‘This Is It’: A Genuine Thriller

Michael Jackson was the epitome of a human Rorschach test. To his fans, he was a Messiah of entertainment, seemingly able to transcend the mere mortal abilities of nearly anyone in the history of show business. To his detractors, he was an eccentric who was also repeatedly accused of molesting children. To yet others, he was both. 

When he died of an apparent drug overdose just shy of his 50th birthday on June 25, while rehearsing for an intense 50-show engagement in London, it seemed that this conundrum would never be solved and that his life and legacy would be forever shadowed. Then word emerged that concert promoter AEG had decided to sell extensive footage it shot of the show’s rehearsals and put it up for bidding war, which Sony Pictures won for $60 million. Debate raged throughout Hollywood and the business world about whether this was an appropriate outcome, or if it reeked of exploitation.  (more…)

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Tags: "This Is It", concert, documentary, drugs, Michael Jackson
Posted Oct 28th 2009 at 10:33 am in Film, Music, Reviews | 25433470 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/ckozlowski/2009/10/28/this-is-it-a-genuine-thriller/%27This+Is+It%27%3A+A+Genuine+Thriller2009-10-28+17%3A33%3A14Carl+Kozlowski

Michael Moore: Mainstream Media Boosts Dishonesty

Somewhat fresh off the trail from despicable attempts to distort the events and facts surrounding Columbine, 9/11 and the American health care system, filmmaker Michael Moore is back to perpetuate new mis-truths and to face off with a new “villain” – capitalism. In case of shear irony, in his new film entitled, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” Moore sets out to unravel the very system that gives him notoriety, fame and, no doubt, opulence.

Fortunately for Moore, we live in a free society. Despite the fact that his films are comprised of antics and obnoxious absurdities that only small-minded Americans would believe in their totality, he has every right to continue his idiocy. It is the coverage of Moore and his half-witted films that cause one to question the media’s promotional motives.

Mainstream outlets can’t seem to get enough of Moore, as they offer him positive coverage galore and provide him with valuable air time to push his insidious projects. Meanwhile, conservative film projects receive little to no praise – or even attention, for that matter. (more…)

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Tags: American media, capitalism, documentary, media, michael moore
Posted Sep 28th 2009 at 8:55 am in Featured Story, Film, Media Criticism | 231138158 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bhallowell/2009/09/28/michael-moore-mainstream-media-boosts-dishonesty/Michael+Moore%3A+Mainstream+Media+Boosts+Dishonesty2009-09-28+15%3A55%3A11Billy+Hallowell

Compliant ‘L.A. Times’ Gives Stone Leftist Platform

“You do your homework, you do your research, we always did, whatever you think of my work. Even going back to ‘JFK,’ I’ve always done as much research as we could. And there’s mistakes made, but there’s a lot of truth, you know, as much as we can put into these movies.” – Oliver Stone, as quoted in the L.A. Times.

Irony is what happens when a Hollywood director (Oliver Stone) goes to Latin America, produces a film favorable to one of the most maniacal and politically obnoxious figures in the region (Hugo Chavez), and then returns to the States to tout what he sees as his own astounding “research” skills. In what world would legitimate research on Chavez result in any favorable representation in film or any other venue, for that matter? (more…)

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Tags: chavez, documentary, L.A. Times, Oliver Stone, Venezuela
Posted Sep 9th 2009 at 6:51 am in Entertainment, Media Criticism | 21858267 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bhallowell/2009/09/09/compliant-l-a-times-gives-stone-leftist-platform/Compliant+%27L.A.+Times%27+Gives+Stone+Leftist+Platform2009-09-09+13%3A51%3A53Billy+Hallowell

Behold: ‘Arrested Development’ Documentary in the Works

As Big Hollywood’s self-proclaimed Arrested Development Superfan, it is my sacred obligation to make fellow enthusiasts aware of The Arrested Development Documentary Project, which just recently came to my attention.  The film’s website is a bit confusing, especially when it comes to ascertaining where and when one might actually see it, but the trailer seems promising (be forewarned, Keith Olbermann makes an appearance):

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Hopefully the finished product will explore subjects beyond the (understandable) bellyaching about Fox’s shabby treatment of the show, abysmal ratings, regrettable lack of audience, etc. 

