Matt Singer is the editor and critic of the website ScreenCrush.com. For five years, he was the on-air host of IFC News on the Independent Film Channel, hosting coverage of film festivals and red carpets around the world. A member of the New York Film Critics Circle, he’s been a frequent contributor to the television shows CBS This Morning Saturday and Ebert Presents At the Movies, and his writing has also appeared in print and online at The Village Voice, The Dissolve, and Indiewire. His first book, Marvel’s Spider-Man: From Amazing to Spectacular, is on sale now.
Matt Singer
VHS, Beloved Home Video Format, Dies at 40
Very sad news out of Japan: According to Mental Floss, Funai Electric, the last company making VCRs has announced that it will cease production of VCRs, “due to declining sales and difficulty acquiring parts.” Though effectively on life support for the last several years, the will mark the true and final death of the VCR, or video cassette recorder. It was 40 years old.
Garry Marshall, Prolific TV and Filmmaker, Dies at 81
The entertainment world lost a giant yesterday, when Garry Marshall, creator of some of the most popular television shows in the medium’s history and a director of some of the most beloved movies of the last 30 years, died after what The New York Times called “a series of strokes.” He was 81 years old.
Daisy Ridley Celebrates ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Wrap With New Photo
For us, Star Wars: Episode VIII is still a long way away. For Daisy Ridley, the movie’s already over.
‘Finding Dory’ Tops ‘Civil War’ to Become the Highest Grossing Movie of 2016 So Far
Talking animals, man. The kids love ’em. They love ’em.
What’s Expiring From Netflix: July 2016
The sad flip side of every month’s new Netflix releases is this post, which is the list of stuff expiring on Netflix next month. On July 1 some big catalog titles vanish from the streaming service, including Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange, and the first seven Star Trek movies. If you’re looking to pre-game Beyond with a marathon re-watch, you’ve only got about 9 days to do that.
New Netflix Instant Releases: July 2016
All right, Netflixers, here it is: The list of new titles coming to the streaming service this month. As far as acquisitions go, the headliner is easily The Big Short, Adam McKay’s bitterly funny comedy about the 2008 economic collapse. There’s also the recent and critically acclaimed horror movie The Invitation, billed as a “Netflix Exclusive.” (Whatever you want to call it, our own Britt Hayes was a big fan.) There are also 19 different Netflix originals (19!!!!) this month, including the return of BoJack Horseman, my favorite show that I’ve barely watched because I have a baby and BoJack Horseman is not a show you watch in front of a baby unless you want to scar her for life.
‘Beauty and the Beast’ Teaser: A New Tale as Old as Time
“Ever just the same. Ever a surprise.” One imagines those lyrics from “Beauty and the Beast” will apply particularly well to this new version of Disney’s animated classic, coming to theaters next year.
George Kennedy, Oscar Winner and Character Actor Supreme, Dies at 91
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is the funniest movie of all time. This is not opinion; this is fact, backed up by math and science. And a big reason why is George Kennedy, who, according to TMZ, died yesterday at the age of 91.
Academy Announces Initiative to Improve Member Diversity
Despite some nominees insistence that it is they, the white people, who are suffering under the brutal oppression of racism, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to respond to the growing controversy over the lack of diversity among this year’s Oscar nominees by making some significant changes to how it selects its members, and then how it maintains those members once they’re admitted into the group.
Warner Bros. and Legendary Officially Announce Massive King Kong/Godzilla Trilogy
Prepare yourself... for the EXTREMELY LARGE MONSTERS CINEMATIC UNIVERSE.