- EntertainmentVariety
SXSW Film Review: ‘Come as You Are’
The rare remake that’s actually a slight improvement on its predecessor, Richard Wong’s “Come as You Are” translates Geoffrey Enthoven’s 2011 Belgian “Hasta la Vista” to middle America. Other changes are less substantial, but this seriocomedy has a less formulaic feel than the original while remaining
- EntertainmentVariety
SXSW Film Review: ‘Strange Negotiations’
In a era when some mainstream entertainers have transitioned to targeting faith-based audiences, David Bazan is moving in the other direction. The gifted songwriter’s ersatz band Pedro the Lion was perhaps the most successful Christian indie rock act of its time, and the first to significantly cross
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
Colbert Mocks Trump’s $100,000 Humblebrag (Video)
Donald Trump announced this week that he donates his presidential salary to various government agencies, but Steven Colbert isn’t buying it, or rather, he isn’t buying the way the president announced it.On Tuesday, Trump tweeted: “While the press doesn’t like writing about it, nor do I need them to,
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
Disney Finally Closes Its $71.3 Billion Acquisition of 21st Century Fox
At long last, Disney has completed its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s film and TV assets.With the deal wrapped up, Disney will take over ownership of 20th Century Fox film and TV studio, cable networks FX, FXX and National Geographic, and certain cable and international television assets
- EntertainmentVariety
SXSW Film Review: ‘Bluebird’
As affectionate as a love letter but as substantial as an infomercial, Brian Loschiavo’s “Bluebird” may be of most interest to casual and/or newly converted country music fans who have occasionally wondered about the songwriters behind the songs. There’s a better than even-money chance that anyone who
- EntertainmentVariety
‘Wonder Park’ Tops Studios’ TV Ad Spending for the Fourth Week in a Row
In this week’s edition of the Variety Movie Commercial Tracker, powered by the TV advertising attention analytics company iSpot.tv, Paramount Pictures claims the top spot in spending for the fourth week in row with “Wonder Park.” Ads placed for the animated film had an estimated media value of $5.18
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
Wendy Williams Opens Up About Addiction Struggle: ‘I Have Been Living in a Sober House’ (Video)
Talk show host Wendy Williams opened up about her struggles with addiction on Tuesday’s episode of “The Wendy Williams Show.”“For some time now, and even today and beyond, I have been living in a sober house,” she said.Surrounded by a live audience, 54-year-old Williams detailed her daily routine, from
- EntertainmentVariety
Film News Roundup: Michael B. Jordan, Jordan Vogt-Roberts Team for Monster Movie
In today's film news roundup, Michael B. Jordan is producing a creature feature, billiards champ Cisero Murphy is getting a movie, the sixth Terminator movie gets a title, and Graham King receives an honor. PROJECT UNVEILED New Regency and Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society are partnering on
- EntertainmentVariety
MMA Alters Faces of Asian Sports Broadcasting
Bruce Lee was ahead of the curve by about four decades when he predicted back in the early 1970s that combat sports would one day take the world by storm. Hong Kong’s favorite son had encouraged his own students to mix up the styles of martial arts they were being trained in — to combine kung fu […]
- EntertainmentVariety
Nicolas Cage to Star in Martial Arts Actioner ‘Jiu Jitsu’
Nicolas Cage will star in the martial arts actioner "Jiu Jitsu," based on the comic book of the same name. The cast will also include Alain Moussi, who stars in the "Kickboxer" franchise. Dimitri Logothetis is producing with Martin Barab and directing from a script he wrote with Jim
- EntertainmentVariety
Kit Harington on How ‘Game of Thrones’ Mirrors Real-World Politics
In Variety's March 19 cover story, Kit Harington opens up about the final season of "Game of Thrones" and growing into adulthood as part of the biggest show on television. In a conversation in London in December, Harington opened up about the similarities between the series' politics
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
‘Ray Donovan’ Actor Marion ‘Pooch’ Hall Reaches Plea Deal in DUI, Child Abuse Case
“Ray Donovan” actor Marion “Pooch” Hall was sentenced to three years of probation after being charged with DUI and child abuse last October.Hall pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count each of driving with a blood alcohol content over .08 percent and child endangerment, the Los Angeles District Attorney
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
Move Over, Fyre Festival: Woodstock ’99 Was Even Worse (Podcast)
If the Hulu and Netflix documentaries about the Fyre Festival made you think it was the worst music festival of all time, allow us to re-introduce you to Woodstock ’99 — a disaster marked by rioting, sexual assaults, and actual fires. It’s the subject of our latest “Shoot This Now” podcast, which you
