Greg Brian
Prolific freelance writer celebrating five years writing online. He currently writes daily for Yahoo! Movies, plus recurring late-night TV and NBC show beats on Yahoo! TV. The author is also open to private writing projects, though please query through the private message system located here.
As ground central for his serious & comedic insights, go to Twitter.com/gregoriancant.
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As ground central for his serious & comedic insights, go to Twitter.com/gregoriancant.
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Associate Degree in Business ManagementInterests
Arts and humanities; the history of film, music, television, art, theater; sociological issues; science; philosophy; politics; satire; absurdist comedyMotto
Searching for the meaning of life is the meaning of life.
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Golden Gate Bridge turns 75; What is the most iconic movie scene from the San Francisco landmark?Now that the Golden Gate bridge has turned 75, how many iconic movie scenes can you name from the famous bridge? Out of the dozens of notable movie scenes, one particular film genre has been used there above all.
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If 'Back to the Future' influenced 'Men In Black 3,' will a sequel visit the future?You can see 'Men In Black 3' director Barry Sonnenfeld catching a 'Back to the Future' trilogy wave in influence. It means a presumed 'Men In Black 4' would have to visit the future. But would it be as accurate as 'Back to the Future Part II' was?
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Movies to watch on Memorial Day: Most memorable depictions of America’s warsEvery major American war has been covered in film, yet you'll only find one or two movies for each conflict showing the battle's true terror. Take a look at these picks for war films that likely won't be topped in realism depicting our American heroes.
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'Moonrise Kingdom' brings Wes Anderson brand of adults stepping up during crisisWes Anderson has provided a strong psychological study of families with all of his films, and his 'Moonrise Kingdom' may be the epitome of them all. This time, we see how we shift into a different frame of mind once we're awakened out of complacency.
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'The Great Gatsby' trailer plays rap over swing; Does music have to fit movie time periods?It might seem perplexing hearing rap music in 'The Great Gatsby' trailer, though we should have expected it from Baz Luhrmann. Whether he uses contemporary music directly in the movie may set a new pattern for what kind of music truly represents history.Also published on:
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Late Night Hosts Visiting Rival Late Night Hosts: If Conan Can Visit Letterman, Why Not Others?By tradition, comedy hosts have rivalries we know aren't real, but have a hint that they may be. That's why if Conan O' Brien can visit David Letterman, why not have all the late night hosts visit one another for some wild, live and quotable barbs?
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'Chernobyl Diaries' producer Oren Peli brings new horror to real-life placesWith Oren Peli's 'Chernobyl Diaries' and his delayed 'Area 51' soon on tap, we see a new genre developing of horror in real locations. It seems Peli picked this up producing ABC's 'The River.' But what are the potentials of this new horror niche?
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'Django Unchained' could see more stars; Top directors and their repertory actorsWith an already top-notch lineup of actors for Quentin Tarantino's 'Django Unchained,' word from Cannes is that Tarantino could add more actors in cameos. Will he dip into his usual acting bank, as so many other notable directors have done?
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'Skyfall' trailer: What does title mean for M, 007?The 'Skyfall' trailer is out, so prepare to see a million different speculations about what the title of the movie means. Here, you can read about what the psychological impact of 'Skyfall' may mean for James Bond and how it changes his worldview.
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Lesbian drama 'Carol' should thank 'The Kids Are All Right' for paving the wayWe may not have expected the first team-up of Mia Wasikowska and Cate Blanchett would be a lesbian drama from a Patricia Highsmith novel. 'Carol' may go its own way, but its path was paved from the Wasikowska connection to 'The Kids Are All Right.'
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Will Kristen Wiig become most successful 'Saturday Night Live' female star in movies?Kristen Wiig has become the next departing cast member of 'Saturday Night Live' to think they'll be a huge movie star. Wiig, though, has the best chance of any, plus perhaps breaking the curse of few to no 'SNL' women having sustaining movie careers.
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'Cloud Atlas' looking for buyers at Cannes: Will film enhance how we perceive time?Now that 'Cloud Atlas' has been picked up by Warner Bros. for U.S. release, how will it be marketed here when releasing in December? Despite an all-star cast, its sense of time structure will be taxing to those used to decades of simpler narratives.
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Cannes 2012: French Films Competing for the Palme d’OrWhether or not you think the French are having a film renaissance, they never fail to provide interesting films for Cannes. Take a look at three of them, including one fascinating film from a legendary French director with a long Cannes past.Also published on:
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Memorable Solar Eclipses in Movies: From 'A Connecticut Yankee' to 'Apocalypto'With an annular solar eclipse visible in parts of the United States on Sunday, May 20, let's take a look at how movies have depicted solar eclipses. Out of many, several were meant as metaphor for an imminently ominous event of significance.
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More Evil Aliens in 'Battleship': Will We Ever See Peaceful Aliens in Movies Again?'Battleship' extends the theory that you can't make an alien movie without war. Or can a movie about aliens arriving in peace (and staying that way) be fascinating? It can, considering peace can lead to a whole different set of human problems.
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Comparing Sony’s Official 'Steve Jobs' Biopic, Unoffical 'Jobs'The unofficial 'Jobs' (with Ashton Kutcher) and the official 'Steve Jobs' biopics are on slate, so which one will ultimately win out in gaining an audience and accolades? They may be more equal in points than you think based on dialogue and structure.
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Recommendations for NBC’s ‘Smash’ Next Year: Can it Live on Music Alone?Now that NBC's 'Smash' has ended its first season, it's clear that the soap opera relationships in the show have to be removed next season. How do you do that, though, when the focus on the creation of a musical still has a few similar elements?
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'Hitchcock' Should Inspire Similar Director-Actor Relationship Movie TalesWith that new film genre of exploring behind-the-scenes of classic movies, a subgenre should branch from there showcasing director obsessions with star actresses or actors. 'Hitchcock' and 'The Girl' only opens the flood gates for many more.
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Bruce Willis Coming Back in 'A Good Day to Die Hard'; Who Breaks the Record for Oldest Action Star?Hollywood refuses to let go of some of our most famous action stars of the last 30 to 40 years. Bruce Willis may be one who's back in a 'Die Hard' sequel, though he may have to join his fellow action stars to sit and watch one other who supersedes them.
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'Snow White & the Huntsman' Sees Big Change to Naming the DwarfsThe evolution of the seven dwarf names in the 'Snow White' tale has evolved rather than devolve into more childish names we know well. 'Snow White & the Huntsman' ultimately turns the dwarfs into philosophy-spouting grownups with Gaelic monikers.
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'The Weight of the Nation' Obesity Miniseries Should Get Theatrical ReleaseSo far there hasn't really been a theatrical documentary on the alarming obesity epidemic we face. That's why HBO's 'The Weight of the Nation' should consider a theatrical release, even if that means an ironic trim for running time.
