It’s common for films to explore parent-child relationships, but not as often are they about the dynamic between a parent and his child’s spouse, particularly if said child is still alive and around. In that way, A Little Prayer is an odd specimen, since its primary characters are Bill (David Stathairn), a veteran who runs a business with his son David (Will Pullen), and his daughter-in-law, David’s wife Tammy (Jane Levy), who may just be the most selfless, accommodating person in the world…
• /Film the Wicked movie has a new release date, December 22nd, 2021. We'll believe that once we see actual casting news or a start date for filming. So should we start talking about the 94th Academy Awards yet. LOLOLO no. No we shan't. • Library of America Sheila O'Malley's great essay on East of Eden (1955) • Deadline Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect, True Blood) gets a leading sitcom role. Yay, it's about time since she's always hilarious. The comedy is about a church choir that gets a new director (Bradley Whitford)
• IndieWire interesting quotes from indie filmmakers trying to diversify their crew to have more gender parity and multiculturalism and the obstacles they do and don't face. • LA Times women over 70 are killing it right now: Glenn Close, Betty Buckley, RBG, Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, etc • AV ClubBlack Panther's Michael B Jordan is attached to a film adaptation of the popular new fantasy epic Black Leopard, Red Wolf set in an alternate reality Africa. (Hmmm, can he also make movies called Black Tiger, Black Jaguar and Black Lion for a full set of big cats?) • /FilmAquaman's gross has gotten so big that Warner Bros is going to do a spin-off horror film The Trench set in the kingdom of the film's most memorable sequence • AV Club Steve Buscemi learns about that viral 'deepfake' video of his face superimposed on Jennifer Lawrence's body • Pajiba explains the whole Jeff Bezos vs National Enquirer business. My god what a mess (but a fascinating one) • MNPP's obsession with Armie Hammer really does make us love Armie Hammer more • Towleroad Ellen Page drags Chris Pratt over his homophobic church • Variety controversial Michael Jackson Sundance doc Leaving Neverland premieres on HBO on March 3rd
Pitch Perfect could not have arrived at a better time. Its release in 2012 was met with solid reviews and box office figures, but that was just the beginning for the fandom that would ensue. It told the story of the Barden Bellas, an all-female university a cappella group led by Anna Kendrick vying for the top spot at Nationals. Blending Top 40 hits and an underdog narrative was effective. Soon, you could not escape the presence of singing groups and acapella wordplay ("aca-scuse me?").
The arrival of Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015 proved that the Bellas were no fluke. The second film dipped in quality, but was a worthy successor. Now, in 2017, Pitch Perfect 3 is the (supposedly) final installment...
Chris here. Are you ready for another acapella round of pop mashups and "pitch" puns? Anna Kendrick and the rest of the Barden Bellas will be back for a third trip to the stage for this Christmas's Pitch Perfect 3. And we just got out first glimpse of what fun is in store with a first teaser trailer.
Except this trailer looks very little like what we've loved in the past. Instead of musical numbers, we get hints of action sequences and icky jokes at timeliness like Rebel Wilson in a "Make American Eat Again" hat - looks like we might be headed for the pitfalls of "a sequel means we must go bigger" syndrome. Where is the charm? Where is the heart? Where are the TUNES?
Perhaps worst of all, it looks like they will be sidelining Hailee Steinfeld after her young songwriter livened up the second installment with the pop ballad "Flashlight" - I guess the Bellas are back to preexisting music full stop based on what their competition says about them in this trailer. Or maybe the film will just be reliving its global plot points from that last go around.
You can't blame the film for not spoiling the chosen tracks just yet and since that's a major part of the joy of these films, we'll hold out on a full Yes No Maybe So treatment. But needless to say this first look is... suspicious. Have a look for yourself and tell us your thoughts. Also: what musical artist would you like to see the group cover this time?
Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 11:00AM 
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