Latest news with #BrianTruitt
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Does 2025 have a song of the summer? The internet has doubts
Does 2025 have a song of the summer? The internet has doubts Show Caption Hide Caption 'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt releases his list of summer's must-see films. The highlights include "Superman" and "Mission: Impossible." For friend groups carpooling to the beach this summer, there may not be a consensus on song choice. While Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" and Tommy Richman's "Million Dollar Baby" were among the tunes considered the 2024 song of the summer, there's no such clarity this time around. Music fans have voiced frustration with the lack of clear contenders for the 2025 title, saying no song has gained the same level of momentum as Carpenter's caffeinated earworm or Kendrick Lamar's Grammy-winning diss track "Not Like Us." The public has never unanimously agreed an definitive song of the summer, an unofficial honor that drives debate every year over which artist drops the season's true anthem. Every year, listeners pick a track they feel is emblematic of summer, from The Beach Boy's 1963 "Surfin' U.S.A" or The Police's 1983 "Every Breathe You Take" to Katy Perry's 2010 "California Gurls" featuring Snoop Dogg. This year, the internet has been scratching its head trying to figure out which track will reign supreme. The conundrum only became more apparent when Spotify shared 30 predictions for the 2025 Song of the Summer, a list the streaming giant said considered "cultural expertise, editorial instinct and streaming data." Social media users not only bashed the list, but the state of this year's summer anthems as a whole. Some went as far as saying 2025 might not have any songs of the summer. A song of the summer can't be forced to emerge Wyatt Torosian, a 34-year-old marketing professional from Louisiana, said the issue stems from artists tailoring their releases in the spring, with the hopes of becoming the song of the summer. In Summer 2005, the success of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" was indisputable, with the R&B soul hit playing at any store you walked to, Torosian said. Yet in this era, where musicians heavily utilize social media to promote their work, he argues music simply being made with the intention of going viral. "Everyone's designing music for a TikTok algorithm, and they're not actually making music that people want to listen to," Torosian told USA TODAY. "As artists keep designing songs for algorithms, there's going to be less and less songs that even have the staying capacity to last for an entire summer." Leo Pastel, an independent R&B songwriter based in Cincinnati, said record labels are often the ones vying to have the summer anthem more than the artists themselves. He believes musicians generally haven't been making the "upbeat, bright, happy songs" that epitomize the title yet, and urges labels to just accept that. "Fans will make something, and then like the companies and the labels will pick up on it a year later and try to force it," he said. "There's not really a Song of the Summer this year and I think everyone understands that, but the labels are trying to create it." As a musician himself, Pastel said most artists know better than to force their work to be trendy, adding "anytime you try to force something, it just ends up coming off inauthentic. So it really has to come from an authentic place for it to really connect." A true song of the summer is undeniable When a track is a true song of the summer contender, it's almost irrefutable. Pastel said they're the songs that listeners can't escape from at clubs, or that they can't help but play while riding their bike. Hit summer songs were easier to identify decades ago when radio stations and TV programs had listeners largely consuming the same media at the same time, according to Pastel. Yet as streaming platforms have given listeners more control over what music they listen to, he said it takes lot more for a song to stand out amongst the masses. "It's a lot more difficult for one thing to be ubiquitous and for everyone to be paying attention to it. So I think that it'll be a lot more rare for us to see those major cultural moments like we were used to in years past," Pastel added. Kristi Cook, a pop culture content creator in Los Angeles, noted it's sometimes easier to judge a song of the summer after the season ends altogether. "It takes you back to a smell. It takes you back to a moment in time, like a piece of clothing," said Cook, who has nearly 400,000 followers on her TikTok page Spill Sesh. "Like, it just really takes you back to where you were when you were listening to that song the most. When it was the most played at restaurants or bars." Could the 2025 summer anthem could drop any moment? Many social media users have completely given up on 2025 having a song of the summer, with the exception of devoted fans championing their favorite artists' new releases. Fans of Charli XCX are even pushing for hyper-pop "party 4 u" amid a popularity resurgence, despite the song being released in 2020. Meanwhile, artists like Doja Cat, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus and A$AP Rocky are all expected to drop albums in the near future. But summer hasn't officially begun, and Cook is encouraging people not to throw in the towel just yet. "People are looking at it a bit negatively because they don't agree or they don't like these songs that are available right now," she said. "Everyone's waiting for the 'Espresso.' I feel like everyone's just waiting because they hear all these teases or they're hoping their favorites are going to drop a song." With the music world still left in suspense, USA TODAY asked Torosian, Pastel and Cook what they believe should be the 2025 Song of the Summer. Here's what they said.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The Deaf community's history is often overlooked. That's about to change.
