They’re Finally Here! The 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Film Nominations Announced!

The end of the year is always a very exciting time for we cinephiles… anticipation and thrill are compounded this year, as the film industry roars back to life in a big way. After almost two years of nightmarish stop-and-start production delays and pandemic-induced theater closures, awards season is finally bustling at a frenzied pace again with an abundance of bold and exciting titles.

After months of curating projects of all stripes (features, docs, series – you name it), while hosting a seemingly endless stream of Film Independent Presents screenings, and watching countless worthy, compelling titles, we’re ready to unveil the nominees.

This morning, we announced the Film Independent Spirit Awards film nominees for the 38th annual awards ceremony, set to return in-person to the beach at Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 4, 2023. For the third year, the Spirit Awards will also be recognizing outstanding achievement in uniqueness of vision, innovation, and boldness in TV and streaming. As a reminder, television category nominees will be announced separately by Orange Is the New Black alum, Asia Kate Dillon, on Tuesday, December 13.

Quickly, before we get to the film nominees, let’s revisit how these Spirit Awards will be different from years past…

What’s New This Year

As we’ve previously shared, here are some changes to this year’s Spirit Awards:

For the first time in Spirit Awards history, acting categories are gender neutral, with the former separate lead and supporting actor and actress categories being replaced by the ten-nominee Best Lead and Best Supporting Performance awards
A new award category – Best Breakthrough Performance – will honor performers making themselves known to wider audiences through noteworthy character portrayals
The budget cap for eligible films has increased to $30 million
The cap for the John Cassavetes Award has increased (from $500,000) to $1,000,000

And Now… The Film Nominees

The film nominees for the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards were revealed this morning on our YouTube channel, with special guest presenters Raúl Castillo (2019 Spirit Awards nominee for We Are Animals) and Taylour Paige (2022 Spirit Awards winner for Zola).

BEST FEATURE (Award given to the producer)

Bones and All
Producers: Timothée Chalamet, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Luca Guadagnino, David Kajganich, Lorenzo Mieli, Marco Morabito, Gabriele Moratti, Theresa Park, Peter Spears

Everything Everywhere All At Once
Producers: Daniel Kwan, Mike Larocca, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Daniel Scheinert, Jonathan Wang

Our Father, the Devil
Producers: Ellie Foumbi, Joseph Mastantuono

Tár
Producers: Todd Field, Scott Lambert, Alexandra Milchan

Women Talking
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Frances McDormand

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to director and producer)

Aftersun
Director: Charlotte Wells
Producers: Mark Ceryak, Amy Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski

Emily the Criminal
Director: John Patton Ford
Producers: Tyler Davidson, Aubrey Plaza, Drew Sykes

The Inspection
Director: Elegance Bratton
Producers: Effie T. Brown, Chester Algernal Gordon

Murina
Director: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović
Producers: Danijel Pek, Rodrigo Teixeira

Palm Trees and Power Lines
Director/Producer: Jamie Dack
Producer: Leah Chen Baker

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000; Award given to the writer, director, and producer)

The African Desperate
Writer/Director/Producer: Martine Syms
Writer/Producer: Rocket Caleshu
Producer: Vic Brooks

The Cathedral
Writer/Director: Ricky D’Ambrose
Producer: Graham Swon

Holy Emy
Writer/Director: Araceli Lemos
Writer/Producer: Giulia Caruso
Producers: Mathieu Bompoint, Ki Jin Kim, Konstantinos Vassilaros

A Love Song
Writer/Director/Producer: Max Walker-Silverman
Producers: Jesse Hope, Dan Janvey

Something in the Dirt
Writer/Director/Producer: Justin Benson
Director/Producer: Aaron Moorhead
Producer: David Lawson Jr.

BEST DIRECTOR

Todd Field
Tár

Kogonada
After Yang

Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Everything Everywhere All At Once

Sarah Polley
Women Talking

Halina Reijn
Bodies Bodies Bodies

BEST SCREENPLAY

Lena Dunham
Catherine Called Birdy

Todd Field
Tár

Kogonada
After Yang

Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Everything Everywhere All At Once

Sarah Polley
Women Talking

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

Joel Kim Booster
Fire Island

Jamie Dack, Audrey Findlay; Story by Jamie Dack
Palm Trees and Power Lines

K.D. Dávila
Emergency

Sarah DeLappe, Story by Kristen Roupenian
Bodies Bodies Bodies

John Patton Ford
Emily the Criminal

BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE

Cate Blanchett
Tár

Dale Dickey
A Love Song

Mia Goth
Pearl

Regina Hall
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Paul Mescal
Aftersun

Aubrey Plaza
Emily the Criminal

Jeremy Pope
The Inspection

Andrea Riseborough
To Leslie

Taylor Russell
Bones and All

Michelle Yeoh
Everything Everywhere All At Once

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE

Jamie Lee Curtis
Everything Everywhere All At Once

Brian Tyree Henry
Causeway

Nina Hoss
Tár

Brian d’Arcy James
The Cathedral

Ke Huy Quan
Everything Everywhere All At Once

Trevante Rhodes
Bruiser

Theo Rossi
Emily the Criminal

Mark Rylance
Bones and All

Jonathan Tucker
Palm Trees and Power Lines

Gabrielle Union
The Inspection

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE (New Award)

Frankie Corio
Aftersun

Gracija Filipović
Murina

Stephanie Hsu
Everything Everywhere All At Once

Lily McInerny
Palm Trees and Power Lines

Daniel Zolghadri
Funny Pages

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Florian Hoffmeister
Tár

Hélène Louvart
Murina

Gregory Oke
Aftersun

Eliot Rockett
Pearl

Anisia Uzeyman
Neptune Frost

BEST EDITING

Ricky D’Ambrose
The Cathedral

Dean Fleischer Camp, Nick Paley
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Blair McClendon
Aftersun

Paul Rogers
Everything Everywhere All At Once

Monika Willi
Tár

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and ensemble cast)

Women Talking
Director: Sarah Polley
Casting Directors: John Buchan, Jason Knight
Ensemble Cast: Shayla Brown, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Kira Guloien, Kate Hallett, Judith Ivey, Rooney Mara, Sheila McCarthy, Frances McDormand, Michelle McLeod, Liv McNeil, Ben Whishaw, August Winter

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)

All That Breathes
Director/Producer: Shaunak Sen
Producers: Teddy Leifer, Aman Mann

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Director/Producer: Laura Poitras
Producers: Howard Gertler, Nan Goldin, Yoni Golijov, John Lyons

A House Made of Splinters
Director: Simon Lereng Wilmont
Producers: Monica Hellström

Midwives
Director/Producer: Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing
Producers: Mila Aung-Thwin, Ulla Lehmann, Bob Moore

Riotsville, U.S.A.
Director: Sierra Pettengill
Producers: Sara Archambault, Jamila Wignot

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)

Corsage
Austria/Luxembourg/France/Belgium/Italy/England
Director: Marie Kreutzer

Joyland
Pakistan/USA
Director: Saim Sadiq

Leonor Will Never Die
Philippines
Director: Martika Ramirez Escobar

Return to Seoul
Cambodia
Director: Davy Chou

Saint Omer
France
Director: Alice Diop

PRODUCERS AWARD presented by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey – The Producers Award, now in its 26th year, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films.

Liz Cardenas

Tory Lenosky

David Grove Churchill Viste

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 29th year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.

Adamma Ebo
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Nikyatu Jusu
Nanny

Araceli Lemos
Holy Emy

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 28th year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.

Isabel Castro
Mija

Reid Davenport
I Didn’t See You There

Rebeca Huntt
Beba

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are supported by the Official Spirit, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, and the Official Water, FIJI Water. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.

Want to vote for the Spirit Awards?

As always, the Spirit Awards winners are voted on exclusively by Film Independent Members. Members must be current as of December 20, 2022 to receive full voting benefits, including access to nominee screeners. To join Film Independent and vote on the Spirit Awards, please visit filmindependent.org/join to Join. Watch. Vote.

The Spirit Awards is the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity and inclusion within the filmed entertainment industry. To learn more about attending and supporting Film Independent’s mission and programs, please click here. To support our work with a donation, please click here.

Keep up with Film Independent…

[Header: Special guest presenters Raúl Castillo and Taylour Paige.]

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November 24, 2022

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Footage circulating on social media shows a man firing shots down a road with parked cars. The location of the footage has been confirmed as Krymsk in the southern Krasnodar Krai region of Russia

Global

Four dead as gunman opens fire in Russian shopping centre

Shooting rampage leaves four dead in Russian town near Crimea: Gunman kills three in shopping district before turning hunting rifle on himself

A gunman has opened fire at a shopping district in the Russian city of Krymsk
Vladimir Zhirov went on the killing rampage after having a row with his ex-wife
Zhirov killed three, including a security guard, before turning the gun on himself

By Will Stewart and Christian Oliver For Mailonline

Published: 10:19 EST, 24 November 2022 | Updated: 11:36 EST, 24 November 2022

This is the horrifying moment a gunman opened fire on the streets of a Russian town, killing three before turning the gun on himself.

The man named as Vladimir Zhirov, 66, went on a shooting rampage in a shopping district in the southern Russian city of Krymsk, just 90 miles (144km) from Crimea.

He was seen on the street opening fire with a VPO-209 hunting rifle for which he was a registered user.

Footage circulating on social media shows Zhirov firing a gun as he walks past parked cars. He fires several shots before firing close range at someone lying on the ground.

Zhirov reportedly started his killing rampage following a row with his ex-wife.

Footage circulating on social media shows a man firing shots down a road with parked cars. The location of the footage has been confirmed as Krymsk in the southern Krasnodar Krai

The dead man was named as Mikhail Tunguliadi, a 69-year-old shopping centre security guard.

The heroic guard had apparently saved the life of the shooter’s ex-wife.

The shooter had reportedly lost a court battle over a flat involving his son triggering the domestic row.

He first shot the guard in the leg and then killed him with a close range shot to the head.

Zhirov’s ex-wife managed to escape.

A man opened fire at a shopping centre in the southern Russian city of Krymsk, Russian state news agencies have reported. Russia’s TASS news agency said the four dead included the gunman

The man fires several shots before firing close range at someone lying on the ground

Zhirov then took his own life near the house of his former partner after driving to the location.

She was unharmed in the shooting in a region which borders Ukraine.

The Investigative Committee for Krasnodar region stated that Zhirov knew two other people he had killed.

These were men aged 53 and 39 who died on the spot.

‘According to preliminary information, the gunman shot three people,’ the local official said, adding that the shooter also died.

State prosecutors were sent to the scene to open an investigation.

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November 24, 2022

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Trending

Johnny Depp Is Scheduled To Appear On Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Performance As A Special Guest

It has been rumored that Rihanna has engaged the assistance of a very famous A-lister to make her forthcoming Savage X Fenty Vol. 4 show the most talked-about one to date.

According to TMZ, the “Lift Me Up” hitmaker’s next concert on November 9, which will make its premiere on Prime Video, will feature Johnny Depp as a unique guest performer.

According to the sources that spoke to the media outlet, the 59-year-old actor will not be walking down the runway but will participate in the show’s star moments instead. In the past, celebrities such as Cindy Crawford and Erykah Badu have made cameo appearances in the show’s star moments. However, it will be a first for a man to accomplish this feat.

According to the publication that reported the news, it was the 34-year-idea old’s to have Depp star in this year’s spectacle. The actor who plays Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean and has served as an ambassador for Dior since 2015 is rumored to have already filmed his appearance, and a source has described it as being stylish and chic.

Page Six Style has reached out to representatives for Depp, Rihanna, and Savage X Fenty for comment; however, none of them have responded.

Behati Prinsloo, Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Irina Shayk, and more notable stars were in the sexy show Vol. 3, which was nominated for an Emmy and won the award. This time around, the show is expected to be larger and better than ever.

Cara Delevingne and Shayk are two models scheduled to walk the runway, along with actors Winston Duke, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Marsai Martin, and Taraji P. Henson, among others. In addition, musical performances are scheduled to be given by Anitta and Burna Boy.

Depp’s presence comes on the heels of his first broadcast presence since winning the libel lawsuit he was involved in with Amber Heard at the MTV Video Music Awards.

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November 24, 2022

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Tech

25 Binge-Worthy Shows to Watch Right Now

Let’s face it: there’s nothing better than getting completely and utterly lost in a TV series. Whether you’re looking for something new to binge-watch, or you’re simply hoping to get inspired to re-binge your favorite show, we’ve got you covered.

Below, we have a carefully-curated list of the best TV shows to fit your needs. From swoon-worthy period pieces to nail-biting mysteries, prolific medical dramas, sitcoms and everything in between, here are 25 of the very best binge-worthy shows to stream now.

The Crown

Whether you’re a history buff, or you just like to sink your teeth into a good old-fashioned drama series, Netflix’s “The Crown” is here to fit all of your watching needs. Written by Peter Morgan, the show follows the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, starting with her wedding to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, and spanning through her 21st Century rule. The show is ripe with biting familial drama, dazzling set pieces and an all-star cast, with stellar actors like Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter and Elizabeth Debicki leading the royal charge.

30 Rock

It’s hard to think of a more iconic modern sitcom than NBC’s “30 Rock.” Created by comedian Tina Fey and based on her time as a writer on “Saturday Night Live,” the series follows sketch-show showrunner Liz Lemon (Fey) and her endless gaffs and faux pas at the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza address. Rounding out the stellar comedic cast are actors such as Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer. The show has a total of seven seasons and 139 half-hour episodes, which each come with a premise so unique and hilarious that it’s practically impossible not to digest multiple in one sitting. “30 Rock” is currently available to stream on Hulu or Peacock. (What are you waiting for?)

House

Let’s face it: there probably isn’t a more bingeable TV genre than the medical drama. From the stunningly prolific, 19-season (and counting!) “Grey’s Anatomy,” to the beloved “The Good Doctor,” and the classic “ER,” we could write a whole separate list about binge-worthy medical shows. Without a doubt hanging near the top of that list would be “House,” a show which centers around the delightfully antisocial Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) as he spearheads a team of diagnosticians at a hospital. Running for eight seasons starting in 2004, “House” is a captivating watch due to its unconventional protagonist, funny one-liners, and, of course, adrenaline-pinching medical drama.

Andor

When Disney+ announced that they were developing “Andor,” the fourth live-action series in the coveted Star Wars franchise, fans of the intergalactic series were understandably very excited. But the Disney+ series isn’t just for Star Wars enthusiasts – it has something for everyone. The show not only allows audiences to sink their teeth into juicy Star Wars lore, but it is also a riveting classic adventure story, political commentary and character study. And need we mention that it’s also just a hell of a lot of fun?

“Andor” takes place prior to the events of the 2016 film “Rogue One,” and follows the Rebel Alliance’s plot to overthrow the Galactic Empire. And while there’s only one season as of now, Season 2 has officially been ordered, giving audiences even more of a reason to get caught up on all of the episodes.

Ted Lasso

After it premiered in 2020, it was hard to go anywhere without hearing someone talk about “Ted Lasso.” The show, which stars Jason Sudeikis as a college football coach who is thrown into the deep end when recruited to coach pro soccer, garnered a ton of praise upon its release, and went on to become the most-nominated first-season of a comedy show in the history of the Emmy Awards. So whether you are looking to binge-watch a big-hearted underdog tale with heaps of laughs, or you simply want to see what all the fuss is about, head over to Apple TV now to stream the first two seasons of the series.

Bridgerton

In 2020, period drama “Bridgerton” took the world by storm, and by its second season, it was the most-watched English-language TV show on Netflix. The series takes place in the early 1800s, and follows an upper-class British family called the Bridgertons. Both of its seasons boast epic familial drama, mega-steamy love stories and stunning plots and costumes, all of which make it one of the most binge-worthy shows on Netflix. It’s just a bonus that everyone in the cast is really, really good-looking.

Jonathan Bailey on Leading ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2 and Passing the Baton to Luke Newton for Season 3

Arrested Development

One of the most popular American sitcoms out there, “Arrested Development” follows the Bluths: a family who lost all their wealth. Most of us can attest to the fact that the majority of families are majorly dysfunctional – and “Arrested Development” dials this notion up to a ten. The show is full of conflict, drama and laugh-out-loud humor, all of which is delivered by stellar comedic actors like Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, David Cross and Jessica Walter. It is currently available to watch in all of its uproarious glory on Hulu.

WandaVision

The 2021 show “WandaVision” marked an exciting television milestone: it was the first-ever TV series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features beloved Marvel Comics characters Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they lead a quiet life in the suburbs that is quickly permeated by strange outside forces. Not only is “WandaVision” a fiercely original take on superhero tropes, but it also works as a tender love story and a bingeable drama. It also lit the torch for other great MCU shows, including “Loki,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” and “What If…?,” all of which are currently available to stream on Disney+.

Severance

One of the best breakout TV shows of 2022, “Severance” boasts a bold, original premise. The series takes place in a world where characters can undergo an operation that severs their work memories from their personal ones, which, of course, eventually comes with its fair share of shadiness. Before long, the show spirals into a full-blown conspiracy/thriller that you will be so desperate to get to the bottom of that it’ll be virtually impossible not to watch the whole first season in one sitting. And if the ending of Season 1 doesn’t have you completely satisfied, not to worry – a second season is currently in the works, and will likely dive even deeper into the show’s dark underworld.

The Good Place

Without a doubt one of the most bingeable shows out there, NBC’s “The Good Place“ is completely riveting from its very first episode, which sees protagonist Eleanor (Kristen Bell) landing in Heaven, AKA “The Good Place,” only to realize that someone made a mistake putting her there given that she’s actually a pretty terrible person. From this point onward, the show is filled to the brim with shocking twists and turns, hilarious moments and remarkably compelling characters, including philosophy professor Chidi (William Jackson Harper), posh British model Tahani (Jameela Jamil) and unfiltered AI chaperone Janet (D’Arcy Carden). All four seasons of the show are equally addicting and completely impossible to peel your eyes away from, as it’s always a challenge to guess where the story is headed next.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Rachel Brosnahan in Marvelous Mrs. Maisel — Amazon Prime Video

If you’re looking for the perfect blend of period piece and raging comedy, Amazon Prime’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” has you covered. Created by “Gilmore Girls’” Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show premiered in 2017 and was instantly met with rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. The show follows a Manhattan-based 1950s Jewish-American housewife named Miriam (Rachel Brosnahan) who accidentally becomes one of the city’s leading stand-up comics. All four (and counting) seasons of the show are equally hilarious and full of heart and are tied impeccably together by a tour-de-force performance from Brosnahan.

Friday Night Lights

Who knew that a show about a Texas high school football team would go on to become one of the most beloved series of all time? Over five seasons, “Friday Night Lights” looks at the lives and loves of the residents of Dillon, Texas, a town completely overrun by high school football. But you do not have to be a football fan to love “Friday Night Lights.” I repeat: you do not have to be a football fan to love “Friday Night Lights.” Indeed, the show has something for everyone: from swoon-worthy football players, (I’m looking at you, Tim Riggins), to roller coaster romances and heartwarming friendships, it’s virtually impossible not to get completely swept up in Dillon’s charm. Head over to Netflix or Hulu ASAP to get caught up on every episode. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

The Office (US)

You didn’t really think we’d compile a list of the most binge-worthy TV shows without including the US version of The Office, did you? For those of you who have somehow have made it this far without seeing an episode of the series, it is a mockumentary-style look at a Scranton, PA-based paper company called Dunder Mifflin, led by the world’s cringiest boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell). The show boasts 201 hilarious episodes, with a cast of characters that it’s impossible not to fall in love with. If you’ve never given it a watch, (or even if you have), head over to Peacock and start your binge ASAP.

Stranger Things

It’s hard to think of a show that has received more hype in the past couple of years than Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” In fact, its fourth season recently broke Nielsen’s record for the most-viewed show in the period of one week. In the seven days after its release, Season 4 of “Stranger Things” received a whopping 7.2 billion minutes streamed, and for good reason. It is a creative, adrenaline-pinching ‘80s throwback with easily loveable characters and twists at every turn. So what are you waiting for? Go binge all four seasons of the show now, before its fifth and final season hits Netflix.

Downton Abbey

One of the most popular period dramas out there, “Downton Abbey” is set in England in the early 1900s and looks at the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants. Like any good period piece, the show is ripe with steamy romance, betrayal and epic familial spats. It’s an added bonus that it also boasts magnificent post-Edwardian sets (those chandeliers though!) and equally dazzling costumes (can we bring back those floppy sun hats already?). So if you’re looking to sink your teeth into one of the juiciest period dramas that TV has to offer, head to Amazon Prime today to start binging all six seasons.

