Gloria Steinem’s autobiography provided the source material for writer/director Julie Taymor’sThe Glorias. The goosebump-inducing teaser trailer and photos from the 2020 drama reveal the four actresses portraying Gloria Steinem during different periods of her life.
Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Lulu Wilson, and Ryan Keira Armstrong step into the shoes of Steinem in this biopic about the feminist icon. The cast also includes Bette Midler as Bella Abzug, Janelle Monáe as Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Lorraine Toussaint as Flo Kennedy, Kimberly Guerrero as Wilma Mankiller, and Monica Sanchez as Dolores Huerta. Sarah Ruhl co-wrote the screenplay based on My Life on the Road by Steinem.
The Glorias premieres on digital and streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on September 30, 2020.
The Plot, Courtesy of Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment:
Journalist, fighter, and feminist Gloria Steinem is an indelible icon known for her world-shaping activism, guidance of the revolutionary women’s movement, and writing that has impacted generations. In this nontraditional biopic, Julie Taymor crafts a complex tapestry of one of the most inspirational and legendary figures of modern history.
The Glorias traces Steinem’s influential journey to prominence—from her time in India as a young woman, to the founding of Ms. magazine in New York, to her role in the rise of the women’s rights movement in the 1960s, to the historic 1977 National Women’s Conference and beyond.
Taymor gives us her singular take on that rare genre- the Female Road Picture, one in which the female leads do not die in the end, and where the “narrative” is not driven by romance or a bad marriage, or unrequited love or, for that matter, men. Gloria’s road story is about her “Meetings With Remarkable Women”. And that is a love story in itself.
Julianne Moore (as Gloria Steinem) and Bette Midler (as Bella Abzug) in ‘The Glorias’ (Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions)Alicia Vikander (as Gloria Steinem) and Janelle Monáe (as Dorothy Pitman Hughes) – Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside AttractionsLorraine Toussaint (as Flo Kennedy) and Julianne Moore (as Gloria Steinem) – Photo Credit: Dan McFadden / Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside AttractionsAlicia Vikander (as Gloria Steinem) and Janelle Monáe (as Dorothy Pitman Hughes) in ‘The Glorias’ (Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions)Alicia Vikander (as Gloria Steinem), Monica Sanchez (as Dolores Huerta) and Janelle Monáe (as Dorothy Pitman Hughes) – Photo Credit: Dan McFadden / Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions
Covid-19 destroyed Disney’s plans for Mulan’s wide theatrical release. The studio repeatedly moved the release date before ultimately deciding the best option was to release it to American audiences via their subscription streaming service, Disney+, at a premium price. And while it’s not the optimal way to take in a screening of this epic tale, it’s definitely the safest.
The film begins by introducing us to a young, fearless Mulan (Crystal Rao). While guiding such a rambunctious risk-taker, Mulan’s mother tries to rein her in but her father, Zhou (Tza Ma), is more supportive. Despite any efforts to force Mulan to yield to social norms, it’s obvious from early on Mulan was born to be a warrior. She was also born a female which meant embracing that destiny was strictly forbidden.
As a young woman, Mulan (Yifei Liu) stumbles through social niceties, tries to stifle her true self, and attempts to fit into the narrow box of what’s allowable for a young woman of that era. She’s like a bull in a China shop when it comes to fulfilling the demands of a well-bred young woman who’s only goal, according to tradition, should be to make a good match in an arranged marriage.
Believing he’s acting in her best interests – and the best interests of the family – Mulan’s father warns her to hide her gifts. However, Mulan seizes the opportunity to unleash her chi when the Emperor of China demands one male from each family join the Imperial Army to defend their country from the rampaging Rourans. The Rouran horde has slaughtered garrison after garrison, and the Imperial Army needs replacements immediately if there’s any hope of saving the country.
Disguised as a man and assuming the name Hua Jun, Mulan enters training and quickly proves to be a skilled fighter. She overcomes challenges, including how to bathe without being exposed as a woman, and finds herself absorbed into a small, friendly group of fellow soldiers. Among them is a young man, Honghui (Yoson An), who becomes her closest confidante and fervent supporter. But even in this blossoming friendship, Mulan is unable to reveal the truth. The Imperial Army demands its members be loyal, brave, and true. She can’t risk expulsion and the disgrace it would bring to her family if Commander Tung (Donnie Yen) were to learn her secret.
Fairly quickly into their training Mulan’s garrison is called upon to join the battle. The Rourans are aided by a witch, but the Imperial Army has a secret weapon of their own in the form of a fierce warrior who comes to learn the importance of embracing who she is and what she’s capable of accomplishing.
Mulan, the live-action version, doesn’t have any musical numbers. It also doesn’t have gory battle scenes. While the film is packed with thrilling, violent fights, they’re all completely bloodless. It’s understandable since Disney’s targeting a family audience, but it does slightly take the edge off the battle sequences.
Yifei Liu does an impressive job of portraying Mulan’s struggle to be herself in a society that demands she suppress her desires and hide her abilities. Liu completely committed to bringing this iconic warrior to life on the screen, performing almost all her own stunts. (It’s reported she handled 90% of the work.) Her dedication paid off as Mulan’s fights are fluid and breathtaking.
Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country) assembled an outstanding cast to support Yifei Liu. Gong Li is riveting as Xianniang, a shapeshifting witch with ties to the Rouran leader, Böri Khan. Li’s performance has genuine emotional depth and, other than Mulan’s arc, it’s Xianniang who undergoes the most fulfilling transformation over the course of the film.
Jason Scott Lee’s Böri Khan is battle-hardened and driven by revenge. Khan is ruthless and brutal, and Lee makes him the perfect adversary for the young, inexperienced but determined Mulan.
Other notable standouts among the talented ensemble include Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, the respected leader of Mulan’s garrison and her mentor while she’s in disguise as Hua Jun, and Yoson An as Honghui, Mulan’s fellow soldier and love interest. Yoson An and Yifei Liu have real chemistry on screen as their relationship gently builds from a sort of antagonism to deep respect and ultimately love.
Disney’s live-action Mulan is vibrant, thrilling, and beautiful. The production design, costumes, and cinematography are spectacular, combining to make Mulan one of the most visually arresting action films of the past 20 years.
Director Niki Caro pays homage to the animated film in non-intrusive ways while making this live-action movie completely its own entity. Mulan is the story of a woman who frees herself from her restraints and emerges as a fulfilled, empowered woman. And 2020’s the perfect time for the tale of a hero who overcomes arbitrary, unfair restrictions and embraces her inner warrior. It’s just a shame Covid-19 is keeping audiences from watching the film in all its epic glory on the big screen.
GRADE: B+
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence
Running Time: 115 minutes
Release Date: September 4, 2020
Directed By: Niki Caro
Written By: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Elizabeth Martin, and Lauren Hynek
Suggested By: The narrative poem, “The Ballad of Mulan”
MGM’s just released a new trailer for No Time to Die along with four brand new photos from the latest installment in the James Bond franchise. The second official trailer is packed with action, gun fights, and showcases Rami Malek’s new villain character, Safin. In one exchange between our hero and the film’s big bad, Safin compares himself to Bond. “We both eradicate people to make the world a better place. I just want to be a little tidier,” says Safin.
In addition to Daniel Craig as the suave superspy, the cast includes Ralph Fiennes as M, Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny, Rory Kinnear as Tanner, Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, Ben Whishaw as Q, and Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, David Dencik, Christoph Waltz, and Dali Benssalah also star in the much-anticipated 25th Bond film.
Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge co-wrote the screenplay with director Cary Joji Fukunaga. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli served as producers.
MGM’s settled on a November 25, 2020 theatrical release for the new James Bond film. The action thriller’s been bumped around a bit because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but if theaters are open (and the flu season doesn’t escalate Covid cases) we can hope to finally get a chance to see Daniel Craig back as Bond, James Bond later this year.
The Plot, Courtesy of MGM:
In No Time To Die Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
Star Trek: Discovery is going where no Star Trek series or film has gone before, introducing the first non-binary and transgender characters in the franchise’s history. CBS All Access announced Blu del Barrio and Ian Alexander have joined the cast of season three, “furthering the Star Trek universe’s ongoing commitment to Gene Roddenberry’s original vision of celebrating diversity and inclusion.”
“Star Trek has always made a mission of giving visibility to underrepresented communities because it believes in showing people that a future without division on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation is entirely within our reach,” said Michelle Paradise, co-showrunner and executive producer. “We take pride in working closely with Blu del Barrio, Ian Alexander, and Nick Adams at GLAAD to create the extraordinary characters of Adira and Gray, and bring their stories to life with empathy, understanding, empowerment and joy.”
CBS All Access’ official casting announcement included details on the characters del Barrio and Alexander will be playing:
The Star Trek universe’s first non-binary character is Adira, played by Blu del Barrio. Adira is highly intelligent with a confidence and self-assurance well beyond their years. They will find a new home on the U.S.S. Discovery and form an unexpected bond with Lt. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz).
The first transgender character is Gray, portrayed by Ian Alexander. Gray is empathetic, warm and eager to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a Trill host, but he will have to adapt when his life takes an unexpected turn.
