When Karen Pittman calls for our early-morning interview, she’s noticeably perky for someone who wrapped filming at 2 a.m. the night before. She’s in the midst of shooting “Forever,” Mara Brock Akil’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s seminal — and controversial — 1975 novel about two teens’ first love and intimacy.
“I love it! Fingers crossed it keeps going like this for the next 20 to 30 years,” Pittman says, laughing off the tiring schedule. “I’m not a workaholic, but I’m just very committed. I’m devoted to this work. I get the chance to tell a meaningful story about where women are right now.”
In the Netflix series, Pittman plays Dawn Edwards, an upper-middle-class mother whose high-school-age son Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) is at the center of the show’s “forever love” story.
“She is a working mother in a successful marriage. She’s bright; she’s ambitious for...
“I love it! Fingers crossed it keeps going like this for the next 20 to 30 years,” Pittman says, laughing off the tiring schedule. “I’m not a workaholic, but I’m just very committed. I’m devoted to this work. I get the chance to tell a meaningful story about where women are right now.”
In the Netflix series, Pittman plays Dawn Edwards, an upper-middle-class mother whose high-school-age son Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) is at the center of the show’s “forever love” story.
“She is a working mother in a successful marriage. She’s bright; she’s ambitious for...
- 6/6/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Katherine Mallen Kupferer, one of the breakout stars of “Ghostlight,” has signed with Fusion Entertainment for management.
“Ghostlight” premiered at Sundance and will be released across the country this summer by IFC Films and Sapan Studios. A Chicago-based stage and screen actor, Kupferer last year had a supporting role as Gretchen in the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret,” which was directed by Kelly Fremon Craig and executive produced by James L. Brooks.
“Katherine leaps off the screen in both ‘Ghostlight’ and ‘Are You There God? It’s Me Margeret,” said Fusion Entertainment partners Chris Evans and Adam Kersh. “Even at a young age, she is an impressively versatile comedic and dramatic actor. We look forward to working with Katherine and helping guide her already promising career to new heights.”
Born to theatrical parents Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen Kupferer, Katherine made her...
“Ghostlight” premiered at Sundance and will be released across the country this summer by IFC Films and Sapan Studios. A Chicago-based stage and screen actor, Kupferer last year had a supporting role as Gretchen in the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret,” which was directed by Kelly Fremon Craig and executive produced by James L. Brooks.
“Katherine leaps off the screen in both ‘Ghostlight’ and ‘Are You There God? It’s Me Margeret,” said Fusion Entertainment partners Chris Evans and Adam Kersh. “Even at a young age, she is an impressively versatile comedic and dramatic actor. We look forward to working with Katherine and helping guide her already promising career to new heights.”
Born to theatrical parents Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen Kupferer, Katherine made her...
- 5/24/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Anthony Hemingway has boarded the Netflix series adaptation of the Judy Blume novel “Forever” to direct multiple episodes, Variety has learned exclusively.
The series stars Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. and hails from creator Mara Brock Akil. The official logline states the series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Hemingway will direct four episodes in total — the second and third as well as the seventh and eighth episodes, specifically. He will also now serve as an executive producer on the series. It was previously announced that Regina King would be directing the pilot and executive producing the series as well.
Hemingway is one of the most sought-after directors in television today. His recent credits include helming episodes of “Genius: Aretha,” the pilot of “Power Book II: Ghost,...
The series stars Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. and hails from creator Mara Brock Akil. The official logline states the series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Hemingway will direct four episodes in total — the second and third as well as the seventh and eighth episodes, specifically. He will also now serve as an executive producer on the series. It was previously announced that Regina King would be directing the pilot and executive producing the series as well.
Hemingway is one of the most sought-after directors in television today. His recent credits include helming episodes of “Genius: Aretha,” the pilot of “Power Book II: Ghost,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The annual Peabody Awards have unveiled its 2024 nominations.
This year, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected nominees from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio, and the web in the entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming categories. Documentary films such as “Judy Blume Forever” and “The Eternal Memory” topped the list of nominees, along with series “The Bear” and “The Last of Us.”
“Whether a hilarious comedy, an engaging interactive experience, or a heartwarming children’s show, Peabody is dedicated to honoring the most compelling stories across the media landscape,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, said. “Each of the 68 nominees this year deserve to be recognized for telling unique stories that leave a profound impact in capturing our imaginations. From exposing injustice to capturing the struggles and triumphs of inspirational figures across the world, these extraordinary nominees demonstrate the power and beauty of compelling storytelling.
This year, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected nominees from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio, and the web in the entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming categories. Documentary films such as “Judy Blume Forever” and “The Eternal Memory” topped the list of nominees, along with series “The Bear” and “The Last of Us.”
“Whether a hilarious comedy, an engaging interactive experience, or a heartwarming children’s show, Peabody is dedicated to honoring the most compelling stories across the media landscape,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, said. “Each of the 68 nominees this year deserve to be recognized for telling unique stories that leave a profound impact in capturing our imaginations. From exposing injustice to capturing the struggles and triumphs of inspirational figures across the world, these extraordinary nominees demonstrate the power and beauty of compelling storytelling.
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
In many ways, the role of Mary Jane, the single mother at the center of Amy Herzog’s compassionate play Mary Jane, was made for Rachel McAdams.
The actress’ most notable characters include an acid-tongued high-school student (Mean Girls), a lovesick Southern belle (The Notebook) and a tireless investigative reporter (Spotlight), but last year she delivered a quietly moving performance in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which marked a new turn in her understated style.
In Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel, McAdams breathed new life into Margaret’s mother Barbara, a woman estranged from her conservative family after marrying a Jewish man (Benny Safdie). The actress’ best scenes are the hushed ones, moments in which her character, enveloped by the quiet of an empty house, releases the tension in her shoulders and indulges in her anxieties and uncertainties. Not only must Barbara...
The actress’ most notable characters include an acid-tongued high-school student (Mean Girls), a lovesick Southern belle (The Notebook) and a tireless investigative reporter (Spotlight), but last year she delivered a quietly moving performance in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which marked a new turn in her understated style.
In Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel, McAdams breathed new life into Margaret’s mother Barbara, a woman estranged from her conservative family after marrying a Jewish man (Benny Safdie). The actress’ best scenes are the hushed ones, moments in which her character, enveloped by the quiet of an empty house, releases the tension in her shoulders and indulges in her anxieties and uncertainties. Not only must Barbara...
- 4/24/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Five full weeks after the Oscars, the Writers Guild of America finally got around to giving out its awards. Oscar winner Cord Jefferson (“American Fiction”) won the original screenplay prize while David Hemingson (“The Holdovers”) picked up the adapted screenplay trophy; he had lost at the Oscars to “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was ineligible here.
