2012 was a ho-hum year for "serious" cinema. As proof, the Oscar race has narrowed to films like the chipper Argo and dreary Zero Dark Thirty — a chase so routine that the alternative is a Steven Spielberg period piece as wholesome and agreeable as enriched bread. But it was also a banner year for the films that we’ll still want to watch in 2022: Ambitious over-reachers (Cloud Atlas, The Master, Les Miserables), loony passion projects (Killer Joe, Magic Mike, The Paperboy), and perfect popcorn flicks (Step Up 4, The Expendables 2, Premium Rush).
That last category is frequently left off top ten lists, but it deserves our applause. When studios get tired of risking $250 million on a single blockbuster (and audiences get tired of paying $14 just to keep up with water cooler conversation), mid-priced modest hits like Looper will be our collective salvation — and help build the next generation of filmmakers and stars. The films that made my Top Ten did so because they were bold, memorable and flawless (or at least two of the three). But of course, if critics can judge art, we should take our own creative risks. And so I’ve written my remarks in haiku
Amy Nicholson’s / Top 10 of 2012 / Written In Haiku
A film school rises in Brooklyn
Gotham’s Steiner Studios will soon house a new Graduate School of Cinema, part of Brooklyn College, and with substantial investment from the city of New York.
The program, which plans to welcome its first class in the fall of 2014, is the only one in the nation that will be integrated into a working film lot. At its peak, the school will have 400 students.
Tuition is expected to cost less than half that of most graduate film programs in the U.S.
"This is a thriving sector of our economy," said commissioner Katherine Oliver of the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment. "Helping to establish this unique educational program right here in Brooklyn will be a lasting testament to our local creative industry."
Sprawled on 20 acres in the Brooklyn Navy Yards, Steiner, at 335,000 square feet, is the largest soundstage and production facility on the East Coast and is expanding by another 225,000 square feet.
Pols will announce the venture at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Gala Thursday recognizing leaders of Gotham’s TV and film biz.
"With this announcement, Brooklyn solidifies its place as the world capital for arts, culture and digital media," said studio chairman Douglas Steiner. Students will be "surrounded by some of the most innovative artists, craftspeople and talent working right here on our lot."
The local entertainment industry contributes over $7 billion annually and provides 130,000 jobs. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been an ardent supporter of the business. The Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment will be involved in the creation, planning and financing of the Digital Media Center, the digital media component of the graduate school, and contribute to a need-based scholarship fund.
The curriculum will focus on the art and craft of cinema. Degree programs will include a Master of Fine Arts for cinematography, directing, production and post-production, screenwriting and visual effects, and Master of Arts in cinema studies.
Fellowships, residencies and mentorship programs will match students with filmmakers, directors, animators and other production professionals. A film festival will showcase student work, and an Urban Fellows Program will place graduates at Steiner Studios for nine months to work closely with staff.
Steiner, which opened in 2004, has production offices, editing suites, set construction shops, scenic artist, wardrobe and props department and dressing and includes on-site parking, a full commissary, a screening room and lighting and grip services.
It’s been home to films "Sex and the City," "Inside Man," "Enchanted" and "The Adjustment Bureau" and television series including "Girls," "In Treatment" and "Bored to Death." HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire" recently renewed for a fourth season, and "Damages" just wrapped its final season.
The gala on Thursday night will honor Oliver, Brooklyn College president Karen Gould, David and Douglas Steiner and Gina and Tony Argento of Broadway Stages.
Watch Breaking Dawn Part 2 Online For Free – Glad that it’s over
I have just seen last installment from the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 2. I have watched all of the five films from the series in a night time screening so of cource I watch Breaking Dawn Part 2 Online For Free with many different screaming and anxious fans much like me. I really like individuals tests… however the films, less.
