Film
AMC Theatres Reverses Decision, Will Require Moviegoers to Wear Masks
AMC Theatres has reversed a previous policy decision and will now require customer to wear masks in their cinemas upon reopening. (We may have some suggestions for that.) In plans revealed on Thursday, AMC announced it would open 450 of its US locations on July 15th, with the remaining 150 following on July 24th. While there were a number of precautions addressed to help reduce the spread of coronavirus — reducing capacities to 30%, increasing sanitation procedures, and limiting concessions — masks were only made a requirement for “theatre associates.” Speaking with Variety about the reopening rollout, AMC CEO Adam Aron said the company felt “it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is no necessary.” He added that he expected “the...
Into the Wild Bus Removed From Alaska Wilderness Due to Safety Concerns
Authorities in Alaska have removed the abandoned bus made famous by the book Into the Wild and movie of the same name. According to The Associated Press, Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige cited safety concerns as the reason for the bus’ removal. At least two people have died attempting to reach the bus, while scores of others needed to be rescued by the Coast Guard. The 1940s-era bus had been used by a construction company to house employees during work on an access road in the area and was abandoned when the work was finished in 1961, The Associated Press explains. It later become a natural monument of sorts in the wake of Christopher McCandless’ tragic death in 1992. McCandless, a 24-year-old native of Virginia, sought refuge in the bus after becoming stranded on the...
Regal Cinemas Announce Coronavirus Guidelines for Reopening Next Month
Regal Cinemas have announced arbitrary new safety guidelines to facilitate crowds of people packing together amidst the coronavirus pandemic. America’s second-largest movie theater chain will reopen July 10th. Taken together, the newly-announced rules have all the charm and capriciousness of a trip through airport security. Regal Cinemas has implemented a suite of regulations to stop surface-to-person transmission of COVID-19, even though the CDC thinks that’s relatively rare. And despite the fact that mask wearing is the single best precaution people can take — scientists think it might be more important than social distancing — Regal is deferring to local regulations around masks, and won’t force employees or customers to wear them in states where it isn’t required. But if the novel coro...
The Cast of Ghostbusters Reunite for Josh Gad’s YouTube Show: Watch
Since the start of lockdown, Josh Gad’s YouTube series Reunited Apart has digitally brought together casts of classic cinema like Goonies and Back to the Future. On the latest episode, the team behind Ghostbusters were the ones to answer the Zoom call. Besides the ever-resistant Rick Moranis, all the films’ surviving stars were present: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts. Director Ivan Reitman was also present, as was his son, Jason Reitman, who is helming the upcoming sequel to the original franchise, Ghostbusters: Afterlife. There were also a number of surprise guests, including William Atherton (Walter Peck), and actors with bit parts like Steven Tash and Jennifer Runyon (the students Murray’s Peter Venk...
Oscars 2021 Moved to April, Eligibility Window Extended
Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 Oscars have been postponed two months. Originally set to take place on February 28th, Hollywood’s Biggest Night will now occur on April 25th, 2021. Additionally, the Academy has extended the eligibility period for nominated films by two months. The window for qualifying films now spans from January 1st 2020 to February 28th, 2021, with a general submission deadline set for January 15th 2021, according to Variety. The Academy plans to return to a standard January to December eligibility period next year. Previously, the Academy made substantial, unprecedented adjustments to the eligibility rules this past April in response to the outbreak. One of those allows for digital screenings, altering the long-standi...
Star Wars Celebration Canceled Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
This year’s edition of Star Wars Celebration has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This marks the first time in Celebration history that the event won’t be held as planned, notes The Hollywood Reporter. Understandably, organizers fear COVID-19 would spread rapidly amongst attendees if it were held indoor as planned. “At Star Wars Celebration, the health and safety of our fans, attendees, exhibitors, guests and staff is always our number one priority,” organizers said in a statement. “Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 virus and in speaking with local and state authorities on the latest public health guidelines related to indoor conventions, we have made the decision to cancel Star Wars celebration for 2020.” Star Wars Celebration was originally scheduled to...