Three other scripts deemed ineligible by the WGA went on to win Oscars in the past decade: “Birdman” (2015; original), “The Father” (2021; adapted), and “Belfast” (2022; original). During that time, 68 of the WGA Awards nominees numbered among the 100 screenplays that reaped Oscar bids.
Two other Oscar contenders — “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest” — were ruled out of the running by the guild before nominations were announced way back on Feb. 21. The WGA included “Barbie” in the original lineup while the academy had it over in adapted. That was the third time in a decade that...
Three other scripts deemed ineligible by the WGA went on to win Oscars in the past decade: “Birdman” (2015; original), “The Father” (2021; adapted), and “Belfast” (2022; original). During that time, 68 of the WGA Awards nominees numbered among the 100 screenplays that reaped Oscar bids.
Two other Oscar contenders — “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest” — were ruled out of the running by the guild before nominations were announced way back on Feb. 21. The WGA included “Barbie” in the original lineup while the academy had it over in adapted. That was the third time in a decade that...
- 4/15/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers at Focus Features won original screenplay and Cord Jefferson’s Oscar-winning American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios took adapted honours at the strike-delayed Writers Guild Awards on Sunday.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
- 4/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers at Focus Features won original screenplay and Cord Jefferson’s Oscar-winning American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios took adapted honours at the strike-delayed Writers Guild Awards on Sunday.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
- 4/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Writer/director Cord Jefferson on the set of ‘American Fiction’ (Photo credit: Claire Folger © 2023 Orion Releasing LLC)
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) stretched out the awards season, handing out their annual awards during ceremonies held in Los Angeles and New York on April 14, 2024. Niecy Nash-Betts (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story) had the honor of hosting the Writers Guild of America West’s ceremony while Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero) handled hosting duties for the Writers Guild of America East.
The final season of Succession was recognized with Drama Series and Episodic Drama awards, and the first season of The Last of Us snagged the New Series trophy. The Bear and Beef continued their winning streaks, scoring Comedy Series and Limited Series wins.
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers and Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction were recognized as the best original and adapted screenplays of 2023. And Errol Morris’ The Pigeon Tunnel took...
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) stretched out the awards season, handing out their annual awards during ceremonies held in Los Angeles and New York on April 14, 2024. Niecy Nash-Betts (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story) had the honor of hosting the Writers Guild of America West’s ceremony while Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero) handled hosting duties for the Writers Guild of America East.
The final season of Succession was recognized with Drama Series and Episodic Drama awards, and the first season of The Last of Us snagged the New Series trophy. The Bear and Beef continued their winning streaks, scoring Comedy Series and Limited Series wins.
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers and Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction were recognized as the best original and adapted screenplays of 2023. And Errol Morris’ The Pigeon Tunnel took...
- 4/15/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
With the 2024 Oscars and the 2023 Emmys firmly in the rearview mirror, the film and TV awards calendar is all but ready to return to normalcy after last years Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupted the first half of award season. The last major event to be impacted by the altered schedule is today’s WGA Awards, which took place in an unusual post-Oscars slot after the strikes forced the guild to delay its voting process. As most of Hollywood looks ahead to the 2024 film and TV slate, today’s concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium and New York City’s Edison Ballroom gave award watchers one last chance to celebrate the best screenwriting of 2023.
David Hemingson’s “The Holdovers” won the night’s marquee award for Original Screenplay, beating out heavyweights including Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s “Barbie” and Celine Song’s “Past Lives.” In the Adapted Screenplay category,...
David Hemingson’s “The Holdovers” won the night’s marquee award for Original Screenplay, beating out heavyweights including Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s “Barbie” and Celine Song’s “Past Lives.” In the Adapted Screenplay category,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
‘Succession’ has gone out with one final bang: The HBO drama won two Writers Guild of America Awards on Sunday night — the most of any series — for best drama series and also for best drama episode. Creator Jesse Armstrong was on hand in New York to accept the award, while several of the show’s writers were also in LA to accept the honor.
This reps the final major awards show where “Succession” (which ended its run last May) was still eligible. Besides best drama, the show also won the episodic drama prize, for the episode “Living+,” written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
The WGA Awards recognized the best of 2023’s television and film via its annual event held this year at the Hollywood Palladium for the West Coast edition and at New York’s Edison Ballroom for the East Coast ceremony.
Big winners on the film side included “American Fiction” writer Cord Jefferson,...
This reps the final major awards show where “Succession” (which ended its run last May) was still eligible. Besides best drama, the show also won the episodic drama prize, for the episode “Living+,” written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
The WGA Awards recognized the best of 2023’s television and film via its annual event held this year at the Hollywood Palladium for the West Coast edition and at New York’s Edison Ballroom for the East Coast ceremony.
Big winners on the film side included “American Fiction” writer Cord Jefferson,...
- 4/14/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has rounded out the cast for Forever, adding Xosha Roquemore (Captain America) and Marvin Lawrence Winans III (Abbott Elementary) as series regulars opposite Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone in the upcoming drama series from Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane creator Mara Brock Akil. Additionally, five have been cast in recurring roles. They are Barry Shabaka Henley (A Star is Born), Ali Gallo (Unhuman), Niles Fitch (This is Us), Paigion Walker (All American) and E’myri Crutchfield (Fargo). In addition to Simone and Cooper, they join previously announced Wood Harris and Karen Pittman.
L-r: Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker & E’myri Crutchfield
A reimagining of Judy Blume’s influential — and controversial — 1975 novel Forever… for a new generation, the series adaptation tells the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Simone) and Justin Edwards (Cooper Jr.) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward...
L-r: Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker & E’myri Crutchfield
A reimagining of Judy Blume’s influential — and controversial — 1975 novel Forever… for a new generation, the series adaptation tells the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Simone) and Justin Edwards (Cooper Jr.) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward...
- 4/5/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
My guest this week is Karen Pittman. She’s hit the headlines lately for her reported departure from the Max show And Just Like That…, and in this episode of 20 Questions on Deadline she explains why she won’t be back for Season 3.
Leaving the show was, Pittman said, purely due to a scheduling issue with her new upcoming Netflix series Forever and work on Season 4 of Apple TV+ series The Morning Show.
“There’s a lot of things that went into making that decision. In a perfect world I would have been able to come back and do it. We don’t live in a perfect world… I wish the girls good luck for Season 3. I’m going to be cheering them on. But I was disappointed that Nya wasn’t coming back, but I hope that she lives in the imagination of the audience, still walking around New York City.
Leaving the show was, Pittman said, purely due to a scheduling issue with her new upcoming Netflix series Forever and work on Season 4 of Apple TV+ series The Morning Show.
