‘Sidney’ Review: Reginald Hudlin’s Sidney Poitier Documentary Is A Hagiographic Disappointment [TIFF]

Manori Ravindran International Editor Malala Yousafzai — activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner and film and TV producer — is in production on her first project for Apple, Variety can reveal. Her production company Extracurricular has partnered with indie studio A24 for a still-untitled feature documentary on the legendary ‘haenyeo’ society of fisherwomen, who live on South Korea’s Jeju Island. The Apple Original Films title is directed by Peabody Award nominee Sue Kim (“The Speed Cubers”), and is the first project to go into production from Extracurricular’s Apple TV+ partnership, which was struck in March 2021.

Oprah Winfrey and Apple are winding down their content deal.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV+ have concluded their mega overall deal, first announced in 2018. Both sides have confirmed the evolution, but declined to comment. It’s understood that both sides have agreed to continue to work together, but on a project-by-project basis, now that their previous deal is ending. Winfrey and Apple TV+ are already currently collaborating on the documentary “Sidney,” about the life of iconic Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier. That project, directed by Reggie Hudlin, is through Apple Original Films and debuted this past Friday on Apple TV+. Winfrey and Apple also continue to collaborate on “Oprah’s Book Club,” which is available on both OprahDaily.com and Apple Books. 

momentous Emmy win, and this time she's getting the love in person. On Wednesday, the star had an emotional meeting with Oprah Winfrey after the latter sent her a bouquet of flowers in congratulations on her Emmy Award.The pair connected at the L.A.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic A pioneering movie star intensely aware of his place in film history, Sidney Poitier published no fewer than three autobiographies during his life, generously sharing what he’d lived and learned with those who’d appreciated his work in films such as “In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” But words can only reach so far in an era dominated by the moving image, and as such, we’re fortunate that Poitier was open to repeating himself one last time for “Sidney” — director Reginald Hudlin’s definitive portrait for Apple TV+ — before his death this year at the age of 94. Few movie stars have been more inspirational than Poitier, who was more than just a star, but also a symbol to so many — be they aspiring Black performers or the public at large, who saw their own views on civil rights embodied in the characters he played. But what of those who were born too late to fully appreciate what this remarkable actor meant to audiences deprived of role models? Produced by Oprah Winfrey (who appears frequently throughout) with the participation of Poitier and his family, “Sidney” puts that legacy in context, retracing a career that changed the way that Hollywood — and the world — saw the Black experience.

“Abbott Elementary’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph reflected on having Sidney Poitier as a director for her film debut “A Piece of the Action” at the premiere Wednesday of the documentary film “Sidney.”“When I met him, he did not let me down,” Sheryl Lee Ralph told TheWrap at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures premiere, noting that at the time she was a “newbie” to the industry. “A lot of people you meet, they let you down.

who passed away at 94 in January — was already at death’s door.“I was not expected to live,” says Poitier in the new documentary “Sidney,” which premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday. “I was born two months premature.”The film traces Poitier’s remarkable journey from his father tucking him into a shoebox as a sickly infant to growing into a screen icon and the first black man to win the Best Actor Oscar, with “Lilies of the Field” in 1964.“I remember thinking, ‘If he could do that, I wonder what I can do,’ ” says Oprah Winfrey, who produced the documentary, about how Poitier’s groundbreaking career inspired her.“It was the first time I’d seen a black man assert his power,” says Halle Berry — who became the first African-American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar in 2002 — of Poitier’s impact on her.

Oprah Winfrey and Sidney Poitier: two icons, one powerful story.

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Oprah Winfrey is mourning Queen Elizabeth II's death. ET's Rachel Smith spoke with the 68-year-old TV personality at the premiere of during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, and Winfrey shared where she was at the time that the U.K.'s longest-serving monarch died.«I was hiking in Maui when I heard that she passed,» Winfrey said.

Lizzo‘s table to snap pics at such a furious pace that it looked like a strobe light to those who weren’t on the floor as part of the unusual ballroom-style seating for nominees and their entourages.

Olivia Newton-John fans were not pleased  after she was left out of the «In Memoriam» segment at the 2022 Emmys on Monday night. Following the tribute -- which honored other actors who died this year, including Betty White, Bob Saget, Paul Sorvino, James Caan, Ray Liotta, Robert Morse, Louie Anderson, Sidney Poitier, and many more -- Twitter was flooded with disappointed viewers who called out the awards show for not honoring the late star who died in August at age 73.While Newton-John is listed on the «In Memoriam» page on the Emmys website, she was no where to be seen during the telecasted tribute which was played for the audience on a screenbehind John Legend, who performed his song, «Pieces.» The actress had a famed film and music career, but she also graced the small screen, with credits in dozens of TV shows, including S, ,  and and more.«She’s been on over fifty TV shows and specials.

Olivia Newton-John fans weren’t impressed on Monday after the 2022 Emmys left the actress out of its In Memoriam segment.

The Emmys' In Memoriam segment honours actors, directors, producers and other individuals in the entertainment industry who have passed away since last year’s ceremony – but one star was missing from last night's tribute. This year's segment honoured a number of stars including Betty White, Sidney Poitier, and Nichelle Nichols. But fans watching awards ceremony noticed that one star, the late Olivia Newton-John, who died on 8 August 2022 after a long battle with breast cancer, had been left out of the tributes.

Ariana DeBose was in the house, but the Emmys tonight were no Tony Awards

John Legend took the stage at the 2022 Emmy Awards to honor all the stars that are now gone. The In Memoriam segment was one of the highlights of the night with the EGOT winner performing his new song “Pieces.”

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer The 74th annual Emmy Awards are about to begin at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live. The Monday event, hosted by Kenan Thompson, kicks off at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, and will include the bestowment of 25 awards during the live, three-hour telecast. Up for the top award of the evening, outstanding drama series, are “Better Call Saul,” “Euphoria,” “Ozark,” “Severance,” “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things,” “Succession” and “Yellowjackets.” On the comedy side, the contenders include “Abbott Elementary,” “Barry,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Hacks,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Ted Lasso” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”

Oprah Winfrey is hopeful Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex can make peace with the British royal family. In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced that they were stepping back from their role as senior members of the royal family, and two months later, discussed the decision in detail during a special with the TV host.