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What’s Hot During Quarantine?

September 3 -16

Pete Buttigieg is National Keynote Speaker of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

Former presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg will provide the National Keynote to the 2020 Summer Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. Themed It’s In Your Hands, the conference will be broadcast online Saturday, September 12 from 10am to 2pm. The conference is hosted by the Caucus’ Broward chapter, the Dolphin Democrats. It will be broadcast from our studios. Hotspots Media Group – the Caucus’ media partner, right here in Oakland Park.

Katy Perry Releases Smile

Katy Perry’s new album, Smile, was recently released by Capitol Records. Brimming with resilience and gratitude, the songs were born of Katy’s personal journey through dark times, as she explained in an interview with NPR “Morning Edition.”  Last week, Katy set a new record when her single “Firework” was certified 12x Platinum, marking the highest certified track by a lead female artist in RIAA history. The song was one of five singles from the 8x Platinum album Teenage Dream, which was released 10 years ago. Fans will find exclusive vinyl editions of Smile offered by Walmart and Target. The Target vinyl is translucent cobalt blue and includes “High On Your Supply,” which is a bonus track exclusive to Target, plus a voice memo from Katy. The Walmart vinyl is a stunning ruby red. A CD edition with a lenticular cover and a picture disc are available exclusively at Katy’s storehttps://shop.katyperry.com

The Social Dilemma

Netflix release this on Wednesday, September 9. We tweet, we like, and we share — but what are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media? As digital platforms increasingly become a lifeline to stay connected, Silicon Valley insiders reveal how social media is reprogramming civilization by exposing what’s hiding on the other side of your screen. For more information go to: www.netflix.com/TheSocialDilemma.

 

Netflix Announced the Debut of Felipe Esparza’s First Netflix Original Comedy Specials  

Stand-up comedian, actor and “Last Comic Standing” winner Felipe Esparza digs deeper into his past in his first Netflix Original comedy specials, Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions and Felipe Esparza: Malas Decisiones. Filmed in Santa Ana, California as two separate performances – one in English and one in Spanish – the specials showcase Esparza’s edgy style of humor as the perfect vehicle to weave through difficult anecdotes of his childhood and mistakes in his adult life with ease. The specials mark the first time a Netflix comedian has recorded a stand up special in two languages that are set to be released simultaneously. Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions and Felipe Esparza: Malas Decisiones is now available, and for more info, go to: netflix.com/felipeesparzabaddecisions

 

 Toni Braxton Release “Spell My Name” 

Multimillion-selling R&B/pop pioneer and seven-time GRAMMY Award-winner, Toni Braxton has recently released her 10th studio album, ‘Spell My Name.’  ‘Spell My Name’ is Braxton’s follow up to her multi-GRAMMY nominated album ‘Sex & Cigarettes.’ In late 2019, Braxton graced the stage at the American Music Awards for a breathtaking performance of her iconic song, “Un-Break My Heart,” which marked the 25th anniversary of her first appearance on the show which became one of the most talked about moments from the evening. Braxton is the legendary, multimillion-selling R&B/pop pioneer and seven-time Grammy Award-winner behind timeless hits such as “Love Shoulda Brought You Home,” “Another Sad Love Song,” “Breathe Again,” “Seven Whole Days,” “Un-Break My Heart” and “He Wasn’t Man Enough.” If that wasn’t enough, the multi-talented singer/songwriter has also expanded her skillset along the way:  music producer, Broadway musical star, television actress/producer and best-selling author.

 

Quibi Presents #FreeRayShawn

On a remote street in the outskirts of New Orleans, a botched entrapment leaves a police officer dead and an innocent man named Rayshawn (Stephan James) on the run. Rayshawn escapes a breathless pursuit and barricades himself in his home with his girlfriend (Jasmine Cephas Jones) and young son (Danny Boyd, Jr.). Citing the senseless end of countless Black Lives, Rayshawn documents the ensuing standoff on social media, building a fleet of witnesses who share his desire for respect, accountability, and social justice. As the SWAT team encroaches and #FREERAYSHAWN trends, Rayshawn places his trust in Lt. Steven Poincy (Laurence Fishburne) to find the evidence that will exonerate him. Poincy works against time as both negotiator and lifeline, while perception and procedure block the path to the truth. There are 15 episodes, available now. 

 

AWAY Premieres on Netflix Friday, September 4th

From Executive Producer Jason Katims, the Netflix series Away is a thrilling, emotional drama on an epic scale that celebrates the incredible advancements humans can achieve and the personal sacrifices they must make along the way. As American astronaut Emma Green (Hilary Swank) prepares to lead an international crew on the first mission to Mars, she must reconcile her decision to leave behind her husband (Josh Charles) and teenage daughter (Talitha Bateman) when they need her the most. As the crew’s journey into space intensifies, their personal dynamics and the effects of being away from their loved ones back on Earth become increasingly complex. Away shows that sometimes to reach for the stars, we must leave home behind. For more information, go to: netflix.com/Away

 

Amazon Releases All In: the Fight For Democracy

In anticipation of the 2020 presidential election, All In: The Fight For Democracy examines the often overlooked, yet insidious issue of voter suppression in the United States The film interweaves personal experiences with current activism and historical insight to expose a problem that has corrupted our democracy from the very beginning. With the perspective and expertise of Stacey Abrams, the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, the documentary offers an insider’s look into laws and barriers to voting that most people don’t even know is a threat to their basic rights as citizens of the United States. All In: the Fight For Democracy is in theaters September 9 and on Prime Video September 18. 