“There’s a lot of things that went into making that decision. In a perfect world I would have been able to come back and do it. We don’t live in a perfect world… I wish the girls good luck for Season 3. I’m going to be cheering them on. But I was disappointed that Nya wasn’t coming back, but I hope that she lives in the imagination of the audience, still walking around New York City.
- 4/4/2024
- by Antonia Blyth
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Adriyan Rae lands recurring role on Netflix’s Forever created by Mara Brock Akil.
Forever is a reimagination of the 1975 novel by Judy Blume and follows the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s firsts in 2018 Los Angeles. Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on the YA comedy Moesha.
Oscar winner Regina King (One Night in Miami) will serve as executive producer and will direct the first episode.
Rae will portray Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, and is described as a social climber who looks out for Keisha and her well-being like an older sister—even if...
Forever is a reimagination of the 1975 novel by Judy Blume and follows the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s firsts in 2018 Los Angeles. Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on the YA comedy Moesha.
Oscar winner Regina King (One Night in Miami) will serve as executive producer and will direct the first episode.
Rae will portray Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, and is described as a social climber who looks out for Keisha and her well-being like an older sister—even if...
- 4/2/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Karen Pittman — who played Dr. Nya Wallace on “And Just Like That” since the “Sex and the City” revival premiered in 2021 — will not return for Season 3.
After two seasons on the “Sex and the City” revival series on Max, the streamer announced that Pittman would not reprise her character for the upcoming season, due to scheduling conflicts.
“It has been a joy to have Karen Pittman play the smart and stunning Professor Nya Wallace on the first two seasons of ‘And Just Like That,'” a Max spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “As we have thoroughly enjoyed working with this dynamic actress, so too have others. Due to her commitments to two other streamer series, it has become apparent that filming three shows at once isn’t possible. Due to the production realities, we are disappointed to announce that scheduling conflicts will not allow us to continue with...
After two seasons on the “Sex and the City” revival series on Max, the streamer announced that Pittman would not reprise her character for the upcoming season, due to scheduling conflicts.
“It has been a joy to have Karen Pittman play the smart and stunning Professor Nya Wallace on the first two seasons of ‘And Just Like That,'” a Max spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “As we have thoroughly enjoyed working with this dynamic actress, so too have others. Due to her commitments to two other streamer series, it has become apparent that filming three shows at once isn’t possible. Due to the production realities, we are disappointed to announce that scheduling conflicts will not allow us to continue with...
- 3/22/2024
- by Meredith Woerner
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: A fan-favorite character is leaving And Just Like That… Karen Pittman, who played Nya Wallace in the first two seasons of the Sex and the City sequel, will not be returning for the upcoming third season of the hit Max series.
Pittman was already a series regular on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show when she was cast in And Just Like That…, originally as a recurring in Season 1; she was upped to a series regular in Season 2. Earlier this month, she also was tapped for a starring role in Forever, Netflix’s upcoming drama series reimagining Judy Blume’s novel from Mara Brock Akil.
This put Pittman in the middle of a scheduling conundrum involving three high-profile series on three major streamers filming new seasons this year within similar timeframes.
According to sources, there was every intention for Pittman to be in Season 3 of Ajlt, and Nya was written into the scripts.
Pittman was already a series regular on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show when she was cast in And Just Like That…, originally as a recurring in Season 1; she was upped to a series regular in Season 2. Earlier this month, she also was tapped for a starring role in Forever, Netflix’s upcoming drama series reimagining Judy Blume’s novel from Mara Brock Akil.
This put Pittman in the middle of a scheduling conundrum involving three high-profile series on three major streamers filming new seasons this year within similar timeframes.
According to sources, there was every intention for Pittman to be in Season 3 of Ajlt, and Nya was written into the scripts.
- 3/22/2024
- by Rosy Cordero and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The South by Southwest debut of “Stormy” was not your typical Imagine Documentaries premiere.
About adult film star Stormy Daniels’ alleged affair with former President Donald Trump, the film drew an eclectic crowd that included porn stars and “Muppet” director-producer Frank Oz, who sat in the same row as Daniels and her entourage made up mainly of buff bodyguards. Dogs sniffed Austin’s Stateside Theater prior to the screening. After it unspooled, Daniels spoke to the SXSW audience, revealing that she first met “Stormy” exec producer Judd Apatow when he hired her for a small part in his 2005 film “40 Year-Old Virgin.” When she was a no-show due to a death in the family, Apatow sent her flowers and rescheduled her shoot date.
“I thought he would replace me,” Daniels, who would go on to appear in “Knocked Up” for the filmmaker, told the crowd, with director Sarah Gibson standing nearby.
About adult film star Stormy Daniels’ alleged affair with former President Donald Trump, the film drew an eclectic crowd that included porn stars and “Muppet” director-producer Frank Oz, who sat in the same row as Daniels and her entourage made up mainly of buff bodyguards. Dogs sniffed Austin’s Stateside Theater prior to the screening. After it unspooled, Daniels spoke to the SXSW audience, revealing that she first met “Stormy” exec producer Judd Apatow when he hired her for a small part in his 2005 film “40 Year-Old Virgin.” When she was a no-show due to a death in the family, Apatow sent her flowers and rescheduled her shoot date.
“I thought he would replace me,” Daniels, who would go on to appear in “Knocked Up” for the filmmaker, told the crowd, with director Sarah Gibson standing nearby.
- 3/21/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
When Judd Apatow and the boys make an R-rated pregnancy comedy, they call it “Knocked Up.” But when “Broad City” co-creator Ilana Glazer and stand-up comic Michelle Buteau try their hand at the same subject, the every-bit-as-raunchy result comes with a far classier title: “Babes.”
That pun is just one of the movie’s many acts of irreverent reclamation, as helmer Pamela Adlon — making a confident switch to feature directing after seminal small-screen contributions to “Louie” and “Better Things” — and her stars de-objectify a label used by dudes, slapping it on themselves. The cheeky term applies to both lifelong amigas Eden (Glazer) and Dawn (Buteau) and the infants they spend most of the movie incubating. These babes are making babies, and you might be surprised just how much comedy there is still to be milked from that seemingly universal (but still widely underexamined) subject.
Unveiling the still-unrated laffer at the SXSW Film Festival,...
That pun is just one of the movie’s many acts of irreverent reclamation, as helmer Pamela Adlon — making a confident switch to feature directing after seminal small-screen contributions to “Louie” and “Better Things” — and her stars de-objectify a label used by dudes, slapping it on themselves. The cheeky term applies to both lifelong amigas Eden (Glazer) and Dawn (Buteau) and the infants they spend most of the movie incubating. These babes are making babies, and you might be surprised just how much comedy there is still to be milked from that seemingly universal (but still widely underexamined) subject.
