Following “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans tweets earlier this week – and her further defense of her comments in a 3,600 word essay – alums of the incredibly successful film franchise as well as other celebrities have publicly spoken out against the British writer. 12 more words
The critics, so far, have a unanimous verdict: “The Last Days of American Crime,” Netflix’s new sci-fi/heist mashup that features scenes of police brutality and other gratuitous violence, is one of the worst films… ever. 22 more words
via Netflix’s ‘The Last Days of American Crime’ Earns Rare 0% Critics Score on Rotten Tomatoes — Variety
Jas Waters, a TV writer who worked on the NBC series “This Is Us,” has died. She was 39. The news was confirmed by the “This Is Us” writers in a statement shared to their official Twitter account on Wednesday. 19 more words
Jessica M. Thompson, who directed the critically acclaimed “The Light of the Moon,” is set to helm the horror-thriller “The Bride” for Screen Gems, sources tell Variety. 32 more words
via Jessica M. Thompson to Direct Horror-Thriller ‘The Bride’ (EXCLUSIVE) — Variety
Senator Cory Booker got visibly emotional during a frank interview with Conan O’Brien that is slated to air on the late-night host’s Wednesday evening program on TBS. 31 more words
Warner Bros. has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s statements about transgender identity. “The events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues,” the company said in a statement to Variety. 18 more words
Late basketball great Kobe Bryant will be honored with a posthumous Emmy at this year’s Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, the Television Academy announced late Wednesday. 33 more words
via Kobe Bryant to Receive Posthumous L.A. Area Emmy Governors Award — Variety
Joe Biden has warned that military officers could remove Donald Trump from the White House if he loses the November election but refuses to leave. Biden aired his views on Wednesday night in an interview with “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah. 16 more words
The return of major pro sports will require agreement by the leagues and their respective players’ associations on many unsettled topics. How will the regular season and postseason be configured? 27 more words
via What Happens if Pro Athletes Refuse to Return During the Pandemic? — Variety
After 20 years immersing herself in food culture, Padma Lakshmi still had a burning question without a clear answer: what even is “American food,” anyway? “We throw around a lot of platitudes like, ‘nothing’s as American as apple pie.’ Well, apple pie is not American,” laughs Lakshmi. 11 more words
via Padma Lakshmi on Creating ‘Taste the Nation’ and Letting Immigrants Tell Their Own Stories — Variety
Festival Reviews 