Richard Stellar
  Winner of the Los Angeles Press Club's Best Blog Award for his Hollyblogs, and as one of the voices of the grassroots...
Super Bowl Was a Corporate Belch of Gluttony and Excess
Super Bowl Was a Corporate Belch of Gluttony and Excess
February 06, 2012 10:14 AM

How much good would the millions spent on the Super Bowl halftime show have done for the children of Indianapolis? Give us less Madonna and more Clint Eastwood

MPTF: This Blog Has Nothing to Do with George Clooney
MPTF: This Blog Has Nothing to Do with George Clooney
February 03, 2012 9:11 AM

Those who made a difference, effected social change, saved lives, and shared a cigar with me along the way

MPTF: A New Year of Dashed Hopes and Broken Promises?
MPTF: A New Year of Dashed Hopes and Broken Promises?
December 29, 2011 2:49 PM

The words of execs and A-listers off to Darfur ring hollow but the resolve of the residents and their backers remains strong

ESPN: Guilty of Child Abuse by Omission?
ESPN: Guilty of Child Abuse by Omission?
December 01, 2011 6:21 PM

Sports by Brooks lays a foundation that should result in the incarceration of every ESPN executive and broadcaster that was aware of the latest alleged outbreak of terror at Syracuse

'Hugo' Catapults Movies to a Higher Art Form
'Hugo' Catapults Movies to a Higher Art Form
November 25, 2011 3:43 PM

Thanks to Scorsese's new film, the nascence of the film industry has finally been humanized

William Charron
  William Charron is a partner and litigator with Pryor Cashman LLP, a New York-based law firm. He represents plaintiffs and...
The 'Steven Spielberg Exception' to TV's Indecency Rules?
The 'Steven Spielberg Exception' to TV's Indecency Rules?
February 02, 2012 11:19 AM

How does the FCC decide that "Schindler’s List" is acceptable to broadcast before 10 p.m., but "NYPD Blue" is not?

Steve Hutensky
Steve Hutensky is a film executive and producer living in Los Angeles. He served as senior executive vice president and head of business...
Stop Your Whinging: Reality Gets In the Way of Fantasy
Stop Your Whinging: Reality Gets In the Way of Fantasy
January 31, 2012 11:46 AM

The Art of Making New Year's Resolutions
The Art of Making New Year's Resolutions
January 10, 2012 11:36 AM

Avoid the regret and depression that comes with falling short by lowering the self-improvement bar in 2012

Chima Simone
Opinionated, passionate, and sometimes controversial, Chima Simone has interviewed celebrities from A to Z-list on the red carpet for...
Chima Simone on 'Real Housewives of Atlanta': Living Big in Cape Town
Chima Simone on 'Real Housewives of Atlanta': Living Big in Cape Town
January 31, 2012 10:38 AM

'Real Housewives': Even the Airport Turns Out to be a Trip
'Real Housewives': Even the Airport Turns Out to be a Trip
January 23, 2012 4:30 PM

The ladies of Atlanta get in shape, shop, talk trash and bid fond farewells before heading off to Africa

'Real Housewives of Atlanta': Moose Hunting in Africa?
'Real Housewives of Atlanta': Moose Hunting in Africa?
January 16, 2012 2:33 PM

With her new Big Poppa, Nene resists the idea of accompanying Phaedra, but Sheree thinks she should "get some damn culture"

'Real Housewives of Atlanta': High-End Death, Yoga and Hot Rocks
'Real Housewives of Atlanta': High-End Death, Yoga and Hot Rocks
January 09, 2012 4:28 PM

Phaedra's still keen on fantasy funerals, Cynthia and Peter's relationship looks dead and Kandi jams country-style with Jo Dee Mesina

'Big Brother's' Chima on 'Real Housewives': Phaedra Ends It With Sheree
'Big Brother's' Chima on 'Real Housewives': Phaedra Ends It With Sheree
December 19, 2011 11:20 AM

Sheree had been bad-mouthing Phaedra’s legal abilities and Phaedra was not having that

Carole Mallory
Carole Mallory is an actress, journalist, professor, film critic. Her film credits include “Stepford Wives” and...
Ridley and Tony Scott Put Their Stamp on 'The Grey'
Ridley and Tony Scott Put Their Stamp on 'The Grey'
January 30, 2012 2:17 PM

As producers, the Scott brothers bring the thrills on "The Grey." But it is the earnest, intense performance of Liam Neeson that makes the movie a must-see

The Night I Danced With the Shah of Iran
The Night I Danced With the Shah of Iran
January 23, 2012 5:38 PM

"My sons like to date Pan Am stewardesses," he told me -- to the music of the Bee Gees

Watching 'Red Tails' With the Real Tuskegee Airmen
Watching 'Red Tails' With the Real Tuskegee Airmen
January 22, 2012 11:02 AM

"We were a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement"

Misogynistic 'Bridesmaids' Wins Praise from Gervais at the Golden Globes
Misogynistic 'Bridesmaids' Wins Praise from Gervais at the Golden Globes
January 16, 2012 9:58 AM

Women doing crude and testosterone-driven humor -- just like men -- is not achieving equality. And we have better things to do.