Unveiling the still-unrated laffer at the SXSW Film Festival,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
“And Just Like That” and The Morning Show” star Karen Pittman is adding to her stacked TV slate by joining Mara Brock Akil’s “Forever” alongside “The Wire” alum and “Creed” franchise stalwart Wood Harris.
Brock Akil’s highly-anticipated adaptation of Judy Blum’s 1975 Judy Blume novel “Forever” was originally ordered at Netflix in 2022 under the “Girlfriends” creator’s overall deal.
Last month, Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. were announced to star in the series, described as “an epic love story of two Black teens (Keisha and Justin) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Pittman and Harris play Justin’s parents Dawn and Eric, who are navigating parenting during a time of heightened awareness around the lack of safety for Black boys in America.
Pittman‘s Dawn is a college-educated, top executive in corporate finance with...
Brock Akil’s highly-anticipated adaptation of Judy Blum’s 1975 Judy Blume novel “Forever” was originally ordered at Netflix in 2022 under the “Girlfriends” creator’s overall deal.
Last month, Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. were announced to star in the series, described as “an epic love story of two Black teens (Keisha and Justin) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Pittman and Harris play Justin’s parents Dawn and Eric, who are navigating parenting during a time of heightened awareness around the lack of safety for Black boys in America.
Pittman‘s Dawn is a college-educated, top executive in corporate finance with...
- 3/7/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Few feelings are more unforgettable than first love: The passion. The butterflies. The heartbreak! Megaproducer Mara Brock Akil clearly agrees, as she’s about to tackle one of the most impactful first-love stories of all time: Forever by young adult icon Judy Blume.
A reimagination of the 1975 novel, the upcoming series will follow the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s capital-f Firsts in 2018 Los Angeles. Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on touchstone ’90s YA comedy Moesha.
“Judy Blume’s ability to capture the real emotions we experience during the various rites of passage of our youth influenced...
A reimagination of the 1975 novel, the upcoming series will follow the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s capital-f Firsts in 2018 Los Angeles. Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on touchstone ’90s YA comedy Moesha.
“Judy Blume’s ability to capture the real emotions we experience during the various rites of passage of our youth influenced...
- 3/7/2024
- by Ariana Romero
- Tudum - Netflix
Karen Pittman (The Morning Show) and The Wire alum Wood Harris are set as leads opposite Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone in Forever, Netflix’s upcoming drama series from Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane creator Mara Brock Akil.
A reimagining of Judy Blume’s influential — and controversial — 1975 novel Forever… for a new generation, the series adaptation tells the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Simone) and Justin Edwards (Cooper Jr.) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.
Pittman plays Dawn, a college-educated, top executive in corporate finance with an easy elegance that belies her loving but paranoid form of parenting, Justin’s (Cooper Jr.) mother Dawn might be strict at times, but it’s always out of love. She’s worked hard to give him the things he needs to succeed in life and...
A reimagining of Judy Blume’s influential — and controversial — 1975 novel Forever… for a new generation, the series adaptation tells the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Simone) and Justin Edwards (Cooper Jr.) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.
Pittman plays Dawn, a college-educated, top executive in corporate finance with an easy elegance that belies her loving but paranoid form of parenting, Justin’s (Cooper Jr.) mother Dawn might be strict at times, but it’s always out of love. She’s worked hard to give him the things he needs to succeed in life and...
- 3/7/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As was the case last year, only six of the current 10 Oscar nominees for screenplay achieved similar recognition from the Writers Guild of America. Three of the four films that were excluded from the WGA rosters revealed on February 21 – “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest” – had been deemed ineligible in January, while “Maestro” simply failed to garner enough support from the guild.
Although it’s competing for the adapted screenplay Oscar, “Barbie” is included in the WGA’s original lineup. This marks the third such instance in 10 years, following the cases of “Whiplash” (2015) and “Moonlight” (2017), the latter of which won the favor of both organizations. The remaining original WGA contenders are “Air” and Oscar hopefuls “The Holdovers,” “May December,” and “Past Lives.”
The films presently running first and second in Gold Derby’s adapted Oscar race – “Oppenheimer” and “American Fiction” – will also face off at the WGA Awards,...
Although it’s competing for the adapted screenplay Oscar, “Barbie” is included in the WGA’s original lineup. This marks the third such instance in 10 years, following the cases of “Whiplash” (2015) and “Moonlight” (2017), the latter of which won the favor of both organizations. The remaining original WGA contenders are “Air” and Oscar hopefuls “The Holdovers,” “May December,” and “Past Lives.”
The films presently running first and second in Gold Derby’s adapted Oscar race – “Oppenheimer” and “American Fiction” – will also face off at the WGA Awards,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The strike-delayed nominations for the 2024 Writers Guild Awards are out. Check out the list below.
In a flipping of the script this season, the WGA Awards will be held on April 14 – more than a month after the Academy Awards.
As always, the Writers Guild of America has different eligibility requirements than the Movie Academy, so some awards-season favorite scripts are missing from today’s nominations.
Related: Oscar Nominations: Diversified Voting Throws The Love Around As ‘Oppenheimer’ Tops With 13, With ‘Poor Things’, ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ And ‘Barbie’ Close Behind – Full List
The guild and the Oscars mostly are on the same page for Original Screenplay, with both nominating The Holdovers, May December and Past Lives. The WGA also cited Air, while the Academy went with Anatomy of a Fall and Maestro. But the Writers Guild also has Barbie on its Original List, whereas the script for 2023’s No. 1 movie...
In a flipping of the script this season, the WGA Awards will be held on April 14 – more than a month after the Academy Awards.
As always, the Writers Guild of America has different eligibility requirements than the Movie Academy, so some awards-season favorite scripts are missing from today’s nominations.
Related: Oscar Nominations: Diversified Voting Throws The Love Around As ‘Oppenheimer’ Tops With 13, With ‘Poor Things’, ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ And ‘Barbie’ Close Behind – Full List
The guild and the Oscars mostly are on the same page for Original Screenplay, with both nominating The Holdovers, May December and Past Lives. The WGA also cited Air, while the Academy went with Anatomy of a Fall and Maestro. But the Writers Guild also has Barbie on its Original List, whereas the script for 2023’s No. 1 movie...
- 2/21/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The nominees for the 2024 Writers Guild of America Awards are finally here.
The Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw) and Writers Guild of America East (Wgae) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in screenwriting, television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing for 2023.
Oscar-nominated screenplays for “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “May December,” “Past Lives,” “American Fiction,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Oppenheimer” were expected WGA nominations. However, surprise nods for “Air,” “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and “Nyad” prove the WGA Awards still have a few tricks up their sleeve. If you’re wondering, “Poor Things” was not eligible because it wasn’t produced under a WGA contract, per a source close to the project.
