The Bold Type

One of my favorite shows that premiered this summer is The Bold Type. I hadn’t really heard too much about the show prior to its premiere, but a friend suggested I watch it because it seemed right up my alley and she was absolutely right. On the night of the 2-hour premiere, my sister and I put on our pajamas and settled in for a girl’s night and The Bold Type did not disappoint! I’m excited about this show and think it contains a lot of important messages.  

So, what exactly is The Bold Type about? According to IMDb:

The Bold Type is inspired by the life of "Cosmopolitan" editor in chief, Joanna Coles. The show is a glimpse into the outrageous lives and loves of those responsible for a global women's magazine. Their struggles are about finding your identity, managing friendships and getting your heart broken, all while wearing the perfect jeans to flatter any body type.

The show centers on three main women: Kat, Jane, and Sutton, who work for a popular women’s magazine called Scarlet. Each girl faces their own set of problems. Kat, the social media director, is discovering that she may be bisexual when she finds herself attracted to the Muslim model she works with in the pilot episode. Jane has just been promoted as a writer for the magazine and has to search for inspiration and fight to be heard. Sutton, who remains an assistant at Scarlet, wants to branch out and experiment with new departments, specifically fashion, at the magazine. The three girls are extraordinarily close and serve as one another’s support system. Each girl is headstrong, intelligent and driven.

As Karey Burke, the executive vice president of programming and development at Freeform, said in an interview to Variety: “The Bold Type is our love letter to modern feminism and aims to be a destination for authentic female friendship and empowerment.” 

After watching the episodes that have aired thus far, I can say that the message has been delivered effectively. When I watch the show, it feels very authentic and definitely empowering for females. It is very feminist without coming across as “preachy” or over-the-top. I love it!  

One of the reasons I find The Bold Type to be an important television show is because it deals with a lot of significant issues going on in society in a tasteful way. The show writers do an amazing job of addressing tough topics.The show touches on matters of race, sexuality, feminism, and identity.

Obviously, no show is perfect and there have been some critiques that The Bold Type could be more inclusive in terms of diversity with the main and supporting cast. It could also be more realistic in its representation of junior-level staff. For example, an article on Bustle mentions that “there's the mystically large salary of the early-career media professional. The Bold Type characters haven’t mentioned where in New York they're living or how far it is from the office, but Jane and Sutton do live together in an apartment that doesn't scream downtown Manhattan.”

Another great aspect of The Bold Type is that it pushes back against stereotypes of women in the workforce. The three main girls wear fashion-forward pieces that could be deemed “inappropriate” for an office environment. Kat wears a crop top in one episode, Jane sports an all leather look, and Sutton struts around in a semi-transparent top. These are not looks typically seen for the business casual category but I think they work really well and I would categorize them as appropriate for their specific work environment. 

Additionally, the show fights back against the cunning and manipulative female boss often seen in television shows. In an article written by TVGuide,

The erasure of any kind of nurturing or compassionate femininity is a very real thing in the business world for women who want to climb the ladder, and it's something that's seeped its way onto TV. The purpose of female characters like this is two-fold: one, a harpy woman creates a funny and yet challenging obstacle for our compassionate and girlish main character to overcome; two, it reinforces the idea that for a woman to succeed in a man's world, she must become cold, calculating and heartless. 

Watson says that this mentality is something that older generations of working women recognize as normal behavior, which is exactly the kind of mold she wanted to break with The Bold Type.

The article goes on to state that:

This depiction of a powerful, beautiful and well-balanced woman is where The Bold Type really thrives. By creating these supportive female dynamics in the workplace that feel instantly intimate, we get to see women who have personal lives in the office, and outside of it, too.

As Matt Seitz said for Vulture:

It’s part journalism drama, part Sex and the City–style female-bonding comedy with sex and romance; it’s equally interested in being both things at once, to the best of its ability, and damned if it doesn’t pull it off more often than you’d think.

Right now, on RottenTomatoes, The Bold Type has a 100% rating. This is mostly due to the fact that it does not have a lot of critical response because it’s still fairly new, but I’m certain it will continue to maintain a high rating. The Bold Type is on Freeform (previously known as ABC Family) every Tuesday night at 9pm (Eastern time).

I highly recommend giving this show a chance. As both a feminist and entertainment enthusiast, I find the show to be extremely well done and entertaining. I’m excited to see where the show goes and will continue to read critical response to it. I think it’s an important show because of the topics it deals with and the way it handles matters of representation.

Why Entertainment?

So, I started a blog about the entertainment industry but why? In my introduction, I mentioned that I have always been obsessed with the arts and entertainment. Well, I decided that I wanted to share the story of how this passion was born.

Growing up, I danced. If I wasn't at school, you could find me at my dance studio perfecting the most recent routine or steps I had learned. I got involved in competitions at the age of 5 and so began my love for performing. Throughout middle school and high school, I started to take acting classes because I couldn't get enough of performing. I loved (and still do) bringing stories to life and creating new worlds. Eventually, I started taking dance more seriously and my teacher pushed my passion one step further by inviting me to do professional performances and workshops. This made me put a pause on acting because dance became my whole world. 

