We love Filmmaker IQ and their video crash courses on the history of film. In the past we’re posted about their lesson on aspect ratios. This time around, they’ve prepared a history of movie trailers. You can either follow along in the video (embedded above) or read the article for roughly the same content. Trailers […]
Continue readingMonthly Archives: March 2014
Are DVD pirates curating culture?
The film industry has waged an uphill war against piracy for many, many years. Even in parts of the world with sub-par Internet access, physical piracy and reproduction of DVDs continue to dog Hollywood’s bottom line. But the continued spread of piracy in developing countries has an unusual cultural effect as well: bootleggers are becoming […]
Continue readingMoviegoers still give critical reviews a thumbs-up
Social media word-of-mouth isn’t much of a punchline anymore. Positive reaction from friends is a strong factor in people’s media choices, and with no one to fill the critical void left by Roger Ebert’s death last year, some in the blogosphere have speculated that social media is replacing film critics as the go-to source for […]
Continue readingRIP James Rebhorn, “that guy”
We’ve had to eulogize legendary directors and filmmakers all-too-frequently this year, but this time, we want to turn attention to a famous and well-loved actor who you might not even recognize by name. James Rebhorn, who died last week at age 65, is the ultimate “that guy,” an recognizable actor who appeared in seemingly everything […]
Continue reading“Transportation coordinator”? How film industry changes affect local businesses
The film industry is very expensive. Big movie budgets often run above $200 million, and even smaller films like Nebraska can cost about $10 million. Where does that all go? Once you remove all the big expenses like actors, special effects, advertising, and various studio fees, much of that budget goes to the crew and […]
Continue readingNew Acquisitions – March 2014
Welcome back from spring break! Since you’ve been gone, we’ve been very busy. The AU Library is now home to many of the year’s biggest award nominees, including Captain Phillips, Blue is the Warmest Color, 12 Years a Slave, Lee Daniel’s The Butler, Prisoners, and Gravity. And if you’re feeling something lighter, we now also […]
Continue readingAlternative programming: the NCAA’s equity problem
As you may have heard, American University’s men’s basketball team beat Boston University yesterday, winning their first Patriot League title in five years and earning a coveted spot in the March Madness tournament bracket. Go Eagles! This is crazy exciting for AU, but let’s step back for a minute. March Madness has become a formidable […]
Continue readingSXSW continues to promote original voices in film
South by Southwest , a cultural festival held every March in Austin, may have grabbed headlines this year for its keynote speech from whistleblower Edward Snowden. But SXSW is much more than a soapbox. Each year, the SXSW Film Festival hosts upcoming independent talent, debuting feature films and documentaries from newcomers in the industry. Not […]
Continue reading12 Years a Slave now available
A quick FYI: newly minted Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave is now available in Media Serviecs in the AU Library. The DVD for this film was just released yesterday, and given its current critical acclaim, we’ve made a point of getting this item onto the shelf as quickly as possible. It is available […]
Continue readingThe film event of the year: We update our Best Pictures Pinterest!
Tonight, nine films will battle for the ultimate honor in cinema: a place on our Best Picture Winners Pinterest board.* This esteemed list contains 83 of the greatest films of all time, as voted on each year by the film community. From modern successes like No Country for Old Men to classics like Gone of […]
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