John Cleese Mocks Fox News for False Reporting on a Monty Python Quote
“What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?” Not everyone knows the answer to that cult-favorite query, least of all news anchors. Fox News proved as much to be true when they fell for a similarly popular Monty Python and the Holy Grail joke while covering Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, going so far as to mistakenly cite a quote from the film as fact. Now, John Cleese is mocking them for it, reports UPROXX. It all began when Martha MacCallum, the host of Fox News’ segment The Story, was reporting on the CHAZ zone in Seattle, claiming that there were leadership problems within the group. As proof of such, MacCallum pointed to a screenshot of a Reddit post entitled “I didn’t vote for Raz”. (“Raz” refers to Raz Simone, the rapper and alleged unofficial leader of CHAZ.) “I ...
Dave Chappelle Drops Surprise Netflix Special 8:46: Watch
Dave Chappelle is back with a surprise new Netflix special called 8:46. The blockbuster comic dropped the near-30 minute special for free on YouTube’s comedy channel late Thursday evening — and for good reason. “Normally I wouldn’t show you something so unrefined, I hope you understand,” Chappelle wrote in the caption, and included a link to the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit aimed at fighting racial inequality and mass incarceration. Recorded on June 6th in Yellow Springs, Ohio amidst his invite-only, socially-distanced gigs, the brisk half-hour marks the first time Chappelle has hit the stage in 87 days. Not surprisingly, he never misses a beat, coming out hot as a true MVP. If the title didn’t clue you in — 8:46 is the length of time Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin ...
Spike Lee Apologizes for Defending Woody Allen: “My Words Were Wrong”
Over the weekend, Spike Lee took a slight, problematic detour amidst his press run for Da 5 Bloods. During an interview with New York’s WOR 710 radio (via The Playlist), the legendary filmmaker came to the defense of Woody Allen. “I’d just like to say Woody Allen is a great, great filmmaker, and this cancel thing is not just Woody,” Lee explained. “And I think that when we look back on it, we are going to see that — short of killing somebody — I don’t know if you can just erase somebody like they never existed.” He continued, “Woody is a friend of mine, a fellow Knick fan, and I know he’s going through it right now.” Editors’ Picks As expected, those thoughts warranted some major backlash online, and Lee has since released a statement on Twitter clarifying his position: “I Deeply Apo...
The Matrix 4 Delayed Until 2022
Not even Neo can escape this shitty simulation we can Earth in 2020. Due to the ongoing pandemic, production on the much-anticipated fourth Matrix film has been put on hold for the foreseeable future. As a result, Warner Bros. has moved the film off its original release date in 2021 and moved it by a full year to April 2022. The Matrix 4 isn’t the only Warner Bros. production shifting release dates. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet was moved back to two weeks to July 31st, 2020, Wonder Woman 1984 is now due out on October 2nd, 2020, and Godzilla vs. Kong has been bumped to May 21st, 2021. Now slated to hit theaters on April 1st, 2022, The Matrix 4 reunites director Lana Wachowski with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, who will reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectiv...
This Mask Really Ties Your Face Together
This is not ‘Nam. This is a pandemic. There are rules. If it’s like, experts’ opinion, man, that covering your face keeps you safe, then the Dude abides. Besides, this mask will really tie your face together. Available now in packs of two, four, and six, “The Dude” is the newest design available as part of a capsule of specialty designed face masks supporting Consequence of Sound, an independently owned company, and benefitting MusiCares’ COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund. The mask is reusable and washable, made in the USA from recyclable bottles, and of the highest quality. The MSRP value for a 2-pack is $40.00, but we are offering them at a 25-42% off discount along with free shipping. Order yours below, or head to our newly launched web store to see our full offering of face masks. ...
Christopher Nolan’s Tenet Gets Delayed Two Weeks
For months now, Hollywood has setting its sights on the July 17th release of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet as the day movie theaters across the country begin opening back up. While Nolan remains determined to screen his latest epic in theaters, the release has now been pushed back two weeks, to July 31st, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A majority of North American theaters have been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim to re-open in mid-July in time for Nolan’s blockbuster. Earlier this week, AMC reiterated those plans, confirming that 97% of its theaters should be operational by then. Warner Bros. gave no explanation for why it’s pushing Nolan’s Tenet by two weeks. However, as an amends to theaters that will be re-open by July 17th, the studio will be makin...
