Moviefone Editorial

Tag: amy poehler

Eight Great Summer Vacation Movies

Meatballs

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Sometimes overlooked in favor of other “slobs vs. snobs” comedy classics from the same era, like Animal House and Caddyshack, this was Bill Murray’s first starring role, and the feature directorial debut for Ivan Reitman. Murray stars as Tripper, head counselor at Camp North Star, a bargain-basement summer camp in Ontario. Murray takes the lonely Rudy (Chris Makepeace) under his wing while still overseeing a group of oddball counselors-in-training as they have their own romances, pull pranks on the camp’s director, and take on wealthy Camp Mohawk in a yearly tournament. It’s ultimately a sweet story, without ever getting quite as crass as some of the era’s other films starring Saturday Night Live alumni. ‘Meatballs’ would turn out to be hugely successful, spawning three mostly unrelated sequels and countless knockoffs.

Wet Hot American Summer

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If ‘Meatballs’ saw plenty of lesser imitations, ‘The State’ alumni David Wain and Michael Showalter stepped up with a satirical take on summer camp movies. Although it bombed at the box office, it’s since become a cult classic, spawning two series on Netflix (one prequel and one sequel). There’s an amazing cast here, including Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Christopher Meloni, and David Hyde Pierce, plus other alumni from ‘The State,’ such as Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black, and Joe Lo Truglio. There’s a plot here about the camp putting on a talent show, counselors in love, and a falling piece of Skylab that threatens everyone’s lives, but it’s really just an excuse to see some stars and future stars show off some great comic chops.

Dirty Dancing

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For those that haven’t gotten around to seeing this classic, it’s easy to write off ‘Dirty Dancing’ as sappy romance. But that would be wrong. It’s an emotionally satisfying coming-of-age story about Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) and her steamy summer romance with dancer Johnny (Patrick Swayze). The dancing is terrific, Grey and Swayze have terrific chemistry. Written by Eleanor Bergstein and based on her own summer trips to the Catskills, Baby’s adventure starts because she and her family are taking a summer vacation at Kellerman’s a tony resort. Baby sees hints of classism between some of the staff, and she finds herself drawn more to the working class staffers instead of the Ivy League-bound waiters. The film subversively gives Baby agency, letting her pick her own friends and make her own choices in her sex life; she has a summer fling with a sexy dancer and isn’t punished by fate for it. That was fairly groundbreaking in 1987, and is (sadly) might still be considered unusual in some corners even now.

National Lampoon’s Vacation

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This is another film that started a franchise, but the original version is still the best. Based on screenwriter John Hughes’ own National Lampoon story about a disastrous road trip, the movie focuses on the Griswold’s drive from Chicago to California for a visit to a thinly-veiled version of Disneyland called “Wally World.” Chevy Chase puts in a legendary turn as Clark, the increasingly obsessive patriarch of the Griswold clan. Clark is going to have a great road trip with his family whether they like it or not, and if he becomes Ahab in a station wagon, then so be it. Beverly D’Angelo hits just the right notes as Clark’s wife Ellen, as does Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron as their children Rusty and Audrey. Chase and D’Angelo would return for sequels, and it became a running joke that Rusty and Audrey would be recast in every subsequent film. This first adventure sees car trouble in the desert, an unwanted passenger, a temptress in a Ferrari, and a visit with Cousin Eddy (a reminder of when Randy Quaid was funny). It’s filled with laughs, but it will definitely make you think twice about future family road trips.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

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Based on the best-selling YA novel by Ann Brashares, this is the story of four teen girls, best friends since childhood, who are about to spend their first summer apart. But before three of them leave town, the quartet go shopping and find a pair of jeans that magically fit each one of them. The four decide that they’ll share the pants for the summer, and while each of them have these mysterious jeans in their possession, their individual summers are upended. Blake Lively, America Ferrara, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn play Bridget, Carmen, Lena, and Tibby (respectively). The movie captures the charm of the novel, in no small part because of the charisma and chemistry of the stars, and it’s ultimately a heartwarming tale about female friendships and the bonds young women make that can last a lifetime.