Despite now taking place one month after the Academy Awards, the WGA nominations still carry weight this season — and could be a deciding factor for final Oscar voting. As IndieWire’s Anne Thompson predicted,...
The Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw) and Writers Guild of America East (Wgae) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in screenwriting, television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing for 2023.
Oscar-nominated screenplays for “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “May December,” “Past Lives,” “American Fiction,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Oppenheimer” were expected WGA nominations. However, surprise nods for “Air,” “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and “Nyad” prove the WGA Awards still have a few tricks up their sleeve. If you’re wondering, “Poor Things” was not eligible because it wasn’t produced under a WGA contract, per a source close to the project.
Despite now taking place one month after the Academy Awards, the WGA nominations still carry weight this season — and could be a deciding factor for final Oscar voting. As IndieWire’s Anne Thompson predicted,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The Writers Guild of America’s west and east arms have announced nominations for this year’s honors in screenwriting, television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing during 2023. Delayed due to the Hollywood strikes, this year’s ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Here are the nominees:
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
“Air,” Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
“Barbie,” Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Holdovers,” Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
“May December,” Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
“Past Lives,” Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction,” Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.,” Screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig, Based on the book by Judy Blume; Lionsgate
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese,...
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
“Air,” Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
“Barbie,” Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Holdovers,” Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
“May December,” Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
“Past Lives,” Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction,” Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.,” Screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig, Based on the book by Judy Blume; Lionsgate
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The 2024 Writers Guild Awards nominations have been revealed.
The nominees in the category of original screenplay are Air, Barbie, The Holdovers, May December and Past Lives.
In the adapted screenplay category the nominees are American Fiction, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Killers of the Flower Moon, Nyad and Oppenheimer.
In an unusual move this year, the WGA Awards will take place after the Oscars, with the winners awarded on April 14.
A complete list of this year’s nominees follows.
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
Air, Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
Barbie, Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
The Holdovers, Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
May December, Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
Past Lives, Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction, Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel Erasure by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
Are You There God?...
The nominees in the category of original screenplay are Air, Barbie, The Holdovers, May December and Past Lives.
In the adapted screenplay category the nominees are American Fiction, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Killers of the Flower Moon, Nyad and Oppenheimer.
In an unusual move this year, the WGA Awards will take place after the Oscars, with the winners awarded on April 14.
A complete list of this year’s nominees follows.
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
Air, Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
Barbie, Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
The Holdovers, Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
May December, Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
Past Lives, Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction, Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel Erasure by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
Are You There God?...
- 2/21/2024
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers Guild Of America has announced its feature nominees and the roster includes The Holdovers, May December and Barbie for original screenplay and American Fiction, Oppenheimer and Killers Of The Flower Moon in the adapted category.
Air is the surprise among the original contenders and takes its place alongside Past Lives. Barbie earned an Oscar nod in the adapted screenplay category.
Anatomy Of A Fall was ineligible as it was not produced under a WGA contract. Justine Triet’s film, like Maestro, which was not in Wednesday’s announcement, earned an Oscar nod.
Competing for the adapted screenplay prize are...
Air is the surprise among the original contenders and takes its place alongside Past Lives. Barbie earned an Oscar nod in the adapted screenplay category.
Anatomy Of A Fall was ineligible as it was not produced under a WGA contract. Justine Triet’s film, like Maestro, which was not in Wednesday’s announcement, earned an Oscar nod.
Competing for the adapted screenplay prize are...
- 2/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
Prime Video’s decision to embrace commercials appears to have cost Freevee dearly.
According to AdWeek, Amazon is planning to shutter its free, ad-supported offshoot Freevee — home to last year’s breakout hit Jury Duty — “in weeks.”
More from TVLineMax Questions Answered: Is There a Max Free Trial? How Much Is Max? And More!TVLine Items: Judy Blume Adaptation Sets Cast, Invincible Trailer and MoreAmerican Rust Sets Season 2 Release Date - But There's a Twist
The news comes just weeks after Prime Video launched its own ad-supported tier.
AdWeek speculates that Freevee could shut down as early as April.
As...
According to AdWeek, Amazon is planning to shutter its free, ad-supported offshoot Freevee — home to last year’s breakout hit Jury Duty — “in weeks.”
More from TVLineMax Questions Answered: Is There a Max Free Trial? How Much Is Max? And More!TVLine Items: Judy Blume Adaptation Sets Cast, Invincible Trailer and MoreAmerican Rust Sets Season 2 Release Date - But There's a Twist
The news comes just weeks after Prime Video launched its own ad-supported tier.
AdWeek speculates that Freevee could shut down as early as April.
As...
- 2/21/2024
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
“When we finished the film, there were 2,000 banned books, and now there are 6,000,” says Trish Adlesic, one of three directors of the Oscar-nominated short The ABCs of Book Banning.
The documentary, which is the directorial debut of veteran doc executive Sheila Nevins and is also directed by Nazenet Habtezghi, looks at America’s book-banning endeavors through the eyes of school-age children. The short is bookended by someone on the other end of the generational spectrum: Grace Linn, the 101-year-old free speech advocate whose visit to a Florida school board meeting went viral after she showed a quilt she had made displaying the titles of banned books and compared banning to the Nazis’ burning of books. “Both are done for the same reason,” Linn said. “Fear of knowledge.” Adlesic talks to THR about making the short and her hope to screen it for a book-banning organization.
When did you and the...
The documentary, which is the directorial debut of veteran doc executive Sheila Nevins and is also directed by Nazenet Habtezghi, looks at America’s book-banning endeavors through the eyes of school-age children. The short is bookended by someone on the other end of the generational spectrum: Grace Linn, the 101-year-old free speech advocate whose visit to a Florida school board meeting went viral after she showed a quilt she had made displaying the titles of banned books and compared banning to the Nazis’ burning of books. “Both are done for the same reason,” Linn said. “Fear of knowledge.” Adlesic talks to THR about making the short and her hope to screen it for a book-banning organization.
When did you and the...
- 2/17/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. (On the Come Up) are set as the leads of Forever, Netflix’s upcoming series from Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane creator Mara Brock Akil. Regina King (One Night In Miami) will direct the first episode and executive produce the series, a reimagening of Judy Blume’s influential — and controversial — 1975 novel Forever… for a new generation.
The series adaptation tells the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Simone) and Justin Edwards (Cooper Jr.) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.
Simone’s Keisha Clark is a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school. Cooper Jr.’s Justin Edwards is a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of...
The series adaptation tells the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Simone) and Justin Edwards (Cooper Jr.) exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.
Simone’s Keisha Clark is a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school. Cooper Jr.’s Justin Edwards is a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of...
- 2/15/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix series adaptation of the 1975 Judy Blume novel “Forever” has found its two series leads, Variety has learned.
Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. are set to star in the series, which was originally ordered at Netflix back in 2022. In addition, Regina King has boarded the series as an executive producer and will direct the first episode.
