Yearly Archives: 2018
Netflix Boss Explains Why Some Shows Have Pacing Issues
One of the recurring criticisms of Netflix's programming - especially its drama shows - is the phenomenon known as "Netflix bloat," where series are accused of having too many episodes and not enough story to fill them, resulting in early episodes that seem slow or inconsequential, as if the showrunners are spinning their wheels until they get to the halfway point and the true narrative kicks in.
This was especially true of recent sophomore seasons of Marvel's Jessica Jones and Luke Cage - neither of which seemed to recapture the momentum of their freshman years after killing their primary villains, Kilgrave and Cottonmouth.
Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Gets Premiere Date
Netflix has announced the premiere date for their spooky Sabrina the Teenage Witch reimagining, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, at the streaming network's Television Critics Association summer press tour presentation.
The supernatural series will debut just in time for a Halloween binge on Oct. 26, launching globally with a 10-episode first season.
Starring Mad Men alum Kiernan Shipka in the titular role, Sabrina "imagines the origin and adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult and, of course, witchcraft. Tonally in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, this adaptation finds Sabrina wrestling to reconcile her dual nature — half-witch, half-mortal — while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit."
Star Wars: Mark Hamill on Inclusion of Carrie Fisher in “Bittersweet” Episode 9
Mark Hamill, also known as Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, has taken to social media following the news that Carrie Fisher will be a part of Star Wars: Episode IX, as J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm will be utilizing unused footage of Leia from The Force Awakens.
He shared his thoughts on Instagram and his words are most certainly echoed by fans across the galaxy, near and far, far away;
Netflix Sets Premiere Date for Emma Stone’s Maniac
Netflix has announced the premiere date and first plot summary for its mysterious limited series Maniac, starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.
Created by The Leftovers producer Patrick Somerville and directed by True Detective Season 1 helmer Cary Fukunaga, Maniac will premiere September 21.
Emma Stone & Jonah Hill’s thought-provoking limited series @ManiacNetflix — directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga! — will premiere September 21 pic.twitter.com/3ERByKdb0P
— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) July 29, 2018
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Better Call Saul, Fear the Walking Dead Renewed for Season 5
AMC announced Season 5 renewals for Better Call Saul and Fear the Walking Dead at its Television Critics Association summer press tour presentation on Saturday. The cable network also announced a Season 2 pickup for McMafia, a political thriller about the global "franchising" of the mafia as it spreads across the world.
“In an environment where viewer choice is almost unlimited, the success of these shows is especially meaningful, with characters and stories that our viewers connect with and return to season after season,” said David Madden, president of original programming for AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios in a statement. “It’s a privilege to continue collaborating with and sharing the vision of the talented creatives behind these series, and we’re excited to start exploring the next chapter in the lives of these unique and complex characters.”
Avengers: Infinity War Directors Creating Mysterious Global Amazon Series
Amazon and the Russo Brothers announced a mysterious new global event series at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday, with Amazon promising that the show will "redefine the boundaries of storytelling" and "create a radical global storytelling disruption."
How the streaming service will accomplish that ambitious plan remains to be seen, since Amazon declined to announce plot details or a title for the new show. Joe and Anthony Russo weren't on hand for the announcement, since they're currently in post-production on Avengers 4, but did send a video for critics noting that Amazon "offers unprecedented ways to connect" with viewers around the globe, and will provide an ideal platform to source "talent from all across the world to bring this series to life."
Amazon Orders Horror Anthology from Lena Waithe
Amazon has given a two-season order to a new horror anthology series, THEM, executive produced by The Chi creator Lena Waithe and Little Marvin, who also wrote the script. Jennifer Salke, the Head of Amazon Studios, made the announcement at Amazon's Television Critics Association summer press tour presentation on Saturday.
The anthology's first season, THEM: Covenant, is set in 1953, and centers around Alfred and Lucky Emory, who move their family from North Carolina to an all-white neighborhood in Los Angeles. According to Amazon, "the family’s home on a tree lined, seemingly idyllic street becomes ground zero where malevolent forces both real and supernatural threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them."
Lord of the Rings TV Series Taps Star Trek Writers
At the 2018 Television Critics Association summer press tour, the head of Amazon Studios, Jennifer Salke, announced the writing team that will help adapt the streaming provider's Lord of the Rings TV series.
JD Payne and Patrick McKay, writers of the upcoming Star Trek 4 film, will write and develop the hotly anticipated series.
been a very thoughtful process… it's such a vast world, there are so many different ways to go with that project, and thanks to Sharon Tal Yguado
, she led the charge on bringing so many different people to pitch us... there was a lot of time spent talking about ideas and different takes. We’re very excited to bring Payne and McKay on to move to the next step of this development process," Salke explained at Amazon's TCA presentation.
Lucasfilm Made the Right Choice for Leia’s Appearance in Ep. 9
Regardless of their thoughts on recent Star Wars movies like The Last Jedi and Solo, it's safe to say many Star Wars fans have been looking to the release of Episode IX with a degree of trepidation. The untimely passing of actress Carrie Fisher has cast a pall over the latest sequel. Star Wars: Episode IX was intended to be the most Leia-centric film in the new trilogy, and director J.J. Abrams and his crew had to find some way of working around Fisher's absence.
We finally learned Friday how Lucasfilm plans to proceed from here. Episode IX will make use of archival footage left over from The Force Awakens, allowing Fisher to reprise her most iconic role one final time. It may not be the perfect solution to the Leia dilemma, but it's the best option Lucasfilm has.