To revisit that stat about how few people have seen any of this year’s nominees: I keep wondering why at this point, with so many ways to watch movies on-demand or stream them, the Academy hasn’t just made the movies available for everyone to see on some platform ahead of the Oscars for some sort of fee. People are genuinely curious about, say, Lady Bird or Call Me by Your Name by the time the Oscars roll around, but don’t necessarily have access to seeing them. Sure, the devil’s advocate could argue they might have had their chance to see them when they were in wide release. But there’s also something to be said for the way our habits have changed to be conditioned to streaming from home, and that interest often isn’t piqued until, basically, right now, when the Oscars are about to happen.
Tag: 02.28.18
Want To See More Diversity In Hollywood? Vote With Your Wallet
“To find out what moviegoers who want to advocate for diversity in Hollywood can do to help, Mic reached out to several experts in the entertainment industry.” Said one, “If Hollywood thought that its lack of representation in terms of women and people of color would cost it money, then they would change overnight. Or, if they thought it would make them money, they would be more inclined to be inclusive.” And, in fact, that’s starting to happen.
Ta-Nehisi Coates: Why I’m Writing Captain America Comics (And Why This Terrifies Me)
“Those of you who’ve never read a Captain America comic book or seen him in the Marvel movies would be forgiven for thinking of Captain America as an unblinking mascot for American nationalism. In fact, the best thing about the story of Captain America is the implicit irony.”
A Brief History Of Gospel Music
From African rhythms through early spirituals to the Hammond organ, ethnomusicologist Robert Stephens tells the story of black America’s sacred music.
Sherman Alexie Responds To Accusations Of Sexual Harassment
The celebrated Native American author “issued a statement Wednesday acknowledging that he’s hurt people over the years, addressing for the first time anonymous accusations of sexual harassment against him that have swirled on the internet for days. In breaking his silence, however, Alexie said he rejected ‘the accusations, insinuations, and outright falsehoods’ made by another writer who, while not accusing him of sexually harassing her, ‘has led charges against me,’ he said.”
Record-Setting Picasso Leads $189 Million Auction At Sotheby’s
Picasso’s Femme au béret et à la robe quadrille (1937) sold for $69.2 million, the second-highest price ever paid at auction for a single artwork in Europe. Two other Picassos, Le Matador and Tête de femme, sold together for $31.7 million. Other artist whose work sold for seven figures or more included Derain, Boccioni, Dalí, Magritte, and Lynn Chadwick.
In Two Days, A Single Firm Spends $156 Million On 13 Picassos
“Gurr Johns, which buys and sells on behalf of clients, won four pieces by the Spanish artist, totaling £73.8 million ($102.4 million) at Sotheby’s on Wednesday, according to the auction house. One day earlier, the company won at least nine other Picasso works at Christie’s, … to the tune of £38.9 million” ($53.5 million).
Sean Lavery, New York City Ballet Star, Dead At 61
“As a principal dancer with City Ballet in the late 1970s and ’80s, Mr. Lavery was described as a workhorse and, in his best performances, a wonder.” In 1986, aged only 30, he developed a spinal tumor that forced him to retire; after his recovery, he spent years as a teacher and administrator at the company.
High Court Finds German Language’s Gender Rules Unconstitutional
“The ruling – the first of its kind in Europe – found that having only two genders for official purposes was unconstitutional. The court recommended creating a third gender category for people born with ambiguous sexual traits and those who do not identify as either male or female, or even dispensing with gender altogether in public documents.”
Can Blockbuster “Panther” Movie Save Movie Theatre Business?
A movie with this type of drawing power couldn’t come at a better time for movie theater investors. Changing consumer demand has pummeled theater investments in recent times. While the S&P 500 gained 29% over the past three years, stocks for the largest film exhibitors have taken it on the chin.