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Ewan McGregor: The Only True International Judge at Cannes 2012With Ewan McGregor joining the Cannes jury, it's possible the festival could benefit from McGregor's sense of internationalism when making movies. Or, perhaps the buzz of 'Cosmopolis' is too great for the jury to overcome.Also published on:
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'The Campaign' Trailer: A Look at Satire and Election 2012In the trailer for the Will Ferrell/Zach Galifianakis comedy 'The Campaign,' we see everything we need to see in how ridiculous politics has become. Will this movie affect our decisions for the 2012 election, or just make us more politically astute?Also published on:
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No Fangs on Movie Vampires? 'Dark Shadows' Should Have Made Barnabas Look More HumanDid you know one actor in film history didn't wear fangs to look ominous in his take on Dracula? It's a 1970s movie that Johnny Depp should have studied, rather than going with the standard 'Dark Shadows' vampire look.
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'The Artist' Re-Release Heralds New Market for Reborn ClassicsIf you don't care about 'Dark Shadows' or the indie fare being released Mother's Day weekend, then go see the re-release of 'The Artist.' It may kick off a new re-release windfall of films that fit much better into our times than they did originally.Also published on:
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Shawarma More Memorable Than Products in 'The Avengers'; Advertisers Take HeedAre you more attracted to obvious product placement in movies, or products with no brand name? Evidence shows it's the latter in 'The Avengers,' an Arabic dish taking off in popularity. Madison Avenue should take heed.Also published on:
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Single Moms in Movies: The Indomitable Spirit of Being Unmarried With ChildrenLet's not forget the single mother in movies for Mother's Day. If not many were depicted in films prior to the 1990s, the turn of the 21st century had a huge renaissance. One film from 1990 dared show a single mother from an era when it was frowned upon.
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CBS's Craig Ferguson’s Move to a Larger Studio Could Diminish Show’s Party-Like AtmosphereWe shouldn't be surprised that Craig Ferguson wanted a bigger studio after signing his new two-year with CBS. But his show depends on the audience to create one of the best late-night parties on TV. A little comedy Feng Shui is in order for the new place.
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Compromise for James Cameron 'Avatar' Sequels: Make Them Look Like DocumentariesNow that we know James Cameron will mix 'Avatar' sequels with real documentaries, why not mesh the two in 'Avatar 2' or 'Avatar 3'? Giving a documentary style to exploring Pandora would make the potentials of it being real more startling.
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Maurice Sendak Movie Projects Just Waiting to HappenOther than 'Where the Wild Things Are' and the short film 'Higglety Pigglety Pop!,' there haven't been any other movie adapts of the late Maurice Sendak's work. If due to controversial content, the focus should be on their psychoanalytical power for kids.Also published on:
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'The Dictator' Red Band Trailer Hits the Web; Is the Time Right to Satirize Terrorists?With the new red band trailer for Sacha Baron Cohen's 'The Dictator,' we see a very daring attempt to satirize dictators, terrorists, and 9/11. The question is whether America is ready to satirize it all or if Cohen has merely broached such a thing.
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Could 'Cosmopolis' Take Cannes Palme D'Or?With another diverse lineup of films at this year's Cannes Film Festival, 'Cosmopolis' seems to be getting the most buzz. Does it have the best chance to win the Palme d'Or? Based on last year's winner, it might, based sorely on its theme for America.
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'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' Classic Games: Other Games He Should Feature on the ShowOne of the secrets to the successful party-like atmosphere on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' is the classic games the show brings back. Password and beer pong are only part of it all. Here's three games that should be on there, with one as historic irony.
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Massive Success of 'The Avengers' May Take Away From More Human DramasThe incredible box office of 'Marvel's The Avengers' sets a precedent for superhero movies dominating mainstream movies indefinitely. It takes away from the dominance of more human dramas that recently managed a new mainstream renaissance.
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Will Adam Yauch’s Death Affect Indie Film Distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories?With the death of Adam Yauch, we yet again see another innovative leader who leaves his staff at Oscilloscope wondering how to carry on. We'll hope they know how, despite quality indie film being closer to a dangerous precipice than it should.
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The Hulk Finally Done Right With 'The Avengers': Ideas for Future Hulk Movies, TV ShowWith all the surprising Incredible Hulk movie and TV franchises soon emerging, you have to wonder which plot points from all the comic book incarnations will get into the storyline. Here are my suggestions, plus an earthy one you might not expect.
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New Houdini Biopics in the Works; Will There Ever Be an Accurate Portrayal?Biopics on Harry Houdini aren't done yet, despite numerous ones produced over the last 60 years. This time, the focus may be on Houdini the international spy, which yet again brings back Houdini facts as pure entertainment rather than based in reality.
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Cinematic Screams We'll Never Forget; Edvard Munch Would Be ProudIt's too bad we didn't have audio to go with Edvard Munch's iconic painting 'The Scream.' Now that it's sold for $120 million, perhaps these particularly iconic screams from movie history could accompany it once more parodies of the painting are done.
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Chloe Moretz: A Sophisticated, Adult Child Actor for TodayWhen you see the entire timeline of child actors, most stayed with family-oriented movies before turning at least 16. Chloe Moretz is the new guard, breaking those rules with roles that really can't be contained in the realms of child star evolution.
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Hollywood Apologizing for Bad Remakes With (Hopefully) Good Re-RemakesWith 'Van Helsing' about to be rebooted, you have to wonder if Hollywood will go after all the terrible movie remakes and reboot many of them. I've picked three recent, dreadful remakes of classic movies that are still worthy of a fulfilling redo.
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Promising Actresses Forgotten by Hollywood: Europe, Broadway More Enticing?Demi Moore, Rebecca De Mornay, and Kathleen Turner may be back in films, though their roles now are quite different from their sex symbol heyday. Other promising actresses who had similar backgrounds weren't so lucky in transitioning out of that role.
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James Bond to Face Moral Conflict in 'Skyfall'; What He Can Learn From Movie CopsIan Fleming might have been aghast that his James Bond films turned into frothy fantasies rather than exploring Bond's inner conflicts. 'Skyfall' will finally explore that, even though past troubled movie cops have set a precedent for the spy.
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'Parenthood' on the Bubble: Can the Traditional TV Family Live With the TV Modern Family?There's no denying that NBC's 'Parenthood' is the most conservative family show on TV. But it still doesn't shy away from vital family issues, and deserves its loyal audience. Impending cancellation could be averted based on its city setting.
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'The Avengers' Sees Title Change in U.K.; How Will Other Countries Rename Summer Blockbusters?Movie titles in other countries can be loads of fun to read for us loathsome Americans. But it's interesting to see the distinct approaches each country uses. With that in mind, go look at the possible overseas titles for the summer blockbusters of 2012.
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Live '30 Rock' Episode: Has Live TV for Comedies Lost Luster Due to Fewer Mistakes?Performers of comedy have come a long way since the days when they had to perform live on TV. Now they can pull off live TV with aplomb without a single mistake. It leaves the rare live TV event a bit dull, unless it's tried with a different genre.
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Canada's 'Citizen Gangster': A Parallel of American Dream Gone Awry?You wouldn't expect a movie from Canada to show a mirror image of America's problem finding jobs for returning war veterans. While 'Citizen Gangster' is based on a real post-WWII crime story, America has yet to explore this in a modern character.