That 4g iphone is sort of a grocery list, a minimum of at the start. Bella’s wakening – check. Kissing Edward – check. Hunting – check. Renesmé – check. Imprinting – check. Sex – check. They’re basically details in images, not really a narrative, not really a story. Which, for me personally, may be the major fault of Ms. Rosenberg and also the four different company directors in converting the Stephenie Meyer’s books towards the screen – they’re good in nail everything that’s secondary, but what really matters is left out. The fidelity of the adaptation resides not within the details, however in telling the storyline which were told in words. Yes, it is usually dependent on interpretation. Yes, some can invariably disagree… But it’s not what went down with the Twilight movie’s. Other product soul, no sentiment, which is frustrating seeing it film after film. Some know the books aren’t very well written. OK, however i loved the storyline which are told within the four of these. The flicks were not in a position to tell that story, though.
You will find some funny moments within the wrong moments. The start is really fast that’s confusing. The outlet credits last forever, but Bella’s awareness of her new existence are rushed without reason. Edward isn’t the same character as with the books, but is figured like a horny distracted husband… The confrontation using the Denalis is unnatural – they’d never confront one another this way. Bella getting Mike of the home just like a bad dog is insane. Individuals last are not only seen not the same as the books, but collide using the figures and also the story – the main focus is definitely within the action in hindrance of the honest narrative.
Garret and Kate are wonderful Bella and Jacob’s dialogue within the vehicle is funny and spontaneous…but, like I have stated, secondary. The final moments are sweet, but can’t hide what’s missing within the relaxation from the movie, what’s uncommon missing. The “little twist”, because they refer to it as, is excellent, and verifies things i stated before a good adaptation from the book towards the screen: it’s about the storyline we read and just how to inform it, not the details. But, despite that certain, the movie is actually disappointing. I can not know how competent filmmakers is really so careless and relapse having a story that arrived at a lot of people, as well as in a manufacture of that magnitude.
For your, I am really glad which i will not be through all that the coming year. But that’s not this type of comfort at this time.
Latest Zero Dark Thirty Trailer
Kathryn Bigelow’s latest, Zero Dark Thirty, is scheduled to touch down across the pond next week, but is already scoring plenty of awards. The final trailer – at least that US audiences will see before it opens there – is now online and can be watched above.This one focuses mostly on Jessica Chastain as Maya, one of the CIA analysts at the heart of the search for Osama Bin Laden.The film itself is a multi-faceted look at the manhunt for the terrorist mastermind, a search, as one man seems to indicate in the trailer itself, that was increasingly feeling like a wild goose chase with no end in sight and a money pit waiting to happen.But after months of controversial and questionable interrogations came an intelligence break and… well, the rest is literally history.Based on the real events, albeit dramatized by Bigelow and writer Mark Boal, the movie features an impressive cast including Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong, James Gandolfini, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt and Mark Duplass.
‘You will never find him…
Jack Black Promises To Take Down Oscar Competition, Threatens ‘Creamy Balls’
Do not cross Jack Black. Those are simple instructions, but if you fail to heed them, you will find yourself with some creamy balls.
All right, let’s back up.
At the Gotham Awards earlier this week, MTV News’ Josh Horowitz made a crack about one of Jack Black’s less successful films, "Gulliver’s Travels." The joke was not taken lightly.
"You’re a real bastard," Black said. "I know your whole game. I wish I had a cream pie to throw at your balls right now. It makes sense in any context. If I had a pie of cream, I’d shove it in your balls. Does anyone not understand what I’m saying? This guy deserves cream balls stat."
So, a little context might help.
Thankfully, Josh was able to turn the interview around and talk about the Oscar buzz around Black’s performance in "Bernie," and when it comes to his competitors, the actor knows how things stand."Yeah, those guys are going down," Black said. "What did I ever do to Daniel Day? That’s the more important question. Why is he trying to suck up all of my rocket sauce?"The pair was able to make up, but there was still some lingering resentment by the end of it. "I forgive you," Black said, "but you still got a creamy ball coming up soon."