Frasier

Premiering in 1993 and running for a total of 11 seasons, “Frasier” is a stone-cold classic. The “Cheers” spin-off sitcom follows Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), a psychiatrist who returns to his hometown of Seattle to become a radio show host. There, he reconnects with his roots, and is met with plenty of life lessons and laughs along the way. Not only is “Frasier” a hilarious, binge-worthy romp, but it also saw a ton of critical acclaim. The series snatched up a whopping total of thirty-seven Emmy Awards, which was a record for scripted series at the time. If you’ve already seen “Frasier,” there’s never a bad time to head over to Hulu and revisit your favorite psychiatrist; and if you haven’t, do yourself a favor and see what all the fuss is about!

Dead to Me

It is no secret that Netflix pretty consistently churns out highly binge-worthy shows and original series. From “Stranger Things”, to the adrenaline-pinching “Ozark” and the beloved ensemble show “Orange Is the New Black,” there are almost too many to count. One of the most addicting shows that the streamer has to offer is “Dead to Me,” which follows two women who meet in a grieving support group, and from there get involved in an unexpected world of crime and conspiracy. All three seasons are stuffed with unexpected twists and turns, and almost every episode ends on a cliffhanger, making it pretty much impossible to avoid binge-watching.

Parks and Recreation

If you’re a fan of “The Office,” run – don’t walk – to Peacock and get started on your 7-season “Parks and Recreation” binge today. One of the greatest entries into the cringe-comedy-sitcom genre, the show follows the Parks department in a small town in Indiana. Perhaps the best thing about the show is its all-star cast, which has to be one of the greatest of all time. Some of the main actors include Amy Peohler, Rashida Jones, Paul Schneider, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott and Rob Lowe. Come on – can you really top that?

Breaking Bad

Often referred to as one of the best TV shows of all time, Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad” premiered in 2013 and has since become a cult classic. The series follows a high school chemistry teacher named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) who, following a lung cancer diagnosis, decides to use his advanced chemistry skills to cook prime quality crystal meth so he can leave his family enough money after his death. Soon enough, Walter’s master plan spirals out of control and he sees himself in the midst of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s dangerous drug scene. Not only does “Breaking Bad” boast a superb high-concept premise, but it also remains consistently engaging and suspenseful throughout all five seasons, with cliffhangers that will leave you on the edge of your seat even on a second watch. Head to Netflix now to get started on your binge.

Manifest

One of the lesser-known additions to this list, “Manifest” is one of the most binge-worthy hidden(ish) gems out there. The show starts with passengers landing from a seemingly short flight only to discover that they have somehow been missing and presumed dead for over five years. If that wild premise isn’t enough to hook you, rest assured that all four seasons of the show are wildly entertaining and perplexing, and are guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end. Head to Netflix now to let the mystery begin.

The Great British Bake Off

Perhaps the most wholesome show that this list has to offer, “The Great British Bake Off” is a reality cooking competition that sees amateur bakers competing in front of seasoned judges. Not only is it always fun to watch people battle for a prize, but the food on this show always looks utterly delicious, and everyone is so sweet to each other that it’s difficult to feast on any of the episodes without a smile on your face. The show has 13 seasons currently available on Netflix, with each tastier than the last.

Freaks and Geeks

Talk about a classic! Binge-watching “Freaks and Geeks” is bound to hit any viewer with a serious dosage of nostalgia. The 1999 show, which takes place in a high school in the early 1980s, centers around a group of wacky teens. Not only is it a fun throwback drama, it also offers the unique opportunity to look at some of Hollywood’s biggest stars back in the early days of their careers, including Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and Busy Phillipps. Head over to Hulu to binge the show now.

Grey’s Anatomy

Without a doubt one of the most prolific TV shows out there, “Grey’s Anatomy” premiered back in 2005 and has been running for a total of 19 seasons – and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon! The show follows Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), a surgeon who makes her way through an internship, residency and eventual full-time position at Seattle Grace Hospital. Along the way, she has some pretty epic romances and friendships, and faces a great deal of trauma (including but not limited to: plane crashes, bomb scares and vengeful gunmen). So whether you’re in it for the action, the romance, or the medicine, “Grey’s” has something for everyone. Head over to Netflix to start your binge ASAP.

Schitt’s Creek

Given that it is helmed by “American Pie’s” Eugene Levy and his son, Dan, it’s no surprise that “Schitt’s Creek” is an absolute barrel of laughs. The show follows a wealthy family who, after being found guilty of embezzling money, lose their fortune and are forced to turn to their one asset: a small town called Schitt’s Creek that they bought as a joke. Now streaming on Netflix, the six-season show sees the family members adjusting to their new life, with hilarity naturally ensuing at every corner.

Better Call Saul

It’s hard to think of a better spin-off show than “Better Call Saul,” a series based on “Breaking Bad’s” kooky criminal lawyer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). The six-season show chronicles how Saul got involved in the brutal meth world of “Breaking Bad,” and is both harrowing and surprisingly funny. Not only was “Saul” very well-received, but some also deem it superior to its predecessor. Head over to Netflix now to see for yourself.

Will ‘Better Call Saul’ Get Another Shot at Emmys in 2023?

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November 24, 2022

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Let’s face it: there’s nothing better than

Video

‘Good Night Oppy’ Director on the Mars Selfie Scene

There’s no question that “Good Night Oppy” is a documentary in the eyes of its director Ryan White, even though the film features special effects of its two robot subjects roaming around Mars. “The process we took to create those visual effects is completely steeped in reality,” he says in the latest episode of Variety Doc Dreams, presented by National Georgrapic. “I don’t see them as recreations, I see them as a real documentary way of taking on visual effects, and I’m seeing that more in my colleagues’ films. Why can’t documentary filmmakers have access to tools that have been in the toolkit of scripted filmmakers from the beginning of cinema?”

“Good Night Oppy” tells the story of Opportunity, nicknamed Oppy, and Spirit, the two Mars rovers that launched in 2003 and were expected to operate for only 90 days but instead explored the planet for nearly 15 years. The movie features archival and interview footage with the scientists and engineers, along with recreations of the rover’s treks over the landscape in search of water.

White is a huge space geek, and when he was a child he wanted to be an astronaut. With many filmmaking partners, one of which is Jessica Hargrave White’s childhood best friend, there was a correlation between these two robots attempting to do the impossible and what White and Hargrave set out to do. “Very early on, the engineers saw varying personalities, and they still don’t know why that is,” White says. “Spirit was seen as the problematic rover and Opportunity was seen as Little Miss Perfect. If you look at Jess and my history, it’s very director-producer, too. The directors are the ones always causing the mess and problems, and producers are basically there to make sure we don’t get into too much trouble. So there’s definitely a lot of Spirit in myself, and Opportunity is Jess. She loves rules. I hate rules.”

The team behind “Good Night Oppy” inherited thousands of hours of footage from NASA and had over 300 crew members working on the project, from sound design to the visual effects artists at Industrial Light and Magic. With a 105-minute runtime, there are about 35 minutes of re-created sequences of Opportunity, and its twin robot Spirit on Mars.

In addition, White instituted the help of Emmy-winning composer Blake Neely and sound designer Mark Mangini, a two-time Oscar winner for “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) and the current reigning champion for “Dune” (2021). “These are big names in Hollywood, artisans that are attached to huge budget spectacles and here they are, with you, creating this intimate story about two robots. Showing that cinema is for everyone and everyone has different skill sets for the way we tell them.”

One of the film’s most pivotal scenes sees the scientists sending signals to Oppy to have the robot take a “selfie” of itself toward the end of its life, 14 years after it launched. The scene almost didn’t make it into the final cut of the movie. “I feel like almost every scene in a documentary at some point ends up on the cutting room floor. You have to be open to losing even your most favorite moments in service of the story.”

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November 24, 2022

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There’s no question that “Good Night Oppy”

Entertaintment

Pavilion Format Welcomed At Film Bazaar

With every passing edition, Film Bazaar leaves behind its origins as a project matching event and becomes more like a full-service market. The new stretch of waterfront pavilions resembles the Cannes Market and underlines the event’s stated aim of promoting India as a global content hub.

The expanded and upgraded pavilion area this week houses the offices of Indian states, country specific showcases, private organizations and national film promotion agencies.

Russia, currently shunned by several festivals and entertainment industry events in the West, is feeling at home in Goa. “It reminds one of Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival. This is a great idea with convenient space which is nicely equipped,” said Anna Ryasik, head of international for Russian Content Worldwide.

Along a promenade by the Mandovi River, India’s Film Facilitation Office and a pavilion dedicated to book adaptations jostle with state offices including those from Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The tented pavilion format also includes international representation from Dubai Studio City, France, and stalls operated by UNICEF, Invest India, Start Up India and the National Film Archives of India.

Representing Maharashtra state, Ritesh Baijal of Ernst & Young said, “We have been regular participants at Film Bazaar. This year’s approach is different and very good. Every state has been given lots of space to showcase what they have to offer filmmakers. There has been good networking and exchange of ideas.”

“We are extremely pleased and honored to be here and to discuss and present St Tropez as a possible film shooting destination. We have walked around the pavilions which have given us a very good idea of the capabilities of Indian cinema,” said Georges Giraud, deputy Mayor of St. Tropez in the South of France. “This has been a wonderful opportunity and we plan to organize a permanent Indian cultural festival in St Tropez next summer.”

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November 24, 2022

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With every passing edition, Film Bazaar leaves

Movies

Traumatizing BTS Facts About Horror Movies

the clown with its arm around the boy's neck

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Film

8 Celebs Represent At The Asian Pacific Islander Excellence Celebration

BuzzFeed Daily

Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter!

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November 24, 2022

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‘The Kardashians’ Recap: Kim Declares Khloe’s Son Is ‘Rob’s Twin’ as Kris Suggests the Name ‘Rob Kardashian’

‘The Kardashians’ Recap: Kim Declares Khloe’s Son Is ‘Rob’s Twin’ as Kris Suggests the Name ‘Rob Kardashian’ | Entertainment Tonight

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November 24, 2022

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What to Watch

‘Hairspray’

You can't stop the beat!

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November 24, 2022

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You can't stop the beat! Source link

NICOLE KIDMAN and JAVIER BARDEM star in BEING THE RICARDOS Photo: GLEN WILSON © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

Awards

Theaters Sure Are Thankful for This Report About Amazon’s Movie Plans

The retail and streaming giant will release 12-15 movies theatrically per year, according to a Bloomberg report, though MGM makes up at least half of that.

As debates between theatrical vs. straight-to-streaming film releases rage on, Amazon is reportedly betting big on the big screen. According to a new report from Bloomberg, the tech giant will begin investing more than $1 billion per year into producing movies for theaters.

The report caused a major rise in stocks for several exhibitor chains: Cinemark (CNK) shares jumped 13 percent to $13.82, AMC Theatres (AMC) stock increased 5 percent to $7.64, and Imax (IMAX) stock rose 9 percent to $15.78.

Bloomberg says Amazon is planning a new theatrical strategy in which they will release 12 to 15 movies annually in cinemas, a number on par with major studios like Paramount or Universal Pictures. That strategy, they wrote, will begin next year, with the number of releases increasing over time.

A person with knowledge of Amazon’s plans told IndieWire that the company’s number of films will not sniff a dozen in 2o23. The person also pointed to old statements about MGM’s continued commitment to theatrical as making up the lion’s share of Bloomberg’s reported slate size, both in terms of number of movies and overall investment.

By the end of this year, MGM will have released seven movies theatrically. In other words, don’t plan to watch one Amazon Studios movie per month from the comfort of a red recliner — unless you happen to have one of those in your living room. Our source could not (or would not) confirm the $1 billion figure.

Bloomberg’s story comes after the company acquired the Hollywood studio MGM in a $8.5 billion deal finalized this March. MGM owns several major film franchises, most notably James Bond and “Rocky” — this year, it released “Thirteen Lives,” “Bones and All,” and “Three Thousand Years of Longing.” MGM’s film studio under Amazon is currently without a top executive: Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke is searching for a replacement for Michael DeLuca and Pam Abdy, both of whom left Amazon for the top film job at Warner Bros. Discovery following Amazon’s MGM acquisition.

“Creed” (2015)

Barry Wetcher/©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

The reported Amazon strategy would mark the biggest investment a tech company has put into theatrical films in recent memory, even if it’s mostly just MGM continuing to do what MGM does. Many streamers — particularly Netflix — tend to keep their original films exclusive to their services, only giving a choice few limited releases in select theaters in order to qualify for Oscars and other awards. Netflix released “Glass Onion,” a sequel to the highly successful “Knives Out,” this Wednesday in over 600 U.S. theaters, but the film will only stay in cinemas for a week before premiering on streaming next month.

Amazon has not released nearly as many original films on its Prime Video service as Netflix does, putting out only a couple dozen per year. (Add to that the ones on Freevee, Amazon’s new FAST service that’s been getting into the holiday-movie spirit.) Compare that with Netflix, which regularly releases close to 100. That said, the massive online retailer has invested in acquiring projects at film festivals through its Amazon Studios division, regularly giving these films hefty theatrical runs. Some of their most successful films include Oscar winner “Manchester by the Sea,” “The Big Sick,” and last year’s “Being the Ricardos.”

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The retail and streaming giant will release

Music

U.S. Senators to Investigate Ticketmaster’s Dominance Over Concert Ticket Sales

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee will lead a new subcommittee investigating the lack of competition in ticketing markets. Klobuchar stressed the need to scrutinize Ticketmaster’s dominance over the concert ticket market in light of chaotic Taylor Swift Eras Tour sales last week. “Ticketmaster’s website failed hundreds of thousands of fans hoping to purchase concert tickets,” Klobuchar said. “The high fees, site disruptions, and cancellations that customers experienced shows how Ticketmaster’s dominant market position means the company does not face any pressure to continually innovate and improve.”

Ticketmaster blamed unprecedented demand and a “staggering number of bot attacks” for the Eras Tour fiasco, ultimately canceling a scheduled on-sale date for the remaining tickets. The company apologized to Swift, who had written a pointed statement that read, in part, “It’s really difficult for me to trust an outside entity with these relationships and loyalties, and excruciating for me to just watch mistakes happen with no recourse.” She added, “I’m not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked them, multiple times, if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they could.”

Two days after the initial debacle, Klobuchar took up the cause in a letter linking Ticketmaster’s “dramatic service failures” to its “power in the primary ticket market.” Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, chairs the Senate judiciary subcommittee on competition policy, antitrust, and consumer rights, of which Lee, a Utah Republican, is a ranking member. The hearing date has not yet been set.

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November 24, 2022

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U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee

Docs

Saul Bellow biography and life timeline | American Masters

Saul Bellow. Photo by Jeff Lowenthal

The winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, three National Book Awards and the Pulitzer Prize, Saul Bellow transformed modern literature. He illuminated 20th-century American life through philosophical depth and a wild sense of humor. Some of the greatest American writers alive today credit him as their main inspiration. In addition to being an intellectual powerhouse, Bellow was also a controversial participant in America’s culture wars: a man both praised and reviled for his willingness to confront the issues of literacy, race, sex, crime and class. This timeline explores Bellow’s life and the major milestones in his career.

1915

EARLY BEGINNINGS

Solomon Bellows (Saul Bellow) is born in Lachine, Quebec, the fourth child of Russian-Jewish immigrants. His parents speak Yiddish and Russian, the children speak Yiddish and English at home, and French on the streets.

1915

1918

The family move to the Jewish slums of Montreal. His father struggles to make a living as a wholesaler, marriage broker, junk dealer and bootlegger. ‘His talent’, Saul would later write, ‘was for failure.’

1918

1924

THE MOVE TO THE U.S.

Saul and his family are smuggled into the United States, where they live for many years without legal citizenship. Says Saul, ‘the streets were freedom for us growing up in Chicago. Everything was happening on those streets, legitimate and illegitimate.’

1924

1931

The family’s coal business enjoys some success. However, Bellow’s determination to embrace academia and art rather than the family business leads him to be mocked by his father and his elder brother as a ‘schmuck with a pen.’

1931

1936

INTRODUCING SAUL BELLOW

Bellow wins third prize in a newspaper short story connection. The story is published under his adopted name Saul Bellow. ’I wanted to break with everyone, even my family, so I chose the other name, which was a legitimate name, and belonged to me alone.’

1936

1938

Bellow’s academic career stalls, and he is fired from his job in his brother’s coal yard. He marries Anita Goshkin. She works while Bellow writes.

1938

1944

His first novel, “Dangling Man,” sells just 1,506 copies. Bellow does, however, attract some attention from Hollywood executives. They, after seeing photos of the author, unsuccessfully offer Bellow a movie career as the ‘guy who loses the girl to the Errol Flynn type.’

1944

1954

FINDING HIS VOICE

Bellow’s novel “The Adventures of Augie March” is published. Its famous opening line ‘I am American, Chicago-born’ may not be literally accurate of Bellow himself but evokes the determination of this son of Jewish immigrants to be accepted as an authentic American artist. The book wins the National Book Award and is considered by many to be a breakthrough in American fiction.

1954

1959

Bellow’s career continues to flourish with “Henderson the Rain King.” The novel tells of a successful man frustrated by American materialism who goes to Africa in search of spiritual contentment. Bellow successfully merges philosophical themes with comedy although there is some criticism of his depiction of African characters.

1959

1964

MAKING IT BIG

Bellow (through the novel “Herzog”) displaces John le Carrē as number one on the New York Times Bestsellers List. A scholar of romanticism is driven crazy by his own romantic troubles. He writes an avalanche of unsent letters to famous men that depict his intellectual ideas and complain about his unfaithful wife. The vicious depiction of a character modelled on Bellow’s second wife, Alexandra Tschacbasov, and the notorious passage that women ‘eat green salad and drink human blood’ would attract much feminist criticism.

1964

1971

A CONSERVATIVE IN THE CULTURE WARS

Bellow, ‘after having ‘a bad reaction to the 1960s’ publishes “Mr. Sammler’s Planet.” A Holocaust survivor now living in New York fears that the contemporary counter culture, the sexual revolution and rampant crime signal another imminent collapse of civilization and an ‘outbreak of savagery and barbarism.’

1971

1975

“Humboldt’s Gift” tells the story of a doomed poet (based on Bellow’s friend Delmore Schwartz) destroyed by madness and America’s preference for business over art. The book features much else besides, including depictions of Chicago’s gangsters and of its even more dangerous divorce lawyers, a subject of great concern for the oft-divorced Bellow. The novel wins the Pulitzer Prize despite having depicted the award as a ‘dummy publicity award given by crooks and illiterates.’

1975

1976

AND THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE GOES TO SAUL BELLOW

Bellow’s career is at its pinnacle although fame and fortune have its drawbacks. He describes winning the Nobel as initially ‘very agreeable … you feel a little like Cinderella’ but very soon ‘you realize that you are no longer your own master.’

1976

1981

Despite its comedy, “The Dean’s December” is often considered Bellow’s most somber, even sorrowful novel. It moves between totalitarian, dimly-lit Romania and crime-ridden Chicago.

1981

1999

At age 84, Bellow becomes a father for his fourth time, after his wife Janis Freedman-Bellow gives birth to their daughter Naomi Rose. Saul remarks that he is like ‘a great grandfather to my own child. It is a novelty to say the least.’

1999

2000

“Ravelstein,” a fictionalized, loving account of Bellow’s friendship with the conservative intellectual Allen Bloom is published. The book is considered more impressive still given that Bellow is by this stage in his mid-80s. It is, however, criticized by some for ‘outing’ Bloom as gay and having died from AIDS.

2000

2005

Bellow dies at home in Massachusetts and is buried in Vermont.

2005

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Saul Bellow. Photo by Jeff Lowenthal The winner

Global

2 people dead, 1 injured in triple shooting in Coquitlam Wednesday night – BC

Two people are dead following a shooting in Coquitlam Wednesday night.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has now been called in to take over the case.

RCMP said officers were called to the area of Dawes Hill Road and Mundy Street around 7:45 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls about a possible shooting.

When officers arrived on the scene they found multiple shell casings and two unresponsive people inside a vehicle, police said. Both were suffering from gunshot wounds.

One victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was transported to the hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries.

Click to play video: 'Coquitlam RCMP investigating double shooting on Clarke Road'

1:08
Coquitlam RCMP investigating double shooting on Clarke Road

Man killed in ‘targeted’ shooting in Port Coquitlam, police say

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Police also said a third victim was found suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was also taken to the hospital.

Police are asking any witnesses who may have video footage, including dash cam, surveillance, or cellphone video to contact investigators. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by e-mail.

&copy 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Two people are dead following a shooting

Entertaintment, TV

The Winchesters S01 E03 Recap: You’re Lost Little Girl

This episode aired on Tuesday October 25th on The CW at 8/7c.

