Review: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Eric here with a take on the new Tina Fey film Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, an adaptation of journalist Kim Barker’s memoir of her three years as a war reporter in Afghanistan. 

It’s hard to watch WTF and not think of the film’s clear antecedent, Barry Levinson’s Good Morning, Vietnam with Robin Williams:  both films are custom-tailored star vehicles that take a Western audience into a foreign culture, finding a tone between the comedy we expect from the leads, and light drama that allows them to expand their personas a bit...  

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Links: Nina, Natalie, Sebastian, and Shang-Chi

THR profiles the last living silent star: Baby Peggy who is now 97 years old and at peace with the lost fortune her parents spent
The Cut talks to the immortal Bernadette Peters about her diet and exercize regimen. Takeaway: never aging in the past 30+ years is strictly regimented work!
Decider Today in TV History looks back at that great Natalie Portman episode of SNL  

AV Club Steven Spielberg's career in 30 iconic shots
Angry Asian Man the nonsense Asian actors have to deal with for bit parts 
MNPP The Sebastian Stan Strut 
THR Have you been keeping up with this Nina biopic drama? The Nina Simone estate is NOT having it with the new biopic starring Zoe Saldana (opening in April). But Simone's daughter feels bad for the backlash against Zaldana 
Variety R2-D2's model builder Tony Dyson dies at 68 years of age 
i09 More diversity blunders/handwringing: Marvel is adding an Asian character to Iron Fist but Iron Fist himself they still cast with a white actor (Finn Jones) despite everything about his history screaming to correct the character (the 1960s were a lot different people. You don't have to adhere to fear of creating ethnic heroes now! 

Gayness
The Advocate Caitlyn Jenner continues to reveal that she's one dense trans woman and hasn't absorbed all the wisdom the LGBT community has been trying to give her. She's supporting virulently anti-gay Ted Cruz for president
Towleroad Mark Hamill "Of course Luke Skywalker might be gay". Oh my. Despite being a big 'mo I have to say that I am entirely unamused by this retroactive teasing that's becoming popular from storytellers -- like JK Rowling's thing with Dumbledore. If storytellers are going to have a gay character just have a gay character. Stop being so coy and don't try and take credit for having gay characters when you don't actually have them.
Playbill Luke Evans tweets out a picture from a recording session of Disney's upcoming live action Beauty and the Beast (2017) - a 93 piece orchestra! (the movie's getting three new songs) 

13 Tweets: Hooper Aesthetic, Laszlo's Carry-On, Tilly's Soul, More...

A tweet roundup while Nathaniel recharges post all that... Here is a collection for your amusement related to The Danish Girl, the GOP Debates, All About Eve, Leonardo DiCaprio and more... 

this shot from THE DANISH GIRL makes me so upset. imagine your directorial aesthetic being "discomfitting eyesore" pic.twitter.com/FGsUIkK4ey

— Sales On Film (@salesonfilm) March 2, 2016

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YNMS: Ghostbusters

As promised weeks ago, the trailer for the female-led Ghostbusters arrived yesterday.! Twitter immediately erupted with a wide range of responses from unbridled enthusiasm to outright disdain. Of course there were plenty of "problematic" call-outs, which can be expected like clockwork these days to almost any property seeking broad appeal.

One of the more delightful elements of the trailer is its instant gif-ability. As if we didn't already get new comedy gold from star Kate McKinnon this past weekend at the Indie Spirit Awards - including the delightful Carol spoof - she emerged as the clear audience favorite already. How many times did everyone see this flawless moment today?:

Speaking of best shots, don't forget Hit Me With Your Best Shot returns next week with the original Ghostbusters! You can stream it now for free on Amazon Prime and it's also available on iTunes and Netflix rental. Make sure to send us a link so that we can include you in the fun!

We'll break down the  Yes No Maybe So of it all, with the trailer after the jump...

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That's a Wrap on the 88th. Post Index

We did it y'all. We made it through another film year. And with this we close the book on 2015 and join the now of 2016 already in progress. Here's the complete Oscar coverage in case you missed anything...

• Arrivals Live Blog The Red Carpet (Nathaniel)
• Oscar Night Live Blog the 88th Academy Awards (Nathaniel)
• Shockeroos. The Big Surprises at the 88th (Chris)
• Chris Rock's Hosting. The White Elephant in the Room (Kieran)
• The Mad Six. Five Big Non-Best Picture Winning Films Including Fury Road (Glenn)
• Biggest Losers. And Classics That Shared Their Fate (David)
• Kohl's Commercials. What Oscar Speech Would You Lipsynch To? (Chris)
• Great Photos From the Big Night: Todd & Muses, Brie & Man, Etcetera (Nathaniel)
• Those Sound Montages. Well done, Producers (Daniel)
• Musical Performances Review: The Weeknd, Gaga, Smith (Denny)
• Neglected Song Nominees. We Make Times for Them (Chris)
• How Jenny Beavan Won the Oscars. Rock on Costume Queen (Tim)
• In Praise of Ex-Machina's Win. Visual Effects Goes Supporting! (Manuel)
• Doll Sets. Every Lead & Supporting Actress Gown This Decade (Nathaniel)
• The New Actor Hierarchy. Leo Joins the Top Twenty-Five (Nathaniel)
• Oscar Ratings. Eight Year Low (Laurence)
• Sexual Assault Survivors. Oscar's Unexpected Theme (Deborah)
• Fashion Review. Top Ten Best Dressed (Jose)
• Nerdy Oscar Trivia Pt 1 Acting/Directing (Nathaniel)
• Nerdy Oscar Trivia Pt 2 Below the Line Wonders (Nathaniel)
• What's Next For Our Oscar Winners? Brie, Alicia, Mark, and Leo Act On! (Josh)

We neglected to write about the Girl Scout Cookies, so here is a bundle for you to enjoy. To redeem your bundle visit The Film Experience daily in 2016, share it frequently on all social media platforms, become a monthly subscriber, comment on every post. Etcetera Do these bundles come in all Thin Mints sets because that's the best cookie. No arguments to the contrary will be heard.

Finally...
Now that Oscar is behind us, a gentle reminder that we passed out our own annual medals, too. Check out Nathaniel's gold silver and bronze medals in 40+ categories  if you missed it during the mad gold rush.

On to 2016!