Author Topic: News Coverage: February 2007  (Read 12039 times)

Offline tpe

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News Coverage: February 2007
« on: Feb 01, 2007, 09:07 AM »
From the student newspaper of Loyola University, Chicago:

http://media.www.loyolaphoenix.com/media/storage/paper673/news/2007/01/31/Discourse/Award.Show.Annoyance-2687606.shtml?sourcedomain=www.loyolaphoenix.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

He is a bit harsh on "Little Miss Sunshine", but I like his overall opinion.

My personal request to you all: please consider not watching the Oscars.

--------------------------

Award show annoyance
Diversions editor Dan Melnick looks at the Oscars, the buzz and why we shouldn't be too quick to thank the Academy
Dan Melnick
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Discourse

With Oscar season just around the corner and my interest and expertise in movies pretty firmly established by now (and with no apparent space in my own section), I wanted a forum in which I can express (or rant if you will) about how much this award show has not only lost whatever it was that made it important and matter, but has become a worthless and overly-hyped bit of recognition for all of those involved.

The "official" list of nominees has finally been released, but there has been talk or "buzz" going on since late last year. It's talked about for so long that when the real list finally comes out, no one cares anymore. Nothing is more annoying to me than reading about how some sentimental piece of generic crap could be an Oscar contender. The end result isn't worth the build up and the winner will be the safe, industry standard and not who deserves the credit.

Last year, "Crash" took home the award for Best Picture, but it should have gone to "Brokeback Mountain." The Academy completely ignored the true beauty of the controversial "Brokeback," and instead, chose the safe nomination. "Crash" was a self-righteous film that told us we still have racism in America. Really? While the message is indeed important, the way in which it was told was not. Everything was over the top, the stories stereotypical and the ending all too predictable. It was a bad movie masquerading as a good one because it had "a deep message." The better, and right choice in my opinion, didn't get the statue because although it was good enough for a sympathy nod it was too much of a risk to win.

Very rarely is genuine craft and cinematic expertise ever acknowledged by this award. Instead, the votes act like pats on the back for like-minded individuals. Sometimes I wonder if the Academy really watches most of what's out there to decide what should win. Sometimes, it seems like they have a checklist: Russell Crowe? Check. An emotional but tired story? Check. A famous director? Check. It's all been done before, it's just so "Hollywood!" But in order to fight this stereotype, once in a while you'll find that dark horse candidate. This year it's "Little Miss Sunshine" for Best Picture.

I like this movie, I really do, but it's not a Best Picture. It's a little ridiculous and unbelievable, but because it started out as an "indie" movie and has since built itself a strong fan base, it was pushed onto the nomination list. The fact that it was chosen at all is like the ex-high school quarterback still showing up in his letterman jacket at freshman keggers to talk about his big moment three years ago. It's the industry trying to convince everyone that they're cool, they like independent films and that they know how to appreciate smaller projects, but it's a load of crap. Being an "indie" movie today is cool because it's like the punk rock of movies and the academy is trying to show that they "get it," but they clearly don't.

If you compare a list of the top 10 movies seen this year and the top 10 films looked at by the Academy for possible nomination, you'll find two pretty different lists. Does that mean that the lay public isn't wise enough to see the intricate details that only the trained eye of an Academy member can? Maybe. But, along the way, something is lost. The Oscars no longer stand for exellence, instead they celebrate industry standards and predictability.

Dan Melnick is a diversions editor.
dmelnic@luc.edu

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #1 on: Feb 01, 2007, 09:18 AM »
I must admit that I do like Towleroad, especially their coverage of BBM and Jake.  :)  Good to hear that they did so well in 2006, and I would like to think that their wonderful coverage of all matters BBM helped a great deal.