My Preamble

How was my Tuesday “date-night” viewing of The Winchesters, you ask? LOL… well there’s nothing like getting wrapped up in your work! Truth to tell I am behind in my episode reporting, so bear with me folks. As always, The Winchesters isn’t just a great show, full of wonderful young actors bringing some good writing to life in exciting ways, it’s also got the 70’s references that let me swim in nostalgic waters. A joy to relive!

In S01-E02, the Fab 4 have discovered a magic box capable of killing monsters but it doesn’t seem to be working, Samuel Campbell is still MIA, we discover there’s a “Betty,” John has worked through some emo issues with his mom Millie, Ada gathered some helpful intel while in a Jasmine-tea-induced trance, and there is a demon on the loose who can provide answers regarding the Akrida.

And the dramatic irony being played out in full technicolor, is the red-haired hooded figure who collected the soul of the felled La Tundra monster. Who or what is she, I wonder?

Episode Recap

Craig Fitzgerald, BangShift XL-CB Radio

In the opening scene we see a small girl named Carrie reach out to her long-haul trucker mom using a CB radio. Carrie is asking for help to find her beloved stuffed toy called Bernice. After speaking with her mom, Carries sees a burlap sack appear on her bedroom floor. She picks up her lost Bernice from the top of the bag and scuffles off to bed. Immediately after, we see a monster emerge from the bag, and Carrie is taken.

Dean Winchester narrates: There’s no map to being a hunter. No playbook. You gotta follow your gut. But that can only take you so far. Truth is, you can’t do it all on your own. You need other people to help guide the way– your friends, your family. Otherwise, you just end up lost.

Mary, Lata and John are in the Men-of-Letters (MOL) Clubhouse. We find out that Mary’s mom and dad are separated, and Mary doesn’t know if her mom is aware that Samuel is missing. There’s another reference to Maggie’s death, which is still a mystery. Mary also shared with John and Lata that the last time she saw her dad, they argued about hunting.

Ada shares with the team that her tea-trance was a way to access the echo of the demon who possessed her. What she learned was that, like Samuel, the demons were after the magical box. They need to find the surviving demon to get answers and the writings reveal a recurring address, which gives them a place to start; 108 Magnolia St, Apt #14.

The CW-Betty

Carlos joins the others and tells Mary that there are enough police at her neighbor’s house that it looks like an episode of Dragnet. Mary looks out for the kids when their mom is on the road, so she and John head over there to check up on them.

The kids are Ford, 12 and Carrie 8. When John and Mary pull up John sees a familiar face in one of the police officers on the scene, Betty. After introductions, Betty recognizes Mary’s name, as Mrs. Billups told the police to find her to watch out for Ford until she can get home. Carrie is missing.

While Mary goes to talk with Ford, John tells Betty that he and Mary are friends from college, and they are in the same study group. It’s obvious from their conversation that Betty and John have got some history.

While on the porch together, Ford tells Mary what he saw. A long-twisted arm pulled Carrie into a sack just before it disappeared into thin air. Mary and John go to investigate Carrie’s bedroom and she tells him what Ford saw. John notices the CB Radio and Mary recalls her memories as a kid falling asleep while listening to truckers. Mary always wondered what a “normal life” would be like, and John asked what she imagined for herself when she grew up. While he wanted to be a catcher for the Kansas City Athletics,

The CW-Burlap

Mary said being the kid of hunters deprived her of those kinds of dreams.

Mary finds a piece of burlap, and the scene shifts to the monster’s lair. A very creepy monster is sniffing at a pile of stuffed toys and in the middle, hiding, we see Carrie.

John and Mary take Ford back to her house while they place hex bags around the place for extra protection. Ford wants to help them find Carrie, but Mary convinces him to stay put while she confides in him the secret that they are monster hunters. Ford wants to join the “Monster Club” and they agree as long as he stays put and remembers to keep their secret.

Ada and Carlos are in the van while “Rockin Roxy” a pirate radio DJ plays “Restless Feeling” by Elderberry Jak.

The CW-Carlos Holy Water Pistol Demon

While Carlos complains about his boredom, Ada trims a bonsai tree. The demon they are looking for appears beside Carlos’ door and pulls him onto the ground. Carlos sprays him with holy water but it doesn’t seem to have any affect. As he rounds the back of the van to go after Ada, she hits the demon with the door, and they toss him in the back and hold him hostage in the devil’s trap painted on the van ceiling. Rather than calling in the others, Ada and Carlos take the demon somewhere quiet so they can chat.

Back at the MOL Clubhouse, Lata has examined the swatch of burlap fabric and while John makes a joke about not

The CW-Bori Baba

finding it a Woolworths catalog, Lata explains it’s pattern is from northern India near her birth-place. It’s over 1000 years old. She identifies the monster as Bori Baba who lures its victims by tempting them with a lost item that has deep meaning for them. It keeps its victims alive long enough to taunt and hunt them until it eats them alive.

Lata has very little to go on and can’t tell the team how to track and kill the monster until she can connect with people from her childhood to learn more. Mary tells John that Lata’s parents died years ago. Lata will have to reach out to others.

The CW-Bori Baba grabs Ford

The next scene moves back to Mary’s house. Ford hears a noise and goes outside, beyond the protection of the hex bags. Bori Baba places Carrie’s hair barrette at the top of the bag to lure Ford in and he takes the bait. John and Mary arrive with cheeseburgers and fries but cannot find Ford. Betty arrives to check up on the boy and knocks on the door. John answers while Mary continues to look.

Betty reminds John that they made a deal to talk once he got back from the war. John eludes to having more pressing issues on his mind. She offers to listen if he needs someone to talk too.

When John goes back in the house to look for Mary, he can hear a muffled sound and realizes that she’s gone next

The CW-Dads Hat

door to Ford’s house and the voice he hears is hers coming through the CB Radio. Mary says she can’t leave the kids alone with Bori Baba and tells John to find a way to get them out. He begs her not to go fearing they will all get stuck. John makes a run for it to try and stop her but before he can get to her, she sees the sack, pulls out her Dad’s hat, and is lured in.

The CW-Trapped in a Bonsai

Just as Mary disappears, we hear “Something Got Into Your Life” by Spooky Tooth.

Ada and Carlos still have the demon trapped, this time in a salt circle while Ada threatens to trap him inside her bonsai tree unless he shares what he knows about the Akrida. The demon says they are too late—even with the magical box, the Akrida are too many and their leader is hiding in a human. A woman. Ada does the spell and traps the demon in the bonsai tree anyway.

When John gets back to Lata, he’s desperate for her to find the answers they need to beat Bori Baba. John confides in Lata that none of this hunter life works without Mary – he needs her. Lata thinks she may have one more person she can contact to get the details they need.

They can’t kill Bori Baba, or it will also destroy his sack and everyone who has been trapped. The only way to save Mary and the kids, is to get them out first, before they summon Bori Baba. The trick is for his victims to willingly let go of the item that lured them in the first place. Once they are free of the item, they will be released back into their world.

Bori Baba’s lair is room after room of lost items. It stands to reason that if they use the CB Radio to try and reach Mary, there should be CB Radio parts in his lair that they can use to communicate. It works, and they tell Mary what needs to be done. Immediately the kids relinquish their attachment to their items and are transported back.

The CW-Kids Transported Home

Mary tries to burn her dad’s hat, but it doesn’t seem to be working. The hat holds a deeper meaning for Mary then just her Dad. It also represents the hunter’s life, and more personally, it represents Mary’s identity. If she lets go of that, she has no idea who she is. John convinces her to take the first step and it works. She burns the hat and is transported out. When the monster attempts to follow, John kills him.

The kids are delivered safely back home, and Betty is there with the mom, Mrs. Billups. Betty sees John and takes the opportunity to return something to him. It’s a ring. It’s either a promise ring or an engagement ring, so we know that him and Betty must have been serious before he left for the war. They agree to remain friends.

When Mary sees him, she asks “How’s Mod Squad?” in reference to Betty being a cop (I used to love this show when I was a kid. I had a juvie-crush on Michael Cole. For a real trip down memory lane, here’s the theme song).

The CW-Rockin Roxy Akrida Boss

John asks Mary if she is going to take a break from hunting and she says she will still be searching for her dad, but takes the night off and goes to see a movie – the Omega Man. She is a little short when paying for admission and a young man in line offers to make up the difference. They go in to the movie together and leave the theatre together.

John thanks Lata for all her help figuring out Bori Baba and they are both concerned that such rare monsters keep showing up in Lawrence.

John takes Bori Baba’s remains and burns them. As he walks away, we see a spider-like monster come out of the shadows and take the burlap sack and deliver it to the red-haired woman, who just happens to be the radio announcer, as she introduces “Spooky” by Percy Sledge.

As the spider-monster delivers the sack to the red-haired Akrida woman, we see her collect the Bori Baba’s essence in a glass jar like she did with the others. What they know now is that the Akrida leader posing as a woman, is powerful enough to terrify demons.

Cast

Character	Actor	Character	Actor	Character	Actor
Mary Campbell	Meg Donnelly	John Winchester	Drake Rodger	Latika Desai	Nida Khurshid
Carlos Cervantez	Jojo Fleites	Ada Monroe	Demetria McKinney	Millie Winchester	Bianca Kajlich
Rockin Roxy	Bridget Regan	Betty	Andrea Londo	Kyle	Ryan McCartan
Carrie Billup	Avangeline Friedlander	Ford Billup	Trayce Malachi	Mrs. Billup	Kanesha Washington
Demon Jack	Billy Slaughter	Bori Baba	JD Garcia	Movie Attendant	Erin Cessna
Pedestrian	Ginger Cressman	Dean Winchester	Jensen Ackles

Next Episode

Tuesday November 1^st on The CW at 8/7c.

November 24, 2022

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The Winchesters S01 E03 Recap: You’re Lost

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Kim Kardashian Talks Kanye West Contacting Him Amidst Feud – Hollywood Life

Kim Kardashian, North West, Saint West
Kim Kardashian out and about, New York, USA - 01 Feb 2017
Kim Kardashian and kids leaving home in New York City — Image Credit: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Thousand Oaks, CA - Kim Kardashian attends her daughter North's Basketball Game in Thousand Oaks.

Pictured: Kim Kardashian

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Kim Kardashian took her daughter, North West, to Paris Couture Fashion Week on the Nov. 24 episode of The Kardashians. Kim wanted North to see her at work to prove that work can be fun if it’s something you’re passionate about. For one of North’s outfits on the trip, she wore dad Kanye West’s jacket, which he first rocked in 2008.

“It’s going to be a huge fashion moment,” Kim gushed in the episode, which was filmed in early summer 2022. “Kanye tends not to care about his stuff and gives it all away and it ended up on the Internet and I got it last week. Kanye knows that I’m so protective of his stuff for the kids.”

kim kardashian north west — North wearing Kanye’s jacket in Paris. (AbacaPress / SplashNews.com)

Even though Kim and Kanye split in Feb. 2021, they remained in contact as co-parents, going through periods of major ups and downs following the breakup. One of their lowest points was toward the beginning of 2022, when Kanye publicly called Kim out on social media on a number of occasions. However, Kim explained that she contacted Kanye during this time for the kids’ sake.

“Even when he was at the height of not speaking with me and being angry with me, he won a few Grammys and I still reached out and was like, ‘I know you won a few Grammys. I gotta add them to the vault,’” Kim revealed. “And he was like, ‘okay.’ Because the kids want them, you know? And I want to put them all together.”

kim kardashian kanye west — Kim and Kanye on the red carpet before their split. (Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

The state of Kim and Kanye’s current relationship is unclear. She publicly condemned him after he made antisemitic comments on social media in September. However, they’ve been seen together on a number of occasions at sporting events for their kids in the weeks since. They are currently still in the process of working out a custody agreement and settling their divorce.

On the Paris trip, though, Kim was clearly focused on North. “Each kid gets at least one trip with me a year,” Kim explained. “North loves this. She’s here with her mom and grandma. It just also shows my daughter the work I’m putting in. There is a whole business behind it and I like to show her that this is still fun for me.”

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November 24, 2022

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View gallery Image Credit: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Kim Kardashian

Entertaintment, TV

Mandy Moore Signs On To Star In Season Two Of Peacock’s Series Dr. Death

Our favorite TV Mom is back. Mandy Moore has just signed on to star in Peacock’s critically acclaimed anthology series “Dr. Death”. She will also be joining her is her “This is Us” costar Jennifer Morrison. The show is based on based on the first season of the hit Wondery podcast, explored the psyche of disgraced Texas Neurosurgeon, Dr. Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson). He maimed or killed 33 out of 38 patients over his career. The series was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Limited Series and named one of the top shows of 2021 by Entertainment Weekly, NPR and more. DR. DEATH is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Moore will be playing as Benita Alexander, an investigative journalist who falls in love with an accomplished surgeon, Paolo Macchiarini (Edgar Ramirez). But as their relationship progresses, Benita discovers things about Paolo that are beyond comprehension.

The official description for this season per Peacock’s release: “This season will feature the ‘Miracle Man’ storyline based on the most recent third season of the Dr. Death podcast. Paolo Macchiarini is a charming surgeon, renowned for his innovative operations that earn him the nickname ‘Miracle Man.’ When investigative journalist Benita Alexander approaches him for a story, the line between personal and professional begins to blur, changing her life forever. As she learns how far Paolo will go to protect his secrets, a group of doctors halfway across the world make shocking discoveries of their own that call everything about the ‘Miracle Man’ into question.”

Morrison is working behind-the-scenes as a director for Episodes 1-4 . Both actresses took to Instagram to celebrate the news. “Reunited and it feels so good! So thrilled to be working the incomparable @mandymooremm on the #doctordeath anthology series,” Morrison posted, while Moore wrote, “Secret’s out! I wasn’t expecting to head back to work so soon but I couldn’t say no to Dr. Death and the chance to work with @edgarramirez25 and my friend @jennifermorrison to tell this story.”

What Other Upcoming Projects Does Moore Have?

Moore reteamed with This Is Us EPs Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker and New Girl‘s Rebecca Addelman to develop a Hulu series based on Wondery’s Twin Flames podcast, in which Moore will also star. She will star in the project, which tells the true story of two women who become heavily wrapped up in the online teachings of a couple who espouse the idea that everyone has a soulmate — or a “twin flame” — and that absolutely nothing should get in the way of twin flames uniting. Addelman will write and executive-produce.

She will also be developing a potential series with her production company, Roll With The Punches Productions, which has a multi-year production overall deal with 20th Television, to develop and produce series projects for the studio, including another project, which is an adaptation of The Cut/ New York Magazine article “My Mom Has No Friends”.

Moore, who is mom to Gus, 20 months, and Ozzie, born last month is a super mom. Balancing two children can’t be easy but she manages it just fine with ease while still being a rockstar with her career. We can’t wait what else she has in store for us and to watch these shows. Stay tuned for more upcoming news on this.

November 24, 2022

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Our favorite TV Mom is back. Mandy

Entertaintment, Film, TV

Going to Pittsburgh? Come to Steel City Con December 9-11!

Come to Pittsburgh Steel City Con!

Interest in conventions, comic books, or fun? In that case, December 9-11, Pittsburgh’s famous comic convention, Steel City Con will take place at the Monroeville Convention Center. Notable guests that will be present include Steve Burns(Blue’s Clues), Giancarlo Esposito(The Boys), Chevy Chase(Christmas Vacation), The Undertaker, and various cast members of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Aside from actors, artists such as Shawn Coss and Joe Wos will be present. On the subject of artists, Steel City Con has partnered with Stranger Comics and artist Caanan White to provide an exclusive cover variant for Niobe.

Courtesy of Steel City Con/Stranger Comics/Caanan White

Across this weekend, you can get opportunities to have photo-ops, autographs, and partake in various Q&As. In addition, events such as a trivia contest, artist quick sketch for charity, and costume contest! Outside of celebrities and events, vendors will be present throughout the convention, some being local artists from the Pittsburgh area! If you are unable to attend, don’t worry, Time Warner Entertainment will provide coverage of the event. From people attending as vendors, attending various Q&As, and providing photos of beloved celebrities, expect to see coverage of the event as it progresses!

Find more information at the conventions website, and stay tuned for more information and daily recaps of the event.

November 24, 2022

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Come to Pittsburgh Steel City Con! Interest in

Tech

Perspective | How Amazon shopping ads are disguised as real results

Amazon is the first app many of us think about to buy things online. But is it actually a good place to go shopping?

When you search for a product on Amazon, you may not realize that most of what you see at first is advertising. Amazon is betraying your trust in its results to make an extra buck.

Let me show you.

We’ll search Amazon for “cat beds.”

Here are the results. Next we’ll put an orange highlight on all of the ads. Believe it or not, that’s pretty much everything you see.

There’s an ad for a brand called Bodiseint at the top. Underneath are three results that paid their way to the top of the “cat beds” listing.

They’re not even very relevant: On the left is a product featuring a photo of dog — yes, a dog — for one of Amazon’s own brands.

On the right is a luxury cat condo that costs $389.

Scrolling to the second screen, we finally start to see non-ads.

These are the first products that were actually chosen because they’ve got the best combination of price and quality.

But the real results don’t last long.

Scroll to the next screen, and it’s all ads again.

Here’s a set of listings labeled “Highly rated,” but don’t be fooled: These aren’t the highest-rated cat beds on Amazon. These are also just ads.

Scroll again, and this screen has even more ads.

These three, under the heading “Top rated from our brands,” are all for Amazon’s own products. (Wait, why is there another dog photo?)

Keep on scrolling, and the ads keep coming — even if they’re repeats.

On these first five screens, more than 50 percent of the space was dedicated to ads and Amazon touting its own products.

This isn’t just a cat problem: The first page of Amazon results includes an average of about nine sponsored listings, according to a study of 70 search terms conducted in 2020 and 2021 by data firm Profitero. That was twice as many ads as Walmart displayed, and four times as many as Target.

Amazon might feel unbeatable for service, fast shipping and easy returns. But as a place to find products, it’s becoming a tacky strip mall filled with neon signs pointing you in all the wrong directions.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, but I review all tech with the same critical eye.

One of the great promises of the internet is that we can get access to more information and make better choices. Amazon has pioneered a kind of online advertising business that feeds us sponsored information that can cloud our choices. We the users want honest online shopping experiences and some common-sense limits on ads that are designed to deceive.

I call it the “shill results” business. Even when they contain a tiny disclaimer label — as do Amazon’s — these kinds of ads can be misleading because they fill up spaces people have every reason to expect to contain trustworthy, independent information.

What’s worse, many other apps and online marketplaces are following Amazon’s lead. Shill results now crowd Apple and Google’s smartphone app stores — search for an app used for couple’s therapy, and you’ll get an ad for a dating app. (Seriously.) Food-delivery apps shill eggnog and whipped cream when you’re just looking for milk. As I’ve written before, Google search has a big shill results problem, too, though it’s as much about ads as pointing you back to Google’s own products.

Amazon has turned shill results into its next big thing. After selling $31 billion in ads last year, Amazon became the third-largest online ad company in the United States, trailing only Google and Facebook. Some brands and sellers love Amazon ads because they show up right at the moment you’re making a purchase — though others tell me ads have become an extra Amazon tax they have to pass on to customers.

Amazon insists they’re actually a good thing for us. “We are dedicated to providing customers with a world-class shopping experience, including working hard every day to ensure the ads they see are useful, informative, and help make shopping a little bit easier,” said spokesman Patrick Graham.

But in my experience, Amazon’s ads are often not useful, not informative and can make shopping a little bit harder. If you are searching for a cat bed, you have an expectation that Amazon will show you the cat beds that are most useful for you. Not $389 cat beds. Not the pet bed Amazon makes the most money from. Not a weird knockoff.

We The Users

How technology fails us — and ideas to make it better. Read more.

Let me be clear: Advertising isn’t necessarily bad. When it’s done well, ads can inform us about new products and help new businesses get a foot in the door. It pays the bills for much of the internet — including this news website.

“Right now, consumers are tolerating ads pretty well overall on Amazon, despite the number of them,” said Andrew Lipsman, a principal analyst at market research firm Insider Intelligence. But he warns there could be a tipping point: “There is a very clear tension between advertising and customer experience.”

Amazon told me an internal study found 89 percent of U.S. customers are pleased with results pages. I would like to invite them to run the survey again after showing customers their results with all my orange highlights on the ads.

How everything on Amazon became an ad

The Amazon we experience today is pretty much the opposite of how Amazon used to work.

Even as recently as 2015, Amazon’s results pages were filled with actual results, ranked by relevancy to your search. I found an archive of pages and marked one up compared with the same search today.

What happened? Back in the 2000s, when we started learning to buy all kinds of things online, Amazon was investing heavily in a new kind of shopping science: personalization and recommendations.

Amazon’s mission was to marry up everything it knew about its products with everything it knew about you to help you make the best choices. “The store radically changes based on customer interests, showing programming titles to a software engineer and baby toys to a new mother,” Amazon researchers wrote in an academic paper published in 2003.

