georgp:

The sad realization that in 2011 no top grossing film featured an original story.

Andrew Allen says it how it is:

At first, you might think box office numbers are down because of all these unoriginal films. But that’s actually backwards. In fact, unoriginal movies are being made BECAUSE numbers are down. Let me explain:

Hollywood filmmaking is an investment business—studios give money to filmmakers hoping to make more money back. Now put yourself in the shoes of an investor. When times are good, you have extra cash flowing in, and you can invest in riskier investments where many fail but a few hit big.

But when times are tight, one failed investment can sink you, so you’re more inclined to turn to safer investments. And in movies, the safest investment you can make is in either a sequel or a story built from an existing franchise with a large fan base. In other words, making a sequel is Hollywood’s way of playing it safe. Because right now, original stories are just too risky.

(via Has Hollywood Lost it’s Way? | Short of the Week)

danmeth:

The only way I would ever see that movie “New Year’s Eve”…
was is if these were the stars.
Garry Marshall, will you just let me do the casting for the next film?
And why do you make your posters so easy for me to parody?

 

Just had the strange desire to be up on the 2nd floor of Tower Records, perusing the Jazz section.
Comparing their prices with Virgin.
Getting the call your special order is in.
Reading credits, looking for familiar names.
Playing music history trivia with the staff.
Holding the product, hoping the rest of the album is as good as the era/personnel/song you know.

Wow. Yeah.

cynthiayildirim:

If you are interested in science you might like these interesting documentaries.

1. Are We Alone in the Universe 48:30 mins. long- Discusses the likelihood of life in other galaxies.

2. Earthlings 1:35:26 mins. long – EARTHLINGS is the single most powerful and informative…

entertainmentweekly:

According to the…

As we get closer to the launch of Namie Amuro: “PAST < FUTURE”, new videos are out. The album will feature a companion DVD, wit these videos on them.

Here’s “Fast Car“:

Now it looks like they are building a saga, and for right now, this month? I’m hooked. I gotta know what the next video is going to be like. Further, I gotta know somebody at Nega Network so’s I can write a treatment for it. I know one of the girls is a really big movie fan, so this cinematic departure may be HER idea for all I know.

Anyway, here’s the original version of “Abracadabra”:

Okay? Still with me? Now, “Sign”:

They’re saying “dot dot dot dot dot”. Took me a minute, too.

For the first time in a long time I said “What the hell is going ON in these videos? What is happening? And WHY is it happening?!” That’s a good thing.

I love this part of show business. When R. Kelly was doing high concept, it was fun. I really don’t like R. Kelly’s music, but I paid attention to the videos! I miss that era. They were good personal years, too. Good memories.

I wish I’d turn on a music video channel today and (a) see music videos, and (b) see some high concept movie homage. That would be a pleasant departure from what’s currently going on.

M-Flo loves Crystal Kay – “Love Don’t Cry” (c) 2006 Avex

So yeah, I’m back. From outer space. A bit of a new look, and a streamlining of all this video stuff I’m watching. The Sci-Fi generation is visual. I want to reflect that a bit more here.