When it came time for college, I was faced with the hardest decision of my life: to dance in college or not to dance. I had just been injured and knew I was not up at my best when college auditions came around. So, I pressed pause on dance and turned my focus elsewhere: the entertainment industry. During my first year, I took a media course and discovered the behind the scenes action of the entertainment industry. Instantly I was hooked! 

Slowly, the behind the scenes of the arts became my new passion. I accepted an internship with an acting school for kids and was enabled to rekindle my passion for acting. Also, this internship introduced me to the woman who would eventually become my mentor. The company paired me with an independent film and television producer. She showed me the tricks of the trade and ever since, I have yearned to learn as much as I can about the entertainment industry. I started to read every magazine, news article, blog, and website I could find on the industry and absorbed as much information as I could. Eventually, she let me start working with her production company and bought what I had learned in the classroom to life. It has been incredible. 

Throughout college, I have really developed my love for entertainment and am excited to see what the future holds. The various internships I have held and the people I have met thus far in my life have showed me that it's important to stay up to date on the issues of the industry. They have taught me that it's important I know what kind of stories I want to create. For me, the thing I love most about the entertainment industry is that everyone has a voice that gets a chance to be heard. I admire those who tell stories of importance and I hope to one day join those that create stories that matter. Any work I am involved with, I know will have something important to say. 

That's a wrap on how my love for entertainment was born!

How to Host the Perfect Movie Night

A movie night is the perfect way to bond with your friends and enjoy some classic cinema. Executing the perfect movie night takes time and planning. Many times it is thrown together at the last moment, but there are different steps it takes in making sure your night will be a success. I like to follow a couple fun steps when hosting a movie night with my best girl friends that I thought could be
fun to share with you!

1. The invite. The first thing I make sure to do is call all of my girls and make sure that they are available for the night. 
2. The movie. Once the the invitations are confirmed and the time is set, it's important to pick the movie. Going through my collection (which is large) takes time and consideration. It's important to narrow it down to a few choices before ultimately deciding on the winner for the night with my friends. It always has to be something the entire group will like. 
3. The outfit. For most movie nights, my group and I like to establish comfort. This results in having to choose the perfect pajamas for the night. The right comfort level makes for a great night. 
4. The food. Planning the menu is important. You want to make sure that you have delicious treats and drinks. A balance between desserts and popcorn will be the perfect combination to snack out on. Usually, we establish that everyone brings a snack and we share pot-luck style!
5. The atmosphere. It is important to make sure the living room is decked out with blankets and pillows. Before settling in for a good movie with great friends, you want to make sure everyone is comfortable so that the viewing with be that much better. 
6. Enjoy! Once everything is all set up, it's time for the guests to arrive. Gossip will take place, hugs will occur, and then everyone will settle down for a night filled with comfort and laughter, and quite possibly a few tears. 

Movie nights are a great bonding opportunity with your friends. They give you the chance to spend quality time with all of your friends and enjoy a movie whether it be a corny rom-com or a sad drama. I hope my steps will help you host a fun movie night!

How to Get Cheap Theatre Tickets

Living in NYC, one of the most popular things to do is go and see a show. I know that among my friend group, we love going to see the latest shows both on and off-Broadway. But, Broadway tickets can a bit expensive for a student. During one of my previous internships for a Broadway company, I had to compile a list of discount tickets and that inspired me to write to this post.

So, here are the options you have to score cheap tickets to that show you've been wanting to see!

• Student Rush
• Not all shows have student rush, but when they do the prices cannot be beat! Getting to the box office around the time it opens is key to scoring those cheap student rush tickets. Use studentrush.org as a resource. 
• TKTS Booth
• With this one, you have to be willing to wait in line. I recommend going with a friend so you can take shifts if you need a break from waiting. 
• TodayTix App
• Easily accessible on your phone, TodayTix offers a wide variety of discount tickets for some of the most popular shows. 
• nytix.com
• This website requires a $4 a month membership but they offer a great supply of discount tickets for a variety of shows. I am not a member but I know some people who are and they love it. Typically, I prefer to use one of the free resources. 
• BroadwayBox.com
• Although I've never personally used this website, I have a couple friends who highly recommend it so I thought it was worth mentioning. 
• Lottery
• Check to see if the show you want to see has a lottery you can enter. Though you may not always win, it's still worth a try in my opinion. (Personally, I'm still waiting for the day I win the Hamilton lottery). 
• Go to the box office the day of the show
• Another option that requires getting up early in order to get to the box office early enough to see if they have any cheap day-off tickets. (I did this for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London and got an amazing discount so I highly recommend this one). 

There are so many other theatres that offer their own discount programs that are worth a look. I hope this list of how to get cheap tickets helps you out the next time you want to see a show!

Emmy Nominations!

Today, the Television Academy released the nominations for 2017 Emmy® Awards. This year is the 69^th award show that honors excellence in television and has recently extended to recognize other digital platforms such as streaming and web programs. The Television Academy was established in 1946 with a small number of members. Now, the Academy consists of nearly 27,000 members who represent various peer groups of the television industry. The newest peer group is choreography and I find this incredibly amazing because as a dancer, I love to see choreographers getting the recognition they deserve! This year the nominations were presented by Television Academy Chairman and CEO Hayma Washington, Anna Chlumsky, and Shemar Moore.

There is a tie for most nominations this year: Saturday Night Live and Westworld. Both programs earned 22 nominations. Other top contenders include Stranger Things, FEUD: Bette and Joan, and VEEP.

I decided to post here some of the nominees for what I believe to be the "most popular" categories.

Outstanding Drama Series

• Better Call Saul (AMC)
• The Crown (Netflix)
• The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• House of Cards (Netflix)
• Stranger Things (Netflix)
• This Is Us (NBC)
• Westworld (HBO) 

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Atlanta (FX)
• black-ish (ABC)
• Master of None (Netflix)
• Modern Family (ABC)
• Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
• Veep (HBO)

Outstanding Limited Series

• Big Little Lies (HBO)
• Fargo (FX)
• Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
• Genius (National Geographic)
• The Night Of (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

• Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
• Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix)
• Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• Keri Russell, The Americans (FX)
• Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld (HBO)
• Robin Wright, House of Cards (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

• Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us (NBC)
• Anthony Hopkins, Westworld (HBO)
• Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul (AMC)
• Matthew Rhys, The Americans (AMC)
• Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan (Showtime)
• Kevin Spacey, House of Cards (Netflix)
• Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us (NBC) 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Pamela Adlon, Bad Things (FX)
• Jane Fonda, Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
• Allison Janney, Mom (CBS)
• Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
• Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish (ABC)
• Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• Anthony Anderson, black-ish (ABC)
• Aziz Ansari, Master of None (Netflix)
• Zach Galifianakis, Baskets (FX)
• Donald Glover, Atlanta (FX)
• William H. Macy, Shameless (Showtime)
• Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent (Amazon)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

• Carrie Coon, Fargo (FX)
• Felicity Huffman, American Crime (ABC)
• Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies (HBO)
• Jessica Lange, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
• Susan Sarandon, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
• Reese Witherspoon, Big Little Lies (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

• Riz Ahmed, The Night Of (HBO)
• Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: The Lying Detective (PBS)
• Robert De Niro, The Wizard of Lies (HBO)
• Ewan McGregor, Fargo (FX)
• Geoffrey Rush, Genius (National Geographic)
• John Turturro, The Night Of (HBO)

 Watch the Emmy’s live September 17 on CBS! The show will be hosted by Stephen Colbert. I’m excited to see who wins! View the complete list of nominees here! 

Interviewing a Broadway Lyricist

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to interview a professional in the theatre industry. Her name is Susan Birkenhead and she is a lyricist for musicals. Below are the questions and answers. I hope you enjoy because she truly is a wonderful lady with such wisdom.

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.
• I am a lyricist. I’ve been working in the theatre since 1978 when I was one of five writers on a show called Working, directed by Stephen Schwartz. My mentor was Jule Styne, who wrote Gypsy, Funny Girl, among others. I have four children, now grown, and am currently working on three shows that are bound for Broadway. Monsoon Wedding is still playing in Berkeley CA (it’s pre-Broadway try-out), The Secret Life of Bees which is about to do a workshop at New York Stage and Film, and Betty Boop, which will have a workshop in the fall.
• When did you realize that being a lyricist was right for you?
• When I was in a famous workshop called, Lehman Engel’s Musical Theatre Workshop at BMI. I went in as a composer/lyricist, and realized that my musical imagination was not as fertile as those of my fellow students (some of the most famous names in musical theatre) …but my lyrics landed every time, and eventually, people began asking me to collaborate. 
• Who has had the biggest impact/inspiration for you and your career?
• Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, George C. Wolfe, Frank Loesser, Cole Porter.
• What's your favorite part of working in the theatre industry? 
• Everything. The work itself, the family that forms (and endures) with each show, the rehearsal process, and most of all…standing in the back of a theatre, watching people react to your creation. Nothing like it.
• What has been your proudest achievement?

• A show called, Jelly’s Last Jam. It was George C. Wolfe’s first show. It was called a groundbreaking musical by the New York Times, and it was. 
• What have been some of your favorite Broadway shows? 
• There are a lot…but the masterpieces are: Sweeney Todd, (most of Sondheim’s shows), Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, …
• What are some of the challenges facing the arts? Do you think there's a way to overcome them? 
• Hard to say. Money is always an issue…but I think there’s a lack of very good training. I was so lucky to have a mentor like Jule Styne. I believe strongly in the mentor-protégé relationship. Some call it apprenticeship, and I guess that’s what it is. I always say that Jule was my PhD.
• Any advice for someone wanting to pursue a career in the theatre world?
• Resilience is as important as talent. Things fall apart constantly. People die, or go off to make movies, or have babies. You have to have at least three projects going at any given time. When a show falls apart, for whatever reason, you have to be able to bounce back. I’ve had it happen with some of the most promising projects—some of them with giants in the industry. I cry for three days, then get up on the fourth and say, “Next!"

As you can see, Susan Birkenhead is a fascinating woman with immense intellect and experience. Her passion for theatre and the industry as a whole is contagious and it was a real joy getting to speak with her. The words and advice she shared with me will inspire me for years to come, I am sure of it. Thank you for your time Susan!

Spotlight on a Blog

When blogging, I think it's important to support fellow bloggers, especially those blogging about similar topics. There is one particular blogger that I stumbled upon recently who is also relatively new to blogging and writes about interesting things.

The blog is called “blockbuster films” and they discuss, you guessed it, blockbuster films and the box office of films. The blogger, Calvin, writes very insightful posts and the blog is very well constructed. One post that I really enjoyed reading and wanted to share with you all is called “Predicting the Highest Grossing Films of 2018.”

In this post, Calvin provides a list of 10 films that have the potential to do well in the box office. After stating a film, commentary on why the film has potential is provided. I enjoyed this post a lot because I never thought to predict which films will be box office hits. I typically tend to predict which ones will do well at award shows. Calvin’s post is fun to read because it has a specific tone weaved throughout and it blends personal opinion with factual information really well.

Number 1 on “blockbuster films” list is Avengers: Infinity War. I have to say I agree with this because the superhero film seems to be doing extremely well in the box office recently and what’s to say that will end in a year?

Personally, my favorite films on the list are Incredibles 2 and Fantastic Beasts 2. As a huge Disney nerd, I cannot wait to see Incredibles 2 and know that as Calvin said in the post, nostalgia will draw in a lot of others who have waited years for this sequel. (Something else I found interesting about this post, is that the top 3 predictions are all owned by The Walt Disney Company). Like I've said in previous posts, I'm also a huge Harry Potter fan so I know Fantastic Beasts 2 will draw in a lot of fans of the Harry Potter franchise.

I recommend this blog to anyone who wants to stay updated on news related to upcoming blockbuster films. Calvin’s blog is both fun and informative and I can’t wait to keep following it!

Check-up on My Wikipedia Post

A couple weeks back I wrote about a Dutch film I saw (A Question of Silence) and mentioned that I updated the Wikipedia page to include a better summary of the film. My original post can be found here.

I decided to check in with the Wikipedia page to see if my changes were still intact and they were! I'm proud I was able to contribute to this page and that my additions to the summary are still there. If you're interested in film, I recommended heading over to the Wikipedia page to see what it's about.

What to Watch: July Edition

In my previous post, I told you what to binge watch on Netflix this summer. I thought I could add to that with a list of movies and TV summer premieres to see in July.

Movies to see:

• Baby Driver (June 28)
• Despicable Me 3 (June 30) 
• The House (June 30)
• Spider-man Homecoming (July 7)
• War for the Planet of the Apes (July 14)
• Wish Upon (July 14)
• Dunkirk (July 21)
• Girls Night (July 21)
• Atomic Blonde (July 28)
• An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (July 28)

Television shows premiering in July:

• The Defiant Ones (HBO July 9)
• Candy Crush (CBS July 9)
• MLB All-star Game Game (Fox July 11)
• The Fosters (Freeform July 11)
• Suits (USA July 12)
• Game of Thrones (HBO July 16)
• Impractical Jokers (truTV July 18)
• Teen Wolf (MTV July 30)

When it came to deciding which TV shows to list, I went with what friends have recommended or ads/commercials I've been seeing. 

I would love to hear any other recommendations you guys may have. I'll add them to the list! 

Looking Ahead to the Oscars

Every year, typically in February, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences holds the Academy Awards. It is one of the biggest nights in Hollywood and entertainment magazines and websites have already started speculating who could be a contender in this year's awards.  One source that I like to keep up with is Variety. At my internship for an independent film company, they told me to constantly check in with this site to stay updated on news. I also had to keep a look out for mention of any films they were co-producing or financing. So that is why I thought it would be fun to share their “Midway Oscars Forecast: A Cluttered Landscape for Indies and Streamers.”

I know it’s early to be thinking about the Oscars but this article is a great read (especially if you love indie films and are looking for recommendations of which ones to see). As the article states, “just eight short weeks from now, the season will purr right back to life at the Venice and Telluride film festivals.” I will definitely keep an eye on these film festivals to see which films win and create buzz.

Reading the article, it’s apparent that there are a lot of great indie films that could be considered for an award. Personally, I hope The Big Sick manages to get some recognition. In the article, major indie film companies’ slates for the year are detailed. Some stand out films include Darkest Hour, Mudbound, The Current War, and Okja. Kristopher Tapley does a great job of providing a detailed list of possible contenders. But, as he says,

 This is not, by any means, a set of Oscar predictions. Rather, it is an attempt to fix the landscape from afar. There will be plenty of time for the usual guessing games in the fall.

Indie film companies always impress me with the films they create. Some of the best films I have seen came from an independent company. I feel it’s fitting to end this post with one of my favorite lines from Tapley in this piece: 

“It’s a dense and vibrant landscape for the little engines that could.” 

I can't wait to see which indie films earn a nomination this year.

The Bechdel Test

At my last internship for an independent film production company, I was given a lot of research assignments. During one particular assignment, I stumbled upon The Bechdel Test. The video I included in this post lays out the basic background, rules, and explanation of the test. 

So, as the video discussed, it's a pretty basic test. There are only 3 things a film must include in order to pass.

1. Are there 2 or more women?
2. Do they talk to each other?
3. Do they talk about something other than a man? 

One point I found to be very important from the video was the statement that this test is not meant to serve as a way for testing if a film is feminist or not. It is about measuring the presence of women in films. I thought she made a strong argument when she referred to it as a "systemic test." The phrase is used to show that films are typically made about men rather than women. (I think it is worth stating here that a film can still be great and fail the test). Her examples of films that do not pass the test were really strong in my opinion because it displayed a mix of recent and older films. This conversation has been going on for years and it's surprising how many films made today still do not pass the test.

However, women are not the only group being left out of films; there are minority groups that get even less screen time. It's always shocking to me that in 2017 we are still having so many discussions about diversity in films.

Something I have thought about since learning about The Bechdel Test is if there are similar tests for the other, more underrepresented groups in Hollywood films. Also, should we be testing television and streaming services? Does one platform produce more diverse content than the others? These are just some of the questions I have wondered and wanted to share.  I do not think too much trust should be put into the test because the issues of representation are deeper than who appears on screen. It's a good place to start but equality, in my opinion, needs to start behind the scenes.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Pictured below, is my signed playbill from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. I had the opportunity to see this play at The Old Vic theatre in London. After the performance, I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Radcliffe and having a conversation with him that I am sure will leave me inspired for a long time. (As a Harry Potter fan, I was proud of myself for not fangirling when we chatted). I really enjoyed the play and thought I could share my thoughts on it.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is a play by Tom Stoppard. Stoppard is a playwright and screenwriter that has an impressive collection of works. His works typically delve into complicated topics that really leave an impression. Stoppard is known for grappling with philosophy in his pieces as well as eloquently executing them. When he writes, his words really come to life. Someone once told me I should read his plays and have since admired his work.

The play first premiered in 1966 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in 1967 it was staged at the National Theatre in London. Following its success, the play moved to Broadway where it won best play at the Tony Awards in 1968.

This specific play follows Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters from the Shakespeare play Hamlet. It features them backstage during the action of Hamlet and explores an interesting theme of identity. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pass a lot of their time between their Hamlet appearances flipping coins to test luck and playing various word games. Both men are uncertain of their identities and confused about life. Rosencrantz is simpler and anxious. He tends to take on a follower role with Guildenstern being his leader. He asks questions about death and its meaning. In contrast, Guildenstern is curious and constantly contemplating larger, philosophical questions. He questions his inability to remember his past and thinks about the consequences of actions.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is a perfect blend of comedy and tragedy. It is categorized as an absurdist existentialist play. In the production I saw, Daniel Radcliffe played Rosencrantz and Joshua McGuire portrayed Guildenstern. Both actors performed superbly and encapsulated their characters beautifully. They executed the contrasting personalities well and had an effortless chemistry. The duo was supported by a great cast and delivered a stunning performance that left me both speechless and thoughtful.  David Haig portrayed the Player, a travelling actor that often-crossed paths with the duo. Haig did a marvelous job in being witty and confident about life’s path and meaning. He provided a lot of great comical moments to the play.

Being able to witness such a rich play was one of the highlights of my time in London. I had not really heard of the play prior to seeing it but I highly recommend reading it if absurdist plays interest you. 

Academy Invites

You are cordially invited to the Academy!

Earlier this week, the list of invitees to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was released. An invitation to the Academy means that you get to join the association and vote in the Oscars. In recent years, the Oscars have faced a lot of backlash and negativity, especially following the #OscarsSoWhite fiasco a few years ago. 

The Academy extended invitations to an all-time high number of invitees: 774! According to the Academy's website, this list consists of 57 countries, 39% female, and 30% minorities. These numbers are an increase from previous years and show the Academy is working towards their previously stated goal of a more inclusive list of members. 

However, not all critics are a fan of this list of invitees. Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter states,

The bottom line is that the Academy cannot fix the industry's diversity problems any more than a tail can wag a dog. This is not a problem that can be reverse-engineered.

While it is great that the Academy is trying to be more inclusive with their membership, what's important is the type of films being made. If the Oscars nomination committee is diverse that's great, but the films need to also be diverse. Personally, I am curious too see what slate of films are released for Oscars season. I hope there are some really good and interesting ones.

So, who got an invitation? 

Below I put together a list of some of the notable invitees that various articles, websites, etc. have pointed out. (Something I found interesting, was the amount of primarily television actors or actors that are fairly new to Hollywood films). 

Actors:

Gal Gadot, Naomie Harris, Donald Glover, Chris Hemsworth, Riz Ahmed, Dwayne Johnson, Priyanka Chopra, Leslie Jones, Betty White, Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Anna Faris, Margot Robbie, Channing Tatum, and Rupert Grint.

Directors:

Barry Jenkins, Jordan Peele, David Ayer, Theodore Melfi, Jessica Hausner, Joanna Hogg, and the Russo brothers

All of the nominees can be found HERE 

5 Reasons to See Wonder Woman

Superhero stories are a major trend in Hollywood right now. On television, superheroes dominate The CW with The Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. Netflix released a few originals with superhero protagonists such as Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. In the film industry, everywhere you look a new superhero movie is ready to be the next big blockbuster. Whether it’s from the Marvel or the DC universe, superheroes are the hot new trend.

At the start of the summer, a new superhero was introduced to the big screen: Wonder Woman. Though Wonder Woman has been around for about 75 years, she is new to Hollywood. The Wonder Woman film has been considered a huge success and it’s all for a good reason. I’ve listed below the top 5 reasons why everyone should go see Wonder Woman.

1. It has a female protagonist, who is a superhero! This is such a rare occurrence in Hollywood that I had to include it on my list.
2. Patty Jenkins, the director, just became the most successful female to direct a live-action film in Hollywood. This is huge for the industry and goes to show that women can make successful films when given the chance.
3. Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), gives a stellar performance. Her character, Diana is well developed, strong, and relatable to anyone, not just women.
4. It has a 92% rating on RottenTomatoes.
5. Lastly, the film talks about important, larger issues in the world without sounding preachy.

Wonder Woman is a movie that will, hopefully, serve as the start to the inclusion of more diversity and representation in Hollywood. I know it’s an ambitious thought, but I have hope. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, you should! Even if you simply go to watch the stunning cinematography, it is worth it. 

What to Binge

So, it's officially summer and in between vacations, there is always time for relaxation. That's why I thought it would be helpful to come up with a list of some things to binge on Netflix this summer! Some of the shows are not new, but I believe they are still worth a watch.

What to watch on Netflix if you're looking for drama or more serious content:

• Game of Thrones (the new season is out this July!)
• Madmen
• House of Cards 
• Stranger Things 
• Supernatural 
• Prison Break
• The Crown (especially if you love the royal family)

If you're looking for a good laugh/comedy:

• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
• Gilmore Girls
• Orange is the New Black
• Friends
• 30 Rock
• New Girl 
• The Office

If you feel like giving British television shows a chance:

• Peaky Blinders
• Black Mirror
• The Office (this version actually came first)
• Sherlock
• The Great British Baking Show

As a bonus, I wanted to mention a new Hulu original series that has been getting a lot of attention: The Handmaid's Tale. It is really well done, so if you have a Hulu account, watch it! If not, borrow a friend's account.

I hope my suggestions were helpful to the person struggling to decide what to binge next. If you have any recommendations, please feel free to leave a comment! 

Wikipedia of A Question of Silence

Recently, I watched a really interesting Dutch feminist film called A Question of Silence. I thought the film was so fascinating and wanted to read more on it so I began where most people start their searches: Wikipedia. When I got on the website, I noticed the plot summary of the film was very short and did not include a lot of information. It looked like this:

Housewife Christine M. tries to shoplift some merchandise from a boutique in a shopping mall but is caught by the male shopkeeper. Christine and two other customers, waitress Annie and secretary Anna, beat the man to death, witnessed by a large group of other female shoppers. They are tried with murder and deny the plea of insanity that the male prosecutor and judges assume they should plead. The female criminal psychiatrist assigned to ascertain their level of sanity comes to identify with the women's situations and concludes that they are not insane but have been driven to murder by the strain of living in a patriarchy.

This plot contained wrong information about the secretary's name and did not include the psychiatrist's name despite her large role in the film. I decided to expand the plot summary and fix the characters' names. With my changes the plot summary now looks like this:

Christine is a housewife, who does not speak. Her husband works while she stays home with their three children. Andrea is an executive secretary in an office predominantly run by men. Annie is a jolly waitress at a local café. These three women have never met before until one day in a dress boutique. Christine attempts to shoplift a dress by slipping it into her bag. She is approached by the male owner of the store. After refusing to return the garment, Andrea and Annie join Christine in a circle around the man. Together, the three women brutally murder him as a group of women stand and silently but attentively watch. 

Female criminal psychiatrist, Janine, is appointed to the case of these three women by the court to determine if they are sane or crazy. Janine takes the time to get to know each woman and their story. None of the three will say why they committed the crime, Janine comes to realize they were fed up with the strain of living in a patriarchy. After much deliberation, she concludes that they are all sane and finds herself identifying with them. Eventually tensions rise between Janine and her husband because he worries her statement in court will ruin his reputation. 

The court date arrives and Janine gives her professional opinion that the three women are in fact sane and that the court should take into consideration that the owner of the boutique was a male. Despite the prosecutors attempts to get her to change her opinion, she stands her ground. When the prosecutor suggests that the crime would have still happened if the owner were a woman, Christine, Andrea, Annie, Janine and the other women who witnessed the crime all laugh and exit the courtroom.

When writing my summary, I wanted to stay away from a lot of major spoilers and deep analysis of the film. Though it is a rich film that provides for an interesting analysis, I thought a simple, but extended, plot summary was the best way to go. I also didn't want my edit to be too lengthy because then it's more a full synopsis. The page now features a more detailed plot summary so visitors can either jog their memory of key plot points from the film or determine if they even want to watch it.

A Review of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

This April while I was studying abroad in London, I had the opportunity to see the newest edition to the Harry Potter franchise: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Showing at the Palace Theatre in Soho, London, this play is a sequel to the original book series by J.K. Rowling. The script is written by Jack Thorne with the concept being a collaboration between J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. The story is split into two separate parts directed by John Tiffany. When I went to the theatre, I saw both parts in one day. Upon exiting the theatre all guests are given a pin with #KeeptheSecrets on it to prevent major spoilers from circulating to those who cannot see the play quite yet. So, keeping my pin in mind I still thought it would be a great show to review considering it will be arriving in NYC for its Broadway debut April 2018.

The play features Harry Potter and his second child, Albus Severus Potter, 19 years after the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It picks up immediately where the epilogue left off and moves onward from there. Jamie Parker played Harry Potter in the performance I saw and he does a tremendous job portraying a now worn out, middle-aged Ministry of Magic employee. Parker embodies the beloved character extraordinarily well and really embraces the tensions of Harry’s life. Albus, was portrayed by Sam Clemmett who did a great job with such a complex character. The two actors had a great chemistry onstage and really bought the difficult father-son relationship to life.

A stellar performance was given by Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy, son of Harry’s childhood nemesis Draco Malfoy. Albus and Scorpius become immediate friends aboard the Hogwarts Express in one of the first scenes of the play. The two friends become involved in all sorts of shenanigans that test the limits of time and bring up issues of the past that continue to haunt Harry and his friends. The play is filled with twists and turns that fans of the original books will never see coming.  Containing a rather large cast, the play sends audience members on quite the journey with a few familiar faces along the way. The story does drag on at some bits towards the beginning of Part 2 and some subplots left me conflicted because they did not seem to be compatible with the Potter universe I remembered.

However, the magic of the technical aspects allowed me to look past these head-scratching scenes. Bringing magic to life is no easy task but the lighting, set and sound design teams excelled. Each design is exquisitely done and does its job of transporting the audience back into the Wizarding World.

The play broke a record at the Olivier Awards receiving 9 total (and deserving) awards. Though it has received a lot of mixed reviews from fans, critics praise the play. Most notably, the production receives the most praise for its actors and technical designs (light, sound, set). Fans have issues with some of the plot points (which I cannot mention more specifically because it would entirely spoil the play). While I agree with a lot of their criticism, I still believe it is a truly wonderful piece of theatre.

Overall, I would highly recommend trying to secure tickets to this production. My one piece of advice would be to take some of the subplots with a grain of salt and just allow yourself to be swept away but the outstanding staging and set designs. I would give it an 8/10. 

13 Reasons Why

This year, Netflix released their newest hit: 13 Reasons Why. Based on the book of the same name by Jay Asher, this show follows the suicide of high schooler Hannah Baker and the reasons why she did what she did. Prior to her death, she recorded a series of 13 cassette tapes in which she revealed what she went through and called out those who led her to suicide. The show has raised a lot of controversy and the reviews are mixed. There is one question that stands out above all else: did the show glorify suicide?

After watching the show, I spent a lot of time thinking about my response to this question. I think it is more difficult than a simple yes or no. Besides the suicide of the protagonist, the show handles a lot of real life issues that are important to talk about such as rape, depression, and substance abuse. Personally, I took the show to be about so much more than suicide. When I watched it, I had to stop between episodes because there were so many issues being addressed that I was a little overwhelmed. To me, that meant the show was doing its job: it made me think.

What the show does well is shine light on issues that often get overlooked. It emphasizes the importance of the way you treat others, how far help can go, and the reality that everyone is fighting a battle. High school is hard, and today with the influence of social media and technology, it’s even harder. 13 Reasons Why does not glamorize the harsh realities of a high school in my opinion. Dialogue needs to be started so people can educate themselves. If more people are educated on these issues, society can start taking the steps necessary to help prevent them.

Do I think the show could have done without including her suicide scene? Yes; but, I also think the inclusion of this moment made a powerful statement and forced viewers to acknowledge that this is a reality. I do not believe it glorified her suicide. Was it difficult to watch? Incredibly! In my eyes, this means that the show was successful. It made me really think about if I knew anyone who could silently be suffering. I know that I am now more conscious of my actions. Schools that are banning the show from being talked about are handling it wrong in my opinion. They should be holding an assembly to teach the students that these issues are very real and important. People should be encouraging those who watch it to talk to others about it. (That being said, I do think the age restriction should be followed because it is mature and heavy content.)

13 Reasons Why gets people talking. Whether someone is discussing why they hated it or why they loved it, they are still actively engaging in dialogue. The show was well crafted and the acting was a job well done for all involved. I would recommend the show.

It’s important to know that help is available. 13 Reasons Why started discussion about tough topics that need to continue. Like the show, hate the show, the issues it deals with are what’s important. 

A Night For Theatre Kids

Last night, my inner theatre geek was screaming for joy as thousands gathered in New York City for the 71^st annual Tony Awards. In honor of the awards show, I decided to write about all the little fun facts I learned over the years about Broadway and the Tony’s.

Broadway, or “The Great White Way” has been around since the 18^th century and continues to draw people from all over the world. The nickname, “The Great White Way” refers to Broadway’s being one of the first streets to be completely lit up with lights in the US. The famous song doesn’t lie when it says, “the neon lights are bright on Broadway.” To be considered a Broadway show, a production must take place in one of the 41 professional theatres. Shows are usually categorized as a musical or a play (though there have been shows that are a hybrid). Loosely the main distinction between the two is that musicals integrate the plot into songs and dances whereas plays typically tell the story through spoken dialogue. Whether you prefer one over the other, Broadway is guaranteed to deliver a stellar show.

The Tony Awards began in 1947 by the American Theatre Wing to praise and acknowledge excellence in Broadway theatre. Each year, a Nominating Committee of about 50 professionals in theatre see all the new shows on Broadway and decide which shows and artists should be recognized. The Tony Awards are presented by two companies that come together: The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.

Who votes for the winners, you may be asking? Well, the voters come from many companies and organizations dedicated to Broadway, theatre, and the arts in general. As a former intern of one of these companies, I can vouch for them and say they are extraordinary people who are fighting to keep the arts alive.

Antoinette Perry was an actress, stage director, and philanthropist who founded the American Theatre Wing. The Tony’s were named in honor of her and the first award ceremony was held the year after she passed away. From the beginning, this night has been about celebrating all of those who dedicate their lives to theatre. It has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events for the theatre community.

So, who won last night?

·       Best Play: Oslo

·       Best Musical: Dear Evan Hansen

·       Best Revival of a Play: August Wilson’s Jitney

·       Best Revival of a Musical: Hello, Dolly!

·       Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Kevin Kline (Present Laughter)

·       Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Laurie Metcalf (A Doll’s House, Part 2)

·       Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Bette Midler (Hello, Dolly!)

·       Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Michael Aronov (Oslo)

·       Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Cynthia Nixon (The Little Foxes)

·       Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Gavin Creel (Hello, Dolly!)

·       Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Rachel Bay Jones (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Best Book, Musical: Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Original Score: Dear Evan Hansen music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

·       Best Scenic Design for a Play: Nigel Hook (The Play That Goes Wrong)

·       Best Scenic Design for a Musical: Mimi Lien (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812)

·       Best Costume Design for a Play: Jane Greenwood (The Little Foxes)

·       Best Costume Design for a Musical: Santo Loquasto (Hello, Dolly!)

·       Best Lighting Design for a Play: Christopher Akerlind (Incedent)

·       Best Lighting Design for a Musical: Bradley King (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812)

·       Best Direction for a Play: Rebecca Taichman (Incedent)

·       Best Direction for a Musical: Christopher Ashley (Come From Away)

·       Best Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler (Bandstand)

·       Best Orchestrations: Alex Lacamoire (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Special Tony Award: Gareth Fry and Pete Malkin’ sound design for The Encounter

A total of 12 productions (13 including the special award) accepted a Tony Award last night. It’s incredible how many productions got recognition for their outstanding work. I cannot wait to see some of these productions.

Welcome to Emily's Entertainment Feed!

Hi, my name is Emily and I am here writing this blog because of my passion for the entertainment industry. For as long as I can remember I have always been fascinated by the arts and did everything I could to be involved whether it be acting, dancing, or even producing my own content. For me, keeping up with current events in the industry is really important because it's an industry that's always evolving. With this blog I plan to look at what's happening in the industry from things like the rise of Netflix and the effect this might have on films and television, to more specific issues like representation. Also, I know I am always looking for recommendations of what to see or to look out for, so I will also be giving some advice on what I think is worth checking out. So grab your bucket of popcorn and enjoy my exploration of all things entertainment!