From Brokeback to Foley and Beyonce: Towleroad More Than Doubles Visits in 2006 Becoming Go-To Site for Gay News & Entertainment ; Partners with Out Mag Founder to Expand 

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/1/emw501187.htm


 

 

Offline hpv

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #2 on: Feb 05, 2007, 04:55 AM »
From : Los Angeles Times

Bear-y gay

A subculture of hefty, hirsute gay men is attracting the attention of academics and social critics.
By Richard A. Kaye,
RICHARD A. KAYE is an associate professor of English at Hunter College in New York.
February 4, 2007

"Most of today's bear thinkers see themselves as challenging what they consider the unrealistic norms of mainstream society, which push idealized images of gay men on such television shows as "Will and Grace" and "Brothers and Sisters." With its rustic setting featuring ranch hands, the movie "Brokeback Mountain" might have been a bear classic, except that by bear standards the actors, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, were practically "twinks" (the dreaded opposite of bears — preppy gay men)."

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-kaye4feb04,0,4891098.story?coll=la-opinion-center
"What Jack remembered and craved in a way he could neither help nor understand was the time that distant summer on Brokeback when Ennis had come up behind him and pulled him close,the silent embrace satisfying some shared and sexless hunger."
"I miss you so much I can hardly stand it."

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #3 on: Feb 05, 2007, 05:01 PM »
From : Los Angeles Times

Bear-y gay

A subculture of hefty, hirsute gay men is attracting the attention of academics and social critics.
By Richard A. Kaye,
RICHARD A. KAYE is an associate professor of English at Hunter College in New York.
February 4, 2007

"Most of today's bear thinkers see themselves as challenging what they consider the unrealistic norms of mainstream society, which push idealized images of gay men on such television shows as "Will and Grace" and "Brothers and Sisters." With its rustic setting featuring ranch hands, the movie "Brokeback Mountain" might have been a bear classic, except that by bear standards the actors, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, were practically "twinks" (the dreaded opposite of bears — preppy gay men)."

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-kaye4feb04,0,4891098.story?coll=la-opinion-center

Funny.  :)

By standard definition, Heath and Jake are too old to be twinks, but by bear standards, they are because they are way too smooth.  ;)


Offline welshwitch

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #4 on: Feb 06, 2007, 11:52 AM »
On Saturday the Guardian's film critic wrote a long piece about "Dreamgirls" which he does not like - sample phrases: hackneyed, a piece of fluff, not especially memorable, cliche-ridden, with a plot thatis paperthin and maddeningly familiar, a melange of banalities. the songs he says sound as if they were written by a committee, generic and lame. however, he advances a theory as to why this stuff was nominated in eight Oscar categories, though not Best Picture.


"One theory is that the Academy denied Dreamgilrs a Best Picture nomination becauseit is determined to distinguish itself from the  upstart golden Globes awards, which recently named Dreamgirls th best film of the year. This continues last year's trend, when the clever, manipulative but not especially memorable C**** won Best Picture even though everyone on the planet expected the Golden Globes choice, Brokeback Mountain, to win Best Picture because, unlike C****, it was the Best Picture of the year. "


He is right. I had no intention of seeing Dreamgirls anyway, nor shall I be watching the Oscars.

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #5 on: Feb 06, 2007, 12:28 PM »
On Saturday the Guardian's film critic wrote a long piece about "Dreamgirls" which he does not like - sample phrases: hackneyed, a piece of fluff, not especially memorable, cliche-ridden, with a plot thatis paperthin and maddeningly familiar, a melange of banalities. the songs he says sound as if they were written by a committee, generic and lame. however, he advances a theory as to why this stuff was nominated in eight Oscar categories, though not Best Picture.


"One theory is that the Academy denied Dreamgilrs a Best Picture nomination becauseit is determined to distinguish itself from the  upstart golden Globes awards, which recently named Dreamgirls th best film of the year. This continues last year's trend, when the clever, manipulative but not especially memorable C**** won Best Picture even though everyone on the planet expected the Golden Globes choice, Brokeback Mountain, to win Best Picture because, unlike C****, it was the Best Picture of the year. "


He is right. I had no intention of seeing Dreamgirls anyway, nor shall I be watching the Oscars.

Yes, I had felt the same way about this.  Uncanny...  To be sure, there is a lot of manipulative nonsense in all this, so one is not too surprised.


Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #6 on: Feb 13, 2007, 08:46 AM »
Better late than never.

