tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post3535713074284138896..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: My thoughts on today's Oscar nominationsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89012243118700653072017-01-28T02:57:32.420-08:002017-01-28T02:57:32.420-08:00That's for sharing that, Jahn!That's for sharing that, Jahn!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11210685684996774352017-01-28T02:57:02.501-08:002017-01-28T02:57:02.501-08:00Thanks Diane. That helped me do more research into...Thanks Diane. That helped me do more research into the subject and see what it was about. The reason it came up was because Paddy C followed her and criticised her for using the Oscars to push political agendas. <br /><br />You're right that her comment about "hoodlums" was probably directed at the Rabbi who was burning an effigy of her outside the theatre. I think I'd read she'd had death threats, too. <br /><br />Most shockingly of all, two months later a bomb exploded at a cinema that was about to show her documentary in Los Angeles. A member of the "Jewish Defense League" was responsible. If you're prepared to commit murder to protest a documentary you're worse than a hoodlum, you're a terrorist. <br /><br />As much as I think the Oscars shouldn't involve politics, I guess history has sided with her. Also, I suppose it's another example of how the Academy is able to look past politics while voting. Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38425502504714388212017-01-26T11:05:50.180-08:002017-01-26T11:05:50.180-08:00Here's 4,000 words by David Pollock on that Ch...Here's 4,000 words by David Pollock on that Chayefsky pilot:<br /><br /><i>Between The Hospital and Network: Pilot-Writing with Paddy Chayefsky</i><br /><br />http://backwing.com/film-tv/between-the-hospital-and-network-pilot-writing-with-paddy-chayefsky<br /><br />Jahn Ghalynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8921917207500396412017-01-26T10:44:22.761-08:002017-01-26T10:44:22.761-08:00A comment on the Paddy Chayefsky pilot interview a...<br />A comment on the Paddy Chayefsky pilot interview and your future interviews:<br /><br /> I appreciate the discipline and consideration shown by keeping the interview short and sweet, but I second Johnny Walker that another 20 minutes would have been fine - and even preferable. <br />Reading this blog for about a year my impression is that the commenters, at the very least, do not have "MTV attention spans". The form allows the interviewer to "stretch out". I'd have been happy to hear about the writer's other projects - anecdotes about the biz and the like. Jahn Ghaltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80033159771926493372017-01-25T06:45:00.395-08:002017-01-25T06:45:00.395-08:00Hope there's a musical tribute to Florence Fos...Hope there's a musical tribute to Florence Foster Jenkins on the night.B Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618583443442543086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89754090138293071922017-01-25T06:20:12.250-08:002017-01-25T06:20:12.250-08:00"Since when is it okay to do a musical where ..."Since when is it okay to do a musical where the stars can’t sing?" Since <i>Mamma Mia,</i> I guess.thirteennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46714148230769396792017-01-25T04:14:35.080-08:002017-01-25T04:14:35.080-08:00None of the films nominated sound like something I...None of the films nominated sound like something I'd actually watch.Barry Traylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134880916215990198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75953377076539488572017-01-25T02:34:11.628-08:002017-01-25T02:34:11.628-08:00Can someone with historical Hollywood knowledge ex...Can someone with historical Hollywood knowledge explain to me what Venessa Redgrave is referring to in her Oscar acceptance speech?<br /><br />Here: <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IAcOsK9gRLk" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IAcOsK9gRLk</a><br /><br />Was history on her side? Was she wrong to bring up whatever she's referring to? I would have thought that Hollywood would have been VERY anti-McCarthy?Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53315917251691645512017-01-25T01:45:41.571-08:002017-01-25T01:45:41.571-08:00Just listened to episode 3: Wow. I could have happ...Just listened to episode 3: Wow. I could have happily listened to another 20 on Paddy C! I guess there's nothing left of that project today? :(Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62344821650289827722017-01-25T00:07:11.130-08:002017-01-25T00:07:11.130-08:00In reference to the Frasier question above, I'...In reference to the Frasier question above, I've long thought Cheers would be a great series to have a limited edition new season. Not a reunion special ... just a few new episodes as if we're somewhere in season 35.