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Advanced 3D vs. High Frame Rates: Psychological Uses, AffordabilityNever before have we seen new movie technology that might affect us on a truly deep, core level. If new 48 frames-per-second technology is initially disturbing, new uses of 3D in drama might win out psychologically in this new tech tug-of-war.
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'G.I. Joe: Retaliation': U.S. Military Recruitment Tool?On the surface, the trailer for 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' shows another cartoon in live action. With some real depth in the plot, however, we see a possible propaganda tool for future confrontation with countries that threaten as much as Cobra Commander.
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'The Five-Year Engagement': Murphy's Law, Marriage Pitfalls a Great Comedic CombinationAre you a lover of movies showing everything going wrong, or are you annoyed by them? That movie device has had a a resurgence recently, and 'The Five-Year Engagement' takes it higher. It only works when you have the reactions of a good comedian.
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Should Netflix Have a Cash Prize Contest for Ideas on Original Content?If money can be the root of all evil, the enticement of it can also lead to astounding creativity. Netflix should consider this philosophy and create a contest to award someone who can rescue their original programming before the company goes under.
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'Lawless' Continues Renaissance of Prohibition Era EntertainmentThe trailer for 'Lawless' shows us how much the Prohibition era still means to us 80 years after it was abolished. With new movies and TV shows exploring prohibition, there may be a new renaissance as a way to broach discussion on drug legalization.
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'The Raven' Latest Historical Fiction Movie to Sideline Iconic FigureYou might have initially thought 'The Raven' was a biopic on Edgar Allen Poe. Instead, it falls under a recurring genre of legendary historical figures as sideline characters to a separate plot or character. Take a look at where else it's been done.
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Cure for Movie Remakes: Take Negative Reactions From Original Stars SeriouslyWhy don't all the living notables who worked on an original movie classic protest when a studio remakes their movie? We have more Hollywood legends still alive than we think who could shift the tide on remakes. Tippi Hedren may have kicked it off.
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Russell Crowe Heading for Acting Renaissance: Oscar Chances for Javert in 'Les Miz,' 'Noah'A-list actors nowadays don't always work consistently like they diin the old studio system. Russell Crowe is an example of going through a lull, followed by a potential second acting renaissance; he's an actor to watch (again) in 2013.
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Taylor Swift as Joni Mitchell? New Dangers of Musicians Playing Fellow Musicians in BiopicsIt's been very rare when a real musician plays a fellow musician in a biopic. A major problem, of course, is acting ability. But does it also strip the musician of personal identity? Taylor Swift should consider this issue if she plays Joni Mitchell.
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Rich Ross Leaves Disney; Movies About Mars Now Hollywood’s CurseThe departure of Rich Ross from Disney proves that Mars movies are a huge curse on Disney and Hollywood in general. Why that happened may have to do with our perception of Mars, at least until the new Curiosity rover gets there this August.
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Whatever Happened to Lawrence Kasdan?It might be dangerous to go away from Hollywood for 10 years, as Lawrence Kasdan has done. His comeback 'Darling Companion' might be light fun, though it's far from what he used to do at his peak as a writer/director. Why that happened is still a mystery.
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Will ‘Les Miserables’ Movie Become the ‘Gone With the Wind’ of Next Oscar Season?It seems the right time to do a movie adaptation of the musical 'Les Miserables' is now. The cast for the upcoming film is seemingly perfect. Take a look at the chances of this becoming a huge Oscar favorite next year, and perhaps for one unknown actress.
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'Stoker' Absent From Cannes 2012 Film Lineup; What Happened to Park Chan-wook’s U.S. Debut?With Cannes announcing its film lineup for 2012, one film that was rumored to be on the list wasn't there. That film is Park Chan-wook's 'Stoker,' the South Korean director's American film debut. Why it isn't there could be the result of myriad reasons.
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Disneynature’s 'Chimpanzee' Less Urgent Than 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'Disneynature has produced some extraordinary nature documentaries. The latest, 'Chimpanzee,' is worth seeing, though don't expect to see harsher realities of chimps. You might find more hidden reality in 2011's 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes.'
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Films for Earth Day: Environmental Themes in Unexpected/Forgotten MoviesIt seems when you see lists of movies for Earth Day, you see a lot of the usual suspects in recent years. Let's dig a little deeper and find some movies that offer more compelling environmental messages than you ever knew or remembered.
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Dick Clark Helped Bring the 'America’s Got Talent' Concept to TV in a 1959 FlopDick Clark's TV resume is quite extensive, and that includes a few obscure shows he hosted. One was a major flop in 1959 that strongly resembled today's 'America's Got Talent.' It held lessons in what could have been had Dick Clark produced the show.
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Why Doesn’t TIME's 100 Most Influential Include Behind-the-Scenes People in Film?TIME Magazine's Influential 100 is out again, and the actors chosen from movies are quite arguable on influence. Why doesn't TIME compile a list of who really pulls the strings in Hollywood? Or are those people afraid of the repercussions?
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Children, Siblings of Stars Bring a New Generation of Character ActorsBeing a character actor is a comfortable place for an actor to avoid the pitfalls of superstardom. It's the same for the offspring of legendary acting notables. Take a look at this future list of who these new generation character actors might be.
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Before Secret Service Scandal Becomes a Movie: When Agents Behaved on FilmThe Secret Service has always been depicted on film upholding the code, despite dealing with complicated situations. Before that changes in movies after the prostitution scandal in Colombia, see how past movies on Secret Service could still connect.
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What Does Tupac Coachella Hologram Mean for the Movies?New technology used at this year's Coachella music festival might enable dead celebrities to not only appear in concert but perhaps in movies. If we can finally make them look convincingly real in a movie, how would audiences really react?
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Top Five Movies Set in Oregon, From 'Cuckoo's Nest' to 'Overboard'Many movies have been filmed in Oregon that show the state in a positive light, as well as stereotypical light. These five movies are some of the best filmed in my home state, if most memorable based on pop culture relevance and personal connection.
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Will Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Become the New Taylor and Burton of Movies?Whether or not Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt actually marry doesn't take away the fact they could be the most passionate onscreen couple since Taylor and Burton. Or that passion could fizzle if they wait too long to do a rumored new film together. -
'Looper' Trailer Suggests Time Travel Movie RenaissanceWith 'Looper,' we see what the future of time travel movies may be: dealing with more complicated time paradoxes. No matter which paradox construct filmmakers use, a little secret used in 'Back to the Future' would make these movies more intriguing.
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'The Cabin in the Woods' Explores Control, Playing GodThe only spoiler that can be said about 'The Cabin in the Woods' is that a profound sense of control is at play in the plot. While it's serious business, movies have explored that theme before in the realms of comedy where it's always worked much better.
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Movies About Taxes: Tax Dodging, Back Tax Survival Always a Sure PlotMovies haven't shied away from dealing with taxes and the IRS. The most common theme was owing back taxes and the ways of going about how to pay them. Those methods have evolved over the years and may continue to evolve in future films.
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Could Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury Be New Model for Actor-Comic Book Crossovers?The process of how Samuel L. Jackson came to be the new face of Ultimate Nick Fury is one that may change how superhero movie franchises are born. It may also reverse the process of having classic comic book heroes look like their actor counterparts.