From http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_5182227

----------------------------------------

Miller says he now thinks 'Brokeback' ban was wrong
By Lya Wodraska
The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated: 02/08/2007 01:05:49 AM MST


Jazz owner Larry H. Miller has changed his views of the gay and lesbian community enough to acknowledge he was wrong to ban the movie "Brokeback Mountain" from his theaters.
   Have his feelings evolved enough to accept an openly gay player on his basketball team? He doesn't know.
   Wednesday, when word spread that former Jazz player John Amaechi is releasing a book in which he reveals he is gay, Miller said he probably would allow "Brokeback Mountain" to be shown if the movie was released now, calling his ban a bad decision.
   "Not because I got beaten up over it, but because it was a knee-jerk reaction," he said. "You have to choose your spots to draw your lines and I didn't choose a very good one."
   Miller's ban of the blockbuster movie made national news and made him the center of a national debate. He said he has developed a more open view after meeting with members of the gay and lesbian community at the University of Utah in April.
   "It was good for me in a couple of ways," he said. "I learned a lot about them with some open and honest dialogue. It didn't change my way of thinking or theirs, but we all realized after talking with each other we have a better understanding of each other.
   "I'm still outspoken on issues, but I know I have to look at people's feelings and lives. I'd like to say I'm more understanding now. To say I'm tolerant would be less accurate, but I am more understanding."
   Miller's softened views were welcomed by some in the gay community.
   "Unless you didn't have a heart, I don't know how you can go through that experience and not have a change of heart," said Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center. "We all know Larry Miller has a huge heart. Just look at what he has done for this state and his philanthropy. He is showing some growth."
   Kim Hall, acting director of the University of Utah's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, said she hopes Miller's new open-mindedness will make him a "bellwether for LDS culture."
   Miller, Hall said, "was willing to participate in the educational conversation, and you have to respect him for that."
   The meeting changed minds on the other side of the issue, too. Bonnie Owens, co-president of the University of Utah Lesbian and Gay Student Union, was one of several gay students who met with Miller in April to discuss his views. She says everyone expected a tense conversation, but Miller defused it by listening attentively to students' stories about feeling ostracized because of their sexuality.
   "He was so much more receptive than we thought he'd be," Owens said. "He really did want to find out why people were upset about that."
   Owens hopes other prominent Utah leaders will follow Miller's example: "If he can come out and say, 'I was wrong to discriminate against a group of people,' then who knows who's next? Maybe Orrin Hatch?"
   Miller admitted he was unsure how he'd handle the situation if a current Jazz player came out as gay.
   "I have to think from the standpoint that everyone has the same rights as anybody else has, I believe that," he said. "Here, in this market, we do have a responsibility to uphold certain standards, although I know these guys aren't angels. I'd have to consider it and think about it some more. I don't know if I can answer that right now."
   ---
   * Tribune reporter CHRISTY KARRAS contributed to this story

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #7 on: Feb 13, 2007, 08:50 AM »
Who is this barbarian? 

From http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more/tm_headline=result---miss-sunshine-still-in-picture---&method=full&objectid=18614127&siteid=89520-name_page.html

-----------------------------

MISS SUNSHINE STILL IN PICTURE
Derek Mcgovern 13/02/2007
 
THE Queen has been slashed in the Oscars betting and Viagra is to go on sale in the High Street - what are the odds that on Academy Awards night later this month we hear once more that "the British are coming"?

It was no surprise to see Helen Mirren winning a Bafta on Sunday. She gives a fantastic performance in The Queen.

The whispers persist that the only remaining Oscar value lies in the Best Picture race. Little Miss Sunshine, tipped in these pages at 25-1, is now down to 5-2 but seems to have powerful momentum. And films about dysfunctional families always do well at gong time (see The Queen).

Advertisement
An interesting Oscar bet is the 66-1 posted by Ladbrokes that Al Gore, up for a Best Documentary gong for An Inconvenient Truth, announces his intention to seek the US Presidency during his acceptance speech. Hollywood and the White House? It would just never happen....

Last year's beaten favourite in the Best Picture race was Brokeback Mountain, quite possibly the most overrated movie in history.

