the once profitable genre nearly going extinct. Besides this year’s “Cocaine Bear,” which made $87 million worldwide, the last few comedies, like Sony and Bert Kreischer’s “The Machine,” Billy Eichner’s “Bros,” Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro’s “About My Father” and Jo Koy’s “Easter Sunday,” haven’t not found much box office success.
Lawrence stars as Maddie, an Uber driver facing bankruptcy after her car is repossessed, in “No Hard Feelings.” But her luck changes when she accepts an odd Craigslist ad from...
- 6/23/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Can an R-rated comedy that draws big laughs still bring in outsized ticket sales at the box office?
Jennifer Lawrence’s “No Hard Feelings” will put that question to the test as the raunchy funny film opens over the weekend in 3,000 North American theaters, where it’s expected to earn a tepid $12 million in its debut.
That’s not a terrible result at a time in which theatrical comedies, especially of the R-rated variety, have become something of endangered species. But it also wouldn’t be a great start considering its star power, $45 million budget and prime June release date. Earlier this year, Universal’s wild R-rated “Cocaine Bear” opened to $23.2 million — and (with all due respect to the drugged-up grizzly) that film wasn’t headlined by one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Attendance at the domestic box office will be crucial for “No Hard Feelings” because broad comedies...
Jennifer Lawrence’s “No Hard Feelings” will put that question to the test as the raunchy funny film opens over the weekend in 3,000 North American theaters, where it’s expected to earn a tepid $12 million in its debut.
That’s not a terrible result at a time in which theatrical comedies, especially of the R-rated variety, have become something of endangered species. But it also wouldn’t be a great start considering its star power, $45 million budget and prime June release date. Earlier this year, Universal’s wild R-rated “Cocaine Bear” opened to $23.2 million — and (with all due respect to the drugged-up grizzly) that film wasn’t headlined by one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Attendance at the domestic box office will be crucial for “No Hard Feelings” because broad comedies...
- 6/21/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Billy Eichner is honoring the cultural impact of “Sex and the City” on the queer community.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the “Satc” premiere, Eichner spoke with People magazine about the impact of seeing real gay bars onscreen in the New York City-based HBO series.
“My girlfriends and my gay friends were the exact right people to be pulled in by ‘Sex and the City,'” Eichner said. “I would have people over to my apartment every Sunday night and we would watch it religiously. It was one of the only shows that created what, at that time, felt like a more authentic — not perfectly authentic — look at gay men and our relationships with women.”
The “Bros” star added, “The conversations the women were having felt like conversations that I was having with my friends. You just never saw them depicted that way. It was representing women and gay men,...
To mark the 25th anniversary of the “Satc” premiere, Eichner spoke with People magazine about the impact of seeing real gay bars onscreen in the New York City-based HBO series.
“My girlfriends and my gay friends were the exact right people to be pulled in by ‘Sex and the City,'” Eichner said. “I would have people over to my apartment every Sunday night and we would watch it religiously. It was one of the only shows that created what, at that time, felt like a more authentic — not perfectly authentic — look at gay men and our relationships with women.”
The “Bros” star added, “The conversations the women were having felt like conversations that I was having with my friends. You just never saw them depicted that way. It was representing women and gay men,...
- 6/3/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The last few years have not only brought LGBTQ films and stories further into the mainstream, but queer movies have dominated awards seasons and found commercial success in unlikely places.
Lydia Tár — played by “Carol” star and esteemed lesbian (adjacent?) icon Cate Blanchett — dominated the 2022 Oscars race and became a well-worn touchstone in the year’s critical film and cancel culture conversations. The summer before that, Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller made history with Universal Pictures’ “Bros,” among the first ever gay rom-coms funded by a major studio: an important victory — even if that film did go, uh, soft at the box office.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg on another banner year for queer film: at least one win in a hard-fought cultural movement, seemingly poised to face new challenges in the not-so-distant future.
New Queer Cinema was a major influence on the indie film boom of the ’90s,...
