ICYMI: SSN’s Top Stories For 8/25 – 8/29/14

Summer 2014 TV Wrap-Up: Renewals Galore with The Last Ship, Major Crimes & More

In an attempt to boost audience confidence, and reward investment with long-term storytelling, a number of networks broke news about renewals while current seasons were only a few episodes in. SSN takes a look at the crop, from The Leftovers to Ray Donovan and Undateable. (SSN)

Summer 2014 Film Wrap-Up or How to Guard the Maleficent Planet of the Transformers

Placing Hollywood’s popcorn season in context, this year’s top grosser, Transformers: Age of Extinction, would have only placed 5th last summer. Considering that this will be the first summer in 13 years to end without a single film crossing the $300 million barrier, it could have been far worse. SSN’s analysis of the season’s winners/losers and Top 10 rundown begins here (SSN)

The November Man & Life After James Bond – What Does Retirement Hold for the 007s?

For many of these five former Bond actors, you only live twice: once as James Bond and then as a retired spy. SSN takes a look at those who gave the franchise the goldfinger, those that lived and let die, and others who were determined to die another day. (SSN)

Development Hell: Directors Reveal the Most Absurd Notes They’ve Ever Heard

For the second part of SSN’s Development Hell series, we talked to directors – on condition of anonymity – about the most painful, hilarious and mind-boggling notes they’ve received on the way to production. Read ‘em and weep. Or laugh. (SSN)

Telluride 2014: The 8 Films that Could Enter the Oscar Race + Trailers

With the lineup of the Telluride Film Festival unveiled, it’s full of potential awards contenders and gives cinephiles a chance to catch world premieres before they go on to Toronto, the New York Film Festival, or eventually, possibly, the Oscars. Here’s SSN’s rundown of eight films with serious awards season potential, with trailers, from The Imitation Game and Birdman to Mr. Turner and Wild. (SSN)