Monday Musings: TV Weekend Recap, Going 'Chimp Crazy', Happy Birthday Keanu Reeves, Fave Red Carpet Looks From Venice, Emmy Watch, Winery Quiz
Just another a'MUS'ing Monday...
Monday….Funday?
Enjoying the last barbecue of the summer? What did everyone stream this weekend? Here’s what I’m musing about this Monday as I store away my tight-y, white-y pants until next summer.
10 Second Weekend Recap
The Fall Guy (Peacock) - DNF (did not finish). After 20 minutes, the lazy writing of this adventure “comedy” had me thinking this is not even worth my time.
Gary (Peacock) - a documentary film about the late Gary Coleman (Different Strokes) does a beautiful job casting a light on Coleman’s very sad life.
After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun (Hulu)- a docuseries that is not quite a love letter to fans, more like a postcard without a return address.
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (Max) - I really loved this documentary film that used newly discovered recordings of Elizabeth Taylor being interviewed. So much great footage from her life including video and stills from the sets of classic films like Giant, A Place in the Sun, and Cleopatra.
The Wildest Documentary Currently Streaming
Chimp Crazy aka WTF Did I Just Watch?
Okay, who’s watching Chimp Crazy? We need to talk. Brought to you by Eric Goode, the same director who gave us the best pandemic gift ever — Tiger King. Just like its predecessor, Chimp Crazy (currently streaming on Max) reveals the underground world of people who raise chimps as if they are children and more often than not pay the price for their inability to realize that these are wild animals not domesticated house pets. The final episode airs next Sunday, but the three that I’ve seen are (pun intended) WILD. Like with Tiger King, the filmmakers hope to shed light on and imminently hold accountable the people who raise wild animals in captivity.
Actor Alan Cumming who starred in the 1997 film Buddy, the true story about a socialite who raised a gorilla, is a spokesperson for PETA. He is also prominently featured in Chimp Crazy, even putting up a $10,000 reward for Tonka, the missing that starred with him in Buddy, now well into its thirties, and at the center of this wild documentary.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, 1952 - ‘Monkey Business’ Starring Marilyn Monroe Had Its Premiere at the Stanley Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Coincidentally another movie featuring monkeys made waves on this day in history. One of Marilyn Monroe’s early films, Monkey Business was what they called a “screwball comedy” back in the days. Cary Grant plays a chemist who finds his life turned upside down when on of his chimpanzees finds the fountain of youth.
Ginger Rogers, Charles Coburn, and George Winslow also star. The film was directed by Howard Hawks who also directed Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, and George Winslow in one of her most famous films — Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Monkey Business is available to rent or buy on Prime Video or Apple TV+.
Chimps In Films Today
No major movie studios use chimpanzees in any of its films or television series. Even Rise of the Planet of the Apes featured no real primates. PETA and other organizations have fought to bring awareness and condemn Hollywood studios from using chimpanzees and other endangered species as entertainment.
QUIZ: Which famous architect designed this winery in Rioja, Spain?
ANSWER: *At bottom of this newsletter
EMMY WATCH
POLL: Which series do you think deserves to win Outstanding Comedy Series?
MUSING ABOUT FASHION: Fave Looks From The Venice Film Festival
The stars were out last week to attend the Venice Film Festival (that’s Venice, Italy). Cate Blanchett, hands down, killed every look she was in. AMAZING! But Emma Corrin, Nicole Kidman, Sophie Wilde, and Angelina Jolie also stunned with jaw-dropping looks.
Cate Blanchett in Armani promoting her Apple TV+ series Disclaimer premiering in October.
Emma Corrin (The Crown) in Miu Miu promoting her film Nosferatu, premiering this Christmas in theaters.
Nicole Kidman in Schiaparelli promoting her film Babygirl, a mystery thriller premiering this Christmas in theaters.
Sophie Wild in Loewe also promoting her film Babygirl.
Angelina Jolie in custom Tamara Ralph with faux fur stole promoting her film Maria which will premiere in theaters and later on Netflix.
Happy Birthday Keanu Reeves 🥳
Meaning “cool breeze over mountains” Keanu is celebrating his 60th birthday today. He was born on this day in 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon as the son of a showgirl/costume designer and geologist. His father is native Hawaiian of Chinese ancestry and his mother is from Essex England. After his parents divorced, Keanu with his mom and sister moved to New York City, then later to Toronto.
He took interest in hockey when he got to high school and could’ve played professional in the Canadian League if it wasn’t for his other passion — acting. His first big break in film was in the hockey film Youngblood (1986) where he co-starred with Rob Lowe. He then moved onto Hollywood and starred in some notable films like Dangerous Liaisons and River’s Edge. In 1989, Keanu hit the jackpot with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
Although he was typecast as the dopey guy in many films thereafter, he tried to shake off the stigma by landing action roles in Point Break, Speed, The Matrix and more recently the John Wick franchise of films. He is most revered for his charitable contributions, giving back to cast and crew on his film sets.
DID YOU KNOW?
Keanu’s mother was a costume designer who created Dolly Parton’s bunny costume and ears for her October 1978 Playboy magazine cover. Keanu wore the same ears and costume to a Halloween party in high school.
Stream Keanu Reeves…
Parenthood (Max)
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (Max)
River’s Edgy (The Roku Channel)
Point Break (Tubi)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, 1992 (MGM+)
What’s Next For Keanu?
Ballerina, an action thriller from the John Wick universe about a young female assassin seeking revenge against the people who killed her family. Co-stars Ana de Armas, Norman Reedus, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, and Ian McShane. Expected June 2025.
Constantine 2 will have Keanu reprising his role as supernatural exorcist and demonologist John Constantine.
Outcome, a crime comedy co-starring Cameron Diaz, Jonah Hill, and Matt Bomer about a famous Hollywood star who is forced to confront his problems after being threatened by bizarre video footage from his past.
Good Fortune is an action comedy co-starring Seth Rogan and Sandra Oh about a struggling man who gets his life swapped with his wealthy friend by a mystical force.
*Answer to Quiz Question: Frank Gehry