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Anna Kendrick recently dove into heavy fare with Alice, Darling, a film that she says mirrored her experience in an emotionally abusive relationship. The Oscar winner is now making her directorial debut in a project (with a different but still dark tone) previously known as The Dating Game but retitled as Woman Of The Hour. The project is a true-crime thriller feature, and last year — even before the project was filmed — it sold in several international markets.

The film was originally going to be a Netflix-produced film, but the streamer pulled out of the funding game when they started to overall step back from pouring out dollars for many projects. However, Variety now reports that after Kendrick went ahead and did the thing — replacing the exiting director and continuing to star in the movie — Netflix has ponied up around $11 million for U.S. rights and international rights not claimed thus far.

The film went over well with TIFF critics, and here are only a few of the raves:

Now, let’s talk more about what to expect from Woman Of The Hour.

Plot

The story follows the appearance and aftermath of serial killer Rodney Alcala on 1970s romance-roulette show, The Dating Game, and Kendrick portrays bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw, who did end up picking Alcaca but fortunately did not end up being one of his victims.

Alcaca engaged in a protracted murder spree, killing at least 130 people after luring them into his web by posing as a photographer. He died on death row in 2021 while awaiting execution. The NYPD previously asked for help identifying women in his chilling portfolio who could possibly be unnamed victims.

TIFF published this description of the “stranger-than-fiction story” that appears to take a bold stance in addition to fueling true crime appetites:

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut uses this stranger-than-fiction story to examine the distressing dynamics of gender. In addition to directing, Kendrick also plays Sheryl, the struggling actor who decided to book an appearance on the show where she would have a chilling run-in with Alcala. While this confrontation serves as the spine of the film, we’re taken backward and forward through time, exploring Alcala’s murders, with a performance by Daniel Zovatto that captures the disquieting hubris of a man who knows he’s operating in a world too skewed to catch him.

Instead of dwelling on the gruesome details that often preoccupy true-crime tales, Kendrick uses the case to make an incisive statement on the way women are forced to navigate their encounters with men. In addition to being an intelligent metaphor for those uncomfortable nuances, Woman of the Hour also harbours a dark truth: when you’re confronted by the rage of men, the only way to make it out alive is to play the game.

Cast

As mentioned above, Kendrick portrays Cheryl Bradshaw, who fortunately never ended up going on a date with Alcaca, who is portrayed by Daniel Zovatto. The cast also includes Tony Hale, Kathryn Gallagher, Kelley Jakle, Max Lloyd-Jones, Darcy Laurie, Dylan Schmid, and Nicolette Robinson.

Release Date

Netflix hasn’t publicized a release date yet, but considering that they only just acquired streaming rights, that missing information is only to be expected. Hopefully, they will pick one sooner rather than later.

Trailer

No trailer has materialized yet either. However, one really should watch this clip of Alcaca’s appearance on The Dating Game.

We don’t know when Woman Of The Hour will come to Netflix, but once we do, then you will know as well.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for “Cut” singer Tori Kelly. On July 23, Kelly was reportedly rushed to the hospital after passing out at a dinner with friends and family. Days after, the songwriter’s husband, André Murillo, took to Instagram to provide fans with an update regarding Kelly’s health.

Now, during an interview with ET released today (September 12), Kelly has detailed her health scare caused by blood clots. “That just made me even more grateful and not want to take a single moment for granted. Looking out in the audience and seeing all my amazing fans again has been keeping my spirits high,” said Kelly while making reference to her The Take Control Tour.

She went on to tell host Rachel Smith about the moment leading up to the incident: “It happened out of nowhere. I was feeling just a little tired throughout the day, and my heart rate was kind of high. I was at dinner with my husband and so thankful he was there because I ended up collapsing and was rushed to the hospital, and they found blood clots.”

Somehow, Kelly has maintained to keep a positive outlook on it all as she remarked, “On one end, it was scary, and then on another end, I did feel this sense of unexplainable peace that it was gonna be OK. I just felt like God had me, and it was gonna be OK, but yeah, definitely in the midst of that, it was just kind of a confusing whirlwind.”

