As individual states and the film industry at large begin to think about when the right time to reopen theaters might be, digital and streaming services deliver the strongest weekly slate of new releases since the shutdown. 21 more words
via New Movies to Watch This Week: ‘Bad Education,’ ‘The Willoughbys’ — Variety
Paramount has delayed the theatrical releases of “Mission: Impossible 7” and “Mission: Impossible 8,” the next two chapters in Tom Cruise’s action franchise. The seventh installment, originally due in theaters on July 23, 2021, will now debut four months later on Nov. 15 more words
Facebook is preparing to broadly launch a free videoconferencing product called Messenger Rooms — which will allow people to connect whether they use one of the social giant’s apps or not, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday. 21 more words
via Facebook to Launch ‘Messenger Rooms’ Free Videoconferencing Feature Similar to Zoom — Variety
As Hollywood contemplates the risks and uncertainties around going back into production in the coming months after coronavirus-imposed shutdowns, strategies for scaled-back sets are beginning to emerge. 40 more words
Andy Cohen, who recently recovered from coronavirus, has called on the FDA to lift its three month waiting period for gay and bisexual men to donate blood and plasma. 31 more words
It’s hard to imagine now, but once upon a time, there was no such thing as the elaborate, lights-and-lasers pre-game spectacles and music-heavy player introductions popularized by the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls of the 1980s and 1990s. 20 more words
In “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,” John Logan’s followup series to his previous three-season “Penny Dreadful” drama at Showtime, Natalie Dormer stars as Magda, a shape-shifting demon intent on sowing chaos wherever she goes. 25 more words
Ryan Reynolds has come aboard to star in and produce an untitled time-travel movie at Skydance with Shawn Levy directing. Skydance is planning a fourth-quarter shoot. 33 more words
via Ryan Reynolds to Star in Time-Travel Movie at Skydance With Shawn Levy Directing — Variety
A handful states are starting to reopen for business, but theaters around the country remain closed. The major chains are not expecting to open until July at the earliest. 28 more words
via Oklahoma Movie Theater Plans Masks and Plexiglass for Opening in May — Variety
Jerry Bishop, the longtime announcer for “Judge Judy” and a veteran of Los Angeles radio, died April 21 of heart disease. He was 84. Bishop spent 24 years as the announcer for the popular syndicated court show presided over by Judge Judith Sheindlin. 14 more words
via Jerry Bishop, ‘Judge Judy’ Announcer and Los Angeles Radio Veteran, Dies at 84 — Variety
Festival Reviews 