The summer of "sequel-itis" and beginning of awards season

This summer may be remembered in the business as the season movie-goers finally got sick of sequels and reboots. Neighbors 2, Alice through the Looking Glass, Ghostbusters, and Star Trek Beyond all under-performed. Audiences are saying they want something new, but studios may be hesitant to move away from sequels -- which at least guarantee some returns -- to more original concepts where they risk striking out completely. For those looking for some art-house fare, fear not, festival season is upon us. La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle, got raves out of Venice and Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins is buzzy going into Telluride.