Issue 9 November 23rd 2020

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The Latest

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ Netflix Record: Most Watched Scripted Series | IndieWire

Netflix has confirmed “The Queen’s Gambit” is its biggest scripted limited series in history, launching to a record-breaking 62 million households over its first 28 days of release, the streamer claims.

David Fincher Speaks on Mindhunter Future, Teases Original Plans – /Film

David Fincher‘s serial killer series Mindhunter became one of Netflix’s instant critical hits, but was not enough of a commercial hit to justify a third season. As the future of the series remains in limbo, Fincher, whose new film Mank hits the streaming service soon, has confirmed in a new interview that it is effectively done…for now.

Watch a Gory Axe Murder from the Crispin Glover-Starring 'Smiley Face Killers'! [Exclusive] - Bloody Disgusting

Inspired by true events and the twisted “smiley face killers” conspiracy theory that has gripped the American imagination for decades, this pulse-pounding serial killer tale reunites acclaimed director Hunter with his River’s Edge star Crispin Glover (Alice in Wonderland), and also stars Ronen Rubinstein (Fox’s “9-1-1: Lone Star”) and Mia Serafino (NBC’s “Crowded”).

Croods: A New Age Review - A Fun Family Sequel

The Croods, released back in 2013, is an unsung gem in the DreamWorks Animation catalog – and one with a very complicated, improbable history. It started life as one of the Aardman films that DreamWorks was coproducing in the early-to-mid-2000s and featured a script by comedy legend John Cleese (his title for the project was the much wittier Crood Awakening).

‘Black Beauty’ Review: Kate Winslet Voices Horse in Disney+ Adaptation | IndieWire

Ashley Avis' Disney+ adaptation of the classic story pulls at the heartstrings, but its episodic feel keeps it from galloping along with ease.

New 'Saved By the Bell' Class Puts Fresh Spin on a Familiar Franchise - Variety

The thing about going back to high school is that it’s never the same as you remember. Nor should it be, given the amount of personal growth and development you’ve hopefully had in the years since graduation. Taper your expectations though, and taking a stroll down memory lane can leave you embracing the fond memories you experienced while recognizing all the ways in which you now, perhaps, know better.

The Industry

We Think You Can Ignore This Screenwriting Advice

If you do not hook them from the start, they're going to leave.

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE 2 In Talks at Netflix

The Chiodo Brothers’ Alien Xmas is now streaming on Netflix. And today, director Stephen Chiodo teases that he has been in talks with the streaming giant about possibly producing a sequel to the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

'Predator 5' Was Supposed to Be a Surprise and Has Been in the Works for Years, Says Director - Bloody Disgusting

10 Cloverfield Lane‘s Dan Trachtenberg was hired to write and direct the next installment in the Predator franchise. This was huge news being that Shane Black’s The Predator (2018), as good as it was, underperformed behind an excruciating budget. It appeared, for the time being, that the franchise was all but dead.

Franchise Creator Says Next 'Final Destination' is Still in Development - Bloody Disgusting

We broke the news in January 2019 that Final Destination was being retooled with Saw sequel writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan set to pen the script. Franchise creator Jeffrey Reddick and series producer Craig Perry revealed in a later interview that it’s actually canon and takes place within the existing Final Destination universe.

UK TV Exports Hit Record $2B Before Worst Of Coronavirus Pandemic Hit – Deadline

Global hits including Chernobyl and His Dark Materials helped UK television exports grow 6% to a record high of £1.48B ($2B) in the 12 months to the end of March, according to producer trade body Pact.

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Just Installed the Only Surviving Shark Model from 'Jaws' [Video] - Bloody Disgusting

If you need some feel-good joy on the road to Thanksgiving, we’ve just been provided with behind the scenes footage of the shark from Jaws being installed at LA’s Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, specifically the only surviving model from Steven Spielberg’s classic!

GREMLINS 3 Writer Promise Little Monsters Will Be Tangible Puppets

Like many of you guys, Joe Dante’s Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch are some of my favortie flicks. And today, original screenwriter Chris Columbus teased that Gremlins 3 is still in the works. And the creatures will NOT be CGI.

'Fatman' is Low-Key Fun and a Bloody Holiday Treat

A little bit funny, a little bit bloody, this isn't your daddy's Christmas movie.

‘Big Sky’ Premiere Gets Big Live+3 Lifts For ABC – Deadline

Likely boosted by word of mouth following that shocking ending, the premiere of ABC’s new drama series Big Sky grew by +3.03 million total viewers and by +0.5 rating points among adults 18-49 from Live+Same Day to Live+3 Day to amass 7.2 million viewers and a 1.2 in 18-49 after three days of playback.

Maybe Warren Beatty Had It Right: ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ – Deadline

From the Department of Anniversaries-You-Probably-Forgot: Four years ago today, Nov. 23, brought the release of Warren Beatty’s Howard Hughes film, Rules Don’t Apply.

Snapchat Spotlight: Content Creators Can Get Share of $1M Daily Pool - Variety

Snapchat users, put on your thinking Snaps: The app company is launching its first program to pay creators for the most-viewed daily video posts, which will be showcased in a new TikTok-like feed.

The Tech

RED Komodo Now Netflix Approved | CineD

Netflix has just announced that the RED Komodo is now officially approved to create Netflix 4K Originals content. In short, all RED cameras (except the RED One) are now Netflix compliant. Let’s take a closer look at it!

Does the New Apple M1 Chip Live Up to the Hype for Filmmakers?

We got our hands on a 13" MacBook Pro with the new M1 chip to see if it's something filmmakers should consider, or if it's better to hold off.

SmallRig RED Komodo Cage Launched | CineD

Chinese accessories manufacturer SmallRig has just launched its SmallRig RED Komodo cage. This cage consists of four removable sides – a baseplate, a top plate, and two side plates – and it is made out of magnesium alloy for a weight of only 163g. Let’s take a closer look at one of the most affordable RED Komodo cage on the market!

THANOS-PRO II Gimbal Support System is now Available | CineD

What sounds like a sequel to Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” is in fact DigitalFoto’s take on Arri’s Trinity stabilizer system. Let’s have a closer look at s the Chinese company’s newly released system.

What To Watch

10 Great South Korean Films You May Have Never Seen – Taste of Cinema – Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists

Following Parasite’s Best Picture win at the Oscars, South Korean cinema is arguably receiving more attention than ever. While the works of Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook are both pretty established cinematic touchstones at this point, it feels important to continue to celebrate South Korean cinema. This list will observe important works little seen outside of South Korea but nevertheless provide fantastic viewing.