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Can Any Indie Movie Match 'Blue Like Jazz' Kickstarter Fundraising Success?Independent film funding may soon be dire due to a weakening economy. But with new business venture funding site Kickstarter, indie film may have a saving grace. 'Blue Like Jazz' set a funding precedent, though a cautionary one.
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'The Simpsons Movie' Sequel Idea: Reveal All Oregon ConnectionsIf Matt Groening ultimately reneged on saying 'The Simpsons' Springfield wasn't based on Springfield, Oregon, the Oregon connections to Simpsons characters aren't hard to deny. A sequel to 'The Simpsons Movie' should have a big Oregon reveal.
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What Is the Hollywood Screenplay Black List?Hollywood's screenplay black list is becoming better known. But why did it start and where is it going? With just about every Oscar contender coming from this list recently, it makes you wonder if the list is a Hollywood rut or a positive secret plot.Also published on:
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ABC’s 'Titanic' Miniseries Should Have Set Sail in TheatersIt's a wonder we haven't seen 100 other 'Titanic' offshoot movies since James Cameron became king of Hollywood. ABC's new miniseries on the ship's class division might be a worthy new off-branch that should unapologetically have a theatrical release.
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'The Three Stooges' Stunt Checklist: From Face Slaps to the Eye PokeYou can compare the original Three Stooges to Jackie Chan in their stunt abilities without Moe hurting a flea. The new cast of 'The Three Stooges,' though, must have had their work cut out copying the stunts. Take a look at how those stunts were executed.
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Is Tom Hanks the Right Actor to Play Walt Disney in 'Saving Mr. Banks'?It was inevitable a major actor would depict Walt Disney eventually, though not in the desired biopic so many of us want. 'Saving Mr. Banks' will come close enough with (possibly) Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. But is he really the best choice of actor?
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Could Instagram Become a New Features Option for Blu-ray?With the sale of Instagram to Facebook, you can imagine myriad ways Instagram could be used in other technological ways. Use as a new feature on Blu-ray would be an innovative method of changing the look of a movie for personal preference.
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With Angelina Jolie as 'Maleficent,' Disney Should Delve Into Male Villain Vault NextNow that Disney has about exhausted its female villain catalog in remakes and back stories, why not tackle Disney's myriad male villains? Some of Disney's male baddies are much more complex and would have back stories fit for adults.
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Summer Movie 2012 Preview: Will Indies Rise Above Superhero Franchises?Within all the superhero movies of summer 2012 are little indie movies that might end up doing as well if not better than the juggernauts. Read about three of them here, and what early reaction might mean in finding an audience.
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Will Ben Stiller's 'Walter Mitty' Remake Finally Adhere to the Thurber Tale?If you lament remakes, you may not think it all that bad that Ben Stiller is remaking 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.' Only one movie with Danny Kaye has ever been made. But we have yet to see a movie that follows James Thurber's dark satire closely.
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Mike Wallace in Movies: When Will We Get a Respectable Biopic?The late Mike Wallace had depictions in other movies and media beyond Christopher Plummer's portrayal in 'The Insider.' All, though, don't replace the idea that a biopic is nearly necessary to put this influential journalist in proper perspective.
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Seth MacFarlane’s 'Ted' May Be the Closest We Come to a 'Calvin and Hobbes' MovieSeth MacFarlane may be tapping into what a grownup 'Calvin and Hobbes' might have been like in his upcoming 'Ted.' But despite similarity on the surface, a 'Calvin and Hobbes' movie would have been vastly different in appearance and dialogue.
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Will 'Godspell,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Get Remake Treatment After 'Rock of Ages'?The rock musical is in comeback mode with 'Rock of Ages' soon in theaters. But with popular revivals of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Godspell' on Broadway, don't be surprised to see movie remakes of those 40 years after two good movie adaptations.
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Why the Razzie Awards Should Air on TVThe Golden Raspberry Awards (or Razzies) have never been on TV, despite increasing media coverage year by year. What would happen if they aired in a primetime telecast? It may be the compelling response to Oscar's State of the Movies Union.
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Other 70th Anniversary Box Sets That Should Be Released Beyond 'Casablanca'With Warner Home Video and 20th Century Fox starting a new template for movie anniversary DVD box sets, you know more will be coming after a recent box set release of 'Casablanca.' Three other movies deserve new box sets for their own 70th anniversaries.
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Will 'Titanic' 3D Move 3D on TV Forward?If you've seen 'Titanic' in myriad airings on Turner cable channels, then it shouldn't be surprising that a 3D broadcast there might be possible after the 3D theatrical run. James Cameron may make it happen to forward stalled 3D over-the-air broadcasts.
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‘Titanic’ Tops Films People Love to Hate, Hate to LoveCategories are a part of life for movies when placing them in a particular niche. But some categories have yet to be created, especially a list of films that have the contradiction of being love and despised synonymously. 'Titanic' is first on this list.
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Mia Wasikowska Perfect for 'Madame Bovary': A Look at Emma OnscreenMia Wasikowska seems perfect to give a modern interpretation of Madame Bovary. But the French have done the novel proud in various film incarnations. One French actress compared to Wasikowska almost made the definitive Emma Bovary.
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Ashton Kutcher Looks Like Young Steve Jobs; Is Appearance Important to Biopic?From one side, you can't help but feel that Ashton Kutcher is perfect casting for a Steve Jobs biopic. Conversely, you have to stop and think if he's able to handle the acting. In biopics, should both coalesce, or does acting trump similar appearance?
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NBC’s 'Awake' May Go Into Cancellation Slumber: Did 'Lost' Ruin the Complex TV Show?When 'Awake' started as a midseason replacement on NBC, it promised to be another high concept show in the mold of 'Lost.' After the audience investment of 'Lost', however, have TV audiences become too suspect of worthy payoffs from writers?
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'Frozen Planet' Finale on Global Warming: What Kind of Precedent Will it Set?The fear over analyzing global warming on TV is increasing based on Discovery Channel initially balking at showing the final part of the 'Frozen Planet' series. It sets a precedent that could lead to strange things on TV nature specials in 50 years.
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Will Johnny Depp Monopolize Chemistry in 'The Thin Man' Remake?Even Johnny Depp is now susceptible to remakes, with 'The Thin Man' on his future movie slate. But the original was always dependent on witty chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy, which Depp hasn't totally mastered with any female costar.
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Lottery Winner Woes: The Perfect Subject for a MovieIf you've ever won the lottery, then you likely already know the hell it can reap on a person's life. So far, those realities haven't been depicted satisfactorily in film, despite many films on winning the lottery depicting the negative sides.
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Songs From 1966 for 'Mad Men' Plot Points: Much More Beyond 'Zou Bisou Bisou'We all know music is and will be important to the compelling nature of 'Mad Men' as it resides in 1966. With 'Zou Bisou Bisou' taking off (which wasn't from 1966), what about other songs directly from 1966 that could describe future 'Mad Men' plot points?
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'Anchorman 2' Announced; Will Movies Ever Take Today's News Anchors Seriously?If news reporters have received adequate portrayals in movies, the news anchor is still stuck being depicted through comedy. With Will Ferrell announcing 'Anchorman 2,' should a serious movie finally be made about the news anchor of the 2010s?
