Category: media

“Georgia officials are concerned that the worker shortage will drive filmmakers to other states.”

And in another surprise, Grand Budapest Hotel wins the most awards of the evening.

“Alejandro G. Inarritu’s dramedy won the Directors Guild of America’s 67th DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures — aka the DGA Award — on Saturday night, which, on the heels of the film winning the top prizes of the Producers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild, suggests that it will take something of a miracle to stop the film from winning the best picture Oscar on Feb. 22.”

“What would happen if, instead of a token, we had a plurality? And they had last names, diverse ethnic communities, personalities, lame jokes, intrusive mothers, annoying but loving families, significant others, hobbies that weren’t inherently criminal, an ability to converse without violent outbursts, and so forth?” (HBO was very clear that it didn’t want “the Muslim Wire.)

Spike Lee “told press that the recent Oscar snubs show that up and coming filmmakers should not always look for validation.”

“‘In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions,’ Mr. Williams said in the two-paragraph memo.”

“They might, for instance, open the association to new members and expand its interests to include television programs or digital content. They might also reduce the heavy annual contribution of more than $20 million that is required of each of the six member companies: Walt Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Universal and Sony.”

“This was the year cinema sparkled but failed to nurture. It had plenty to show but little to say. It chose to console rather than provoke. Yet we can’t just blame the industry for the blandness of its output.”

“The fact is that Hollywood stars aren’t just an endangered species; they’re almost an extinct one. The quaint old idea that an actor or actress could “open” a movie by marquee value alone long ago vanished in a global movie industry where concept frequently trumps talent.”

“Slippery plots become clearer after a second viewing, but some movies – such as Inherent Vice – are meant to be confusing. And if critics go back for more, are they being fair to readers, who only get one shot?”