The cast of season three also features Sonequa Martin-Green (Commander Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Commander Saru), Mary Wiseman (Ensign Sylvia Tilly), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker) and Michelle Yeoh (Philippa Georgiou).
Star Trek: Discovery‘s 13-episode third season will premiere on Thursday, October 15, 2020.
The Season 3 Plot, Courtesy of CBS All Access:
After following Commander Burnham into the wormhole in the second season finale, season three of Star Trek: Discovery finds the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery landing in an unknown future far from the home they once knew. Now living in a time filled with uncertainty, the U.S.S. Discovery crew, along with the help of some new friends, must work together to restore hope to the Federation.
The CW’s The 100 finally returns after a three week break with season seven episode 13, “Blood Giant.” Directed by Michael Cliett from a script by Ross Knight, episode 13 will air on September 9, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT.
Season seven stars Eliza Taylor as Clarke, Bob Morley as Bellamy, Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia, Lindsey Morgan as Raven, and Richard Harmon as Murphy. Tasya Teles is Echo, Shannon Kook plays Jordan, JR Bourne is Russell Lightbourne VII, Shelby Flannery is Hope Diyoza, Ivana Milicevic is Diyoza, Adina Porter is Indra, and Chuku Modu plays Dr. Gabriel Santiago.
“Blood Giant” Plot: BEST LAID PLANS – The red sun derails Clarke’s (Taylor) plans.
Season 7 Description, Courtesy of The CW:
The seventh and final season opens with our heroes picking up the pieces of the society they destroyed on Sanctum. Still reeling from her mother’s death, Clarke, perhaps more than anyone, feels the toll of years upon years of fighting and loss. The group soon finds that maintaining order among the competing factions is no easy feat, and one that has them questioning whether their commitment to doing better was worth the price.
At the same time, our heroes must contend with new obstacles on a scale beyond any that they previously experienced as they unravel the mysteries of the Anomaly. What they encounter on this epic journey pushes them to their limits both physically and emotionally, challenging their long-held conceptions of family, love, and sacrifice. Ultimately, our heroes must answer for themselves what it means to truly live, and not just survive.
Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios unveiled a teaser trailer for Welcome to the Blumhouse, a collection of eight original genre movies spotlighting the work of emerging filmmakers. The teaser, which features the song “What’s Up” performed by FJØRA and produced by Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Linda Perry (this version’s a reimagining of her original version of the song), suggests we “unsettle in” for thrills and chills.
Four of the films are dropping in October 2020, with the second four planned for a 2021 release. Black Box and The Lie will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on October 6th. Evil Eye and Nocturne follow on October 13th.
Details on the First Four Films, Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video:
The Lie is written and directed by Veena Sud, and stars Mireille Enos, Peter Sarsgaard and Joey King. When their teenaged daughter confesses to impulsively killing her best friend, two desperate parents attempt to cover up the horrific crime, leading them into a complicated web of lies and deception.
Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. and script by Osei-Kuffour Jr. and Stephen Herman, Black Box stars Mamoudou Athie, Phylicia Rashad, Amanda Christine, Tosin Morohunfola, Charmaine Bingwa, and Troy James. After losing his wife and his memory in a car accident, a single father undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is.
Based off the award-winning, best-selling Audible Original production from writer Madhuri Shekar, Evil Eye is directed by Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani, and stars Sarita Choudhury, Sunita Mani, Omar Maskati, and Bernard White. A seemingly perfect romance turns into a nightmare when a mother becomes convinced her daughter’s new boyfriend has a dark connection to her own past.
Nocturne is written and directed by Zu Quirke in her breakout feature debut. Starring Sydney Sweeney, Madison Iseman, Jacques Colimon, and Ivan Shaw. Inside the halls of an elite arts academy, a timid music student begins to outshine her more accomplished and outgoing twin sister when she discovers a mysterious notebook belonging to a recently deceased classmate.
Sunita Mani as Pallavi and Sarita Choudhury as Usha in ‘Evil Eye’ (Photo Credit: Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television)
Netflix has just released the official poster for the dramatic film The Devil All the Time based on the novel by Donald Ray Pollock. The new poster teases “everyone ends up in the same damned place.”
The talented ensemble cast includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, Sebastian Stan, and Bill Skarsgård. Haley Bennett, Harry Melling, Eliza Scanlen, Pokey LaFarge, and Mia Wasikowska also star in the film adaptation of Pollock’s award-winning book.
Antonio Campos (The Sinner) and Paulo Campos adapted Pollock’s book for the screen, with Antonio directing. Randall Poster, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, and Max Born are involved as producers, and Jared Ian Goldman, Marc Hammer, and Annie Marter executive produced.
