By Susan Duclos Video called “Changed?” below: Description : “What happened after Massachusetts moderate Mitt Romney changed his position from pro-abortion to pro-life?” a female narrator asks as a picture of an unhappy-looking Romney fills the screen and spooky music plays. “He governed pro-abortion.” “Romney appointed a pro-abortion judge, expanded access to abortion pills, put Planned Parenthood… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Wake Up America Discovery Date : 10/01/2012 22:48 Number of articles : 2
The WGA nominations have hit the wires, giving awards watchers more fodder for speculation. Does Bridesmaids ‘ inclusion mean the mainstream hit has more traction in the Oscar race? Will Win Win ‘s nomination mean the Fox Searchlight hopeful has a shot at the big leagues? Should Diablo Cody break out the leopard print couture? Check out the full list of nominations and debate away. Adapted Screenplay The Descendants The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo The Help Hugo Moneyball Original Screenplay 50/50 Bridesmaids Midnight in Paris Win Win Young Adult Documentary Screenplay Better This World If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front Nostalgia for the Light Pina Position Among the Stars Senna For more current Oscar insights, check out S.T. VanAirsdale’s latest Oscar Index . [ Writers Guild of America ]
Hollywood has a long history of sending white dudes to Japan to A) fall in love with a local hottie and B) somehow save Japan itself, and that irksome trend shows no sign of ending, to my dismay. The latest Caucasian hero set to do so is LOST ’s Matthew Fox , who’s signed on to play real-life figure General Bonner Fellers in Peter Webber’s Emperor , a “nail-biting political thriller” about post-World War II diplomacy…and Fellers’ love affair with a Japanese woman. Sigh. Of course. I’ve got no problem with stories about Americans in Japan, or interesting cinematic studies about cultural exchange or ninjas or whatever. But why, when Hollywood looks to Japan, must it so often come down to a white man immersing himself in Japanese culture, always through the love of an exotic Japanese flower, then becoming the one person upon whom the fate of the Japanese people, their code of honor, etc. rests? In 1958 said hero was John Wayne – the quintessential icon of American masculinity – playing real life diplomat Townsend Harris in John Huston’s The Barbarian and the Geisha . Harris, appointed Consul-General to Japan in the late 1800s, is known for opening the isolated nation to trade with the U.S., indelibly heralding the onset of modern Japan. Legend has it Harris’s treaty negotiations were greased by the assignment of a teenage geisha to his bed, a rumor dismissed as fabrication that nevertheless figures heavily into the film, because how could it not? A decade later, even super spy James Bond went native, so to speak, donning “ethnic” make-up to blend in with the Japanese in 1967’s You Only Live Twice . He plays house with Kissy Suzuki, then saves Japan (and, okay, the entire world) from evil Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Fast forward to 1992 for another memorable instance of the Western fish out of water becoming the salvation of the Japanese, albeit in a decidedly different scenario: Mr. Baseball . Tapping into the popularity of America’s pastime in the land of the rising sun, the sports comedy nevertheless reverted to the old formula, with baseball pro Tom Selleck grudgingly learning the ways of life in Japan through the love of his Japanese manager’s daughter, then leading the floundering Chunichi Dragons to the championships. Which brings us to the best-known instance of a white hero saving the very essence of Japanese historical culture: Tom Cruise and The Last Samurai . As disillusioned Civil War veteran Capt. Nathan Algren, Cruise flits to Japan to train the Imperial Army in using newfangled firearms, where he’s captured by samurai and falls for the winsome widow whose husband he killed in battle. Assimilating with his captors, Algren joins their modest ranks and, when the samurai class is eradicated by a modernizing Japan, he is the one to remind the Emperor never to forget the legacy of bushido. Who’s the last samurai, then? Tom freaking Cruise. Wrong, wrong, wrong. (Also see: Steven Seagal’s Into the Sun , the 2005 Yakuza actioner about an American hero who cleans up Tokyo because the locals can’t handle it.) So here comes Matthew Fox with the next in this tiresome subgenre. Described as “an epic story of love and understanding set amidst the tensions and uncertainties of the days immediately following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II,” Emperor promises more of the same: “Fox will play the title role of General Bonner Fellers, one of MacArthur’s leading Japanese experts, who is charged with reaching a decision of historical importance: should Emperor Hirohito be tried and hanged as a war criminal? Interwoven with this nail-biting political thriller is the story of Fellers’ love affair with Aya, a Japanese exchange student he had met