Picks of the Week offers Women and Hollywood’s top recommendations — women-driven and women-made movies, series, VOD releases, and more — and tells you why they are worth your time and money.
Transparent: Musicale Finale (TV Movie) – Directed by Jill Soloway
It goes without saying that “Transparent” has changed our culture. The show was really the first time that a TV series centered on a trans character and how a family reacts to them. Since Jill Soloway has been blowing up many conventions over the last several years, it is not surprising that they do it again with the final, musical chapter of the Pfeffermans’ saga. Maura, who in previous seasons has been played by Jeffrey Tambor, has died and the family is having trouble coping. The kids (Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, and Gaby Hoffman) have always been a bit much and, as expected, they are unmoored by this, as is Maura’s former wife, Shelly (Judith Light). The finale really brings Shelly into the light in a way that hasn’t happened before. It shows how she struggled to fit into her place as a woman and how she was sidelined from her family following the divorce.
There are songs about boundaries. There are songs about why Sepulveda Boulevard is so long. Some are great. Some are a bit confusing. But the bottom line is that this show is about family and resiliency and also about love and acceptance. And that is why it resonates. (Melissa Silverstein)
“Transparent: Musicale Finale” will begin streaming on Amazon Prime on September 27.
Judy
“Judy”: David Hindley/LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions
Whatever you have heard about Renée Zellweger’s turn as Judy Garland in “Judy” — it is true. She is incredible. It is exhilarating to watch. It’s one of those performances that people will be talking about for a long time.
The issue is Zellweger is better than the movie itself. The film takes place in the last several months of Garland’s life, when she was doing London concerts because she was broke and had nowhere to live. She was struggling, trying to figure out how to take care of her kids, but as we know from years of movies and stories about Garland, she had no skill set to take care of herself. “Judy” reminds us that this woman was abused by the Hollywood system her whole life. It made me sad to remember that she died when she was 47. She had so much more to give. (MS)
“Judy” opens in select theaters September 27. Find screening info here.
Sister Aimee – Written and Directed by Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann
“Sister Aimee”
Aimee Semple McPherson was a hugely popular evangelist in 1926 when she went missing. In “Sister Aimee,” filmmakers Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann take many liberties and provide a great feminist story to the evangelist on the run from herself and from what she has fed the public. Aimee (Anna Margaret Hollyman) goes on the lam towards Mexico with her lover, then dumps him. Then meets a woman who becomes her lover. This film is a true adventure story about a woman struggling to find her identity and place in the world. (MS)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann.
“Sister Aimee” opens in limited release September 27. It will be available on VOD October 1.
New and Returning TV Shows On Our Radar
Carol’s Second Act – Created by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins (CBS, September 26)
Grey’s Anatomy – Created by Shonda Rhimes (ABC, September 26)
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, September 26)
Bless the Harts – Created by Emily Spivey (Fox, September 29)
Join the W&H Community at the 2019 Power Women Summit
Eva Longoria will provide the keynote address: TheWrap
Women and Hollywood is proud to be on the Advisory Board for TheWrap’s 2019 Power Women Summit, which will be held on October 24 and 25 in Los Angeles. The summit will provide two days of education, mentorship, workshops, and networking to promote the goal of greater women’s leadership in this industry, and gender balance in media, entertainment, and technology overall.
Women and Hollywood has 25 tickets to offer for FREE to members of our community.
If you would like to be considered for one of the tickets, we need you to send a short essay by 11:59pm EST on September 30 on why coming to this summit will be beneficial to your life and your work.
Some things to keep in mind:
1. Please keep the essay under 500 words. Please submit it in a Word doc or a PDF to whleadershipsummit@gmail.
2. The ticket will cover attendance to the summit and meals during the summit. It does not cover travel or accommodations.
This promises to be a special event for members of the Women and Hollywood community. Eva Longoria will deliver the keynote address and the other confirmed speakers include Chrissy Metz, Stephanie Beatriz, Mayim Bialik, Diane Guerrero, and designer Rachel Zoe. Please check out the draft schedule on the event’s website.
The Women and Hollywood group will have a dinner together on the evening of October 24, and we will also gather together at the end of the summit to have a group closing discussion.
Follow Women and Hollywood on Twitter @WomenaHollywood and Melissa Silverstein @melsil.
To contact Women and Hollywood, email melissa@womenandhollywood.com.