The official logline states the series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Simone will star as as Keisha Clark, described as “a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school.” Cooper will play Justin Edwards, “a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents.
Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. are set to star in the series, which was originally ordered at Netflix back in 2022. In addition, Regina King has boarded the series as an executive producer and will direct the first episode.
The official logline states the series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Simone will star as as Keisha Clark, described as “a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school.” Cooper will play Justin Edwards, “a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents.
- 2/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
For girls growing up in the latter part of the Twentieth Century, no author carried quite as much influence as Judy Blume. That had a lot to do with the novel on which this film is based. First published in 1970, it broke new ground in the frankness with which it discussed the bodily changes of adolescence as many girls experience them, and for this reason it was enormously important to many readers. Just as its heroine, the titular Margaret, finds a conversation partner in God, it was itself a companion to those who felt unable to discuss all of their insecurities elsewhere.
No doubt mindful that it could do harm if handled poorly, Blume hesitated for a long time before consenting to let it be adapted for the screen. This version sticks closely to both the text and the tone of her work, and seems to have hit the same.
No doubt mindful that it could do harm if handled poorly, Blume hesitated for a long time before consenting to let it be adapted for the screen. This version sticks closely to both the text and the tone of her work, and seems to have hit the same.
- 2/11/2024
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Clockwise from left: Past Lives (A24), All Of Us Strangers (Searchlight Pictures), American Fiction (Amazon MGM Studios), Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (Lionsgate)Graphic: The A.V. Club
We’re just a day away from this year’s Academy Awards nominations announcement and a few names are dominating the race.
We’re just a day away from this year’s Academy Awards nominations announcement and a few names are dominating the race.
- 1/22/2024
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Clockwise L to R: Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott in Bottoms (Image: Orion Pictures), Nicolas Cage in Dream Scenario (Image: A24), Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx in The Burial (Image: Prime Video), Julia Louis-Dreyfus in You Hurt My Feelings (Image: A24)
Graphic: The A.V. Club
There are only so...
Graphic: The A.V. Club
There are only so...
- 1/1/2024
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Get in, loser. We’re riding with Rachel McAdams because she’s still Queen Bee.
Since she’s become a mother, life has changed. During the filming of Lionsgate’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” she had her five-month-old daughter and two-year-old son on set. Even her younger sister and make-up artist Kayleen had her two children, two and three months, by her side. “We had a really amazing mom-positive set,” she tells Variety. “Everyone understood me having to send breast milk down the road in a van all day long.”
But McAdams is susceptible to the looming sense of “mom guilt” that plagues many working parents, despite being “very lucky” to have lots of time with her kids. She found that connection and applied it to portray her role as Barbara Simon, the mother of the titular character Margaret (played by Abby Ryder Fortson) in Kelly Fremon Craig...
Since she’s become a mother, life has changed. During the filming of Lionsgate’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” she had her five-month-old daughter and two-year-old son on set. Even her younger sister and make-up artist Kayleen had her two children, two and three months, by her side. “We had a really amazing mom-positive set,” she tells Variety. “Everyone understood me having to send breast milk down the road in a van all day long.”
But McAdams is susceptible to the looming sense of “mom guilt” that plagues many working parents, despite being “very lucky” to have lots of time with her kids. She found that connection and applied it to portray her role as Barbara Simon, the mother of the titular character Margaret (played by Abby Ryder Fortson) in Kelly Fremon Craig...
- 12/20/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Chicago – Here we are again, the end of another year, and it’s time to momentarily look back. Thus opens the 10 Best Films Of 2023, the list that represents one soul interacting with the art of cinema. That soul belongs to Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm.
So begins my list, with such a lofty and third person proclamation. By far, the story of the year is Barbenheimer (the same weekend release of Barbie and Oppenheimer), proving in the digital age that something weird and organic can take hold, and get more people to the theaters, celebrating a true movie event. Kudos to the movie celebrators who did both in one magic day.
I format my 10 Best to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm and New on Missourinet.com. Each of the 10 Best will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure.
So begins my list, with such a lofty and third person proclamation. By far, the story of the year is Barbenheimer (the same weekend release of Barbie and Oppenheimer), proving in the digital age that something weird and organic can take hold, and get more people to the theaters, celebrating a true movie event. Kudos to the movie celebrators who did both in one magic day.
I format my 10 Best to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm and New on Missourinet.com. Each of the 10 Best will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure.
- 12/20/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Rachel McAdams as Barbara Dimon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ (Photo Credit: Dana Hawley)
The San Diego Film Critics Society’s 2023 nominees and winners are in step with the group’s reputation for marching to the beat of a different drummer. Barbie earned 12 nominations but was absent from the Best Picture category. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which has only made a few appearances on awards lists, picked up eight nominations and was ultimately named the Best Picture of 2023.
The San Diego Film Critics Society’s winners were announced on December 19, 2023.
Best Picture
American Fiction
Winner: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Runner Up: Oppenheimer
Best Director
Kelly Fremon Craig, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Runner Up: Greta Gerwig, Barbie
Cord Jefferson, American Fiction
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Winner: Martin Scorsese,...
The San Diego Film Critics Society’s 2023 nominees and winners are in step with the group’s reputation for marching to the beat of a different drummer. Barbie earned 12 nominations but was absent from the Best Picture category. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which has only made a few appearances on awards lists, picked up eight nominations and was ultimately named the Best Picture of 2023.
The San Diego Film Critics Society’s winners were announced on December 19, 2023.
Best Picture
American Fiction
Winner: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Runner Up: Oppenheimer
Best Director
Kelly Fremon Craig, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Runner Up: Greta Gerwig, Barbie
Cord Jefferson, American Fiction
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Winner: Martin Scorsese,...
- 12/19/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Abby Ryder Forstson was so excited by the possibility of being cast in “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” she wrote a letter to the filmmakers expressing how she related to the 12-year-old protagonist at the center of Judy Blume’s beloved book. Then, after being cast, she corresponded with Margaret’s onscreen grandmother, Kathy Bates, via letters.
For the first time, Variety is sharing Fortson’s correspondence, starting with the letter she sent to writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L. Brooks and Julie Ansell after their first meeting.
In the note, Fortson talks about how much she relates to Margaret Simons, who feels adrift due to relocating to a new school and her parents’ interfaith marriage; her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish. Wrote Forster: “I get made fun of, I don’t have a ton of good friends, I don’t really have a religion,...
For the first time, Variety is sharing Fortson’s correspondence, starting with the letter she sent to writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L. Brooks and Julie Ansell after their first meeting.
In the note, Fortson talks about how much she relates to Margaret Simons, who feels adrift due to relocating to a new school and her parents’ interfaith marriage; her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish. Wrote Forster: “I get made fun of, I don’t have a ton of good friends, I don’t really have a religion,...
