Film
Fortnite Hosts Christopher Nolan-Themed Movie Night
Last month, Fortnite debuted the latest trailer for Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller Tenet. Now, in a continuation of their partnership, the video game platform has just hosted its very own movie night dedicated to the famed director. The epic, unprecedented streaming party took place on Friday, June 26th and highlighted three of Nolan’s most popular films. A presentation of 2010’s Inception was the main event, “screening” on the game’s “party royale island” a few times throughout the day for crowds of all sizes. Other Nolan movies Batman Begins from 2005 and 2006’s The Prestige were also shown at various times depending on each users’ location. Although the regional restrictions for streaming posed a bit of a challenge, ultimately Fornite’s Christopher Nolan-themed evening was mea...
R.I.P. Kelly Asbury, Film Animation Titan Dies at 60
Kelly Asbury, a longtime animator and director who had a hand in almost all of the biggest animated films of the last 30 years, has died at the age of 60. According to a representative, Asbury had been battling cancer. Asbury began his career at Disney, working in the animation department for films including The Black Cauldron, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Toy Story. He later took his talents to DreamWorks, where he worked on Chicken Run and Shrek. There, he was also given the opportunity to direct films including Shrek 2, Stallion of the Cimarron, and Gnomeo & Juliet. In the mid-2010s, Asbury returned to Disney to work on Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen. He also directed Smurfs: The Lost Village for Sony Pictures and last year’s UglyDolls, wh...
Resolution Calls for John Wayne Airport to Be Renamed
The Democratic Party of Orange County has passed a resolution calling for the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California to be renamed. The resolution cites Wayne’s history of “white supremacist, anti-LGBT, and anti-indigenous views,” and specifically quotes the actor’s comments in a 1971 interview with Playboy. “With a lot of Blacks, there’s quite a bit of resentment, along with their dissent, and possibly rightfully so,” Wayne said in the interview. “But we can’t all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the Blacks. I believe in white supremacy until the Blacks are educated to a point of responsibility.” “I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people,” Wayne went on to say. “I don’t feel we ...
Scott Pilgrim Cast Reunites for 10th Anniversary Script Read-Through
For the 10th anniversary of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the film’s cast recently filmed a dramatic read-through of the original script. The benefit event was remotely recorded in May, and will premiere on EW.com “later this summer,” at a time to be determined. Based on graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim vs the World was seen as a box office letdown upon its 2010 release, but has since achieved a devoted cult following. It stars Michael Cera as 22 year-old bassist Scott Pilgrim, as he battles the “evil exes” of his would-be girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Both actors participated in the reunion, as did Jason Schwartzman, Satya Bhabha, Chris Evans, Ellen Wong, Mark Webber, Alison Pill, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Mae Whitman, a...
Bill and Ted 3 Release Date Delayed Two Weeks
It’s been almost thirty years, but the third installment of the Bill and Ted franchise will have to wait a little longer. Bill & Ted Face the Music has been pushed back two weeks to avoid sharing the calendar with Tenet. Both movies have been shuffling around release dates. Most recently, Tenet was scheduled for July 31st, but it was delayed yet again amidst a surge of COVID-19 cases. Now Christopher Nolan’s latest mindbender is hoping to land sometime between August 12th and 14th. Bill and Ted had planned to Face the Music on the 14th, but rather than compete with a sci-fi blockbuster juggernaut, Bill & Ted’s producers are content to catch the next dance on August 28th. As a sequel to 1989’s Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and 1991’s Bill & T...
What’s Coming to Shudder in July 2020
Looking to get away this July? Shudder’s got you covered, and the best part is you won’t even need any luggage. Next month, AMC’s horror streaming service has curated an indelible lineup of originals, classics, and premieres in all sorts of locales. Grab your swim trunks and try to survive the body horror within The Beach House. Don’t dry off, though, because you’ll wanna double dip in the testy waters of Lake of Death. And to keep those outdoor activities going, you can wax nostalgic with not one, not two, but all three Sleepaway Camp flicks. Just don’t forget your bug spray! Of course, if beaches and lakes aren’t your thing, perhaps a trip to Thailand will do the trick? Jump into The Pool! Or maybe an Indonesian curse to spice up your summer? Behold, Impetigore! South Korean exorcism? St...
