Academy Thinks Twice About the New “Best Popular Film” Category

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September 6, 2018

2018 Oscars Winners — The cast and crew of the 2018 Oscar-winning Best Picture ‘The Shape of Water’ (ABC/Craig Sjodin)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made headlines in August 2018 when the Board announced the addition of a new Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film category. The addition of the Popular Film category was met with outrage from members of the Academy, movie fans, and film critics. The negative response has apparently caused the Academy’s Board to rethink their decision.

Today, the Academy announced it will not be adding the Oscars category to the 2019 Academy Awards. Among the reasons they cited for postponing the new category is that they wanted to seek further input from their members and that it was too late in the year for the addition of a new award.

“There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduction of a new award, and we recognize the need for further discussion with our members,” stated Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We have made changes to the Oscars over the years — including this year — and we will continue to evolve while also respecting the incredible legacy of the last 90 years.”

The Academy’s official statement also said “the Board of Governors continues to be actively engaged in discussions, and will examine and seek additional input regarding this category.”

Although the Best Popular Film change is being put on hold, the Academy is going through with other alterations to the 91st Oscars. Per the Academy:

“Changes to the 91st Oscars (2019) include restructuring and shortening the length of the telecast to three hours. To honor all 24 award categories, six to eight categories will be presented live, in the Dolby Theatre®, during commercial breaks. The winning moments will then be edited and aired later in the broadcast. Selected categories will be rotated each year. The Academy will collaborate with the show producer(s) to select these categories.”

The Board also confirmed the 2020 Academy Awards will take place earlier than in previous years. The Academy had announced the 2020 awards show was set for February 23rd. The new date is February 9th.

The annual Scientific and Technical Awards will move to June beginning in 2020.

The 2019 Oscars are set to take place on Sunday, February 24, 2019. The ceremony will once again be held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood and will air live on ABC.

‘Ballers’ and ‘Insecure’ Earn Renewals from HBO

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Rebecca Murray

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September 6, 2018

Insecure Season 3 Stars — Amanda Seales, Yvonne Orji, Issa Rae, and Natasha Rothwell in ‘Insecure’ season 3 (Photo: Merie W. Wallace/HBO)

HBO wants more of both half-hour comedies, Ballers and Insecure. The network’s officially confirmed Insecure will return for a fourth season and Ballers will be back for season five.

Ballers season four, which consists of nine episodes, is currently airing on Sundays at 10pm ET/PT. The series was created by Boardwalk Empire‘s Stephen Levinson and stars Dwayne Johnson, Rob Corddry, John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, London Brown, and Brittany S. Hall.

Insecure season three is airing Sundays at 10:30pm ET/PT and comes from Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore. Rae also stars in the series alongside Yvonne Orji, Lisa Joyce, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales and Y’lan Noel.

More on Ballers: After refusing to compromise his principles by joining an alliance with the filthy-rich Anderson brothers to move a football franchise to Las Vegas, Spencer and his partner Joe set out to expand their foothold in the client-management business, weighing an opportunity to purchase an extreme-sports LA outfit.

Meanwhile, Ricky eyes a comeback while chafing at his new life as a father; Charles faces the challenges of being a general manager; Vernon continues his profligate ways, to the chagrin of his sidekick, Reggie; and Jason tries to set Spencer up with a high-school prodigy, Quincy Crawford, and his equally impressive mother, Jayda.

More on Insecure: After refusing to compromise his principles by joining an alliance with the filthy-rich Anderson brothers to move a football franchise to Las Vegas, Spencer and his partner Joe set out to expand their foothold in the client-management business, weighing an opportunity to purchase an extreme-sports LA outfit.

Meanwhile, Ricky eyes a comeback while chafing at his new life as a father; Charles faces the challenges of being a general manager; Vernon continues his profligate ways, to the chagrin of his sidekick, Reggie; and Jason tries to set Spencer up with a high-school prodigy, Quincy Crawford, and his equally impressive mother, Jayda.