Tori is out now via Epic Records. Find more information here.

With “Back At It” blaring from the speakers in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Gunna emerged atop a platform that held him several feet above the ground. The rapper’s face and a large snake, both in the form of stone-like sculptures, were laid out on the stage beneath him. This entrance was equally triumphant and boastful, and rightfully so, as this time a year ago, Gunna was behind bars as a part of YSL’s 56-count RICO Act indictment filed by Fulton County in May 2022. Gunna was released seven months later after he agreed to Georgia’s Alford Plea “in which a defendant doesn’t admit he committed the crime but acknowledges that it is in his best interest to plead guilty.”

Gunna’s plea deal and subsequent release led to a wave of criticism from rap fans, many of whom were supporters of Young Thug, who to this day, remains behind bars as a result of the same RICO indictment. Gunna was called everything in the book as many believed that his plea deal contributed to Young Thug’s ongoing imprisonment. Many declared they would no longer listen to the Atlanta rapper because he was a “snitch.” Unmoved by this, Gunna released his fourth album A Gift & A Curse in June of this year in what would be the start of his summer takeover. It debuted at No. 3 on the album charts to become his fifth top-10 release and the album. It also spawned the hit record “Fukumean” which has spent the last two months in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 while also becoming the highest-charting single of his career.

Gunna’s 2023 success is wrapped in plenty of irony. He’s a rapper who became more successful than ever after many – both fans and artists alike – cut ties with him. He’s also a rapper that, as our own Aaron Williams pointed out, many called a snitch despite simultaneously claiming that Young Thug and others were innocent of all charges against them. None of that mattered though as the rapper stood on that platform in Barclays for his first live show since his prison release. What mattered is that, as his A Gift & A Curse album proved, Gunna is back and he can’t be stopped.

After his captivating entrance to “Back At It,” Gunna dove into took on other A Gift & A Curse records like “Bottom” and “Idk Nomore” to solidify the commanding presence he established with his opening record. He quickly catered to fans of his 2022 chart-topping album DS4EVER with performances of “Too Easy” and “Poochie Gown,” the latter of which was eloquently accompanied by women in Pucci gowns on stage. Through this opening section, Gunna made it clear that he was not deterred by the unproven allegations placed on him from all angles over the last year. He’d successfully filled up Brooklyn’s Barclays Center with a show that nearly sold out, and in return, he treated his audience to a spectacular concert with an attention to detail that was not only admirable but worthy of applause as well.

When Gunna performed “Top Off” from his beloved 2018 project Drip Season 3, he did so from a hanging mic to reference his viral A Colors Show rendition of the record. He recognized the popularity of B-side records like “Baby Birkin,” “Who U Foolin,” “Met Gala,” and “Pedestrian,” a delivered those moments to fans who have been unable to see the rapper since his Drip Or Drown 2 Tour in 2019. Regardless of what his stance with YSL artists and affiliates is, Gunna knew to perform standout collaborations like “Drip Too Hard,” “Yosemite,” “Sold Out Dates,” “Ski,” and “Hot.” More recently in terms of his discography, Gunna took notice of the acclaimed transition from “F*kumean” to “Rodeo Dr.” on A Gift & A Curse and recreated it at Barclays for a moment that sent the audience into an explosive cheer that nearly threw the arena off its axis. Gunna has always been a showman who knew what his audience wanted, but with plenty to prove to the world, the rapper delivered a performance with fiery authority for a set that will be remembered throughout his career.