The Deaf community's history is often overlooked. That's about to change. Show Caption Hide Caption 'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt releases his list of summer's must-see films. The highlights include "Superman" and "Mission: Impossible." More than three decades ago, a week-long protest on a college campus caught the attention of the whole country and led to resignations of university officials. But you probably don't know about it. That's about to change with new documentary "Deaf President Now!" (streaming now on Apple TV+, home of Oscar-winning film "CODA"). It chronicles the students at the world's only Deaf university, Gallaudet, in 1988, who fought back against the college's decision to hire a hearing president. In its 124-year history, there had only been hearing presidents. The students locked gates. Used buses to block the entrance. Went on national television to air their grievances. All in the name of their community. It's a story co-director Nyle DiMarco, Deaf actor and filmmaker, has wanted to tell for years. Initially, he and producer Jonathan King tried for a scripted version that didn't pan out. "The story of 'Deaf President Now!' was about so much more than just appointing a deaf president," DiMarco says. "It's more complex, more layered and contains much more nuance than what we would have been able to provide within a scripted format. And because it didn't lend itself to really telling the story the way that we needed to, we brought it to (co-director Davis Guggenheim), who immediately said, 'No, no, no, this has to be a doc.'" And so it became one – one that everyone, from Deaf people to hearing people to today's student protesters, ought to give a watch. 'They were able to overcome those internal conflict' Guggenheim, who is a hearing person, felt like he was pretty informed about the Deaf community when he signed on to the project. "Now, two years later, I feel even more ignorant than when I started," he says, "meaning it's a beautiful, complex world that I'm just a visitor in, and Nyle has been so generous to sort of invite me in." That collaboration will mean a unique viewing experience for the audience; for hearing people, that means they will appreciate sound like a deaf person might. By vibration, for example. "Growing up Deaf, a lot of people have this assumption that we have no relationship or interaction with sound whatsoever," DiMarco explains, "but that's not true. It's not entirely lacking in our world. We just experience it in a different way." Appreciating differences is a key throughline in the documentary. Watching the film, one can't help but compare it to other college campus protests, stretching from the Vietnam War to the current war between Israel and Gaza. "When we were editing the movie, on one screen would be our characters in 1988 and then on the TV over here was, protests at Columbia and UCLA and and it was a striking, striking contrast," Guggenheim says. The students profiled in the film, for example – Jerry Covell, Greg Hlibok, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl and Tim Rarus – didn't all get along. But they still managed to fight for a common goal. "They were able to overcome those internal conflicts and those differences of opinions and work together every day until they got what they wanted," DiMarco says. 'I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be': Nyle DiMarco talks Deaf, queer culture in 'Deaf Utopia' memoir 'I don't think there's any one right way to be Deaf' Not only did the protests lead to the resignation of the appointed president, Elisabeth Zinser, but also the stepping down of Jane Bassett Spilman, chair of the board of trustees of the university. Ultimately, the students do see their Deaf president in I. King Jordan, then a dean. But not before they grew angry at him for switching back and forth between siding with students, then the university. Jordan became deaf as a 21-year-old in an automobile accident. "He's sort of bordering between these two worlds. And there's a moment where, he says, 'I never really felt, you know, completely home in one place or the other.' And as I always say, I don't think there's any one right way to be Deaf," DiMarco says. 'I am not ashamed': Disability advocates, experts implore you to stop saying 'special needs' You're 'not powerless' What should people take away from the film? Well, a lot. The significance, for starters. "This protest alone gave rise to the passage of the ADA, major American federal legislation which serves to protect and provide rights to over 80% of the American population," DiMarco says. "So we are very big contributors to our history, you know, and I would hope that they would see that we're no longer second last class citizens." Gallaudet has had a Deaf president ever since. Guggenheim hopes people consider it in the context of today's divisive politics: "I think there are a lot of people right now who are seeing big, big changes to our political landscape, and they're feeling powerless. And I hope people watch this movie and realize that they're not powerless." And don't forget, there's strength in numbers. DiMarco adds, "I think you'll be surprised when you do start speaking up, just how many people you'll find in your corner behind you."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mission: Impossible 8 Reviews Result in Series' Lowest Rotten Tomatoes Score Since 3