‘The Oath’ with Tiffany Haddish Debuts a New Teaser Trailer

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Rebecca Murray

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September 6, 2018

Roadside Attractions has released a new teaser trailer for the dark comedy The Oath starring Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz. The new trailer kicks off with the news Americans are being required to sign a “Patriots Oath,” and they have until the day following Thanksgiving to do so. As families gather together to celebrate the holiday, politics raises its ugly head and all hell breaks loose.

Ike Barinholtz (Central Intelligence, The Mindy Project) makes his feature film directorial debut with the comedy.

In addition to Barinholtz and Haddish, the cast includes John Cho, Carrie Brownstein, Billy Magnussen, Meredith Hagner, Jon Barinholtz, Nora Dunn, and Chris Ellis. The producers of Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman and Jordan Peele’s Get Out – Sean McKittrick, and Ray Mansfield – produced the political comedy with Barinholtz, David Stassen, and Andrew Robinson. Tiffany Haddish, Edward H. Hamm Jr and Kristen Murtha executive produced.

Roadside Attractions will be releasing The Oath in limited theaters on October 12, 2018. The film will expand in additional cities on October 19, 2018.

The Plot: “A controversial White House policy turns family member against family member in The Oath, a savagely funny dark comedy about surviving life and Thanksgiving in the age of political tribalism. When Chris (Ike Barinholtz), a high-strung 24-hour progressive news junkie, and his more levelheaded wife Kai (Tiffany Haddish) learn that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath to the President, their reaction is disbelief, followed by idealistic refusal.

But as the Thanksgiving deadline to sign approaches, the combination of sparring relatives, Chris’s own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents (John Cho and Billy Magnussen) sends an already tense holiday dinner gathering completely off the rails. As timely as it is outrageous, The Oath is a gleefully wicked reinvention of the traditional holiday comedy for our divisive political times.”

‘The Last Full Measure’ Starring Sebastian Stan Gets Picked Up by Roadside Attractions

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Rebecca Murray

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September 6, 2018

The war drama The Last Full Measure starring Sebastian Stan has been picked up by Roadside Attractions from Foresight Unlimited for U.S. distribution. The film, which was written and directed by Todd Robinson, will be entering theaters in early 2019.

In addition to Sebastian Stan, the cast includes Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer, Academy Award winner William Hurt, Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson, Academy Award nominee Ed Harris, Academy Award nominee Peter Fonda, Academy Award nominee Diane Ladd, Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan, Jeremy Irvine, and Golden Globe nominee Bradley Whitford.

The Last Full Measure is produced by Timothy Scott Bogart, Mark Damon, Nicholas Cafritz, Robert Reed Peterson Shaun Sanghani, Michael Bassick, Adi Cohen, and Lauren Selig. Clay Pecorin, Russell Geyser, Cesare Fazari, Jessica Martins, Wilson da Silva, Habib H. Paracha, Tamara Birkemoe, Jenna Sanz-Agero, and Sidney Sherman served as executive producers.

“Todd Robinson’s riveting drama chronicles one man’s sacrifice and valor on the battlefield, and we believe it also highlights an aspect of American patriotism overdue for recognition. Everyone should know about William Pitsenbarger’s bravery and life, and it’s a privilege to bring this film to theaters where it should be seen,” said Roadside Attractions co-founders Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.

CEO of Foresight Unlimited Mark Damon also commented on the acquisition and said, “The Last Full Measure has an emotional impact on people that I’ve rarely seen before. I’m so proud that Roadside Attractions feels the same, and has committed to giving this film the wide release that it deserves.”

The Plot: “The Last Full Measure tells the true story of William Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine), an Air Force medic who saved over sixty men in one of the harshest battles of the Vietnam War. Offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of the combat zone, Pitsenbarger stayed behind to save and defend the lives of his fellow soldiers. Twenty years later, Pitsenbarger’s comrade in arms (William Hurt) and father (Christopher Plummer) seek the help of investigator Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan) and other surviving veterans of the battle to finally procure him The Congressional Medal of Honor he deserved.”

