Where's the 'Nope' hype?
And Spielberg directs first music video
What to know
Why has the Nope hype gone cold?… Acclaimed director Jordan Peele is releasing his third major horror film this week, were you aware of that fact? Peele had movie fans abuzz when he dropped the ominous and mysterious first poster for Nope and then the ominous and mysterious first trailer. Now it seems, as we’ve gotten closer to release date, subsequent trailers revealed that Nope might not be much more than a straightforward UFO story? Social reviews will hit tonight with full reviews to follow Wednesday — should very interesting to hear what they have to say. Regardless, I’ve already got a ticket to see it Thursday night. 🛸
Steven Spielberg directs his first music video… The Terminal director just shot a music video for Marcus Mumford’s “Cannibal,” but it was a little more stripped down than a typical Amblin set. According to Mumford’s tweet, Spielby shot it on an iPhone in one take. By those standards, I’m pretty sure I directed a video of my daughter eating a peanut butter sandwich this morning. 🎥
Why reality TV songs sound familiar — but aren’t… When MTV popularized lifestyle reality programming, its shows were embedded with hit pop songs. At the time, the network had the rights to a deep library of pop music thanks to its music video licensing deals. These days reality shows are made on the cheap and so they can’t afford chart toppers. What’s filled the void? Replica power pop anthems and an entire cottage industry providing them. 🎶
Late-night hosts Desus and Mero might be breaking up… Confirmed details are sparse, but it seems that Showtime talk show hosts Desus Nice and the Kid Mero are on the outs and heading for a creative divorce. This would be a huge bummer if true! 🤔
Woody Harrelson in talks for Sailing, Yacht rock movie musical from Rock of Ages co-creator… Rock of Ages is one of the rare good jukebox musicals, because it’s so self-effacing. Therefor, I don’t hate the idea of this as long as they keep it irreverent. 🛥
Billy Crystal’s Mr. Saturday Night to close on Broadway in September… They couldn’t get a Glee cast member to replace him? 🎭
The New York Times goes deep on Meryl Streep’s bespectacled acting trick… Important journalism alert! 👓
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew gets $21 million tax subsidy in California… The Trade Federation finally got its way. ✨
Rob Zombie’s Munsters remake coming to Netflix… Where some people will maybe watch it! 🎃
Amazon is finally redoing its Prime Video interface… About time, it’s atrocious. 👏
Elvis becomes rare non-franchise flick to surpass $100M… That’s money, honey. 💰
Peter Dinklage joins Hunger Games prequel… Always good to see him. 🌹\
What’s new
Rap Sh!t - July 21 | HBO Max comedy series | 🍅
Nope - July 22 | Horror movie in theaters | 🍅
The Gray Man - July 22 | Netflix action movie | 🍅 53%
What to watch
In the pilot episode of The Rehearsal, now airing Fridays on HBO & HBO Max, Nathan Fielder’s first real-world subject Kor Skeet compares the writer-director-star to Willy Wonka. Fielder bristles at the comparison, correctly pointing out that Willy Wonka is kind of evil and puts children in danger — but Skeet isn’t wrong to make the connection. He was simply trying to explain the magic he was witnessing. And make no mistake, Nathan is making magic.
Maybe it would help to explain the premise of The Rehearsal? In this new reality comedy series, Nathan Fielder helps real people through challenge real-life situations by giving them the chance to rehearse what could happen with actors on exact replica sets. It’s a brilliant, ethically ambiguous comedic premise that pays off with huge laughs and even bigger surprises over and over again. It is astonishingly funny, though at times, tense. Imagine Sacha Baron Cohen meets Karamo Brown. But rather than deep character work, Fielder relies on his unique brand of quirky creativity, some brilliant planning, and a miracle-working art department. You will not believe “the world of pure imagination” Fielder builds for his subjects.
So why do all this? Other than comedic purposes, why is Fielder creating elaborate faux scenarios and inviting people to expose their personal lives on national television? It turns out the more artifice and manipulation Nathan lays in, the more revealing the show becomes. Through heightened stakes, high concept TV wizardry, and time, Fielder is able to build real connections with people and show their stripped away, honest humanity. In Nathan Fielder’s absurd, funhouse-mirror dreams factory, the walls and the furniture are replicas and everyone around you are actors, but the emotion is real. From Nathan. From his subjects. From you at home.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!