True, the scenery was great, but the actors kept getting in the way of it.

MY TOP 10 OVER-RATED FILMS that were up for Oscars (many of them won): 1 Brokeback Mountain, 2 Forrest Gump, 3 The Shawshank Redemption, 4 The Green Mile, 5 Gandhi, 6 American Beauty, 7 Rain Man, 8 Scent Of A Woman, 9 Raging Bull, 10 The Aviator.





Offline carlton5

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #8 on: Feb 13, 2007, 05:49 PM »
Quite obviously ,he just didnt "get "it. With his list of all the so -called over-rated movies, I cringe to even dare think what his favorites actually are!! 

Offline Insomniac487

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #9 on: Feb 14, 2007, 03:03 AM »
that student newspaper is interesting.  I'd have to agree with the writer with the whole crash thing and how BBM should've won.. i mean it was so obvious, but I guess they weren't ready for it.  (i heard that not all the judges watched BBM? yet some voted anyways.. and they shouldn't cause, this is the ocars, the biggest awards show ever.  If they haven't seen the movie, they shouldn't help decide who wins.  im really curious about this, so if anybody wants to give details lemme know). 

On a different note, it sounds like nobody is watching the Oscars? due to what happened last year? Yeah, I think me too.  None of the movies really sparked my interest.  Ive heard good things about Dream Girls, but other then that... there is not too much hype.. not as much hype as with Brokeback mountain and Crash (damn, it had so much people talking last year!)

about the heath/jake being bears, yeah they can be seen as twinks i guess.  But jake is a bit hairy, especially in the chest/stomach area, so maybe he can be a "Cub" :)

about the miller issue, im curious to how many theatres he owned? and banned BBM? True, it is better late then never.  I think he should make it up, by releasing it in his theatres? (if thats even possible?) (i've heard of small theatres showing BBM before, so maybe he can do it)  ;)


name's kevin

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #10 on: Feb 14, 2007, 08:50 AM »
Quite obviously ,he just didnt "get "it. With his list of all the so -called over-rated movies, I cringe to even dare think what his favorites actually are!! 

So true.  His list of favorites must be atrocious.


Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #11 on: Feb 14, 2007, 08:54 AM »
that student newspaper is interesting.  I'd have to agree with the writer with the whole crash thing and how BBM should've won.. i mean it was so obvious, but I guess they weren't ready for it.  (i heard that not all the judges watched BBM? yet some voted anyways.. and they shouldn't cause, this is the ocars, the biggest awards show ever.  If they haven't seen the movie, they shouldn't help decide who wins.  im really curious about this, so if anybody wants to give details lemme know). 

On a different note, it sounds like nobody is watching the Oscars? due to what happened last year? Yeah, I think me too.  None of the movies really sparked my interest.  Ive heard good things about Dream Girls, but other then that... there is not too much hype.. not as much hype as with Brokeback mountain and Crash (damn, it had so much people talking last year!)

about the heath/jake being bears, yeah they can be seen as twinks i guess.  But jake is a bit hairy, especially in the chest/stomach area, so maybe he can be a "Cub" :)

about the miller issue, im curious to how many theatres he owned? and banned BBM? True, it is better late then never.  I think he should make it up, by releasing it in his theatres? (if thats even possible?) (i've heard of small theatres showing BBM before, so maybe he can do it)  ;)


Thanks Insomniac487.

I am certainly not watching the Oscars this year, although a number of members I know will do so.  It is ok that we do what we think is best.  It's our love of BBM that matters.

As for Miller, yes, perhaps he should make it up somehow.  Words are cheap, and action matters.


Offline tpe

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Best Kiss of All Time!
« Reply #12 on: Feb 14, 2007, 10:00 AM »

:)


http://people.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1263646.php/Brokeback_best_kiss


--------------------------------

Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger's gay kiss in 'Brokeback Mountain' has been voted the best screen kiss of all time.

