Category: media

Alan Sepinwall is the acknowledged king of the form. “He’s an inspiration to TV critics throughout the country. His recaps appear online in record time, typically bursting with incisive commentary and wit. Sepinwall’s output is also legendary: He’s currently reviewing between 10 and 15 shows each week, which he says is ‘a fairly light schedule for me’.”

“From ‘Just Go With It’ to ‘Black Swan,’ which film titles actually draw people into theaters? An expert explains.”

“They were a funhouse mirror of mainstream network programs, whether it was the anarchic, post-punk American Bandstand of The Scott & Gary Show” or The Weekly Pot Report. “Host Coca Crystal began each episode by smoking marijuana, before introducing guests that might be Philip Glass, Deborah Harry or Tiny Tim.”

“The logo, which will also be shown at the end of advert breaks, has been launched ahead of the introduction of product placement on 28 February.”

“His comments have people in Michiganand elsewhere talking about the future of the film tax credits, which went into effect in 2008, and give rebates of up to 42% of production costs. And what would any change mean to Michigan’s role as one of Hollywood’s new go-to locations?”

This year’s nominations are “more racially homogenous — more white — than the 10 films that were up for best picture in 1940, when Hattie McDaniel became the first black American to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in “Gone With the Wind.” In view of recent history the whiteness of the 2011 Academy Awards is a little blinding.”

“The Baftas cannot quite escape the widely held perception of being a dress rehearsal for the Oscars. In fact, the Baftas often proclaim their independence from the Academy Awards.”

The political crisis in Egypt has had a devastating impact on the entertainment industry in the country that has been called the “Hollywood of the Middle East.”

“Duel in the Sun is unarguably lurid, but it was produced by David O. Selznick, a follow-up to his triumph Gone With the Wind … If David O. Selznick produced Duel in the Sun as an adults-only film, why does the idea of James Cameron producing an ‘adult film’ seem preposterous? How did we get to the point where ‘adult film’ became code for prurient, puerile depictions of sex?”

“Most telling of all, the reporting stars of U.S. TV news have long since fled Cairo. You have to ask why the stars flee and the story fades? Is Egypt suddenly insignificant? Inconsequential? Or is it an inconvenience? Is it the media or is it the audience?”