Hollywood

Live music shows are cancelled during the pandemic, but one American conductor has come up with an idea to bring performances to people’s front lawns.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

“It’s usually a group of friends, or maybe two cars will pull up together, and they’ll pull out some folding chairs and then have an al-fresco picnic.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Critics review “The Old Guard,” an action-thriller about immortal mercenaries who must protect themselves when someone discovers their secret; “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets,” a…

‘The Old Guard’ has more heart than other superhero-action movies, says critic

Critics review “The Old Guard,” an action-thriller about immortal mercenaries who must protect themselves when someone discovers their secret; “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets,” a…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

NBC is preparing to launch its new streaming service Peacock on July 15. A slate of shows and movies will be aimed at casual viewers.

Hollywood news banter: Peacock prepares for launch, CBS fires showrunner Peter Lenkov

NBC is preparing to launch its new streaming service Peacock on July 15. A slate of shows and movies will be aimed at casual viewers.

from The Business

The new documentary “The Ghost of Peter Sellers,” now available on demand , is about a troubled comedian and how one film never saw the light of day.

In ‘The Ghost of Peter Sellers,’ director Peter Medak revisits a production that still haunts him

The new documentary “The Ghost of Peter Sellers,” now available on demand , is about a troubled comedian and how one film never saw the light of day.

from The Business

"Greyhound," with Tom Hanks as a destroyer captain during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II, brings an action adventure to home screens.

A spectacle for the streaming domain in the time of the pandemic

"Greyhound," with Tom Hanks as a destroyer captain during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II, brings an action adventure to home screens.

from Film Reviews

NBC’s Peacock launches on July 15, and one way it hopes to stand apart from other streamers is price. A basic ad-supported version of the service will be free.

NBC’s free streaming service Peacock hopes to cut through ‘subscription fatigue’

NBC’s Peacock launches on July 15, and one way it hopes to stand apart from other streamers is price. A basic ad-supported version of the service will be free.

from Hollywood Breakdown

Chechnya is a lawless region of Russia. It’s tucked away in a remote corner of the Caucasus near the Caspian Sea.

‘Welcome to Chechnya’ looks at systematic persecution of LGBTQ people in the Russian republic

Chechnya is a lawless region of Russia. It’s tucked away in a remote corner of the Caucasus near the Caspian Sea.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

“Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi has a new Hulu series called “Taste the Nation.” Her stories are informed by her identity as an American and an immigrant from India.

In ‘Taste the Nation,’ Padma Lakshmi looks at immigrants’ lives in US

“Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi has a new Hulu series called “Taste the Nation.” Her stories are informed by her identity as an American and an immigrant from India.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood found a project that fit into many of the themes she's explored in her films going back to her debut, 2000's "Love & Basketball" in, of all places, the…

Gina Prince-Bythewood: "The Old Guard"

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood found a project that fit into many of the themes she's explored in her films going back to her debut, 2000's "Love & Basketball" in, of all places, the…

from The Treatment

The Golden State Killer, now identified as 74-year-old Joseph DeAngelo, recently pleaded guilty to several crimes, including 13 counts of first degree murder.

‘I’ll Be Gone In The Dark’ chronicles Michelle McNamara’s obsession with finding the Golden State Killer

The Golden State Killer, now identified as 74-year-old Joseph DeAngelo, recently pleaded guilty to several crimes, including 13 counts of first degree murder.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Janelle Monáe is helping organize a food drive in LA's Watts neighborhood on Tuesday, July 7.

Janelle Monáe on organizing an LA food drive during pandemic, dismantling systemic racism

Janelle Monáe is helping organize a food drive in LA's Watts neighborhood on Tuesday, July 7.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The new documentary “Welcome to Chechnya” available on HBO and HBO Max, looks at the dangers for LGBTQ people in Russia’s Chechen Republic.

‘Welcome to Chechnya’ documents campaign to eradicate LGBT people in the Chechen Republic

The new documentary “Welcome to Chechnya” available on HBO and HBO Max, looks at the dangers for LGBTQ people in Russia’s Chechen Republic.

from The Business

More than a year ago, thousands of writers fired their agents over the practice of packaging fees .

Hollywood news banter: Writers Guild and studios reach a deal, Academy adds news members

More than a year ago, thousands of writers fired their agents over the practice of packaging fees .

from The Business

Charlize Theron makes "The Old Guard" not merely believable but enjoyable.

A new action adventure for the good old summer-streaming time

Charlize Theron makes "The Old Guard" not merely believable but enjoyable.

from Film Reviews

As Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the closures of bars, movie theaters and indoor restaurants in California, Disneyland in Anaheim has yet to announce a new reopening date.

Walt Disney World in Florida set to reopen July 11, despite performers’ safety concerns

As Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the closures of bars, movie theaters and indoor restaurants in California, Disneyland in Anaheim has yet to announce a new reopening date.

from Hollywood Breakdown

Critics review “Hamilton,” a stage recording of Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical, available on Disney+; “Metamorphosis,” a Korean horror film; “The Truth,” about an actress…

Leslie Odom Jr. is absolutely captivating in film version of ‘Hamilton,’ says critic

Critics review “Hamilton,” a stage recording of Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical, available on Disney+; “Metamorphosis,” a Korean horror film; “The Truth,” about an actress…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Eric Andre is known for absurd, physical, and gross comedy. The fifth season of “The Eric Andre Show” is expected later this year.

The absurdist prank comedy of Eric Andre

Eric Andre is known for absurd, physical, and gross comedy. The fifth season of “The Eric Andre Show” is expected later this year.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Filmmaker Dawn Porter chronicles Lewis’s life of activism in her new documentary called “John Lewis: Good Trouble.”

‘John Lewis: Good Trouble’ profiles the nonviolent activist-turned-congressman

Filmmaker Dawn Porter chronicles Lewis’s life of activism in her new documentary called “John Lewis: Good Trouble.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Author and crisis historian Max Brooks (‘World War Z’, ‘Harlem Hellfighters’) brings his affinity to translating dystopian scenarios into compelling narrative with his project, ‘Germ…

Max Brooks: ‘Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History’

Author and crisis historian Max Brooks (‘World War Z’, ‘Harlem Hellfighters’) brings his affinity to translating dystopian scenarios into compelling narrative with his project, ‘Germ…

from The Treatment