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Stephen King’s IT has haunted us since 1986. But most recently, IT and IT: Chapter Two directed by Andy Muschietti really captivated popular imagination. The devious Pennywise and his red balloon caused a stir among die-hard horror fans and casual viewers. And now, we’re heading back to Derry for more of that specific world. HBO has officially greenlit and ordered Welcome To Derry, an IT prequel series from Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs.

According to TV Line, Andy Muschietti will also direct several episodes of the series, including its first. The publication reports the HBO IT series will be set in the ’60s and delve into the origins of Derry’s curse and, presumably, Pennywise the Clown. The show will eventually lead to the first IT film.

It’s not clear whether we’d see Pennywise become the main character of the Welcome to Derry prequel show. But we wouldn’t mind seeing Bill Skarsgård step into the role once more.

The post HBO Orders IT Prequel Series WELCOME TO DERRY appeared first on Nerdist.

The man who killed rapper Nipsey Hussle has been sentenced to serve the next 60 years in prison.

According to The Associated Press, Eric R. Holder Jr. was sentenced to 60 years to life for killing Ermias Asghedom, better known as Nipsey Hussle. Last summer, he was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles rapper in 2019.

The 32-year-old killed Hussle outside The Marathon clothing store the rapper owned in south Los Angeles.

Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke II sentenced Holder to 60 years to life in prison after hearing testimony about the considerable cost of killing the local rap star who remained in his neighborhood after national success. He also considered the rapper’s one-time associate’s lifetime of mental illness, abuse, and struggle.

“I am very mindful of what was presented as to Mr. Holder’s mental health,” Jacke stated. “I am also mindful of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I believe this sentence balances the two.”

Holder was convicted of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for the gunfire that hit two other men at the scene who survived.

The judge sentenced Hussle’s killer to 25 years to life for the murder, 25 more for a firearm sentencing enhancement, and 10 years for assault with a firearm. The sentences will run concurrently.

Hussle and Holder had known each other for years when the two were members of the Rollin’ 60s in South LA.

During last year’s trial, prosecutors revealed that Hussle was slain after a conversation with his killer, where he allegedly accused him of snitching, which led Holder to come back and kill the popular rapper.

The 33-year-old Hussle was killed in front of his Marathon Clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

A petition was started to rename the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard near Hussle’s store, Marathon Clothing, to “Nipsey Hussle Square.” On the day of his funeral, the City Council announced it was set to be renamed Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom Square to honor him and his contributions to the neighborhood. He is survived by his 3-year-old son Kross Ermias with his longtime girlfriend, Lauren London, and his 11-year-old daughter Emani from a previous relationship.

Theater Camp recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the Jury prize for best ensemble. Read the official synopsis below, followed by our review of the film.

As summer rolls around again, kids are gathering from all over to attend AdirondACTS, a scrappy theater camp in upstate New York that’s a haven for budding performers. After its indomitable founder Joan (Amy Sedaris) falls into a coma, her clueless “crypto-bro” son Troy (Jimmy Tatro) is tasked with keeping the thespian paradise running. With financial ruin looming, Troy must join forces with Amos (Ben Platt), Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon), and their band of eccentric teachers to come up with a solution before the curtain rises on opening night.

Brought to life by first time feature directorial duo Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman. Written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Liberman and Ben Platt, who together wrote the short film Theater Camp on which this feature is based.

This movie is written by four friends, three of whom star in it. Theater Camp feels very much like an in joke that maybe got stretched too far. I am not a theater camp person so I’m not their target audience, I still get the humour and why it’s meant to be funny but it didn’t quite land for me. I’m sure if you’ve been to theater camp, you’ll get more out of it than I did.

I see why Theater Camp won the Sundance Jury prize for best ensemble. The cast is very strong with plenty of familiar faces. Molly Gordon’s (Booksmart, You People) Rebecca-Diane and Ben Platt’s (Pitch Perfect, Dear Evan Hansen) Amos lead the titular theater camp. They’re both annoying, highly strung people who may put too much stock into the camp. They both bring about some laughs and their extreme personalities are intentionally too much.

Noah Galvin’s (The Good Doctor, Booksmart) Glenn is a much more reserved character. He is in the background but has the makings of a star. Jimmy Tatro (Home Economics, American Vandal) plays his usual character, seems dumb but isn’t completely useless. The kids in the film are funny and very natural, finding good child actors is tough but they did a good job.

Theater Camp uses text too often on screen to let the audience know what’s happening. Even in a mockumentary style film like this, with no talking heads or narration, I would expect more of the story to be shown through actions rather than told via text on screen. It wasn’t the best idea to further the plot in my opinion.