Netflix will release The Devil All the Time on September 16, 2020.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
In Knockemstiff, Ohio and its neighboring backwoods, sinister characters – an unholy preacher (Pattinson), twisted couple (Clarke and Keough), and crooked sheriff (Stan) – converge around young Arvin Russell (Holland) as he fights the evil forces that threaten him and his family.
Spanning the time between World War II and the Vietnam war, director Antonio Campos’ The Devil All the Time renders a seductive and horrific landscape that pits the just against the corrupted.
BTS “Dynamite Press Conference (Photo Credit: Big Hit Entertainment)
Global supergroup BTS held a press conference in support of the news their single, “Dynamite,” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. BTS kicked off their press conference on September 1, 2020 by admitting they never expected so much immediate success with the release of “Dynamite,” and they were a bit overwhelmed when they learned the single was breaking records.
“I never imagined we would get number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. It feels like a dream,” said J-Hope. “We started because we love music and dance. I am happy and the group’s sincerity has been able to reach so many people. The fans drove us and allowed us to become the BTS we are today.”
Jimin added, “We have calmed down a little bit. We were going crazy with excitement yesterday. The members and I were together for the entire process, and I am thankful to the fans, Bang Si-hyuk, and the Big Hit family.”
“I went to sleep after I heard the news because I didn’t want to over-excite myself,” explained RM. “I thought a lot about BTS’ past, eating together, practicing together in the studio together. My contribution to our achievement is small and it’s really the ARMY, the members, the writers, the other members of the staff, the member of the press. I think it was all of these contributions who made these achievements.”
BTS “Dynamite” Q&A:
Moderator: Listening to all of your reactions, it still doesn’t hit home for me. Jungkook?
Jungkook: “When I saw the charts I wasn’t sure what I was looking at was real. I was out of it for a little bit. I want to thank ARMY for helping us reach the achievement and this milestone. And our other members…I am thankful that I was able to meet them and our Big Hit staff.
I think – how should I put this – being able to be a part of this great milestone it was actually my birthday yesterday, so it was a really great birthday present. I felt that I was glad I was born, and I want to say once again thank you to my mom and dad and thank you to ARMY. Thank you so much.”
Jin: “When RM sent a picture of the chart to our group chat, he said it was a doctored photo. It was about 15 minutes before the release. It wasn’t real. But he showed me the same photo later and thought, ‘This is it. This is real. This was a real screenshot.’
I went on to Weverse – it is an app that we use to communicate with our fans. I kept writing a message, I kept erasing it. I was thinking about how I can express these feelings to our fans, and I realized the only thing I can really say is BTS with ARMY this is something that we achieved together. I think this is a song that we made because we wanted to enjoy it together with our fans and the fact that we were able to achieve this really made us happy and this is all thanks to our fans. Thank you so much.”
Suga: “I’m still having a hard time grasping that this is real. We talked a lot about our goals and we often said number one on the Hot 100 it was something we’d like to have. It became a goal. It’s not like we worked hard to reach just this goal, but it feels like a dream that we have reached this goal and the fact that we accomplished it, there was this surge of excitement.
And when I learned of the news, I actually pinched myself. The Billboard charts was something that was really familiar to me. I listen to the songs on the charts even from when I was very little. So, I have to thank all of our ARMY that made all of this possible.”
V: “I didn’t think BTS would be in such a spotlight by the global audience. We all came to Seoul with nothing. We had an exceedingly small practice studio in a basement. It was just the seven of us practicing together, working together. These memories are still very fresh in my mind. I don’t know why this stayed with me so much, but when I came to Seoul it was me and my dad and we took a cab and we were actually cheated by the cab driver. So these are the memories that stayed with me.
And comparing these memories and what we have achieved now… These are all cherished memories and all of the difficult things we had to go through practicing as trainees, all of these now are pleasant memories and sweet memories and that really amplifies the joy that I have now.
I feel like I received some kind of reward and it makes me really happy. So, I think today I’m going to set down any worries, any concerns. I just want to be happy and I hope everyone can smile and laugh.”
Moderator: I would like you to take us down memory lane. It was in December 2015 that you first made it onto the Billboard 200 chart. It has to be seared into your mind. What did it feel like?
J-Hope: “Seeing our name on the Billboard chart was very shocking.”
Jungkook: “I think I was the same as J-Hope. It was impossible, literally impossible for us to achieve that kind of feat. We couldn’t believe that this was real or was it a dream? That’s what we felt back then and now that we had that result, we wanted to reach for even more height. And that’s where we got even more driven and we were able to reach higher.”