Lydia Tár — played by “Carol” star and esteemed lesbian (adjacent?) icon Cate Blanchett — dominated the 2022 Oscars race and became a well-worn touchstone in the year’s critical film and cancel culture conversations. The summer before that, Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller made history with Universal Pictures’ “Bros,” among the first ever gay rom-coms funded by a major studio: an important victory — even if that film did go, uh, soft at the box office.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg on another banner year for queer film: at least one win in a hard-fought cultural movement, seemingly poised to face new challenges in the not-so-distant future.
New Queer Cinema was a major influence on the indie film boom of the ’90s,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio, Jude Dry and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Clockwise from top left: Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (YouTube @therock), Billy Magnussen (Walt Disney Pictures), Mufasa (Walt Disney Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club
The Little Mermaid is set to make waves at the box office this weekend, the latest...
The Little Mermaid is set to make waves at the box office this weekend, the latest...
- 5/22/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Charlize Theron thinks anyone who opposes drag is a monster.
The “Monster” Oscar winner and “Fast X” star participated in a “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon alongside Elizabeth Banks, Jesse Eisenberg, Billy Eichner, Sarah Silverman, Adam Lambert, Marcia Gay Harden, and more LGBTQ+ allies. Theron vowed to “fuck anybody up” who is against drag queens in response to proposed bills in states like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Montana banning public drag performances.
“We love you, queens. We’re in your corner and we’ve got you,” Theron said in a video. “I will fuck anybody up who’s trying to fuck with anything with you guys. There are so many things that are hurting and, really, killing our kids, and we all know what I’m talking about right now and it ain’t no drag queen.”
Theron continued, “If you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip-sync for her life,...
The “Monster” Oscar winner and “Fast X” star participated in a “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon alongside Elizabeth Banks, Jesse Eisenberg, Billy Eichner, Sarah Silverman, Adam Lambert, Marcia Gay Harden, and more LGBTQ+ allies. Theron vowed to “fuck anybody up” who is against drag queens in response to proposed bills in states like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Montana banning public drag performances.
“We love you, queens. We’re in your corner and we’ve got you,” Theron said in a video. “I will fuck anybody up who’s trying to fuck with anything with you guys. There are so many things that are hurting and, really, killing our kids, and we all know what I’m talking about right now and it ain’t no drag queen.”
Theron continued, “If you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip-sync for her life,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Charlize Theron participated in the recent “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon and sent a stern message to conservative lawmakers seeking to ban drag queens from performing: “We love you queens. We’re in your corner and we’ve got you, and I will fuck anybody up who’s trying to fuck with anything with you guys.”
“There are so many things that are hurting and, really, killing our kids, and we all know what I’m talking about right now and it ain’t no drag queen,” Theron said in a video. “If you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip-sync for her life, it only makes you happier, it only make you love more, it makes you a better person,”
“Please support all the great organizations that are out there helping all of this nonsense go away like it should,” the Oscar winner added. “All of these incredibly stupid policies.
“There are so many things that are hurting and, really, killing our kids, and we all know what I’m talking about right now and it ain’t no drag queen,” Theron said in a video. “If you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip-sync for her life, it only makes you happier, it only make you love more, it makes you a better person,”
“Please support all the great organizations that are out there helping all of this nonsense go away like it should,” the Oscar winner added. “All of these incredibly stupid policies.
- 5/11/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
A new buddy comedy from Please Don’t Destroy, the writing trio of “Saturday Night Live” fame, will no longer play in theaters. Instead, the untitled movie will premiere exclusively on Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, on Nov. 17.
Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, better known as Please Don’t Destroy, wrote the film, which was produced by Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller. The story centers on three childhood friends who live and work together. When the threesome decides they don’t like their life trajectory, they set off to find a gold treasure that is rumored to be buried in the nearby mountain. They discover that finding the treasure is actually the easiest part of the adventure.
Universal didn’t give a reason for the move from theaters (it was set to release on Aug. 18) to streaming, but it’s been a tough environment for theatrical comedies.
Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, better known as Please Don’t Destroy, wrote the film, which was produced by Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller. The story centers on three childhood friends who live and work together. When the threesome decides they don’t like their life trajectory, they set off to find a gold treasure that is rumored to be buried in the nearby mountain. They discover that finding the treasure is actually the easiest part of the adventure.
Universal didn’t give a reason for the move from theaters (it was set to release on Aug. 18) to streaming, but it’s been a tough environment for theatrical comedies.
- 5/8/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Thanks to the success of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its spinoffs, drag has hit the mainstream in recent years — and at the same time, is under attack in the U.S., with several Republican-run states having introduced legislation to ban drag while scaling back hard-fought Lgbtqia+ rights.
Queens throughout America are fighting back, and have assembled a star-studded array of talent to participate in the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon, set to stream live at DragIsntDangerous.com on Sunday, May 7.
“According to the ACLU, there are currently 467 bills in the United States legislature targeting the Lgbtqia+ community,” notes the telethon’s website.
Read More: Drag Sensation Sasha Velour Talks Meeting Dua Lipa, How Anxiety Fuels Performance & More
“This proposed legislation is a direct attempt to force the Lgbtqia+ community, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals, back into the closet, and the number of bills is growing exponentially by the week,...
Queens throughout America are fighting back, and have assembled a star-studded array of talent to participate in the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon, set to stream live at DragIsntDangerous.com on Sunday, May 7.
“According to the ACLU, there are currently 467 bills in the United States legislature targeting the Lgbtqia+ community,” notes the telethon’s website.
Read More: Drag Sensation Sasha Velour Talks Meeting Dua Lipa, How Anxiety Fuels Performance & More
“This proposed legislation is a direct attempt to force the Lgbtqia+ community, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals, back into the closet, and the number of bills is growing exponentially by the week,...
- 5/7/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Charlize Theron, Melissa McCarthy, and Billy Eichner are among the Hollywood stars appearing in an online telethon Sunday that seeks to raise funds for LGBTQ+ causes and drag queens.
The event, “Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” starts Sunday, at 7 p.m. Et at dragisntdangerous.com. Tickets are $20 and available at the site. The drag stars and allies will perform in a mix of live and pre-taped appearances
Scheduled are Bob the Drag Queen, Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, Peppermint, Eureka O’Hara, Divina De Campo.
In addition to Theron, McCarthy, and Billy Eichner, appearances are scheduled from Ali Wong, Adam Lambert, Amy Schumer, Jesse Eisenberg, Leslie Jones,...
The event, “Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” starts Sunday, at 7 p.m. Et at dragisntdangerous.com. Tickets are $20 and available at the site. The drag stars and allies will perform in a mix of live and pre-taped appearances
Scheduled are Bob the Drag Queen, Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, Peppermint, Eureka O’Hara, Divina De Campo.
In addition to Theron, McCarthy, and Billy Eichner, appearances are scheduled from Ali Wong, Adam Lambert, Amy Schumer, Jesse Eisenberg, Leslie Jones,...
- 5/6/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
May kicks off the annual summer movie season where studios will release some of their biggest “tentpole” flicks, with this summer being particularly important for the full recovery of the box office. And yet, oddly, there are only three prospective blockbusters this month with many smaller films padding things out. Read on for Gold Derby’s May 2023 box office preview.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Marvel/Disney) – May 5
James Gunn marks the finale of his MCU trilogy with the group he introduced in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldañha, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper. Joining the finale is Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Chukwudi Iwuji (“Peacemaker”) as The High Evolutionary, two major Marvel Comics cosmic characters, although it feels like this will be a standalone finale, rather than tying into the rest of the MCU.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Marvel/Disney) – May 5
James Gunn marks the finale of his MCU trilogy with the group he introduced in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldañha, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper. Joining the finale is Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Chukwudi Iwuji (“Peacemaker”) as The High Evolutionary, two major Marvel Comics cosmic characters, although it feels like this will be a standalone finale, rather than tying into the rest of the MCU.
