Netflix and the idea of what is a “real movie” has been at the forefront of the cinematic conversation from Cannes to this past year’s Oscars. The answer is not that complicated. Of course a Netflix original should be deemed a movie, it’s an unequivocal non-dilemma. The reason why this question is even being asked to begin with is because a monetary loss is involved for Hollywood bigwigs, they are too scared Netflix will take over and empty their bank accounts.
Read moreDCEU Shared Universe No Longer Top Priority According to WB CEO
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara is basically putting the nail in the coffin of the DCEU, saying he’s concentrating on individualized stories and NOT an interconnected movie universe a la the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Read moreNetflix Planning Wide Theatrical Release For Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’
According to a new report from THR, Martin Scorsese doesn’t just want a “select” theatrical run for his upcoming “The Irishman,” no sirree bobby, the legendary director wants his mobster saga to get a full wide theatrical release treatment and it seems like Netflix are actually listening to his advice.
Read moreIs “Green Book" the Worst Best Picture Winner Since “Crash"? Of Course Not.
I called it. “Green Book” won the Oscar and then all hell broke loose on social media.
Read moreRami Malek's Acceptance Speech Censored in China; Words “Gay Man" Replaced With “Special Person"
Chinese streaming site Mango TV cut OFF the phrase "gay man" from Rami Malek’s Oscar speech.
Malek was trying to honor young people struggling with their identity when he said “listen, we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life unapologetically himself,” but chinese censors replaced “gay man” with “special group.”
Screen grabs of the moment went viral on Chinese social media.
China is known to ban or censor gay-themed content in apprehensive ways. Last year, for example, they banned gay romance “Call Me by Your Name” from appearing at the Beijing International Film Festival. Gay-themed storytelling has also been banned from television for many years now, ditto online streaming content.
Topher Grace Edited All 10 Star Wars Movies Into A Super-Trailer Called “Star Wars: Always”
Apparently Topher Grace has had enough time in his hands to edit all ten Star Wars films into an epic new “trailer.” For Grace, according to his tweet, it was all part of a fun weekend he spent with a friend, while the wives were gone somewhere. His inner fanboy came out, were all guilty of that every so often, this is very well-done, but I wouldn’t call it a “trailer” probably more like a brief summary of 25 hours worth of movies.
Read moreSteven Spielberg: “A Vote For ‘Green Book’ Was a Vote For Cinema Itself."
I know Steven Spielberg has been very adamant with his campaign to de-legitimize Netflix and to preserve the theatrical experience, but I found this little nugget, courtesy of Anne Thompson’s reporting, which gave me a little chuckle, because, apparently, Spielberg was quoted as saying that “a vote for ‘Green Book’ was a vote for cinema itself.”
Read moreRyan Reynolds Reveals the Method Acting That Went Into Playing Detective Pikachu
Consider me sold by the genius idea of having Ryan Reynolds voicing Pokémon’s most popular character Pikachu. Hell, at this point, I would watch Reynolds read the phonebook, the guy exudes charm and charisma with nastily delivered humor. Forget about the clear and concise attempt by Warner Brother to franchise the hell out of “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,” the trailer makes it look like a potentially fun ride.
Read more“Green Book” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” Topped IMDb User Ratings in 2018
I don’t know how many more times I have to mention this, but despite the hate from critics, “Green Book” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” are at the top of audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb (among the Best Picture nominees).
Read more“Green Book” Producer Sent Angry Email To NBC Writer Who Criticized The Movie As Racist; She Has Decided to Publish His Letter on Twitter.
Green Book” producer Charles Wessler’s Oscar celebrations seem to have been short-lived as an email he sent to NBC News journalist Jenni Miller has surfaced courtesy of Miller’s Twitter account.
Read moreRotten Tomatoes REMOVES ALL user votes due to backlash over Captain Marvel's 27% Score
Rotten Tomatoes has changed its entire user opinion system because of the low ratings “Captain Marvel” has been getting from movie fans.
