Blogcritics Category: Video: Film and TV Business

TV Review: Slumdog Takes A Bite Out Of Critics Choice Competition

Michael Bialas — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 12:52:30 EST

Love song to Mumbai that has everyone singing its praises is five-time winner at 2009's first major awards telecast.
Slumdog Millionaire is an underdog no more.At least if you believe the Broadcast Film Critics Association’s claim that the Critics Choice Awards are the most reliable predictor of the Academy Awards.Slumdog, a tale about an impoverished boy in India that seeks fame, fortune and love while competing on the country’s version of Who Wants...

Award Watch: Academy Trims Visual Effects List and Critics To Make Choices

Michael Bialas — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 18:39:04 EST

In a battle of the most visually stunning, it's Iron Man vs. The Dark Knight, Benjamin Button and ... Australia?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that seven films remain in the running in the visual effects category for the 81st Academy Awards. The films are listed below in alphabetical order:...

Box Office Update 1/2-1/4: Marley & Me Stays on Top to Open 2009 Campaign

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 6 Jan 2009 15:34:47 EST

This week, just like the last one.
2009 got off to a pretty good start this past weekend with a chart that almost perfectly mirrors the lineup that closed out 2008. No new films entered wide release so there was little competition. What I find surprising is how well all of the returning films did. Across the board the films showed strongly compared to last week. Even the one film...

DVD Pick of the Week: Battlestar Galactica

Chris Beaumont — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 14:50:45 EST

The new year starts off with some promising releases.
Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope that this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in...

TV Endings: A Call For Closure

Steven van Lijnden — Sun, 4 Jan 2009 12:08:11 EST

Why serial television is suffering and how it can be fixed. Please save me from reality TV!
From what I've been reading, serial storytelling on television is once again on the decline. A lot of scripted shows saw sharp drops in their viewing figures when returning this season. Reality TV shows, or what passes for reality on the idiot box, rule supreme. Audiences can't seem to get enough of fabricated conflict and people making a...

Reality TV Casting Call Weekly Wrap-Up: Match Maker, Next Big Stars, Vanity Project, and Many More!

RealityWanted — Sat, 3 Jan 2009 15:46:29 EST

Hot moms, cool millionaires... is your big chance here?
Here are the latest reality TV casting calls for the week. Are you ready for your 15 minutes? Check out what we have on tap this week. Good luck!Do You Have A Strange and Unusual Phobia? Now CastingDo you have an abnormal fear and you're not afraid to talk about it? Do friends and family tease you about your unusual phobia? A new reality show...

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Sat, 3 Jan 2009 15:46:29 EST

Movie Media: Thundercats, Wolverine, 9, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, I Love You Man, Watchmen, The Wrestler

Chris Beaumont — Fri, 2 Jan 2009 10:31:12 EST

Plenty of trailers, and a clever homemade one await you.
Welcome back to the Movie Media column, featuring trailers, posters, and clips for upcoming films. Some are nice and fresh and some aren't. However, they all have something in common: for better or worse, they all caught my attention. If there is a poster or trailer you think I should check out, be sure to let me know.This week's movie goodies...

Box Office Udate 12/26-12/28: Marley & Me Charms the Holiday

Chris Beaumont — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:27:58 EST

2008 goes out with a flash of life.
We are in the home stretch of 2008. The final weekend of the year showed some signs of life as the top four films topped the $20 million mark. Frankly, I find myself rather surprised by the surprising potency of the weekend, although I guess I shouldn't be. There is a nice blend of art house and mainstream gracing the cineplex and there are...

Book Review: The B List - The National Society of Film Critics on the Low-Budget Beauties, Genre-Bending Mavericks, and Cult Classics We Love by David Sterritt and John Anderson

Alyse Wax — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:39:17 EST

A subpar collection of essays on "B-List" movies.
The B List: The National Society of Film Critics on the Low-Budget Beauties, Genre-Bending Mavericks, and Cult Classics We Love is a collection of essays on some of the most influential, bizarre, and low-brow films in history. Edited by David Sterritt and John Anderson, contributors include David Ansen, Jami Bernard, Roger Ebert, Carrie Rickey,...

2008 At The Movies: The Best And Worst Of The Mainstream

Rob Rector — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:46:32 EST

The best and worst of 2008 at the movies.
Make no mistake, 2008 was the year of the woman. From politics to multiplex, they were the most newsworthy. At the box office, week after week brought about stories about how, mother of all shockers, women enjoy going to the movies too. From summer “event movies” (usually an exclusive boys tree house where "No Gurlz Allowd"),...