‘The Talk’ Season 9: Fans Can Take the Stage Via “The Talk’s Table Takeover” Contest

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Rebecca Murray

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September 6, 2018

The Talk Season 9 — Sheryl Underwood, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Eve and Julie Chen host ‘The Talk’ (Photo: Andrew Eccles © 2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Season nine of CBS’s The Talk will kick off on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 2pm ET/PT and the network’s released details on the first week’s guests. Dr. Phil, Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis, Drew Carey, Olivia Munn, Ashlee Simpson-Ross, and Evan Ross are set to chat with the Emmy Award-winning show’s hosts during the week of September 10 – September 14, 2018.

This season will mark the first time the show’s offered a contest for viewers to win a trip to LA and appear on the show. “The Talk’s Table Takeover” contest is open now through September 11th. Fans interested in a chance at joining the hosts on The Talk stage need to email the show with a photo and personal description as well as the topics they’d like to talk about if given the chance. Contest rules and details are available on the show’s official website.

The Talk‘s hosted by Julie Chen, Eve, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood. Gilbert developed the series and also serves as an executive producer with Emmy Award winner John Redmann. The show’s earned six Daytime Emmy Awards including two in the Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment category.

The Talk Season 9 First Week Guests:

Monday, Sept. 10 – Television host Dr. Phil McGraw discusses the premiere of his talk show’s 17th season; “The Talk’s Table Takeover” contest winner

Tuesday, Sept. 11 – Actress and author Jamie Lee Curtis discusses her new book, Me, Myselfie & I; “Top Talker” entertainment host Jesse Palmer (DailyMailTV); “The Talk’s Table Takeover” contest winner

Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Television host Drew Carey (CBS’s The Price is Right); “The Talk’s Table Takeover” contest winner

Thursday, Sept. 13 – Actress Olivia Munn discusses her new film, The Predator; “The Talk’s Table Takeover” contest winner

Friday, Sept. 14 – Musicians and actors Ashlee Simpson-Ross and Evan Ross discuss their new reality show and new album; “The Talk’s Table Takeover” contest winner

About The Talk:

“CBS’ Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show The Talk features a panel of well-known news and entertainment personalities discussing current events, pop culture, contemporary issues, family, celebrity and the trending topics of the day. The daily one-hour series is hosted by Julie Chen, Eve, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood, who swap stories, challenge each other on issues and engage the studio audience and viewers at home about events in the headlines and their own homes. Show segments include guest interviews with entertainers and newsmakers, musical performances, cooking demos with celebrity chefs, as well as real-world advice.”

‘Single Parents’ TV Show Details: Cast, Plot, Premiere Date, and Episode Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 6, 2018

ABC’s set to introduce the new half-hour comedy Single Parents during their fall 2018 primetime season. Single Parents was created by JJ Philbin (writer/producer on New Girl and The O.C.) and the creator of New Girl, Elizabeth Meriwether. The ensemble comedy has Jason Winer on board as a director and executive producer, and Winer’s also no stranger to successful half-hour comedies. Winer served as an executive producer on Modern Family and Life in Pieces, and he created the political comedy 1600 Penn which starred Josh Gad and Jenna Elfman.

Katherine Pope (Touch, Ben and Kate) and Erin O’Malley (Speechless, One Mississippi, Curb Your Enthusiasm) also executive produce.

The cast of the new ABC series includes Taran Killam as Will Cooper, Leighton Meester as Angie D’Amato, Brad Garrett as Douglas Fogerty, Kimrie Lewis as Poppy Banks, and Jake Choi as Miggy Park. Marlow Barkley as Sophie Cooper, Tyler Wladis as Graham D’Amato, Devin Trey Campbell as Rory Banks, Mia Allan as Emma Fogerty, and Ella Allan as Amy Fogerty also star in the show’s first season.

Single Parents will premiere on September 26, 2018. It’ll air this fall season on Wednesdays at 9:30pm ET/PT, after Modern Family and before the new drama, A Million Little Things.

What’s Single Parents About?

“This ensemble comedy follows a group of single parents as they lean on each other to help raise their 7-year-old kids and maintain some kind of personal lives outside of parenthood. The series begins when the group meets Will Cooper, a 30-something guy who’s been so focused on raising his daughter that he’s lost sight of who he is as a man. When the other single parents see just how far down the rabbit hole of PTA, parenting and princesses Will has gone, they band together to get him out in the world and make him realize that being a great parent doesn’t mean sacrificing everything about your own identity.”

