Tweets o' the Week, Film Bitch Awards Best Villains, More...
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 1:15PM It's a combo post. We start with a random assortment of delightful tweets for those of you who don't use the twitter machine or those who do (it's easy to miss things on twitter. So impermanent!).
This collection features my most popular tweet ever (Spoiler Alert: It's about Best Actress), Joel Grey's coming out, the only Super Bowl tweet that mattered to me as well as a little detour into all time favorite movie villains.
In a related announcement I've updated the Film Bitch Awards with this year's nominees for Best Movie Villain of 2014. It wasn't until I was done writing it that I realized that one could safely say "My what big eyes you have!" to virtually any of them. They range from the literally petrifying Owl Witch (pictured above) in Song of the Sea to the 1/8th* metal Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes gone Russian brainwashed assassin.
*Okay, okay, your arm is probably not an entire 1/8th of your body -- I'm not a scientist!
Here we go...
What the hell willl outgross Jurassic World? Star Wars? So Spielberg and Lucas and American Culture caught in amber. #SuperBowl
— Steven Gaydos (@HighSierraMan) February 1, 2015
This new Wes Anderson movie looks amazing pic.twitter.com/R5Yrzyg5GE
— Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) January 26, 2015
MORE AFTER THE JUMP
Imagine how different Molly Ringwald's career would've been if her mom had let her do BLUE VELVET.
— Bill Chambers (@flmfrkcentral) January 30, 2015
Fine. I'll make my own movie where Mo'Nique plays at least one of the Ghostbusters.
— Nick Davis (@NicksFlickPicks) January 27, 2015
I am more surprised by Joel Grey's homosexuality than my mother is. 2015 is WEIRD.
— Tyler Coates (@tylercoates) January 28, 2015
Joel Grey publicly coming out at 82 is super heartwarming. Don't attempt to spoil his moment with any of that "we knew already" nonsense.
— Jonathan Lisecki (@jonnynyc) January 28, 2015
I get criticisms of the Academy's disproportionate whiteness and maleness, but what's wrong with the "old" part? Nothing. How it should be.
— Josh Lincoln Dickey (@NotoriousJLD) February 3, 2015
DID YOU KNOW that Stanley Tucci is married to Emily Blunt's sister Felicity? What a great family.
— David (@randomfurlong) February 3, 2015
#MissyElliott is now trending like she would've been trending back if trending was a thing when she was a thing.
— Scott Huver (@thehuve) February 2, 2015
Whenever I go to a spa and everyone's in white robes, I pretend I'm in #DefendingYourLife @AlbertBrooks
— Leslye Headland (@LeslyeHeadland) January 30, 2015
it’s day 6 of sundance and that Fantastic Four trailer is somehow even more tired than i am.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) January 27, 2015
The disastrous collision of The Right To Llke Stupid Shit and the Demand To Be Taken Seriously
— Glenn Kenny (@Glenn__Kenny) January 29, 2015
Ah, now that Vanity Fair cover makes sense... #MagicAmy pic.twitter.com/FqrzyAPPZi
— Jose Solís (@josekicksass) February 3, 2015
Quick Reminder: Clean up after yourself pic.twitter.com/CJSFN8NdIs
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) February 4, 2015
They should announce a sequel to "Groundhog's Day" and then just re-release the original.
— Heather Antos (@HeatherAntos) February 3, 2015
SPEAKING OF GROUNDHOG DAY. Have you made your decision about Phil vs. Phil. There's still time to vote whether or not winter is sticking around.
Nathaniel's Tweets
What? I'm feeling self-love this week. It's a necessity. Just humor me... For some reason this first tweet is my most popular tweet ever...
Left to Right: POSH, SPORTY, GINGER, SCARY, BABY pic.twitter.com/CsymsQFS9D
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) February 4, 2015
You could fit a whole Oscar into Eddie Redmayne's mouth pic.twitter.com/7tiQTcx81K
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 28, 2015
Dear @sonyclassics Now that you've picked up 2 Best Actress contenders (DIARY OF & GRANDMA) can you plz not release both in late December?