Girls Trip

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The annual Essence Music Fest takes place in New Orleans every 4th of July, and that’s the backdrop for Ryan Pierce’s (Regina Hall) attempt to reunite with three of her friends from college. Pierce is a bestselling author and lifestyle guru, poised to be “the next Oprah.” She’s scheduled to speak at the festival, so she invites her college friends to join her, in the hopes of rekindling their friendships. These other three have lives of their own now; Sasha (Queen Latifah) is a celebrity gossip blogger, Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith) is a working single mother, and Dina (Tiffany Haddish) is still party-girl Dina, all these years later. These four actors are great together, but Tiffany Haddish is a revelation here, stealing the movie and never giving it back. The film isn’t afraid to remind us that women can and do party hard, but it doesn’t lose sight of these friends repairing burned bridges and reaffirming their love for each other.

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

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One of the casualties of quarantine is that this film didn’t get a proper theatrical release. That’s a shame, because as funny as this movie is, it would have been even more side-splitting with a big audience. Make no mistake, this movie is straight up bananas from beginning to end. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote the script and star as Star and Barb, two middle-aged best friends that talk a bit too much, they can be both clueless and timid, but once they hit Vista Del Mar, the movie all but explodes into mayhem. To describe too much would be to take away some of the stunningly insane jokes packed wall-to-wall across the entire film. But suffice to say you may never look at Jamie Dornan the same way again.

The Endless Summer

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This is one of the first and probably still the best surf movie ever made. Director Bruce Brown follows two surfers, Robert August and Mike Hynson, as they leave Southern California and travel to surf spots around the world, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Tahiti, Senegal, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Australia. Brown’s breezy narration is a far cry from the stiffer voices heard in most documentaries at the time, and it lends an inviting tone to the gorgeous cinematography of the both surf action and the local landscapes. This documentary might help non-surfers understand the appeal of surfing more than any other film ever made, and the idea of an “endless summer” means its welcome on any day of the calendar year.

June 7, 2021
Female Filmmakers in Focus: Amy Poehler’s ‘Moxie’ & Tanya Hamilton’s ‘Night Catches Us’

Welcome to Female Filmmakers in Focus, where you will find a recommendation for films directed by women to seek out each week. This week features ‘Moxie,’ a new film from Amy Poehler, and ‘Night Catches Us,’ an older film from Tanya Hamilton.

Moxie (2021) – directed by Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler (2nd from left) and the cast of ‘Moxie’

Mostly known for her work in front of the camera, Amy Poehler stepped behind the camera in 2019 to direct the ensemble comedy ‘Wine Country.” When asked what advice she’d give to other women who may be hesitating to start directing she said, “Do it even if you don’t think you’re ready… a lot of women wait until they think they’re really really ready for something. And I’ve worked with a lot of guys who aren’t ready for what they’re doing.” In the early 1990s, Poehler studied acting and improv at Chicago’s Second City and ImprovOlympic before co-founding the improvisational-comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade and cutting her teeth as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live. Along with her extensive writing and acting credits, she has also served as an executive producer for many female-led shows including Difficult People, Russian Doll, Broad City, and Parks and Recreation. Her latest directorial effort ‘Moxie’ debuted on Netflix this week. Up next, Poehler is in the midst of filming a documentary about the romantic and creative partnership of comedy legends Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz.

For her second feature film as a director, Poehler has moved into the young adult genre with an adaptation of the novel Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu. The result is a poignant coming-of-age dramedy starring Hadley Robinson as Vivian, a shy teenage girl who finds inspiration in her mother’s rebellious teenage past. Poehler plays her mother, Lisa, who in the early 90s was active in the Riot Grrrl subculture. Vivian and best friend Claudia (Lauren Tsai) are happy to just keep their heads down and coast through her senior year of high school until new girl Lisa (Alycia Pascual-Peña) opens their eyes to their complacency in the victimization of other girls. When Vivian finds her mother’s old feminist zines, she decides to strike back against the rampant sexist culture at her high school. The zine – titled Moxie – criticizes the casual misogyny of the boys at her school and even ousts a sexual predator in the making. Vivian and Claudia’s relationship is strained as Vivian moves further out of her shell, and even tests the waters of dating, but ultimately the girls find strength in each other and learn the might of a united voice. Get your sharpie out, draw some hearts and stars on your hands, power up Netflix, and you might just learn a thing or two about grrrl power.
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Night Catches Us (2010) – written and directed by Tanya Hamilton

