MEDIA

An AI Version Of Val Kilmer Is Cast In A New Movie

First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled As Deep as the Grave. The producers said that, before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to because of his health. - CBC

On The Popularity Of “Heated Rivalry” In Russia

“On Kinopoisk, Russia’s largest film-and-TV database and ratings site, it sits at 8.3/10 with more than 60,000 ratings. … As a scholar of Russian culture and someone who grew up there, I keep wondering why Heated Rivalry hits with such force in Russia.” - Los Angeles Review of Books

BBC World Service Gets Funding Lifeline From UK Foreign Office

“Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, has agreed an additional £11m a year for the next three years on the government’s grant to the service … after ministers concluded it was needed to counter the rise of global disinformation.” - The Guardian

Gen Z Is Returning To The Movie Theatre

Gen Z is buying up a higher percentage of movie tickets, rising from 34% of the overall box office in 2019 to 39% last year. - The Star-Tribune

The Weathermen Who Have Left Broadcast TV For Streaming

“From New Jersey to California to Louisiana, weather journalists are leaving traditional TV newsrooms to form all-digital platforms. … The Digital Weather Network, … which started in 2022, now has nineteen members, … working from well-equipped studios or from their homes,” with dozens more interested in joining. - Columbia Journalism Review

UK Culture Secretary Promises To Give BBC Something It’s Never Had: A Permanent Charter

For its entire history, Britain’s public broadcaster has had to have its charter renewed by Parliament every ten years; in effect, the BBC must renegotiate its existence every decade. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has promised “to future-proof this vital institution … (against) the ongoing, exhausting culture wars.” - The Guardian

The Case Against Streaming

It is not simply that Netflix and co are killing cinema – although, yes, that is a thing that is objectively bad. It is that the advent of streaming has made watching a movie in your own home more costly, more restricted and often incredibly annoying. - The Guardian

Arkansas Public Television “Pauses” Its Plan To End PBS Affiliation

Following negative feedback from the public and a drop in donations to the state network, the Arkansas TV Commission voted 4-1 to hold off, for 180 days past the July 1 effective date, the plan adopted in December to end ties with PBS. - Arkansas Advocate

“War Of The Worlds” Named Worst Picture At 2026 Razzie Awards

The sci-fi film starring Ice Cube dominated the 46th Golden Raspberry Awards, also winning Worst Actor, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel. Among other honorees were the seven CGI dwarves in Snow White, who took both Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Screen Combo. - The Hollywood Reporter

BuzzFeed Reports “Substantial Doubt” That It Can Stay In Business

In an earnings report released last week, the company (which also owns the news site HuffPost and the food site Tasty) said that it does not have enough resources to cover its cash obligations for the next year and has had “strategic conversations” about its future. - CNN

For The First Time In Oscars History, A Woman Wins For Cinematography

“The filmmaker, who also worked with Coogler on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, also asked that all the women in the theater stand up during her speech, thanking them for their support and honoring all the other female trailblazers.” - USA Today

Javier Bardem, Announcing The Best International Oscar, Gets Political

Bardem “started his time at the poduium by saying ‘No to war and free Palestine,’ which earned a big round of applause from the audience at the show.” - Variety

How A New York Times Critic Finally Fell For Michael B. Jordan’s Acting

“Fights about Jordan’s acting have lit up chat rooms and nearly destroyed barbershops. Is he good? We’re just. Not. Sure.” - The New York Times

As Was Obvious As Soon As The Casting Director Win Happened, One Battle After Another Won Quite A Few Awards

That includes supporting actor, adapted screenplay, director, and the big one, best movie. Ryan Coogler won for best original screenplay, and Michael B. Jordan won for best actor, for Sinners. - The Guardian (UK)

Live Updates From The Oscars

Follow at the L.A. Times, Variety, New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Guardian. - Los Angeles Times

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