This is probably how most of us imagine Amazon still works. But today advertisers are driving the experience.

Amazon’s focus has shifted from “trying to find ways to delight consumers with great recommendations, personalization and discovery to building better advertising technology,” says industry analyst Juozas Kaziukenas of research firm Marketplace Pulse, who has written about how everything on Amazon is becoming an ad.

Amazon also now uses search results to push its own in-house products. An investigation from The Markup exposed how Amazon results list its own brand and exclusive products ahead of others with higher ratings.

Sure, Google and Facebook are chock full of ads, too. But on Amazon, we’re supposed to be the customers, not the eyeballs for sale. We’re paying Amazon to buy a product, not to mention probably also paying for a membership in its Prime two-day-shipping product.

The reason they get away with it is that busy shoppers can’t easily detect how they’re now promoting the products that are best for Amazon’s bottom line. “Consumers can either ignore ads or assume that the advertised product is good enough,” said Kaziukenas. “Part of the reason why those ads on Amazon and Google work so well is because it’s near impossible for them to perfectly determine the best search results.”

Amazon says it still requires ads to be relevant. “We know that advertiser and customer interests are inherently aligned,” said Graham, the spokesman. “Advertising only works if we make it useful for Amazon customers, and when we create great customer experiences, we deliver better outcomes for brands.”

But are Amazon’s ads really always relevant? In some cases, I would argue they’re actually deceptive.

First, Amazon lets advertisers do what’s called brand “conquesting.” Off-brands can pay to advertise under a major brand’s name. When I search for a KitchenAid mixer, my first screen of results is brands called Kuppet and Kuccu.

It does this even though we, its supposed customers, take time to type out the name of a brand.

Amazon’s Graham said, “This practice is good for customers — it drives discovery and presents them with more choices.”

Second, Amazon search pages can contain blocks of information that aren’t nearly as independent as they might sound. With headings such as “Highly rated,” they sound like helpful call-outs of the best products — but they don’t actually contain the highest-rated products Amazon sells. They are just products that are paid to be there and don’t have terrible customer reviews.

Putting users ahead of advertisers

So how can we the users take back control?

First, we can change our own behavior. I’m under no illusion that we’re all going to stop shopping on Amazon; with its monopoly power, it’s getting hard to go elsewhere. But now that I’m aware Amazon is playing games, I start my shopping on Google and trusted reviews sites, and then head over to Amazon only once I’ve identified what I want.

We can also learn the subtle ways Amazon hides what’s really an ad, so you can make your own imaginary orange highlights. I annotated this rogue’s gallery with some of its most common formats.

LEFT: Search results are no longer ordered by relevance or what Amazon thinks the “best” product is. When the placement is paid, it should have a “Sponsored” label like this. (Amazon/Washington Post illustration) RIGHT: Amazon places its own-brand products in search results and labels them not as “Sponsored” but rather “From our brands.” (Amazon/Washington Post illustration)

LEFT: The “Highly rated” category in Amazon listings does not mean highest rated. It can be filled with ads, so look for the “Sponsored” label in smaller type underneath. (Amazon/Washington Post illustration) RIGHT: Ads for specific brands often sit on top of Amazon results, and they could be for a competitor to the brand you searched for. Look for the “Sponsored” label in the lower right. (Amazon/Washington Post illustration)

Look for the “Sponsored” label, but not always in the same place. Sometimes it’s hidden in the lower-right corner; other times it’s in tiny type above the product name. When the ad is for one of Amazon’s own products, the listing might say just “Featured from our brands.” (Amazon doesn’t consider this an ad.)

Also, be on the lookout for those boxes of ads designed to look like independent information. They come under many headings, including “Brands related to your search,” “Highly rated,” “Trending now” and “Customers frequently viewed.” The company told me it is continually testing new groupings and iterating on titles.

(What about the “Amazon’s choice” label? That’s determined by an Amazon algorithm for a product that has good reviews, is well-priced and is available to ship. The label can’t be purchased, but it can appear on a sponsored listing if the product meets Amazon’s criteria. Amazon says the “Best seller,” “Climate pledge friendly” and “Parent pick” labels also cannot be purchased.)

But this can’t be all on us. Amazon and all the other sites and apps following its lead need some common-sense limits.

Here’s a modest proposal: No more than half of any screen we see at any given time — be it on desktop web or a smartphone — should contain ads.

Perhaps 50 percent sounds like a lot to you? But even that rule would force Amazon to show us at least some of the most-relevant results on the first screen of our device.

Amazon wouldn’t comment on this suggestion.

Another idea: Shill results should be much more clearly marked. A label disclosing that a shill listing is “Sponsored” should have the same font, size and contrast as the most prominent text in the ad. Even better: It should have to go on the top-left part of the ad, where our eyes go first. No more burying it in the far-right corner.

Amazon’s Graham said, “Ads in Amazon’s store always include a clear and prominent ‘sponsored’ label, implemented in accordance with FTC [Federal Trade Commission] guidelines.”

But not everyone agrees. Last year, the FTC received a formal petition from the Strategic Organizing Center, a coalition of labor unions, complaining that Amazon misleads consumers because of how it labels sponsored results.

What’s more, the FTC’s guidelines on all of this haven’t been updated since rapper Macklemore was at the top of the charts. In 2013 the FTC sent a letter to Google and others about what counts as acceptable ad labeling for search engines, and then it posted an enforcement policy in 2015. Back then it had no way to anticipate all the ways Amazon would try to stretch the reality of what is and isn’t an ad when we’re shopping online.

correction

A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that the “Highly Rated” label could be purchased. In fact, Amazon selects who is featured under that label. This article has been corrected.

About this story

Editing by Laura Stevens, Karly Domb Sadof and Julie Vitkovskaya. Copy editing by Carey Biron. Design editing by Junne Alcantara. Photo editing by Monique Woo. Design and development by Emma Kumer.

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November 24, 2022

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Amazon is the first app many of

Video

David Lowery’s ‘The Green Knight’ Short Film: Watch A24’s Teaser

Titled “Oak Thorn & the Rose of Love,” the short film is included as part of A24’s “The Green Knight: Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray.

David Lowery released one of the most acclaimed films of 2021 with “The Green Knight,” a gorgeous adaptation of Sir Gawain’s tale in Arthurian legend. Now, Lowery has returned to his version of Camelot with “Oak Thorn & The Old Rose of Love,” a short film exclusively made for the original film’s collector’s edition Blu-ray.

The 20-minute film stars Jackie Earle Haley and Sylvia Hoeks as the two main characters, entities possessing great knowledge who begin to share their learnings with one another. Although the story has no explicit ties to the original “Green Knight,” which starred Dev Patel as Gawain, the film is set in the same beautifully rendered version of Camelot seen in Lowery’s original film and is based on an Arthurian tale.

Lowery shot the short film this summer, and in an interview with Collider said it would never be released legally online, saying, “I’d already been thinking about adapting this particular story, and as we were coming up with ways to make the Blu-ray extra special, I thought it would be nice to have an adjunct movie on the disc. I love physical media, and loved the idea of having this short film that would never be released online, that would only ever be available on the big screen or on this disc. I’m sure someone will rip it right away, but in theory this short film is an exclusively physical object.”

“The Green Knight” collector’s edition is available for pre-orders on A24’s online store. In addition to “Oak Thorn & The Old Rose of Love,” the Blu-ray also includes a commentary track from Lowery, a behind-the-scenes documentary of production, a short documentary on the film’s score, featurettes exploring the film’s VFX and costumes, and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray also comes with a book that contains an excerpt of the original “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” poem with annotations by Lowery, and costume sketches from the film’s designer Malgosia Turzanska. The collector’s edition Blu-ray will ship starting November 30.

Watch the teaser for “Oak Thorn & The Old Rose of Love” below.

Sneak peak at David Lowery’s new short film, “Oak Thorn & The Old Rose of Love,” available exclusively on The Green Knight Collector’s Edition Blu-ray ⟶ https://t.co/PGhYIs4CZ0 pic.twitter.com/6gaKDuu1Zf

— A24 (@A24) November 21, 2022

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November 23, 2022

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Titled "Oak Thorn & the Rose of

Entertaintment

Michael Allio, Danielle Maltby Discuss Finale – The Hollywood Reporter

This is looking like an especially happy holiday season for Bachelor in Paradise standouts Michael Allio and Danielle Maltby.

The ABC dating show’s finale aired Tuesday, revealing the couple as one of the two main success stories from season eight, along with newly engaged Brandon Jones and Serene Russell. After Allio’s initial attempt at romance with Sierra Jackson fizzled earlier in the season, Maltby arrived on the beach in Mexico and had an immediate connection with the single father. During the finale, viewers learned that the pair is stronger than ever, with Maltby moving from Nashville to Allio’s home city of Akron, Ohio, to be closer to him and his young son, James.

The pair left Bachelor in Paradise before the marriage proposals, so instead of an engagement, their biggest moment during the finale was Allio, who was first introduced to viewers on Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette, stunning Maltby by telling her for the first time that he loves her. But the pair explains to The Hollywood Reporter that they are simply hoping to take things at their own pace.

“We don’t necessarily feel the pressure of timelines that maybe the audience imposes or the show has in place,” Allio says. “We will 100 percent march to our own drum, and I think that’s what works best for us. So it’s all of those little moments that we now get to share together and begin building memories as a couple, which I can’t wait for.”

During the below conversation, the couple discuss their holiday plans (Christmas tree shopping!), the debate over Maltby’s podcast conversation from last week about Jackson, why Allio was reluctant to star as the Bachelor and their reaction to the finale’s controversial segment when Victoria Fuller announced that she had ended her engagement with Johnny DePhillipo and is now dating Allio’s fellow Bachelorette alum Greg Grippo.

Your time during the finale was definitely a highlight of the episode. How does it feel to have everything out in the open?

Danielle Maltby: It’s surreal. Our tiny little bubble is now broken, and we finally get to share our joy with more than just immediate friends and family.

Michael Allio: My phone’s been blowing up ever since last night. It’s just really cool to look back, not just on the reunion, but our entire journey. We can see our walls breaking down. We are two highly guarded people, and there’s just been so much progress, and for us, we’ve been able to grow so much after the show. Sometimes, that’s when relationships get tested the most, and they falter — that’s where ours really began, was off-camera.

What’s been the most different about the real world?

Maltby: Well, James is in the real world. He was not on Paradise. (Laughs.)

Allio: We really haven’t experienced too much real life yet because everything’s been secret. We’ve been dating for almost six months now. We really spent a lot of that time getting to know each other and diving deeper and not being distracted by the outside world. With the holidays coming around, it just feels like a really special time in our life right now.

Maltby: It really is. I feel like every holiday would come around, and I’d be like, “Am I ever gonna have somebody?”

Allio: You don’t have to worry about that anymore. (Laughs.)

‘Bachelor in Paradise’

ABC/Eric McCandless

What do your holiday plans look like?

Allio: Danielle actually left Nashville at 3 in the morning and drove up here. My sister’s having Thanksgiving tomorrow, so we’re gonna spend the afternoon cooking pumpkin pies and making food. And the day after Thanksgiving …

Maltby: Christmas tree shopping!

Allio: We’re gonna buy our Christmas tree; we’re gonna decorate it.

Maltby: I’m just so happy!

You two left the beach before the marriage proposals, but have you been talking about those kinds of moments for down the road?

Maltby: There’s a few things that have to happen yet before I get moved up. I want to make sure I leave my office in the best space possible, find the right job here, right apartment. But honestly, what we’re just looking forward to now is being able to go out on dates in the same city. And I really just want more time to focus on a relationship with James. I want to be able to pick him up from school and meet y’all at home. It’s day-to-day life stuff that I’m excited to be up here and be a part of.

Allio: We’re both very intentional with our actions and what we want out of life. We don’t necessarily feel the pressure of timelines that maybe the audience imposes or the show has in place. We will 100 percent march to our own drum, and I think that’s what works best for us. So it’s all of those little moments that we now get to share together and begin building memories as a couple, which I can’t wait for.

Maltby: I’m so excited. Long-distance is fun and all, but if we want this relationship to work, we’ve got to be closer.

Allio: I’m excited to see her and James’ relationship blossom. They have this awesome connection. I picked him up from school yesterday, and he is like, “Where’s Danielle?” And I was like, “She’s coming on Wednesday.” And he’s like, “You said two days!” I was like, “Yeah, it was Monday at the time.” He’s just so excited to see her. Last time Danielle was in town, we were dropping her off at the airport, and James is in the backseat, and he’s like, “Danielle, when you get in there, do you want us to give you a call, make sure that you’re OK, that you have someone to talk to?”

Maltby: “You can hear our voices.”

Allio: He’s just the sweetest kid in the world, and they have such a healthy, beautiful relationship, and it’s only just beginning.

Maltby: He’s my little buddy.

Michael, you obviously know Greg from Katie’s season. One of the key moments from the finale was seeing Victoria and Greg talk about their relationship. What was your take on that?

Allio: Greg and I are good friends. I know that he comes from a really good place. Where people are hung up with this thing is timelines, and only they know the timeline. What I will say is, both of us have tried to find love — it’s difficult to find. If you can find your happiness in any way possible, you gotta go for it. And I’m a big fan of Johnny as well. He’s an amazing, amazing person.

Maltby: He’s a really good guy.

Allio: The whole situation was just difficult. I’m hoping that everybody involved with it can find some common ground and get back to pursuing their own happiness.

Sierra reacted on social media to a conversation that Danielle and Kaitlyn Bristowe recently had on her podcast, leading Kaitlyn to apologize to her. Has that been resolved?

Maltby: I got caught up gabbing with my girlfriend, and it was not fair to speak into something that I wasn’t there for. Michael’s relationship with Sierra had resolved by the time I got down there, and I just feel really awful that I hurt her feelings. So, just wish her nothing but the best moving forward. I’m just really excited to spend the holidays with my guy.

Michael, there was speculation that you could have been good as the Bachelor. Why was Paradise a better fit for you?

Allio: For me, the time for filming with Bachelor in Paradise is much less of a commitment, and also it seems as though the success rate for Bachelor in Paradise was more fitting for what I was looking for. You get to spend a lot more time with people when you’re down on the beach. As someone that was on Katie’s season, you don’t get to spend that much time, and for me, at my age, time is important if you’re trying to really dial in and find that person. I thought after I left Katie’s season that it was all in the rearview, and I’m so happy that it wasn’t because I found you. You never know where this crazy road leads. You just keep walking.

Have you gotten to speak recently with Brandon and Serene, who also started their love story on this season?

Maltby: I literally haven’t had a second to message them yet because I went to bed at 9 o’clock. I didn’t even watch last night because I knew I had to get up so early to drive. That’s literally on my list of things to do. I got here and threw on some makeup and sat down to speak with you fine people.

Allio: I sent Brandon a message. They’re made for each other. Since day one, they had this magnetism towards each other, and you could just feel it. It’s really cool to see everything play out on camera. It’s really, really cool to be able to share a piece of our lives with everybody. It’s just beautiful.

Maltby: Maybe we do a family trip to Disney! (Laughs.) Mom and Dad and the kids.

Allio: Right! We have no doubt that they’re going to be a great couple moving forward.

Interview edited for length and clarity.

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November 23, 2022

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This is looking like an especially happy

Movies

Viola Davis-Chadwick Boseman’s Film is Oscar Worthy

In a year when thousands gathered on the streets chanting ‘Black Lives Matter’, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom finding screen space appears like a detailed explanation to why the movement is so important to many across the world. In the undertones of recording an album, the film unabashedly talks about social injustice, oppression and racism in late ‘1920s.

Based on the play of the same name by August Wilson, the Netflix film begins with a concert in a tent. It is a sweaty and sensual extravaganza of the blues in action as the workers line up to listen to the ‘Mother of the Blues’. After introducing the audience to Ma Rainey, one of the earliest African-American professional blues singers, we see her in Chicago recording an album with her band.

Undoubtedly Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman are the cores of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottoms and early on director George C Wolfe makes it clear that the two will share the same spotlight. Viola as the titular character is a headstrong, starry woman who lives by “You play by my rules’ mantra. Even though she’s at the pinnacle of her game, she’s fighting for her worth at every moment. She knows she’ll be soon taken over by a new voice, but she also knows that if she exposes her vulnerabilities she’d succumb to society’s prejudices dictating her merit.

Contrary to Ma Rainey, Boseman’s Levee represents change. He’s impulsive and occupied with ‘I know what I’m doing’ but to all intents and purposes, he’s looking for a shortcut to be like Ma. He’s in perfect sync with his band on the stage, but his understanding of the world is completely off the tune with them. While he wants to make it big, his much more experienced band members have come to terms with their lives. It is through his ‘blasphemous’ conflicts with them that the film makes a commentary upon the cruelty the people of colour have endured over the years.

Having watched Davis in the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s play Fences and the comedy-drama The Help, it was expected of her to dominate the screen every time she mouthed a bossy dialogue as the unapologetic celebrity. So was Boseman. However, watching him as the loudmouth and ill-tempered Levee was a pleasant contrast to his popular superhero character Black Panther.

Sadly, Boseman passed away in August 2020 during the film’s post-production, making Black Bottom his final film appearance. Every time he’s on the screen you can’t help but wonder what an irreplaceable powerhouse of talent he was. It will be fair to say that his final screen moments are the finest in his acting career.

Apart from Davis and Boseman, one has to acknowledge the brilliance of film’s supporting cast — Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo and Michael Potts. One gets to comprehend what these charismatic actors are capable of when their mere conversations in a rehearsal room give you a pictorial representation of what precisely happens when a person of colour is subjected to discrimination, public humiliation, emotional violation and sexual abuse.

The film neither exaggerates nor underplays racial tensions. Instead, the director impersonates it rather subtly in silent, awkward scenes when a group of black men walk through the Chicago streets or when they enter a store full of white people. In doing so, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom hits the audience with a hard pungent punch when they’re least expecting it. There are no conversations in these scenes but the uneasiness and awkwardness are palpable.

For the most part of the film, it doesn’t feel like you’re watching a movie. It’s more like you’re eavesdropping and listening to the private conversations of a band as they wait to record their song. However, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom can’t be treated as just another film you can watch while scrolling through your Instagram feed. It’s powerful, layered and must-watch. Don’t be surprised if you find the film as one of the favourites at the global awards, it is that good.

Rating: 4/5

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November 23, 2022

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In a year when thousands gathered on

Film

Why David Hyde Pierce isn’t returning for the Frasier revival

Paramount+ officially gave the green light to a new Frasier series starring Kelsey Grammer in October. The revival will once again see Grammer playing the psychiatrist-turned-radio host Frasier Crane, and while the actor once hoped that the original cast would also return, it seems that won’t be the case when it comes to David Hyde Pierce.

While speaking with People, Kelsey Grammer said, “For a while we were going to try to bring back the whole cast, the whole legacy cast,” but that all changed when David Hyde Pierce turned the project down. Of course, Pierce played Niles Crane on Frasier, but Grammer said, “David basically decided he wasn’t really interested in repeating the performance of Niles,” which is certainly fair. Once David Hyde Pierce decided not to return for the Frasier revival, Grammer said it wound up benefiting the project. “In a very funny way, it just took us to a new place,” Grammer said, “which was what we originally wanted to do anyway, which was a Fraser third act. It’s an entirely new life for him.” While it may be a little sad not to see Frasier and Niles reunite, it’s probably for the best that the show charts its own course.

As for where the Frasier revival will find its main character, Kelsey Grammer said, “He’s our brave little soldier that continues on in life, finding new challenges and a new love and new people and a new city and stuff like that.” The actor added that they’ll “always honor the past,” particularly the passing of John Mahoney, who played Martin Crane. “We’ll be dealing with that for sure,” Grammer said. The new series is expected to consist of ten episodes, and Grammer said they’ll be starting rehearsals in February. The actor first appeared as Frasier Crane in Cheers in 1984 and played the character until the series ended in 1993, after which he starred in his own series from 1993-2004.

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November 23, 2022

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Paramount+ officially gave the green light to

Entertaintment, TV

Here Are All the Songs in Netflix’s Wednesday

Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar with episodes directed by Tim Burton, James Marshall and Gandja Morteiro, “Wednesday” on Netflix contains all kinds of creepy and not so creepy music, with contributions by Chris Bacon and themes by Danny Elfman. But it’s also packed with popular songs.

From classic guitar-shred anthems like The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black” to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” to more modern pop songs like Dua Lipa’s “Physical,” the “Wednesday” soundtrack is eclectic to say the least. Certain sonic touches take place with the help of Wednesday’s cello, which she plays fiercely. She also has a phonograph in her room on which she plays scratchy and staticky records.

Wednesday’s latina roots are also honored with songs like “La Llorona,” “Tierra Rica” and more, with some haunting operas sprinkled throughout.