<br /><br />This sort of thing happens a lot in the UK. A series will go away for a while, maybe even several years or more. Then when everybody's ready to do 6 more episodes, everyone assembles and off they go...<br /><br />Wouldn't Cheers be a natural for this? Sam would still be there, and so would Norm, Cliff, and probably Carla. It's a bar, so others can drop in without a whole lot of tedious set up needed. Frasier would be the hardest, but it's not impossible that he moved back to Boston, or is a visiting lecturer at a university there for a semester. (I think there's a university or two somewhere in the Greater Boston area?) <br /><br />Yes, fine, alright...I suppose the chances of this happening approach zero -- from beneath. Ken, you can probably confirm this is never gonna happen, and dash my dreams. *I'd* certainly watch a new mini-season of Cheers, but it is just too complicated financially, or schedule-wise, or personality-wise, or getting-the-cast-interested-wise? Arthur Meenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71009067334835983202017-01-24T22:35:49.956-08:002017-01-24T22:35:49.956-08:00Ken, just to clarify - "Manchester" and ...Ken, just to clarify - "Manchester" and "Hell" were both nominated for Original Screenplay.Steve B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91478889158713843272017-01-24T20:39:12.210-08:002017-01-24T20:39:12.210-08:00I thought not being able to sing was a movie music...I thought not being able to sing was a movie musical tradition. Listen to Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady.Kaleberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283840743310507878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44699194369541148972017-01-24T18:35:34.657-08:002017-01-24T18:35:34.657-08:00How did Viggo Mortensen get nominated. The movie d...How did Viggo Mortensen get nominated. The movie did get an 85 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but made less than 6 million at the box officesanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71450625731091751592017-01-24T18:32:55.361-08:002017-01-24T18:32:55.361-08:00Hollywood doesn't think in terms of wins for a...Hollywood doesn't think in terms of wins for all as much as wins for THEM -- which is a shame since this makes more sense to bolster ratings than 10 nominees and Seth McFarlane.Terrence Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09365112876091271689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9303401535048460492017-01-24T18:29:53.983-08:002017-01-24T18:29:53.983-08:00Nope. JUST three. And note that she had already be...Nope. JUST three. And note that she had already been nominated for a Globe and a SAG Award before her speech.Terrence Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09365112876091271689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79248392813556309002017-01-24T18:28:24.510-08:002017-01-24T18:28:24.510-08:00Me too. I saw "Manchester" and Affleck w...Me too. I saw "Manchester" and Affleck was really good, but Denzel was amazing to me -- especially upon second viewing.Terrence Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09365112876091271689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91022790164491143862017-01-24T17:42:26.757-08:002017-01-24T17:42:26.757-08:00What did Tom Hanks do to merit the Best Actor snub...<i>What did Tom Hanks do to merit the Best Actor snub? He said he hopes Trump does so well that "I vote for his re-election."<br /><br />That'll do it. </i><br /><br />So you're saying most of the Academy voters also missed his point?Todd Everettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83045610816297849362017-01-24T16:11:50.814-08:002017-01-24T16:11:50.814-08:00Ooooo, oooooo! Michael's question! Michael'...Ooooo, oooooo! Michael's question! Michael's question please!<br /><br />What would be the chances of a limited one time farcical engagement of the FRASIER troupe on Netflix, or Amazon, etc.? Ken! Ken tell us pleeeaaasse! (Dissolves in a servile begging wreck on the floor) PLEEAAAAAAAAASSSSE!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But seriously, that would be a hoot and a half!<br /><br />SeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33795305809824642832017-01-24T15:39:00.828-08:002017-01-24T15:39:00.828-08:00I think of anyone believes the nominations for the...I think of anyone believes the nominations for the Academy Awards represent anything other than a) people voting for a movie they liked or b) people voting for a movie they didn't see but which a friend is in, they're deluding themselves. There's no politics at play. That's why an infamous anti-Semite can get a nomination. <br /><br />Anyways, I liked Silence :)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53365040443480842972017-01-24T15:30:57.223-08:002017-01-24T15:30:57.223-08:00Excellent Ken, as always. One bone to pick howeve...Excellent Ken, as always. One bone to pick however:<br /><br />"Since when is it okay to do a musical where the stars can't sing?" Since Mama Mia!