Thee Awards Season, Again

It is that time of year once more, autumn leaves, pumpkins, turkeys, silver bells, Santa and red carpets. As a dedicated independent filmmaker, who can only deal with Hollywood in the 4th quarter when $100 million dollar film productions are set aside to unroll the $100 million marketing and PR campaigns as Hollywoodteurs unleash their best and most thoughtful film fare with dreams of Oscar gold on their minds, ostensibly ushering in Thee Awards Season. It is a very special time of year where celebriots seek vindication after a year of bombastic cinemaplex distraction.

This year, 2016, showed promise for the likes of 'The Birth of a Nation,' however, in a bit of irony, as the nation elected its first outright racist, homophobic, xenophobic, misogynist, and so many of anti-human behavior traits, US President, a long overdue cinematic unfolding of the true story of American hero, Nat Turner, a man seeking full ownership of his body and person, the film was marred in reckless scandal, while the most unpopular 60,000,000+ Americans elected a completely unqualified verbal brut to the highest office in our land and the world.

Of course, there are no guarantees in the Oscar votership of Hollywood nor with the attitudes or behavior of the American public; however, unpredictability seems always to be omnipresent throughout the land. While films like 'Moonlight,' 'Loving,' 'Fences,' 'Manchester by the Sea,' 'La La Land' and 'Lion,' are certain to make Hollywood feel great again with nuanced, if familiar, storytelling and narratives, the red carpet and epic award season is the ultimate Hollywood escape.  

GOT THE GREENLIGHT.  Hollywood sources are saying “Straight Outta Compton” director, F. Gary Gray, is a near lock-in to helm "Fast and Furious 8,” the latest installment in the bankable action thriller franchise.

Via social media, Vin Diesel, the star and producer of “Furious” posted a photo of himself with Gray hinting that the director was set to take the reins of Universal’s nearly unstoppable global motion-picture series.  If truly given greenlight, Gray, will take over from James Wan, who directed “Furious 7.” Other "F&F" franchise directors are Justin Lin, who helmed installments three through six.  The first film 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious,” was directed by Rob Cohen, while John Singleton directed its first sequel, “2 Fast, 2 Furious.”

The Hollywood rumor mill has also churned out, "FF8" will also feature Paul Walker's brother Cody as Jack O'Conner.  Production is set to begin in spring of 2016 with pre-production to start next in November.  The release date is set for April 2017.

Hues Pay-Off

Hollywood has been given a black eye as "Straight Outta Compton' collects over $110 million at the boxoffice in less than two weeks becoming the unsung hero of summer 2015.

The making of and getting 'Straight Outta Compton' into cinemaplexes around the United States is reminiscent of 1976.  Last week, TVOne's brilliant docu-series 'Usung Hollywood' presented the back story on the groundbreaking film 'Car Wash.'  Today 'Car Wash' is a cult classic film throughout the American landscape; however, as the story goes, Hollywood suits at the time, 1976, claimed not know how to market the film, unfold the story, cast the actors, edit the final film or deal with the movie. "It's a black film!, Hollywood players declared.

At Cannes, the Jury wanted to award 'Car Wash' its highest honor, the Palme d'Or; however, the two American jurors strictly forbid this.  In retaliation and fully recognizing its importance and true value, the other jurors created two special awards for 'Car Wash' recognizing its importance to international cinema, when the Americans were reluctantly to see the bigger picture and the future of global filmmaking.

It is unfortunate Hollywoodteurs continue do not want to understand, see, proper and create a rich legacy from inclusive cinema.  Like 'Car Wash,' through 'Straight Outta Compton' Hollywood has another opportunity to change, update, and modernize the rules of its way too exclusive game.

BILLION DOLLAR GRAB

PIONEERING independent film company, Miramax, founded by publicity hounds, Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 1979, is apparently up for sale, again.  Miramax, which owns the rights to hundreds of Hollywood films including "Pulp Fiction" and "The English Patient," is exploring its profiteering options. 

The Santa Monica based company is currently held by an investor group including Qatar Holding and investment firm Colony Capital, which purchased the company from Disney in 2010 for $660 million.

While the company is best known for both its Oscar seeking trickery and its extensive cash cow film library, Miramax has recently started to distribute new movies ("Mr. Holmes") and also ventured into TV production with a Spanish/Latin market oriented series based on Robert Rodriguez's film "From Dusk Till Dawn."   Insiders say, the pricetag is in the billion dollar neighborhood.  OF COURSE.

Home Film Festival

INDIEFLIX is passionate about great films that disrupt stereotypes and spark conversation, film that involves a community.  That community is you.  So, who are you?  What do you look like? What story do you have?  IndieFlix celebrates you and your stories.

IndieFlix is the 'indie version of Netflix.  IndieFlix makes earning money for independent filmmakers, a goal central to its mission by subscriptions and streams on any device with an internet connection.

IndieFlix is like having a film festival brought to you, on demand, all-you-can-watch.  As a filmmaker, IndieFlix is a way to both get your movie seen and get paid for it.  Login at IndieFlix.com to learn all about it.  And to get a free limited subscription.

2011 Oscar Nominations are Announced

And who cares?

I am kind of speechless with the lackluster field of contenders in every category. Is there a recession in talent and thought not to mention creativity in Hollywood? After this anemic display of noms - surely Hollywood execs will come off the Sundance Film Festival slopes, the Cannes Film Festival yachts, the panoramic penthouse views of Berlin Film Festival and the bland back lots of Hollywood to embrace stories from Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latin/Hispanic Americans, Gay Americans and American Blacks.

Hollywood insiders - all of you should be forced to watch all of these films at a mega-multi-cinemaplex and also forced to watch the entire 2011 Oscar broadcast including all of the commercials.

February 27, 2011 will not be a night for celebration - just reading the list put me to sleep. WAKE UP HOLLYWOOD!