Here are all the songs in “Wednesday”:

“Non Je Ne Regrette Rien” by Edith Piaf
“In Dreams” by Roy Orbison
“Can’t Stop” by Rhythmking
“La Llorona” by Chavela Vargas
“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones (on Wednesday’s Cello)
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobbie McFerrin (harmonized by student a cappella choir)
“Space Song” by Beach House
“Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac
“Winter” by Antonio Vivaldi
“Nothing Else Matters” by Apocalyptica (cover of the Metallica song)
“Tierra Rica” by Carmenita Jiminez
“It’s a Shame (feat. Pink Feathers) by Rac
“The Beginning” by Magdalena
“Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps
“Physical” by Dua Lipa
“La Mama Morta” by Umberto Giordano
“Sciuri Sciura” by Blonde Readhead
“If I Be Wrong” by Wolf Larsen
“Gnossienne No. 1” by Dominic Johnson
“Perfect Day” by Hoku
“Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nikolai Rimsy-Korsakov, Isaac Stern, Multon Katims, Columbia Symphony

Listen with the help of our Spotify playlist.

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November 23, 2022

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Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar

What to Watch

Best Julia Roberts Movies | Moviefone

(L to R) George Clooney and Julia Roberts in Universal Pictures’ ‘Ticket to Paradise,’ directed by Ol Parker. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.

Julia Roberts is one of the most popular actresses of all time!

From ‘Pretty Woman’ to ‘Erin Brockovich,’ everyone loves Julia Roberts!

Her new comedy, ‘Ticket to Paradise‘ reunites Roberts with her ‘Ocean’s Eleven‘ and ‘Money Monster’ co-star George Clooney, and opens in theaters on October 21st.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the fifteen best Julia Roberts movies of all time.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

When he suddenly finds himself without his long-standing blue-collar job, Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) enrolls at his local college to start over. There, he becomes part of an eclectic community of students and develops a crush on his teacher (Roberts).

Larry Crowne

“Rediscover life and love.”

PG-131 hr 38 minJun 30th, 2011

Financial TV host Lee Gates (Clooney) and his producer Patty (Roberts) are put in an extreme situation when an irate investor takes over their studio.

Money Monster

“Not every conspiracy is a theory.”

64

R1 hr 38 minMay 13th, 2016

Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt), a reluctant bagman, has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique pistol, known as “the Mexican”… or suffer the consequences.

The second is from his girlfriend Samantha (Roberts) to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures alive and in trouble with Samantha is better than the more permanent alternative, so he heads south of the border.

The Mexican

“Love with the safety off.”

59

R2 hr 3 minMar 1st, 2001

Danny Ocean (Clooney) reunites with his old flame and the rest of his merry band of thieves in carrying out three huge heists in Rome, Paris and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels. Roberts reprises her role as Tess Ocean, and also plays herself in the film.

Ocean’s Twelve

“Twelve is the new eleven.”

66

PG-132 hr 5 minDec 10th, 2004

A young woman (Roberts) fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her nightmarish marriage, but discovers it is impossible to elude her controlling husband (Patrick Bergin).

The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Three teenage girls (Roberts, Annabeth Gish and Lili Taylor) come of age while working at a pizza parlor in Mystic, Connecticut.

Mystic Pizza

“A romantic comedy with the works”

63

R1 hr 44 minOct 13th, 1988

Five medical students (Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and Oliver Platt) want to find out if there is life after death. They plan to stop one of their hearts for a few seconds, thus simulating death, and then bring the person back to life.

Flatliners

“Some lines shouldn’t be crossed”

65

R1 hr 55 minAug 10th, 1990

Two couples (Roberts and Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Jude Law) disintegrate when they begin destructive adulterous affairs with each other.

Closer

“If you believe in love at first sight, you never stop looking.”

68

R1 hr 44 minDec 3rd, 2004

Steel Magnolias

“The funniest movie ever to make you cry”

72

PG1 hr 59 minNov 15th, 1989

Two Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student (Roberts) has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist (Denzel Washington) wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.

Sony Pictures

When she receives word that her longtime platonic pal Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) is getting married to debutante Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz), food critic Julianne Potter (Roberts) realizes her true feelings for Michael — and sets out to sabotage the wedding.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

“It’s about finding the love of your life. And deciding what to do about it.”

66

PG-131 hr 45 minJun 19th, 1997

The true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson’s (Tom Hanks) covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets had some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. Also starring Roberts, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Charlie Wilson’s War

“When the world wasn’t looking, he changed it forever.”

66

R1 hr 42 minDec 21st, 2007

William Thacker (Hugh Grant ) is a London bookstore owner whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when famous American actress Anna Scott (Roberts) appears in his shop. A chance encounter over spilled orange juice leads to a kiss that blossoms into a full-blown affair. As the average bloke and glamorous movie star draw closer and closer together, they struggle to reconcile their radically different lifestyles in the name of love.

Notting Hill

“Can the most famous film star in the world fall for the man on the street?”

73

PG-132 hr 4 minMay 28th, 1999

A twice-divorced mother of three (Roberts) who sees an injustice, takes on the bad guy and wins — with a little help from her push-up bra. Erin goes to work for an attorney and comes across medical records describing illnesses clustered in one nearby town. She starts investigating and soon exposes a monumental cover-up. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.

Erin Brockovich

“She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees.”

74

R2 hr 11 minMar 17th, 2000

Buena Vista Pictures

When a millionaire wheeler-dealer Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) enters a business contract with Hollywood hooker Vivian Ward (Roberts), he loses his heart in the bargain.

Pretty Woman

“She walked off the street, into his life and stole his heart.”

74

R1 hr 59 minMar 23rd, 1990

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November 23, 2022
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(L to R) George Clooney and Julia

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Even With ‘Black Panther,’ Don’t Expect Thanksgiving Box Office to Win

Marvel will do well, but the rest of this year’s holiday offerings aren’t as strong as 2021

The first batch of box office estimates for Thanksgiving weekend landed on Wednesday, and they presage a weekend that will be great for Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” but not for the box office at large.

Throughout this year, studios and theaters have been looking for signs of improvement in theatrical grosses over the early stages of the pandemic reopening process in 2021, but it is looking like this Thanksgiving weekend will struggle to even match last year’s 5-day holiday overall total of $142 million, which was down 46% from the $246 million earned in Thanksgiving 2019.

That’s because while early industry estimates are predicting a $50 million-plus total for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” over the extended weekend — which would bring its domestic total past $350 million — the medley of new releases coming out are performing significantly worse than the films that were out last year.

Leading them is Disney’s “Strange World” with a projected launch for the extended weekend of just $26 million. These Wednesday projections are still preliminary and the numbers could change over the weekend; but unless they do, “Strange World” risks becoming the first film from Walt Disney Animation Studios to earn a Fri.-Sun. opening of under $20 million since “Brother Bear” all the way back in 2003.

Other five-day estimates for new releases include $9.7 million for Sony’s Korean War drama “Devotion,” $4.1 million for MGM’s horror romance “Bones and All” and $3 million for Universal’s Steven Spielberg drama “The Fabelmans,” which is aiming for a slow nationwide rollout with just 638 theaters playing this weekend.

Netflix is not reporting numbers for its limited engagement of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” but with a screen count of around 600 theaters, it is likely to add less than $10 million to the overall gross.

How bad is that compared to last year? While “Wakanda Forever” is doing better than 2021’s No. 1 Thanksgiving film “Encanto,” which got $40.5 million; the second and third place films that weekend both grossed more than $20 million. Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” added $35 million over five days in its second weekend, MGM’s “House of Gucci” earned a $22 million extended opening, and Marvel’s tepidly-received “Eternals” added $11 million in its fourth weekend.

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At the time, the Thanksgiving 2021 results were a sign of both noticeable progress but also how very far the box office had to get back to normal. Through the 2010s, Thanksgiving weekend was headlined by a strong opening weekend from a major studio release. In the first half of the decade, it was Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games” films topping the charts, while the latter half saw Disney/Pixar releases like “Moana,” “Coco,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Frozen II” lead the holiday pack.

But now, it is a holdover result from a Marvel film released two weeks ago that is doing the heavy lifting while Disney animation craters and the struggling prestige market only provides incremental support. The Christmas season could follow a similar pattern with “Avatar: The Way of Water” projected for a $150-170 million opening on December 16, depending on whether Universal/DreamWorks’ family film “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” and Paramount’s bold and brash “Babylon” can also draw audiences.

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November 23, 2022
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Docs

Despite a Plutocrats’ World Cup, The Beautiful Game Inspires Beautiful Docs

In 1994, workers demolishing an old toy shop in Blackburn, Lancashire found three milk churns stuffed with hundreds of spools of film. The negatives—bound for the junkyard but deposited at a local video library that happened, fortuitously, to be on the way—turned out to have been the work of Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon. Pioneers of early commercial cinema, the Mitchell and Kenyon Film Company roamed the British Isles at the turn of the 20th century and documented everyday life in the Edwardian age.

Subsequently restored and preserved by the British Film Institute, the rediscovered trove includes some of the oldest surviving film of professional football. Grainy footage of Manchester United beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor; players walking out onto a snowy pitch for a Rotherham Town home game against Thornhill; an enormous goalkeeper called William “Fatty” Foulkes making acrobatic saves for Sheffield United versus Bury FC. These films, recording the 1902-03 English association football league season, are the earliest proto documentaries of what the world, following the Brazilians, has come to call o jogo bonito, the beautiful game.

The camera likes recording football. Watch the English team give the Nazi salute when they play Germany in 1938 Berlin. See Alfredo Di Stéfano glide past Barcelona in a 1960 clásico. Observe a lesson in samba as Garrincha, Pelé and Vavá dance around Sweden to win the 1958 World Cup.

Little surprise, then, that in our new era of the entranced eyeball, the football documentaries gush as thick as the petrodollars flooding the game. From slick prestige offerings (Amazon’s All or Nothing, each season covering one professional team) to glitzy authorized hagiographies (Amazon’s unfortunately named, 1.1 IMDB-rated The Pogmentary, about the French footballer Paul Pogba; or Netflix’s bland Neymar: The Perfect Chaos); from the football doc as pseudo-analysis of celebrity culture (Manfred Oldenburg’s Kroos, about the elegant German playmaker Toni Kroos, with talking-head philosophers like Robbie Williams and gnomic insights such as “Toni Kroos is trying to control the chaos,” or “Real Madrid make me feel like I have a small penis”) to the football doc as pretentious high art (Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, in which 17 synchronized cameras film the great Zinedine Zidane in extreme close-up, set to the strains of Mogwai and the roars of the crowd, over the course of one match at the Santiago Bernabéu. “It’s incredibly dull,” fulminated film critic Mark Kermode. “I hate football; I hate conceptual art. But there’s something I hate more: conceptual art about football.”); from the fly-on-the-wall story of a hard-luck club in a working-class town fighting for promotion (Netflix’s Sunderland Til’ I Die) to the fly-on-the-wall story of a hard-luck club in a working-class town fighting for promotion, but with new Hollywood owners (FX’s Welcome to Wrexham)—the football documentary has entered its high cornucopian age.

After all, more countries and nation-like entities are members of FIFA than of the UN. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, for instance, had already been playing in FIFA tournaments for 30 years before they were admitted to the United Nations. At the 1966 World Cup in England, the unfancied North Koreans clinched a last-minute equalizer against Chile and knocked out Italy, the favorites. They were only denied a semi-final spot, despite an early three-goal lead in the quarter-final, by the otherworldly genius of Eusebio, arguably Portugal’s greatest footballer, who led one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport.

This dream run can be relived in Daniel Gordon’s The Game of Their Lives (2002), a documentary about the surviving players on that Korean team and how they won the hearts of the people of Middlesborough, the industrial town they were billeted in. Produced under the watchful eye of a repressive dictatorship, the film reasserts the fundamental truth of a cliché: Sport can sometimes transcend barriers of culture and ideology. For a few weeks at the height of the Cold War, mysterious aliens from North Korea become darlings of factory workers and homemakers in North Yorkshire.

“You see,” says Mr. Nutt the candle dribbler in Terry Pratchett’s Unseen Academicals (2009), “the thing about football is that it is not about football.” Football docs are frequently, as the tags on streaming sites indicate, about scandal, inspiration and excitement. On Netflix, the most popular ones are rousing, feel-good, captivating, nostalgic, heartfelt and emotional. We watch the football documentary in order to cry.

Like the epic or the folk ballad, the football documentary has its own liturgy. We plunge without warning into the heart of a crisis, in medias res, like Hamlet or The Iliad. We circle gradually back to beginnings and prime causes, like The Odyssey, or Star Wars. As in “Greensleeves” or “Matty Groves,” or Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” insinuations of despair come baked in, ready-made. The narrative demands waves of lunar hysteria that wax and wane, moments of crisis aided by a soaring soundtrack and tasteful slow-motion sequences. Currents of hope and optimism rise, followed by a tragic fall. There is prayer and redemption. The underdog triumphs.

A remarkable version of this arrangement beats at the heart of Mike Brett and Steve Jamison’s understated Next Goal Wins (2014), about the “world’s worst football team,” American Samoa, and their desire to improve after a 31-0 loss to Australia, the worst result in the history of international football. In the wake of global shame, a gruff Dutchman called Thomas Rongen is recruited to coach the team as they prepare for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Rongen, an atheist who is recovering from a terrible personal tragedy, is drawn closer to his players and to the island’s spiritual resonances. When the team wins its first international match, he breaks down.

What unfolds is an acute portrait of the economic and cultural mores of a tiny, unincorporated territory of the United States. Prospects are so bleak that most young people can only look forward to joining the American army. Many of the players are on leave between deployments. Jaiyah Saelua, a hard-tackling defender who is faʻafafine (literally “in the manner of woman,” a third gender in Polynesian society dating back to matriarchal rule centuries before European contact), emerges as the soul and star of the team. In the process, she becomes the first trans woman to play in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Nicky Salapu, the goalkeeper on the receiving end of 31 goals, has recurring nightmares; he returns, to exorcise his demons. I bawled my eyes out.

Many of these films belong to that sub-genre of the sports documentary as cultural criticism. The best examples—Fire in Babylon, ostensibly about the great West Indian cricket team of the ’70s, but, in the vein of C.L.R. James’ Beyond A Boundary, as much about racism and colonization in the Caribbean; or Hoop Dreams, the story of two high-school basketball players that functions as a reflection on race, class and education in modern America—use a player, team or game to talk about wider socio-political subtexts. Asif Kapadia’s Diego Maradona (2019) uses rare archival footage and an immersive sound design to highlight the injustices of geography in Italian culture, the influence of crime and politics on its sport, how the greatest footballer in the world makes a whole city dream again, and why he undoes himself along the way.

Sucked into the maelstrom of Naples in the 1980s, where the slime of corruption and Camorra oozed frequently into football, Maradona’s turbulence ebbed and flowed with the tumults of an ancient city and the ecstatic arches of its sporting despair. No wonder Napoli still reveres him. To make room for the Argentine, it has evicted St. Paul himself—the old San Paolo stadium is now the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Maradona belongs to everyone. Emir Kusturica’s Maradona by Kusturica (2008) takes the footballer out of Naples and contextualises him as world-historical phenomenon, a totem for the Global South. Maradona joins famous musicians to sing songs about himself, addresses rallies for leftist politicians, and gleefully describes his infamous Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup as the thrill of pickpocketing Englishmen’s wallets in the aftermath of the Falklands War.

Soccer, wrote Eduardo Galeano, is the “ritual sublimation of war.” Nowhere is this more evident than in Vice’s 2012 documentary about “football’s most dangerous rivalry,” the fear and loathing between fans of the Old Firm, the collective name for Glasgow’s two big football clubs—Celtics, the club of Irish Catholic immigrants, and Rangers, who refused to sign Catholic players till 1989. With hardly any clips of actual football, Rivals: Rangers and Celtics is a sociology of nationalism, tribal hatred, and Glasgow’s sectarian divide. There are brutal skirmishes, incredibly offensive songs (Rangers fans have ditties about Irish famines, Celtic fans about IRA killings), and interviews with the only Muslim member of the far-right English Defence League, a Rangers fan who has been banned from football matches for singing “Dundee, Hamilton, fuck the Pope and the Vatican.”

From homophobia and hooliganism to the geopolitical ramifications of sport, the football documentary trades in shadow and fog. ESPN’s exceptional The Two Escobars (directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist; 2010) focuses on the fatal nexus of crime, sport and politics and the rise of narcosoccer in Colombia. It narrates the dramatic rise and fall of Colombian football and how its fortunes are tied to Colombia’s notorious drug cartels by linking the stories of national team captain Andrés and drug lord Pablo, who share similar tragic fates and the same last name.

“The mafia runs an illegal business,” explains Jaime Gaviria, cousin and confidant to Pablo Escobar. “The only way to legalize their earnings is through money laundering. And soccer moves millions of dollars.” From Cali to Medellin, all the cartels are in the business of soccer.

In December 1993, Pablo Escobar was gunned down on the rooftops of Medellin. Some months later, after Andrés returned from the World Cup having scored an own goal against the USA, he was shot dead in a Medellin parking lot. Their lives and deaths circumscribe Colombian football.

“When Pablo died,” his dreaded lieutenant Popeye deadpans to the camera, “drug dealers learned a lesson: It’s too dangerous to get involved in soccer.” Soon, narcosoccer transitions into a more transnational and abstract financial instrument embedded within the circuits of global capital.

“The history of soccer,” Galeano writes in Soccer in Sun and Shadow, “is a sad voyage from beauty to duty.” In our new age of soccer as Special Economic Zone—petrosoccer, fossil-fuel football—a sport owned by magnates, gamblers, and oligarchs demands the undistracted flow of coin. “The days are long gone when the most important clubs…belonged to the fans and the players. Today clubs are corporations that move fortunes to hire players and sell spectacles…tricking the state, fooling the public, and violating labor rights and every other right.”

According to a report in The Guardian, nearly 7,000 migrant workers from the Indian sub-continent have already died from poor working conditions and increasing temperatures since the 2022 World Cup was, in a haze of corruption and bribery, awarded to Qatar. This is the latest, as Jean-Louis Perez’s Planet FIFA (2016) suggests, in FIFA’s long history of systemic corruption and neocolonialism.

Why is FIFA headquartered in Switzerland? The film points to Switzerland’s love of political neutrality and opaque banking. This suits soccer’s governing body, which wishes to be at the center of both Europe—in Qatar, as in all other World Cups, over a third of the slots are for European teams, despite Europe representing less than a tenth of the world’s population—and the global financial system. On camera, the head of a nonprofit seeking to advance commercial transparency compares FIFA to the mafia.

FIFA imposes its own set of rules before awarding tournaments to host countries. “No organization besides FIFA,” its former communications director remarks, “has the means to suspend the judicial and legal statutes of entire nations.” When their country hosted the World Cup in 2014, Brazilian taxpayers ended up paying $11 billion. FIFA insisted they build “at least” eight new stadiums. The Arena da Amazônia in far-flung Manaus cost $230 million and hosted four matches. It is now used for birthdays and weddings.

“There is no multinational corporation,” lamented Galeano, “that enjoys greater impunity than FIFA, the association of professional clubs.” Although Planet FIFA ends with many of FIFA’s presiding spirits in jail and banned from the game, the prognosis is bleak. Today, FIFA simply spreads out the kickbacks with greater diversity (“One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity,” the current head of FIFA wrote recently, in defense of Qatar’s homophobic laws, “and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity”).

The Qatar World Cup, in winter rather than midsummer, is the first climate-change cup. Tainted by issues of corruption and human rights abuses, and accessible only to those who can afford exorbitant all-inclusive packages, this is a World Cup for the wealthy. It is also the most militarised, involving RAF jets, international military specialists, the DroneHunter attack system, and NATO handling chemical, biological and nuclear threats. Qatar 2022, wrote The Guardian’s Barney Ronay, is “a vast geopolitical security operation.”

Football may have bourgeois origins and elite petrostate sports-washing aspirations, but, ultimately, its soul belongs to the working classes. As Bob Marley says in Legacy: Rhythm of the Game (Marcus McDougald; 2020), a documentary tone poem examining his life-long relationship with the game, “Football is freedom.”

It is the game they play in Misha Kumar’s Maithaanam (2022), about the football-crazy Indian state of Kerala, where a tiny village called Pozhiyoor produces state-level players at breakneck speed; 90-year-old coaches for over 50 years for free; and a terminally ill woman’s dying wish is to go see the Kerala Blasters play.

It is the reason Sunderland is deserted, “but for a solitary policeman trudging a lonely beat,” on May 5, 1973, in Meanwhile Back in Sunderland, an ITV vox-pop recording a day in the life of the port city, when their team, rank outsiders, won the FA Cup.