The controversial embrace beat other famous clinches from romantic classics including 'Gone With The Wind' and 'Dirty Dancing' to top the online poll conducted by DVD rental firm LOVEFiLM.com.
Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard's romantic scene in 'Breakfast at Tiffany' s' was voted second, while Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's passionate kiss in 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' came third.
Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh took fourth place with their tender moment in 'Gone With The Wind'.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair lesbian clinch in 'Cruel Intentions' claimed fifth position.
Other moments featured on the list include Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger's kiss in 'Bridget Jones' Diary' and Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst locking lips in 'Spiderman'.
Fliss White, marketing manager for LOVEFiLM, said: 'When we asked our members to share their favourite movie kiss, we never expected the results to be so varied. Our top 10 has covered everything from sexy passionate embraces to more sinister, threatening kisses.'

Top 10 best screen kisses of all time:

1. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in 'Brokeback Mountain'
2. Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
3. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith'
4. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in 'Gone With The Wind'
5. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair in 'Cruel Intentions'
6. Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster in 'From Here To Eternity'
7. Al Pacino and John Cazale in 'Godfather'
8. Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones' Diary'
9. Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in 'Spiderman'
10. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray in 'Dirty Dancing'


Offline tpe

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BBM Kiss No. 1!
« Reply #13 on: Feb 14, 2007, 10:08 AM »
Another article on the same subject:

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-3710.html

-----------------------------------


Brokeback kiss is voted number one

Lovefilm marketing manager Fliss White said: "We never expected the results to be so varied."

14th February 2007 12:50
PinkNews.co.uk writer

A online poll of people who rent DVDs has revealed that their favourite movie kiss of all time was between two men.

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal's passionate kiss in Brokeback Mountain topped the online survey by DVD rental firm Lovefilm, beating classic movie moments from Gone With The Wind and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Lesbians are not left out either: the Selma Blair/Sarah Michelle Gellar encounter in Cruel Intentions came in at number five.

Lovefilm marketing manager Fliss White said: "We never expected the results to be so varied.

"Our top 10 has covered everything from sexy passionate embraces to more sinister, threatening kisses."

There certainly were some puzzling results from the online poll.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie make the list for their kiss in Mr & Mrs Smith, and The Godfather comes in at number seven.

In the case of The Godfather, it is not a passionate lip-lock that won over DVD viewers, but the famous scene where Michael Corleone kissed goodbye to his brother Fredo, whom he has decided to have killed.

Breakfast at Tiffany's was number two in the poll, followed by the Pitt/Jolie kiss and then Gone With The Wind.

Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster's beach kiss in From Here To Eternity came sixth, followed by Bridget Jones's Diary

The final two places were claimed by Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man and Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray in Dirty Dancing.


Offline jacks_key

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #14 on: Feb 14, 2007, 11:13 AM »
^^How very cool!   &**)
Heath Ledger: 1979-2008
Never enough time, never enough.

Offline welshwitch

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #15 on: Feb 18, 2007, 07:32 AM »
Today's New York times ( online edition) has a long article about "Zodiac". Can't post a link - you have to register with the NYT to get the online edition, presumably if you live out of the US.

Anyway, the article has info about Fincher's directorial style and his habit of doing numerous takes - 70 - 90 were mentioned! - and about his growing up in Marin County so knowing first-hand about the effects of the poilice pursuit of the Zodiac killer. there are some comments from Mark Ruffalo and some from Jake - his are rather incohenrent but seem to be critical of the number of takes Fincher made them do. He also talks abot Same Mendes giving him far more freedome and his family being one where everyone argued their point - all this in contrast with Fincher's dictatorial habits.

Offline Koka

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #16 on: Feb 21, 2007, 11:15 AM »
Another article on the same subject:

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-3710.html

-----------------------------------


Brokeback kiss is voted number one

Lovefilm marketing manager Fliss White said: "We never expected the results to be so varied."

14th February 2007 12:50
PinkNews.co.uk writer

A online poll of people who rent DVDs has revealed that their favourite movie kiss of all time was between two men.

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal's passionate kiss in Brokeback Mountain topped the online survey by DVD rental firm Lovefilm, beating classic movie moments from Gone With The Wind and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Lesbians are not left out either: the Selma Blair/Sarah Michelle Gellar encounter in Cruel Intentions came in at number five.