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'Mirror Mirror' Should Have Adapted Gregory Maguire’s Snow White Book of Same TitleWith the new 'Mirror Mirror' Snow White parody arriving in theaters, you have to wonder why Gregory Maguire's Snow White tale of the same title didn't have an adaptation. Or are his stories too complex for Hollywood with relegation to the musical stage?
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Is 'Unrated' Movie Designation the New Solution to Ratings Dilemma?As complex as it sounds to release 'Bully' unrated, it may have been a watershed in other films going the same route without fear of box office disaster. With new marketing campaigns and public verdicts, movie rating reform may be upon us.
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Movies That Show Health Care Needed Reform Years AgoWith the Supreme Court arguing the constitutionality of required government health insurance, it's time to look back at how film depicted the unraveling of our health care system. Various mavericks showed us it was happening already 40 years ago.
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Is 'Brazil' the Model to Follow for Future Dystopian Movies?If 'The Hunger Games' is the basic new template for future dystopian tales, the meat of its structure should be taken from a classic Terry Gilliam movie from 1985. Using the process of retro-futurism will make the future on film look much more realistic.
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Casting Presidents, First Ladies for 'The Butler'; Who Will Join Jane Fonda?Movies about presidents seem to be on the increase, and an upcoming movie adaptation based on White House butler Eugene Allen is on tap as a major A-list project. However, with half-a-dozen presidents depicted, which actors are the most suitable?Also published on:
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James Cameron Returns From Mariana Trench; What Should We Expect From Documentary?James Cameron's footage from the Mariana Trench may potentially outdo any documentary he's made and from anyone else. Or, the footage could be a bust. Different factors may determine it being a TV documentary or a 3D theatrical event.
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Merchandise Wish List for 'The Hunger Games': Katniss Catnip to Haymitch Vodka'The Hunger Games' merchandise is coming! Yes, you already knew that, but what kind of products will the movie provide considering the franchise is for adults as much as for kids? Let's go take a look at how diverse these products may be.
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More Viewers Watching Movies Online; Is Blu-ray Losing the Format Battle?Based on recent evidence, more people are deciding to watch movies through a streaming service than on Blu-ray or standard DVD. While the reasons why may sound obvious, this development may be a lot more complex than you think.
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Could 'Midnight Run' Sequel Succeed Without Chemistry of De Niro and Grodin?You have to wonder how a green light was given to an upcoming 'Midnight Run' sequel. It's a movie that Robert De Niro couldn't have held without sharing chemistry with Charlie Grodin. In fact, the latter's character would make a much better follow-up.
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Salvador Dali the Most Popular Biopic Subject in HollywoodYou might be surprised to learn Hollywood's hottest biopic subject. Surrealism father Salvador Dali is the late artist Hollywood wants to explore, though numerous biopics about him may all collide due to production and release delays.
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How Will 'The Hunger Games' Trilogy Become Four Films?With 'The Hunger Games' trilogy now confirmed to be four films, questions remain how 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay' will be adapted. If one of them has to be adapted into two parts, a template could emerge from a classic mafia movie.
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Lenny Kravitz Latest Rock Star to Take on Sci-Fi MovieLenny Kravitz as Cinna in 'The Hunger Games' is far from the first rock musician to act in a sci-fi movie. But why have rock musicians gravitated to roles in sci-fi movies since the 1970s and '80s? One famous rocker may be the bridge connecting it all.
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Woody Allen’s 'To Rome With Love' Title Change: How to Make a Marketable Movie TitleWoody Allen had to change the title of one of his movies once before. The original title of that '70s movie ironically relates to how we're dealing with movie titles today. Awareness might break us out of a current assembly line phase for movie titles.
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Should Search for Amelia Earhart Be a Movie?The search for Amelia Earhart is still an ongoing endeavor. The International Group for Historic Aircraft and Recovery should have a movie made about all its intriguing endeavors. Although it doesn't stop there in more potential Earhart movie ideas.Also published on:
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'Snow White & the Huntsman' Trailer: Campy Acting May Help Depiction of Evil QueenMore extensive trailers for 'Snow White & the Huntsman' show Charlize Theron's Evil Queen as the epitome of high camp. Can campy acting exist in a film intended as drama, or is it doomed to a Razzie Award?
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Will MTV Origins Movie Persuade Network to Examine the Past?With the corporate origins movie being a hot new genre, MTV will get this treatment next from director Brett Ratner. Perhaps the cultural influence of the movie will move not only MTV back to its better days but also move its loyal Generation Y viewers.
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Would Dr. Seuss Movies Work Better as Short Animated Features?With news that redemption is possible with a planned 'The Cat in the Hat' CGI remake, the problem of padding Dr. Seuss tales still persists. What happens if filmmakers shortened adaptations to 30 minutes, as we once saw on TV?
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Movies Exploring War, Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderWith news of Staff Sgt. Robert Bales's situation in Afghanistan, the answers as to why they happened were not easy. Check out these movies on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from different eras to perhaps help elaborate on some of those answers.
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'The Godfather' 40th Anniversary: Is the Mafia Movie a Relic of the Past?As 'The Godfather' celebrates 40 years this month, the evolution of the mafia film seems to be looking to its past more all the time. But exploring the moral implications of the business is something that stands alone with 'The Godfather' trilogy.
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Will Mixed Response to 'Dark Shadows' Trailer Bring Down TV Remake Parodies?With the 'Dark Shadows' trailer out, we're seeing mixed opinion on whether Tim Burton should have stayed serious over going with satire. It's all enough to think we'll go back to TV remakes that take themselves too seriously when they shouldn't.
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Johnny Depp Cameo in '21 Jump Street': Should an Original TV Star Appear in the Movie?With news that Johnny Depp has a significant role in '21 Jump Street', it hangs on to a trend that at least one original TV star will appear in a movie remake. This might not be a worthy endeavor, depending on your point of view of the original show.
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Upcoming Online Network Ora.TV: Will it Emerge as a New CNN?When Ora.tv debuts at some indefinite date, it's promised we'll see the first true Internet network providing myriad innovative programming. But will places like Twitter give them a run for their money in the realm of breaking news stories?
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After 'John Carter' Failure, Disney May Be More Successful Sticking With Animated Sci-FiDisney has used mostly live-action actors for its sci-fi movies, even though it took years for the studio to take on sci-fi. After the failure of live-action 'John Carter' this year, Disney may want to place future science fiction through the Pixar prism.
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Will Obama's 'The Road We’ve Traveled' Lead to More Campaign Films?Despite all the inevitable criticisms, President Obama's new campaign movie 'The Road We've Traveled' will likely be copied in future presidential campaigns. When it is copied, what happens if movie theaters show them as a process of equal time?Also published on:
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Are 'The Hunger Games,' 'The Cabin in the Woods' a Warning About Reality Shows?Two of this spring's likely biggest movie hits are exploring an interesting aspect to watching people partake in violence that leads to death. 'The Hunger Games' and 'The Cabin in the Woods' could tell us much about the future of the TV reality show.