The rapper’s show at Barclays did have its minor flaws. At its halfway point, the rapper performed a section of songs that sent the arena into a bit of a lull. The nine-song section included slower-tempo records like “Bread & Butter,” “Paybach,” and “I Was Just Thinking.” After such a fiery start upended by songs like “South To West,” “P Power,” and “Dollaz On My Head,” the switch in energy was noticeable as Barclays felt noticeably dormant. Thankfully, Gunna brought life back to the arena with a section of records dedicated to Young Thug as he performed tracks that featured his YSL boss. “Hot,” “Ski,” “Oh Okay,” and “Pushin P” all rang out after a “Free Jeffery” graphic appeared on the big screen. The songs sent the arena into a frenzy, and more noticeably, signaled that maybe the internet rumors about Gunna’s post-incarceration relationship with Young Thug is what the internet chalked it up to be. Maybe there is no animosity on either side, but at the bare minimum, nothing is confirmed, and maybe the assumptions and theorizing should be saved for more important things.

Gunna’s 2022 incarceration couldn’t have come at a worse time in his career. He was just a few months removed from landing his second No. 1 album with DS4EVER, a project that impressively beat out The Weeknd’s Dawn FM for the top spot. Eighteen months later, Gunna delivered another top-3 album to the world with A Gift & A Curse as well as a summer hit with “Fukumean.” Keeping all this in mind, Gunna’s Barclays Center concert was a reminder of many things. The rapper is still one of music’s most beloved acts at the moment, as the arena of fans rapping his lyrics for nearly two hours proved. The rapper is an entertainer who knows how to captivate a crowd with both his music and his fashion sense. Lastly, Gunna is at the top of his game and it’s going to take a lot more than rumors and agendas to bring him down.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Olivia Rodrigo returned last week with her highly anticipated sophomore album, Guts — two years after she broke records with her debut. With a new Rolling Stone cover and a rumored arena tour being announced tomorrow, the pop star is promoting the record a bunch. And fans are wondering if it will pay off.

According to Hits Daily Double, Rodrigo’s Guts is expected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has reportedly sold at least 285k units during the first week.

For comparison, Sour had five singles while Guts has only had two so far, with “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right.” Rodrigo’s debut album sold 295k in 2021, with 72,000 being album sales, and also debuted atop the charts.

“I think that, in general, making this album has given me a lot of confidence as a songwriter,” Rodrigo told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “I think writing the first album, it just felt so spontaneous.”

“I was 17 years old learning how to write songs for the first time and just pouring my heart out,” she added about the difference between the two. “I had so much to say. I think this time I was in a different place and I was having a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations placed on me and I think I really had to try to block out the noise and just focus on the craft of songwriting.”

This would mark her second No. 1 album.

Latin trap rapper and international reggaeton recording star Bad Bunny has caused a stir in the music world after the massive success of his album Un Verano Sin Ti. However, that’s not the only thing about the “Tití Me Preguntó” musician that has the world’s attention. When fans aren’t attempting to dig up details on his rumored romance with model and reality television star Kendell Jenner, they criticize his vibrant fashion sense. Some have taken it as far as to accuse him of queerbaiting.

During an interview with Vanity Fair’s Michelle Ruiz released today (September 12), Bad Bunny had a colorful response to those claims. “I get an endless number of negative comments and sexist and homophobic ones, without being homosexual, for dressing like that. Maybe the queer person suffers more, but it’s not like I put on a skirt and go out, and they say, ‘Look, how cool.’ They’re going to attack me with all their force anyway,” said Bunny.

He continued, “You don’t know the reasons why a person is wearing that. You weren’t in his mind when he decided to put on a skirt or a blouse. You don’t know what’s inside him, what’s in his heart. You do it because you want to, and it makes you feel good, and it makes you feel happy.”

Bad Bunny has also used fashion to throw his support behind several causes, including trans rights (when wearing a graphic t-shirt with the line “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt” following the death of trans-Puerto Rican woman Alexa Negrón Luciano) and ending violence against women (sporting a breastplate in the “Yo Perreo Sola” video to advocate for a women’s right to dance at nightclubs with harassment).

That’s not to mention, during the 2022 VMAs, he shared a kiss with a woman and man backup dancer, which led viewers to believe that Bad Bunny was a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Megan Thee Stallion’s Hottie tri-state area fans’ opportunity to catch the “Bongos” rapper performing live in the region has just dropped to one. Tonight (September 12), Megan is set to take the stage during the 2023 VMAs. However, her scheduled performance in New York City later in the month has reportedly been canceled.