Lovefilm marketing manager Fliss White said: "We never expected the results to be so varied.

"Our top 10 has covered everything from sexy passionate embraces to more sinister, threatening kisses."

There certainly were some puzzling results from the online poll.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie make the list for their kiss in Mr & Mrs Smith, and The Godfather comes in at number seven.

In the case of The Godfather, it is not a passionate lip-lock that won over DVD viewers, but the famous scene where Michael Corleone kissed goodbye to his brother Fredo, whom he has decided to have killed.

Breakfast at Tiffany's was number two in the poll, followed by the Pitt/Jolie kiss and then Gone With The Wind.

Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster's beach kiss in From Here To Eternity came sixth, followed by Bridget Jones's Diary

The final two places were claimed by Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man and Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray in Dirty Dancing.



and the kiss sure as hell deserved it!!!!!!
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #17 on: Feb 23, 2007, 08:32 AM »


From: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid42235.asp

------------------------------------------

Brokeback scribes developing show for Fox
February 23, 2007

The Oscar-winning writers of 2005's Brokeback Mountain are in talks with Fox television to develop a drama for the network.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Larry McMurty and Diana Ossana will write and executive-produce the untitled drama. Currently the writing team is developing a show for ABC called Sheriff Luke. They are also adapting McMurty's novel Boone's Lick for a feature film that will star Tom Hanks.

McMurty and Ossana are also wrapping a six-hour miniseries for CBS that stars Steve Zahn, Karl Urban, Val Kilmer, and Rachel Griffiths. (The Advocate)



Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #18 on: Feb 23, 2007, 08:41 AM »
From:
http://media.www.dukechronicle.com/media/storage/paper884/news/2007/02/22/Recess/Hollywood.Golden.Boy.Falls-2736657.shtml

---------------------------

Hollywood golden boy falls
Recess film
By: Laura Zwiener
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Recess
Last update: 2/22/07 at 1:47 PM EST

There may be fewer Americans glued to their televisions for four-plus hours Feb. 25 to watch the 79th Annual Academy Awards than in years past.

As millions of Americans flock to movie theaters each year and blogs and magazines continue to follow the every move of Tinseltown's most celebrated, what has contributed to the decline of interest in the highest honor in Hollywood?

Professor David Paletz, director of the Film/Video/Digital program, blames waning interest on the deteriorating quality of the actual Awards show.

"The Oscars have always been dubious," he said. "Take a look at the many mediocre films and showy performances that have won awards and, more importantly, the great films and subtle acting that hasn't won awards and should have."

David Karger, Trinity '95 and senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, focuses-for the better part of six months each year-solely on the Oscar race, and has a different take on why interest in the awards show is dwindling.

"I think something that's been happening lately that's been really troubling is how crowded and drawn-out the whole awards ceremony is," he said. "The Oscars used to be the only show in town, but now the Golden Globes, Screen Actor's Guild Awards and even the Broadcast Critics Awards are all televised. By the time the Oscars roll around they seem almost like an afterthought."

Karger thinks that the placement of the Oscars at the end of the awards show season does have an impact on who the recipients are, lending to the "popularity contest" theory of how the prizes are awarded.

He said Crash winning best picture over Brokeback Mountain was a huge surprise last year. But he also said the Academy only chose the former because they wanted to do something different than the Golden Globes, even though Brokeback may have been better.

The Academy Awards has also been criticized for the show itself being too outrageous. But the Academy seems to be addressing the problem with the hiring of Ellen DeGeneres as the show's host this year-a departure from more controversial past hosts such as Chris Rock and Jon Stewart.

Still, Paletz said, the choice isn't a sure bet.

"Ellen DeGeneres may surprise us by being less bland than expected," he said. "It depends on which Ellen shows up-the sitcom star or the talk show host."

Despite the recent criticisms of the Academy Awards, Karger said he still believes that the spirit of the awards show is genuine and important to American culture.

"I do still think that the Oscars' intentions are pure, and when the voters get their ballots they take it very seriously and think about how their votes are going to stand the test of time," he said.






