Category: media

“In The Terminator, we see the world through T-800’s head-up display, yet the scrolling text accompanying the crosshair in his vision is the harmless assembly code for an Apple-II.”

“By the start of 2017, the Cinema Fund would have doubled the size of its current budget of 3 billion rubles ($90.3 million), with half coming from the state and the other half from recoupments.”

“A number of studies have found people feel worse after scrolling Facebook – more envious, lonely, even angry. In one German study, people were particularly unhappy after viewing vacation photos. They were also more envious when browsing Facebook instead of actively using it by posting comments and photos of themselves.”

The new animated blockbuster Frozen subverts the fairy tale idea of a handsome, noble, chivalrous suitor by making him the surprise villain of the story. The gambit presumes, of course, that the Prince Charming myth needs debunking. On the contrary, argues Akash Nikolas, that myth serves some very useful and healthy purposes.

You know the Bechdel Test: “Do you, movie, feature two or more named women? Do they talk to each other? About something besides a guy?” But Katy Waldman observes, “In 2014, we are still whooping with delight when movie studios depict a woman sharing a snippet of non-dude-focused conversation with another woman? This is not exactly a high bar.” And several other writers weigh in on how they might update the Test.

“How much longer can Hollywood claim to be the movie capital of the world? Can the California Legislature reverse the slide of film production away from Los Angeles simply by enhancing tax credits for the movie and television industry or, one day, will the Oscars be presented in Atlanta or Toronto or New Orleans?”

“There are, bluntly, too many lackluster, forgettable and just plain bad movies pouring into theaters, distracting the entertainment media and, more important, overwhelming the audience. Dumping “product” into theaters week after week damages an already fragile cinematic ecosystem.”

“As Hollywood’s annual two-month frenzy of awards shows begins Jan. 12 with the Golden Globes, the reality is that for the TV networks, awards season now runs all year.”

“We believe the potential for popular films to generate lasting attitudinal change presents an important area for future research.”

“The moves are meant to coax consumers to pedal faster on their TV upgrade cycles. At the moment, most Americans buy new TVs about once every seven years.”