Critics react to 'Black Widow'
Critics react to 'Black Widow'
And beloved fantasy series gets a season 2
What to know
Black Widow keeps Marvel’s critical streak alive… Film critics are once again laying praise at the feet of Kevin Feige as the embargo lifted upon Black Widow reviews Tuesday. Some writers even labeled this ‘high-octane espionage thriller’ as ‘pop feminism.’ Natasha’s currently rocking an 85% on RottenTomatoes with 85 reviews counted. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: Marvel has built such good will among critics, I believe it’ll really take a stinker for them to turn their backs en masse. 🕷
Michael Sheen and David Tennant are returning for Good Omens season 2… That’s a nifty surprise! You have to read Sheen’s quote from the press release, “Personally I’m against it, but the world isn’t going to just save itself, is it? If David and I can manage to not fall out too badly this time it may even have a chance of getting finished.” 👼
Fans raise $70k for injured stuntwoman… Prolific stuntwoman Dayna Grant (Max Max: Fury Road, Xena, Mulan, WW84) suffered a head injury on a recent project and discovered that she needed life-saving surgery. When fans, family, and friends heard insurance was not going to cover it, they stepped up and raised $70k! Amazing! 🧠
Tarantino wrote a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stage play… Once Upon a Time in Hollywood the book! Once Upon a Time in Hollywood the play! Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodthe lunch box! Once Upon a Time in Hollywood the T-shirt! Once Upon a Time in Hollywood the coloring book! 🎭
Ethan Hawke and Jada Pinkett Smith are also in Knives Out 2… honestly, who isn’t these days 🔪
Don Cheadle says Soderbergh is considering an Ocean’s 14… Grumpy Old Ocean’s 🎰
Succession season 3 is coming this fall… F*ck off! 👏
Dropping this week:
America: The Motion Picture— June 30 on Netflix | Adult animated film | RT
Zola — June 30 in select theaters | Indie drama | 87% RT
No Sudden Move— July 1 on HBO Max | Soderbergh heist film | 94% RT
Top Chef Amateurs— July 1 on Bravo | Cooking competition series
The Tomorrow War— July 2 on Amazon| Chris Pratt action film | RT
Summer of Soul — July 2 on Hulu | Music doc | 97% RT
Fear Street Part One: 1994— July 2 on Netflix | Horror movie | RT
The Forever Purge — July 2 in theaters | Horror movie | RT
The Bossy Baby: Family Business — July 2 on Peacock & theaters | Kids movie | RT
What to watch
We Are Lady Parts, now on Peacock, is like a perfect punk anthem. It hooks you in fast, keeps you on your toes with just-off-center energy, pushes through big ideas with sharp wit, and then it’s over before you even know what happened — and yet somehow, you’re still humming its chorus. Written and directed by Nida Manzoor, this British musical sitcom about a punk band made up of London Muslim women is a revelation. Funny, heartfelt, and melodic, Lady Parts brings a powerful dose of representation with stunning ease. Manzoor trojan horses intersectional feminist ideals and varied, nuanced portrayals of life as a modern Muslim woman in the West without ever bashing the audience over the head. She does it all through her hero’s journey into self actualization. Anjana Vasan anchors the show with quirky, awkward charm, but it’s Sarah Kameela Impey who absolutely blew me away with a career-making turn as the rough and guarded Saira. In just 3 hours (yep, season one is only 6 half-hour eps), Manzoor will have you deeply in love with all of her characters — and then she tops it off with a cathartic climax unmatched on TV this year. This show alone is worth the price of Peacock.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!
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