(L to R) ‘Night Catches Us’ stars Anthony Mackie & Kerry Washington and director Tanya Hamilton

Born and raised in Jamaica, Tanya Hamilton came to the United States to study filmmaking at Cooper Union and Columbia University. Her short film ‘The Killers’ won an award at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival, and she then spent the next decade developing her feature film debut ‘Night Catches Us.’ That period drama about Black Panthers debuted at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for Best First Feature that same year at the Independent Spirit Awards. In the decade since the film’s release, she has directed quite a television episodes, including ‘Queen Sugar,’ ‘Black Lighting,’ ‘The Deuce,’ and ‘The Chi.’ Hamilton’s work is rooted where the personal and political collide. As she told the Washington Post, “I am interested in making films that have social and political relevance.”

‘Night Catches Us’ was written over a ten-year period and was inspired by the story of Carol Lawson-Green, a close friend of Hamilton’s mother. In 1965, Lawson-Green took part in a student-organized protest at the White House to address the treatment of Black people in Selma, Alabama. Her involvement in the protest led to a six-month jail sentence for a crime normally punished by a simple fine. Hamilton became interested in exploring the interpersonal dynamics of the protest movements during this era and the inequality of the justice system. Set in Philadelphia in 1976, ‘Night Catches Us’ follows former Black Panther Marcus (Anthony Mackie), returning home for the first time since his incarceration. He reconnects with Patricia (Kerry Washington), whose husband’s death he may or may not have caused. Sparks fly immediately, and it’s clear there’s something more to their story, as Patricia’s daughter Iris (Jamara Griffin) slowly learns. The film is buoyed by strong performances from Mackie and Washington (whose chemistry is hot, hot, hot) as well as an unsettling supporting turn from Wendell Pierce as a crooked cop. Shot on location and featuring a soul-stirring score by Philadelphia natives The Roots, ‘Night Catches Us’ finds the universal in the situation, while feeling distinctly of a certain time and place. Hamilton’s film doesn’t offer easy answers or a happy ending, a bit like life itself. ‘Night Catches Us’ is available on Amazon Prime.
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March 5, 2021
What to Watch this Week: ‘Coming 2 America,’ ‘Raya and the Last Dragon,’ ‘Moxie,’ & more

If you’re curious as to what new movie this week might be best for you, Moviefone is here to help you find it and watch it. This week’s films feature adorable pets who save the day, royalty, and guys who have really noisy thoughts. Here are the movies we’re suggesting this week:

Coming 2 America (Amazon Prime)

Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy in ‘Coming 2 America’

In the 33 years since we first met Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and Semmi (Arsenio Hall), life in Zamunda has been mostly peaceful and prosperous. He has three wonderful, talented, strong daughters, but sadly the eldest (KiKi Layne) doesn’t seem to be in contention for the throne as King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones) appears to be shuffling off this mortal coil. “Lucky” for Akeem, he discovers that a one-night stand in New York City all those years ago yielded a son (Jermaine Fowler). But does he have what it takes to take the throne?

Watch It If: Repeatedly watching the first film just isn’t doing it for you anymore, and you’d like an eye full of gorgeous costumes and an ear full of fantastic, recognizable music specially fit for Zamunda.
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Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney+)

Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina lend their voices to ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) is a warrior princess who is also the guardian of the dragon gem, the last piece of dragon magic existing in the fictional world of Kumandra. In order to reunite the world, she has to track down broken pieces of the gem and the only one she can trust is a wisecracking dragon named Sisu (Awkwafina). So, this should be easy.