It is what comforts Japan when they win the Women’s World Cup soon after a devastating earthquake and tsunami; it helps rebuild Rwanda torn apart by genocide (Amazon’s This Is Football, 2019).

“Colombia’s problem,” Vice-President Humberto de la Calle despaired after the assassination of Andrés Escobar, “is that football is no longer a sport, it seems, but a matter of life and death.” Bill Shankly, the legendary manager of Liverpool FC, would have disagreed: “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death,” he once said. “I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

Sudipto Sanyal is a writer in Kolkata, which, as everyone knows, is the footballing capital of both Brazil and Argentina. He would love to see a) Cameroon as world champions, and b) India qualify for the World Cup, preferably before he dies.

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November 23, 2022
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Music, Love, Acting and More

Miley Cyrus is a force to be reckoned with. After becoming a household name on Hannah Montana in 2006, the Tennessee native has blossomed into an A-list movie star and singer who consistently keeps her fans on their toes.

The actress got her start on Disney Channel, but as her career continued to grow, she realized the effects of being a child star.

“There’s so much I don’t remember about being a child entertainer because it was so much to keep in my brain,” she detailed in the August 2017 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. “It’s like anything when you are in it. I didn’t realize how much pressure I was under and how that shaped me until, like, this year.”

Cyrus garnered criticism as she embraced growing up. “People were so shocked by some of the things that I did,” she recalled. “It should be more shocking that when I was 11 or 12, I was put in full hair and makeup, a wig, and told what to wear by a group of mostly older men.”

The “Wrecking Ball” songstress’ character on Hannah Montana was known for transforming herself on a regular basis, and Cyrus has been no different during her time in the spotlight.

“I’m not saying I’ve never been myself,” she noted. “Who I was on the last record [Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz] was really who I am. It’s just myself has been a lot of different people because I change a lot.”

No matter what stage of life she is in, Cyrus hopes that her authenticity is evident. “I think I show people that they can be themselves,” she said. “I also think something that has been important for me, in this next little, like, transition phase of my career is that I don’t give a f–k about being cool. I just want to be myself.”

As she discovered who she is, the Last Song star had a series of high-profile relationships — none more so than with Liam Hemsworth. She began dating the actor in 2009, and they were engaged from 2012 to 2013. They rekindled their romance in 2016 and tied the knot in 2018. However, they announced their split in 2019 and finalized their divorce in 2020.

“What really sucked about it wasn’t the fact that me and someone that I loved realized that we don’t love each other the way that we used to anymore,” Cyrus said during a September 2020 appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. “That’s OK, I can accept that. I can’t accept the villainizing and just all those stories.”

From her on-again, off-again relationship with Hemsworth to her emotional albums and jaw-dropping music videos, revisit Cyrus’ journey to fame!

Credit: Jesse Grant/WireImage; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Miley Cyrus Through the Years: From ‘Hannah Montana’ to Pop Sensation

Miley Cyrus is a force to be reckoned with. After becoming a household name on Hannah Montana in 2006, the Tennessee native has blossomed into an A-list movie star and singer who consistently keeps her fans on their toes.

The actress got her start on Disney Channel, but as her career continued to grow, she realized the effects of being a child star.

“There’s so much I don’t remember about being a child entertainer because it was so much to keep in my brain,” she detailed in the August 2017 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. “It’s like anything when you are in it. I didn’t realize how much pressure I was under and how that shaped me until, like, this year.”

Cyrus garnered criticism as she embraced growing up. “People were so shocked by some of the things that I did,” she recalled. “It should be more shocking that when I was 11 or 12, I was put in full hair and makeup, a wig, and told what to wear by a group of mostly older men.”

The “Wrecking Ball” songstress’ character on Hannah Montana was known for transforming herself on a regular basis, and Cyrus has been no different during her time in the spotlight.

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“I’m not saying I’ve never been myself,” she noted. “Who I was on the last record [Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz] was really who I am. It’s just myself has been a lot of different people because I change a lot.”

No matter what stage of life she is in, Cyrus hopes that her authenticity is evident. “I think I show people that they can be themselves,” she said. “I also think something that has been important for me, in this next little, like, transition phase of my career is that I don’t give a f–k about being cool. I just want to be myself.”

As she discovered who she is, the Last Song star had a series of high-profile relationships — none more so than with Liam Hemsworth. She began dating the actor in 2009, and they were engaged from 2012 to 2013. They rekindled their romance in 2016 and tied the knot in 2018. However, they announced their split in 2019 and finalized their divorce in 2020.

“What really sucked about it wasn’t the fact that me and someone that I loved realized that we don’t love each other the way that we used to anymore,” Cyrus said during a September 2020 appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. “That’s OK, I can accept that. I can’t accept the villainizing and just all those stories.”

From her on-again, off-again relationship with Hemsworth to her emotional albums and jaw-dropping music videos, revisit Cyrus’ journey to fame!

Credit: DISNEY CHANNEL/BYRON COHEN

2006

Best of both worlds! Cyrus scored the lead part in Disney’s Hannah Montana in 2006 at age 13. The breakout role skyrocketed her into stardom.

Credit: Sam Emerson/Touchstone Pictures

2009

The child star was cast in The Last Song in 2009, a love story inspired by Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name. She fell for her costar and onscreen love interest, Liam Hemsworth, and the duo had an on-again, off-again relationship before getting engaged for the second time in 2016. In 2009, she also starred in Hannah Montana: The Movie and returned to her roots in Nashville.

Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via Getty Images

2010

In 2010, Cyrus bid farewell to her blonde Hannah Montana wig and moved on from the role that launched her career.

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

2011

Cyrus made a new name for herself in 2011 and showed her naughty side on her Gypsy Heart world tour for her album Can’t Be Tamed.

Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

2012

The “Who Owns My Heart” songstress got engaged to Hemsworth in June 2012. That same year, she also chopped off her auburn locks and began sporting a more cropped hairstyle.

Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for MTV

2013

The pop star had many headline-making moments in 2013. She nearly buzzed all her hair off, had a raunchy on-stage moment with Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards and called off her engagement to the Hunger Games actor. On a brighter note, Cyrus dropped her album Bangerz at the end of 2013, which featured catchy tracks such as “Wrecking Ball” and “We Can’t Stop.”

Credit: Harry How/Getty Images

2014

Cyrus started dating Patrick Schwarzenegger in November 2014 and looked happy in her new relationship after splitting from Hemsworth.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/MTV1415/WireImage

2015

2015 was a year full of positive moments and low blows for Cyrus. The “Adore You” singer split from Schwarzenegger, was linked to model Stella Maxwell and also dropped her Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz album.

Credit: James Devaney/GC Images

2016

Cyrus rekindled her romance with Hemsworth in October 2016 and confirmed that the pair were reengaged.

Credit: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

2017

In 2017, Cyrus dropped her Younger Now record and paid tribute to her favorite city, Malibu, with a song named after the beach town. She also rocked a light blonde hairdo.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

2018

Cyrus deleted all her social media photos in 2018 to tease new music! Her career is better than ever.

Credit: Courtesy of Miley Cyrus/Instagram

2018

The pop star married her longtime on-again, off-again love, Hemsworth, in December 2018 in a private ceremony at her Nashville home surrounded by a small circle of family and friends.

Credit: John Sciulli/Getty Images for G’Day USA

2019

Cyrus and Hemsworth made their first public appearance as husband and wife at the G’Day USA gala in Culver City, California, in January 2019. The Isn’t It Romantic star joked on stage that he is “a big, grown adult now” before thanking his “beautiful wife.”

Credit: Jaimie Trueblood/Disney Channel via Getty Images

2019

The Disney Channel alum poked fun at herself on her Instagram Stories in March 2019 while celebrating the 13th anniversary of Hannah Montana’s premiere. Alongside a throwback photo of her title character pressing a finger to her lips, she wrote, “After Hannah’s psychic reading when she was told in 10 years she’d become a big stoner and wear nipple pasties on stage.”

Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety/Shutterstock

2019

Cyrus and Hemsworth announced their decision to separate after less than eight months of marriage in August 2019.

“Liam and Miley have agreed to separate at this time,” the musician’s rep said in a statement to Us at the time. “Ever-evolving, changing as partners and individuals, they have decided this is what’s best while they both focus on themselves and careers.”

Credit: MEGA

2019

The same day that the “Slide Away” singer confirmed her split from Hemsworth, photos surfaced of Cyrus and reality star Kaitlynn Carter packing on the PDA in Italy. The two women ended their whirlwind romance in September 2019 after less than two months together.

Credit: INSTARimages.com; Kristin Callahan/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com

2019

After Cyrus was spotted with Cody Simpson in October 2019, she fired back at fans who accused her of moving on too quickly — and too publicly.

“I know the public feels invested in my past relationship because they felt like they saw it thru from the beginning,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “I think that’s why people have always felt so entitled over my life and how I live it because they’ve watched me grow up…. but I am grown now and make choices as an adult knowing the truth/details/reality. People only ‘know’ what they see on the internet. … I would like to share an activity with someone I am dating and not be stuck at home with pretty much nothing to do but ‘Netflix and chill.’”

Cyrus concluded: “Don’t f–king pity me, not what I’m asking for . I have a great life I wouldn’t trade for ‘ privacy’ but PLEASE don’t make this awkward for me! I am trying to make light and like always MAKE FUN of myself / and the public’s perception of me ! Get used to me dating – this is where I am at ! #HotGirlFall.”

Credit: Courtesy of Miley Cyrus/Instagram

2019

Cyrus revealed on Instagram that she was hospitalized in October for tonsillitis, and asked fans to “send good vibes” her way. “Trying to heal as quick as I can to make it to Gorillapalooza w @theellenshow @portiaderossi @brunomars this weekend!” she wrote via her Instagram Story, sharing a pic from her hospital bed.

Soon after, the “Mother’s Daughter” singer quietly underwent vocal cord surgery in November. As part of a doctor’s order, she was instructed to go on vocal rest following the procedure, according to Entertainment Tonight.

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

2020

Cyrus and Hemsworth finalized their divorce in January 2020, five months after he filed. Court documents obtained by Us Weekly at the time stated that they would be officially single the following month.

Credit: MEGA

2020

Us reported in August 2020 that the Hannah Montana: The Movie star and Simpson split after they “realized they’re better off as friends than dating each other.”

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

2020

Cyrus released her seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts, in November 2020. She confirmed on The Howard Stern Show the following month that the song “WTF Do I Know?” was inspired by Hemsworth, but she clarified the lyric “I don’t even miss you.”

“Sometimes you miss people more than others, and sometimes, things get easier,” she explained. “Time kind of heals all, but that was at a time where I felt really strong. And then some days I don’t.”

Credit: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

2021

The “Midnight Sky” singer celebrated the 15th anniversary of Hannah Montana’s premiere in March 2021. “You have all my love and [utmost] gratitude,” she wrote in an emotional letter to her character at the time. “Breathing life into you for those six years was an honor. … I love you, Hannah Montana.”

Credit: Vijat Mohindra/Peacock

2021

Cyrus marked Pride Month with a Peacock special titled Miley Cyrus Presents Stand by You in June 2021. She performed her hits and covered classic songs alongside fellow stars.

Credit: Vijat Mohindra/NBC

2021

Cyrus cohosted the first annual Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in December on NBC with Pete Davidson.

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2022

Us confirmed in February that Cyrus and Maxx Morando were “exploring things and seeing where it goes” after first being linked in late 2021. The twosome were spotted vacationing in Mexico the following month.

Credit: Vijat Mohindra/NBC

2022

The musician announced in November that she would be teaming up with godmother Dolly Parton to host the second-annual Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party for NBC.

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November 23, 2022
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Miley Cyrus is a force to be

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Tech

Jennifer Lopez Instagram Posts Deleted, Social Channels Go Dark

Without explanation, social media accounts for Jennifer Lopez have turned black and her widely followed Instagram was completely erased.

The Instagram account for the singer, actor and producer — which with 226 million followers is her most widely followed platform — as of late Tuesday showed that it had suddenly no posts, and the profile pic was replaced with a solid black image.

J. Lo’s Twitter (45.5 million followers) and TikTok (15.4 million) accounts also replaced the profile pics with a black image, but on those platforms her previous posts had not been deleted.

A rep for Lopez declined to comment. In the past, celebrities and musicians have zeroed-out social-media accounts ahead of a major announcement, such as an album.

Lopez’s most recent studio album, “A.K.A.,” was released in 2014. She performed at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show alongside Shakira, which was the basis for Netflix documentary feature “Halftime,” which was released earlier this year.

On the film front, she most recently starred in rom-com “Marry Me” with Owen Wilson and will appear in “Shotgun Wedding” opposite Josh Duhamel, slated for December release. Under a multiyear pact between Netflix and her Nuyorican Productions banner, Lopez will star as an assassin in action film “The Mother,” slated to hit the streamer next year. In 2021, she launched a skincare line, JLo Beauty.

Lopez and Ben Affleck were married this summer in Las Vegas, after the couple rekindled their relationship from the early 2000s, and she adopted Affleck as her legal last name.

Lopez is the only artist to have had a No. 1 movie and album in the U.S. simultaneously, “The Wedding Planner” and “J.Lo” in 2001. This year, she became the first person of Latin descent to receive the Generation Award at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

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November 23, 2022
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Without explanation, social media accounts for Jennifer

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Video

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Zootopia+ Musical

“Zootopia+,” now streaming on Disney+, takes views back to their favorite mammalian oasis from the Oscar-winning 2016 film “Zootopia.” The six short films, each featuring a different batch of characters and each connecting explicitly (and surprisingly) with the original film, comes from directors Trent Correy and Josie Trinidad and producer Nathan Curtis, who lovingly continue what came before.

We talked to Correy, Trinidad and Curtis about bringing “Zootopia+” to life and got the inside story on that musical episode featuring everybody’s favorite character Duke Weaselton (voiced once more by Disney Animation lucky charm Alan Tudyk).

How did everybody come up with this format of having just little glimpses of life in Zootopia?

Trent Correy: Sure, I can kick this one off, Drew. Really, it came from, there was a pitch program at Disney a couple years ago. The format was actually laid out – they wanted a series that was short form and that had six episodes. But what they did is they opened it up to the whole studio. They said, “Anybody can pitch. It doesn’t matter if you’re in technology, you’re in production or you’re an artist on the floor, it’s open to everybody.” Very inclusive. And they said, “Take a look at our history and you can pitch whatever you want.”

I had worked on the original “Zootopia” as an animator and just thought, What a world. I want to spend more time there; I want to spend more time with the characters. I very quickly chose that one as one I wanted to pitch and I put it forward and it was just a seed of an idea at the time.

It was just a couple questions of, What if we interconnected these stories with the original film? What if they had different genres and what if it really focused on the secondary mammals of the original movie? It wasn’t ever based on Nick and Judy, it was always based on spending more time with characters like Clawhauser or Mr. Big. That’s how it came to be. And those were the three main goals of the series. And that’s when I brought it to Josie and Byron [Howard] and Jared [Bush], the filmmakers of the original movie. And they said, “You’ve got to have fun with it. You’ve got to push it. You’ve got to really just make this fun and edgy.” And Josie came on board right away to direct this series with me and we teamed up from there and we grew the episodes, right Josie?

Josie Trinidad: Absolutely.

Were the installments always supposed to connect back to the original film?

Trent Correy: It was always there Drew, because I think I met you actually during “Once Upon a Snowman.” And so I had directed that short with a fellow named Dan Abraham, and that was a peek behind the curtain – what happened between “Let It Go” and when we meet Olaf and personally, I love “Choose Your Own Adventure, I love the multiverse stories. Sign me up, I’ll watch any of those. And I wanted to do more of that. So really “Zootopia+” was building off my experience with “Once Upon a Snowman.”

Was there any idea that was too outrageous?

Trent Correy: Don’t ask the producer.

Nathan Curtis: Good. Thank you for asking this. This is good. Trent and Josie, the sky’s the limits with their creativity. And there were a few times I’m like, “Hey, can we bring it back down a little bit?” But they did such an amazing job of pushing the envelope on these and making it so it’s not just like something we’ve seen before. I think these are so unique in how we’re telling the stories, yet still taking place in the Zootopia land. I just think, again, the way that Josie and Trent approached these shorts, phenomenal.

The standout installment is the “Duke: The Musical” entry. Can you talk about that?

Josie Trinidad: It was a miracle Drew, honestly, it started off as a heist. It was an “Ocean’s 11”-type of heist where Trent, you had Duke sort of, I forget how you…

Trent Correy: You know what, he was always debating. It had a similar tone to it where he was always debating good and bad and trying. He had just gotten out of jail after being caught by Judy and he was trying to find his way in life and you see him steal all this stuff and it had some heart. He brought it to his mother. And then on the way out from delivering all those stolen goods, he stole something else from his mother’s care facility. It always had this character that was trying to balance a good versus evil and if he can change or not.

Josie Trinidad: Exactly. And as we were developing this heist we thought, it was our PA Ava Moss. She knew we were leaning heavily into the different genres. And she just said very casually, “Why don’t you make a musical?” And we thought, why don’t we? That’s brilliant, we’re Disney. But honestly, Drew, we didn’t know if we could do it. We were like, Ugh, Can we actually execute this? And it was amazing to come across [songwriters] Kate [Anderson] and Elyssa [Samsel] and then for Michael Giacchino to step in. I mean, it was very kind of hat in hand, Well maybe do you think we could get Michael? And he said yes. I feel like that day, so it was just all these dominoes started to fall right into place and it just seemed right. And really, Kate and Elyssa were such great partners and Michael were great partners in the story, building the story, we kind of threw ideas to each other. It’s a really amazing collaborative process that was a joy to behold.

“Zootopia+” is on Disney+ now.

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November 23, 2022
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Entertaintment

‘Narcos’ Director-EP José Padilha Sues Fellow Producer For $1 Million In Profits – Deadline

UPDATED, 8:42 AM: Narcos executive producer/director José Padilha has settled his lawsuit against fellow EP Eric Newman over what he claimed was his share of millions of dollars in profits from the Netflix drama series. Terms were not disclosed in Monday’s filing.

Read details of the case below.

PREVIOUSLY, August 30: Narcos executive producer/director José Padilha is suing his fellow EP Eric Newman over what he claims is his share of millions of dollars in profits from the Netflix drama series.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court, says that “Padilha and Newman agreed to share equally 50%/50% (excluding any payments Padilha might receive from directing services) in all revenue, income, and proceeds of any nature …that either might receive based on or connected with the Series.”

Padilha, whose directing credits also include Elite Squad and its sequel, also directed episodes of Narcos, about the life of Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. The series premiered in 2015 on Netflix and along with spinoff Narcos: Mexico ran for six seasons on the streamer, wrapping in 2021.

The suit (read it here) claims that Padilha’s Cold Mountain and Newman’s Spahn Ranch “entered into a written agreement dated June 27, 2013 (the ‘Profit Sharing Agreement’), pursuant to which Cold Mountain and Spahn Ranch agreed and acknowledged, among other things, that they would evenly split ‘all revenue, income, and proceeds’ received by either of them or their respective principals, Padilha and Newman, in connection with exploitation of the Series, on a ’50/50′ basis (other than the carved out exceptions).”

The plaintiffs allege that “Defendants have knowingly, intentionally, and fraudulently concealed from Plaintiffs significant Narcos Revenues and have failed and refused to account to Plaintiff for their 50% share of all Narcos Revenues. Instead, Defendants have retained all of the Narcos Revenues for their own use and benefit.”

The suit claims breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty and calls for an accounting. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages via a jury trial. Netflix is not named in the lawsuit.

Before Narcos, Padilha and Newman previously collaborated on the Padilha-directed, Newman-produced RoboCop remake in 2014.

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November 23, 2022
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UPDATED, 8:42 AM: Narcos executive producer/director José Padilha

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Movies

Rishab Shetty Refuses to Work With Rashmika Mandanna? When Samantha Spoke About Naga Chaitanya’s ‘First Wife’

Actor-director Rishabh Shetty’s popularity has skyrocketed after the success of his recent film Kantara, which continues to rule the box office even after an almost two-month-long run in cinema halls. While Kantara remains in the limelight for its impressive run, Rishabh recently made headlines after he took a dig at Rashmika Mandanna for an old interview, which recently resurfaced on the internet.

Also Read: Rishab Shetty Refuses to Work With Rashmika Mandanna? Kantara Star Says ‘I Don’t Like…’

Since the joint announcement of their divorce in October last year, Telugu actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have constantly been grabbing the headlines for their personal lives. Samantha and Naga Chaitanya announced their separation on October 2, 2021. Ever since they made the official announcement about ending their marriage, a lot has been said and written about it.