- 12/15/2023
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Dwayne Johnson will be taking his most dramatic role to date in a new A24 project from one half of the Uncut Gems team, Benny Safdie.
Johnson is set to star in The Smashing Machine as real-life mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. Safdie, who wrote and will direct the feature (his first solo directorial effort), has been developing the project with Johnson, who notably started his career as a professional wrestler, since 2019.
A 2002 HBO doc also titled The Smashing Machine details Kerr’s professional career and his rise through the fighting world, as well as his battle with an addiction to pain killers that lead to an overdose. Kerr earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” due to no-holds-barred fighting style.
A24 will finance the film, as well as produce alongside Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions, Safdie’s Out for the Count banner,...
Johnson is set to star in The Smashing Machine as real-life mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. Safdie, who wrote and will direct the feature (his first solo directorial effort), has been developing the project with Johnson, who notably started his career as a professional wrestler, since 2019.
A 2002 HBO doc also titled The Smashing Machine details Kerr’s professional career and his rise through the fighting world, as well as his battle with an addiction to pain killers that lead to an overdose. Kerr earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” due to no-holds-barred fighting style.
A24 will finance the film, as well as produce alongside Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions, Safdie’s Out for the Count banner,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Any year in which an unlikely summer double bill became a global moviegoing event — with one film soaring toward $1.5 billion in worldwide grosses and the other closing in on $1 billion — can’t be considered bad news for Hollywood. But the Barbenheimer phenomenon aside, bad news plagued the film industry for much of 2023.
The strikes of the writers and actors guilds shut down production for five long months, causing major titles like Dune 2 to push back to 2024, leaving fall festival red carpets sparsely populated and disrupting a release pipeline in ways that are sure to have a ripple effect for the next year or two.
Theatrical grosses remained inconsistent, struggling to regain pre-pandemic momentum for most genres except horror (all hail, new scream queen M3GAN; a big hand for Talk to Me), and even the once-reliable cash cow of the superhero blockbuster sputtered more often than not.
The Marvels...
The strikes of the writers and actors guilds shut down production for five long months, causing major titles like Dune 2 to push back to 2024, leaving fall festival red carpets sparsely populated and disrupting a release pipeline in ways that are sure to have a ripple effect for the next year or two.
Theatrical grosses remained inconsistent, struggling to regain pre-pandemic momentum for most genres except horror (all hail, new scream queen M3GAN; a big hand for Talk to Me), and even the once-reliable cash cow of the superhero blockbuster sputtered more often than not.
The Marvels...
- 12/13/2023
- by David Rooney, Jon Frosch, Lovia Gyarkye and Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Supporting Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers”
Weekly Commentary: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is one of the best reviewed films of the year, featuring a delightfully executed performance from Rachel McAdams. A former nominee for the best picture winner...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Supporting Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers”
Weekly Commentary: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is one of the best reviewed films of the year, featuring a delightfully executed performance from Rachel McAdams. A former nominee for the best picture winner...
- 12/10/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Fans of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” had to wait more than 50 years to see the classic children’s novel transferred to the big screen, but their patience was finally rewarded this spring. Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (“The Edge of Seventeen”) and featuring such A-listers as Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates, the faithful film adaptation boasts an awe-inspiring Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 99% and was even described by its source’s author in a “Today” interview as “better than the book.” As the 2024 movie awards season begins, its best shot at a Golden Globe nomination lies with its 15-year-old star, Abby Ryder Fortson, who would be the fifth youngest contender in the history of her category.
At this point, Fortson is hovering directly outside of Gold Derby’s predicted six-person Best Comedy/Musical Actress lineup with the support of just over a quarter of our oddsmakers.
At this point, Fortson is hovering directly outside of Gold Derby’s predicted six-person Best Comedy/Musical Actress lineup with the support of just over a quarter of our oddsmakers.
- 12/8/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series spotlighting the year’s most talked-about scripts continues with Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which marks the first time a book penned by YA icon Judy Blume has made it to the big screen.
Fremon Craig directed and wrote the screenplay and reteamed with producer James L. Brooks following their excellent 2016 teen dramatic comedy The Edge of Seventeen. Like that move, the trials and tribulations of a young girl coming of age take center stage.
In Are You There God?, Abby Ryder Fortson plays the 11-year-old Margaret, who is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, slogging through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school.
The pic that also stars Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Benie Safdie follows closely the plot of...
Fremon Craig directed and wrote the screenplay and reteamed with producer James L. Brooks following their excellent 2016 teen dramatic comedy The Edge of Seventeen. Like that move, the trials and tribulations of a young girl coming of age take center stage.
In Are You There God?, Abby Ryder Fortson plays the 11-year-old Margaret, who is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, slogging through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school.
The pic that also stars Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Benie Safdie follows closely the plot of...
- 12/4/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Fans of director James L Brooks have a reason to rejoice as after almost 13 years since his last film, the Oscar-winning writer-director is set to start his next project as it nears production.
20th Century come on to Brooks’ next film ‘Ella McCkay’, and Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn are in negotiations to star in the movie, reports Deadline.
“As one of the most empathetic dramatists of our time, James Brooks has set the bar across film and television for decades,” said Steve Asbell, President, 20th Century Studios.
“From Broadcast News to The Simpsons, Jim is also a foundational element in the bedrock of 20th and we couldn’t be more proud to support him in his long awaited return to the director’s chair”.
The film will follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a...
20th Century come on to Brooks’ next film ‘Ella McCkay’, and Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn are in negotiations to star in the movie, reports Deadline.
“As one of the most empathetic dramatists of our time, James Brooks has set the bar across film and television for decades,” said Steve Asbell, President, 20th Century Studios.
“From Broadcast News to The Simpsons, Jim is also a foundational element in the bedrock of 20th and we couldn’t be more proud to support him in his long awaited return to the director’s chair”.
The film will follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a...
- 11/21/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Fans of director James L Brooks have a reason to rejoice as after almost 13 years since his last film, the Oscar-winning writer-director is set to start his next project as it nears production.
20th Century come on to Brooks’ next film ‘Ella McCkay’, and Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn are in negotiations to star in the movie, reports Deadline.
“As one of the most empathetic dramatists of our time, James Brooks has set the bar across film and television for decades,” said Steve Asbell, President, 20th Century Studios.
“From Broadcast News to The Simpsons, Jim is also a foundational element in the bedrock of 20th and we couldn’t be more proud to support him in his long awaited return to the director’s chair”.
The film will follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a...
20th Century come on to Brooks’ next film ‘Ella McCkay’, and Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn are in negotiations to star in the movie, reports Deadline.