Note to readers: This documentary is not to be confused with the Arrested Development feature film, reportedly in production. (more…)

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Tags: Arrested Development, documentary, fox, Hulu
Posted Jul 11th 2009 at 2:43 pm in Entertainment, News, Video | 17895031 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/gbenson/2009/07/11/behold-arrested-development-documentary-in-the-works/Behold%3A+%27Arrested+Development%27+Documentary+in+the+Works2009-07-11+21%3A43%3A27Guy+Benson

Filmmakers: Good News! GM is Bankrupt!

“The Age of Stupid” is a pretend documentary about a pretend problem, a pretend documentary because most of it is set in the future and has an actor (Pete Postlewaite) reading a script. The script is about how stupid we were not to have done something to stop climate change and how by 2050 Postlewaite’s character is the last remaining human on a devastated planet. 

All very caring stuff  – and we are introduced to Iraqi refugees, people from the Niger Delta and the Alps to witness the supposed climate problems they’re already facing. (Although in reality the problems in Iraq and Nigeria had nothing to do with climate and the character in the Alps seemed largely concerned about increasing traffic destroying his peace and quiet.) (more…)

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Tags: bancruptcy, climate change, documentary, General Motors, Global warming
Posted Jun 6th 2009 at 11:06 am in Entertainment, Featured Story, Politics | 150790No Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/amcelhinney/2009/06/06/what-they-really-think-about-us/Filmmakers%3A+Good+News%21+GM+is+Bankrupt%212009-06-06+18%3A06%3A09Phelim+McAleer+%26%2338%3B+Ann+McElhinney%E2%80%8F

Part 1: Interview With ‘Brothers at War’ Director, Jake Rademacher

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jake Rademacher, the director of the incredible Iraq War documentary, “Brothers at War.” What ensued was one of the more enjoyable evenings I’ve had in a while. Jake is an interesting fellow.  I’ve seen him interviewed before and it seems that, when cameras are involved, he’s a much more subdued character.  Sit down with him one on one and get a few cups of joe into him and all bets are off.  He’s smart, funny, extremely passionate about his film and its subject matter — and the man talks fast. Very fast.

Cpt. Isaac Rademacher — Jake Rademacher

After some initial pleasantries (actor talk, a little sports, our mutual respect for Gary Sinise, etc.), we got down to it.

By the way, if you want to get a true feeling of how the interview was for me, try to read it very quickly.

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J.R. Head:  First, let me say “Brothers at War” looks fantastic.  You’re an actor.  What was it like to make the transition to first-time director? (more…)

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Tags: Brothers At War, documentary, Iraq, Iraq War, Iraqi Army
Posted May 19th 2009 at 5:01 am in Entertainment, Featured Story, Military | 137066No Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jrhead/2009/05/19/an-interview-with-brothers-at-war-director-jake-rademacher/Part+1%3A+Interview+With+%27Brothers+at+War%27+Director%2C+Jake+Rademacher2009-05-19+12%3A01%3A53J.R.+Head

‘Brothers at War’: An Iraq Movie Worth Seeing

As a Marine veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I care a great deal about how Americans perceive the war and those of us who served in it. It is no secret that Hollywood has exclusively produced films opposing the war, portraying us as criminals, mental-cases, victims, and simpletons. By and large these movies failed to attract audiences, even as they were praised by the anti-American European fraternities and their L.A. and New York groupies. The success of HBO’s “Taking Chance” demonstrates that Americans are in fact interested in the Iraq War, are willing to watch movies about it, and want to know more about those who fought against incredible odds and proved the naysayers wrong.

I was recently privileged to attend a pre-screening of a film that shows Americans exactly what we’ve been missing. “Brothers At War” dares to give viewers an honest and intimate look at a family that supports two brothers on the front lines, from the perspective of a sibling who decided not to serve in the military. Freshman filmmaker Jake Rademacher follows his brothers to Iraq to try and understand their commitment, and to see for himself what they experience when they deploy “over there” for so many months at a time. Throughout the film we witness the tensions between the brothers as they try to discover a way to communicate with each other despite the ideological divisions. There are moments of frustration, anger, and skepticism as they confront each other, and there are moments of love, tenderness, and genuine respect as they come to understand one another through these shared experiences. (more…)