Also Read: Samantha Once Spoke About Naga Chaitanya’s ‘First Wife,’ Said ‘Even If I Have to Kiss…’

In a video posted on the official handle of MTV Roadies, Shalin Bhanot is seen showcasing his skills as a ‘professional actor.’He is seen switching emotions in a jiffy. Next, we see the judges asking him to show his angry side, to which he responds, “Why would I get angry?”

Also Read: Bigg Boss 16 Fame Shalin Bhanot’s Roadies Audition Goes Viral; Netizens Can’t Stop Laughing

Kantara will be available on Amazon Prime from tomorrow, November 24. The film will stream in four languages, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Also Read: Kantara To Release on OTT: Here’s When and Where You Can Watch Rishab Shetty’s Film

Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez’s social media accounts mysteriously blacked out on Wednesday. Several fans noticed that all the posts disappeared from her Instagram account, including her wedding pictures with Ben Affleck, and the profile picture also went blank. As for Twitter, while her tweets remained, the display picture and her profile banner turned black. Her Facebook profile projected a similar picture.

Also Read: Jennifer Lopez Deletes Pics With Ben Affleck Among Other Posts In Shocking Move; Is This The Reason?

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Film

Favorite Movie Cast Reunions

All the nostalgia feels!

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November 23, 2022
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All the nostalgia feels! Source link

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TV

‘Copenhagen Cowboy’ Trailer: Nicolas Winding Refn Netflix Crime Series

Nicolas Winding Refn is bringing his signature stylized violence to Netflix. The “Drive” director’s upcoming miniseries “Copenhagen Cowboy” is set to release January 5. In addition, a trailer for the series dropped on Wednesday, and you can watch it below.

The six-episode series stars Angela Bundalovic as Miu, an enigmatic young woman who has devoted her life to serving a shadowy criminal organization. Returning to her hometown of Copenhagen, Miu goes on a surreal, supernatural odyssey through the seedy underbelly of the city, in an attempt to track down and defeat her archenemy Rakel (Lola Corfixen). Based on the trailer, Miu’s journey carries all the hallmarks of Winding Refn’s filmmaking, with neon lighting, a synthwave soundtrack, and tons of bloodshed.

“I don’t know who you are, or know what you’re capable of, but people around you die,” a character narrates about Miu in the trailer. “Either that, or they get new life from you.”

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The series marks something of a homecoming for Winding Refn. The director made his directorial debut in 1996 with the film “Pusher,” a Copenhagen crime drama that launched the career of Mads Mikkelsen. After two sequels in 2004 and 2005, Winding Refn began making films outside of his home country, such as the British and Scottish films “Bronson” and “Valhalla Rising.” In 2011, he made his first American film “Drive” starring Ryan Gosling, which was critically acclaimed and became his best known film. Other films from Winding Refn include 2013’s “Only God Forgives,” also starring Gosling, and 2016’s “The Neon Demon” with Elle Fanning.

“Copenhagen Cowboy” first premiered at the Venice Film Festival this September. At the premiere, Winding Refn referred to the series as his take on a superhero show, calling it a “poetic neo-noir.” The director previously made his TV debut with 2019’s “Too Old to Die Young,” an Amazon Prime Video streaming series with Miles Teller.

Zlatko Buric, Andreas Lykke Jørgensen, Jason Hendil-Forssell, LiIi Zhang, and Dragana Milutinovic star in the series alongside Bundalovic and Corfixen. Winding Refn created and directed “Copenhagen Cowboy,” while Sara Isabella Jönsson, Johanne Algren, and Mona Masri write the series. Magnus Nordenhof Jønck serves as the cinematographer. The show is produced by Lene Børglum and Christina Bostofte Erritzøe, with Liv Corfixen and Matthew Newman executive proudcing.

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November 23, 2022
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Awards

‘Belfast,’ ‘EO’ Among 2022 European Film Awards Craft Winners – The Hollywood Reporter

Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, Jerzy Skolimowski’s donkey drama EO and Colm Bairéad’s Irish period drama piece The Quiet Girl are among the winners of the 2022 European Film Awards in the craft categories.

Belfast, a poignant and sentimental black-and-white portrayal of Branagh’s childhood growing up in Northern Ireland, won two EFAs, with Jim Clay taking best European production design and Charlotte Walter winning for best European costume design.

Kate McCullough won best European cinematography for her lensing of The Quiet Girl — Ireland’s submission for the 2023 best international film Oscar. The film depicts a shy and withdrawn child who begins to emerge from her shell during a summer stay with relatives in rural Ireland.

Paweł Mykietyn won best European score for his music to EO, Poland’s Academy Award hopeful, which follows the adventures of a donkey traveling across Poland and Italy. Another Oscar hopeful, German WWI drama All Quiet on the Western Front, won best European make-up and hair for Heike Merker and best European visual effects for the team of Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller and Markus Frank.

The European editing prize went to Özcan Vardar and Eytan İpeker for Burning Days — a Turkish drama about an idealistic young prosecutor trying his first murder investigation. And Michelangelo Frammartino’s The Hole, which follows the adventures of a team of Italian spelunkers in the 1960s, won best European sound for its team of Simone Paolo Olivero, Paolo Benvenuti, Benni Atria, Marco Saitta, Ansgar Frerich and Florian Holzner.

The craft honors, called the Excellence Awards, were announced Wednesday and will be presented at the 2022 European Film Awards’ gala ceremony in Reykjavík, Iceland, on Dec. 10.

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November 23, 2022
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Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, Jerzy Skolimowski’s donkey drama

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Music

‘The Voice’ Top 10 Revealed: Bodie, Parijita Bastola, Brayden Lape, Justin Aaron and More

‘The Voice’ Top 10 Revealed: Bodie, Parijita Bastola, Brayden Lape, Justin Aaron and More | Entertainment Tonight

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November 23, 2022
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Docs

On DVD: THE BOOK KEEPERS

November 22, 2022 · 3:02 PM

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 22:
THE BOOK KEEPERS

Director:
Phil Wall

World Premiere:
Austin 2020

Select Festivals:
Napa Valley, Savannah, Chagrin Doc, DocUtah

About:
A father and son crisscross the country to fulfill a dying wish, ensure a legacy, and find solace after tragic personal loss.

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November 23, 2022
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November 22, 2022 · 3:02 PM Coming to

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Trending

Cheryl Burke Addresses Speculation She Will Join ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judges Panel (Exclusive)

Cheryl Burke Addresses Speculation She Will Join ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judges Panel (Exclusive) | Entertainment Tonight

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November 23, 2022
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Tech

Trent Reznor on Desire to Bail on Twitter After Elon Musk Takeover – The Hollywood Reporter

“Embarrassment,” offers Trent Reznor when asked for his take on Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover.

The Nine Inch Nails frontman and Oscar-winning composer (with longtime partner Atticus Ross) has a sizable 1.6 million following, even if he doesn’t tweet all that much. Nonetheless, he’s ready to say goodbye for good.

“I’m about to depart. We don’t need the arrogance of the billionaire class to feel like they can just come in and solve everything. Even without him involved, I just find that it has become such a toxic environment. For my mental health, I need to tune out. I don’t feel good being there anymore.”

He’s not alone in weighing his future on the platform. Stars who have logged off for good in the days since Musk’s Oct. 28 acquisition of the company include Alex Winter, David Dastmalchian, Laura Benanti, Gigi Hadid and Whoopi Goldberg while others have signaled their intentions to stop using Twitter though their accounts have not yet been deleted. Those include Ariana DeBose, Brian Koppelman, Toni Braxton, Ken Olin and others.

The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Reznor and Ross during a joint interview on the red carpet outside TCL Chinese Theater where there was plenty to talk about aside from social media platforms. Specifically, the pair was keen to discuss their collaborations with Bones and All director Luca Guadagnino before heading in to catch the AFI Fest premiere.

Apparently, the gig working with the Italian auteur went so well that they are already months-in on a second collaboration on his tennis film Challengers starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist.

“It couldn’t have been better,” Reznor said of working on the cannibal love story. “We went from not knowing him going into this to meeting a genuine, authentic, respectful collaborator who has become a friend. We were able to work on material that, in every iteration, we were amazed by how it blossomed into something beyond our expectation. I know that sounds ridiculous, you can say, but it really was a magical experience.”

Later, during the post-screening Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times critic Justin Chang, Reznor revealed that he and Ross started working on the music long before Guadagnino picked up any cameras. And it was the filmmaker who suggested an acoustic guitar as the anchor for a “simple, melodic component” that plays throughout the film.

“That started us on our process of approaching this as a love story,” he continued, referring to the flesh-eating couple at the center of the story, played by Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell. Months later, Guadagnino sent a rough cut of the film, four and a half hours in length.

“We sat bound watching that,” Reznor recalled. “To see these characters come to life with such skill and humanity and frailty, it really was a crazy experience. It really was one of those things. We’ll always remember how, wow, the genius, the choice of shots, the art direction. … It really struck us in a way.”

Bones and All opens in theaters on Nov. 18.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross attend the AFI Fest premiere of Bones and All at TCL Chinese Theatre on Nov. 05, 2022.

Jerod Harris/Getty Images

This story first appeared in the Nov. 16 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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November 23, 2022
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“Embarrassment,” offers Trent Reznor when asked for

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Video

‘The Northman’ VFX Supervisor Angela Barson – Production Value – Deadline

Angela Barson didn’t plan on becoming a visual effects supervisor when she first started. After getting a job at a software development company that worked with the film industry, she decided to work on the vendor side with the software she helped create. “I got a job working for the BBC as a flame operator,” she says. “The BBC was really good, it was a hotbed of people that were so creative and cutting-edge. It was such a good place to learn and be able to try new techniques and new bits of software out.”

After working in the industry for some time, her previous collaborations with producer Mark Huffam led to a meeting with director Robert Eggers. “When Robert was looking for somebody to come do the visual effects, [Huffman] put my name forward,” says Barson. “I flew out to Ireland and met up with Robert and had an intense meeting.”

The Northman follows Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), a young viking prince who embarks on a quest to avenge his father. The story has a basis in norse mythology, which led to a combination of practical and visual effects to capture some of that mysticality. “A lot of our ideas and approaches lined up,” she says. “Everything from Robert and Jarin [Blaschke], the DP, for visual effects was all about photo-real. That was their driving force. The whole approach, the whole ethos was, ‘What can we get in camera and if that’s not possible, then VFX takes over.’”

While some scenes had some heavy visual effects, Barson says that it always had to be based on something real. “If every shot has some grounding in reality… getting there in the final product is much easier than if you’re starting from a clean slate in CG,” she says.

Certain scenes presented challenges for Barson and her team, as Eggers prefers long continuous shots which can cause a backup in the time for rendering. “A lot of the shots in The Northman are very long and the final volcano fight was no exception to that,” she says. “We had to shoot it in sections and stitch it together… We had to, obviously, add in the lava, which we shot with LED interactive lighting. There was some smoke, but we added more smoke, more lighting, and the lava.”

“We were doing exploding volcanoes, we were doing molten lava, we were doing full CG stormy seas and ships, and environment work and all the blood and gore, and then this mystical stuff, like the body dissolving in the blood tree,” says Barson. But those challenges only reminded her of what she loves about being a VFX supervisor. “It’s the combination of artistic and technical and it’s the problem solving, and I like problem solving.”

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November 23, 2022
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Entertaintment

‘The Bachelor’ Season 27: Watch First Promo Starring Zach Shallcross

Lots of kissing, lots of drama and lots (and lots) of tears. That must only mean one thing: another season of “The Bachelor” is on the horizon.

ABC is gearing up for its 27th season of “The Bachelor, and ahead of its 2023 premiere, the network has released the first promo for the dating show.

Season 27 will star Zach Shallcross, a contestant from the most recent season of “The Bachelorette,” which starred leading ladies Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia. Shallcross was a finalist with Recchia, and had a dramatic sendoff in his final storyline — and if the teaser into his own season is any indication, Shallcross’ own journey will be even more dramatic.

“Do I deserve this? I don’t know. But I’m pretty damn happy,” Shallcross says in the first promo. Later on, that sentiment quickly changes and his smile turns to hysterical tears.

“I feel like a failure. I feel like I let myself down, and I feel like I let the women down,” he says, at one point.

At another point, crying and appearing to be completely heartbroken over one of the contestants perhaps leaving, he says, “I don’t even know what happened. I saw something with her. I was not expecting that.”

It’s not just the leading man who appears to be on an emotional journey. The women vying for Shallcross’ heart also break down in tears in the juicy footage. “We all want Zack, so the claws are going to come out,” one contestant says.

Shallcross is seen globe-trotting and yachting with his female suitors. The dates are extravagent with international travel, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a helicopter ride, a hot air balloon ride, skydiving and snorkeling. The promo shows him making out in the ocean, making out in a jacuzzi, making out on the beach and making out under fireworks.

Former “Bachelor” star Sean Lowe makes appearance in the new trailer — and surprisingly, so does Bachelor Nation alum Victoria Fuller. And in another surprise turn of events, Tahzjuan Hawkins — who appeared on Season 23 of “The Bachelor” and Season 6 and 7 of “Bachelor In Paradise” — is featured in the promo for Shallcross’ season. “Tahzjuan is here to steal my man,” one of the contestants blurts out. Another woman says, “We don’t need another girl here!”

The new season of “The Bachelor” premieres on Jan. 23, 2023.

Watch the promo for the new season of “The Bachelor” above.

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November 23, 2022
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Lots of kissing, lots of drama and

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Movies

Review: Back to DeLillo’s doomed future in ‘White Noise’

Like Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel, the heart of Noah Baumbach’s “White Noise” is in the supermarket. There, in the gleaming aisles of neatly arranged cereal boxes and produce, DeLillo found America’s church: an over-lit spectacle of abundance and artificiality. “Here we don’t die,” says Murray, the college professor, to the book’s protagonist, Jack, “we shop.”

Baumbach’s film is faithfully tuned to the buzzing dread and strange surrealism of DeLillo’s postmodern masterwork. This is true not only in the aisles of the A&P, where Jack Gladney (Adam Driver) and his wife, Babette (Greta Gerwig), contentedly stroll. Baumbach has also sprinkled grocery store products throughout the film. In the background of dramatic scenes sit Pringles, Sanka, Yoohoo! and other name brands like bread-crumb reminders of all that the supermarket represents: Inevitable doom covered up by linoleum floors and Tony the Tiger.

“White Noise,” which opens in theaters Friday and debuts Dec. 30 on Netflix, is a big swing at one of the great late-20th-century books. Both apocalyptic and comic, DeLillo’s eighth novel has proven acutely prophetic in its exhumation of the everyday dreams and dangers of American life. So much so that “White Noise,” as a story about an “airborne toxic event” filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, could risk being almost too dead on.

Based on the book by Don DeLillo, a film by Noah Baumbach, starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, “White Noise” is coming soon to select theatres and Netflix.

But DeLillo’s rhythm and vernacular, here energetically adapted by Baumbach, remains intoxicatingly singular. Realism was never the point, and Baumbach’s lively, stylish “White Noise” wholeheartedly embraces the book’s dizzying, dense intensity. Baumbach, the New York filmmaker of “Marriage Story” and “The Squid and the Whale,” has usually mined his own life for drama, with the exception of a previous adaptation with Wes Anderson. (“Fantastic Mr. Fox,” which likewise culminated with dancing in shiny supermarket aisles. ) “White Noise,” made with a bigger budget and a touch of Spielbergian spectacle, is often riveting large-canvas filmmaking while still idiosyncratically personal. Crammed full with ideas and a giddy gloom, “White Noise” is a doomsday film too enthralled by the toxic absurdities of modern life to be dragged down by them.

“White Noise” begins in a talky, theatrical register. Baumbach is a natural when it comes to manic, mannered neurosis but less sure-footed in translating DeLillo’s darker, conspiratorial tones. It makes an initially awkward, overly frenetic fit here, though it’s understandable to want to stuff as much of DiLillo’s dialogue in as possible. And the antic style serves a purpose: Jack, a professor of Nazism at a Midwest college, has been speeding through life in a denial of his fate, ironically insulated even by his Hitler studies. But there are cracks in his comfortable suburban bubble. One daughter finds in the house an amber pill jar for a mysterious, unknown drug called Dylar.

“White Noise” surveys the embedded toxicity in American society. There’s the insidious creep of prescription medication. The kids — they have a houseful from their multiple previous marriages plus one of their own — flock to watch a plane crash on the television. At the College-on-the-Hill, Jack and Prof. Murray Siskind (Don Cheadle) debate in a back-and-forth lecture the similar crowd-gathering thrall of Hitler and Elvis, a scene crosscut with a catastrophic accident between a chemical-carrying truck and a speeding locomotive.

As a dark, expanding cloud forms overhead the accident, its categorization quickly changes. Is it a plume? Is it billowing? The concern filters through the community and the Gladney home. Driver plays Jack with a sardonic, overconfident aplomb and, eventually, dawning existential terror. After first dismissing the threat, Jack is forced to evacuate the family, and the scenes of the station wagon careening through the chaos, with an amorphous doom overhead, are as vivid as anything Baumbach has shot.

After the “toxic airborne event,” Jack is newly awoken to the closeness of his own death, and maybe those around him. The source of that Dylar is another looming poison, a plotline that reaches an emotional climax in Babette’s teary confession, played movingly by Gerwig. The second half of “White Noise,” perhaps like the book, struggles to match its memorable first half. And in very ‘80s environs, Baumbach’s film always remains — purposefully, I think — a self-conscious work of literature adaptation, juggling big themes and highly literate dialogue with a screwball touch. It makes for a heady concoction too constantly interesting to ever be boring.

“White Noise,” a Netflix release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for brief violence and language. Running time: 136 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP

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November 23, 2022
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Film

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, A Christmas Story Christmas, and More

On the November 22, 2022 episode of /Film Daily, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by /Film editor Brad Oman to gather around the virtual water cooler and talk about what they’ve been up to.

At The Water Cooler:

What we’ve been Doing:

Brad has been busting his ass on the 2022 /Film Holiday Gift Guide

What we’ve been Reading:

Brad read Young Frankenstein: The Story of the Making of the Film

What we’ve been Watching:

Ben and Brad watched Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Hustle.

Ben watched Crimes of the Future

Brad watched A Christmas Story Christmas, Hart’s War, is in the middle of The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 1.

What we’ve been Eating:

Brad has enjoyed the return of Pitch Black Mountain Dew, tried the Wendy’s Italian Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich and Garlic Fries, Journeyman Distillery’s American Holiday Bourbon Cream and Skrewball Whiskey’s Egg Nog.

Links: Gift Guide Part 1 and Part 2

All the other stuff you need to know:

You can find more about all the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked inside the show notes.

/Film Daily is published every weekday, bringing you the most exciting news from the world of movies and television as well as deeper dives into the great features from slashfilm.com.

You can subscribe to /Film Daily on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the popular podcast apps (RSS).

And please subscribe to our newsletter!

Send your feedback, questions, comments and concerns to us at peter@slashfilm.com. Please leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention the e-mail on the air.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, tell your friends and spread the word!

Thanks to Sam Hume for our logo.

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November 23, 2022
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On the November 22, 2022 episode

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TV

63 Amazon Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List: Unexpected Prime Finds

The beauty of gift shopping on Amazon is twofold: endless options and free two-day delivery. The only issue? Finding the best Amazon gift ideas can be a challenge, considering the retailer has so many corners that you might not know where to start. But whether you’re looking for gifts for women or presents for teenagers, the perfect option is out there—and we’re here to help you track it down.

No matter who’s on your list, they’re likely all obsessed with something at the ’Zon, from cult-fave beauty products to home decor and TikTok-famous gadgets that you can seemingly only find here. Narrowing down your search is a matter of figuring out what each giftee loves, then picking out an item that speaks to it. The best gifts can be big—we love a top-of-the-line espresso machine or pair of high-tech headphones as much as the next—but there are plenty of thoughtful, cheap gifts out there, too.

To make this your easiest holiday yet, we took it upon ourselves to scour almost every inch of the mega-retailer to bring you the most unexpected, top-rated, and useful gifts out there. From a tiny brass plant mister for the budding green thumb to a heated foot massager that’s hands-down the best gift for Mom (or the perfect present for your husband), there’s truly something for everyone. Load up your cart below, then prepare for some extra-tight hugs.

Our top picks

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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November 23, 2022
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The beauty of gift shopping on Amazon

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What to Watch

New Amsterdam Star Jocko Sims Explains That ‘Brutal’ Decision, Plus Challenges In The Final Episodes

Spoilers ahead for Episodes 9 and 10 of New Amsterdam Season 5, called “The Empty Spaces” and “Don’t Do This For Me.”

New Amsterdam is heading into its winter hiatus after a double dose of hospital drama, and the two episodes delivered everything from Max causing chaos with survey results to the return of Helen Sharpe (kind of) to Reynolds making decisions that ranged from brutal to heartfelt. Now, looking ahead to the final episodes that will air in the 2023 TV schedule, star Jocko Sims opened up to CinemaBlend about a bad call that Reynolds made, as well as challenges ahead with Gabrielle.