Single Parents TV Show Cast — Brad Garrett, Jake Choi, Leighton Meester, and Kimrie Lewis star in ‘Single Parents’ (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)

Single Parents TV Show Leighton Meester — Leighton Meester in ‘Single Parents’ (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)

Single Parents TV Show — Jake Choi, Kimrie Lewis, Leighton Meester, and Brad Garrett (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)

‘Designated Survivor’ Lives on at Netflix

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 5, 2018

Designated Survivor star Kiefer Sutherland — Kiefer Sutherland in ‘Designated Survivor’ season 2 episode 7 (ABC/Sven Frenzel)

ABC cancelled the dramatic series Designated Survivor after two seasons, but fortunately for fans of the series Netflix has decided to revive it. Netflix confirmed they’ve picked up the series and will air a third season sometime in 2019.

The third season is expected to start shooting later this year. According to Netflix, the third season will consist of 10 episodes and will have new showrunner Neal Baer from global studio Entertainment One (eOne) on board to guide the show.

The political drama was created by David Guggenheim. Guggenheim executive produces along with Neal Baer, Mark Gordon, Suzan Bymel, Simon Kinberg, Aditya Sood, Peter Noah, and series star Kiefer Sutherland.

Commenting on the renewal, Kiefer Sutherland said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play President Kirkman for season 3 of Designated Survivor with Netflix, eOne and Neal Baer. I believe this format will allow us to continue to delve deeply into storylines and issues concerning the American electorate that were not previously possible.”

“The continuation of the show via Netflix is a win-win for all involved. The story of President Kirkman and those around him has not been fully told and we look forward to working with our new partner in continuing the show for a global audience,” stated executive producer Mark Gordon.

“Timely and gripping, Designated Survivor has quickened the pulses of our Netflix members outside the US and Canada in its first two seasons. The international audience for the show drove our interest to bring the show to the world as a Netflix original for its third season and we are excited to bring the first 2 seasons to our US and Canadian members as well,” added Bela Bajaria.

Seasons one and two will stream on Netflix this fall.

The Designated Survivor Season 3 Plot: President Kirkman will face a political reality… campaigning. What does it take to make a leader? What price will he be willing to pay? This season will explore today’s world of campaigning, smear tactics, debates, campaign finance and “fake news.” Democracy, as we know it, will hang in the balance.

Alexandra Daddario, Keean Johnson and Logan Miller Sign On to ‘We Summon the Darkness’

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 5, 2018

Alexandra Daddario We Summon the Darkness Star — Alexandra Daddario joins ‘We Summon the Darkness’ (Photo Provided by Highland Film Group)

Casting is now complete and filming is currently underway in Winnipeg on Highland Film Group’s We Summon the Darkness. Alexandra Daddario (True Detective) and Keean Johnson (Nashville) have taken starring roles in the horror film which is being directed by Marc Meyers (My Friend Dahmer).

The ensemble cast also includes Maddie Hasson (Impulse, Novitiate), Logan Miller (Love, Simon, Before I Fall), Amy Forsyth (Beautiful Boy, Rise), and Austin Swift (Live by Night, I.T.).

Burying the Ex‘s Alan Trezza wrote the script and Robert Jones, James Harris and Mark Lane (47 Meters Down, The Strangers: Prey at Night, Three Seconds) of The Fyzz are producing and financing with Magna Entertainment. Kyle Tekiela, Jarod Einsohn, Christian Armogida, and Thomas E van Dell are also on board as producers. Andrew Kotliar, Elizabeth Zavoyskiy, Joshua Sason, Rebecca Schaper, Lee Broda, Mike Donovan, Eytan Rockaway, and Robert Girard are executive producing.

Highland Film Group plans to introduce the film to buyers in Toronto.

Alexandra Daddario recently wrapped up work on We Have Always Lived in the Castle, I Am Not a Bird, and Lost Transmissions. Keean Johnson’s been keeping busy with Alita: Battle Angel, Emperor, and Cut Throat City. He also has a role in Roland Emmerich’s Midway starring Patrick Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, and Mandy Moore.

