‘THE HELP’ WINS THREE SAG AWARDS, STREEP AND CLOONEY LOSE

This is a good sign for “The Help,” which is a superb film. SAG is one of the most reliable Oscar bellwethers because so much of the Oscar voting pool is made up of actors:

[T]he big winner of the night was Tate Taylor’s The Help, which took home three of the five SAG film acting awards it was up for with Octavia Spencer winning in the Female Actor in a Supporting Role category, followed by Viola Davis taking the Female Actor in a Leading Role award, solidifying her lead over her primary awards season competition Meryl Streep. …

French actor Jean DuJardin pulled an upset himself by taking the SAG Award for Male Actor in a Lead Role for his performance in The Artist over the favorited George Clooney

Because I haven’t seen “The Artist,” or the films for which Clooney and Streep have been nominated, there’s no way for me to judge if this is fair. What I do know is that Clooney’s improved dramatically as an actor over the last decade while Streep’s become a parody of herself, and the snippets I have seen of “The Iron Lady” tell me nothing’s changed.

ANALYST: PAY TV PROVIDERS HAVE ENOUGH MUSCLE TO BLOCK COMPETITION FROM THE WEB

I don’t completely disagree, and there are a few points worth highlighting but also a few to add.

First off, what you’ll read immediately below is why you pay for a ton of crap on cable you don’t watch. Secondly, this is how crap nobody watches stays alive. Finally, and most importantly, this is how a VERY FEW monopolize our popular culture:

Six companies — Disney, News Corp, NBCUniversal, Time Warner, CBS, and Discovery — account for 90% of all viewing hours. They demand that their channels be sold in packages, ”and only that way[.]” …

Well, then what’s to stop an online service from creating a virtual cable company — offering packages of channels via the net but for less than current pay TV providers charge? You’d think there’d be room for someone to do that considering that that consumers pay Comcast about $79 a month for programming that costs the company about $29.

Three reasons follow, and each is valid:

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STARS DISS HOLLYWOOD: CLOONEY, EDGERTON & MORE SWIPE AT COMMERCIAL MOVIE BOMBS

Let me sum up the thoughts of the stars quoted in this article in five words: Me, me, me, me, me.

None of the so-called stars quoted here are talking about the customers. They are talking about themselves, especially George Clooney, who’s likely scared to try something openly commercial for fear if it flops, even the Huffington Post won’t call him “Hollywood’s pre-eminent A-lister,” as they laughably do here.

…and I hate it when a shit movie comes out that’s obviously made just to make money[.] – Joel Edgerton

At least those shit movies are trying to please the customers, and there actually is something worse than a shit movie designed to make a lot of money and that’s pretentious, self-important shit movies designed to make no money at all.

In related news….

ACTORS EGOS REQUIRE MASSAGING TO FORGE AHEAD WITH VOD

Ongoing discussion at WankFestDance:

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Naturally, the hard-left site MovieLine is in an excited lather:

If George Clooney’s first trip behind the camera in three years wasn’t reason enough to be excited for The Ides of March (based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon) perhaps a first look at the Barack Obama-inspired campaign posters his presidential candidate character employs in the film will do the trick.

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“Death of a President,” the documentary-style speculative fiction about the assassination of the 43rd President of the United States, is seamless, intelligent and maybe even necessary to an understanding of George W. Bush’s role in the world today[.] — Jim Emerson on RogerEbert.com

Anyone who’s studied the left for any period of time knew that before the blood had even dried on the sidewalks of Arizona Saturday, that the mainstream media would force us into a terrible choice. After the assassin’s monstrous attack, the decent thing to do would’ve been to come together as a nation to mourn the dead and pray for the survivors. Politics, and most especially political opportunism, should be the last thing on anyone’s mind. But the left, unfortunately, isn’t just anyone. They are who they are and that they would feast on the fresh corpses of the innocent in order to win a couple of political news cycles was obvious. And so those of us who would’ve preferred to go nowhere near the arena of politics when it came to this appalling attack on our country and our democracy, were forced to make sure 1995 didn’t repeat itself, the year President Clinton used the Oklahoma City bombing for partisan gain against his own political enemies.

Joining in on this feast with the likes of Andrew Sullivan, Salon’s Joan Walsh, George Soros’ Eric Boehlert, the very Sheriff charged with protecting Rep. Giffords, Paul Krugman, Markos Moulitsas, and their allies in the media were, naturally, the dregs of the entertainment industry’s humanity barrel, who could barely contain their excitement over an opportunity to to attack the right, Sarah Palin, and call for  – as they always do when given the opportunity – restrictions on speech.