Watch It If: You’re prepared to spend a night with a dragon who is way funnier than the memes you’ve been sending to people on your group text chain, and if you have a thing for giant pangolins rollin’ around and being really cute (shout out to Tuk Tuk, aka Alan Tudyk).
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Moxie (Netflix)

Hadley Robinson and Alycia Pascual-Peña in ‘Moxie’

If, when faced with a difficult situation, you say things like “that’s just how the cookie crumbles,” then you are a decrepit, ancient, aged person and you need to let the youth take over in the quest to make the world a better place. Vivian (Hadley Robinson) is such a kid, who finds herself tasked with motivating the students at her high school to make change in favor of equality. She finds her mom’s (Amy Poehler) old zines championing feminism and forward-thinking, and she sets out to make her own and speak up for change.

Watch It If: You’re a fan of Amy Poehler as a director, and if you want to see commonplace events of high school life through a new, more progressive lens. Also, a must see for teens who feel like no one understands.
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Chaos Walking (In Theaters and IMAX)

Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland in ‘Chaos Walking’

Women no longer exist where Todd (Tom Holland) lives in Prentisstown. So when Daisy Ridley as Viola, a survivor of a crashed spaceship, crosses his path, he’s noticeably perplexed. Viola happens to know that’s the case, since in this sci-fi world, men’s thoughts broadcast as telepathy to everyone in the general vicinity. They call it “noise,” and each manifestation of it is different. But with bad guys lingering around every corner, some whose minds suspiciously don’t broadcast their thoughts, Viola finds herself on the run with Todd, whose thoughts are so big they serve as a beacon for said bad guys. Great.

Watch It If: You want to see a little more out of these stars outside their superhero or space odyssey realms, and if you enjoyed the sci-fi world of Annihilation and want to add a little dash of Western flavor in there.
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The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (Paramount+)

Patrick and SpongeBob in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run’

Gary has been snail-napped. THIS IS NOT A DRILL, PEOPLE. SpongeBob’s faithful companion has disappeared, and the only way to solve the mystery and bring that slimy little guy home is to go back to where it all began. Consider this SpongeBob’s origin story, complete with the usual offbeat humor and cameos plentiful in these films.

Watch It If: Your only contact with a sponge has been continually washing and re-washing your own dishes this past year, and you need a dose of sweetness from Bikini Bottom.
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The Truffle Hunters (In Theaters in NY & LA)

A scene from ‘The Truffle Hunters’

If you’ve ever passed a truffle and went into cardiac arrest at the cost, this documentary unlocks a smidgeon of the economic mystery but more importantly, the magical world that exists around them. Nestled in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, the film features a handful of men who have dedicated their days AND nights to searching out Alba truffles with their truffle-sniffing dogs. The result is a beautifully shot fly-on-the-wall glimpse into lives you’ve likely never known existed.

Watch It If: You need a change of pace from the more typical frenzied energy of most releases. This cast of wacky characters is so intimate, it’s almost like you’ve been invited to stay in their homes and drink wine, watch them type letters, and discuss the awesomeness of their dogs (that have names like Birba, which means “mischievous”).
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March 5, 2021
7 Riot Grrrl Films to Watch After ‘Moxie’

Following her 2019’s feature directorial debut ‘Wine Country’, Amy Poehler has returned behind the camera with ‘Moxie’, an adaptation of the novel by Jennifer Mathieu. ‘Moxie’ follows shy 16-year-old Vivian (Hadley Robinson) as she starts to question the terrible behavior of the teenage boys in her high school. Inspired by new girl Lucy (Alycia Pascual-Peña), Vivian finds her inner rebel girl making zines like her riot grrrl loving mom (Poehler), and leads her school in a revolution, girl style.

Those in the know will have noticed the many references to the riot grrrl band Bikini Kill above (and will find even more in the film), but for the rest of you, here’s a short primer. Riot grrrl was an underground feminist punk movement founded in the early 1990s in Olympia, Washington. The subculture combined feminism, punk, and politics, and expressed itself via homemade zines, VHS tape exchanges, and more. Prominent bands featured in the subculture included Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, Huggy Bear, and Sleater-Kinney. If you want to learn more about this era seek out Sara Marcus’s book ‘Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution.’

