Just as Hollywood was returning to normalcy, new variants of COVID are posing yet another threat to the entertainment business. Plus, Harvey Weinstein has been extradited to Los Angeles, and the
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Just as Hollywood was returning to normalcy, new variants of COVID are posing yet another threat to the entertainment business. Plus, Harvey Weinstein has been extradited to Los Angeles, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a box office controversy and an exciting new casting update.
In this week’s episode of Variety’s new video series, “The Take,” presented by VIZIO, senior correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and film awards editor Clayton Davis discuss their takes on some of the week’s biggest headlines.
Numerous productions have been shut down, after cast and crew members tested positive for COVID-19 on the sets of HBO’s “Westworld,” Netflix’s “Bridgerton” and FX’s “American Horror Story.” And, for the second year in a row, the Emmy’s Governors Ball will not be happening, as more in-person events are at risk of being canceled, in the wake of spiking cases around the globe. Masks are now required, once again, in Los Angeles County — home of the entertainment biz — and Hollywood’s major studios and guilds have come to a short-term agreement over mandating vaccines on sets. However, with no set of standards across the board, many crew members are concerned about their health, safety and livelihood.
The Toronto International Film Festival, which just announced its full lineup, was originally supposed to be held in-person so studio executives, publicists and talent don’t know if they’ll be able to attend the fest, given the wildcard of the Delta variant. To make matters even more confusing, the U.S. government extended Mexico and Canada border restrictions on nonessential travel through at least Aug. 21. Davis says the industry consensus is that TIFF is not essential, at this time.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Weinstein has been extradited and transferred to California from New York, where he is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence. Weinstein arrived to the hearing in a wheelchair with his hands shackled to the armrests — his first L.A. court appearance, after being found guilty of sexual assault and rape in the third degree in 2020. Weinstein pled not guilty to the 11 counts of rape and sexual assault he is facing, which carry a potential 140-year maximum sentencing.
At the box office, “Black Widow” has caused a stir with the National Association of Theatre Owners, which slammed Disney for its hybrid theatrical and streaming release of the popcorn tentpole. The Scarlett Johansson pic made more than $80 million domestically and an additional $60 million on Disney Plus during opening weekend. In other Marvel news, Michaela Coel is heading to Wakanda, being cast in the “Black Panther” sequel in a top-secret role.
Hosted by Wagmeister and Davis, “The Take,” presented by VIZIO, is a weekly series that will navigate the week’s top stories from the entertainment world, pop culture and media, while providing expert analysis and exclusive insight on what’s buzzing in Hollywood. Filmed in Variety‘s state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles, new episodes are released weekly on Fridays on Variety.com, YouTube and social media. The short-form series will also be available on VIZIO SmartCast TVs in July and August.
Make sure to let us know … what’s your take?