Essays, Interviews, Observations, Pop Culture, Stories, and other Dodginess

HBO Independent

Posted on March 4, 2012

HBO has a lot of channels. HBO “1” for example, will show a first-run episode of a series or film. Then HBO “2” will repeat it. Then HBO “3” will repeat that. Not to mention HBO “1” will also repeat it, at some time. It can get rather confusing.

I’m not sure how it would work financially and all, but how awesome would it be if they could designate one of those channels as HBO Independent, or HBOI.

HBO needs to have an independent film channel. What’s on HBO Go doesn’t count. Currently included in the seven or eight films there are 28 Days Later, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, and Anything Else. Huh?

HBOI would show films like Walking and Talking, The Brothers McMullen, Rodger Dodger, The Guard, Submarine, Monsters, Newlyweds, etc.

I don’t need three or four HBO channels giving me countless screenings of Get Him to the Greek, Leap Year, or Couples Retreat.

I want some Parker Posey, Noah Baumbach, Ed Burns, Nicole Holofcener, Catherine Keener, Brit Marling.

And how about a little Dinner for Five? I miss that IFC vehicle with Jon Favreau drinking, eating, and bullshitting with fellow cinema folks. I’d love to see that on HBOI, and Favreau wouldn’t even have to host all the time if he’s busy directing and all. Have a guest host. Kevin Smith? I never get tired of hearing him speak. Make him a part of HBOI in some way.

Newlyweds - Ed Burns

How To Fix The Oscars

Posted on March 1, 2012

A few ideas…

1. Award the Oscar for Best Picture BEFORE the one for Best Director.

With few exceptions, it’s pretty much the norm that once the award is given for best director, that his/her film will then win best picture, subsequently removing any suspense and surprise out of the equation. Think about it. Imagine it. Love it.

2. Stop nominating 9 or 10 films for Best Picture and go back to five. Any idiot knows half of those selected films have no chance. The only thing it does is allow films like “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Shite” to put a “best picture nominee” in its publicity materials.

3. Allow six films to be nominated in the best picture category. That way you can still get something like The Dark Knight in there and know it has a reasonable chance to win.

4. Then do the same for the acting categories – go six. It will cut down on some of the bitching on who got left out. If there was a sixth nomination, say, for best supporting actor it could have gone to Albert Brooks from Drive. And you’d believe he’d have a good chance to win.

5. Consider splitting the best picture nominees into “drama” and “comedy or musical” categories, a la the Golden Globes. The only issue with that is some pics sorta fall into the “dramedy” realm.

6. Dump the “In Memoriam” segment.

7. Show more behind-the-scenes material like backstage goings-on and green rooms and the sort. As a viewer I find that interesting.

8. Have the nomination announcements on prime-time television, not 5 in the morning or whenever that is.

Black Irish Oscars

Posted on February 27, 2012

Oscars…whatever. You can’t win with the critics. Doesn’t matter who’s hosting. Someone’s always bitching.

Tim Goodman at Hollywood Reporter, or is it EW, I forget, wants Chris Rock to host. That’s original. Not sure what he did exactly the last time he hosted that makes you want to say, “Yea, let’s bring him back.”

We used to have a drinking game – every time Chris Rock joked about race, we drank. We got pretty drunk.

I like Chris Rock. I prefer him to Eddie Murphy, who dropped out as host. Some wished he hadn’t. But is he that different from Billy Crystal? If you’re talking demographics and the hip factor, maybe Eddie would have been the choice in 1985.

Also, is it just me or does there seem to be a lot of over-the-top applause for black nominees/presenters/whatever at the Oscars. It’s sorta weird and uncomfortable.

I thought that Viola chick would have won the best actress Oscar too. But at least Meryl’s win offered at least one surprise in the evening. Personally I would have liked to have seen Rooney Mara win, ’cause, she’s got that cool creepy thing going.

If you’re pining for a black host, the one choice has to be Donald Glover from Community. Hip, young, black, funny. There ya go.

Now for the Irish.

The Irish win

No surprise one of the best speeches was courtesy of Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh (lovin’ that) after winning for their live action short The Shore.

I’m all for an all black and Irish only Oscar telecast next year.

Other Academy Award thoughts:

The gay dean from Community won an Oscar!

I’ve got no problem with Angelina’s thigh. Listening to Chicago radio talk shows today, a lot of Midwest soccer moms called in complaining about how skinny Brad’s woman is.

Milla Jovovich looked good. So did Natalie Portman. And Rose Byrne.

Flight of the Conchords won an Oscar!

Who was the hot violinist in the balcony?

My host choices:

Seth Rogen

Donald Glover (and Abed)

Craig Ferguson

Jimmy Fallon

Tina Fey or Kristen Wiig

Louis CK

Conan O’Brien

Sarah Silverman

The cast of The League or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia