What's streaming now: Bradley Cooper conducts, Lidia Bastianich cooks and Percy Jackson quests
This week’s new streaming entertainment releases include Bradley Cooper’s loving look at the life of Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro,” Percy Jackson finds out that Greek myths aren’t just a history lesson in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and PBS celebrates chef Lidia Bastianich.
Marvel's 'Falcon' promises action, explores race, patriotism
(Disney Plus via AP)NEW YORK – When Steve Rogers handed Sam Wilson his Captain America shield at the end of Marvel's massive 2019 event “Avengers: Endgame,” Wilson tried it on for a beat. That reluctance and skepticism is front-and-center as Wilson's story continues in “The Falcon and the Winter Solder,” a new six-episode Disney+ series that promises an exploration of patriotism and race alongside its shootouts and soaring chase scenes. While “Endgame" appeared to promise a quick transition for Anthony Mackie's Falcon to take up the Captain America mantle, as he has in the comics, the creator of “Falcon” promises only complications. AdSo will there be a Black Captain America by the time the final credits roll in April? Agent, a sometime antagonist to Captain America who twists American patriotism to darker ends.
Disney unveils plans to stream a galaxy of new series, films
NEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co.’s streaming plans shifted into hyper speed Thursday, as the studio unveiled a galaxy’s worth of new streaming offerings including plans for 10 “Star Wars” series spinoffs and 10 Marvel series that will debut on Disney+. But Disney also kept its biggest films — including Marvel's “Black Widow," Pixar's “Luca,” a “Lion King” prequel — on course for theatrical release. Jenkins becomes the first woman to direct a “Star Wars” film. Among the “Star Wars” series are two spinoffs of “The Mandalorian,” set during the series' timeline: “Rangers of the New Republic” and “Ahsoka,” with Rosario Dawson. Seven Disney films topped $1 billion worldwide.
Disney delays 'Black Widow,' Spielberg's 'West Side Story'
NEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co. has further postponed its next mega-movies from Marvel, including “Black Widow,” while also postponing Steven Spielberg's “West Side Story” a full year in the company's latest recalibration due to the pandemic. The Scarlett Johansson Marvel movie “Black Widow,” last set for Nov. 6, heads to May 7 of next year. That was the date set for “West Side Story,” but Spielberg's musical will instead debut in December 2021. Given the interconnected nature of Marvel releases, the latest delay of “Black Widow” had a domino effect on other films. Since the pandemic began, the company's “Mulan,” “Hamilton” and “Artemis Fowl” have gone direct to streaming, with “Mulan” made available for a $30 premium purchase by subscribers.
Disney selling face masks with beloved characters, donating proceeds to charity
Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending people wear cloth face coverings in public settings, Disney is getting in on the face mask game, and making masks featuring your favorite Disney characters. Disney said the company would donate all profits from the sales in the U.S. of Disney’s cloth face masks to Medshare, now through Sept. 30. That’s right, you can have Baby Yoda on your face mask while you grocery shop at Trader Joe’s. In addition to donating the proceeds of these colorful masks, Disney said it will donate 1 million cloth face masks to children and families in vulnerable communities across the United States. From Elsa, Anna, Buzz and Woody, there is a face mask for every Disney fan.
You should revisit these 11 movie franchises while quarantined
Luckily for us, there are tons of films that have gone on to become major movie franchises, with sequel after sequel bringing back some of the most beloved characters of all time. So, if you want to take a break from binging “The Office” for the 10th time and want to dig in to some classics, consider watching these movie franchises from front to back. ‘Star Wars’Writer and director George Lucas created a movie about a team of rebels fighting evil in a galaxy far, far away, and it’s gone on to become one of the most influential movie franchises of all time. ‘Toy Story’A lot of the movie franchises are for teens and adults, but the “Toy Story” movies are great because the entire family can enjoy them. ‘Marvel’Anyone who has gone to see a Marvel movie knows that there are a ton of them.
'Irishman' tests 'cinema' label while courting Oscar voters
(CNN) - Martin Scorsese caused a stir when he said that Marvel movies are "not cinema," arguing that huge comic-book franchises are more theme-park attractions than an attempt to convey "emotional, psychological experiences." While theatrical windows are intended to appease filmmakers and hard-core movie fans, Netflix doesn't discuss box office. "Once you commit to a television format, you're a TV movie," Spielberg said in a 2018 interview with ITV News. Studios have a long history of imposing their wills on talent, but by getting into bed with Netflix, Scorsese has seemingly traded in one master for another, just with slightly different priorities. "The Irishman" is playing in select theaters and premieres Nov. 27 on Netflix.
Disney+ announces everything coming to its streaming service and OMG we want to watch it all
Disney made a case for itself when the people at the studio announced a streaming service exclusively for Disney movies and TV shows that will be called Disney+. The new streaming service goes live on Nov. 12 and a huge offering of movies and TV shows from Disney, Marvel, Fox, Star Wars and Pixar will be available for the monthly price of $6.99. You can't forget that Disney+ has a ton of Disney Channel original programming, too. If you really want to know everything Disney+ has to offer, Disney uploaded a video that's over three hours long. The great streaming service race has just begun.
'Black Panther' sequel release date announced
Eight movies were nominated for best picture on Tuesday, but there are two that couldn't be more different -- "Black Panther," the Marvel blockbuster; and "Roma," Alfonso Cuarn's black-and-white Netflix film -- might be the most significantANAHEIM, California (CNN) - "Black Panther" fans can finally mark their calendars for the highly-anticipated sequel. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige took the stage at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, along with film director Ryan Coogler, to announce that the second movie of the "Black Panther" saga will debut in theaters on May 6, 2022. The Disney-Marvel movie won three Oscars for original score and production as well as costume design. After hitting theaters in February 2018, "Black Panther" has grossed more than $700 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.
Kevin Feige reveals thinking behind Marvel's Phase Four
We were always about doing what we always tried to do in Phase One, Two and Three, which is do a film of character you already know, [like] Black Widow, in a way that you don't expect." "We wanted to do our big ensemble like we did in Phase Two with 'Guardians,' and that's what 'Eternals is," said Feige. 3" and sequels to "Black Panther" and "Captain Marvel." Diversity has clearly reverberated deeply with audiences embracing superheroes that look and feel like they do, with Captain Marvel and Black Panther as cases in point. "We love the story -- it's one of the best comic runs recently," said Feige.
Mahershala Ali to star in 'Blade' for Marvel
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images(CNN) - Marvel made a host of super announcements at its panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Saturday, but saved arguably the biggest news on Phase 4 for last. Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Blade, the vampire-hunting character previously played by Wesley Snipes. Ali was on hand for the announcement and given a hero's welcome as he revealed the news by wearing a "Blade" hat. The last "Blade" film, "Blade: Trinity," was released in 2004. Ali, who has won Academy Awards for his roles in "Green Book" and "Moonlight," most recently starred in HBO's latest installment of "True Detective."
Win tickets to see a sneak preview of Marvel's Black Panther
Marvel's Black Panther opens in theaters on Feb. 16, but you can win tickets to see a sneak preview days ahead of the rest of the public. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king -- and as Black Panther -- gets tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people. Enter now to win tickets to see the screening on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Shops of Sunset Place. We'll be giving away 15 pairs of tickets, so enter to make sure you're a winner.