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So far, people have been focusing on the perverse incentives the award creates for Academy voters. But even more pernicious could be the incentives it creates for filmmakers and studios. The votes are in, and the Oscar for Worst Idea goes to … the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for its plan to add a new trophy for “outstanding achievement in popular film.” Like the Academy’s 2009 decisionto expand […]

Late in the World War II drama "Darkest Hour," Winston Churchill — played, in case you hadn't heard, by Gary Oldman — delivers his famous "We shall fight on the beaches" speech in the House of Commons, a piece of oration so rousing that it brings his listeners to their feet. For a moment ripped from the pages of history, the scene feels curiously prophetic: less a blast from the […]

One of the biggest surprises on Oscar-nominations morning was the omission of James Franco. The multi-hyphenate, who directed and starred in the critically lauded comedy The Disaster Artist, was well on track to get a best-actor nod for his kooky portrayal of cult filmmaker Tommy Wiseau. But just days before Oscar voting wrapped up, allegations of inappropriate and sexually exploitative behavior surfaced against Franco, derailing his awards-season campaign. (Franco, via his attorney Michael Plonsker, denied the accusations.) According to at least […]