Made in Hollywood

"Chicago was a successful commercial adaptation, a quintessential Duke Rosenberg-style film spree that was, in essence, a different kind of popcorn from the likes of Independence Day and Brave Island. There is no difference between the films, it is just a common and mediocre commercial film under the guise of singing and dancing. There is very little artistic content in it. Except for the gorgeous visual impact and the humor that makes people laugh, the praiseworthy point is extremely limited. After all, this is an art and A pseudo-song and dance film that is extremely lacking in traditional song and dance elements!"

-- Roger Albert, "Chicago Sun."

Before Christmas, there were a lot of articles criticizing "Chicago" in the media, and the film critics rushed to the forefront, and there were not a few remarks like Roger Albert. They used all the words and tried their best to make the film commercial. push.

Just as Harvey Weinstein said, two super-high box-office films "Forrest Gump" and "Saving Private Ryan" became Oscar winners one after another, which inevitably touched the sensitive nerves of the academy's conservatives. In their inherent thinking, popularization must be vulgar, and films with too much commercial elements will definitely not please them, especially under the premise of the previous two sessions as a foreshadowing.

The current Harvey Weinstein is not the Harvey Weinstein of the future, but he has also grasped the mentality of the conservatives who dominate the academy.

This is only one aspect, on the other hand, Harvey Weinstein is targeting Tom Cruise, like ' Cruise's performance is as bad as it is,' 'His singing and dancing are as ridiculous as a duck', etc. The media comments are endless.

Bad actors will directly affect the entire performance of the film during the awards season. In the other two heroines who are not famous enough, Duke is more than Tom Cruise, except for the fact that there is no pain to catch. good choice?

Moreover, in the eyes of those old men, Tom Cruise, the representative of the actor of the "Smelly Smells", has always been synonymous with no acting skills and relying on his face to eat. Who do not black him?

Moreover, Tom Cruise can be criticized too much.

Probably learned from Duke's experience in making Cruise a black man a few years ago. In this sensitive period related to the entire awards season, many gossip newspapers once again talked about Tom Cruise's beliefs, although beliefs are here. In the land of freedom, the film cannot be the main reason for attacking people, but the primary premise of Oscar is that the political and value orientations are correct. The set advocated by Scientology is really difficult to be recognized by the mainstream society.

Many tabloids also dragged in Nicole Kidman, accusing Tom Cruise of having problems with his family. He and Nicole Kidman were a fake marriage. Cruise divorced his ex-wife Rogers, Marrying Nicole Kidman was completely manipulated by Scientology. He's not an independent Hollywood star at all, just a propaganda puppet for Scientology.

The academy has more than 6,000 members, half or more of them, who don't go to the movies at all before voting, even if it's just a clip of it. To win the favor of these people and win the votes in their hands, it often takes a lot of effort, and to arouse their disgust, only one annoying reason is enough.

Because I hate an actor. And there are countless examples of hating a movie.

Even more exaggerated, there are tabloids questioning Tom Cruise's sexual orientation. Now is not the future, even Jodie Foster, who has never lacked courage, dares not open up about her sexual orientation. Gay actors are taboos at the Oscars.

The Oscar competition in the past has also been fierce enough, but the smearing of opponents is often enough. Everything seems to have changed since the last Oscars.

Mel Gibson has changed from an Oscar favorite to a frustrated person who no one cares about today, so many people have seen a good way to win awards - to get rid of competitors!

Harvey Weinstein, the Oscar speculator, is naturally one of the best.

Unfavorable remarks about "Chicago" are circulating everywhere. Of course, Warner Bros. and Duke Studio are not idle. While the other side is attacking, they are also constantly fighting back.

Many judges won't watch related movies, and even if they do a lot of work, they can still vote with their feet, so some media questioned that "The British Patient" has a tendency to sympathize with the Nazis.

It doesn't matter if it's true or not, what matters is that it can affect some people's choices.

At the same time, many reports of the shooter also hinted vaguely that this is a movie about Europeans, that Anthony Minghella is also gay, etc...

In short, Miramax is smearing "Chicago", Duke Studios and Warner Bros. are attacking "The English Patient", and neither side has less means than the other.

As if to get a hint, in the following days, the media supporting "The English Patient" have been criticizing Duke for making "Chicago" too commercial and losing the essence of a musical.

As if to set off the media bashing, "Chicago" easily surpassed $100 million at the North American box office, reaching a cumulative $111.05 million after its fifth weekend of release before Christmas!