Moderator: When we talk of goals, we need to talk to you, Suga.
Suga: “Actually all of our goals that I have mentioned are becoming reality. And it makes me really happy and feel a great deal of accomplishment, but I also think I need to be careful what I say when it comes to goals. We have this great song ‘Dynamite’ and we did not release it to make it onto the Hot 100, but we simply put it out to give more energy to people around the world. I am so happy so many people listened to this song and became energized and that fact makes me more happier than topping the Billboard chart.
I feel I do need to mention our new goals. I feel a bit pressured right now. I have to say we went to the Grammys and we did a collaboration performance (Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, Nas, and Mason) and now I would like to do a single performance with just BTS. It would be great to receive an award BUT that’s not going to become a reality just because we want it. We need a lot of help from a lot of people so for now just getting to perform on the Grammy Award stage is our goal.”
Question from the Press: Jimin mentioned on social media that the tears kept flowing after you learned this news. We would like to hear a little bit about where those tears came from and why?
Jimin: “It was after 4am when I heard this news and I was basically crying until 7am and then I just fell asleep because I was exhausted from crying. At first, I was really shocked. And I was with Jungkook and we were thrilled and really excited. Then we were just staring at the chart and then just sort of caressing it in our hands on our phones and then I just started crying.
And then we started to talk with the other members. I said to Namjoon, ‘It was because of you that we have accomplished all of this.’ What we talked about the most is that this is possible for us, we can do this.
Looking back, they were the things we wanted to do, the things we continued to do. This felt like an acknowledgement, a reward for all of the things we have been doing. Being able to come together in such difficult times for everyone, what I thought was I really wanted to perform. I really want to get on stage and perform for ARMY.”
BTS “Dynamite Press Conference (Photo Credit: Big Hit Entertainment)
Question from the Press: “Dynamite” is being seen as capturing the American general public. What do you think is the reason you’ve attracted the general public with this particular song?
RM: “That is not an easy question to answer because it’s not just number one on the Hot 100; it requires help from the general public. I don’t know the exact lines between fans and general public and their acceptance. I think this is something that we continue to pursue. It could have been our performance, what we do behind the scenes, what we said. I think ‘Dynamite’ was more familiar because of the language and other elements. The language is familiar to the American public, something easy to sing along with, to hum with.”
Question from the Press: Seven years ago in your debut showcase you said, “It’s not easy for rookies to succeed but we will try to stay on course and become a group that will be loved by the public and become artists with a song on the Billboard 100.” Is there something you would like to say to BTS of seven years ago?
J-Hope: “Seven years ago seems like a lifetime ago. There were a lot of new groups and to stand out the only thing we could do was really work hard like our lives depended on it. We did our best and we went as hard as we could. We worked really hard in getting our name out. That was our goal to stay alive until the end.
We have reached milestones far beyond what I had expected. It’s an honor and we are always thankful. It feels the world has acknowledged our sincerity and our authenticity and that makes me really happy and proud. If I could talk to J-Hope from seven years ago I want to tell him, ‘You’ve worked really hard and that your efforts did not betray you.’
All of the members are really precious to me. I think I have said it many times – but this is something that deserves to be said – I think the members are really precious to me. These are people who have become the major reason in my life, my existence. I want to say thank you to the members for being with me for seven years and to ask them to be with me for the rest of my life. I’d like to say I love you to all the members.”
Question from the Press: When we talk about BTS, we have to talk about ARMY. In your lyrics for “Boy with Luv” you express your love for ARMY. Who is ARMY for you?
Jin: “I think topping the chart is all thanks to ARMY. ARMY is someone who we want to share good news with first. We want to hide our sadness and just show positive times and share good thoughts and things. ‘Dynamite’ was a song that we worked on with the desire to enjoy with our fans and we have enjoyed. It is because that ARMY exists that we exist, and we are always thankful. We always want to show the best side of us. ARMY, we love you.”
Question from the Press: In the current situation where people are spending more time at home – things have changed, lifestyles have changed – where do you get your healing and happiness?
Suga: “I have developed a lot of new hobbies. I have been drawing a lot. I have been playing the guitar. It’s not just me, all the other members have thought a lot about what they can do. We started to work on our new album that will come in the second half of this year. Some of us started to working out a bit more. Namjoon has been working out his arms.”
Question from the Press: What will 2020 be remembered by BTS as being?
RM: “The start of 2020 was fairly good. We had our comeback (Map of the Soul: 7 was released in February). We were preparing for our world stadium tour. Early spring, we had COVID-19 outbreak. Weren’t sure what to do. I don’t think it is how 2020 will be remembered but how we want it to be remembered. In the future I’d like to say that was a tough year, we had our comeback, COVID-19 hit, and we tried our best. I would like to remember 2020 as the year we tried our best.”