Offline KitKat

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #19 on: Feb 23, 2007, 08:58 AM »

He said Crash winning best picture over Brokeback Mountain was a huge surprise last year. But he also said the Academy only chose the former because they wanted to do something different than the Golden Globes, even though Brokeback may have been better.


Well that's just about the stupidest reason I've ever heard.  To do something different than the Golden Globes? DUH We all KNOW Brokeback WAS BETTER!

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #20 on: Feb 23, 2007, 11:10 AM »
Well that's just about the stupidest reason I've ever heard.  To do something different than the Golden Globes? DUH We all KNOW Brokeback WAS BETTER!

And IS a good thing that the Oscars is losing audience share!  They deserve every bit of it!


Offline KitKat

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #21 on: Feb 23, 2007, 01:04 PM »
I for one won't be watching the Oscars this year, that's for sure. 

Offline boo_boo

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #22 on: Feb 23, 2007, 02:25 PM »
I for one won't be watching the Oscars this year, that's for sure. 

Me either.  After the travesty of last year I have no interest in what their opinion of "best" is.
“Ennis, on a good day it’s hard to understand ya…but when you’re talkin into my ass…I really got no idea what the f*ck you’re saying.” - Missing Motel Moments by haunted_by_bbm

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #23 on: Feb 23, 2007, 02:50 PM »
Me either.  After the travesty of last year I have no interest in what their opinion of "best" is.

This is certainly at the root of it all.


Offline vanillagirl

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #24 on: Feb 23, 2007, 06:14 PM »
Maxim: "Fishin' buddies Ennis and Jack enjoy getting away from the humdrum reality of working life (shitty jobs, bad pay, sex with women) and out into nature."

even those frat boy lad mags like the movie!  i don't know how i feel about this though, like maybe they're just trying to court controversy by putting BBM on.

what do you think?

source: http://maximonline.com/slideshows/index.aspx?slideId=2938&imgCollectId=152&src=maxim_ed

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #25 on: Feb 26, 2007, 09:10 AM »
Maxim: "Fishin' buddies Ennis and Jack enjoy getting away from the humdrum reality of working life (shitty jobs, bad pay, sex with women) and out into nature."

even those frat boy lad mags like the movie!  i don't know how i feel about this though, like maybe they're just trying to court controversy by putting BBM on.

what do you think?

source: http://maximonline.com/slideshows/index.aspx?slideId=2938&imgCollectId=152&src=maxim_ed

Welcome, vanillagirl!

I am sure a number of the frat boys do harbor a liking for BBM for quite a number of reasons.

In any case, whether it is controversy or genuine appreciation, we know that BBM never fails to move a ready heart or an open mind.

 

Offline welshwitch

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #26 on: Feb 27, 2007, 01:56 AM »
Before this year's Oscars he English papers covered all the speculation and hype, but there were numerous references to BBM andlast year's events; one of the channels showed BBM immediately before the Oscars, though no-one showed last year's "winner", to my knowledge. So a thought crossed my mind - the Oscars have been losing viwers for some time, the Golden Globes, Baftas and many others recognised BBM, the Academy wanted to be different so didn't......BUT not choosing BBM as Best Picture stirred up controversy and comment and may have led to an increased focus on the Oscars this year.

Couldn't all have been part of a Macchiavellian plot, could it? Are Ganis and Co that devious? Doubt it, but what about their advisers?

Just thinkin' aloud here.  
« Last Edit: Feb 27, 2007, 09:44 AM by welshwitch »

Offline tpe

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #27 on: Feb 27, 2007, 08:26 AM »
Before this year's Oscars he English papers covered all the speculation and hype, but there were numerous references to BBM andlast year's events; one of the channels showed BBM immediately before the Oscars, though no-one showed last year's "winner", to my knowledge. So a thought crossed my mond - the Oscars have been losing viwers for some time, the Golden Globes, Baftas and many others recognised BBM, the Academy wanted to be different so didn't......BUT not choosing BBM as Best Picture stirred up controversy and comment and may have led to an increased focus on the Oscars this year.