In the spirit of Vivian finding inspiration in riot grrrl culture, here are a few films that would pair nicely with ‘Moxie.’

Smithereens, 1982 (dir. Susan Seidelman)

Susan Berman in ‘Smithereens’

Directed by Sunsan Seidelman (‘Desperately Seeking Susan’), written by Ron Nyswaner (‘Philadelphia’) and featuring a score by The Feelies, ‘Smithereens’ follows a narcissistic young woman named Wren who moves to New York City from New Jersey in search of fame in the punk subculture scene, only to discover it has mostly moved to Los Angeles. Wren is unapologetically herself in everything she does, from the way she dresses to her self-centered ambitions. Also of note: this was the first American independent film invited to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, 1982 (dir. Lou Adler)

Diane Lane in ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains’

Written by Nancy Dowd (Slap Shot, Coming Home) and directed by record producer, manager, multi-hyphenate Lou Adler, ‘Ladies and Gentleman, The Fabulous Stains’ follows three teenage girls (Diane Lane, Laura Dern, and Marin Kanter) who start a punk band and go on tour. While the film struggled in theaters, it found a cult following on television and is often cited as an influence on the female-fronted punk bands that formed during the riot grrrl era.
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Tank Girl, 1995 (dir. Rachel Talalay)

Lori Petty and Naomi Watts in ‘Tank Girl’

Based on the post-apocalyptic comic series of the same name created by Jamie Hewlett and written by Alan Martin, Rachel Talalay’s ‘Tank Girl’ stars Lori Petty as the titular heroine Tank Girl and Naomi Watts as Jet Girl. Stridently feminist, the film tackles anti-establishment themes, embraces female sexuality, and generally just kicks ass. The soundtrack was put together by Hole lead singer Courtney Love, whose beef with Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna was widely reported, but its vibe still fits in the canon.
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Not Bad For A Girl, 1995 (dir. Lisa Rose Apramian)

Babes in Toyland’s Kat Bjelland in ‘Not Bad for a Girl’

Directed by Lisa Rose Apramian, this documentary offers an inside look at the women musicians working in grunge and riot grrrl in the 1990s. Partially funded by Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, bands interviewed include Hole, L7, Lunachicks, Babes in Toyland, Joan Jett, Calamity Jane, Bulimia Banquet, The Mudwimin, Silverfish, 7 Year Bitch, Bratmobile, Bikini Kill. Along with interviews, ‘Not Bad For A Girl,’ features clips from live performances, and even footage of the very first Riot Grrl Convention.

Editor’s note: This doc can be hard to find, but if you come across it, it’s essential viewing.
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Foxfire, 1996 (dir. Annette Haywood-Carter)

Angelina Jolie in ‘Foxfire’

Based on the novel by ‘Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang” by Joyce Carol Oates, this adaptation updates the novel’s 1950s setting to the 1990s and moves the location from upstate New York to the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. The film features a breakout performance from Angelina Jolie, whose outsider Margaret “Legs” Sadovsky convinces fellow teen girls (Hedy Burress, Jenny Lewis, Jenny Shimizu, and Sarah Rosenberg) to stand up to sexual harassment in their school and abuse at home. The film explores riot grrrl themes like the power that can be found in girl groups, explorations of sexuality, and embracing your creativity.
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Mary Jane’s Not A Virgin Anymore, 1997 (dir. Sarah Jacobson)

Lisa Gerstein in ‘Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore’

Sarah Jacobson was known as the queen of underground film. Her first film ‘I Was a Teenage Serial Killer’ was made with practically no budget, centered female rage in a new and groundbreaking way, and embodied the DIY spirit of the era. Tamra Davis (‘CB4,’ ‘Billy Madison’) helped finance Jacobson’s second feature ‘Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore,’ which follows the titular Mary Jane as she takes control of her sexual maturation. A precursor to the 2000s Mumblecore movement, Jacobson’s film features mostly non-professional actors and explores coming-of-age tropes like female desire, friendship dynamics, etc. but in a frank, naturalistic way.
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The Punk Singer, 2013 (dir. Sini Anderson)

Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna in ‘The Punk Singer’

Sini Anderson’s documentary ‘The Punk Singer’ follows the life of Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna using new interviews and archival footage of live performances. The film traces Hanna’s life and artistic career from her time as a spoken word poet, her riot grrrl zines, the formation of Bikini Kill, and her later work with Le Tigre, and her diagnosis of late-stage Lyme disease. Through her portrait of Hanna, Anderson examines the rocky history of riot grrrl, sexism in the music and medical industries, the complexities of stardom, and the strength women can find within themselves and in each other.
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‘Moxie’ is now playing on Netflix.