The end of the film is the best part, it builds to a nice conclusion. Lifelong friends going through changes leading to tension is not an original concept but it is entertaining enough. Some of the songs in the musical are good, which is essential for a film of this nature. Ultimately, the cast is having more fun than the audience but it’s good enough to pass a few hours watching on a streaming service.

Searchlight bought the rights to Theater Camp for around $8 million, so expect to see it in theaters or on Hulu later this year or early 2024.

The post Sundance: ‘Theater Camp’ Is Not As Funny As It Thinks It Is appeared first on The Nerd Element.

Good evening, everyone! Today I want to discuss some updates about some theme parks including Disney and Universal. So, let’s get started, shall we?! So, at Universal Studios Orlando, they have raised up the wage to $17 becoming the wage leader in terms of trying to compete with Disney. The new wage structure, which includes raising pay for other workers based on the new rates and their time with the company, goes into effect in June, Universal Orlando Resort President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Irwin said in a letter Tuesday to the resort’s 25,000 workers. The starting hourly wage hike is part of a larger effort aimed at improving worker benefits in a tight labor market that includes increasing 401(k) matches and tuition reimbursement, adding compassionate leave, doubling the amount of parental leave and upgrading behind-the-scenes areas for workers like break rooms and bathrooms, park officials said. “But it doesn’t stop there, our culture seeks to create a path forward that supports our Team Members, gives them an opportunity to grow and fosters a real sense of purpose and belonging,” Irwin said in the letter. Universal Orlando currently is recruiting for 2,500 positions across the resort. It also is gearing up toward opening a new park, Epic Universe, in 2025. The resort’s workers aren’t unionized. At crosstown rival Walt Disney World, union members voted down a contract proposal covering 45,000 service workers earlier this month, saying it didn’t go far enough toward helping employees face cost-of-living hikes in housing and other expenses in central Florida. The company and unions plan to return to the negotiating table. Disney World service workers who are in the six unions that make up the Service Trades Council Union coalition had been demanding a starting minimum wage jump to at least $18 an hour in the first year of the contract, up from the starting minimum wage of $15 an hour won in the previous contract. The rejected proposal would have raised the starting minimum wage to $20 an hour for all service workers by the last year of the five-year contract, an increase of $1 each year for a majority of the workers it covered. Certain positions, like housekeepers, bus drivers and culinary jobs, would start immediately at a minimum of $20 under the proposal. Well, it seems like Universal is trying to beat Disney World in terms in wages and I heard a lot of people saying that Disney should be afraid of Universal because they could add some attractions there and the fact that Epic Universe is going to be opening up in 2025.

Over to Disney World, over 2,500 cast members have filed some lawsuits against Disney unions for refusing the increase one cent because they want their jobs back. They know that Universal is winning against them. Now, Disney has offered the cast members a 50% discount. Although Disney is refusing to offer “even one cent” wage increase in their negotiations with Cast Members, they are offering Cast Members 50% off their purchases. The discount is available online at shopDisney through February 26, 2023, and at Disney Parks through March 7. This discount is coming on the heels of some controversy regarding wages for Cast Members, who protested in November against Disney’s reluctance to raise wages amid inflation concerns and the rise on cost of living in the Orlando area with signs that read “Full-time can’t buy diapers!” and “Full-time can’t buy formula!” among others. This seems to me that Disney is trying to fix some things up in terms of the cast member jobs. I just think that people need to give Disney another chance even though they are not happy and they might start to actually like Universal better. So, I would just let Disney play this out and let Bob Iger handle this. Don’t interfere with Disney.

Also in Disney World, the new ride called Tron Light Cycle Run is going to be opening up on April 4^th, 2023. The cast member previews have already started by trying out the ride and they seem to love it so far. Some people are having problems with the ride saying “I can’t fit on the ride”. I think people will eventually get use to it because it is their first time riding it.

Last, but not least at the Disneyland Resort, The Mickey’s ToonTown reopening date has been delayed to March 19^th due to the winter storms that have slowed down the progress that they have been making. It was scheduled to reopen on March 8^th. It was a smart move by Disney to delay the reopening of Toon Town.

So, what do you guys think about the entire theme park updates I shared information with you guys about?! I would love to hear lots of comments, thoughts, opinions, questions, or concerns down below! Tell me what information stood out to you the most.

Stay tuned for theme perk updates.

The post Some Theme Park Updates. appeared first on The Nerd Element.