Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is George C. Wolfe's film adaptation of the August Wilson play. It stars Viola Davis in the title role and Chadwick Boseman in his final film performance, and it's available to stream on Netflix.
Christopher Nolan's Tenet was the first tentpole movie to be released in theaters during the pandemic. It did okay business (it's currently the third-highest grossing film of 2020), but nothing like what Warner Bros. would've hoped for in a normal time. It's still in theaters, and it's now available to buy on physical disc or from digital platforms. It will be available to rent digitally in January.
Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take:
- John le Carré, Best-Selling Author of Cold War Thrillers, Dies at 89
Breaking from the James Bond mold, he turned the spy novel into high art as he explored the moral compromises of agents on both sides of the Iron curtain. - Charley Pride, Country Music's First Black Superstar, Dies at 86
He began his career amid the racial unrest of the 1960s and cemented his place in the country pantheon with hits like "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'." - Ann Reinking, Tony Winner and Star of Broadway's 'Chicago,' Dies at 71
- Pantone Picks Two Colors of the Year for 2021
It's all about the messaging. Get ready for a brighter future. - Here's a Complete List of Updated Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, and Disney Animation Release Dates
- Snoop Dogg Doesn't Agree With Cardi B's "Wap," Encourages Women to Have Privacy and Leave Things to the Imagination
- Jon Bon Jovi's sappy cover of a Pogues' holiday classic just 'ruined' Christmas, says the Pogues
- American Master Bedrooms Should Just Split Up Already
- No, I Am Not Getting Rid of My Thousands of CDs
Our chief classical music critic writes in praise of going to a shelf, pulling out a recording and sitting down to listen. - Cleveland's Baseball Team Will Drop Its Indians Team Name
The decision comes amid a wider push for sports teams to stop using Native American names and imagery as team names and mascots. - MLB Is Finally Recognizing the Negro Leagues as the Major Leagues They Always Were
Negro League statistics from 1920 to 1948 will now be officially classified as "major league," marking a long-overdue acknowledgment of the accomplishments of players who didn't have the opportunity to play in the American or National Leagues - Every Steven Soderbergh Movie, Ranked
- Taylor Swift's deeply affecting evermore continues folklore's rich universe-building
- Christopher Walken Says He's Never Owned a Computer or Cell Phone
- TOM CURSE: Raging Tom Cruise warns Mission: Impossible crew they're 'f***ing gone' if they break COVID rules on set
- Tom Cruise rant dubbed into classic 'Rudolph' clip on Twitter
- Lin-Manuel Miranda Is Hopeful for Broadway's Return
- 'Heroes' Was Supposed to Be Leonard Roberts' Big Break. Instead, It Nearly Broke Him.
- Cyberpunk 2077 Was Supposed to Be the Biggest Video Game of the Year. What Happened?
Nearly a decade of hype led to a troubled release riddled with glitches, a livid fan base, refunds for potentially millions of players and a possible class-action lawsuit. - John Mulaney Checks Into Rehab
- The Journalist and the Pharma Bro
Why did Christie Smythe upend her life and stability for Martin Shkreli, one of the least-liked men in the world? - It Took a Global Pandemic, But Generation X is Finally Getting Love
Sorry Boomers and Too Bad Millennials -- Only One Generation Stands Out as Social Distancing Pros - A Close Reading of Ariana Grande's Engagement Announcement
In an extremely 2020 move, Ms. Grande got quarantine-engaged and announced it in an Instagram photo dump. - MGM Is Exploring a Sale of Its Studio
- Trump Sets 'Beautiful' as the New Standard for Federal Buildings
- Golden Globes Switch 'Promising Young Woman' to Drama, Maria Bakalova Moved to Lead for 'Borat'
Other HFPA changes include the men of "One Night in Miami" and "Hamilton" accepted into the film categories.
GUESTS:
- Tom Breen - A film critic and reporter for the New Haven Independent and host of WNHH radio's Deep Focus
- Mercy Quaye - Founder and principal consultant for The Narrative Project and a columnist with Hearst Connecticut Media Group
Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.
