By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Does the most widely used weed killer in the world cause cancer? On Oct. 3, in a special one-night only nationwide theatrical release from Film Movement and Fathom Events, the award-winning “Into The Weeds” is being screened to allow audiences to discover for themselves.
The powerful documentary follows the story of groundskeeper Lee Johnson and his fight for justice against agrichemical giant Monsanto (now Bayer, which bought the company in 2018), the manufacturer of the weed killer, Roundup.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate — the active ingredient in Roundup — as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
A year later, Johnson filed a lawsuit claiming that Ranger Pro, a commercial-grade variant of Roundup, was a substantial contributing factor in causing his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Johnson’s was the first “bellwether case” in a mass tort against Monsanto involving tens of thousands of plaintiffs: gardeners, golfers, farmers, groundskeepers and ordinary people, following and trusting the instructions on the label.
Blending interviews, testimonials, trial footage, news coverage and vérité, the film by influential director Jennifer Baichwal follows the progression of this groundbreaking lawsuit, while also stepping back to consider the systemic impact of glyphosate-based herbicides on human health, our food systems, and the biodiversity of our planet.
This special event screening will also feature exclusive follow-up bonus footage exploring the question: “Can there be a future without pesticides and if so, how do we get there?” For locations and tickets, visit FathomEvents.com; and for more on this important movie, head to intotheweedsimpact.com.
TICKET WATCH: Nigerian superstar Burna Boy’s 16-city I Told Them … Tour kicks off at LA’s BMO Stadium Nov. 3. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m., Sept. 29 via Ticketmaster.com.
TASTY QUIP: “I got at least 19 charted hits … which one made you wonder?” – MC HAMMER responding to a tweet calling him a one-hit wonder
CLIPPETTES: Ice Cube, Ashanti & Ja Rule fill the bill of the Peacock Theater on Sept. 29 as Home! Welcomes Rich Medina, Little Dragon roars at the Palladium, Jamie Cullum plays Walt Disney Concert Hall, and YG & Tyga hit Toyota Arena …
For laughs that night, Steve Harvey is at Highland’s Yaamava’ Theater, Tracy Morgan headlines Morongo Casino, and Pete Davidson Live is at City National Grove of Anaheim (with another show the following night at The Wiltern) …
On Sept. 30, Jerome Benton (former member of The Time, The Family, The Revolution, Morris Day‘s humorous wing man in “Purple Rain” and then, as Christopher Tracy’s (Prince) brother, Tricky in “Under The Cherry Moon”) hosts a screening of that film at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood to be followed with sets by DJ Jeli & DJ C-Minus plus special guests …
That date also finds 2 Chainz, Curren$y, and special guests at the Puffcon Block Party at L.A. Center Studios, Cedric The Entertainer signing copies of his novel “Flipping Boxcars” at Culver City’s Malik Books, Niki Harris & Donna De Lory reflecting on their time with Madonna at Catalina Bar & Grill, Natalie Merchant singing at Walt Disney Concert Hall, pop sensation Renee Rapp at the Greek, and Musiq Soulchild at Morongo Casino …
The Colburn School hosts a free community screening of “Flower” Oct. 2 to be followed by a panel discussion with the film’s executive producers Misty Copeland and Leyla Fayyaz moderated by Lisa Ling. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Visit colburnschool.edu for more info …
Chris Tucker brings his comedy to YouTube Theater on Oct. 4, while rapper Trippie Redd comes to The Forum, and actress and two-time Grammy winner Tia Carrere performs at Vibrato Grill & Jazz …
The LA Philharmonic marks the 20th anniversary of Walt Disney Concert Hall at its annual gala concert by paying homage to Frank Gehry, the architect behind the iconic downtown L.A. venue. Performers for the Oct. 5 event include Herbie Hancock, H.E.R. and Lucinda Childs …
Also that evening, Thundercat’s In Yo Girl’s City Tour arrives at The Greek, while P!NK fills SoFi Stadium, and bassist Marcus Miller frets at Catalina Bar & Grill.