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Will Johnny Depp's Tonto Respect Native Americans in 'The Lone Ranger' Movie?One lone picture has been released of next year's 'The Lone Ranger' with Johnny Depp as Tonto. His interpretation has ample evidence that he based his look on a famous inaccurate painting. But it may not be all in vain.
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Lawsuit Hits High Theater Snack Prices: Debate Over Movie Theater Profits ContinuesA singular lawsuit against an AMC theater to fight expensive snacks is going to be a losing effort. The real emphasis should be on imitation of some indie movie house snack bars, where a sense of unique quality is tantamount to better business.
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'The Hunger Games': How About Some Prequels?The secret to a compelling teen epic now is to create not only an elaborate universe but also a compelling back story. 'The Hunger Games' books and movies need to explore that with some key characters making Katniss Everdeen the chosen one.
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MPAA Refusal to Make 'Bully' PG-13 May Still Bring ChangeWith rallying cries for change by the American people, the uproar over the MPAA refusing to change the rating on 'Bully' could bring changes to the MPAA down the road. With the ratings board being parental, parents may be the calling card.
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'John Carter' Could Have Been First Animated Feature Before Disney's 'Snow White'There's irony in Disney distributing this month's 'John Carter' movie adaptation. A twist of fate prevented legendary animator Bob Clampett from creating an animated 'John Carter' serial in 1936 ahead of Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.'
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'Men in Black 3' Script Written During Production: Should It Be a Regular Procedure?'Men in Black III' sold itself with its trailer, but news has it the second half of its script was made up on the spot. Is this dangerous creative brilliance Hollywood may use again to breed better creativity? It may be the lift screenwriters need.
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Robert Sherman Tribute: The Best Sherman Brothers Musical Works on DVDThe Sherman Brothers' music from Disney is still around us, yet their names still aren't familiar. With the death of Robert Sherman on March 5, it's time to go and see what works of theirs are available on DVD. All still need a Blu-ray upgrade.
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Polar Bears May Exceed Penguins as Favorite Cinematic AnimalA new documentary called 'To the Arctic 3D' may aim to show sympathy for polar bears, an arctic species always playing second banana to the adorable, marketable penguin.
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Lindsay Lohan to Play Elizabeth Taylor on Lifetime; What Happened to Scorsese's Biopic?It's hard to believe that the cable channel Lifetime has beaten Martin Scorsese to a biopic on Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's love affair. But the Lifetime movie (with Lindsay Lohan as Taylor) may be unauthorized for a very good reason.
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'Project X' and the Devolution of the Party on FilmThe timeline of depicting the party on film is arguably devolving into anarchy, as seen with 2012's 'Project X.' You have to go back and see the cinematic party from yesteryear to see why 'Project X' is possibly giving a societal warning.
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'Frankenweenie' Trailer Released; Is Movie Still Too Scary for Kids?With Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' trailer released, we see a full circle project that Disney once shunned due to its content. Is it still brave of Burton to show a family dog being regenerated, or will kids be able to use it as catharsis?
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The State of the Mockumentary: Waiting for Christopher Guest's ReturnThe mockumentary still continues in various forms. But whether you can still call it mockumentary is debatable. Only Christopher Guest took the concept to the best places, despite perhaps forcing the genre into the exile of smaller media.
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'The Lorax' TV Special More Politically Balanced Than New Movie'Dr. Seuss' The Lorax' may be an exciting new renaissance in bringing Dr. Seuss to the big screen. But the message behind it already has accusations of being one-sided. The original book and 1972 TV special provided a balance Dr. Seuss requires.
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Who Should Play Osama bin Laden in SEAL Team Six Movie?The casting for Kathryn Bigelow's as-of-yet untitled movie about the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound still has a major concern: Who will play the Al-Qaeda leader himself? What's more important is how he'll be portrayed over who the actor is.
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Parallels Between 'Smash' and 'American Idol': Surviving the Showbiz GameIt might be easy to connect metaphors of one show to another. NBC's musical drama 'Smash', though, has an eerie connection to 'American Idol' in more than way. Katharine McPhee as the show's star is only one part of that picture.
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‘The Artist’ Oscar’s Best Picture: What Influence Will It Bring to the Film Industry?It's possible 'The Artist' will just be a quirk of filmmaking nature after winning Best Picture at the Oscars. Or it could be a major game-changer in going back to the basics by removing the big screen and surround sound.
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Stephen Colbert's Absence from 'The Colbert Report': The Fear of Disbelief when Playing a CharacterThere has to be a new term used for the satirist on TV who always stays in character. Stephen Colbert has taken this new road. That type of comedian faces the threat of not being believed when something serious happens in his or her real life.
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Why Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Dictator' Should Be Welcome at OscarsA celebrity playing a character publicly to promote a movie or TV show might border the lines of insanity in some people's eyes. Yet this has become a new way to promote a movie, especially for the enigmatic Sacha Baron Cohen at the Oscars.
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'The Artist' and 'The Jazz Singer': Oscar’s Irony of Awarding a Silent MovieOscar history can easily get distorted, and the legend of 1927's 'The Jazz Singer' is certainly one of them. Its history as the first talkie is still garbled, even though it has an interesting, ironic connection to Oscar darling 'The Artist.'
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How Will Billy Crystal Keep the Oscars 'Fresh and New'?Billy Crystal's return to the Oscars is highly anticipated, especially if he recurs some of his classic bits from yesteryear. Based on a tweet from the comedian, though, the jury is out whether he'll change comedic direction.
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Uggie Barred From Oscars; Speciesism Hits Awards Circuit?Human beings are now being threatened. No, this isn't a sci-fi tale; more a real story of Hollywood animal actors overtaking human actors in popularity. Or has evolution thrown us a curve with a different threat to both human and animal actors?
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Your Face in 'The Host' Teaser: The Future of Interactive Movie Marketing?Movie trailers will get a boost later this year when the producers of 'The Host' select someone's face to be briefly used in the film's teaser trailer. This will probably open the floodgates to future interactive movie trailers with mandatory features.
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Oscars With the Muppets: Is Facebook Campaign Right?The Muppets are certainly back in form, and many people want them to be more visible. One of those campaigns is a Facebook page trying to get The Muppets to host the Oscars. If they did, we could see a throwback to the fun chaos of 'The Muppet Show.'
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Movies About Real Presidents: Should Biopics Be Realistic or Idealistic?Biopics about presidents are still being made, though we still haven't seen explicit reality about them placed on film. The reasons for that are fear of a president's legacy being tarnished. But how should we really view presidential history?
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Peter Jackson Directing 'Tintin' Sequel: Can He Make It More Accessible to America?The American appreciation of Steven Spielberg's 'Tintin' movie franchise still needs some work. With a sequel in the works with director Peter Jackson, some attempts should be made to make it more popular here. A nod to Indiana Jones just might do it.
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Is 'This Means War' a Take-Off on Mad Magazine's 'Spy Vs. Spy'?Is it possible that 'This Means War' is an offshoot of an earlier incarnation of the legendary Mad Magazine cartoon 'Spy vs. Spy'? If you know the history of that strip, you might remember a particular female spy used for only a few years.
