Why the Academy's new Ten Best Picture system is a joke

The Academy announced a few months ago that this year they would nominate ten films in the Best Picture Oscar category rather than five. Although they deny it, rumor has it the Academy is only doing this because ABC has been on their case about the flaming decline of ratings every year.

Its been known for years that the Academy is totally disconnected from the real world of filmmaking because they keep nominating films no one -- and I mean NO ONE -- ever sees. Therefore, viewers are avoiding the Oscars telecast like the plague.

The group has degraded to a mockery of itself. Today members of the Academy are solely focused on trying desperately to prove to themselves that they are "artists" and that Hollywood is not just a community of soul-sucking, money-hungry businessmen. But the more they try to prove that, the more the rest of the world laughs at them. As a result, they refuse to nominate any type of popular film that actually made a profit.

So, in a move to draw more viewers -- and so that ABC won't drop the revenue-losing broadcast -- the Academy will nominate ten films. We can safely assume they will nominate five "little dramas" like they always do. Also, while I seriously doubt they'll nominate any hugely successful (i.e. popular) films, they may also nominate five other films that are closer to what people actually want to see.

All right, since I'm short on space and time, I'll ignore the fact that they are insulting the directors and writers who actually made those additional five films by not giving them a nomination, too. Instead, let's focus on the fact that this whole thing is a total sham.

No matter what ten films are nominated, the Academy will no doubt end up choosing another of their darling little dramas no one saw as the big Oscar winner. That means the process of nominating the other five more semi-popular films is a waste to time designed to attract more ratings -- and nothing else.

The Academy is again proving they think mainstream moviegoers are all idiots by trying to "fake them out" this way. Thing is, they aren't idiots (well, not ALL of them). Oscar viewers will figure out very quickly -- and most already have -- that the Academy is just pulling a fast one. Their nomination of ten films is no more sincere than their belief -- or delusion -- that Hollywood is composed of individuals who care only about "art."

And then ratings will once again drop. Like a rock.

So...what then, Academy?

New Galactica DVD is out

This look great. The Cylons began as humanity's robot servants. They rebelled and evolved and now they look like us. Their plan is simple: destroy the race that enslaved them. But when their devastating attack leaves human survivors, the Cylons have to improvise. Battlestar Galactica: The Plan tells the story of two powerful Cylon leaders, working separately, and their determination to finish the task.

Pick it up here: http://bit.ly/3ZmRtU

New Stargate Universe is WAY too dark

To the writers and producers of Stargate Universe: LIGHTEN UP, GUYS!

I just finished watching the first two episodes and so far I'm not too thrilled. Ignoring the fact that IS just like Lost In Space (they even have their own Dr. Smith with Rush), the biggest problem is it's WAY too dark.

I enjoyed SG-1 and Atlantis because they were both filled with great adventure and lots of light-hearted humor, even in the tensest moments. So far SGU has had little adventure and absolutely no humor. I understand right now they're all focused on surviving and getting home, but so were the SGA crew in their first few episodes. Yet they had some hilarious interactions between Sheppard and McKay.

Another problem is I don't see any characters who have the potential to supply humor the way O'Neill (in SG-1) and Sheppard did. The scientist kid Eli Wallace (or is it Wesley Crusher?) is throwing out some lines but the guy is just irritating, not funny.

I'll keep watching, but if the show doesn't pick up or add some much-needed humor, then I'll drop it and move on.

But to what? I stopped watching the mediocre Sanctuary last year, and so far promos for the upcoming Galactica spin-off Caprica makes me yawn. So until Eureka returns or SyFy comes up with better ideas than they have now, I'll keep getting my sci-fi and horror fixes from other networks.

A new Doc Savage movie is on the way -- FINALLY!

Ain't It Cool News just posted updated news on a new Doc Savage movie that's in the works (see link below).

This is GREAT news for me. I've been a huge Doc fan since I was a kid. The fact that a new film might actually be produced has me as giddy as a school girl. But, obviously, that's only if it it's done well.

I'm also relieved to hear that writer Shane Black will keep it set in the thirties and not try some bone-head attempt to update it to modern times. When I heard that producer Michael Ulsan -- who hired Chris Nolan to make the boring as hell reality shows Batman Begins and Dark Knight (the parts without Joker) -- bought the rights, I was concerned. Looks like I had nothing to worry about...so far. That could change once we hear who will direct and star in the vehicle.

And PLEASE, I beg you NOT to hire some emotionless, muscle-bound former athlete like The Rock as Doc. Hire an actor -- and THEN work on his physique. After all, Doc Savage is a brilliant scientist who is also in great shape. Keep it that way.

My personal choice for Doc? Josh Holloway who plays Sawyer on Lost. He looks the part and he's a damn fine actor.

I'll keep up updated.

See article here: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42832

Stargate Atlantis 5th Season now on DVD

The fifth and last season (although a TV film is in production) of this excellent and exciting season is now on DVD. In this action-packed season sparks fly when Woolsey becomes the new leader of the Atlantis team. Meanwhile, McKay faces difficult personal challenges; Teyla must balance her roles as mother and warrior; Ronan’s past returns with a vengeance, and Keller finds peril, then help, from an unlikely source. A provisional relationship with the Wraith takes a shocking turn and new adversaries test the team’s courage and resolve like never before.

If you love sci fi, you'll love this show. Check out the DVD set here: http://bit.ly/d96A2

Disney Buys Marvel: Great News for Superhero Films?

It was just announced that Disney bought Marvel Corporation for a reported four billion dollars and already speculation is running rampant on how that will change the world of Spider-man and his fellow superheroes. Many feel that being owned by the Mouse House will curb the edge of the comics and force them to be more family friendly. Disney has stated this will not happen but time will tell.

At the same time, my family and I love Universal Studios in Florida and the Marvel area is one of our favorites -- especially the Spider-Man ride. Some fans of that theme park fear that Disney pulled this move as part of their war against their rival theme park. Will Universal be forced to give up the Marvel franchise or do it voluntarily so they won't have to pay a rental check to their main competition? I'm still irate that Universal closed down the kick-butt Back to the Future Ride for a Simpsons Ride. If they close down their entire Marvel area, we may have to stop visiting.

One positive thing about this purchase is that the films and TV shows based on Marvel heroes will receive a huge boost of financing and hopefully creativity from the powerful Disney entertainment machine. If nothing else, I look forward to seeing what the result of that partnership will bring in the future.

For now, I'll spend the next few days kicking myself for not owning Marvel stock.

ABC "V" mini-series remake delayed because it sucks (apparently)

According to VancouverFilm, Warner Bros has shut down production of their TV remake of the classic 80s alien invasion mini-series "V". But, it's only for two weeks, or so they say. Reports state that execs aren't happy with the quality of the scripts -- not something we're used to hearing from TV execs.

Apparently the break is to give writers time to improve the scripts. Two weeks? That's all it'll take? Really? If they dint get it right the first time, what makes WB think they can do it right in just two weeks?

Note to the head honchos at WB: better increase that special effects budget big time. Just sayin'.

The new production will star Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell, Party of Five's Scott Wolf (god help us) ), Firefly's Morena Baccarin and Morris Chestnut (who?). If all goes right (cough, cough) it's scheduled to air this fall.

Believe it or not, this is one rare time when I am looking forward to a remake. But I hate that it's on ABC. I'm still pissed at them for dropping Eli Stone and The Unusuals (best cop show in years).

Find out more about the original "V" series here: http://bit.ly/10KLbx