The Academy is learning
The Academy is learning
And Harvey holds a Kevin Smith classic hostage
What to know
The Academy is learning… Live TV experts Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner will executive produce the 95th Oscars in March (Weiss will also direct). This is great news because these guys know how to make a live TV broadcast. Additionally, the Academy has set up a special team to fix its flagship award show, tasking them with improving the red carpet pre-show and figuring out how to best honor craft winners. A.k.a. fixing past years’ mistakes. The Academy is also exploring some streaming options. These Oscars might be very traditional, but that’s not a bad thing. 🏆
Harvey Weinstein is holding Kevin Smith’s Dogma hostage… While not perfect, Dogma is a fascinating and funny early Kevin Smith movie, that actually has something to say about religion. And yet, it’s not available on streaming or digital, and the out-of-print Blu-ray will cost you $100 secondhand. How did this happen? According to Smith, “the devil himself” is holding it hostage. Harvey Weinstein owns the rights to the movie and reportedly won’t accept any offer from Smith lower than $5 million. Just when you think the disgraced producer couldn’t become any more detestable. 😡
Sony sets new Karate Kid movie for summer 2024… What is this? The studio is billing this new movie as “the return to the original Karate Kid franchise,” but the guys behind Cobra Kai, the Netflix series that continues the story of the original franchise, say it has nothing to do with their show. (Which just debuted its solid 5th season.) I guess Sony’s log line is fancy talk for “reboot.” Which shouldn’t be confused with the 2010 reboot starring Jaden Smith. Won’t the real Karate Kid please stand up. 🥋
Apple might release Will Smith’s Emancipation in 2022 after all… And just in time for awards season. Bold move, fruit company. After The Slap, Apple delayed Emancipation to 2023 but is reportedly reconsidering. The Cupertino outfit spent $120 million acquiring the movie, so I can understand why they’d like to get it out and see that ROI. 🤔
Keanu Reeves and Francis Lawrence making Constantine sequel… After John Wick, everyone wants to be in the Keanu business. His star power is apparently strong enough to get a DC Comics movie greenlit at Warner Bros., which as you might recall is in a bit of superhero turmoil right now. So, congrats fans of 2005’s Constantine, a sequel might just be coming your way. 👀
Warner Bros. Discovery will now license out its big titles rather than let them sit idly on HBO Max… What makes more money: licensing out your movies to another streamer or hoarding them on your own platform to lure subscribers? WBD is facing that dilemma and for now is reconsidering the former option. Zaslav is looking for revenue wherever he can. 💰
UK-based Channel 5 aired The Emoji Movie while every other channel showed Queen Elizabeth’s funeral… Someone had to counter program. 💩
Spielberg’s The Fabelmans wins TIFF audience award… That’s one. 🎞
What’s new
Reboot - Sept 20 | Hulu comedy series | 🍅 69%
Andor - Sept 21 | Disney+ Star Wars series | 🍅
Lego Masters s3 - Sept 21 | Fox reality competition | 🍅
Abbott Elementary s2 - Sept 21 | ABC comedy series | 🍅
On the Come Up - Sept 23 | Paramount+ drama film | 🍅 91%
Don’t Worry Darling - Sept 23 | Drama in theaters | 🍅 34%
What to watch
Peacock’s The Resort should have been slam dunk with audiences. This comedy-drama hybrid series presents itself as a missing-persons mystery, it’s set at a beautiful resort (didn’t White Lotus just win all those awards?), and it’s got two beloved TV stars in William Jackson Harper and Cristin Milioti. Those elements alone should have brought in the eye balls — and yet, there isn’t much hype on this one thanks to the never-ending avalanche of streaming content and the fact that it’s on Peacock. Which is a damn shame, because once you get past its familiar hooks, The Resort reveals itself to be something else entirely. Something else way more interesting. You see, this series was created by Palm Springs writer Andy Siara and EP-ed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail. All is not what it seems in an Andy Siara-Sam Esmail project and The Resort is no exception. Once Siara flips the switch (at the end of episode 4, a little too late in my opinion, but that’s OK) The Resort becomes one of the more compelling streaming shows of the year. It’s finale is truly remarkable and a breathtaking showcase for Cristin Milioti, who is building an amazing TV résumé. If you liked Siara’s pandemic-era sleeper hit Palm Springs, you’ll be all about The Resort. It’s not as funny as the high concept Andy Samberg comedy, but it’s just as deep.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!