News: Bruce Willis has retired from acting

Bruce’s daughter Rumer Willis announced via a post on Instagram today that Bruce Willis will be stepping away from acting due to some health issues including aphasia which have caused a decline in his cognitive ability. What a tough road to have to walk for everyone in that family. I hope they find strength in one another and that Bruce Willis & everyone in his family has a solid support system in place. The full instagram post is below.

To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.

As Bruce always says, “Live it up” and together we plan to do just that.

Love,

Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel & Evelyn

News: Will Smith has apologized publicly to Chris Rock for slapping the shit out of him on live television

If you missed it, I’m not sure what to tell you. All I know is I was about to forget to watch the whole thing when I was like, “OMG the Oscars are today. Crap, I didn’t watch the beginning. Didn’t even post about it. I’m slipping.” And without anything else to watch or do last night, I threw together a post with a link to the list of winners & switched on the show. Shortly thereafter Chris Rock made a lame joke about Jada Pinket Pinkett Smith’s hair. She’s sporting a buzz cut these days in part because she suffers from alopecia and wants to be more natural with her look. Good for her, right? I thought so too but then last night Chris Rock came for her hair and to top it off, he did it with a lame joke. It felt unnecessary, especially since JPS has been pretty vocal about how insecure the change in her appearance has made her feel at times. Unfortunately, Will Smith’s unhinged reaction via the slap heard ‘round the world was also completely unnecessary.

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock In The Face On Oscars Stage After Jab At Wife Jada Pinkett’s Appearance - deadline.com

Last night, when I ran to social media to see what people were saying about the infamous Oscar slap, I read something that fully encapsulated how I felt about what I’d just seen transpire on my TV.

Michael Harriott @michaelharriot

Will Smith & Chris Rock just explained my position on micro aggressions, white people saying the n-word and the entire concept of free speech.

Everyone should have the absolute right to say whatever they want.

But you can’t then restrict people’s reactions to what you said.

That’s it exactly. I’ve said something similar since I can remember:

You can say whatever the fuck you want, whenever you want just be prepared to take a punch for it because you never know who you’re talking to or what kind of day they’ve been having.

I say this with confidence because I’ve totally been slapped and/or suffered other immediate and sever consequences for saying something that angered another person in the room. I’ve paid for what I have said (and written) with slaps, fights, firings, detentions, etc..

Learning how to control our reactions is probably one of the most important lessons in this life. And it’s pretty humbling to see that no matter who we are, we all trip up as we try to sort it all out. I hope we can all agree however that it is not ever OK to run up on anyone and physically assault someone. I’m glad Will Smith has apologized directly to Chris Rock. And I’m glad Rock showed such poise post slap.

Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Oscars Slap: ‘I Was Out of Line and I Was Wrong’ - variety.com

News: The Academy said 😬 and has now invited ‘West Side Story’ star Rachel Zegler to be a presenter on the big day

This weekend a whole lotta folks learned on social media that Rachel Zegler hadn’t been invited to the Oscars. The actress said on Instagram: “I hope some last minute miracle occurs and I can celebrate our film in person but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes, I guess.”


In case her name doesn’t ring any bells for you, she plays Maria in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, the same movie that’s up for seven Oscars including Best Picture. Not giving her a ticket to the Academy Awards feels like a cold move, doesn’t it? Here’s a little perspective via pbs.com:

Best picture nominees are allotted a certain number of tickets by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which the film’s studio then dolls out as they see fit. Presenters and individual nominees get a pair of tickets. And other spots in the room go to the broadcaster, sponsors and academy members, who can enter a lottery.

Zegler is not nominated, but to only make things more vexing, her next big role is as Snow White, which she is currently filming in London. Some wondered why The Walt Disney Co., which owns Oscars broadcaster ABC, wouldn’t want their new Snow White there in some capacity, like presenting or performing. Others saw it as a missed opportunity to have a rising young Latina star represented at the show. 

Vexing indeed.

Well, it looks like us internet dwellers weren’t the only ones who were vexed. Zegler originally posted about the snub on Instagram this past weekend. I read about it on Twitter on Monday and like I said earlier, I wasn’t the only one. The buzz about the West Side Story Ticket Snub Situation eventually reached the Academy and Zegler has now officially been invited to present. Via hollywoodreporter.com:

The 20-year-old Latina actress is currently in London shooting Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White. THR hears that efforts are being undertaken to rearrange the film’s shooting schedule to enable Zegler to be at the Oscars.