years previously in the U.S. Memories of Aya and his quest to find her in the ravaged post-war landscape help Fellers to discover both his wisdom and his humanity and enable him to come to the momentous decision that changed the course of history and the future of two nations.” A white Western observer/hero in Japan? Check. Tasked with the “salvation” of Japan (by exonerating the Emperor in order to use his influence to control the Japanese people post-war)? Check. Romantically involved with a Japanese woman, just because? Ugh. Check. Female characters are written all the time just to serve the purpose of prompting a hero’s emotional arc, so this is nothing new, if still worrisome. (See: Poor Scarlett Johansson and Elle Fanning in We Bought a Zoo , there just to make the male protagonists feel and give them someone to talk to.) But Fellers’s true story is interesting on its own without leaning on some exotic Japanese love interest as a crutch; the tale of an American propaganda genius who figured out first how to demoralize Japanese troops to win the war, then how to humanize their leader in order to manipulate national sentiment immediately thereafter, should be enough. And yet it’s not, because Hollywood loves this kind of hero’s tale. We’ll see it again soon even before Emperor hits screens, in Universal’s twist on the Japanese folktale 47 Ronin , a fantasy epic version of the popular myth about a gang of vengeful ex-samurai on a mission… led by Keanu Reeves . Maybe it’ll be great. Heck, it’s possible Emperor will be the this generation’s Shogun . And I’d love to see more Japan-set films featuring Asian actors we rarely see in mainstream Hollywood. (Don’t even mention that abysmal 2005 Rob Marshall abomination. “Memoirs” and “geisha” are my killing words.) Let’s just ditch the oriental fetishism and cinematic imperialism, shall we? [ Variety ] Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
The Descendants, Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris and other fan favorites lead the way in the just-released Writers Guild of America Awards, honoring the best of 2011. The biggest surprise may be the inclusion of the independent drama Win Win, while the big snubs appear to be War Horse , The Ides of March and The Artist. Diablo Cody (Young Adult), Alexander Payne (The Descendants) and Steven Zaillian (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) were among the scribes recognized. 50/50 Trailer Other nominees range from Kristen Wiig and Woody Allen to Will Reiser, Seth Rogen’s friend who adapted his own battle with cancer into a hit dramedy. The full list of WGA Award nominees 2011 : Original Screenplay 50/50, Written by Will Reiser Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen Win Win, Screenplay by Tom McCarthy Young Adult , Written by Diablo Cody The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trailer (Extended) Adapted Screenplay The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash; Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemming The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian; Based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, originally published by Norstedts The Help, Screenplay by Tate Taylor; Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett Hugo, Screenplay by John Logan; Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick Moneyball, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin; Based on the book by Michael Lewis Documentary Screenplay Better This World, Written by Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, Written by Marshall Curry and Matthew Hamachek Nostalgia for the Light, Written by Patricio Guzmann Pina, Screenplay by Wim Wenders Position Among the Stars, Script by Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich, Leonard Retel Helmrich Senna, Written by Manish Pandey
Sarah Palin weighed in on the race for the White House last night. You were dying to hear from her, we know. You’re so welcome. Appearing on Fox News’ Hannity , Palin, who hasn’t endorsed a Republican candidate in the 2012 campaign, offered general praise for the field after Tuesday’s Iowa caucus results , reserving the red meat for President Barack Obama. Sarah Palin on Hannity “My concern is for the GOP candidate who wins this primary as they go forward to face the Obama presidential ticket machine and really the thuggery that is involved in that,” Palin said, segueing to John McCain’s endorsement of Mitt Romney . “I believe that Senator McCain, in his endorsement of Mitt Romney, Senator McCain and I, we’re the only ones in America who have ever had to face that Obama presidential ticket machine and all that it encompassed,” she added. “What it encompassed, you know, this unscrupulous, gimmicky scheme that it was.” “Senator McCain, evidently has chosen Mitt Romney as the one to be the most prepared to face this thuggery, this scheme that someone’s going to have to face.” Is Romney the best prepared? Or the most electable? Do you wish Palin would have run for President herself? Or that she’d go away forever? Share your thoughts with us.