Reese Witherspoon “Didn’t Understand What Homosexuality Was” Before Moving to LA
In a new conversation with Regina King, Reese Witherspoon discussed her sheltered upbringing in Nashville, Tennessee. In an interesting moment, the star of Little Fires Everywhere admitted she “didn’t understand what homosexuality was” before pursuing a film career in Los Angeles. The in-depth discussion on sexuality, race, and class came as part of Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series. King and Witherspoon, who have known each other since co-starring in 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, tackled some of the weightiest issues of the day. For her part, Witherspoon opened up about her own personal growth in the context of Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere. While acting in and producing the 1990s-set show, Witherspoon reflected on the blinkered worldview she inherite...
Twister Reboot Gathering Speed at Universal
Food. Food. Fooood: Prepare to re-enter The Suck Zone! According to The Hollywood Reporter, a reboot of 1996’s Twister is gathering speed over at Universal. There’s not much as of press time, though the studio is currently in talks with Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski to helm the picture. A search for writers is underway. The sky’s the limit for this story, no pun intended, especially given the ensuing global warming crisis. Not to get too depressing, but nightmare weather will only be more relatable as the years pass, which could make this lucrative IP for Universal. As to whether this will be a remake or connect to the original remains to be seen. Sadly, star Bill Paxton passed away in 2017 (and Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2014), though who’s to say Helen Hunt won’t return to th...
HBO Max Restores Gone With the Wind, With Historical Disclaimer
Two weeks after HBO Max pulled Gone With the Wind, the Oscar-winning film has returned to the platform, with a new historical disclaimer in tow. The 1939 film is the recipient of ten Academy Awards, and ranks as the highest-grossing motion picture in American history (adjusted to inflation). Yet, in the eyes of some, the film’s depiction of Black characters as racist stereotypes who are cheerfully and gratefully subservient to the white characters is untenable in modern day America. On June 10th, HBO Max announced it was temporarily removing Gone With the Wind until the film could be prefaced by “a discussion of its historical context and a denouncement” of its ethnic and racial prejudices.” Such a discussion has now been added in the form of a four-minute featurette w...
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run to Receive PVOD Release
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run had been set to be one of the first new releases to hit theaters as they re-open following COVID-19 shutdowns. Now, though, Paramount is scrapping those plans and is instead sending Sponge on the Run straight to PVOD. The CGI-animated film will then be available exclusively on CBS All Access beginning in early 2021 alongside all prior TV seasons of the Nickelodeon series. In Sponge on the Run, SpongeBob and Patrick embark on a rescue mission to save Gary, who has been “snailnapped” by Poseidon. Along the way, they encounter Keanu Reeves (!) playing a Sage named… Sage, who’s also a tumbleweed, and navigate the temptations of Atlantis City. Snoop Dogg, Awkwafina, and Reggie Watts also have cameos in the film. Sponge on the Run i...
Jon Stewart’s Irresistible Is A Snarky, Silly Plea for Less of the Same: Review
The Pitch: In Jon Stewart’s Irresistible, the year 2016 and the U.S. presidential election very much happened. The Democratic National Committee is left licking its wounds in the wake of what was to be a slam-dunk win for Hillary Clinton. All the strategy, all the super PAC money, all the campaigning, photo ops, polls, and beyond still couldn’t put a seasoned veteran in the White House. Gary Zimmer (Steve Carrell), a leading DNC strategist, is burrowed under his bedsheets, dodging calls from MSNBC, CNN, national networks, and the rest of the circus. He was too smart, too punchy, too confident, too well-funded, and too connected for this to happen. Fast forward to the present. Zimmer discovers a viral video of a town meeting interrupted by a Marine colonel, Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper), pro...
AFI to Host Live Conversation with Spike Lee, Stream Do The Right Thing for Free
Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing will be honored this week by the American Film Institute. The 1989 Oscar-nominated masterpiece has been named their latest Movie Club selection, and to celebrate, they’ll be speaking to the director himself. “AFI Movie Club’s global reach has inspired the need for more thoughtful discussions about films that have shaped our culture,” said CEO Bob Gazzale. “Do The Right Thing is a timeless and timely classic, and Spike Lee has forever proven himself the voice for change that we need now more than ever. We would like to thank our partners at Universal for their essential support in educating and inspiring audiences around the world.” The conversation goes down this Thursday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT via the AFI YouTube channel. In anticipation,...
