THE WEEK THAT WUZ - CHRISTMAS EDITION

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More ‘GRRRREAT in ‘08′:

-Top Buzzwords 2008

-The year that broke the rules

Female fare, 3-D made box office gains

Despite the dismal state of the economy, domestic B.O. revenues are running even with last year’s record-breaking pace . Apparently the truism about the movie biz being recession-proof is holding, at least for now.

 

I concur, Peter Bart!:

Hollywood Needs its own Car Czar

 

Another one bites the dust:

Yari distribution unit forced into bankruptcy

Yari blamed the tightening credit markets and the earlier bankruptcy of payroll company Axium, which according to Yari swept millions of dollars from its payroll accounts, as a “perfect storm” that sunk the company financially.

 

Here comes the big musical number:

Hugh Jackman Hosts the Oscars

Hugh Jackman will host this year’s Oscars. Apparently the Academy has decided sexiness is the most important quality in a host. - Buzzfeed

 

Harvey Scissorhands will not be stopped:

Harvey Weinstein’s back in the hunt

Weinstein Co. Gets 8 Golden Globe Nominations

Golden Globes Noms Announced… FULL LIST

 

 

One of the reasons why he’s the biggest star in the world:

Will Smith: It’s all about helping others

“It’s cool to have the goal of being the biggest movie star in the world. But why? It’s been revealed to me that the question is: Whose life is better because you woke up today?”

 

A few reasons why he’s the epitome of ‘indie cool’:

Philip Seymour Hoffman On “The Daily Show”: His Kids, The Golden Globes And The Catholic Church

 

Everyone’s a critic:

Young reviewers put passion over profit

Even as the professional ranks implode, young writers are expressing their passion by any means necessary.

 

Eastward, Ho!: 

DISPATCH FROM DUBAI | Puttin’ on the Ritz: 5th DIFF Dazzles and Spotlights the Downtrodden

Q&A: Shivani Pandya

The managing director of the Dubai International Film Festival discusses the logistics involved in the planning and operation of such a huge event in the Dubai calendar.

 

More Indie from the Wire (ok, from Indiewire):

HONOR ROLL ‘08 | “Make The Film For The World You Want To Live In”

What general advice would you impart to emerging filmmakers? Umm… Make the film for the world you want to live in - try to think of who is going to flake out on you before shooting, and if you are really honest with yourself you will see, then get rid of them, they’ll just slow you down and do their best to cripple you later. Keep the drama on screen.

Fest Organizers Look to Online Options and Each Other While Anticipating Recession’s Effects

The three-day event drew festival organizers from all over the U.S., as well as a few international colleagues as a professional forum to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to this small but specialized subset of the film industry, from practical considerations of sponsorship, marketing, ticketing, board development, and programming, to more far-reaching philosophical explorations of the role of film festivals for audiences and for the film industry as a whole.

 

The best thing the French have done for the US since that liberty statue?:

France approves international tax rebates

Submit to the music of Serge Gainsbourg!: 

Lucy Gordon boards Gainsbourg pic

 

 

From the “my friends in high places” dept:

‘Deadgirl’ duo to update Danish thriller 

 

Consider this a last hurrah:
Economy shouldn’t dampen Sundance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indian-givers?: 

Is DreamWorks’ deal stalling?

 

Madoff “made-off” with all his Jewish friends manna: 

Jewish blog tracks Madoff news

 

 

Another sign of the Apocalypse:  

Las Vegas Snow Sets Record At 3.6 Inches

 

Hoverground Vidz:

1930s Parkour

Amazing stunts from back in the day. This guy looks like he is just having so much fun almost dying all the time. - Buzzfeed

 

OBAMA’S YOUTUBE BOOB ADDRESS