Many country artists, including Dolly Parton, shared emotional tributes to Kenny Rogers following the news of the country music legend’s death late Friday night. Parton said she was expecting to wake up and see updates about coronavirus, but couldn’t believe it when she learned about Rogers’ death. 11 more words
via Dolly Parton’s Heartbreaking Tribute to Kenny Rogers Joins Condolences From Country Stars — Variety
An elementary school classroom may seem an odd place to launch a romantic comedy that soon finds its protagonists coupling with abandon in a slew of quasi-public spaces. 31 more words
Longtime TV and film editor Susan Kesler died Thursday, March 19, following a brief battle with ovarian peritoneal cancer. She was 60. Kesler started out in the business as an apprentice editor on “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty,” two of the most popular TV shows in the late 1980s. 8 more words
via Longtime Film and TV Editor Susan Kesler Dies at 60 — Variety
Australian director Baz Luhrmann says that now is not the moment to be resuming production on his untitled “Elvis” project. The film was halted since last week, when actor Tom Hanks was diagnosed with the corovavirus. 23 more words
via Baz Luhrmann Confirms Halting of ‘Elvis’ Project With Tom Hanks — Variety
As studios and distributors continue to pull the theatrical releases of their films, and cinemas nationwide close their doors to the public, what becomes of film criticism in the time of coronavirus? 28 more words
Disney joins the growing number of studios releasing films early digitally as theaters remain shuttered nationwide in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” will be available to buy digitally and on Movies Anywhere for $19.99 beginning on Friday at 5 p.m. 14 more words
via Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Being Released Early on Digital and Disney Plus — Variety
The TV ratings surge, which seemingly can only be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, continues, as a quartet of shows all drew season high viewerships in Thursday night. 34 more words
The unions representing arts, media and entertainment are calling on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Congress to pass emergency relief legislation that both enhances and expands state unemployment benefits, and sends direct cash to the impacted workers they represent. 20 more words
via SAG-AFTRA and Other Arts Unions Call on Lawmakers to Provide Emergency Relief Aid — Variety
Hello? Welcome to the new owner of Moviefone — whoever that is. Moviefone, the once-popular movie listing service that was left stranded after the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing of its parent company, has been sold — for the low, low price of just over $1 million. 11 more words
via Moviefone Sold for Fire-Sale Price of $1 Million to Mystery Buyer — Variety
When Aaron Paul joined HBO’s “Westworld” for its third season, which premiered March 15, he was a “crazy fan” of the show. But executive producers Lisa Joy and Jonathan “Jonah” Nolan didn’t ask him to play one of the show’s sentient robots rebelling against humanity. 12 more words
via Aaron Paul Explains Why He Likes That His ‘Westworld’ Character Is So ‘Messy’ — Variety
Festival Reviews 