CINEMA BuzzFEED - 7 December 2013

STINK - STANK - STUNK

Diaz and Cruz in The Counselor

Time Magazine couldn't wait until year's end to post their 10 worst films of 2013, I guess figuring nothing could stink more than the 10 already selected.  In order of 'stink to stunk', following is the Time's list (commentary is mine):

- The Hangover III - Three definitely wasn't a charm. Bad film.
- Oz the Great & Powerful - Nothing great or powerful in this flim.
- The Counselor - A waste of top talent. Diaz's performance only reason to watch.
- The Big Wedding - Need to work hard at making a farce of this magnitude.
- Only God Forgives - Like waiting in line at the DMV - Borrrrring
- R.I.P.D. - Yeah .... and the title was the best thing about this film.
- After Earth - Scientology, as a life philosophy, belongs in Sci Fi.
- The Host - Thank God, no sequels are planned.
- Salinger - A bio on J.D. A great novel deserves a great film - this wasn't it.
..... and the worst film of 2013
- Grown Up 2 - Tiresome and witless film about aging frat-brothers solving life's adult male problems of: Urination, Defecation, Drooling, and sundry Scrotum issues. Sandler's latest bomb.  How does he get funding for these films?

GOOD NEWS for FAST & FURIOUS CO-STAR


Although fresh on the heels of the awful, untimely death of Paul Walker, there was some very good news for one of the 'F & F' family' this week. It was announced on Wednesday, that Gal Gadot won the part to play Wonder Woman in the forthcoming Batman v. Superman movie - ending months of speculation over whether Wonder Woman would appear in the film.  The movie, yet untitled, is known to center on a conflict between Superman and Batman and along with Wonder Woman, will also feature superheros:  The Flash and Nightwing  (neither of these roles have been cast as yet).

Gadot, a former model and Miss Israel tweeted, "Wonder Woman! So exciting!!! Can't express how happy I am:))))"  If the film is a hit, it is expected that Warner Bros. will produce a Wonder Woman solo film. Along with Gadot will be Ben Affleck, playing Batman (he has signed a multiple film contract) and Henry Cavill, who reappears, as Superman.

Linda Carter (62), who played Wonder Woman in the TV show, tweeted, "Congratulations to Gal Gadot!"  However, some reaction to Gadot's casting was mixed.  Comments like, "She's very pretty, but looks like she'd snap in half if leaned on her the wrong way." were blogged.  We can only wait and see, good luck Gal.

GOOGLE SUES UNCLE SAM

Having been under scrutiny over the past few years by the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies, Google has turned-the-tables and is suing the U.S. Government regarding requests for information on its users.

Having growing concerns with the amount of information about its users that the government is requesting Google is pushing back. In its most recent report detailing U.S. Government information requests, Google stated that these requests have increased by more than 100% since 2010.  In its suit, Google is requesting that it be allowed to make public the requests it receives for information reported under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act which the government wants keep secret.
Additionally, Google wants legislation that would require a warrant, based on probable cause, before forcing Google to disclose the content of the any user's electronic communications.

CMG believes Google has a better than fair chance of winning its suit as the requests for information on user searches and emails by a myriad of  U.S. government agencies - many unrelated to national security - has proliferated under the Obama administration. To bolster its suit, Google has been very aggressive is shutting down pirated content on YouTube which clearly benefits the cinema and other media industries.