So if you’ve been keeping up with my posts, you know that this past week or so I’ve been covering the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) — you may think that watching films is just all fun and games, but watching as a professional critic/reviewer is a lot of work…so I’m keeping this week’s wrap up brief! (Stay tuned for a look back at my festival experience next week)

What’s the Word on the Street?!

• Robert Pattison’s “The Batman” is resuming production in the UK after positive COVID-19 test. — After watching some of these TIFF films, I’m curious how movies with large crowds of background actors will proceed in this new post-COVID environment…
• Animated Nazi hunter documentary “The Klarsfeld” is in pre-production —this seems interesting and I’m definitely keeping this one my radar
• Netflix has ordered a “Good Times” animated series from Norman Lear, Steph Curry and Seth MacFarlane — this is an interesting team and as someone who loves “Good Times,” I hope its as good as the original…and I do love some MacFarlane lol
• Ted Cruz has called on the DOJ to investigate “Cuties” filmmakers and Netflix of ‘child pornography’ — I really don’t appreciate people who clearly have not seen the movie (I reviewed it over on WLE), nor understand the message behind the film, trying to censor it. And just my opinion — I’m sure he felt more inclined to do this because its a foreign film by a Black woman…he can have several seats.
• Hollywood Studios and Unions are nearing an agreement on safety protocols to restart productions.
• Netflix will be Oscar campaigning for Delroy Lindo for his outstanding performance in Spike Lee‘s “Da 5 Bloods” — if you haven’t seen it yet, definitely give it a watch!
• “A growing number of cash-strapped municipalities are going to court against Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ to argue these companies need to pay their fair share of revenue as a utility fee” according to THR.  — this should be interesting to see how this plays out…
• A new study from the National Research Group has found that 2 in 3 Black Americans don’t feel properly represented in media — No shit!
• The Creative Arts Emmys went down this week…
• Tracee Ellis Ross has signed a new overall deal with ABC Signature — I love her!
• Sundance Institute has partnered with The Black List and IllumiNative for the inaugural Indigenous List, which will feature film and television scripts authored by Native American, Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Native film artists working in the U.S. — hella dope #representationmatters
• Taika Waititi has gotten the green light over at HBO Max for his new period comedy “Our Flag Means Death” — huge fan of all his work so I’ll definitely be watching this when it comes out
• Jonathan Majors is on a roll (and the come-up) after landing a key role in “Ant-Man 3″ — congrats!
• Black Canadian creators have launched a film development fund amid industry reckoning
• “Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus has signed a first-look deal with AMC Studios
• Harry Styles has replaced Shia LaBeouf in Olivia Wilde‘s “Don’t Worry Darling” — love Harry!

What We’re Looking Forward to Seeking…

“Ravers” – In select theatre today…

“Residue” – Currently streaming on Netflix

“Judas and the Black Messiah” – 2021

“The Mandalorian” Season 2 –

Who’s in the Spotlight This Week?

 

The Charlotte Film Festival

Tickets for the 12th Annual Charlotte Film Festival (Sept. 23 – 27) are currently on sale. That’s 150 shorts and features from all around the world. Definitely check this out!

Also, if you haven’t seen “The Babysitter: Killer Queen” on Netflix yet, what are you waiting for?! This sequel is bananas…but so much fun (make sure you catch the first one first or you’ll be a little lost).