 

Bill & Ted Face The Music

The stakes are higher than ever for the time-traveling exploits of William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. and Theodore “Ted” Logan. Yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny, the now middle aged best friends set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we know it. Along the way, they will be helped by their daughters, a new batch of historical figures, and a few music legends – to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe. Bill & Ted Face The Music stars Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Samara Weaving, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Kid Cudi, Kristen Schaal, Anthony Carrigan, Erinn Hayes, Jayma Mays, Jillian Bell, Holland Taylor, Beck Bennett, William Sadler, Hal Landon Jr. and Amy Stoch, is now on Demand and in theaters. 

 

Julie and the Phantoms Premieres on Netflix 

High schooler Julie (Madison Reyes) lost her passion for music after her mom died last year. But when the ghosts of three dreamy musicians (Charlie Gillespie, Jeremy Shada, and Owen Patrick Joyner) from 1995 suddenly appear in her mom’s old music studio, Julie feels her own inner spirit beginning to reawaken, and she’s inspired to start singing and writing songs again. As their friendship with Julie grows, the boys convince her to create a new band together: Julie and the Phantoms. From Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, Descendants), executive producers Dan Cross and Dave Hoge (The Thundermans, Pair of Kings), and choreographer Paul Becker (Descendants, Mirror Mirror) comes a fresh and exciting new musical series about embracing life’s ups and downs, following your dreams, and discovering the power of your own voice. Nine 30-minute episodes premieres on Thursday, September 10.

 

The 20th Anniversary of “Battlefield Earth” 

Mill Creek Entertainment is excited to announce the inclusion of newly produced bonus features for the upcoming Blu-ray release of Battlefield Earth. Celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its theatrical launch, this high-definition debut includes over 70 minutes of interviews with the crew associated with the film. Fans can get behind-the-scenes insights, never-before-seen photographs and fascinating stories about the development of the script, visual effects, musical score and more!  This special edition Blu-ray will release will be available on September 15 for $19.99 MSRP. For more information, please visit millcreekent.com.

 

I’m Thinking of Ending Things on Netflix

Despite second thoughts about their relationship, a young woman (Jessie Buckley) takes a road trip with her new boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) to his family farm. Trapped at the farm during a snowstorm with Jake’s mother (Toni Collette) and father (David Thewlis), the young woman begins to question the nature of everything she knew or understood about her boyfriend, herself, and the world. An exploration of regret, longing and the fragility of the human spirit, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is directed and written by Academy Award winner Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and is inspired by Iain Reid’s bestselling namesake novel. Available now; for more information go to: netflix.com/imthinkingofendingthings

 

Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices Now on Netflix

This is a live-action collection of twelve five minute episodes featuring prominent Black celebrities and artists reading children’s books from Black authors that highlight the Black experience. Hosted by Marley Dias (author and founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign), the collection of books and conversations center around themes of identity, respect, justice, and action — providing families a toolset to start meaningful conversations with kids about difficult topics through short-form book-based content. Series Guests: Lupita Nyong’o, Common, Tiffany Haddish, Jill Scott, Marsai Martin, Kendrick Sampson, Grace Byers, Caleb McLaughlin, Karamo Brown, Misty Copeland, Jacqueline Woodson For more information go to: netflix.com/bookmarks

 

Ghosted returns to MTV

MTV’s “Ghosted: Love Gone Missing” returned on Wednesdays at 9pm with a completely virtual season. In the six-episode docuseries, hosts Rachel Lindsay and Travis Mills help distraught individuals virtually track down and confront a former lover, friend, or family member in an effort to uncover the harsh realities of why they “ghosted” them.

 

ArtServe Presents “Emerging Art From War-Torn Syria: War & Hope

ArtServe, South Florida’s award-winning arts services organization that is advancing the arts for social good, will help Syrian artists deliver their message in a full-scale exhibition entitled “Emerging Art From War-Torn Syria: War & Hope” that will run virtually now through Friday, October 23rd.   Since initial COVID-19 closures left its facility temporarily shuttered in March, Broward-based arts incubator ArtServe has continued to deliver its mission through a near-daily series of virtual events dubbed “ArtServe Live.” To support “War & Hope,” ArtServe will apply its newfound successful virtual formula to create a first-ever virtual art exhibition facility tour, punctuated by adjunct online chats, performances and lectures available free of charge to attend through the “ArtServe Live” Zoom and Facebook events page at: facebook.com/pg/ArtServeFlorida/events

Scott Holland

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