hollywood

70 posts

What Can You Do With An Oscar Anyway?

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We’re rapidly approaching Hollywood’s biggest night. The one that’s supposed to mark one’s career as really, really important in the movie industry, and with the pomp and circumstance leading up to Oscar night already beginning to churn and bets in full swing as the nominees begin the “For Your Consideration” parade — what’s an Oscar really worth in Hollywood capital these days?

At the big Oscar nominee luncheon a few days ago we got a little glimpse into what the nominees are thinking thus far. We gather now that Pre-Oscar-watching is a thing that we do in preparation for the live event, like any good award-rubbernecker, we’ve got to hear about what the nominees are thinking while they walk the red carpet to go eat goose liver salad or whatever they serve at an Oscar nominee luncheon. Ergo we have already placed value on the words of “to-be” Oscar winners. Things like: Continue reading →

Why I Watch Television I Hate

This week is the season finale of  Bunheads, an ABC Family confection set in a fantasy California idyll, about the teachers and students at a dance school. I will watch the episode. And I will watch it as I have watched all the prior episodes: with continuously rolled eyes and a simmering irritation that could result in a remote flying at the TV. Why? I’m hate-watching it. Along with a handful of other shows. Yes, I’m watching numerous television shows that I despise. And I’m not the only one. “Hate-watching” is a thing now; just last night my friend and I bonded over the fact that we’re both hate-watching The Newsroom, too. Another friend is hate-watching True Blood. So this is my question: What the fuck is wrong with us? Continue reading →

Coming Attractions: Could Compliance Be the Most Uncomfortably, Unexplainably Brilliant Movie Ever Made?

Opening today, indie film, Compliance is generating buzz for possibly being one of the most disturbing, but telling films ever made. It is so deeply unsettling, The Huffington Post reports that during a screening at least ten women, one of which yelled “Give me a f*cking break” at the screen, walked out. Continue reading →

Is Seth MacFarlane A Jackass?

Maybe the better question would be: Is Seth MacFarlane the jackass? In the June 18th edition of The New Yorker, there appears an article that should be one of that magazine’s typical pop culture pufferies; clever, knowing, in-depth, but not too taxing. You know the ones: Tad Friend usually writes them. I usually eat them up. I’m not looking for a scathing take-down of Andrew Stanton or The Artist or Anna Faris, I just want more information than I knew before, a few telling details, some cultural context, a little inside dope and a diverting read. Continue reading →