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Twitter Commentary from TV Stars During Broadcasts is Reshaping How We Watch TVReal-time commentary seems more exciting today over DVD audio commentaries. For television, no better place exists than Twitter to get a live textual commentary from your favorite TV stars. So many are doing that now, it may change how you watch TV.
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'Beyond the Black Rainbow' Trailer Shows Trend for Films Journeying Into the MindWe may have seen some glimpses inside the human mind in a few films ('Inception' being no exception), but we haven't spent considerable time there in a movie. 'Beyond the Black Rainbow' and a new Pixar movie will be spending considerable time within.
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Will 'Vampire Hunter' Reveal More About Honest Abe Than 'Lincoln'?2009 should have been Abraham Lincoln's big year in movies for his centennial. Now 2012 is a key year, with two very different takes on Lincoln for the big screen. You might be surprised which one might provide the deepest insight into Honest Abe's life.
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What's Makes or Breaks Romantic Chemistry Onscreen?Chemistry between two actors can't be taught, especially romantic chemistry. So what are the natural mechanics of romantic chemistry between a male and female actor? It seems to break down to three parts, one of which is the safest for the actors.
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Is the Married Couple on TV Superseding the Single Character Searching for Love?Fictional TV has had a strange timeline going from the celebration of marriage and family, to celebrating being single, back to celebrating marriage again. With marriage, though, you have complexities that can easily make TV writers perpetually prolific.
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Whitney Houston's 'Sparkle': The Painful IronyWe've seen plenty of deceased superstars have their swan songs in movies that contained painful irony. Whitney Houston's remake of 'Sparkle' will bring the irony of ironies. Although it may also be a calling card to repairing the ravages of superstardom.
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Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day You Might Have OverlookedIf you're just now starting a relationship and celebrating Valentine's Day, you may not consider watching this list of romantic movies first. But reconsider, because they celebrate every aspect to love and romance in different forms, eras and countries.
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'In Darkness' Presents Latest Holocaust Hero With Questionable EthicsAs important as the Holocaust was, some might have bristled at yet another movie depiction with 'In Darkness.' It nevertheless provides a fascinating repeated pattern in history: finding true, flawed human beings who helped save humanity.
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Will Effects in 'Star Wars' 3D Re-Releases Show Series Age?'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace' in 3D might be quite effective on the big screen. But what happens when the original trilogy re-releases in 3D by 2015? Will the flaws and more austere look of those films be a detriment to new generations?
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Will 'The Amazing Spiderman' Make POV Action Scenes the Future for 3D?Despite some criticism of 'The Amazing Spider-Man' trailer this month, one positive is an advancement of perspective: The 3D action scenes are done from a point-of-view angle. It's a chance to enhance an interesting film perspective seldom used before.
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What Can We Expect From Richard Ayoade's Adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s 'The Double'?Richard Ayoade has the perfect cast for his sophomore film project 'The Double,' which begins filming this spring. With help from the original Dostoyevsky novella, take a look at who Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska will likely play.
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Has 'Perfect Sense' Inadvertently Given the Answer to the Meaning of Love and Life?Have you ever tried to find the meaning of life in a movie? Some of them that try usually fail to deliver. But sometimes you'll find one that discovers something brilliant without making it obvious. 'Perfect Sense' may be one of those unassuming films.
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A Preemptive Strike Against 'Battleship' Movie MarketingOut of all the trailers shown during the Super Bowl, 'Battleship' has the most cross-promotional potential. But if Hasbro has an idea of revamping the famous game in conjunction with the movie, the marketing department may not want to read this article.
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Super Bowl XLVI Movie Trailers Mark Comeback for Military FilmsOnly four summer movies will be previewed during Super Bowl XLVI. Half of them bring back a genre we haven't seen in a while: the military movie. These two are radically different, though they may change the approach to the modern war film down the road.
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‘The Woman in Black’ Should Have Used Play Within Play Structure From Stage ShowThe West End stage production of 'The Woman in Black' seems to be a richer experience with the 'play within a play' narrative structure. It's something the new film adaptation could have used, while providing some irony for Daniel Radcliffe.
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How Spielberg, Aronofsky Can Keep Camp at Bay in Biblical EpicsIf you have to bring the biblical epic back, it might as well be from directors Steven Spielberg and arguably from Darren Aronofsky. When they do, they have to look back to the past and avoid some of the pitfalls of out and out camp.
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'American Idol' Ratings Down: Is it Because Contestants Are Competing to Lose?"American Idol" has frequently looked like its in trouble for the last several years. This year, might hold due to one unspoken reason: Some contestants are happy to leave early than win the whole thing. An "X Factor" prize is in order.
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‘The Help’ Wins Best Ensemble at SAG Awards: Is Best Picture in the Cards?Just as many award shows want to stand alone, the SAG Awards already do with their Best Ensemble category in place of Best Picture. With 'The Help' winning there, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the Best Picture of 2011.
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Why Do TV Stars Dominate Movie Stars at the SAG Awards?The SAG Awards may not have much in the way of surprises when it comes to nominees this year. But a true surprise comes from its past, and which stars have won the most SAG Awards in the last 18 years.
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'The Grey' Revives Tired Genre of Men on a Mission Who Fight to SurviveSurvival movies in the wilderness are a dime a dozen. But 'The Grey' gives a twist by reigniting an old movie genre of a group of men who happen to end up in the wilds and must survive together. This genre once brought a number of true movie classics.
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Do Movies With Many Oscar Nominations Win Fewer Awards?'Hugo' may have 11 Oscar nominations, but the movie may be at the wrong place and time. Most movies with myriad nominations only win less than half, except for a couple of rare exceptions. Nowadays, it's turned into an unspoken curse.
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2012 Oscar Nominations Continue Academy's Conservatism, NationalismThe 2012 Oscar nominations send a perpetual message the Academy Awards continually send: a celebration of tradition, nationalism, and conservatism. This year will send that message more than ever, with a bit of a faux nod to internationalism.
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Should the Oscar Nominations Be a Primetime Special?The Oscar nominations show has long been placed in the wee early hours of the morning out west, just so it can go live at a decent time back east. But what happens if you place the show as a primetime special? My suggestions are subject to scrutiny.
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Why Does Hollywood Still Think All-Black Casts Are a Liability?Is it really true that movies with all African-American casts aren't marketable other than to fellow African-American audiences? Hollywood still believes this, even though such an idea seems suspect. It might be shielding another painful truth.
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Instead of Saving SOPA, MPAA Should Create Own Piracy PoliceThe Stop Online Privacy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act may be dead for now, but it doesn't mean the Motion Picture Association of America doesn't want them passed. As a compromise, they need to think independently for an independent Internet.
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Producers Guild Awards: Will a Frenchman End Up With New Power in Hollywood?For the first time in the Producers Guild Awards history, a French filmmaker has a good shot at winning the Darryl F. Zanuck award. If he does win, the blend of a Frenchman in Hollywood may not mix well. Or, a different winner could still honor France.