Question from the Press: What is the direction of BTS?
Jimin: “I will answer this first. I don’t think I can give you a clear-cut answer; this is my opinion. Of course we will try our best for whatever is in our reach. There are things we must do and that we can do. In the feature we will continue to do performances that we can, and we will prepare for them.
The situation isn’t good with COVID-19 and the situation is dire. In order for COVID-19 to end so many people are doing their best. They are trying their best to crack down on this disease. We still need a lot more time and energy for this to come to an end and we need everyone to come together to make a combined effort to do so. As far as our career, I would like to show people in different countries there is a group called BTS.”
RM: “I am incredibly grateful for all of this attention and I am very grateful to have all these opportunities. Jimin said everything that needs to be said. I would like to just add this one thing. The Grammy Awards is something all the performers dream of, and of course we would like to perform there too (just BTS). We would, of course, like to be nominated. It would be great to receive an award. That is the direction we should be headed for. We grew up watching the awards show.
One more thing. We are preparing on our next album and we will be putting on another concert and it will be online.”
Question from the Press: You recently performed “Dynamite” on the VMAs, becoming the first Korean act to perform at all four major US award shows (AMAs, Billboard Awards, Grammys and VMAs). What was it like reaching this last milestone?
V: “I want to say a while ago when J-Hope was speaking I was really touched. We would watch these award shows and wonder would we ever be able to stand on these stages. Performing on these stages seems like a dream come true. It will be a memory seared for a very thing time.”
BTS finished up their press conference by thanking the press and reminding everyone to stay safe, healthy, and to wear a mask.
Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed in ‘Transplant’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV/NBC)
NBC acquired the medical drama Transplant from CTV in May to help fill holes in its fall 2020 primetime lineup caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Transplant was a huge ratings success in Canada, topping the list of most-watched original series during its first season.
The drama created by Joseph Kay made its debut on NBC on September 1, 2020 and will air in the Tuesdays at 10pm timeslot. The 13-episode first season introduces us to Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq), a passionate, talented doctor forced to flee Syria. Once in Canada, Bash attempts to reestablish his medical career in a competitive environment.
Episode one begins with Bash working as a cook in a restaurant. He reminds his boss he needs to leave at 9pm and then, for some unknown reason, he seems overly interested in one particular customer who just entered the establishment.
Back in the kitchen, a friend passes him a wrapped item and he glances at his watch after pocketing it.
As Bash approaches the customer he’d keyed in on, a truck comes crashing through the front of the restaurant. Glass and metal fly everywhere as the truck catches on fire and comes to rest amid the destruction.
Bash and the customers all suffer various degrees of injuries in the crash. Bash removes large shards of glass from his stomach as he attempts to sit up. He glances at the truck’s license plate as he calls out to his co-worker and friend, Khaled (Fayçal Azzouz). Khaled responds that he can’t move his arm.
Bash makes his way through the debris to help the injured. He quickly springs into action and performs emergency surgery with any available tools. He saves his boss’ eyesight before moving on to a female customer who’s unresponsive. He pounds her chest and forces her to breathe. She comes to and as fires rage, he assists the customer who earlier held his attention. The man is conscious but gravely injured, and Bash explains he has a skull fracture on the same side as a blown pupil.
Although Khaled calls out that they need to leave, Bash continues helping the male customer who he’s diagnosed with an epidural hematoma. The man agrees Bash can do what he believes he needs to do, and Bash immediately uses a regular drill to open a hole in the side of the man’s skull.
As he’s finishing, sirens draw closer. Bash is overcome by the smoke and falls unconscious. He wakes in the ambulance and his first thought is to ask how everyone else is doing.
Bash arrives at the hospital where Dr. Magalie Leblanc (Laurence Leboeuf) introduces herself and assures him she’ll take care of him. Bash repeatedly attempts to remove his oxygen mask but Magalie puts it back on. He glances at the other gurneys as he’s rolled through the hospital’s hallways. (There were a total of seven victims rushed to the hospital.)
Police don’t know which victim was the driver and no one can be discharged until they figure it out.
EMTs rush in with a member of the staff. Check that…not just a member of the staff, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Jed Bishop (John Hannah). The staff’s shocked to learn he was among those injured in the restaurant and Dr. June Curtis (Ayisha Issa), a trauma surgeon resident, immediately grabs him to take him to neurosurgery.