After these two episodes, Reynolds and Gabrielle have moved from flirting to virtual hookups to ready to hook up in person, with the initial complication that he was still looking after his dad. Jocko Sims previously opened up about whether his character could move on from his polyamorous romance to get started with Gabrielle. While they’ve now seemingly started a relationship and Horace removed himself as an obstacle, there’s still a very big hurdle to Reynolds getting the long term relationship that he’s been looking for.

The actor previewed what’s ahead for Reynolds and Gabrielle before the final credits roll on the series in the new year, saying:

With Floyd and Gabrielle, in particular, they’re gonna have to overcome this hurdle of her potentially leaving at any moment. She’s a traveling nurse, and that’s going to be a challenge. What do they do with that? Does he pursue it? Does he travel with her? He tried that with Evie. That didn’t work out so much. Does he try to convince her to stay? Do they break up? All these questions, and more will be answered in the next few episodes.

As of the midseason finale, Gabrielle only had a few weeks left before her job as a traveling nurse would take her somewhere else, and there’s no sign just yet that she’s going to change her mind about moving on. Jocko Sims presented the interesting option of Reynolds traveling with her, even though that didn’t work with Evie. Of course, he left to be with Evie when New Amsterdam was still going strong, so it seemed inevitable that he’d return somehow. With only a few episodes of the medical drama left, it’s possible that he could make a permanent decision to stay or leave.

That said, he made some questionable decisions in this two-parter when a young pregnant woman came to the hospital, desperate to give birth ASAP because she believed that she’d kill her unborn child by relapsing into her drug habit. When Reynolds and Gabrielle learned that she was only 23 weeks along and would have to go at least three more weeks before they could induce, Olivette became very upset and wanted to leave. While Gabrielle tried to calm her down, Reynolds called security because she was a danger to herself and her child, putting her on an involuntary hold.

Gabrielle had words with him about it, including shouting out The Handmaid’s Tale by asking him if “this is Gilead” and pointing out that Olivette would still be allowed to terminate her pregnancy at 23 weeks without being detained if she so chose. She raised the point that the child would be at every disadvantage if they did things his way. Luckily, she eventually got through to him, and they instead set up a system of nurses who would support her in everything she needed to bring her baby to term.

Interestingly, this case came not too long after the episode about the Supreme Court decision about reproductive health, when Reynolds learned that Bloom had an abortion while they were in a relationship. When asked if he thought his character would have handled the situation differently before that episode, Jocko Sims shared:

I think Floyd didn’t learn quite enough, even after the Supreme Court episode, and that’s why things like this have to continue to be ongoing conversations, especially with men. We don’t know what it’s like to have to carry a child, or to have to deal with having to make these decisions, and although Floyd learned quite a bit in the Supreme Court episode, especially with learning about his past with with Bloom, here we are, a couple of episodes later, where there’s a young lady who ultimately just needs love and support and help from our doctors, and the idea that he had attempted to have her committed when she came there for help, I thought it was brutal.

Even Jocko Sims thinks it was a “brutal” decision to try and have Olivette committed when all she needed was somebody to listen to her! Luckily, his character had Gabrielle to show him what he was doing wrong, and he cared enough to listen and change. The actor went on:

I loved it for the writing. That was a fantastic idea for us to do this, so I embraced it. But I think Floyd was making not the best decision there, and it was great that he had Gabrielle there. He had a woman to remind him and tell him what was important in this situation, and ultimately made the right decision.

He went on to support Bloom and her situation with her overdosed sister in the second episode, and had a breakthrough with his dad that could mean Horace is on the mend for good. Will this clear the path for him to enjoy a relationship with Gabrielle before they have to make a decision about her departure? And will he be able to keep his relationship with his father going strong? There was a scene involving father and son that had to be deleted earlier this season!

New Amsterdam will return in the new year on Tuesday, January 3 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, ahead of a two-part series finale event just a couple of weeks later. Helen’s return to New York may have shaken up Max in his determination to start a relationship with Elizabeth Wilder, although it remains to be seen if they share any scenes or he simply has to face his feelings because he saw her on TV.

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November 22, 2022
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Spoilers ahead for Episodes 9 and 10

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Awards

Nicole Kidman To Receive 2023 AFI Life Achievement Award – Deadline

The American Film Institute (AFI) Board of Trustees will bestow his 49th AFI Life Achievement Award on Oscar winner Nicole Kidman at their June 10, 2023 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Kidman is the first Australian actor to receive this honor.

“Nicole Kidman has enchanted audiences for decades with the daring of her artistry and the glamour of a screen icon,” said Kathleen Kennedy, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. “She is a force both brave in her choices and bold in each performance. AFI is honored to present her with the 49^th AFI Life Achievement Award.”

Kidman’s cinematic canon has spanned work with such filmmakers as Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Baz Luhrmann, Aaron Sorkin, Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Lars von Trier and Stanley Kubrick.

She was nominated five times at the Oscars –4x for Leading Actress for Moulin Rouge!, The Hours, Rabbit Hole and this year’s Being the Ricardos for her portrayal as Lucille Ball and once in Supporting Actress for Lion. She won Best Actress in 2003 for Stephen Daldry’s The Hours playing the role of Virginia Woolf.

Her breakthrough role came in Phillip Noyce’s 1989 thriller Dead Calm. Throughout her career, Kidman has won a BAFTA Award, two Emmys–for Lead Actress Limited Series and Outstanding Limited Series for HBO’s Big Little Lies, and six Golden Globes. She co-founded her production company Blossom Films in 2010.

She starred this year in Robert Eggers’ viking epic The Northman from Focus Features. Her top grossing features include Aquaman (the highest grossing DC movie ever at $1.1 billion WW; the sequel of which, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom comes out Christmas 2023), Happy Feet ($384M), The Golden Compass ($372M), Batman Forever ($337M), and Paddington ($272M).

In theater, Kidman made a highly-lauded London stage debut in the fall of 1998, starring with Iain Glen in The Blue Room, David Hare’s modern adaptation of Schnitzler’s La Ronde. For her performance, Kidman won London’s Evening Standard Award and was nominated in the Best Actress category for a Laurence Olivier Award. In 2015, Kidman was seen on the West End stage in Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51, for which she received a London Evening Standard Award.

In January of 2006, Kidman was awarded Australia’s highest honor, the Companion in the Order of Australia. She was also awarded the Berlin Film Festival’s Silver Bear award for her performance in The Hours. In 2017, the Cannes Film Festival honored Kidman with the 70^th Anniversary Prize for her body of work and longstanding history with the festival. She is one of only eight people to ever receive this honor.

Kidman has served as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women for nearly two decades. Along with her husband, Keith Urban, she has helped raise millions over the years for the Stanford Women’s Cancer Program which is a world-renowned center for research into the causes, treatment, prevention, and eventual cure of women’s cancer.

Kidman’s many upcoming projects include Lulu Wang’s Expats for Amazon, Lioness for Paramount+, and Holland, Michigan for Amazon.

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November 22, 2022
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The American Film Institute (AFI) Board of

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Entertaintment, Music

Dolly Parton is the best person to co-host Miley’s NYE party

There is something about a dynamic duo. Peanut butter and jelly. Batman and Robin. Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton.

Okay, I might have lost you on that last one. Even so, there isn’t much to be caught up on though as Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton are joining forces to host Miley’s New Year’s Eve bash on NBC.

Most of us recall last year’s pick of Pete Davidson and as attractive as it could be again, NBC decided to switch things up. Coming up with a host to replace Pete Davidson isn’t exactly easy as Davidson is pretty much everywhere these days and has been spotted with a plethora of women this year alone.

Regardless, there was only one person who could fill the shoes Pete Davidson left behind and that’s Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton is the perfect person to replace Pete Davidson and pair with Miley.

When thinking of a replacement to pair with Miley Cyrus, I’m sure none of us imagined Dolly Parton would be her 2023 co-host. However, it feels like the perfect pairing in so many ways as firstly, Dolly is Miley’s godmother. Despite it being featured as a plot point in Hannah Montana, Parton really is Miley’s godmother and the two have a close relationship.

Secondly, the two have such mutual respect for each other as artists. The two have performed together multiple times and have covered each other’s songs. Hopefully, we’ll either see the two perform together during Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party or at least, see one solo performance from each of them.

Lastly, there is something so fun about this combo because it’s sort of playing both ends of the spectrum. Miley caters more to the younger generation while Dolly is more relatable to the older generation. There are also a lot of people who fall within the middle or those who love both Miley and Dolly as artists. Somehow, seeing these two paired up is exactly the type of good vibes we need going into 2023.

If those reasons weren’t enough to convince you, then both Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton appear together in a promo video for the festivities. While it’s short, you can tell these two are going to have a ton of fun, hosting together.

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party will air on NBC and stream on Peacock on December 31st, 2022 starting at 10:30 pm EST.

What do you think of Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus coming together for her NYE party? Let us know in the comments.

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November 22, 2022
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There is something about a dynamic

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Docs

Grace Phelps-Roper’s Escape From the Westboro Baptist Church to Be Explored in ‘Where We Belong’

Susanne Opstal’s “Where We Belong,” one of 21 feature film projects selected as part of the IDFA Forum Pitches program, revolves around the director’s relationship with Grace Phelps-Roper, the youngest daughter of the family behind the infamous Westboro Baptist Church. Grace left the church and her family a decade ago, two years after she first met Opstal. The director has been filming Grace’s journey ever since.

“We’ve been working on this for 12 years, and there have been times when it was really difficult. So we made a pact. We would continue to film and finance the project, but keep the team really small. And at the point that we felt Grace was ready to open up and share her story with the world, we would open up together, and go to market,” says the film’s producer, Halal’s head of documentary Olivia Sophie van Leeuwen.

“We kept the team super small. We wanted Grace to know and trust everyone. We also had an all-female team. Now we are ready to attach stronger partners to it, to make it as big as we can, because we want everybody to see this film,” says van Leeuwen. “After Forum, we are going to shoot for one more year and simultaneously start editing, so we are now at the right moment to work with others because we will be able to show them some material instead of just saying we have it.”

Opstal is conscious of the highly sensitive nature of the subject at hand. “How do you start over when the foundations of your existence have been swept away? How can you have a conversation when you’ve never learned to deal with conflict or to stand up for yourself? Therefore we have been really patient and careful. We talked everything through, both Grace and I and also with Olivia. I’ve taken many trips without a camera, just to talk, and be there for her. It was hard but very much worth it.”

Representatives of both Amazon Studios and NEON’s boutique distribution brand, Super, were part of the industry panel for the “Where We Belong” pitch. “Of course we want to work with the best and biggest players in the industry,” says van Leeuwen, “but it’s also important that we haven’t made this our goal from the beginning because it would’ve made for a different film. It’s not an exposé on Grace, the girl from the Westboro Baptist Church. It is much more sensitive than that. We are talking about her parents, her brothers and sisters… It’s a different film. This is very much character-driven.”

“This is more than a documentary,” agrees Opstal. “This has become part of her therapeutical process. I think it’s amazing how she’s been opening up to us and allowing us to be there with her during this incredibly difficult coming-of-age journey that unfolds. We titled the film ‘Where We Belong’ because the question she struggles with is one we all have, to varying degrees: ‘Where do we belong?’ Over the last decade, and through Grace’s story, we witness the normalization of extremism. As our protagonist moves further and further from it — the world leans back into it. During the film, Grace and I connected over our shared feelings of non-belonging.”

For van Leeuwen, it is important to reinforce how involved Grace has been throughout the entire production process. “This documentary is very important for Grace. You have to understand that she refused all other media requests. So many people reached out to her and still do every day through social media. But this is how she wants to tell her story, through this film. She is very excited to finally turn everything that has happened to her into something good, something that can help and inspire others. If the film makes any money in the end, a third of it goes to Grace.”

“I feel really strongly about all the decisions we’ve made,” says Opstal when asked if she believes her Forum experience would affect “Where We Belong” in any way. “There has been interest over the years, but we had always wanted to keep the team small. It feels like that decision really resonated here at the Forum. Here we introduced the world to the story of our documentary, and we’re thrilled to finally bring it to the international market. We are excited about the film and where it is going. And with all the feedback and support from the Forum, things can only get better.”

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November 22, 2022
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Susanne Opstal’s “Where We Belong,” one of

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Global

Man on trial for murdering estranged wife with machete blames ex for his depression – Toronto

Sasikaran Thanapalasingam appeared anxious and upset when he was interviewed by police on Sept. 12, 2019, the day after allegedly murdering his estranged wife Tharshika Jeganathan.

In a 90-minute video statement shown in court at the judge-alone trial of Thanapalasingam, accused of the brutal slaying of the 27-year-old, the accused tells Det. Sgt. Keri Fernandes, through a Tamil translator, that he is innocent when she informs him he is being charged with first-degree murder.

“You guys are accusing me of an incident. I didn’t do anything. I don’t even like to kill a small bird,” Thanapalasingam said, adding he has been suffering from depression ever since his wife left him.

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Man on trial for murder of estranged wife with machete

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Man on trial for murder of estranged wife with machete

According to an agreed statement of facts, Jeganathan arrived in Toronto in February 2017 to join Thanapalasingam, whom she wed in an arranged marriage in India on Nov. 1, 2015. Three weeks later, Thanapalasingam was arrested for assault and Jeganathan moved out.

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Between April and September 2017, Thanapalasingam was arrested on three occasions for failing to comply with bail conditions to have no contact with Jeganathan. He pled guilty to one charge. The two others were eventually withdrawn.

He was acquitted of the assault charge but in August 2018, was again cautioned after she reported that he had showed up at a coffee shop near the Dollarama where she worked.

In October 2018, Thanapalasingam provided police with a letter stating that he had been receiving threatening phone calls from Jeganathan’s friends indicating that he had complained to immigration Canada that Jeganathan’s marriage to him was a ruse. He also provided police with a recording of the alleged threatening phone calls.

The police listened to the recordings and cautioned the individuals they believed to be the calling parties.

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Toronto man charged with 1st-degree murder after estranged wife dies in machete attack

On Dec. 31, 2017, Thanapalasingam initiated divorce proceedings, claiming on his application that he was owed approximately $30,000 from Jeganathan for her dowry property, including the wedding necklace and wedding expenses.

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He alleged that Jeganathan only wanted to marry him to migrate to Canada. He also alleged that Jeganathan had assaulted him and that she levelled false allegations of domestic violence against him.

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Jeganathan filed responding materials in the summer of 2019 disputing Thanapalasingam’s financial claims and detailed allegations of his abusive and controlling behaviour towards her. He was served with those papers less than a month before Jeganathan was murdered by a man wielding a machete, who chased her and attacked her in broad daylight as she was walking to the basement apartment where she lived near Ellesmere Avenue and Morrish Road.

Video surveillance captured the machete attack around 6:15 pm on Sept. 11, 2019 and it is agreed upon by Crown and defence that Thanapalasingam is the man in the video who killed Jeganathan. What the judge must decide is if he had the intent to murder.

In the video statement, Thanapalasingam tells Fernandes he’s been taking medication for the past year-and-a-half for depression, blaming it on his ex.

“I sponsored her to this country, then she left me. She lodged false allegations against me in the past and because she left me, I’m suffering depression,” Thanapalasingam explained.

When Fernandes tried to get Thanapalasingam to admit that he killed his ex-wife, he denied it. “I didn’t see her laying on the ground bloodied. I didn’t see her ever,” he said, explaining that he only remembered going to Jeganathan’s house to ask her for the money she owed him but could not remember what happened after that, claiming he was drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before he drove to 43 Division.

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The video has been admitted as evidence for Thanapalasingam’s demeanour but the content has yet to be made admissible.

Read more:

Toronto victim of machete attack likely had no choice but to report abuse: domestic violence expert

Defence counsel Tom Pittman told the judge after the video was shown that he would like the court to order an assessment by a forensic psychiatrist as to whether Thanapalasingam is criminally responsible, in order to assess whether he knew what he did was wrong.

The testimony of Somagala Somakasan, a friend of the Thanapalsingam family, was also read in by Crown attorney Andrew Pilla. Somakasan testified at the preliminary inquiry but died a short time later.

Somakasan testified that he had met with Thanapalasingam shortly after Jeganathan left the marriage and was called in to mediate. “He was angry and he was saying, ‘I don’t want to let her go just like that.’ He was mentioning, ‘Oh I’m just going to kill her. If she’s not for me, she’s for nobody.’”

The trial will continue in the next year.

&copy 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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November 22, 2022
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Sasikaran Thanapalasingam appeared anxious and upset when

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And Now… The Film Nominees

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The Crown

30 Rock

House

Andor

Ted Lasso

Bridgerton

Arrested Development

WandaVision

Severance

The Good Place

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Friday Night Lights

The Office (US)

Stranger Things

Downton Abbey

Frasier

Dead to Me

Parks and Recreation

Breaking Bad

Manifest

The Great British Bake Off

Freaks and Geeks

Grey’s Anatomy

Schitt’s Creek

Better Call Saul

9. And the clown doll in Poltergeist almost strangled child actor Oliver Robins, who played Robbie, to death for real.

And it seems like almost every creative was there: actors, musicians, comedians, reality stars (yes, from Love Is Blind and Bling Empire), you name it.

The night began with a Squid Game–inspired performance by GRV Dance Crew (complete with pink guard and green player outfits), and MAMA Night Market (which aims to preserve immigrant culture through food) provided an incredible range of food from local API-owned businesses.

Los Angeles–based artist Simon Kim even unveiled a mural of API characters from Netflix’s 2022 lineup, featuring the faces of Jason Momoa, Arden Cho, Randall Park, Shen Wang, Simone Ashley, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Jo Koy, the cast of Bling Empire, the infamous doll from Squid Game, and more.

Throughout the night, numerous celebrities stopped to talk about Asian and Pacific Islander media and representation, particularly following the wins of 2022, so here’s what they had to say:

1. Hasan Minhaj: “If you think about the way Hollywood looked at our culture 20 years ago, we were deemed culturally irrelevant. Now, we’re making some of the most relevant, poignant, cutting-edge work.”

2. Yoshi Sudarso: “There’s a lot [of impactful work]. That’s the beauty of it; you won’t get bored because there’s so much of it.”

3. Jessica Henwick on the abundance of API media today: “Saying ‘Asian’ kind of doesn’t mean anything anymore. We’re getting into specificity and finding original authentic voices.”

4. Rich Ting: “We’re finally being recognized for all the assets and multitudes we have as [APIs]. We’re not all Chinese. We don’t all speak a certain way. There are thousands of stories within our community.”

5. Deepti Vempati on Asians and Pacific Islanders in reality TV: “[It’s] very white-dominated, and we’re still making our way in.”

6. Kevin Kreider: “Nobody’s seen us like that, being in a reality TV show. People haven’t seen us as romantic leads before, but we are. People haven’t seen us as women powerhouses — I’m not a woman powerhouse, but I’m just saying, people haven’t seen that, and we are.”

8. Dr. Gabriel Chiu on the API community’s journey toward justice and equality: “You have to take steps before you can run. And as you can see from tonight, we’re starting to run.”

What do you think of these celebs’ remarks? If you’re Asian and/or Pacific Islander, have you felt more visible and seen yourself on screen in any of their works this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Titled “Oak Thorn & the Rose of Love,” the short film is included as part of A24’s “The Green Knight: Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray.

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2011

2012

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9.

And the clown doll in Poltergeist almost strangled child actor Oliver Robins, who played Robbie, to death for real.

1.

Hasan Minhaj: “If you think about the way Hollywood looked at our culture 20 years ago, we were deemed culturally irrelevant. Now, we’re making some of the most relevant, poignant, cutting-edge work.”

2.

Yoshi Sudarso: “There’s a lot [of impactful work]. That’s the beauty of it; you won’t get bored because there’s so much of it.”

3.

Jessica Henwick on the abundance of API media today: “Saying ‘Asian’ kind of doesn’t mean anything anymore. We’re getting into specificity and finding original authentic voices.”

4.

Rich Ting: “We’re finally being recognized for all the assets and multitudes we have as [APIs]. We’re not all Chinese. We don’t all speak a certain way. There are thousands of stories within our community.”

5.

Deepti Vempati on Asians and Pacific Islanders in reality TV: “[It’s] very white-dominated, and we’re still making our way in.”

6.

Kevin Kreider: “Nobody’s seen us like that, being in a reality TV show. People haven’t seen us as romantic leads before, but we are. People haven’t seen us as women powerhouses — I’m not a woman powerhouse, but I’m just saying, people haven’t seen that, and we are.”

8.

Dr. Gabriel Chiu on the API community’s journey toward justice and equality: “You have to take steps before you can run. And as you can see from tonight, we’re starting to run.”