News
Quite a bit of news this week. I try to keep this a little lighter and shorter so I had to cut out a few. But I think I hit most of the highlights. I’d like to be able to get more posts out as they happen, but it can be difficult with that pesky little full-time job taking up my days. Hopefully this weekly round-up is doing it for now.
Academy Awards adds “Best Popular Film” category
This is the big one, the one making all the noise.
Change is coming to the #Oscars. Here's what you need to know:
– A new category is being designed around achievement in popular film.
– We've set an earlier airdate for 2020: mark your calendars for February 9.
– We're planning a more globally accessible, three-hour telecast. pic.twitter.com/oKTwjV1Qv9— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 8, 2018
Reactions have been mostly negative and I’m inclined to agree. The Best Picture category already allows for up to 10 nominees. Surely that leaves enough room for the “popular” movies to get in. Most people seem to agree that Black Panther or Infinity War will be the inaugural winner. Mission: Impossible – Fallout should also garner lots of attention. But those three movies are legitimately great movies. They could realistically be nominated for Best Picture. The Academy says films can be nominated in both categories but we’ll see how that actually plays out. If nothing else, this will at least add some intrigue to the whole ceremony.
Johnny Depp-led City of Lies pulled a month before its release
Like many a music-lover, I’m a fan of both Tupac and Notorious B.IG. (HUGE Biggie guy) so for that reason alone I was looking forward to this movie. This report from EW is disappointing to here, especially with no reason being given (though the lawsuit against Depp is as good a guess as any) nor there being a new release date yet.
Dave Bautista threatens to quit Guardians Vol. 3 if James Gunn’s script isn’t used
The Guardians of the Galaxy has remained staunchly in Gunn’s corner since his firing. And now Bautista, who plays fan-favorite Drax, says in an interview with ShortList that he’ll quit the series if the studio ultimately does not use Gunn’s script. We know Gunn turned in a script, but it likely wasn’t a final draft. If changes, significant or not, are made to the current script, I’ll be interested to see if Bautista views that as grounds to quit.
Supergirl movie in development at Warner Bros/DC Films
Not much more to report from this Deadline article past the headline. There is a screen-writer attached, Oren Uziel.
Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders confirmed for Spider-Man: Far From Home
This Vulture report is really only notable due to the fact that both characters were victims of “The Snap” in an Avengers: Infinity War post-credits scene (We’re safely past spoiler-warning territory now, right?). Many fans have been assuming those who got “snapped” would be returning, but now we have confirmation of that for two more characters.
Upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie: Ben Schwartz to voice the titular character
This Variety-exclusive isn’t exactly huge news. But I love love looooove Ben Schwartz and Sonic the Hedgehog on Sega Genesis was one of the video games I grew up on, so this one definitely moves the needle for me. This news alone gets me more excited for this one.
Trailers
A pretty rough week for trailers, but let’s take a look anyway.
A Wizard’s Tale
Look, I love a good animated movie as much as the next person. But this just looks…dumb. And the animation looks…bad? How does a studio put out something with such poor animation in 2018?
The After Party
A Netflix original, which doesn’t exactly get the blood flowing. This looks pretty bad. If I could end up rating it in the low 70s, I’d call it a massive success.
The Kindergarten Teacher
Another Netflix original, this one at least stars a real actress in Maggie Gyllenhaal. But I’m not too excited about this. If nothing else, Gyllenhaal will seemingly put in a strong performance. But the rest of the trailer really didn’t do anything to draw me in.
47 Meters Down 2: The Next Chapter
I didn’t see 47 Meters Down, and I likely won’t be seeing this one either. These “survival horror” films just aren’t my bag. I will happily skip this, and any other potential sequels in this series.
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