Read moreOscar Surprise: Netflix Releases Teaser for Martin Scorsese's The Irishman
Netflix surprised us during commercial break at the Oscars. The streaming giant released a teaser for Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Irish mobster saga “The Irishman.” sadly this “teaser” was accompanied sans footage, alas, we’ll have to take whatever we’re given, but, In the minute spot, the voices of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro can be heard with utterance of the line “I hear you paint houses.”
Read moreDisney film chief thinks Solo: A Star Wars Story reception was unfair
By all accounts, Disney and Lucasfilm’s second Anthology film “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was a box-office disappointment. There was already a troubled production where Ron Howard had to be hired to reshoot practically the whole film, after the firing of original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
The mixed reviews that Solo garnered confirmed for many the doubt that was already very much at the forefront of this film’s pre-release buzz. This all resulted in a $392 million worldwide box-office intake, a very average result in terms of “Star Wars.”
Speaking to THR, Disney’s film chief Alan Horn expressed frustration over the reception “Solo” got:
“It’s always a challenge because — and I say this with love and respect for media — the thing about these big movies is they get a lot of attention, whether positive or negative. So when they don’t work, like Solo, the media says it’s a failure. I think it was a pretty good movie. It didn’t resonate as much as we’d hoped it would, but the press writes it up in a more negative way than I would. These are very high-profile movies. If Aladdin, which I happen to think is a terrific film, doesn’t work somehow, that’s big news and much bigger news than if a movie somewhere else, like The Kid Who Would Be King [at Fox,] doesn’t work.”
Donald Trump Wins Razzie Award for Worst Actor; Kellyanne Conway Wins Worst Supporting Actress.
Donald Trump, Melissa McCarthy and Holmes & Watson were the big “winners” at the 39th annual Razzie Awards, an annual celebration of the worst cinema has to offer.
Read moreBarry Jenkins' Underwhelming “If Beale Street Could Talk" Wins Indie Spirit Awards
Consider me none-too-surprised, and unmoved, by the news that Barry Jenkins’ tepid love story “If Beale Street Could Talk” won Best Picture and Best Director at the 34th annual Indie Spirit Awards. The “Moonlight” writer-director’s adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel about racial injustice in America had beautiful photography, courtesy of James Laxton fine lenses, but could match its aesthetic prowess with thematic resonance. I am of the minority opinion when it comes to this film, alas, hopefully father time will make these sentiments age like fine wine.
Read moreJohn Wayne, Who's Been Dead For 40 Years, Sparks Social Media Outrage Over a 1971 Playboy Interview
Make no mistake about it, John Wayne was not a bleeding heart Liberal, but given the shocking reaction from some people this past week, it seems like progressive millennials really thought The Duke was one of their own.
Read moreStanley Donen, Director of “Singin’ in the Rain,” Dies at 94
I had just finished watching “The Band Wagon” when I heard the news that director Stanley Donen had passed away at the age of 94. Obviously, the aforementioned Fred Astaire musical wasn’t directed by Donen but it was clearly influenced by his majestic reinterpretation of what the musical should be like.
Read moreKevin Feige Claims That James Gunn's MCU Role Was ‘Blown Out of Proportion'
James Gunn's role in the MCU has been overblown by fans, according to Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige. There’s no discounting the fact that Gunn infused the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies with his unique style and managed to create a sort of “Star Wars” inspired enterprise for the 21st century. With the Guardians success, the MCU quickly adopted Gunn’s brand of humor and action into their other movies as a result.
Read moreComedian Brody Stevens Found Dead of Apparent Suicide
It was with great sadness that I heard the news today of stand-up comedian Brody Stevens’ apparent suicide at his L.A. residence.
Read moreSurprise, Surprise: Marvel's “Black Widow" Will Not Be Rated R
The chances of a Disney MCU movie being rated R are next-to-nada. The Mouse House’s bottom line has always been about making money first and then, buried much lower down its list of priorities, artistic merit. Sorry Fanboys, that’s just the way it is, we could have gotten better versions of the “Iron Man,” Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Captain America” movies if it were not for the constraints that come in attaining that ever-so-box-office-cushiony-PG-13 rating. So, no, contrary to what many thought would happen, I knew all along that “Black Widow” was not going to be blessed with an R.
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