<br /><br />Meryl Streep: Can't sing, can't dance, can act a little. Put all of Streep's Oscar statuettes in a dryer along with the false teeth she wore playing Maggie Thatcher and that sound you hear is Meryl singing "Dancing Queen"<br /><br />Pierce Brosnan: James Bombed. Which idiot from MI5 told this guy he could sing? His fucking voice was shaken, not stirred. Damn Pierce, listening to you singing "Does Your Mother Know" was excruciating. Next time shoot for a higher Octavepussy. Nice guy though.<br /><br />Christine Baranski: Sang for no other reason than to punish Cybill Shepard's ear drums, the rest of us were just collateral damage.<br /><br />Colin Firth: Sang like he was auditioning for "The King's Speech", stuttering and stammering through "Knowing Me Knowing You". Shit, Actually. He was the Ringo Starr of the bunch. Also plays guitar like he sings. Nice guy though.<br /><br />Amanda Seyfried: Pitch perfect. Wonderful. Beautiful. Talented. I'm in love with Amanda and I don't care what you people say about her singing. She sings like Julie Andrews. <br /> Stephen Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15382570443203706976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38864977513780189312017-01-24T15:28:16.864-08:002017-01-24T15:28:16.864-08:00"As always I will be filing my bitchy Oscar r..."As always I will be filing my bitchy Oscar review the morning after the ceremony."<br /><br />You just did...Dixon Steelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78428707416232526392017-01-24T15:04:42.646-08:002017-01-24T15:04:42.646-08:00Thanks to Irv Goldstein for the soundbite of Tom ...Thanks to Irv Goldstein for the soundbite of Tom Hanks who wondered "what the hell just happened" (pretty much like I did). <br /><br />Here's some context (a longer quote) according to The Hollywood Reporter:<br /><br /><i>"We are going to be all right because we constantly get to tell the world who we are. We constantly get to define ourselves as American. We do have the greatest country in the world. We move at a slow pace. We have the greatest country in the world because we are always moving towards a more perfect union. That journey never ceases, it never stops. Sometimes, to quote a Springsteen song, it’s “one step forward, two steps back,” but we still aggregately move forward. We, who are a week into wondering what the hell just happened, will continue to move forward. We have to choose to do so, but we will move forward because if we do not move forward, what is to be said of us?<br /><br />This is the United States of America. We’ll go on. There’s great like-minded people out there who are Americans first and Republicans or Democrats second,” Hanks told The Hollywood Reporter. “I hope the president-elect does such a great job that I vote for his re-election in four years.”</i>Jahn Ghaltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-982409692212244452017-01-24T14:56:59.148-08:002017-01-24T14:56:59.148-08:00Friday question: Do you think the cast of FRASIER...Friday question: Do you think the cast of FRASIER would have any interest in a limited-series revival like WILL AND GRACE and GILMORE GIRLS are doing?Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-34170883716902491442017-01-24T14:54:32.210-08:002017-01-24T14:54:32.210-08:00BTW, I look forward to your Oscar recap podcast. A...BTW, I look forward to your Oscar recap podcast. And an idea for 2018 - if you have a likely sidekick - why not do a Siskel and Ebert for the next one? Could be fun.Jahn Ghaltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42603682228531921172017-01-24T14:51:37.374-08:002017-01-24T14:51:37.374-08:00For some time (decades?) the rumor has been that s...<br />For some time (decades?) the rumor has been that studio executives will most likely ask the security guard for Oscar picks. For a longer time film buffs have tended to disregard Oscar winners (maybe they started that rumor?) For those reasons and others the subtext about Steep being rewarded for her Golden Globe disgression is pretty much a yawner - but thanks for the warning - the award show can be enjoyed for lovely actresses dressed to the nines and the sound off. <br /><br />Thanks anyway for the link to the nominee list. I was greeted by Lithgow's Churchill (which he rocks) and his royal counterpart QE II. I thought this a happy reminder that I have a few episodes left of <i>The Royals</i> (plus rewatches) - not to mention it was picked up for a second season. A refresh give me Crazy Eyes from <i>Orange is the New Black</i> - another happy reminder of a whole season on deck. <br /><br />Oh yeah - there was a list of Oscar nominees.<br /><br />One more thank you - for the Scorsese reference - that looks like a terrific film - which got an AFI 2016 top ten! Jahn Ghaltnoreply@blogger.com