According to Billboard, Megan Thee Stallion has pulled out of the 2023 Global Citizen Festival. Although a formal announcement hasn’t been posted on the event’s social media pages, in a statement shared exclusively with a representative confirmed the news.

“Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, Megan Thee Stallion will no longer be available to perform at the 2023 Global Citizen Festival,” said the rep.

The remaining roster includes Jung Kook, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Anitta, and more. Global Citizen Festival is described as a global movement whose goal is to end poverty. Each year, the event calls on world and corporate leaders to support the organization’s call for financial equity, environmental justice, as well as food and job security for all.

The 2023 Global Citizen Festival is set to take place in New York City’s Central Park on Saturday, September 23. Find more information here.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Sports can inspire a number of emotions, but spite is among the most pure feelings a sports fan can have for a rival or a player who left their favorite team. Last night in Wisconsin, there were many fans of the Green Bay Packers who tuned into Monday Night Football in hopes of seeing Aaron Rodgers lose his New York Jets debut, as they hosted the Buffalo Bills.

One bar in Milwaukee, Jack’s American Pub, was even running a promo where everyone’s bar tab would be free if the Jets lost the game. A news crew was on site and captured the wild rollercoaster of emotions fans went on. That included the unfortunate cheering of Rodgers’ injury (which, at the time they did not know it was a potential career-ender), as they though that ensured the Jets would lose and led to an awful lot of folks running up quite the tab, expecting it to be taken care of by the bar by the end of the night.

However, Josh Allen became addicted to turning the football over on Monday night, doing so four times, and in overtime the Jets won on a walkoff punt return touchdown, sending the bar (mostly) into despair, as chronicled by A.J. Bayatpour of CBS Milwaukee.

It really is an incredible news report, particularly the camera panning over to the table of guys realizing they would have to pay their bar tabs, while the one Jets fan at the bar goes nuts. This is really the full sports betting experience, thinking you’ve got an absolute lock only to see your bet lose in the dumbest possible way, but instead of hoping to get cash back all of these people bet money for drinks in return and now have to deal with not only a hangover on Tuesday morning but a much higher credit card bill than expected.

Tonight (September 12) in Newark, New Jersey, the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards are being held at the Prudential Center.

With just a few hours to go until the official awards show kicks off, they have unveiled the slate of presenters who will be helping out. Fans can expect to catch Chloe and Halle Bailey, Dove Cameron, GloRilla, Reneé Rapp, Sabrina Carpenter, and more stars taking the stage to hand out the spaceman trophies.

Saweetie, who is among the show presenters, will be hosting the pre-show that starts at 6:30 p.m.

The VMAs have also revealed some of the night’s biggest honorees ahead of time. Shakira will be receiving the Video Vanguard Award. Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to get the Global Icon Award. And both are on the lineup to perform tonight.

Fans will be able to watch the show live starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Continue scrolling for the complete list of 2023 VMAs award presenters.

A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
Anuel AA
Ashanti
Bebe Rexha
Billy Porter
Charli D’Amelio
Chloe Bailey
Coco Jones
Dixie D’Amelio
Dove Cameron
Emily Ratajkowski
Fat Joe
French Montana
GloRilla
Halle Bailey
Jared Leto
Madelyn Cline
Nelly Furtado
Reneé Rapp
Rita Ora
Sabrina Carpenter
Saweetie
Shenseea
Thalia
Tiffany Haddish
Timbaland
Wyclef Jean

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week we got new music from Goose, Sparklehorse, Angel Du$t, Meet Me @ The Altar, and more.

While we’re at it, sign up for our newsletter to get the best new indie music delivered directly to your inbox, every Monday.

Hotline TNT — “I Thought You’d Change”

To follow their hypnotic single “Protocol” from last month, Hotline TNT is back with “I Thought You’d Change,” which is maybe even more poignant than its predecessor. Taken from the forthcoming album Cartwheel, “I Thought You’d Change” is propelled forward with energetic, staticky guitars that invoke nostalgia.