  • Zegler & the internet - 1

  • The person who opted out of giving Zegler her well-deserved ticket to the Oscars this year - 0

News: Zoë Kravitz clarifies that she never tried to audition for Catwoman in 2012 & she wasn’t trying to call anyone, especially Christopher Nolan, racist by sharing her casting anecdote

Recently, when Zoë Kravitz spoke candidly with The Guardian, she shared an anecdote about casting and The Dark Knight Rises.

In 2012, Kravitz attempted to audition for the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises, but was told she was too “urban” for the role. “I don’t know if it came directly from Chris Nolan,” she says, anxious not to impugn the reputation of an award-winning director. “I think it was probably a casting director of some kind, or a casting director’s assistant… Being a woman of colour and being an actor and being told at that time that I wasn’t able to read because of the colour of my skin, and the word urban being thrown around like that, that was what was really hard about that moment.”

As you can imagine, being this kind of honest and direct about such a touchy subject likely ruffled some feathers because Kravitz took to her Instagram yesterday (March 8) to post some clarification about the above anecdote. She noted that she had not attempted to audition for Catwoman back in 2012, but rather a much smaller role. She added,

“I did not mention this to point any fingers or make anyone seem racist, namely Chris Nolan, the film’s producers or anyone on the casting team because I truly do not believe anyone meant any harm. I was simply giving an example of what it was like to be a woman of color in this industry at that time.”

And I get it. I too am pretty blunt and that character trait tends to get me into precarious situations regularly. However, the truth is still the truth even when it’s not wrapped in bubble wrap with 47 disclaimers and delivered with a bouquet of euphemisms. Someone out there who worked on The Dark Knight Rises told Kravitz (or her team) that they weren’t going in an urban direction for the—very small, definitely not Catwoman—role she wanted to audition for. Kravitz is no fool and like most of us is well aware what “urban” is code for. And while she didn’t outright call anyone racist, she did acknowledge the racism that outlined that entire experience.

You know, this whole thing reminded me of an Anne Lamott quote I’ve heard/read a lot lately.

“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.”

That’s true even if you’re not writing your stories down. And if you’re curious about how to behave better so you don’t become the bad guy even when you didn’t mean any harm, you’re going to want to start with a heaping dose of unlearning. Trust me.

News: Somebody didn’t let Zoë Kravitz read for a part in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ because she’s black

Stings when you read it in plain language, doesn’t it? Imagine how it must have felt to have been told, “Sorry, you’re not even being given the opportunity to be considered for this part because “we’re not going in an urban direction.”” And let’s not pretend even for a second that we don’t all know what “urban” is code for. Yikes.

Zoë Kravitz never mentioned what part she was trying to audition for at the time and I don’t really think it matters. OK maybe it matters a little, at least to me. Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely hated what Anne Hathaway did with Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. Normally I like her work, but she never fully settled into the role of Selina Kyle. Something about Hathaway’s portrayal was too stiff and contrived for me. Zoë Kravitz on the other hand, everything about her general demeanor fits the role like a perfectly tailored suit. And, according to every early review of The Batman that I’ve read thus far, she nailed it.

Typing up today’s news post reminded me of the moment I read that Zoë Kravitz would be playing Catwoman in The Batman. I specifically remember thinking to myself, “She should have been Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. Damn, that’s excellent casting!” I’d fully intended on going to see for myself this weekend, but I got the opportunity to enjoy complete silence in my house for the first time since I moved in and seized it. No regrets but avoiding spoilers has been crazy all weekend and it’s only getting worse. Better get to my theater sooner rather than later.

Zoë Kravitz Opens Up on Losing ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Audition Because of Her Skin Color - variety.com

News: Movie people are pissed that the Academy cut 8 categories from the live telecast

It probably doesn’t help that the categories are:

  • Original Score

  • Makeup and Hairstyling

  • Documentary Short

  • Film Editing

  • Production Design

  • Animated Short

  • Live Action Short

  • Sound

These are major categories which just makes the whole thing come across as insulting. With that said, I kind of get it. That show is looong. And besides, it’s not like the winners will be erased from history. They’ll still be honored, just not on live television.