Watch the throne … Steve Jobs. Kanye West, who has never been accused of thinking small, or having a modest opinion of himself, detailed plans for a new production company on Twitter Wednesday. In a three-hour rant, the 34-year-old rapper / hip-hop mogul outlined his plan for Donda, a brand-new, far-reaching company named after his late mother Donda West. Donda will “pick up where Steve Jobs left off,” West said of the late, visionary Apple CEO / founder. Way to set manageable expectations. How will it do that, exactly, Kanye? With 22 divisions of writers, DJs, publicists, designers, musicians, scientists and SO much more, the company headed by the musician will strive to “make products and experiences that people want and can afford,” West Tweeted . He will “help simplify and aesthetically improve everything we see hear, touch, taste and feel,” and “dream of, create, advertise and produce products driven equally by emotional want and utilitarian need… To marry our wants and needs.” Again, no baby steps for Mr. West. West hinted that Donda is releasing a “semi sci-fi” film in 2012 called “2016 OLYMPICS.” And that’s not all. West told fans he may become creative director of a Jetsons film and wants to “design” the MTV Video Music Awards. Beyond the worlds of design, film, music, technology and product development, the “N*ggas in Paris” rapper also wants to fix America’s schools, he wrote.
Ron Paul lifted to third-place finish by youth vote with only eight votes separating first and second place. By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Andrew Jenks Mitt Romney addresses his supporters after the Iowa caucus Photo: Jewel Samad/ Getty Images DES MOINES, Iowa — It was a dogfight that came down to a razor-slim margin of votes Tuesday night (January 3) between former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Senator Rick Santorum. Romney came out on top after running in a tie with Santorum at 25 percent of the vote for much of the night, winning the Iowa caucus by only eight votes with north of 122,000 voters turning out. In addition, the third-place finish by libertarian rabble-rouser Representative Ron Paul with 21 percent of the vote proved the power of the youth vote in this year’s election. The mainstream media had been virtually ignoring Paul for months as they focused on the reality-show-like rise and fall of other Republicans vying for the GOP presidential nomination. But on Tuesday, the congressman from Texas shocked naysayers when he came in third place in the all-important Iowa caucus , the first primary contest of the season. CNN reported that entrance polls showed Paul’s strongest support came from voters ages 17-29, while Romney was the pick for voters 65 and older and Santorum clicked with those 45-64. In his concession speech, Paul thanked his enthusiastic supporters for believing in him and reintroducing what he described as a core Republican value: “the conviction that freedom is popular.” “Once again, we have had a fantastic showing for this cause and not the status quo we have been putting up with for decades and decades,” he said to lusty applause. “This movement is going to continue, and we are going to keep scoring just as we are tonight.” The major story of the night, though, was the battle longtime poll leader Romney was drawn into with classic conservative Santorum, who had been polling in the single digits for much of the year but got a sudden burst of support late in the pre-caucus cycle in Iowa. Romney, who spent more than $10 million in 2009 to win Iowa, only to lose to former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, didn’t spend as much this time around but ended up in the closest Iowa caucus in history. Romney addressed his supporters before he was named winner of the unbelievably close race. “This is a campaign night where America wins. We’re going to win the White House and get America back on track,” he said as he reiterated many of his stump talking points about what he said were President Obama’s failures on security issues (Iran) and the economy (continuing high unemployment, record deficits). Promising to dismantle the so-called ObamaCare health plan, Romney said this election is about the soul of America, once again reciting his favorite lines from “American the Beautiful,” as he’s done often on the stage. “I want to restore the principles that made America the hope of the earth,” he said, professing his love for freedom, the constitution and the country. With 25 delegates at stake and Iowa no longer a winner-takes-all state, Romney earned bragging rights, but not the kind that would come with a convincing, large-margin victory. If anything, pundits said that Santorum came out the champion by simply having such a strong showing. Just moments after voting wrapped up at Olmstead Hall on the campus of Des Moines’ Drake University, Katherine Rupp — who was undecided going in — was happy that Romney came out on top in her precinct after the night’s vote. “Romney has a business background, and I believe