The Call Sheet: Creepy dolls and cool ideas
Jan. 8, 2023 | Vol. 1, Issue 2 | A new name for the newsletter, Renner recovering, M3GAN is killer, and The Golden Globes are back
Logline
A new name for the newsletter, Renner recovering, M3GAN is killer, and The Golden Globes are back
A new name
As you may have noticed, this week’s newsletter has a different title from the one that went out Jan. 1. That’s because I’ve adopted The Call Sheet as the official moniker for the publication, though Mickey at the Movies will remain the name of the overall website.
I’m doing this for two reasons: The first, is for branding purposes. By having a distinct name for the newsletter, I think the publication will gain better traction from readers and helps differentiate it from the other sections of my website, like straightforward movie and television reviews and other ramblings.
The second reason is this newsletter is all about celebrating the films and television shows we love—but more importantly, the work that goes into making them. One of the key parts of the production process is the call sheet itself, a document that breaks down everything there is to know about a shoot day. The contents of the document, as explained by Studio Binder, includes weather conditions, involved cast and crew, shoot expectations, and more.
I view this newsletter as something of a call sheet of its own, in that it shows the goings on and conditions in the industry, while also laying out key things readers need to know about Hollywood, movies and television. It’s not a perfect allegory, to be sure, but it’s one I like and I’m sticking to it.
I have a lot of interesting ideas for what this newsletter could grow into (might I add, as a side venture—I love what I do in my full-time job as a reporter for the Indianapolis Business Journal and have no plans to move away from that. I’m tremendously fortunate to have support from my editor there on this venture, and I couldn’t be more grateful).
But none of those ideas can happen without having a clear goal for this newsletter. In my mind, it’s pretty straightforward: I want this to be a go-to source for movie and television fans trying to keep their pulse on the industry, all while helping readers unpack and express their own views on the topics of the day and the films and shows they chose to watch.
Quick hits
Actor Jeremy Renner is still in the hospital after he was run over by a snow plow while rescuing a family member from a snowstorm last week in Reno, Nevada. Renner, best known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is on the mend, but sustained injuries to his chest and lower extremities. There’s no word on his recovery timeline, but it’s worth noting that the new season of Mayor of Kingstown, Renner’s show on Paramount+, is still expected to kick off on Jan. 15 (next Sunday). For now, though, the bow and arrow-wielding actor says he is focusing on healing. The Hollywood Reporter’s Ryan Gajewski shares how Renner celebrated his 52nd birthday this week from his hospital bed.
One of the stories I overlooked last week when writing this newsletter is an update on the Paul Haggis situation. Haggis, who produced back-to-back Oscar winners Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Crash (2005), has been found liable of raping a Hollywood publicist at his home in 2013. But those working in the industry have been slow to distance themselves from Haggis, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the group behind the Oscars) so far not making any decisions on Haggis’ future in the organization; it has expelled the likes of Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, among others, over the years for their sex crimes. This Dec. 30 story from The Daily Beast’s Dorian Geiger has details on Hollywood’s silence, and what could come next as the industry grapples with the thugs in its ranks.
The new android thriller M3GAN has infiltrated the American box office, pulling in a higher-than-expected $30 million over the weekend domestically. The figures, which put the film second to James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water ($45 million), exceed the projected $15 million to $20 million that were anticipated for the film’s maiden voyage. Brent Lang of Variety details the early box office figures.
Cineworld, the owner of one of the largest theater franchises in the United States with Regal Cinemas, is going full tilt on a possible sale. The movie exhibition giant, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2022, is looking for a buyer after denying it had talks with rival AMC Theatres last year about the sale of some of its individual Regal theaters. This clip from The John Campea Show breaks down the news, and what could happen with a possible sale.
Nicolas Cage as Dracula? Sign me up! There’s a new trailer depicting exactly that very thing, as part of a marketing rollout for the new Universal film Renfield. Cage stars alongside Nicholas Hoult (The Menu), who plays the titular character—Dracula’s familiar and assistant in the books from Bram Stoker. This is a campy-looking film that I can’t wait to see. Gizmodo’s Linda Codega has more on the movie, plus a first look at the tremendously strange, and oddly charming, trailer.
A new trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the next big Marvel movie, is expected to drop at halftime of the College Football Playoff National Championship between Georgia and Texas Christian University on Monday night. It’s a natural delivery device for the game’s broadcast partner ESPN, as it is a Disney-owned outlet like Marvel. There’s a lot of speculation about what could come in the trailer, including cameos, story hints and more. Richard Nebens of The Direct takes a look at what to expect.
