'Cinema Scene' by Seymore Flix

In Defense of the Super Hero Movie

Finally, someone in Hollywood agrees with me. What drives the global box office aren't the 'so-called' thoughtful movies - such as the likes of this year's Oscar nominees (all about personal frailties and misjudgments). Give me a super hero pic or perhaps a well constructed Pixar
movie and I am completely satisfied and feel well entertained.

Now James Gunn, the director of last year's biggest grosser, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' has spoken out to defend the high-impact, action films that generate all of the money and are the fodder that most moviegoers feed upon.

Gunn took to Facebook after there was a fair amount of critical snootiness towards superhero films. Jack Black commented that superheros were a blight on Hollywood during his rant at the Oscars. And Dan Gilroy said that "we must rise up against the tsunami of superhero movies that have swept over this industry."   Are they kidding! Without these films there is no Hollywood.

High-impact films are popular worldwide

Gunn argues that comic book movies should be judged on the same criteria as more celebrated art house features. "Whatever the case, the truth is, popular fare in any medium has always been snubbed by the self-appointed elite. I've already won more awards than I ever expected for 'Guardians'. What bothers me is that many people assume because you make big films that you put less love, care, and thought into them then people who make what are considered more serious Hollywood films."  I couldn't have stated it better.

Gunn went on further to say, "I find there are plenty of people everywhere making movies for a buck or to feed their own vanity.  And than there are people who do what they do because they love story-telling, they love cinema, and they want to add back to the world some of the same magic they've taken from the works of others.  If you think people who make superhero movies are dumb, come out and say we're dumb.  But if you are a serious film maker and think you put more love into your characters then superhero directors you are simply mistaken."

Three Cheers for James Gunn! We couldn't agree more. The Oscars should reflect what films are currently driving the industry and which films are the ones most consumers go to the local cinema to see.

Chinese Box Office Numero Uno

Chinese Box Office Breaks Record

The box office gross in China hit a record in February, amassing a huge $650 million which set a record and beat the U.S. generated gross ($640 million) for the first time.

February is always a big month for movie-going in China with the Lunar New Year but this year all the stops were off.  The big news however, was that the Chinese box office was fueled by non-Hollywood product.  The big grosser was a move entitled, 'The Man from Manchu II', a comedy sequel and 'Dragon Blade' an action movie starring Jackie Chan and John Cusack (of all people).

One of the major reasons for China's box office increase is that the number of screens keeps rising and now totals over 25,000.  This compares with the U.S.'s roughly 37,000 screens but China has over 3 times the population - leaving lots of room for growth and China will easily surpass the U.S. in total box office gross in the near future.

Oscar Winner, Halle Berry Speaks Out

Being the first and only black actress to win a Best Actor Oscar Halle Berry spoke frankly recently about Hollywood and her career. She is currently awaiting the release of a film she produced and stars in entitled, 'Frankie and Alice' - about a woman with a multiple personality disorder. She has been waiting for its release for 6 years.

Halle, can you even remember making Frankie and Alice?

Absolutely. When something is that important to you, and you put your blood, sweat, and tears into, I doubt you'll ever forget it.  When people say "there's no way you're going to make a little movie about this subject no one cares about it", I think you remember every step of the way.

Is it hard to make a low-budget film?

If you have an artistic itch, and there's a story you want to tell, you go on that journey and do it anyway.  And if only five people see it, it's worth taking the time to make the journey, to do the art. If for no other reason than to get it out of your system.  Little movies are hard to do, people don't always want to see them.

In terms of producing your own movies, do you get burnt by the experience?

No, not at all. You win some, you lose some. Some things turn out great, some things are great but don't get an audience, some things are shit and get a huge audience.  You can't let any of that discourage you, if you're in this business.

What's your take on winning the Oscar for Best Actress

If anybody tells you after winning an Oscar they can pick out things that will be hits, they're lying! The quality and value of our work isn't determined by an award.  Find the win in the work. Do your craft well.

What about the quality of work for women over the age of 40?

I've always had a hard time getting roles, being of color, so I get as many offers as I always did - there is no difference for me.  When I was 21, it was as hard as it is now when I'm 48.  For me it's the same.

You are starring in and producing 'Extant', which will debut on the Amazon Prime streaming service, why go the TV route?

Anyone in this industry will tell you that that's where the best writing is. Good actors are going to TV. It's not just about making movies any more, Movies are becoming harder and harder to make.
The taboo of television is long gone. There was a time when movies were 'movies' but now we have big screens in our homes.

Thanks Halle.

French Director Sues the Cannes Festival

For the first time in its history, the Cannes Film Festival has been sued.  Paul Verhoeven, a French film director, as sued the Festival claiming his film, 'Teenagers', was rejected by the festival due to homophobia and sexual prejudice.

The low-budget movie was rejected by Cannes officials saying that "the film is ethically very doubtful."  For his part, Verhoeven seeks either having the festival forced to screen his film or pay for it to be screened in cinemas.

A spokesman for the festival called the case "absurd" and said that films were rejected or accepted on grounds of quality alone.  'Teenagers' has received poor to bad reviews from critics. A ruling in the case is scheduled to be released this month.

Ford to Star in 'Blade Runner' Sequel

Harrison Ford will star in the sequel to the iconic sci-fi cult film 'Blade Runner'. Ford was quoted as saying that the script for the new film as, "this is the best thing I have ever read".

Released in 1982, 'Blade Runner' tells the story of a police officer, Rick Deckard, set in a dark and gritty futuristic Los Angeles.  The movie has become a classic sci-fi film and a sequel has been long-awaited.

Ford will also be starring in the upcoming 'Star Wars' , which is scheduled for release in December. He will be returning as Han Solo, space smuggler extraordinaire.


Happy Move Going,
Seymore