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 28, 2015
since we couldn't have EMMA THOMPSON this awards season the universe has provided FRANCES MCDORMAND.
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 26, 2015
And I really got into the "Your Favorite Villain" Meme like so... for those of you who don't have twitter - who are your favorite villains?
Doubles Division #TwitPicYourFaveMovieVillain (What, they’re criminals!) pic.twitter.com/8J11WkbHrt
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 29, 2015
#TwitPicYourFaveMovieVillain Non-Human Female Division pic.twitter.com/nbhUzL1cWS
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 29, 2015
#TwitPicYourFaveMovieVillain Get Thee To a Nunnery Division pic.twitter.com/5WZnInpqr1
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 29, 2015
#TwitPicYourFaveMovieVillain Meryl Streep Division “and Emily...” pic.twitter.com/6f94DftgkS
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 29, 2015
#TwitPicYourFaveMovieVillain Politically Incorrect Evil Queers Division (also known as The HitchCock) pic.twitter.com/uiHldzZAsR
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 29, 2015
#TwitPicYourFaveMovieVillain Politically Incorrect Evil Queers Division, Subtitled Honorary (Antonio, Law of Desire) pic.twitter.com/WzU6yDYYCm
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) January 29, 2015
I had intended to keep going but anytime I begin to think about Antonio Banderas in Law of Desire, I need some alone time to collect myself.
OK. Collect yourself over at The Film Bitch Awards. I know it's always slow going but there's new stuff up.
Reader Comments (32)
I'm sure I'm not the first to say it re: the Max Fisher tweet, that's way more diversity than the typical Wes Anderson movie.
Even though Ronan was lame, I'd probably put Nebula as a semi-finalist as well. The minion is a more eye catching villain than the main aka Colin Ferrell's Bullseye syndrome.
That Max Fisher tweet is such tone-deaf Asian racism. I forgot it was totally cool to mock Asians left and right in America.
This coupled with blaming gay people and people of color for not seeing movies like Pride and Selma and it's basically turned into some kind of right-wing apology-fest for the innate prejudices of our film industry.
The Max Fisher tweet made me laugh.
Antonia was such a babe.
The Fisher tweet was great.
Re: Asian racism. Just, no. I respect your opinion but, no.
@BD: Thanks white person! Be sure to tell others how to feel as well. It is, after all, your place in this world, isn't it.
Oooo Minister Mason vs The Babadook. Tough one.
Oooo Minister Mason vs The Babadook. Tough one.
I'm going to need Tilda Swinton to wear a fascinator shaped like a shoe to some fabulous event. Because a shoe is not a hat...but is it? Can it be? Is a shoe not a hat on Tilda Swinton's head?
1. It'd be a stretch to call Snatcher's end "gluttony." Stupid and tied into his pathology, yes, but it's due to lactose intolerance, not overeating.
2. An arm and relative proportion of your body: 12.5% is probably at least CLOSE to 1 arm's proportion relative to your entire body.
Defending Your Life! Love that movie. It's so dated, but still fun.
I know you're not a fan, but I would think JK Simmons' WHIPLASH chararacter would be mentioned somewhere in Villain of the Year. Also would "David" in THE GUEST count as a villain? Or Scarlett in UNDER THE SKIN? Or Jake in NIGHTCRAWLER? Guess not?
As for your Spice Girl/Best Actress tweet... as I replied to you on twitter, you should give up since you won't ever top that this year. ;)
So, maybe a better word for Snatcher's desire for cheese would be "self-destructive."
"what is happening to this site" - I'm sad that you feel that way but I do reserve the right to bitch about my minority (gays) not supporting fine work directed at them (Pride). i really didn' and don't t think calling out complacency among minority groups would be seen as controversial or racist but i'm surprised every day so...
I think complacency is and will always be dangerous for any minority group. When the system actively works against you you'd best be on your toes.