The following is just a taste: (more…)

For the entertainment industry’s practitioners of political correctness, 2010 was another banner year. Even as conservatives have made deserved headway in La La Land and other areas of the industry, there still aren’t enough conservatives to bring much needed patriotism, logic, and common sense to the scene. Sadly, the industry is still filled with those slavishly dedicated to anti-American tropes, left-wing blather, and self-hatred. From comic books, to music, to radio, TV and movies, PCism still runs rampant.

Without further ado, here are (in no particular order) just a few examples of PCism from 2010 in music, TV, movies, and publishing. Certainly there are many more and these are not necessarily a “top ten,” but these examples do serve to show that PCism is not dead despite the Tea Party uprising, the growth of the conservative new media, and the resulting Republican tsunami from the midterm elections.

Movies and Actors

Who could forget the film Machete, starring Danny Trejo and directed by Robert Rodriguez? This one was a sort of pastiche of 1970s exploitation movies with a Mexican twist. The film was replete with White sheriff’s ruthlessly murdering pregnant Mexican immigrants, American businessmen working to keep Mexicans down, overpowering racism against Mexicans by white Americans and it all seemed intended to inflame militant Mexican nationalism and to goad illegal immigrants in America to put all the blame on white America. The creators claimed it was supposed to be just good, over-the-top fun but in the climate of racial tensions in America today it was as funny as a militant Mexican flavored attempt to start a race war. (more…)

The 20th Century provided filmmakers with countless stories of heroism in the face of tyranny, hope in the midst of despair, and courage in the presence of brutality: Schindler’s List, Hotel Rwanda, The Killing Fields... The list can go on and on.

Hollywood has impeccably documented man’s cruelty to man in the 20th Century.

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As we begin the second decade of the 21st century with Sudan at the brink of a return to civil war and genocide, I’m reminded of a “Great Crime” at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Armenian genocide foreshadowed all other crimes which took place in the 20th Century: indiscriminate killing, the wholesale massacre of men, women and children, forced deportations, the systematic destruction of a population based on ethnicity, organized killing in the service of ideology. The Armenian genocide, the “Great Crime,” was the first milestone on the road into a century of genocide, democide, and war.

January 9, 2011 will be remembered as an important milestone in the 21st Century. If the planned date for a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan becomes a return to war and mass slaughter and enslavement of defenseless refugees, women and children, we have to ask what hope we have for our century. (more…)

Early on in the new film “The American,” a priest turns to the lead character Jack and says, “You’re an American. You think you can escape history?” Even though he barely knows the stranger in front of him, the priest can see that the visiting American is trying to leave his past behind him. As ”The American,” Oscar-winner George Clooney takes center stage in this well-done character study of an assassin trying to complete his last job.

Near the beginning of the film, we see Jack with a female companion in a cabin. On a walk, the couple is attacked by a lone shooter. Jack’s companion is shocked to discover that he is carrying a weapon. This woman may be in a relationship with Jack but she doesn’t know who Jack really is or what he is capable of. Neither does the audience.

Shortly thereafter, Jack is sent on a mission in a small Italian village. He moves into the area and is tasked with building a gun for a female customer. That customer knows exactly what she is looking for in and asks Jack to meet her specific requirements. While in the village, Jack befriends a kind-hearted priest and a caring prostitute named Clara. Even as he spends much of his time looking over his shoulder for assassins targeting him, Jack forms relationships with both of these kind individuals. (more…)

According to the LA Times, since the creation of the reality award category at the Emmys, one program has dominated the past seven years. However, this year, perennial winner “The Amazing Race,” ended its winning streak losing to “Top Chef.” That surprise was one of many at the unexpectedly non-political 62nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Hosted by late night’s Jimmy Fallon, the award show celebrated the best of television. As always, the Emmys had its share of expected victors, including “Mad Men’s” third consecutive win for best drama and Jane Lynch’s victory as outstanding supporting actress in a comedy. Many predicted a tight race for best comedy between “Glee” and “Modern Family,” with “Family” unsurprisingly prevailing in that category. Also, Bryan Cranston went home with his third consecutive win for “Breaking Bad” and Edie Falco won for best actress in a comedy for her role on “Nurse Jackie.” Despite these predicted winners and perennial victors, there were still some noteworthy surprises.