“As one of the most empathetic dramatists of our time, James Brooks has set the bar across film and television for decades,” said Steve Asbell, President, 20th Century Studios.
“From Broadcast News to The Simpsons, Jim is also a foundational element in the bedrock of 20th and we couldn’t be more proud to support him in his long awaited return to the director’s chair”.
The film will follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a...
- 11/21/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Kelly Fremon Craig, the writer, director and producer of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, opened up about what inspired her to reach out to Judy Blume to adapt the beloved coming-of-age novel into a film.
During Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event, Craig said that after The Edge of Seventeen, she was thinking about what was next for her and thought about authors who had impacted her life.
“The first person who came to my mind was Judy Blume,” she said during her film’s panel. “I mean, really, she turned me into a reader and a writer. I started to reread all her books with a thought of adapting them.”
Craig said that during that same time, Blume posted on social media that she had been thinking of optioning her books, but the only one she wouldn’t allow to be adapted was Are You There God?...
During Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event, Craig said that after The Edge of Seventeen, she was thinking about what was next for her and thought about authors who had impacted her life.
“The first person who came to my mind was Judy Blume,” she said during her film’s panel. “I mean, really, she turned me into a reader and a writer. I started to reread all her books with a thought of adapting them.”
Craig said that during that same time, Blume posted on social media that she had been thinking of optioning her books, but the only one she wouldn’t allow to be adapted was Are You There God?...
- 11/19/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
2023 has proven to be a pivotal year for moviemaking. The industry itself seems to be in a state of upheaval, and perhaps renewal, as two labor strikes that dominated the calendar between May and November culminated with the writers and actors guilds earning hard-won benefits for their work, as well as securities against the advent of A.I.
Onscreen, too, audience tastes seem to be changing as the biggest films of the year are pictures with strong authorial voices from Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan. The former used a beloved doll IP to make a comedy about growing and growing old in the shadow of the patriarchy; the latter did a character study on the man who invented the most genocidal weapon imaginable. Neither were a sequel or a conventional bet, and both far outperformed the movies that were. The industry is changing, but beyond the news and potential paradigm...
Onscreen, too, audience tastes seem to be changing as the biggest films of the year are pictures with strong authorial voices from Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan. The former used a beloved doll IP to make a comedy about growing and growing old in the shadow of the patriarchy; the latter did a character study on the man who invented the most genocidal weapon imaginable. Neither were a sequel or a conventional bet, and both far outperformed the movies that were. The industry is changing, but beyond the news and potential paradigm...
- 11/13/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie was the top winner at the 2023 Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which were handed out Sunday night.
Among the other prizes the film collected was the best narration award for Michael J. Fox. It also won best biographical documentary, best direction for Davis Guggenheim and best editing for Michael Harte for a total of five awards overall.
Elsewhere, Jon Batiste won best score for American Symphony on the heels of his five Grammy noms, including album of the year. American Symphony also was named best music doc.
20 Days in Mariupol won two awards, for best first documentary feature and best political doc.
The eighth annual edition of the awards show, hosted by Wyatt Cenac, took place at New York’s Edison Ballroom.
Winners were announced in 18 categories spanning theatrical film, TV and digital platforms. Also this year, the Critics Choice Association honored Ross McElwee with its Pennebaker Award,...
Among the other prizes the film collected was the best narration award for Michael J. Fox. It also won best biographical documentary, best direction for Davis Guggenheim and best editing for Michael Harte for a total of five awards overall.
Elsewhere, Jon Batiste won best score for American Symphony on the heels of his five Grammy noms, including album of the year. American Symphony also was named best music doc.
20 Days in Mariupol won two awards, for best first documentary feature and best political doc.
The eighth annual edition of the awards show, hosted by Wyatt Cenac, took place at New York’s Edison Ballroom.
Winners were announced in 18 categories spanning theatrical film, TV and digital platforms. Also this year, the Critics Choice Association honored Ross McElwee with its Pennebaker Award,...
- 11/13/2023
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As 2023 winds down, like most cinephiles, we’re looking to get our eyes on titles that may have slipped under the radar or simply gone unseen, so—as we do each year—we’re sharing a rundown of the best titles available to watch at home.
Curated from the Best Films of 2023 So Far list we published for the first half of the year, it also includes films we’ve enjoyed the past few months and some we’ve recently caught up with. While our year-end coverage is still to come, including our staff’s top 50 films of 2023, this streaming guide will hopefully be a helpful tool for readers to have a chance to find notable, perhaps underseen, titles of late.
Note that we’re going by U.S. releases and that streaming services are limited solely to the territory as well. If you want to stay up-to-date with new titles being made available,...
Curated from the Best Films of 2023 So Far list we published for the first half of the year, it also includes films we’ve enjoyed the past few months and some we’ve recently caught up with. While our year-end coverage is still to come, including our staff’s top 50 films of 2023, this streaming guide will hopefully be a helpful tool for readers to have a chance to find notable, perhaps underseen, titles of late.
Note that we’re going by U.S. releases and that streaming services are limited solely to the territory as well. If you want to stay up-to-date with new titles being made available,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Killers of the Flower Moon and the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Newport Beach Film Festival
The 24th annual film fest, which ran Oct. 12 to Oct. 19, honored stars including Patricia Clarkson, Jack Huston, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, William Shatner, Eugenio Derbez, Mark Ronson, Glenn Howerton and Todd Haynes, and featured talks with Rainn Wilson, Judy Blume, Susan Feniger and Bobby Berk.
Jack Huston, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Miller and Phil Lord Mark Ronson Liz Lachman, Lisa Donmall-Reeve and Susan Feniger Eugenio Derbez Glenn Howerton
Good Burger 2 x Nycc
Producers Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell made an appearance at the Paramount + Good Burger 2 panel and Nickelodeon booth at New York Comic-Com.
Kenan and Kel
Legacy Ball
Legacy Youth Leadership held its third annual Legacy Ball event on Saturday, with the evening’s top honor,...
Newport Beach Film Festival
The 24th annual film fest, which ran Oct. 12 to Oct. 19, honored stars including Patricia Clarkson, Jack Huston, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, William Shatner, Eugenio Derbez, Mark Ronson, Glenn Howerton and Todd Haynes, and featured talks with Rainn Wilson, Judy Blume, Susan Feniger and Bobby Berk.
Jack Huston, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Miller and Phil Lord Mark Ronson Liz Lachman, Lisa Donmall-Reeve and Susan Feniger Eugenio Derbez Glenn Howerton
Good Burger 2 x Nycc
Producers Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell made an appearance at the Paramount + Good Burger 2 panel and Nickelodeon booth at New York Comic-Com.
Kenan and Kel
Legacy Ball
Legacy Youth Leadership held its third annual Legacy Ball event on Saturday, with the evening’s top honor,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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