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
‘Mama June’ and Boyfriend Arrested: ‘She Came and Took Care of Him After She Got Out,’ Sheriff Says
“Mama June” Shannon and her boyfriend are out of jail after a “loving” time behind bars, Alabama authorities said.Shannon, of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” fame, was arrested on charges of drug possession and paraphernalia in Macon County, Alabama on March 13, Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson said in
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Headed Toward an Even Bigger Opening Than ‘Get Out’
Two years ago, Jordan Peele became the box office’s biggest surprise as “Get Out” became one of the year’s biggest cultural and financial hits. Now, with an Oscar and multiple producer attachments to his name, Peele is ready to make a big splash at the box office again as Universal releases his second
- EntertainmentVariety
TV News Roundup: Chris O’Dowd to Star in ‘Twilight Zone’ Episode
In today's roundup, The CW has released two clips from the upcoming "Riverdale" special "Heathers: The Musical," and Chris O'Dowd will star in an episode of "The Twilight Zone." CASTING Chris O’Dowd will star in CBS All Access’ rebooted "The Twilight Zone"
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
USC Freezes Accounts of Students Connected to College Admissions Cheating Case
The University of Southern California has placed holds on the accounts of students who have been linked to the college admission cheating case, the university announced on Tuesday.Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, along with dozens of others, were charged earlier this month with paying bribes
- EntertainmentVariety
Kevin Tsujihara’s Ouster Kicks Off a Week of Major Disruption in the Media Business
The sudden ouster of Warner Bros. Entertainment chief Kevin Tsujihara kicked off what is likely to go down as one of the most extraordinary weeks in Hollywood history, spelling enormous turmoil and transition across the media landscape. In addition to the news about Tsujihara, which comes amid a wider
- EntertainmentVariety
Disney Closes $71 Billion 21st Century Fox Deal
Before the end of the East Coast airing of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Disney has formally sealed the deal on its $71 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. "This is an extraordinary and historic moment for us -- one that will create significant long-term value for our company and our shareholders
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
David Boreanaz Says ‘Angel’ Reunion Might Be ‘in the Works’ for 20th Anniversary (Video)
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017 and its spinoff series, “Angel,” is hitting the big 2-0 itself this fall. And in honor of that momentous occasion, David Boreanaz says there is a possibility a reunion might be in the works.“Well, you know, we’re coming up on our 20 years
- EntertainmentVariety
More Than Half of Films at Hot Docs Film Festival Are Directed by Women
More than half of the films playing at Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, are directed by women, the Canadian event said Tuesday. The festival’s 26th edition, which runs April 25-May 5, will screen 234 films, with 54% of the directors being women. In the competitive International
- EntertainmentThe Wrap
‘Umbrella Academy’ Star David Castañeda Is Just as Confused by Season 1’s Ending as You Are (Video)
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of “The Umbrella Academy”)If you have questions after watching the first season of Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy,” we can tell you that we don’t have any answers. And neither does David Castañeda, who starred as Diego on the streamer’s adaptation
- EntertainmentVariety
Beleaguered Chinese Tech Firm Huawei Seeks Content for Expansion Into Southeast Asia
One of the most surprising first-time attendees at FilMart is Chinese tech giant Huawei, which has come to Hong Kong to acquire the video content it needs to support its strategy of expansion into Southeast Asia. The company is currently embroiled in a PR nightmare as it defends itself against accusations
- EntertainmentVariety
Korean Distributors Fight for Box Office Market Share
Korean distributors are having to fight ever harder for their share of Korea’s theatrical market share. Threats on the horizon include a slide in the performance of local movies, consolidation, the arrival of new players and the challenge from streaming services. South Korea’s theatrical box office is
- EntertainmentVariety
Korean Distributors Learn to Downsize in Saturated Market
In 2018, the Korean film business stumbled, as local films made with blockbuster budgets and targeting the usual high seasons of Chuseok and Christmas last year failed to deliver blockbuster earnings. So Korean distributors have embraced some tactics to enhance their bottom lines. Genre films “Monstrum