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Disney’s Planned 'Into the Woods' Brings Adult Fairytales to Stalled Musical FormatYou have to imagine that a Hollywood pitch meeting for an adult fairy tale musical had to go over well. 'Into the Woods' was waiting for a movie adaptation. But it has two different genres with two different audiences that need to link up.
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Expletives Not Deleted: The Evolution of American Shock TV and Profanity Versus EuropeOh, (Bleep)! Or maybe it's a shrug of shoulders over "Modern Family" announcing in advance that a child character will utter the 'f' word. Worldwide TV has had an interesting relationship with shock TV, and American TV still has some learning to do.
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Betty White on Film: From Minor Roles to Comedic Character ActressBetty White's film career might not be analyzed often and perhaps even derided by Betty White herself. But it's still worth a look at what could have been and still could be. All while she nurtures a new comedic character actress niche.
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Can Golden Globes Distinguish Itself From the Academy Awards?For years, the Golden Globes have been in the long shadow of the Oscars, despite both awards being the same size. With the Globes gaining in viewers, there seems to be an intentional pull in going their own way. Or is it the Oscars going their own way?
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Great Women Meryl Streep Could Play in Biopics Beyond 'The Iron Lady'Meryl Streep more than lives up to her name as the Iron Lady of great women biopics. She shouldn't necessarily stop her momentous momentum. Take a look at these three great women she could play in future years.
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'Albert Nobbs,' Other Actresses Playing Men: From Comedy to Drama'Albert Nobbs' is a brilliant turn for Glenn Close, who has a few other actresses before her playing men. Male actors are still developing the genre of playing women, but women playing men have now taken it from comedic exaggeration to extreme tragedy.
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Modern Shakespeare Adaptations Portend Political Lessons for AmericaShakespeare adaptations deciding to go modern usually have to be overhauled so they appear to have nothing to do with Shakespeare. A new 'Coriolanus' changes this, and gives hope for future ones like it that hold a powerful mirror up to world politics.
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NBC's 'Smash' Debuting Online: The Future of TV Shows Using an Online BarometerWith "Smash" previewing online this month before it hits TV, the development of testing TV shows online is growing. Although with Internet and TV coalescing, how is an online preview really defined?
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For the 'Portlandia' Fan: Try 'Salemia' and 'Vancouvria' as Equally Funny Offshoots"Portlandia" brought parody and fascination to Portland, Oregon for those in and out of the city. It was inevitable some offshoots would be made, and several produced in Oregon are now available online. Fortunately, these are original in their own right.
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Will 3D 'Beauty and the Beast' Revive More Movie Classics?3D continues to thrive in movies despite a contradictory trajectory of critics and the public rejecting it. But forthcoming 3D re-releases of classic movies might save the format due to public desire to see the classics at every conceivable angle.
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Is Dolly Parton Better Being Herself or a Character?Dolly Parton has never really received a true analysis of her acting career. As small and as one-note as it's been and is, consider this a rain check for a potential dark and dramatic movie performance by Parton on the horizon.
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Will Japan's 'Norwegian Wood' Finally Be Watershed Movie on Mental Illness?Films depicting mental illness still need growth in depicting the consequence of ignoring what's misunderstood. It may be odd that a film taking us there is from Japan. Yet 'Norwegian Wood' plumbs the depths of suicide and depression like never before.
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HBO’s 'Luck' Renews Trend of Star-Studded Cable Series EventsWith HBO's 'Luck', we're seeing epic television in the making with A-list stars. It's something over-the-air networks once had before mediocrity hit them. The question now is whether HBO can keep building on it, or end up canceling out all the big names.
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'A Separation' #1 Movie of 2011 on IMDB; Should Their Lists Be Official?The Internet Movie Database has had public-rated movie lists for years. But its Top 10 of 2011 seems to be a breakthrough in public choice. At #1 is a movie from Iran that proves the public's astute ability to sift through December's movie clutter.
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Fresh New Year's Eve Traditions for Those Who Fear the Arrival of 2012New Year's Eve has had the same traditions around the world for decades. What happens, though, when a certain year breeds fear? According to polls, 2012 is bringing on all new traditions that feed on nothing but fear itself.
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Daniel Craig's Extended James Bond Deal: Is an Older Bond Better?Age is a consistent factor in actors, though it hasn't always mired the James Bond franchise. Roger Moore and Sean Connery played the classic spy into their 50s. A Daniel Craig deal, however, could make Bond even older -- with more worldly effectiveness.
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'Men in Black III' Trailer a Return of 'Back to the Future' Time ParadoxesOne thing is obvious about the 'Men in Black III' trailer: Its inspiration comes from 'Back to the Future Part II.' The latter movie's mind-bending time travel tricks have long confused viewers. But after 22 years, 'Men in Black III' may get away with it.
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Does 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' Prove We Use Rituals to Cope with Tragedy?Leave it up to Hollywood to place a movie about 9/11 and death on Christmas Day. Then again, it may not be a bad idea in the connective strings it could supply. The study of our rituals in remembering loved ones could be fitting for Christmas.
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'The Black Candle': First and Only Documentary on the Meaning of KwanzaaDid you know only one documentary has ever been made about the African holiday Kwanzaa? It came years after the holiday's creation, but shows the festivities in a positive light. It teaches much to those far removed from knowing a thing about Kwanzaa.
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'Carnage' as Potential Guide to Understanding Violent KidsIt's ironic that school violence study 'Carnage' comes from a legendary director living in European exile. But nobody said Roman Polanski wasn't still astute. When it comes to studying violent youth, though, we may eventually need a fresher perspective.
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Three Better Indie Movies to Mark the New Year Than 'New Year’s Eve'Despite Garry Marshall's 'New Year's Eve' being a commercial hit, it doesn't take chances like other movies done about the last day of the year. Try these three edgy indie movies that may make you feel more fulfilled on January 1.
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Mia Wasikowska's Villain in NY Times Video Gallery: Oh, the Villains She Could PlayWhen the New York Times featured A-list stars as famous villains, it included a surprising Mia Wasikowska doing an eerie turn as Carole from "Repulsion." Now it sets off the potentials of villains she could play, even if adhering to the code of remakes.
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Christmas Cactuses: How to Make Them Blossom During the Christmas SeasonYou may know that plants are more human than you ever wanted to admit. But Christmas cacti will surprise you in how similar they are to most of us, especially around the holidays. You won't know, however, unless you take care of them properly.
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'It’s a Wonderful Life' 65th Anniversary: A Deeper LookIt might have taken 'It's a Wonderful Life' 30 years to be appreciated. But now it may be mired in today's politics, potentially dividing viewers. Different methods of enjoying the film, though, can still be discovered 65 years later.
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'Young Adult': Evolving the Unlikable CharacterScreenwriter Diablo Cody may be one of our most astute observers of people in real life. In her new 'Young Adult,' she examines the unlikable person we're afraid to confront. The Mavis Gary character, however, may be a prototype to finally change that.
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NBC’s 'A Michael Buble Christmas' and Return of the Christmas Variety SpecialMichael Bublé is bringing back the old Christmas variety special format with his own NBC Christmas special. He may be standing alone, though, in succeeding with this genre. It's a challenge that requires becoming very familiar with the camera.