March 3, 2021
Ms. Moviefone’s Top Five Can’t-Miss SDCC Activities

This year marks the 50th time in history that the pleasant, beachy hamlet of San Diego explodes with magic and enthusiasm for all things nerdy, overstuffing every available space in a three mile radius in the Gaslamp Quarter. For anyone who’s had the pleasure of attending San Diego Comic Con and willingly dehydrated themselves at the mere suggestion of catching a glimpse of Patrick Warburton, you know that SDCC turns the “fun” dial to 11 and breaks the knob off. This year is no exception, so the following serves as a road map of the top five shiniest things that I will be seeing and doing while slathering on sunscreen and adjusting my wig.

“Terminator: Dark Fate” Panel

Paramount

When: Thursday, July 18 at 11 a.m.

Where: Hall H (of course!

What: Paramount Pictures brings a “Terminator: Dark Fate” panel discussion and footage presentation with talent and filmmakers. There’s not much I can reveal about this one, except that I’ll be hosting, and I have already practiced my T-1000 run and have confirmed I definitely cannot do it.

Amazon Offsite

Amazon

When: Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: MLK Promenade & First Ave

What: The important number to note here is 60,000, which officially refers to the square footage of Amazon’s ginormous activation. Unofficially, it refers to how many minutes I’m willing to spend in line because this thing looks amazing. That’s plenty of room for attendees to enjoy video and live promos for “The Boys,” “Carnival Row,” and “The Expanse” on a 40-foot tall tower that we can only assume will later be used as some kind of ghost conduit, a’la “Ghostbusters.” Inside, attendees will receive gold and silver coins and thwart kidnappings, tour a spaceship, and lounge in a neo-Victorian fairy tale venue. Sounds like a high-capacity event that will be a great way to escape the heat and get some good future-binging ideas (and some killer Instagram pics).

“His Dark Materials” Panel

HBO/BBC

When: Thursday, July 18 at 4:45 p.m.

Where: Hall H

What: If you’re like me, you’ve spent entirely too many minutes either grumbling about how dark the “Battle of Winterfell” was or reading and re-reading episode recaps of all of season two of “Westworld” — so even though HBO is bringing “Game of Thrones” and “Westworld” panels to the con, SDCC is about discovering the next hot thing. That points me directly to “His Dark Materials,” an adaptation of a trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman (unsuccessfully adapted, once, as a Nicole Kidman/Daniel Craig movie with talking polar bears). At the heart of the story is Lyra, a young woman who is searching for a missing friend in a very magical landscape. Panel attendees will include Dafne Keen, Lin-Manuel Miranda, James McAvoy, and Ruth Wilson, among others. Talking polar bears TBD.

“Parks and Recreation” 10th Anniversary Panel

NBC Universal

When: Friday, July 19 at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Horton Grand Theater

What: It’s been a decade since our beloved “Parks and Recreation” was on television, but in that time, Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope has become even more important to our upside-down world. She’s the epicenter of hope in her town, and is always bringing out the best in the rich, vibrant characters who surround her. This panel is being kept under wraps for the most part, but I’ll be in line to get my ticket early Friday morning. I’m assuming it will be hosted by Perd Hapley, and will feature appearances from Brandi Maxx, the Red-Faced Man, someone from Eagleton to boo, and Duke Silver. I hope I’m right.