Sparklehorse — Bird Machine

Sparklehorse is back with a posthumous album following Mark Linkous’s death in 2010. The songs are warm but cutting; they manage to simultaneously comfort the listener and disturb them at the same time. His voice is timid and heartbreaking as he lulls, “Oh, where were you, my kind ghosts / When I needed you?” on “Kind Ghosts.”

Dirt Buyer — “Gathering Logs”

Dirt Buyer, the project of Joe Sutkowski, is getting ready for the release of Dirt Buyer II. Following the invigorating “On & On” and the haunting “Fentanyl” is “Gathering Logs,” which showcases Sutkowski’s knack for eerie atmospheres that are all-consuming and addictive.

Angel Du$t — Brand New Soul

If Angel Du$t are one thing, they are fun. They are devoted to making a good time for listeners, packing in as much exuberance as they can in a short time. Brand New Soul is a little shorter than a half hour, but each song bounces with playful guitars and infectious melodies.

Meet Me @ The Altar — “Strangers”

Meet Me @ The Altar are back with “Strangers,” an anthem that bandleader Edith Victoria said is about “experiencing the nagging self-doubt that fuels imposter syndrome or accuses you of not being strong enough to endure what life has a tendency to throw at you.” Still, an upbeat atmosphere keeps the song lively and catchy.

Liza Anne — “Shania Twain Is Making Me Cry”

“Shania Twain Is Making Me Cry” by Liza Anne is a disarming, honest song about heartbreak that captures the pain of the loss: “Shaking you feels impossible / And missing you is palpable / And wanting you is undeniable,” she sings. She sounds hopeful regardless of the tears.

Soul Glo — “If I Speak (Shut The F*ck Up)”

Last year, Soul Glo unleashed their fiery album Diaspora Problems, and now they’re back with the raucous “If I Speak (Shut The F*ck Up).” It’s as tumultuous as ever and bandleader Pierce Jordan said it’s about “channeling one’s voice and perspective through art or another creative expression.”

Goose — Autumn Crossing

Autumn Crossing by Goose is a collection of three lengthy songs that dig deep into emotion. Delicate and introspective, it takes the listener on an immersive journey. “Failure creeps back again / I guess that’s just the shape I’m in,” Rick Mitarotonda admits against pensive guitars.

Geese — “Jesse”

That’s right — both Goose and Geese have new music out this week. Geese’s track, “Jesse,” is a thrilling celebration with an equally magical music video. Against mystical instrumentation, lyrics are sung like they’re casting a spell: “Three bullets left honey, I got your six / And one more for your lips, love can be so ugly / Dead boy voices in the wind / Spirits dancing in the darkness, rocking like ships.”

James Blake — Playing Robots Into Heaven

James Blake is back with his sixth studio album Playing Robots Into Heaven. The singles “Loading” and “Big Hammer” were fitting introductions to the atmospheric excursion; the record pulsates and hypnotizes. “Night Sky” envelopes the listener in its beautifully weird embrace; “Tell Me” builds into a glitchy journey.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Spotify has unveiled a special new feature called Spotify Duo that users might be interested in — and isn’t quite well-known just yet. For those unfamiliar, Spotify Duo is a deal for Premium users to receive a discount plan. Specifically, for two users who live together.

According to Spotify’s website, each person gets their own Premium account with a separate password. Even if you are on the same plan, the account would be solely your own.

To join Duo, one person would be the designated plan manager. While you cannot change who is in charge of this after signing up, they would “handle payments, set the address, [and] invite and remove members.”

Other steps include: “Live with the plan manager (the person who signed up), log into (or sign up for) your own account, [and] enter the correct address.”

Spotify also points out that if you currently have a Premium account with someone else, you would need to cancel that and wait for the billing cycle to end before signing up for Spotify Duo.

Upon joining the program, users can only switch Duo plans once per year.

Right now, Spotify is allowing users to try Duo for two months while still using their individual plan at no extra cost. More information on this can be found here.