The most interesting upsets came in the acting categories as several new or previously overlooked performers went home winners. For instance, the best supporting actor and actress in a drama. Against tough competition, including her colleague Christine Baranski from “The Good Wife,” Archie Panjabi won for best supporting actress, and best supporting actor went to “Breaking Bad’s” Aaron Paul. In another surprise and after multiple nominations, Kyra Sedgwick won her first Emmy for best actress in a drama beating Glenn Close, who has won for the past two years for her work on “Damages.”   (more…)

The AP has so effectively embarrassed themselves here that no comment is required other than to point out that what the AP is reporting on is not an entertainment-related event but a fraud trial. We don’t make this stuff up … because we don’t have to. The only question that remains is how Ms. Barry manged to write while at the same time biting down on her knuckles to restrain the desire:

The AP’s Colleen “Breathless” Barry:

George Clooney radiates cool on witness stand

It’s no wonder the Italian businessmen claimed George Clooney was behind their fashion line — the actor knows how to wow an audience whether he’s on the red carpet or the witness stand.

Maintaining his trademark aura of cool, Clooney delivered a few wisecracks Friday as he testified against three defendants accused of co-opting his name with the goal of launching a fashion line.

The appearance of the star, who maintains a villa on nearby Lake Como but is rarely seen here in public, sent the normally staid courthouse into full celebrity tilt. Clooney had to push his way through a wall of cameras into the courtroom, saying “scusa, scusa,” — “Excuse me” in Italian — and warning “Don’t crush my lawyers.”

Throngs of fans packed the tiny courtroom. The judge repeatedly told spectators to be quiet and tossed out one woman who snapped a photo of Clooney. (more…)

If there’s anything Hollywood does well and deserves credit for, it’s raising money for victims of natural disasters. For some reason, though, the flood that Nashville is still digging out from under – the flood that killed eleven people — has been almost completely ignored by Hollywood.

Same with the Gulf Oil Spill.

When you look at Hollywood’s recent history in rallying for this kind of thing, you’re left to ask why? Where are the telethons and public pleas for humanitarian assistance? Is it that the Nashville “rubes” don’t rate? Is it that calling any attention to the ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf can only hurt Their One? What else could it be?

Nashville stars came out for Nashville and good on them, and so did David Spade. But where was/is the big star-studded nationally televised gala?

And in the Gulf, with the exception of Kevin Costner, all we’ve seen thus far from Hollywood are shockingly shameless A-listers covering for Obama and behaving in ways little better than price-gougers as they cravenly exploit this environmental and economic catastrophe to push their own political agendas. (more)

If there’s anything Hollywood does well and deserves credit for,  it’s raising money for victims of natural disasters. For some reason, though, the flood that Nashville is still digging out from under – the flood that killed eleven people – has been almost completely ignored by Hollywood.

Same with the Gulf Oil Spill.

When you look at Hollywood’s recent history in rallying for this kind of thing, you’re left to ask why? Where are the telethons and public pleas for humanitarian assistance? Is it that the Nashville “rubes” don’t rate? Is it that calling any attention to the ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf can only hurt Their One? What else could it be?

Nashville stars came out for Nashville and good on them, and so did David Spade. But where was/is the big star-studded nationally televised gala?

And in the Gulf, with the exception of Kevin Costner, all we’ve seen thus far from Hollywood are shockingly shameless A-listers covering for Obama and behaving in ways little better than price-gougers as they cravenly exploit this environmental and economic catastrophe to push their own political agendas. (more…)

Criticizing Obama? In public? Who knew George Clooney was a racist?

From an editorial Clooney wrote with John Prendergast in the  USA Today:

The largest conventional war on the face of the earth in 2011 will occur in Sudan unless bold diplomacy led by the U.S. prevents it. The most dangerous tripwire will be in seven months, when southern Sudanese will vote to determine whether the South splits off and forms a new country. Some ruling party officials don’t want to give up the oil-rich South without a fight. Southerners spilled a great deal of blood to win the right to opt out of Sudan, and they will keep fighting until they have their own state.The last North/South war that ended in 2005 cost more than 2 million lives, and the Darfur conflict in Sudan’s West has claimed over 300,000 more. Massive death tolls are the result of war tactics — principally by the government — that target civilians. Communities throughout Sudan have fought an authoritarian government to share in the country’s power and wealth. 

The good news is that this path to all-out war is unfolding in slow motion, and there is time to prevent it. The U.S. has a history of leading international efforts in Sudan, including helping to broker the 2005 peace deal. But the Obama administration has not taken a direct, leading role in the negotiations to avert renewed war in the South or to end the Darfur conflict. Furthermore, some U.S. officials believe that the United States has no leverage in Sudan.

 Because of international sentiment that opposes sanctions and other forms of pressure, the U.S. shies away from creating any real consequences for Sudan’s war crimes. And because activists and Congress strongly favor imposing such consequences, U.S. officials avoid serious discussion of peace incentives. We know; we’ve been a couple of those activists.