“Batwoman” Pilot Screening

The CW/DC

When: Saturday, July 20 at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Ballroom 20

What: Kate Kane protecting the streets of Gotham makes me feel spiritually safer in my real city. The CW has a knack for bringing DC Comics to life in engaging ways, and with Ruby Rose starring as a highly-trained street fighter and out lesbian, I’ve already set my DVR. This panel will feature the pilot and a Q&A after.

**BONUS CHOICE**

MOVIEFONE PANEL

Fox

When: Saturday, July 20 from 8 to 9 p.m.

Where: Room 28DE

What: Shameless plug: There’s nothing worse than a great movie that blows it at the end. Moderator Grae Drake (Ms. Moviefone) asks you to pitch your alternate (not necessarily happy) endings for otherwise-great films to a panel of judges made up of movie critics, filmmakers, actors, comedians, and other opinionated movie-lovers. You know, like a live version of that Change.org petition you signed that one time! Each idea is ranked on its merits by the judges and audience, and at the end of the panel the winner will be declared and a team of improv performers will bring the new improved scenario to life in front of your very eyes. Does anybody have a therapy dog?

July 10, 2019
14 Things You Never Knew About ‘Mean Girls’ on its 15th Anniversary

Paramount Pictures

For a movie all about the awful ordeal that is high school, “Mean Girls” is still a surprisingly fun way to spend a couple hours. As this beloved comedy celebrates its 15th anniversary, here are some fun facts you might not know about the making of “Mean Girls” and the sequels we may or may not ever see.

1. Writer Tina Fey based the screenplay on her personal experiences in high school and on Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 self-help book “Queen Bees and Wannabes.”

2. Lindsay Lohan originally read for the part of Regina George, but eagerly agreed to play Cady Horn instead after fearing playing the villain might harm her reputation.

Paramount Pictures

3. Meanwhile, Amanda Seyfried, (who made her film debut in “Mean Girls”) was originally cast as Cady, but producer Lorne Michaels felt she fit the role of Karen better.

4. Despite playing the mother to Rachel McAdams‘ character Regina, Amy Poehler is only seven years older than McAdams.

5. The reason Tim Meadows‘ Mr. Duvall is shown to have carpal tunnel syndrome is because Meadows was recovering from a broken hand during filming.

6. Lizzy Caplan‘s character is named Janis Ian in tribute to the musician of the same name, who also happened to be the very first musical guest on “Saturday Night Live.”

7. While Regina, Karen and Gretchen are known by all their classmates as “The Plastics,” they never actually refer to themselves by that name in the movie.

Paramount Pictures

8. The 2009 Mariah Carey song “Obsessed” was inspired by Regina’s line, “Why are you so obsessed with me?”

9. Several sexually charged lines in the movie had to be altered in order to maintain a PG-13 rating. For example, when questioned about her virginity, Cady was originally asked “Is your cherry popped?” instead of “Is your muffin buttered?”.

Paramount Pictures

10. There have been multiple “Mean Girls” video games, including a PC game released in 2009 and an iOS game released in 2015.

11. October 3 has been labeled “National Mean Girls Day” by fans.

12. ABC Family debuted a made-for-TV sequel called “Mean Girls 2” in 2011. Despite the title, the movie is more remake than sequel, and Mr. Duvall is the only character to return.

Freeform

13. Lohan has campaigned for a direct sequel and even written a story treatment that includes roles for Jamie Lee Curtis and Jimmy Fallon.

14. WB and New Line were also developing a spinoff called “Mean Moms,” with Jennifer Aniston in talks to star back in 2014. Unfortunately, the project seems to have fallen into development hell.
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April 30, 2019
‘Wine Country’ Trailer Uncorks an Adventure With Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph

Netflix/YouTube

A trip to Napa may not be in the cards for you, but Netflix has a way for you to get to “Wine Country.” The streamer has released the trailer for the upcoming comedy on Thursday, and as it shows, the adventure includes Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, and a handful of other hilarious ladies.

The film centers on a group of longtime friends celebrating a milestone birthday. With Rebecca (Dratch) turning 50, Abby (Poehler) meticulously plans their weekend away. However, according to the synopsis, “as the alcohol flows, real world uncertainties intrude on the punchlines and gossip, and the women begin questioning their friendships and futures.”