Flying Into Istanbul for Turkish Delight
Flying Into Istanbul for Turkish Delight
January 09, 2012 12:04 PM

During my Pan Am stewardess days, Mother and I stayed in the Hilton, not far from the Crazy Horse, a nightclub known for its exotic dancers

Jeremy Walker
  Jeremy Walker is a festival consultant and unit publicist based in Malibu. He most recently worked with Heather Donahue on...
Hope & Inspiration at Sundance, After the Pall Cast by the Death of Bingham Ray
Hope & Inspiration at Sundance, After the Pall Cast by the Death of Bingham Ray
January 25, 2012 12:01 PM

I don’t remember anything else about the conversation, only that at some point Amy Taubin said, “There’s just so much death”

Bonnie Fuller's Crimes Against Cinema
Bonnie Fuller's Crimes Against Cinema
May 05, 2011 12:03 PM

An open letter to MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd on Bonnie Fuller's reporting on the movie "Hick," now in production

Dan Bloom
Dan Bloom is a freelance writer based in Asia since 1991. During a five-year stint in Tokyo, he covered the triumphs (and occasional...
Taiwanese Ad Featuring Fake Steve Jobs: Funny or Offensive?
Taiwanese Ad Featuring Fake Steve Jobs: Funny or Offensive?
February 01, 2012 11:16 AM

A computer firm's ad featuring an actor impersonating the late Apple co-founder was meant to be funny. But is it?

'The Constant Din': Can We Tame It, Control It?
'The Constant Din': Can We Tame It, Control It?
January 18, 2012 10:45 AM

"Young people are afraid of silence. Is it possible to read Plato while wearing a Walkman? I find this very worrying"

Matchmaker Ang Lee Introduces Rhythm & Hues to Taiwan
Matchmaker Ang Lee Introduces Rhythm & Hues to Taiwan
January 05, 2012 2:51 PM

After shooting 'Life of Pi' on the Chinese island, the director has paved the way for the Hollywood effects company to open an office there

A Pear Tree, a Wink, 39 Roses: Holocaust 'Rescue' Story Really True?
A Pear Tree, a Wink, 39 Roses: Holocaust 'Rescue' Story Really True?
December 28, 2011 9:38 AM

Something is not entirely kosher about Jerzy Bielecki’s backstory, which the august and always fact-checked Times swallowed hook, line and sinker

Move Over Ang Lee, Here Comes Te-sheng Wei
Move Over Ang Lee, Here Comes Te-sheng Wei
December 07, 2011 4:05 PM

The four-hour "Seediq Bale" is a trailblazer and will go down in film history as one of Taiwan's finest contributions to the world of cinema

David Spaltro
David Spaltro is a New Jersey-born writer-director-producer, currently residing in the East Village and West Hollywood. His critically...
Faith In His Lead Became Something Filmmaker Understood Very Well
Faith In His Lead Became Something Filmmaker Understood Very Well
January 04, 2012 9:42 AM

How a decision to take a challenging and difficult journey with Molly Ryman provided some unique lessons in life

Inside an Indie: Shooting '...Around'
Inside an Indie: Shooting '...Around'
February 11, 2010 12:24 PM

David Spaltro on his movie's 27-day shoot and the long journey that got him there

Peter McAlevey
Peter McAlevey is a motion-picture producer and former correspondent for Newsweek. He is currently working on a book about in vitro...
Leon Russell and Elton John: A 'Union' Made on Late-Night Radio
Leon Russell and Elton John: A 'Union' Made on Late-Night Radio
February 08, 2012 1:14 PM

With his ground-breaking work on "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" in the 1970s, Leon Russell made a name for himself and later, a pop singer named Elton John

'War Horse,' Steven Spielberg, the Golden Globes and John Ford
'War Horse,' Steven Spielberg, the Golden Globes and John Ford
January 15, 2012 10:37 AM

Spielberg channeled 'Ford at War' with his WWI tale, but given the historical possibilities, this is a missed opportunity

What the Media's Missing in Iowa: 'Personhood' Is No. 1 Issue
What the Media's Missing in Iowa: 'Personhood' Is No. 1 Issue
January 03, 2012 3:06 PM

Candidates are succumbing to pressure from a religious right group to limit in-vitro fertilization and giving up control of the GOP in the process

Wanna Buy a Watch? A How-to Guide for Christmas
Wanna Buy a Watch? A How-to Guide for Christmas
December 18, 2011 12:30 PM

Every good producer or hot new TV star needs a watch -- just does he need a $50,000 Rolex?

Fritz Manes Was a Friend of Mine
Fritz Manes Was a Friend of Mine
October 13, 2011 11:22 AM

When Fritz said he could call in the Marines for a movie, he meant it

Mark W. Travis
  Mark W. Travis is regarded by many Hollywood and international professionals as one of the world’s leading authorities in...
'Committee Meetings' Hold Key to Well-Developed Characters
'Committee Meetings' Hold Key to Well-Developed Characters
January 24, 2012 9:51 AM

Writers and directors breathe life into their creations, but to give them real depth, they must rely upon actors. And those voices in their heads

In Storytelling, Mind the Gap
In Storytelling, Mind the Gap
January 11, 2012 11:08 AM

Make sure you understand the difference between Expectations and Results -- they reveal the true inner nature of the character

The World of Obstacles
The World of Obstacles
December 21, 2011 12:10 PM

They are what make life rich and invigorating, challenging and colorful. They define us. And they are one of our most powerful storytelling tools ...

Screenwriters, It's Important to Understand 'Both' of Your Objectives
Screenwriters, It's Important to Understand 'Both' of Your Objectives
December 13, 2011 6:01 PM

At every moment there are two primary objectives attempting to be fulfilled: private and public

Why We Need Story Structure
Why We Need Story Structure
December 06, 2011 10:33 AM

We are drawn to structure in our stories simply because our lives have no discernable structure of their own

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