The first Mission: Impossible 8 reviews are here, and while still overall praising of the movie, the early scores result in what is the lowest overall reaction to the franchise in some time. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning recently debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with an 88% score. While still extremely high, the film's score would be the lowest in the series since 2006's Mission: Impossible III. Despite the lower score, the general response to the last installment in the legendary series is largely positive. USA Today's Brian Truitt praised the film, saying that fans 'couldn't ask for a better death-defying, free-falling, edge-of-your-dang-seat sendoff.' Vanity Fair's Richard Lawson called the film a 'worthy send-off' of a finale, and said it might not reach the highest peaks, but still delivers. Variety's Owen Gleiberman was equally positive, saying the film is still 'good enough to remind you how much fun it is when something is truly at stake in a high-flying, twisty-plotted, solemnly preposterous popcorn movie.' The New York Times' Manohla Dargis called the movie 'flat-out ridiculous,' but a good example of a blockbuster at its 'most highly polished.' ComingSoon's Jonathan Sim also praised the film, calling it an 'unforgettable, stunning blockbuster' that doesn't reach the peaks of the franchise, but is still tons of fun. Along with Cruise, the cast of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning includes Hayley Atwell as Grace, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, Esai Morales as Gabriel, Pom Klementieff as Paris, Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge, Holt McCallany as Bernstein, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman as Sydney, Hannah Waddingham, Angela Bassett as Erika Sloane, Shea Whigham as Jasper Briggs, Greg Tarzan Davis as Degas, and Charles Parnell. The synopsis for the film simply reads, 'Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.' The film is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who co-wrote the script with Erik Jendresen. Cruise and McQuarrie both serve as producers on the film, while David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, and Chris Brock all serve as executive producers. Mission: Impossible 8 will be released in U.S. theaters on May 23, 2025, from Paramount Pictures. The post Mission: Impossible 8 Reviews Result in Series' Lowest Rotten Tomatoes Score Since 3 appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
President Trump wants to slap tariffs on foreign-produced movies: What we know
President Trump wants to slap tariffs on foreign-produced movies: What we know Show Caption Hide Caption 'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt releases his list of summer's must-see films. The highlights include "Superman" and "Mission: Impossible." As summer movie season begins and the box office is finally getting some momentum, it's the one word Hollywood probably wanted to hear least: tariffs. In a social media post May 4, President Donald Trump announced he's authorized his administration to slap a 100% tariff on movies produced outside of the U.S. because, as he put it, "the Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death." He called the incentives used to bring filmmakers and studio productions to other countries "a National Security threat" and "propaganda," and concluded his message by writing, "WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!" The post took the movie industry by surprise – director BenDavid Grabinski quoted Trump's post and added a "?????????" on X – but mainly it was met with confusion. Does the president actually want to bring film production back to the U.S. or is this a shot across the bow at Hollywood, a home for many Trump critics like George Clooney? Can he actually levy a tariff on a movie or will this random missive just die on the vine? (In context, the same night Trump also announced he was reopening Alcatraz as a prison and ripped into Republican strategist Karl Rove after a scathing appearance on Fox News.) Let's try to make some sense of these potential movie tariffs: What movies could be affected by President Trump's tariffs? So, Trump actually is talking about two different things in his post: foreign films that are bought by studios and distributed