Look, I’m a movie person in that I love movies and every little aspect of the movie-making process excites me. However, that’s probably not the case with the casual moviegoer. Are they as invested in production design and film editing as a nerd like me? Probably not. Was the live telecast created for the masses and not just the movie insiders (and nerds) among us? Yup. Was the Academy going to eventually make these cuts for time which they’ve been trying to implement since 2019? Looks like they just did.

So yes, I get that this is rude af to the nominees and their industries. And I couldn’t agree more with the “notable producer” who was quoted anonymously in this particular article.

“It sends a strong message about prioritizing of branches and specific filmmakers within the Academy,” one notable producer said, also speaking anonymously because of fear of professional consequences. “I think there would be other ways where the Academy could still present these awards live and quicken the pace of the show overall. This specific choice feels a bit lacking in creativity.”

Ultimately though, the live telecast is a show and if anyone can understand why the Academy would have to make such brutal cuts, it would be the entertainment industry insiders they’re celebrating.

A Tense Zoom Call. Then Shock and Anger as Industry Reacts to Oscar Category Cuts - variety.com

News: ‘The Color Purple’ is coming back to the big screen

I didn’t even know they were remaking The Color Purple. Had I known, I’d have been upset. I love the 1985 film version. It’s one of those movies that I’ll watch all the way through no matter where it is when I stumble across it on TV. However, this new version will be based on the 2005 musical. The musical and the 1985 version (directed by Steven Spielberg) are both based on the book by Alice Walker.

Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg will be producing the remake. And I’m particularly interested to see what Blitz Bazawule’s (Director) perspective will lend to Celie’s story. For now, the casting alone looks outstanding.

The Color Purple: An Updated Cast List For The Remake - cinemablend.com

News: The 2022 Academy Award nominations have been announced

And yes, Kristen Stewart was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Spencer. Can you imagine what the commentary will be like if she actually takes home the award? Look at me all excited and I haven’t even seen the damn movie. As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen a single one of the movies that have been nominated, despite many of them currently sitting on my watchlist. I’ve really been slacking lately. Well, maybe slacking isn’t the right word because I’ve been busy as hell. Life comes at you fast sometimes and I just got out of hyperspeed. Now feels like the perfect time to make my way back to the movies.

News: Because of colorism in Hollywood, John Leguizamo stayed pasty to maximize odds of landing next role

Colorism is one of the infinite manifestations of racism that feels universal. When I was a kid (I’m Mexican), I clearly remember being told to stay out of the sun so I wouldn’t get “too dark.” I distinctly remember my mother standing in a harshly lit dressing room with me, telling me not to get the clothes I was trying on because purple and coral made me look so much darker. I remember elders telling me not to part my long, dark hair down the middle because it made me look too Native. I was super young so I didn’t really understand where this was coming from but I knew it felt weird to hear it. As I grew up, I figured it out and bought my purple and coral clothing, lingered in the sun whenever I felt like it and parted my hair however I wanted. SPOILER: It felt wrong because it was racist. And now that I know that, I point it out whenever I can.

It’s messed up John Leguizamo felt obligated to stay out of the sun for years in order to maximize his chances at landing his next role. However, it’s great to see that he’s talking about it now in an effort to change things. It’s especially nice to read that he was saying this in a conversation with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Leguizamo also reacted to last year’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which looked at the 1,300 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2019 and found that only 7% of films from 2019 featured a lead/co-lead Hispanic/Latino actor.

“Not only are we invisible, but when we are seen, it’s a negative portrayal,” Leguizamo said. “Things are improving. I think COVID made us really look at ourselves in America. Black Lives Matter was a huge awakening for America, a reboot for America to look at themselves and see what’s going on. I think everybody’s trying to do the right thing and hire many more people of color. What I want to see, I want to see 20% of the roles in front of the camera and the crew. I’m not asking for extra. I just want what’s due to us.”

Leguizamo was speaking to the Academy as part of the organization’s “Seen” interview series. The actor revealed that he is going to run for Governor of the Academy in order to better enforce change in the industry.

“You have to step up and make a change and change it from within,” Leguizamo said. “I feel like if you’ve achieved a certain amount of success, it’s your duty to give back.”

John Leguizamo Says He Avoided the Sun ‘For Years’ to Stay Light-Skinned for Hollywood Roles - variety.com