7/24-7/28 ICYMI: Pop Culture Recap!
With all the ‘Barbenheimer’ buzz, the rest of the entertainment industry hasn’t gotten a moment to stir about other happenings. Nevertheless, a lot of things did happen this week - here’s what you missed.
1. 'Oppenheimer' Hindu scripture sex scene sparks outrage in India
A scene featuring a holy Hindu scripture in the nuclear arms biopic “Oppenheimer” has drawn social media fire in India, with many users saying they would boycott the movie because of what one nationalist group called a “scathing attack on Hinduism.” The scene features the protagonist reciting a verse from the Bhagwad Gita, considered the holiest of Hindu scripture, just before sexual intercourse.
- NBC News
As a South Asian, I think that the scene could’ve been approached with more sensitivity for sure - what was the need to recite the verse right before the sexual encounter? Why couldn’t it have been placed somewhere else in the movie? Right-wing India is not having it. Was it really worth placing the line in the movie there, now with boycotts surrounding the movie?
2. Tori Kelly Addresses Health Challenges Prior to EP Release
Tori Kelly addressed her recent health scare through a letter to her fans on Instagram. Though she did not specify what she was dealing with, she expressed her grateful sentiments for her community, and still released her EP ‘Tori’ today, July 28. Have you gave it a listen yet?
3. Emmys Postponed Due to Writers' & Actors' Strike
Originally scheduled for September 18, the 75th Emmy Awards have been postponed, with no new date yet released. The Writer’s Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, the Actors’ union, both are officially on strike. This is the first time since 1960 that we’ve seen both unions striking simultaneously, the first time the Emmys have been postponed since 2001, following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
4. 'American Idol' judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie will return next season
‘American Idol’ will be returning for Season 22 in Spring 24, featuring host, Ryan Seacrest, and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie all returning. The show will be collecting online auditions at the link here: https://abc.com/shows/american-idol/auditions
5. Zac Efron's 'Iron Claw' Sets Release Date in December
“Sean Durkin (“Martha Marcy May Marlene”) wrote and directed “The Iron Claw,” which tells the tragic, true story of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers who made history in the intensely competitive sport in the early 1980s. The brothers had to battle inside the ring, but outside they were plagued with a series of tragedies that became known as the “Von Erich curse.”” - Variety
The film is set to release Dec. 22, 2023, starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Holt McCallany. It will be sharing a release with Universal & Illumination’s Animated film, ‘Migration’. Do we see another double feature in the future?