The Plot: The killing spree of murderous Satanists has already led to 18 deaths throughout America’s Heartland. Three best friends embark on a road trip to a heavy metal gig. Naive, they bond with three seemingly fun-loving guys and the group heads off to Alexis’ secluded country home for an afterparty. What should be a night of fun and youthful debauchery may instead take a dark, deadly turn. With killers on the loose, can anyone be trusted?

‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ Trailer: A Musical Holiday Zombie Comedy

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 5, 2018

Orion Pictures’ Anna and the Apocalypse mixes the winter holidays with a sudden zombie apocalypse, and then spins in some tunes because no holiday zombie film is complete without musical numbers. The holiday comedy which just released a new trailer is based on the award-winning short film, Zombie Musical, and is set to open in limited release on November 30, 2018. A nationwide release is planned for December 7th.

John McPhail (Where Do We Go From Here) directed from a script by Alan McDonald and Ryan McHenry (writer/director of Zombie Musical). Naysun Alae-Carew, Nicholas Crum, and Tracy Jarvis produced the R-rated comedy. Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly penned the film’s original music.

The cast of Anna and the Apocalypse includes Ella Hunt (Our Robot Overlords), Mark Benton (The Halcyon), Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones), Malcolm Cumming, Ben Wiggins, Sarah Swire (God Help the Girl), Christopher Leveaux (Forgotten Man), and Marli Siu (Dixi).

The Plot: In Anna and the Apocalypse, a zombie apocalypse threatens the sleepy town of Little Haven – at Christmas – forcing Anna and her high school friends to fight, sing and slash their way to survival with a fast-spreading undead horde in relentless pursuit. Teaming up with her best friend John, Anna and her crew fight their way through zombified snowmen, a ravenous bachelor party and high school hormones to try and save family and faculty alike. But they soon discover that no one is safe in this new world, and the only people they can truly rely on are each other.

‘The Walking Dead’ Season 9: Plot Details Announced Along with New Photos and Poster

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 5, 2018

The Walking Dead Season 9 Andrew Lincoln — Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead’ season 9 (Photo Credit: Victoria Will/AMC)

AMC’s unveiled the official The Walking Dead season nine plot description and poster featuring Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. Season nine will be Lincoln’s final season battling zombies, and during the 2018 San Diego Comic Con he talked about preparing to say goodbye to Rick.

“Well, nine years I was thinking about it because that’s where we live. But, I suppose it had a lot to do with a conversation Scott (M. Gimple) and I had a few years ago – maybe in season four – about shape and finding some way to complete something that was never going to be completed. And then not obviously disturbing the mothership,” explained Lincoln. “There was a certain sense that the story has been a man waking up and you’ve experienced this world through one man’s eyes and it opens up into the extended family. Now, what’s exciting for me is the fact that the narrative has been freed up. It’s already been freed up from the beginning of the season. You’ll see the trailer is a different tone.”

Lincoln added, “It feels like the show I always thought we would head toward when we wrapped the pilot. And so, yeah, sure it was something that I started to think about as my children got older and less portable.”

The network also released a few photos of the cast from the upcoming season. The ninth season is set to premiere on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT.

Details on The Walking Dead Season 9: Last season brought the culmination of “All Out War,” which pitted Rick Grimes and his group of survivors against the Saviors and their cunning leader, Negan. With Negan’s life in his hands, Rick had a character-defining choice in front of him. By making the unilateral decision to spare Negan, Rick upheld the values his late son, Carl, championed in order to build for the future, but created conflict within his group.

Now, we see our survivors a year and a half after the end of the war, rebuilding civilization under Rick’s steadfast leadership. It is a time of relative peace among the communities as they work together, looking to the past to forge the future, but the world they knew is rapidly changing as man-made structures continue to degrade, and nature takes over, changing the landscape and creating new challenges for our survivors.

As time passes, the communities confront unexpected obstacles, danger, and of course, walkers, but nothing quite prepares them for the formidable force they are about to encounter, which threatens the very idea of civilization that our survivors have worked so hard to build.

More on The Walking Dead season 9: