PICARD, OSCARS ALMOST SO WHITE, WB/DC BE HATIN' + LINKS

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It's 2020! I'm so excited to be back talking about all of the things I love! 

I was tempted to do a best/worst 2019 list, but honestly, I didn't see many movies last year. I took a 2-year hiatus in 2017 when my dad had a stroke (and passed away in 2018). My dad and I went to the movies every weekend, so we saw a LOT of movies. We weren't picky so we saw quite a few stinkers. But without my beloved movie partner, I don't go to the movies that much anymore. If I do, it's going to be a film that ranks well on Rotten Tomatoes. I also have a newish baby (he's 20 months)! So with two young children, yeah I don't leave the house much. I don't go to the movies much AT ALL lol. I'm lucky if I get to binge-watch a Netflix show. I still haven't gotten past episode 3 of 'The Witcher.' Yeah, I suck.

So I guess I should start fresh in 2020. So here's what's going on.

ENTERTAINMENT GEEKLY NEWS

Oscars Almost So White

Jennifer Lopez in 'Hustlers' | Annapurna Pictures 2019

Been there, done that. I wrote about this in 2016. You can see my original article on the Oscars So White controversy here. It's four years later and everything still applies. Again, it's not the Oscars, it's the Hollywood pipeline. When women and people of color are excluded from making films, they don't get nominated. It's really that simple. Admittedly there were a few snubs that surprised me. Jennifer Lopez had one of the best performances of her career in 'Hustlers.' Greta Gerwig didn't get nominated for her direction of 'Little Women' but Netflix's 'A Marriage Story' gets a director nod? Who knows? I stopped watching awards shows.

I have no desire to see well-dressed rich people lecture the world about politics or morality. Get your own house in order first. 

Picard be Almost 80 Years Old? Whaaa?

The new 'Star Trek' series 'Picard' starts this week! I have been hesitant to add another television subscription, but I will add CBS All Access at least for the duration of 'Picard.' The series picks up 18 years after the last 'The Next Generation' (TNG) film ('Star Trek Nemesis,' 2002). I've been a Trekkie since TNG. I may be one of the few people who likes 'Star Trek' more than 'Star Wars,' namely because of character development. Despite its foibles, 'Star Trek' knows how to develop its characters into flesh and blood people that viewers can invest in.

Patrick Stewart in 'Picard' | CBS Corporation | 2020

'Picard' is about the character of the same name, the indomitable Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), former captain of the Starship Enterprise-D. 'Picard' is a 10-episode series, which is just long enough to tell a good story. It's amazing how long television seasons used to be. 'TNG' seasons were 26 episodes with a modest budget. It shouldn't surprise us that there were some stinkers in the mix. Like when Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) had a romance with her dead grandma's "virtual lover." I gotta be honest. I love that insane episode.

'Picard' looks like a million bucks, with the safe comfort of familiar characters, better writers, and higher production values. Thanks to Patrick Stewart's visit to 'The View' we know that there will be a second season and Whoopi Goldberg will be back as Guinan.

Whoopie Goldberg and Patrick Stewart | 'The View' | ABC Disney | 2020

WB/DC Please Stop Hatin' on Female Comic Book Heroes

'Birds of Prey' and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn' is a continuation of Harley Quinn's adventures from the disastrous 'Suicide Squad.' Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) has been dumped by the Joker and quickly gets in trouble with Roman Sionis aka the Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). She teams up with the Huntress (Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to take on the Black Mask.

'Birds of Prey' | WB/DC Comics | 2020

The comic book canon is all wrong. For example, Harley Quinn never worked with the Birds of Prey. She was a member of the Gotham Sirens, along with Catwoman and Poison Ivy. I have no idea why they chose the Birds of Prey instead of the canonical Gotham Sirens. I really hope the film works and leads to other franchises.

The second trailer FINALLY dropped last week. For goodness sake, the film comes out in two weeks. What is Warner Brothers/DC Comics thinking? They have barely marketed this film. It's the first R-rated female-led comic book film. 'The Joker' got mad props for that. In this era 'Birds of Prey' should be a big deal. I'm so confused.

Fans had to create and distribute posters for the film. This is just what WB/DC does. They did the same thing with 'Wonder Woman' 2017. WB/DC did everything they could to tank that film. Director Patty Jenkins had to fight the studio, dispel misconceptions, and squash untrue rumors. It's just sad that fans have to do the heavy lifting with female-led DC Extended Universe films.

Via Twitter

New Hunger Games Book

Suzanne Collins has written a prequel to the 'The Hunger Games'-- 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,' which is about the villainous President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland in the films). The book (and future films) will tell the story of a young President Snow and explore his motivations for turning to the dark side? Haven't we seen this before courtesy of the terrible 'Star Wars' prequels from George Lucas? You can see the full book excerpt here.

New Short Films

   I always love highlighting short films when I find them. Check out the sci-fi short 'Sky Fighter.' It's set in the distant future and follows two fighter pilots in the midst of a long hard war.

Why Can't Lindelof Finish Anything?

'The Watchmen' | HBO Warner Media Entertainment | 2019

Some seriously disappointing news came through the wire about 'The Watchmen.' Damon Lindelof (who I normally despise) managed to create a brilliant series. In typical Lindelof style, he doesn't know if he wants to do a second season. Unfortunately, HBO is hanging their hat on Lindelof, so they unofficially canceled it. I say unofficially because there's rumor that 'The Watchmen' may NOT be canceled. The uncertainty is very Watchmen-like. We shall see.

Secret Start Wars Script?

Via Twitter

Lots of 'Star War's news as of late. Given the terrible reviews that 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' received, there's been a lot of COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA had Colin Trevorrow written and directed the film. I'm not a Trevorrow fan. I honestly don't know how someone who's main credit is 'Jurassic World' could land a 'Star Wars' film, but his script seems to be miles better than what we got. The dialogue is said to have been classic 'Star Wars.' Rose (Kelly Tran) had a ton of screentime. It's honestly better on multiple fronts. I'm not sure what happened or why the powers that be chose J.J. Abrams' script over Trevorrow's, but it was a big mistake.

Happy Stories

> Laughing Squid made a video of "douche bag" hairstyles through the ages. As long as there's a man bun in there I approve!

> I don't know who made this, but we thank you. Keep them coming.

Kevin Bracket on Twitter

> Happy 89th birthday to the iconic James Earl Jones. One of the finest actors to have lived.

Mark Hamill Twitter

Links

And my favorite part-- check out these links!

The Geek Twins talks baby yoda!
Sati has an awesome post about the 10 best performances of 2019!
French Toast Sunday has a fun podcast about the best shows of 2019
A%#holes Watching Movies reviews Midsommar!
Alex lists his best films of 2019
M. Brown reviews 'Dr. Sleep'
Jeremy Retro talks about the best film scores of 2019
Alex reviews 'The Witcher' and '1917
Zena (aka the Real Queen of Horror) reviews 'You Might Be the Killer'

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