here, and domestic films that go overseas or to, for example, Canada as part of production. Or he might be wanting to levy tariffs on both. It could make international movies pricier, for sure, especially for those wanting to purchase a buzzy film from Cannes or another film festival. In theory, someone wanting to buy, say, the next "Parasite" out of South Korea could be levied that 100% tariff. Another important question here: Would this tariff just extend to movies or would it also affect TV? Netflix, which imports global series like "Squid Game" and "The Crown" and makes them binge-worthy hits, might pull back on that extensive part of their business model. More worrisome for Hollywood is the fact that many of its biggest blockbusters are filmed partly outside of the U.S.: In 2023, about half of the spending by U.S. producers on movie and TV projects with budgets of more than $40 million went outside the U.S., according to research firm ProdPro. The hit "A Minecraft Movie" filmed in New Zealand, and that's where James Cameron is working on the latest "Avatar" movie. Christopher Nolan is making "The Odyssey" in various places including Morocco. Marvel studios just started production on "Avengers: Doomsday" in London. Not to mention all the movies and TV shows that regularly use Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Another aspect to be clarified: Would tariffs hit movies now in production or the ones already completed? That "Minecraft" movie is a huge hit – might it now owe Uncle Sam a hefty chunk of change? And Tom Cruise probably doesn't want to hear about tariffs with "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" – which filmed in Norway, Malta, South Africa and assorted other locales – a few weeks from releasing in theaters. How might average movie lovers be affected by Trump's movie tariffs? Many Americans are feeling tariffs in general, from the stock market to the increasing prices of everyday items. Tariffs on movies could conceivably hit Americans' pocketbooks in a whole new way, or change up their beloved entertainment escapism. A lot probably depends on how and where tariffs get levied. It's not hard to imagine that if studios owe extra money on movies – which often cost hundreds of millions to produce and distribute – ticket costs could rise. Or streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ might raise subscription prices. Tim Richards, Vue Entertainment CEO and founder, told BBC Radio 4 that "a big part of this is what constitutes U.S. film: Is it where the money comes from, the script, the director, the talent, where it was shot?" The number of movies that comes out could be affected. If it becomes inordinately expensive for studios to finance movies – and movies are already rather expensive – fewer films will get made. Maybe Disney goes all in on Marvel and "Star Wars" outings but doesn't pull the trigger on some mid-tier projects. And with so many movies currently underway (or getting ready to be), it would be difficult to shift productions back to America, not to mention figuring out where they would shift to. Tariffs likely mean more chaos, not to mention how it might affect the global movie business. Studios depend on international box office for their films' success. Amid these tariff wars, China has already said that it will "moderately reduce" the number of U.S. films it imports. More reciprocal tariffs on Trump's new movie plan would add extra pain to an industry that still isn't back to its pre-pandemic heights. But can President Trump actually levy a tariff on a movie? The morning after Trump's movie tariffs announcement, stocks opened lower. That might not be shocking given the effects other tariffs have had, but what is startling is the lack of any detail about the president's plan for Hollywood. It's unclear who or what would have tariffs levied on them, and when they would take hold, or how they would be enacted. But here's another of many questions: Can a movie even be taxed in such a way? It's not like "Sinners" or "Thunderbolts*" was a good imported on a ship from China. The World Trade Organization extended a moratorium on digital trade tariffs until 2026 – if film is considered a digital good, that could make the tariff hard to enact without some legal wrangling. Or would movies coming soon to a theater be subject in a different way than streaming content? Then again, like with other announced tariffs, perhaps Trump rolls back his movie plan or just moves on to something else that garners his attention. From filmmakers and studios to movie fans everywhere, we'll all have to wait and see. Contributing: Zac Anderson; Reuters
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films
'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt releases his list of summer's must-see films. The highlights include "Superman" and "Mission: Impossible."