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Tags: Brothers At War, documentary, Iraq War, Jake Rademacher, Taking Chance
Posted Mar 9th 2009 at 9:57 am in Military, Reviews | 7416620 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/gledeen/2009/03/09/%e2%80%9cbrothers-at-war%e2%80%9d-an-iraq-movieworth-seeing/%27Brothers+at+War%27%3A+An+Iraq+Movie+Worth+Seeing2009-03-09+17%3A57%3A49Gabe+Ledeen

‘Brothers At War’ Opens March 13th

With ”Brothers at War” set for release this Friday, over the course of the coming week Big Hollywood will feature a full review of the documentary along with an interview with the film’s creator, Jake Rademacher. I attended one of the advance screenings, and worried it would be nothing more than a right-wing response to Hollywood’s punishing series of anti-war films, “Brothers at War” ended up being one the most pleasant experiences of last year. Here’s a little of what I wrote at the time: (more…)

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Tags: Brothers At War, documentary, Iraq War, Jake Rademacher
Posted Mar 7th 2009 at 9:55 am in Entertainment, Military, News | 7487821 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/03/07/baw/%27Brothers+At+War%27+Opens+March+13th2009-03-07+17%3A55%3A36John+Nolte

The Indie Documentary: ‘Christmas In Darfur’

Several years ago, a ragtag group of internetizens decided to go to Darfur, then the subject of a good deal of hand-wringing and tutting by Concerned Important People – including, of course, a number of Hollywood celebrities of one or another of the alphabetical lists — to see what conditions were like in that genocide ground.  Their idea was that they would create a documentary – though none of them had any experience doing so – and so they scraped together whatever money they could by emptying bank accounts and begging from friends, family, and online for equipment and travelling money. Then, after convincing their wives they were going to attend a web technology conference in Vegas, they went first to Addis Ababa, then Chad.  There they visited refugee camps full of exotic people of color, and eventually met up with rebel fighters.  After a long struggle, and many, many apologies, they’ve managed to bring their documentary to the public.

It’s called Christmas in Darfur, though it could be called Lip Service.  And because that’s so, I thought it would be a perfect fit for Big Hollywood.  The introductory segment features some of the heroic exploits of actors and musicians in order to throw into relief the puny efforts of determined regular people to try to make a difference.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll come forcibly to the conclusion that only celebrities and high-profile policy wonks and UN diplomats are capable of focusing the world’s attention on such a problem in a way that will make any difference at all. (more…)

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Tags: celebrity, Christmas in Darfur, Darfur, documentary, genocide
Posted Feb 9th 2009 at 6:45 am in Media Criticism, Politics, Video | 4260227 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/dcollins/2009/02/09/dan-collins-piece-christmas-in-darfur/The+Indie+Documentary%3A+%27Christmas+In+Darfur%272009-02-09+14%3A45%3A08Dan+Collins

Reaction To My Palin Interview Proves The Point

Unless you were hanging out with Joe the Plumber in Gaza this past week, you probably heard that I did an exclusive interview with Governor Sarah Palin for my forthcoming documentary, “Media Malpractice… How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Smeared.”

The reaction to the interview excerpts has been far more intense and far more deranged than I expected. Quite simply, the media response has done more to prove the basic point of the documentary than just about anything I could have produced in the film.

Here are just a few ways in which this episode felt like I had suddenly become Alice in Wonderland (without the dress or blond hair).

Governor Palin’s comments about being taken out of context were clearly taken out of context and her statements that they were being taken out of context were themselves taken out of context in a blatant, though thus far, unsuccessful attempt to turn the Governor and I against each other.

The Governor’s measured, rational and accurate attempts to correct the historical record about the basis for which a Presidential election was decided were “reported” by the left as being “whiny,” “catty” and “delusional.” Folks, there’s a reason why there’s such a thing as a war crimes tribunal; some things you just have to get to the bottom of.

(more…)

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Tags: documentary, john ziegler, Media Malpractice, new media, sarah palin
Posted Jan 14th 2009 at 4:45 am in Featured Story, Media Criticism, Politics, Video | 17157221 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jziegler/2009/01/14/reaction-to-my-palin-interview-proves-the-point/Reaction+To+My+Palin+Interview+Proves+The+Point2009-01-14+12%3A45%3A32John+Ziegler