In terms of box office trends alone, "Chicago" looks like a pure commercial film.

Christmas is coming, Duke didn't go to New York, and his mother is coming here to attend the reception party jointly held by George Lucas and Lucasfilm. This year's Christmas will be spent in Malibu. Unlike previous years, together Two more people spent Christmas Eve.

The first is Catherine Zeta Jones. Although he has always asked Panny Callis to actively plan to end the relationship between the two, but the other party doesn't take the initiative to go out, Duke can't drive her out on Christmas Eve.

There is also Erin Lauder who came here from New York to attend the Lucas dinner. She came to Los Angeles not only to accept the personal invitation of George Lucas, but also to represent the entire Estee Lauder. These cosmetics and luxury goods companies have always been with Hollywood. They are closely related, and the entertainment industry is also their high-end consumer market.

"So you're going to sponsor this year's Oscars?"

While slicing the roast turkey, Duke asked Erin Lauder, who was sitting next to his mother, "Have we talked about it?"

"I came to Los Angeles this time, not only to attend Mr. Lucas's banquet, but also to handle these jobs."

Erin Lauder shrugged gracefully and said, "Actually, it's been negotiated today. After the Christmas holidays, I will officially sign a contract with the Film Academy on behalf of Estee Lauder."

Duke handed over the plate of turkey meat, waited for her to take it, and said, "Will your products be in the Oscar spree?"

"The turkey tastes great."

This kind of food has always been a taboo for women on a diet. Erin Lauder just tasted it, put it aside, and answered Duke's words, "The latest Lauder skin care kit."

She smiled playfully at Duke, "Of course you can't use it, what about last year's?"

"I didn't see last year's Oscar spree." Duke handed Zeta Jones the turkey plate again, and continued, "I gave it to Tina when I got it."

The Oscars will provide a gift package for the nominees and invited guests to attend the awards ceremony. The gift package is usually from sponsors of various brands. Items ranging from cosmetics to men's underwear to hotel coupons are often found, and the gift package also depends on each person's identity. Status, and nominations received, vary, with values ​​ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

For people of Duke's level, these packages are usually given to assistants or friends around them.

In recent years, the rumors about the Oscar gift package can also reflect how crazy this country, which was founded because of tax resistance, is insane in terms of tax collection. It is rumored that the IRS has been eyeing the Oscar gift package and will tax the recipient!

"Duke..."

Mrs. Leah put down her knife and fork at this time and said, "When I came from New York, the president of Victoria's Secret asked me to invite you to participate in the annual show of Victoria's Secret next year. Also, the general meeting of shareholders is about to be held, if you do not attend , it's better to find an agent."

"I see, Mom." Duke nodded.

With his current status in the film industry, as long as he sits in the Victoria's Secret show, even if he doesn't say anything or do nothing, he can raise the style of the show.

"Hey, dear, are you a shareholder of Victoria's Secret?" Erin Lauder deliberately winked at him, "There must be many men who envy you."

"What's there to envy?"

Hearing Duke's words, Irene Lauder raised an eyebrow at him. Duke could read the expression, and the other party was clearly saying that I understand you.

Sitting silently at the dining table, Catherine Zeta Jones found that she was an outsider at all. She couldn't intervene in their topics. Can't get in touch.

For example, the upper class circles in New York that Duke and Erin Lauder talked about, the investments that Mrs. Leah occasionally mentioned, etc., have nothing to do with Hollywood at all.

This stems from differences in origin, status, wealth and ethnicity. Zeta Jones is not a naive little girl. This country claims to be a paradise of freedom and equality. In fact, the gap between classes is very obvious.

She and they are people who live in two worlds after all.

I don't know why, but Catherine Zeta Jones suddenly became enlightened. In fact, when people stand tall sometimes, they naturally see more things.

This small banquet didn't end until very late. Duke found a driver and took Erin Lauder back to the hotel.

"Can you see the new members of Star Wars tomorrow?"

Walking out of the eye-shaped villa, Irene Lauder asked Duke who sent her out. Although he was more mature and shrewd than before, his love for movies had not completely disappeared, "The last time you mentioned that it was Anakin Skywalker and Padmé? Amidala's story? Can I see their new cast?"

"It is said that they will be present."

After two quick steps, Duke helped her open the car door, "Tomorrow I'll go pick you up with my mother. Also, you may be disappointed, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala are still two little farts. Child." (To be continued~^~)