Bash struggles to his feet and Dr. Leblanc forces him back on the gurney. However, as soon as she leaves his side, Bash sits up. He looks around and spots cops interviewing victims. Bash attempts to use his phone and then clutches the wrapped item Khaled handed him before the devastating crash.
Bash limps down the hall as doctors, nurses, and EMTs hustle to treat victims. He spots the lady he resuscitated and tries to tell Dr. Leblanc he started her heart before the paramedics arrived. She sends him away without listening and a nurse walks him back to a gurney, asking him to stay put.
Bash overhears a doctor and June discussing Dr. Bishop’s condition. He was right; Bishop has an epidural hematoma.
Bash’s boss calls out to him and asks what he did to his eye. Bash explains he had to relieve the pressure behind it, but his vision will return. The boss says Bash saved everyone. As his boss is being wheeled away, he tells Bash everyone should think of him as a hero. Bash reminds him he’s not a doctor in this country…yet.
Officer Reid (Matthew MacFadzean) questions a nurse about Bash’s whereabouts, hinting that he might not want to be signed in because he’s Middle Eastern. Reid spots Bash and finally gets him to submit to questioning. Bash isn’t forthcoming and only reluctantly turns over his ID.
The injured woman from the crash’s daughter arrives carrying a baby, and Dr. Leblanc explains her mom’s heart is experiencing an electrical disturbance. The daughter’s frazzled and can’t understand why her mom’s condition is deteriorating.
As the doctors prepare for surgery, they debate what happened inside the restaurant. Some seem to believe Dr. Bishop treated the injured and then drilled into his own skull. He needs a craniotomy and Dr. Curtis asks to scrub in. They turn down her offer, suggesting she head back to ER to help her fellow residents.
Dr. Theo Hunter (Jim Watson) and Dr. Curtis ride the elevator down together and discuss the possibility Dr. Bishop performed improv surgeries on everyone in the accident. They also reveal he only has a 50/50 chance of surviving brain surgery. June doesn’t reply when Theo asks if she thinks Dr. Bishop’s going to make it.
Bash observes his fellow patients and notices a young boy’s in distress. When he helps him breathe, the boy’s father shoves him to the floor. Officer Reid watches the altercation and then asks Bash more questions, wondering why he came to Canada from Syria. Bash explains he’s working hard to build a life and the cop doesn’t seem to believe anything Bash is saying. He thinks Bash was either driving the truck or knows who was. Dr. Leblanc puts an end to the questioning by insisting Bash needs medical attention.
Dr. Leblanc sends the cop away and asks how the woman’s heart started beating in the restaurant. Bash doesn’t say he’s the one responsible but does confirm it was via a precordial thump. The woman’s in critical condition but can survive. Bash asks Dr. Leblanc to allow him to escape. The announcement of a code blue cuts off their conversation.
Dr. Leblanc’s female patient went into cardiac arrest and they administer CPR. Dr. Leblanc, who we learn goes by “Mags,” is unable to get a view of her heart using the ultrasound.
Bash uses this interruption to try to escape.
Mags is finally able to determine her patient has a large paracardial infusion and needs fluid removed immediately. Mags admits she’s never done it before, and June steps in to take over. June is able to remove the fluid, but the patient has an underlying heart problem that could kill her.
Bash runs all the way home, wearing a shirt covered in blood and holding his side. He stops by an English language class and looks at the students. Not spotting who he’s searching for, he takes off running again. He barely misses a bus.
Mags and June argue over the treatment plan for Alice De Marco, the patient whose heart stopped. June thinks she needs a new heart, but Mags supports waiting for more testing. Alice’s confused daughter has no idea what to do. She reveals her dad died from cancer and she’s not sure how to handle her mom’s medical decisions.
Bash finally makes it back home and yells out for Amira. Khaled arrives at his door and confesses he ran from the firefighters. He’s sure his arm’s broken but he can’t be questioned because he doesn’t have papers.
Bash determines Khaled has a dislocated shoulder and fixes it. Khaled volunteers to help look for Amira who had a night class but wasn’t at school when Bash arrived late to pick her up.
Mags goes over the results of Alice’s test with Theo and it appears June was right. Alice needs a new heart. But Mags is sure she’s missing something. The tests aren’t adding up.
Officer Reid asks if Mags discharged Bash and she’s surprised he’s gone. When Reid says Bash attacked a kid, Theo is quick to defend him. Theo explains the child was aspirating vomit and Bash saved his life. Mags wonders if Bash has medical training. She suspects he does.
Bash visits his landlord and discovers Amira stopped there to use his telephone. She saw the news about the crash and injuries at the restaurant and called the hospital. They didn’t recognize his name and Amira initially thought he was dead. The landlord told her to wait upstairs.