It’s not all tough times for the ladies, though. The lows are paired with plenty of fun and lighthearted moments. Watch below.

The film is directed by Poehler, and the cast also includes Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Jason Schwartzman, and Cherry Jones.

“Wine Country” arrives May 10 on Netfix.
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April 11, 2019
2019 Oscars Reveal First Round of Presenters

Warner Bros.

This year’s Oscars will mark the first time in three decades that the ceremony has gone without a host. But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is making sure that the event will still feature plenty of stars on stage.

Earlier this week, Oscars producer Donna Gigliotti and co-producer and director Glenn Weiss revealed the first round of presenters who will be announcing categories and handing out statuettes at the Academy Awards later this month. That group is:

Awkwafina, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Brie Larson, Jennifer Lopez, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amandla Stenberg, Charlize Theron, Tessa Thompson, and Constance Wu.

We have to hand it to producers: That’s a pretty solid list of people. We’re especially excited to see what kind of witty banter Fey, Poehler, and Rudolph deliver. (Perhaps a preview of their upcoming Netflix film, “Wine Country”?)

According to the producers, the show’s aim is to put the focus squarely on the honored films, and the diversity that they represent in the industry at large.

“The Oscar nominees have generated tremendous worldwide attention through their captivating stories, achievements and performances,” Gigliotti and Weiss said in a joint statement. “We want to give the public an opportunity to once again experience the moments that have moved us all. It is a celebration of our universal love of movies.”

The 91st annual Oscars will air on Sunday, February 24 on ABC.

[via: Oscars.org]

February 5, 2019
Amy Poehler Animated Series ‘Duncanville’ Greenlit at Fox

NBC

Amy Poehler is coming back to TV! The “Parks and Recreation” star will voice two characters on the animated Fox series “Duncanville.”

She’ll voice both 15-year-old Duncan and his highly stressed, always-knows-best mom, Annie.

Fox greenlit 13 episodes of the series, which is written by “The Simpsons” veteran Mike Scully and his wife, former “Simpsons” writer-producer Julie Scully.

The show will reunite Poehler with “Parks and Rec” costar Rashida Jones. Musician and Golden Globe nominee Wiz Khalifa (“American Dad!,” “BoJack Horseman”) will also be voicing one of the characters.

“‘Duncanville’ is one of the freshest animated concepts we’ve seen, and has an insane pedigree of comedic talent across the board,” said Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “We’ve enjoyed a long, incredible run with Mike and Julie, and everything Amy does is pure genius. Having the voice talents of Rashida and Wiz join her makes this show the complete package. I can’t wait to have them all together when we add ‘Duncanville’ to our growing animated slate.”

Look for it during the 2019-2020 season.

[Via Deadline]

October 26, 2018
Seth Meyers Returns Home to ‘Saturday Night Live’ in New Promo

NBC

Former “Saturday Night Live” head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers is hosting SNL Season 44, Episode 3 this Saturday, October 13. Paul Simon is the musical guest.

In his first SNL promo, Seth tries to make a big deal out of his return … even though he’s literally just going to the studio next door.

“No one ever said that homecomings were easy. If something is too easy, it’s hardly worth doing. So no matter how hard the road, or how long the journey, you’re going to make it back to Studio 8H…”

Alex Moffat mutters to Kenan Thompson that Seth’s own “Late Night” studio is just down the hall, right? Kenan tells Seth it’s not weird to see him again because he just saw him in the bathroom yesterday.

Fans are hoping Seth gets to join Colin Jost and Michael Che at the Weekend Update desk, and maybe give us a new “Really?!” segment. It would be nice if Amy Poehler could show up for that too.

NBC

Yes. Really.

Since it’s Seth, we can probably expect SNL to give him more than they gave last week’s host Awkwafina. Maybe even in a political cold open, or would that be pushing it? Also, is Bill Hader free for Stefon to return with Seth? They are a package deal after the wedding, no?

Seth hosts “SNL” this Saturday, October 13 at 11:29 p.m. ET on NBC.

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October 10, 2018