Hey everyone. This is Cinemagnetic. While you refuel with your sandwich, we've got the perfect side dish – a hearty serving of movie and TV news.

It’s Monday. Let’s cook:

• Emmys' Comedy Category Dilemma 🎭

• Controversy over Disney's 'Snow White' Remake 🍎

• 'The Nun' Actress Files Lawsuit for Conjuring Merch ⚖️

• The Dog that Rescued Warner Bros. 🐕

Daily US Box Office Estimates: August 19, 2023 💸

Emmys' Comedy Category Dilemma 🎭

The Emmys' comedy series category faces a challenge. While what makes us laugh varies, some shows stand out for their dark themes rather than humor. This year's eight nominees are quite diverse, ranging from traditional sitcoms to more unusual ones. "Abbott Elementary" and "Only Murders in the Building" are strong examples of funny comedies. "Jury Duty" is a surprising nominee, as it's largely improvised with a non-actor.

Moving beyond standard comedies, the line between humor and darkness blurs. "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" has stand-up comedy but also delves into the struggles of pursuing one's craft. "Wednesday," based on a sitcom, uses surreal and deadpan humor. "Ted Lasso" explores existential crisis, and "Barry" includes a grim hitman character. Both shows, led by funny actors, focus on understanding pain beneath laughter.

"The Bear," a series that mixes humor with tension, challenges the category's definition. The 2022-2023 Emmys rules state that a comedy series should have the majority of its six episodes primarily comedic. However, series like "The Bear" and "Barry" face questions regarding fair competition against more straightforward comedies like "Abbott Elementary." The issue lies in the outdated notion that half-hour shows must be comedies.

Not all blame falls on the Emmys; networks and studios also determine category placement. Audiences take cues from how Hollywood classifies and rewards shows. While jokes circulate about "The Bear's" tension being classified as a comedy, this situation prompts a reevaluation. As television evolves, so does the time needed to tell a story. It might be time to reconsider how shows are categorized and recognized.

What's coming? 🤔

Controversy over Disney's 'Snow White' Remake 🍎

Disney's upcoming live-action remake of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" has sparked controversy. The film, set to be released in 2024, has faced criticism and debate surrounding its casting choices and approach to updating the classic story.

Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White, faced backlash from racist trolls who criticized her Latina heritage. Zegler defended the remake's new take on the character, emphasizing that it's about a young woman's journey beyond traditional fairytale tropes. She noted that the original film made 85 years ago, had dated ideas about women's roles and needed a refreshing perspective.

Critics also raised concerns about the portrayal of the seven dwarves and their representation. Actor Peter Dinklage criticized the movie for reinforcing stereotypes and questioned the decision to maintain the dwarves' portrayal from the original film.

Set photos leaked online, further fueling the discussion. Some social media users questioned the casting choices and the representation of the characters. Some comments were racist and sexist, objecting to the inclusion of Black actors and women.

The controversy surrounding the "Snow White" remake highlights the challenges of updating classic stories and characters while addressing modern sensibilities and inclusivity. The film's creative choices have led to debates about representation, cultural sensitivity, and the preservation of original storytelling.

Famous Birthdays on August 21st 🎂

'The Nun' Actress Files Lawsuit for Conjuring Merch ⚖️

Actress Bonnie Aarons, known for portraying the Demon Nun "Valak" in the Conjuring movie franchise, has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema in Los Angeles. Aarons is seeking her "contractually required share of merchandising revenues" related to her portrayal of the Demon Nun in the films.

The lawsuit highlights Aarons' significant contributions to the franchise's success, as the Demon Nun character is based on her physical features. The lawsuit mentions that Valak's appearance in The Conjuring 2 led to the spinoff franchise, The Nun movies, along with various merchandise like toys, dolls, decorations, and more using Aarons' likeness. Despite the Demon Nun's popularity and financial success, the lawsuit claims that Warner Bros. has not transparently accounted for and paid Aarons her rightful share of merchandising revenues.

Aarons was originally compensated through a fixed fee for her work on The Nun but was allegedly promised additional compensation through box office bonuses and merchandise-related earnings. The lawsuit accuses Warner Bros. of obscuring and withholding Aarons' rightful share of merchandising revenues.

The character of the Demon Nun was introduced in The Conjuring 2 as a last-minute decision by director James Wan. The Demon Nun became a personal antagonist for Ed and Lorraine Warren in the film. Aarons' portrayal of the Demon Nun garnered significant attention and led to spinoff films like The Nun II, in which Aarons continues to play a prominent role.

The lawsuit asserts that Aarons has suffered financial damages due to Warner Bros.' actions and requests proper compensation as per her contract for her contributions to the franchise's success.

Movies Released on August 21st 🎞️

The Dog that Rescued Warner Bros. 🐕

Around a century ago, Warner Bros. faced financial turmoil, with debts and a lack of success. In 1923, led by the Warner brothers, the studio was on the edge of bankruptcy, but a dog named Rin Tin Tin emerged as an unexpected savior. The Hollywood icon of the time, Rin Tin Tin, known as "Rinty," became a sensation and helped rescue the company.

In 1923, producer Harry Rapf proposed creating a film starring Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd. Warner agreed, betting that the dog's popularity could save the studio. The movie "Where the North Begins" became a massive success, generating significant revenue and saving Warner Bros. from its dire financial situation.

Rin Tin Tin's film not only earned box office success but also garnered critical acclaim. This success led to a contract with the dog and his owner, Lee Duncan, securing their involvement in several movies with substantial pay. Rin Tin Tin's fame persisted, and he was even considered for a Best Actor nomination at the first Academy Awards.

However, the advent of "talkies" (films with sound) in 1927 brought changes to the industry, affecting Rin Tin Tin's career. His popularity was rooted in silent films, and as sound innovation took over, his star power dwindled. Warner Bros. terminated his contract in 1929, despite his consistent profitability. His story is a testament to how unexpected stars can shape the course of an industry and even rescue a struggling studio.

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