Instead, Amira (Sirena Gulamgaus) made her way to the hospital by herself. She’s just a child and looks completely lost. She asks at the desk for her brother, but the clerk doesn’t understand her. Amira rights down his name and becomes emotional when she says the news isn’t revealing who lived or died. The clerk doesn’t have any info but promises to find out what she can.
Amira takes a seat in the waiting room, looking small, lost, and alone. Anxious, she gets up and wanders the hallways looking for Bash. He’s nowhere to be seen.
Bash makes his way back to the hospital and runs into Mags. She grabs him and asks if he drilled into Dr. Bishop’s skull. He doesn’t admit he did but it’s clear the answer is yes. Mags admits he must be an incredibly talented doctor and asks how he knew where to drill without imaging. He explains why he decided to drill and that it would have been worse if he didn’t. She nearly begs to know what he observed about Alice. They need info now to save her life. He describes what he saw, including that she was tired, wanted time to herself, and she’s losing her hair.
Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc and Kenny Wong as Arnold De Luca in ‘Transplant’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV/NBC)
Mags finally realizes the baby isn’t Alice’s daughter – it’s Alice’s. She’s suffering a rare heart condition brought on by giving birth.
Bash continues to try and walk through the hospital unnoticed. He makes it to the emergency waiting room and scans the crowd. Finally, he spots Amira and she runs to him, relieved. They hug and he promises he’ll never leave her. He’s impressed she took the bus by herself.
Bash pulls out the wrapped item Khaled picked up for him and it’s a phone. Today’s Amira’s 12th birthday and it’s her present. She’s surprised and Bash makes her promises she will always answer when he calls.
Their reunion is interrupted by Officer Reid.
Dr. Bishop finally wakes up and asks how the staff did during the emergency. Head nurse Claire Malone (Torri Higginson) tells him he’s lucky to be alive and should think about how he’ll use this second chance.
June and Mags provide the details of Alice’s condition, both taking the blame for not diagnosing her condition sooner.
Bash has been handcuffed to a bed and Officer Reid returns to uncuff him. The officer reveals the truck driver was identified and died after his truck’s brakes failed. Bash is free to go. However, before he can leave Claire informs him Dr. Bishop wants to see him.
Dr. Bishop recalls Bash interviewed for a job, but he didn’t hire him. He gives Bash a second interview. (He should just immediately hire him, but it’s a good first step.)
Transplant Season 1 Review:
NBC made a smart decision when they picked up Transplant. It fits snuggly in the network’s lineup in the absence of New Amsterdam and should capture the attention of that medical drama’s fans.
Relationships are allowed to develop at a realistic, natural pace. Bash’s backstory gradually becomes clearer as the season goes on and while he’s the heart of the series, members of the hospital staff are also fleshed out and not merely window-dressing or sounding boards. The series explores the realities of a refugee attempting to find his way in a foreign environment, struggling with acceptance, and dealing with cultural/societal biases. However, it’s not taking the hammer to a nail approach and instead works that aspect of the drama seamlessly into the storylines.
Compelling, character-driven, and featuring a terrific cast led by Hamza Haq, Transplant‘s first five episodes (made available for review) indicate this series is worthy of being added to your DVR schedule.
Lily Collins is living her best life in the teaser trailer for Netflix’s new series, Emily in Paris. Netflix also released a new poster for the series and announced the romantic comedy will premiere on October 2, 2020.
In addition to Lily Collins, the 10 episode first season stars Ashley Park (Mean Girls on Broadway, Tales of the City), Philippine Leroy Beaulieu (Call My Agent!), Lucas Bravo (Smart Ass), Samuel Arnold (Antony & Cleopatra), Camille Razat (The 15:17 to Paris), and Bruno Gouery (Doc Martin).
Kate Walsh (The Umbrella Academy), William Abadie (Resident Evil: Extinction), and Arnaud Viard (Clara et Moi) recur in season one.
Emily in Paris was created, written and executive produced by Darren Star (Sex & The City, Younger). Tony Hernandez, Andrew Fleming, and Lilly Burns executive produce, with Lily Collins producing. Season one was directed by Fleming, Zoe Cassavetes, and Peter Lauer.
The series is a Darren Star Productions, Jax Media and MTV Studios production.
The Emily in Paris Plot:
Lily Collins stars as Emily, an ambitious twenty-something marketing executive from Chicago, unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris when her company acquires a French luxury marketing company — and she is tasked with revamping their social media strategy. Emily’s new life in Paris is filled with intoxicating adventures and surprising challenges as she juggles winning over her work colleagues, making friends, and navigating new romances.