Couldn't all have been part of a Macchiavellian plot, could it? Are Ganis and Co that devious? Doubt it, but what about their advisers?

Just thinkin' aloud here.   

I don't trust the Academy as a whole, most especially in Artistic matters.  They are simply becoming aware that they are becoming more of an after-thought to all the other award ceremonies that go before them, so they make it a point to try to be different.  What a sorry lot.


Offline tpe

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Oscars Viewership up from Last Year
« Reply #28 on: Feb 27, 2007, 08:43 AM »
This doesn't change the fact that I won't watch them. 

It is this that makes me think of the USA as a nation of sheep.

From: http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2007-02-27T000729Z_01_N26315006_RTRIDST_0_OSCARS-SHOW.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna

-------------------------------------------

Oscars show draws more viewers and mixed reviews
Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:07pm ET

LOS ANGELES, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres drew a million more U.S. TV viewers to the Oscars than last year's telecast, but some critics found her easy-going style too low key for Hollywood's biggest night.

The 79th annual Academy Awards show on Sunday, featuring big wins for Martin Scorsese's crime thriller "The Departed" and Al Gore's global warming documentary, averaged 39.9 million viewers for the ABC network(DIS.N: Quote, Profile , Research) , Nielsen Media Research reported on Monday.

That's up from the 38.8 million who tuned in last year when another first-time Oscar host, political satirist Jon Stewart, presided over a ceremony in which the racial drama "Crash" won best picture over the gay-cowboy romance "Brokeback Mountain."

By comparison, the 2005 Academy Awards hosted by Chris Rock drew 41.5 million viewers.

Observers predicted last year that a relative lack of star power and the darkly serious, art-house subject matter of nominated films, which also included "Capote" and "Munich," would dampen viewer interest in the Oscars.

This year's Oscar contenders, as a group, fared better at the box office -- "Departed" was a bonafide hit grossing $132 million domestically -- and included comparatively uplifting films such as "Dreamgirls" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

And to help matters further, DeGeneres draws a far bigger television audience for her "Ellen" show than Stewart does for his cable TV program, "The Daily Show."   

But critics were divided over whether her low-key, breezy daytime TV style, including several routines in which she ventured into the audience of the Kodak Theatre to clown with the likes of Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood, was a suitable fit for the Oscars.

UPBEAT HOST

Daily Variety's Brian Lowry wrote that DeGeneres' antics felt "a trifle small for the industry's biggest stage."

"Unlike Jon Stewart or Chris Rock, DeGeneres' comedy is perfectly non-threatening, making her a safe choice, if a bland guide through the night's festivities," he added.

The New York Post sniffed that "it was almost as if there were no host at all."

The New York Times found her "cheeky but good-natured, far less barbed and sardonic" than either Stewart or Rock, but said her "aisle routine got a little old."

Tom Shales of the Washington Post applauded DeGeneres for "doing a crisp and unpretentious job in her first gig as Oscar host, but he lamented that she lacked "the stature of the legendary hosts of the distant past -- namely Johnny Carson and Bob Hope."

In one of the most glowing assessments of DeGeneres' performance, USA Today declared: "A general aura of good feeling pervaded the evening, and much of it stemmed from the night's unfailingly sunny host."

Seizing on an irony of DeGeneres' big Oscar moment, The Los Angeles Times noted that it came on the same network, ABC, where she made history as the first openly gay lead prime-time TV character and ultimately saw her show canceled amid recriminations that her comedy took a back seat to her sexuality.



Offline welshwitch

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Re: News Coverage: February 2007
« Reply #29 on: Feb 27, 2007, 09:50 AM »
The English media have been fairly uncomplimentary about Ellen, branding her  a light-weight unequal to the occasion.

As far as the viewing figures go, they apparently excluded the first half-hour segment, when there are always fewer people watching, since most tune in for the big awards, Best Actor/Actress/Picture etc. So the averages were done over the most-watched segments - ie were fiddled.

And there are idiots in every country - 38+ million watch "American Idol" but over here over 4 million ( 7%) of the population buy "The Sun" and think it's a newspaper. The level it aims at is a reading-age of 11.