- 4/28/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Soon we’ll be wheels up to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for CinemaCon 2023, a whirlwind of meetings, panels, screenings, parties, and presentations from the major studios: Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Universal (and Focus), Paramount, and Lionsgate. We’ve already got both our luggage and our schedule packed for four days in the desert; below are 10 things we hope to learn and see at (and around) Caesar’s Palace.
Tom Cruise Nearly Killing Himself for Our Pleasure
The highlight of CinemaCon 2022 may not have been the first screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” — it may have been the Tom Cruise video introducing the “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning — Part One” teaser (the jaw-dropping motorcycle stunt video wasn’t released until nearly a year later), which led into the “Top Gun: Maverick” debut. Given the bar set by the “Cocktail” star last year, and the fact that “M:I7” features what...
Tom Cruise Nearly Killing Himself for Our Pleasure
The highlight of CinemaCon 2022 may not have been the first screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” — it may have been the Tom Cruise video introducing the “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning — Part One” teaser (the jaw-dropping motorcycle stunt video wasn’t released until nearly a year later), which led into the “Top Gun: Maverick” debut. Given the bar set by the “Cocktail” star last year, and the fact that “M:I7” features what...
- 4/24/2023
- by Tony Maglio and Brian Welk
- Indiewire
This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.
The Simpsons Season 34 Episode 18
The Simpsons tries to prove music can be more than just revenge, but then it gets a little cringey, and turns superfans into stalker fans. “Fan-ily Feud” appears to take on the army of a certain former country singer gone pop goddess, whose name would probably be better left unsaid, but that would only spur the ire of BTS stans, justifiably requesting rebuttal. The episode would have benefited from a guest appearance from Taylor Swift, but if it hadn’t gone right, her next seven albums might have targeted the series as a bad breakup, a win-win situation, to be sure, for everyone involved.
The Simpsons have been making entreaties to Swift since Bart wrote “Thank you for 28 great years… Taylor Swift” on the chalkboard in “Dogtown,” season 28’s season finale. Lisa must have kept her as her number 2 Google alert.
The Simpsons Season 34 Episode 18
The Simpsons tries to prove music can be more than just revenge, but then it gets a little cringey, and turns superfans into stalker fans. “Fan-ily Feud” appears to take on the army of a certain former country singer gone pop goddess, whose name would probably be better left unsaid, but that would only spur the ire of BTS stans, justifiably requesting rebuttal. The episode would have benefited from a guest appearance from Taylor Swift, but if it hadn’t gone right, her next seven albums might have targeted the series as a bad breakup, a win-win situation, to be sure, for everyone involved.
The Simpsons have been making entreaties to Swift since Bart wrote “Thank you for 28 great years… Taylor Swift” on the chalkboard in “Dogtown,” season 28’s season finale. Lisa must have kept her as her number 2 Google alert.
- 4/24/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
April showers bring May flowers, but Amazon Prime Video’s April slate of new movies contains some bright watches for any leftover rain. The “Judy Blume Forever” documentary arrives toward the end of the month, telling the author’s life story and highlighting the impact her writing made on literature and the world. The doc will precede “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” which releases in theaters at the end of the month.
George Clooney returns to a tropical setting alongside Julia Roberts in the 2022 romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise,” and his earlier Hawaiian-set film “The Descendants” will be available too. “Bros” provides another rom-com option that landed on the streamer on April 4. And we’ve even got a pick for the whole family.
Here are our picks for seven of the best new movies to watch on Amazon Prime Video in April 2023:
“Judy Blume Forever” Prime Video...
George Clooney returns to a tropical setting alongside Julia Roberts in the 2022 romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise,” and his earlier Hawaiian-set film “The Descendants” will be available too. “Bros” provides another rom-com option that landed on the streamer on April 4. And we’ve even got a pick for the whole family.
Here are our picks for seven of the best new movies to watch on Amazon Prime Video in April 2023:
“Judy Blume Forever” Prime Video...
- 4/16/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
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