Warner Bros. Discovery has signed a metrics deal with VideoAmp, a startup focused on calculating audience engagement for streaming services. The move comes as Warner looks for ways to better inform would-be advertisers on the popularity of its content, and is not exclusive (WBD will still work with Nielsen, the biggest industry player in measuring audiences). Lillian Rizzo of CNBC has more on the partnership, and the benefits it brings to both companies.
Latest review
M3GAN
Blurb: “M3GAN works because it’s a simple, emotionally driven story that is accentuated by a philosophical look at artificial intelligence through a practical lens. That is, for as outlandish and campy as the film is on its surface, it has a lot of interesting things to say about modern parenting and the way technology is changing every facet of our lives.”
Full review → | Reviews from others →
Sound off!
One of the biggest things I’m hoping to do with this newsletter project is share my love of movies with others, and better understand what films and shows move family members, friends and strangers. To that end, I’m considering starting a free podcast associated with the MATM website that would feature deep dives into movies I love and some of the big movie news from the week, as well as the occasional guest to talk about their film favorites.
The big question I have is, if I were to launch a podcast, how many people would listen to it. So I’ll turn that inquiry over to you, my readers. You’re also invited to share your thoughts and ideas with me directly via email at mickeyatthemovies@gmail.com.
The headliners
The best thing I saw last week
Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street, now streaming on Netflix: A four-part documentary series, Madoff offers a deep dive on the most lucrative Ponzi scheme in history and it does so through compelling interviews, powerful cinematography and a story that just seems too good to be true. I’ve always been intrigued by stories tied to The Great Recession, and this one is no different.
Two things I’m most looking forward to this week
Super League: The War for Football, streaming Jan. 13 on Apple TV+: A mini-series looking behind the curtain of a near rebellion across Europe’s professional soccer ranks, Super League focuses on the backroom deals, clandestine phone calls and secret meetings that nearly turned the sporting world on its head. Trailer →
Devotion, now streaming on Paramount+: This is one of the films I missed during its theatrical run in 2022. It follows the true story of Jesse Brown (, the U.S. Navy’s first Black aviator and his connection with pilot Tom Hudner during the Korean War. It was on my running list of most anticipated movies last year, but I never got a chance to see it. Trailer →
One more thing…
The 80th Golden Globe Awards, broadcast Jan. 10 on NBC at 8 p.m. ET: Let me be frank: I don’t put a lot of stock in the Golden Globes, and given their controversies over the years—ranging from diversity challenges among its member ranks to accusations of members accepting gifts in exchange for votes a litany of other scandals—I’m not inclined to this year, either, even if they do put on a heck of a spectacle for television audiences. But when it comes to the value of the Globes as an industry recognition of excellence, it does little to move the needle for me. But if you’re inclined to watch it, it’s airing on Tuesday.
What’s next
Movies
A Man Called Otto, in theaters Jan. 13: Starring Tom Hanks as the titular character, Otto follows the story of a grumpy man who’s become more reclusive after the loss of his wife and the friendship he forms with a new neighbor named Marisol. Trailer →
Stories worth reading
— What’s on the docket for the entertainment industry in 2023? Matthew Belloni of Puck News has some predictions in this paywalled story.
— A great interview from Ryan Fleming of Deadline with The Woman King’s cinematographer, Polly Morgan. Read it here
—Aaron Taylor-Johnson has emerged as a favorite to play James Bond, writes AV Club. Here’s the story
— Dwayne Johnson tried to use his industry influence to play a bigger role in charting the future of the DC film universe. Variety has more
Something worth watching
— The Los Angeles Times had a great roundtable this week with several esteemed actors: Austin Butler (Elvis), Paul Dano (The Fabelmans), Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Jonathan Majors (Devotion), Bill Nighy (Living) and Adam Sandler (Hustle). It’s 42 minutes long, but worth every second. Watch the video
Parting thoughts
I apologize that this week’s newsletter is a little shorter than the last, but I’m feeling a bit under the weather today and mostly relied on what I compiled earlier in the week. I’m looking forward to getting back on track next week. If you have any thoughts or comments on the newsletter that you’d like to share, please comment or email me directly at mickeyatthemovies@gmail.com.
All the best,
Mickey