The right lost its last war on Disney
And 'Guardians 3' breaks a record
What to know
The right’s new war on Disney recalls a ‘90s fight it already lost… Interesting historical context for the current culture war Florida conservatives and others right-wingers are waging against Disney. The columnist’s main point: Don’t bet against the giant entertainment corporation that everyone feels nostalgic about. 🐭
Bridgerton season 2 breaks Netflix’s single-week, English-language viewing record… That accolade only includes “English-language” because Squid Game is still king of the all-time record. With Bridgerton doing such strong numbers it will be interesting to see how many seasons the show lasts. Netflix isn’t in the seven-season game anymore (RIP Orange Is the New Black) — but no one in Hollywood is ever quick to kill a cash cow. 👑
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 breaks record for most makeup appliances on a single production… Just when you thought Marvel had CGI’ed everything real out of existence, we learn that Guardians 3 is doing more makeup than any movie ever! Pretty cool! The previous record holder was How the Grinch Stole Christmas 22 years ago. 🦝
Robert Downey Jr. producing two Sherlock Holmes spinoff shows at HBO Max… Do the RDJ Sherlock movies, of which there are two, have a lot of fans? They seem like forgotten relics of the late ‘00s/early ‘10s, if you ask me. Regardless, any IP is good IP so they’re getting series spinoffs. 🕵️♀️
Spirited Away stage play to stream on Hulu in July, Spring Awakening reunion doc coming to HBO Max May 3… It’s a good day to be a fan of theatrical productions that begin with s-p. 🎭
Jurassic World Dominion is longest Jurassic movie ever, Doctor Strange 2 is shortest Marvel movie in three years… Somebody call Pete Davidson 🦖
Smart Guy Tahj Mowry joins new Muppets Mayhem series… Wow, remember Tahj Mowry? 🥁
Nancy Meyers returning to directing after 7 years… Tell your mom and your aunt. 🎬
What’s new
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off — Apr 5 | HBO Max documentary | 🍅 100%
Tokyo Vice — Apr 7 | HBO Max drama series | 🍅 91%
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — Apr 8 | Video game movie in theaters | 🍅 64%
Everything Everywhere All at Once — Apr 8 | Sci-fi comedy indie in theaters | 🍅97%
Ambulance — Apr 8 | Action movie in theaters | 🍅 72%
What to watch
Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth is a spiritual sequel to the comedian’s 2015 box-office hit Trainwreck. Both are funny and heartfelt stories about a somewhat-lost young woman, who drinks too much, and has to juggle career, love, and family in and around New York City and Long Island. Schumer further explores self-loathing, childhood trauma, and the struggles that come as our parents age. But because this is 2022 and not 2015, Life & Beth is a 10-part series on Hulu rather than a movie. That’s a good thing. The form suits Schumer maybe even more than the Apatow-directed feature did, as it gives her even more room to go long — both into character and into comedy bits. Life & Beth is a successful long-form rom com that’s also a teenage coming-of-age drama (through flashbacks) and a hilarious hang out sitcom. Schumer has built another superb vehicle and role for herself, while doling out spotlight parts for Michael Cera (who spins awkward, quiet charm into believable romantic leaddom), Susannah Flood, Laura Benanti, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Kane, and Yamaneika Saunders. She then goes the extra mile to cast a cadre of New York theater actors and comedians in smaller parts including Gary Gulman, Dave Attell, Murray Hill, Hank Azaria, and Jon Glaser, plus a nice role for the David Byrne. To draw a contrast from her past work, Life & Beth is less harsh than Trainwreck, it’s warmer and kinder but make no mistake, it’s confident and delightfully watchable.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!