I'm also confused why that Wes Anderson tweet is supposed to be racist since the joke is about the formation and framing and several people in their costumes facing the camera. It's a joke abotu Wes Anderson's visual style as I percevie it but maybe i'm missing something completely obvious since, I am, you know, white.
Robert Redford was a way better villain than Winter Soldier.
shawshank - I think I'm with you on that! I thought the first appearance of the Winter Soldier was quite effective in that a silent, unstoppable killing force that acted more machine than man was pretty terrifying. But I found the climactic fight scene to be unbearably long and repetitive and, ultimately boring. Redford's villain was more archetypal of the conspiracy thriller genre, and for that reason I kind of dug him. Or at least was more interested in him than the Winter Soldier.
I'm not white and I'm completely baffled as to why Fisher's tweet would be racist. I don't see it at all no matter how I turn that image or phrase.
Thanks for sharing these, Nat. I don't have twitter so peering into little pieces from time to time is really interesting. Tweeting has sort of become a way of thinking.
"I get criticisms of the Academy's disproportionate whiteness and maleness, but what's wrong with the "old" part? Nothing. How it should be."
I take issue with an organization that portends to recognize current cinema being headed by a group divorced from it. How many people would be gone if you had to make a film once every ten years?
RJ and Shawshank - And he was actually a villain, whereas I found Winter Soldier to be more of a victim, given that he was subject to brainwashing and suggested torture.
"I'm sad that you feel that way but I do reserve the right to bitch about my minority (gays) not supporting fine work directed at them (Pride)"
I do think you're not seeing the privilege you do hold here, though... A) you work in the film industry and B) you live in New York. You will for sure know about this film and will have the opportunity to see it.
I know that none of my friends had even heard of this film and then one did, only because he was paying attention to the Golden Globes. Heck, I had only known about that movie because I follow film and sites like this. And on top of that, the film is guaranteed to be shown where you live. When you don't live in an important place it's rare that smaller films will show up. I'm sure it did, but the marketing was so scarce that I doubt anyone even knew what it was really about.
If gay films were actually being made on a bigger scale, they would make money. Minority groups always want to be represented. That's why Tyler Perry movies are so successful, because black people want to see representation of their community in the movies, even if they're bad. But even that proof of black audiences supporting black films doesn't get other black films made. So I don't think it's really fair to blame the minorities. I get that we need to support our films, but what happens when there's a film we have no interest in? We're supposed to spend money on it just because it's gay-themed? And if we don't it's our fault more gay movies aren't made? I don't know... that just doesn't sit well with me. Sorry I'm ranting lol
Philip H -- I am privileged to live in NYC it's true. But i still maintain that if people want things, they need to support them. I think the notion that this is a radical idea probably stems from the internet age wherein everyone has learned to feel entitled to receive all entertainment for free.
anyway. i dont know what else to say about it. i was a bit surprised to get such a negative reaction (since i think most of the readers of this site want the same diversity that I want ) but it has made me think a little about my impulse responses and opposing ideas which is always healthy. I recognize these things are complicated. I just think i got exhausted by all the blaming happening. My personal opinion is that it does few of us any good to be so more concerned with blame and less with solutions. It reminds me of the Witch in Into the woods.
What really matters Is the blame Somebody to blame Fine if that's the thing you enjoy Placing the blame If that's the aim Give me the blame.
What film did you watch!?! Amazing Amy is definitely a villain, no room for interpretation there.
Also, I don't understand the love for the winter soldier at all. I though his villain was super bland. One of the worst parts of the movie actually.
I'm Asian AND white so I guess I'm qualified to say no, just no, to it being racist. :/
Nathaniel - I get you! I agree with needing less blame and more solutions brought to the table. I am moving to LA in a few months so I will be supporting those films trust me. It's just kinda different when you don't live in one of those big places to which all of those films are available. I obviously agree that diverse work that really gives something to minorities should be supported. :)
Yes, I adore your Best Actresses = Spice Girls, too. Very clever.