(more…)

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“The American” is based on Martin Booth’s 2004 novel,  “A Very Private Gentleman.”

Here’s the IMDB summary of the film:

Alone among assassins, Jack is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde, is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto and pursues romance with local woman Clara. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate. (more…)

THE BIG problem with renewable energy is that it just doesn’t renew itself. The sun does not shine enough and the wind doesn’t blow enough to power the towns, cities, factories, hospitals and schools that make our lives so livable.

No environmentalist would ever allow their child to be treated in a hospital fully powered by “renewables”. They would not take the risk that the wind might stop whilst their baby was on the operating table. They would insist that the hospital and the life support systems had a fossil fuel powered back-up.

And so it is with “sustainable development”. It just isn’t sustainable. At least it does not sustain a lifestyle that those who promote it would consider acceptable for themselves. But of course that is the key. Renewable energy and sustainable development are for “other people”.

Even though environmentalists come from societies and very often families that became rich because of their use of non-renewable energy and unsustainable development they will not allow these opportunities to be extended to the poor in the developing world. (more…)

Barack Obama’s White House is beginning to look a lot like a Joan Rivers special.  Celebrity after celebrity is showing up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., demonstrating, as Obama has told us time and time again, that the President is indeed outside the bubble, interested in the common man, and a representative of the little guy. 

Or not. 

Last Monday, according to Politico.com, Tiger Woods sat down with Obama.  Tuesday, Toby Keith stopped in.  Wednesday, Usher chatted with White House staff about malaria.  Friday, Forest Whittaker showed up.  And that’s leaving out Brad Pitt’s recent visit to Capitol Hill and George Clooney’s briefing on Sudan.  (more…)

What’s next? Brad Pitt’s sweat socks on eBay? Britney’s backwash at a yard sale?

The dead-serious jokesters who run Hollywood’s favorite terrorist organization, PETA, whose members are known to toss red paint on women wearing perfectly good fur coats, and enforcing punishing vegan diets on healthy carnivores through a disinformation campaign (meat is cruel! It’ll kill you!) unseen since the days of the Soviet Union or the Clinton administration, are back at it.

And they’re even more hypocritical and weird than Madonna, who pushed a dairy-free diet (no ice-cream for Lourdes, Rocco and little David!) while importing 1,000 pheasants to her British estate for the purpose of allowing rich guests to shoot the poor birds to death. (more…)

As a kid, I wanted to be James Bond. Sneaking into villainous volcano lairs in-between hayloft romps with the likes of Pussy Galore is very appealing to a twelve-year old … and a forty-two year old. For a lucky few, that glamorous life may be somewhat of a reality but as someone intimidated by both violence and pretty girls, the life of a super spy was not to be. However, had the world been my toy box, had the power and influence to shape my environment to my liking been available to me, right now I’d be slugging it out with faceless henchmen on a nuclear sub.

Good thing for me that’s not reality. Because if it were, I’d be a fool unaware the whole world was laughing at the effort that went into my self-important delusion.

Which brings me to Keith Olbermann. (more…)

George Clooney wasn’t at the Oscars Sunday night.  Where was he?  Apparently, Clooney was in Darfur – and he was planning to report back to President Obama about his trip.  So far, so good; there are many issues in Darfur that need to be addressed right now.  There’s only one problem: Clooney and the Hollywood phonies don’t want to address the real problems in the region.

If you’ve ever heard my radio show (which is heard on 260+ radio stations as well as XM and Sirius), you know that I respect intellectual honesty.  If Harry Reid does something right, I praise him.  When George W. Bush was wrong, I showed little mercy.  But being fair-minded doesn’t mean spreading criticism equally.  When I watch the left engage in their politics, it is more often than not wrought with intellectual dishonesty, for which I have little patience.

Hollywood loves to spout off about Darfur.  They plaster “SAVE DARFUR!” bumper stickers on their Priuses.  They shout “SAVE DARFUR!” at rallies.  It’s become the battle cry of the left.  But do they really understand what saving Darfur entails?  Do they really understand what’s happening on the ground in Darfur?

Last year, I decided to find out the truth about Darfur.  I had the opportunity to go to the region to help with humanitarian aid.  It was an eye-opening, horrendous experience. (more…)

With this year’s Academy Award season over and the next one already into act II, both winners and losers, or rather, award recipients and award non-recipients, have already begun taking stands on undiscovered political issues and digging their heels in deeper on those already known and talked about. 

Does anyone benefit from this? Is there a payoff? Does the world become a better place? Or is it all about career, being in the limelight, and publicity?  (more…)