he’ll bring his CEO experience to hopefully being our Republican presidential candidate,” she said. Rupp said the unique nature of the Iowa caucuses — where Iowans get up onstage to give their personal pitch for why their friends, neighbors and fellow precinct dwellers should vote for a particular candidate — played a big part in swaying her from the undecided column into the Romney camp. Ricki Meyer was a Santorum supporter going into the night, and while her candidate came in a tie for second with Paul at the Drake caucus, she was feeling bullish about the former senator’s prospects and vowed to keep supporting him as he marches forward. “The things I believe in line up so well with what he believes in, and if I don’t stand up for that and for him right now, I don’t want to look back on this election and how pivotal it is for our country and think, ‘Why didn’t I support that guy anymore?’ ” she said. Santorum addressed Meyer and his other followers even before the results were in Tuesday night. “People have asked me how I’ve done this sitting back in the polls … I survived the challenges so far by the daily grace that comes from God,” he said. “You have taken the first step of taking back this country,” he told the people of Iowa, who he met while visiting all 99 counties, and likely winning over the state’s all-important Evangelical voters. “The essential issue in this race is freedom. Whether we will be a country that believes that government can do things for us better than we can do for ourselves,” he added in an address that sounded more like his standard stump speech than a victory celebration for a candidate who most thought would never make it this far. “We are off to New Hampshire.” Benjamin Levine, 20, a Drake student and ROTC member, was inspired enough by Paul’s message to get up during the caucus and speak out on behalf of his candidate, with no notes, because the congressman’s message resonates that clearly in his mind. After volunteering for the campaign for several months, and after Paul’s third-place finish in the Drake caucus, Levine said the fight was not over. Larger precinct 46 went for Romney at the Drake vote, but Levine’s precinct 45 went to Paul in a tight one, and he was pleased with the result. Though Tuesday was his birthday, Levine said the Paul win in his precinct was the bigger deal. “I don’t feel any older, but I can feel maybe a little more freedom coming,” he said as he prepared to go to a Youth for Paul watching party downtown. “Mitt Romney is the establishment guy. He ran four years ago. He has name recognition. It’s huge that Paul can even get second in that precinct because people said he’s unelectable, they made up all those lies … even a second place in this precinct is pretty good.” Though final results would take several more hours, Levine said even if Paul did not end up snagging second statewide, “It’s certainly not the end of the road.” As for the rest of the field, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich came in fourth (13 percent), followed by Texas Governor Rick Perry (10 percent), who signaled he might soon drop out, then Representative Michele Bachmann (5 percent) and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman (1 percent), who didn’t really campaign in Iowa at all. The remaining candidates now move on to New Hampshire, which will hold its primary next Tuesday. MTV is on the scene in Iowa! Head to Iowa.MTV.com for all our Iowa caucus coverage , and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season to follow Andrew Jenks on the campaign trail. Related Videos Barnstorming The Iowa Caucus With Andrew Jenks
Australian filmmaker Nick Khoo humorously imagines what happens to an annoying driver honking in deadlock traffic in the animated short, Road Rage. Dedicated to all those jerks who cut me off on the road. You know who you are… via Geeks are Sexy Broadcasting platform : Vimeo Source : Laughing Squid Discovery Date : 03/01/2012 17:12 Number of articles : 2
Last year, Robertson claimed God told him that America’s future will be bleak because of debt and divisions, and today on The 700 Club said that God again communicated to him that financial problems and partisan politics are going to bring America into decline. Unsurprisingly, Robertson said God is no fan of President Obama : “Your president holds a radical view of the direction of your country which… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Right Wing Watch Discovery Date : 03/01/2012 18:16 Number of articles : 4
It’s Iowa Day. Most of the political focus in America is on Iowa as that state’s caucuses will happen tonight, kicking off the 2012 Election season. But what do we know about the state? For all hours of media time spent on covering Iowa’s caucuses, how much do we know about the state and the three million people who call it home? When you hear “Iowa” do you automatically think, farming ? Or are you… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Blaze Discovery Date : 02/01/2012 18:12 Number of articles : 2