I can't believe people are caught up on a discussion of make-believe racism (the joke is on the posing and framing of the picture, obviously) when we should all be holding hands and dancing around a bonfire naked because of that Best Actress/Spice Girls tweet!
Yes because someone's ethnic heritage is a "costume". Because the one person of color in WA movies wears a turban and these headdresses (which aren't even turbans) are exactly the same. I love when white people like to shut down the feelings that people of color have. How dare I feel offended. How dare I not enjoy someone taking the mickey out of someone's cultural heritage just for some shitty laughs on a shitty a social media website.
So if Max Fisher tweeted "Looks like the set of the new Tyler Perry movie" if Obama was meeting the cast of Selma - that would be all in good fun? That wouldn't be racist? Or is it only racist because we're more sensitive to African-American struggles and flat out ignore anything dealing with Asians. It's baffling.
It's a racist tweet. It will remain a racist tweet and I don't need a bunch of white people trying to explain to me why I'm wrong because YOU DON'T GET IT and YOU NEVER WILL.
"what is happening" - i know it won't help you to know that I consider ALL non-daily wear formal garb to be "costumes" - just like Olympians showing up in cowboy gear since it signifies AMERICAN. I think this is a matter of "choose your battles". There's no harm in laughing about a director's very recognizable framing techniques.
but i agree with you that people are weird about ignoring racism that doesn't involve african american struggles. particularly Asians. And in Hollywood (if not America in general) they have it so much worse.
Carmen I love this image. I will lead the dance.
anonny i guess I just didn't want to include villains as protagonists -- and I think amazing amy is more a metaphor/series of poses than a character? i dunno -- because I'm noticing I also left off Lou Bloom.
Arkaan I think the point is that they're supposed to be well established and have made considerable contributions to the cinema. The Academy doesn't always work this way of courese but it does seem silly when someone of questionable talent gets to vote on "best" of the year after one lucky nomination. And i do think its' a little weird that children who get nominated end up voting.
I'm an Asian, and I see nothing racist about that Max Fisher tweet. And yes, Wes Anderson is a very white filmmaker, but that's part of what makes it funny.
What is the movie with the villainous nun? Those shots are creeptastic.
princesskaraoke -- the two nuns are from BLACK NARCISSUS (awesome movie from the 40s) and THE DEVILS (ken russell movie from the 70s)
The Best Actress/Spice Girls tweet is unbelievably genius. Balls should be thrown in its honor. It should bring about world peace and receive an Honorary Oscar.
But in re: Pride and minorities seeing films made by/for/about them - they can't see them if they don't know they exist and/or aren't made available to them. Back in the day ("the day" being the 90s), a film like Pride would have had a genuine slow-build platform release - open on a few screens in big cities then slowly expand to the entire country as word of mouth builds and travels. But today, studios keep trying that kind of platform release for indie films with crossover potential, but it just doesn't work. With a public of such fractured interests and focus on the NOW, that distribution model is out of date. You pretty much have to open (relatively) wide or people won't see your movie unless you get nominated for all the Oscars (which is a long shot), and even then, it's not a guarantee. Just ask Whiplash, which has yet to break $10 million and hasn't played on much more than 550 screens. But more importantly than where these films play and when, they have to be marketed. In CT, where I used to live, Pride barely played (indeed, its widest release was 124 theaters - that's an average of two screens per state), and even in NYC I didn't see a whole lot of ads for it. I only knew about it because of this site, and when I started raving about it after seeing it (and I had to constantly check to see if/when it was playing in CT), I got a whole lot of "What's that?" questions. By the time I had convinced people to see it, its local run was over and everyone had to wait for it to come out on Netflix or VOD. Yes, minority groups should support films like Pride, but people can't see a film if it isn't playing near them, much less if they don't know it exists.
what is happening - this is super interesting! I would love it if you would submit something maybe a bit more longform to this website about how our reactions to pop culture are framed through lenses that while purporting to ignore race are inherently racist. I bet you could come up with a lot of great examples and it would be run to read.
No wait, I'm kidding. You sound unpleasant.