TASTY QUIP: “Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul. His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.” – JAY-Z on choosing the performer to headline the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show from Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11
TC ON TV: Sept. 29 – “Undisputed” (FS1): Skip Bayliss, Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin and Richard Sherman take the show to Boulder in advance of the USC vs. Colorado game. “The 72nd Annual Miss USA Pageant” (CW): Keltie Knight and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton host. “The Hispanic Heritage Awards” (PBS): With Omar Apollo, Café Tacvba, Miguel, Aida Garza, Wisin, and more. “Rebuilding Black Wall Street” (OWN): Morris Chestnut is an executive producer and host of this six-part docuseries tracing the century-long impact of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre and chronicling the resilient community rebuilding of the Greenwood District. “American Masters” (PBS): “A Song For Cesar” traces the life and legacy of labor activist Cesar Chavez through interviews with Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, Carlos Santana and more.
Sept. 30 – “Best In Chow” (A&E): “Little Tokyo Los Angeles” “Hot Dish with Franco” (Food/Max): World-class chef and restaurateur Franco Noriega shares personal heartfelt stories of his Peruvian and Italian roots as he prepares delicious dishes with his signature flare for flavor.
Oct. 1 – “Heist 88” (SHO): Courtney B. Vance, Keith David, and Keesha Sharp star in this movie about how a criminal mastermind recruited a group of young bank employees to steal 80 million dollars in one of the largest bank heists in US history.
Oct. 2 – “Fight Kwewe” (Hulu/Peacock): Horror master Eli Roth (“Hostel”) is creator of this animated series about a young New Orleans girl and her misfit voodoo busting friends. “Lotería Loca” (CBS): Executive producer Jaime Camil hosts and Sheila E is featured in this action-packed series based on a popular Latin game of chance.
Oct. 3 – “Make Me Scream” (Prime Video): Marrieds Daryl M. Bell (“A Different World”) and Tempestt Bledsoe (“The Cosby Show”) host celebrity teams embarking on a game where they must face a series of bone-chilling scare zones while trying NOT to scream. With Jaleel White (“Family Matters”), Lil Xan (“Euphoria”), Shoniqua Shandai (“Harlem), and Chris Williams (“Silicon Valley”). “Found” (NBC): Shanola Hampton (“Shameless”) stars in this new missing person procedural drama. “Niiice Shot with Stephen Curry” (Golf): In the finale, the four-time NBA champion and scratch golfer attempts to replicate Tiger Woods‘ two-iron stinger. “Becoming Frida Kahlo” (PBS): “A Star Is Born”
Oct. 4 – “Haunted Mansion” (Disney+): The movie with Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto, and Danny DeVito comes to the streaming service. “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” (ABC): Kel Mitchell, Kim Fields, Penn Jillette
Oct. 5 – “First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” (BET+): Vivica A. Fox directed this biopic of the Detroit woman who built a notorious drug empire in the 1980s. Executive produced by Judge Greg Mathis and co-writer Tressa Smallwood, the movie features a cast including Michelle Mitchenor, Tobias Truvillion, Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore, Kellie Williams, and Leon. “Everything Now” (Netflix): After months in recovery for an eating disorder, 16-year-old Mia (Sophie Wilde of “Talk To Me”) devises a bucket list of experiences to make up for lost time. “The Impact Atlanta” (BET+): A reality series offering a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Atlanta’s top influencers. “Lupin” (Netflix): A much anticipated third season of Omar Sy as the avenging gentleman thief. “Loki” (Disney+): More time-spanning misadventures with Tom Hiddleston, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Owen Wilson, Richard E. Grant, Jonathan Majors, and Oscar winning actor Ke Huy Quan.
END QUOTE: “When I was a student in the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, in what was then called the Department of Drama, I would often sit and gaze in wonder at the Academy Award that had been presented to Ms. Hattie McDaniel, which she had gifted to the College of Fine Arts. I am overjoyed that this Academy Award is returning to what is now the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. This immense piece of history will be back in the College of Fine Arts for our students to draw inspiration from. Ms. Hattie is coming home!” – Dean PHYLICIA RASHAD on a replacement arriving this week for the award missing since the 1960s
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
