What to know
Disney+ cans Spiderwick Chronicles TV show that’s already finished shooting… Yet another example of the streamers just erasing shows from history and lighting content on fire for a tax write-off. I can’t imagine there are that many fans who were clamoring for this series, but it still stings to see the trend continue. Also this show starred up-and-comer Jack Dylan Grazer, who’s great, and Christian Slater. Oh well! On the other hand, Hollywood used to make hundreds of un-aired pilots each year, so while more expensive, this isn’t all that different. /Film reports that Disney+ dumped this in part to refocus on its own brands, it’s unclear if the Mouse can take a tax write-off here. Paramount is a co-owner of the show and will shop it elsewhere. 🕷️
Legendary Price Is Right host Bob Barker has died at 99… Has this for a life and career: Barker served as a Navy pilot in WWII. He hosted Truth or Consequences for 19 years and then Price Is Right for 35, winning 17 Emmys and lifetime achievement award. He was an outspoken advocate for animal rights and became famous for reminding viewers to spay and neuter their pets. And of course, parodied himself with number film and TV cameos, most famously killing it in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore. It should also be noted that Barker was sued by 3 women employees for sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and gender discrimination in the ‘90s and ‘00s. And as many on the internet have been saying, Barker lived as close to 100 as possible without going over. 🏷️
Bottoms makes $52,000 per theater average in limited release… It seems the good reviews of the raunchy indie comedy got in front of the right people as it took in over $500K from just 10 screens this past weekend. That means it overtook the post-2020 per-screen record previously held by Everything Everywhere All at Once. Bottoms expands to 700 screens this weekend and if you extrapolate out its average, that would be a $36.4M take. I doubt it makes that much because I don’t think the marketing for it has made it to the masses, but I wouldn’t surprised to see it have legs and get to a number like that eventually. Maybe Joy Ride should have been platformed in the same way? 💰
Denis Villeneuve would do a Dune 3, but probably stop there… He says the subsequent books get too “esoteric.” Having not read them, but instead only interacted with Dune via its big screen adaptations, I think it’s already pretty esoteric and can only imagine. 🐛
Max to stream AMC+ shows in two-month crossover promo… I always forget that AMC has a streaming service. It feels like it’s only a matter of time until it gets gobbled up by someone else. 🔁
Barbie becomes Warner Bros.’ highest grossing movie worldwide, besting final Potter… Prior to June I would have scoffed at this outcome, but now it seems like it was always inevitable. Meanwhile, Oppenheimer has passed Inception and is projected to get close to $1B total. What a world!💄
First trailer for Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn coming Wednesday… Anticipated awards movie alert! I’ll have it in the newsletter. 🧂
National Cinema Day up 5% over last year… And that’s with a $1 price increase. Hopefully theaters continue this tradition. 🎟️
Oppenheimer’s Oscar hopes just went up with Dune 2 out of the way… Could Nolan finally walk to the podium? 🏆
Netflix will let mail subscribers keep its DVDs after all… Good on them. I mean, why not? Right? 📀
Corbin Bleu and Constance Wu joining Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway… I had no idea Wu could sing. 🎭
Blue Beetle drops off just 49% in week two… Looks like this beetle might have legs. 🪲
Walt Disney VFX workers move to unionize… Huzzah! ✊
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What’s new
One Piece — Aug 31 | Netflix live-action anime series | 🍅
Spellbound — Aug 31 | Hulu dance drama series | 🍅
Bottoms — Sept 1 | R-rated comedy in theaters | 🍅 95%
The Equalizer 3 — Sept 1 | Action movie in theaters | 🍅
Returning: Archer s14, The Wheel of Time s2, Disenchantment s5
What to watch
Past Lives, now available on demand, has been touted as one of the best movies of the year — and those who have been doing the touting are correct. Writer-director Celine Song’s debut feature about a pair of not exactly star-crossed lovers is a beautiful piece of art that will have you re-contextualizing your own life’s journey. The film is measured and brilliantly observed. By delivering a more realistic romance that subverts Hollywood clichés, Song lands on something even more resonant and poignant than the romantic dramas we’re used to. Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro are excellent and bring key believability to Song’s story. The dual locations of Seoul and New York are charmingly depicted with life and opportunity. At a time when Hollywood seems obsessed with multiverse stories, Song has managed to create one that never leaves our universe, but instead allows the viewer to imagine what we could have been and feel the grief of it. Song shows how the decisions we make—and the decisions others make for us—bring us to where we are. Bring yourself to Past Lives, you won’t regret it.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!