Vol 2 Chapter 249: Attack

""Chicago" is a successful commercial adaptation, a typical Duke Rosenberg format movie carnival feast. In essence, it is the same as popcorn like "Independence Day" and "Death Island". There is no difference in the film. It is just a popular and mediocre commercial film that is concealed under the garb of singing and dancing. It contains very little artistic content. In addition to the gorgeous visual impact and the humor of the bloggers, the commendable place is extremely limited. It is ultimately an art and Pseudo-songs and dances that lack traditional song and dance elements!"
Roger Albert of the Chicago Sun.
On Christmas Eve, a large number of articles criticizing "Chicago" appeared in the media, and film critics rushed to the forefront. There were many remarks like Roger Albert. They exhausted all their rhetoric and desperately turned the film into a commercial direction. Push.
Just like Harvey Weinstein said, the two high-grossing films "Forrest Gump" and "Saving Private Ryan" have become Oscar winners one after another, which will inevitably touch the sensitive nerves of the conservatives in the college. In the inherent thinking, popularization is bound to be vulgar, and movies with too strong commercial elements are bound to be unpopular with them, especially with the premise of setting the stage for the first two sessions.
The current Harvey Weinstein is not the future Harvey Weinstein, but he has grasped the conservative mentality that dominates the college.
This is just one aspect. On the other hand, Harvey Weinstein targeted Tom Cruise, similar to "Cruise’s performance is as bad as it is" and his singing and dancing are like ducks. Media comments are endless.
Bad actors will directly affect the entire performance of the film during the awards season. The other two heroines are not well-known. Duke is more than Tom Cruise, despite the fact that there is nothing painful to grasp. A good choice?
And in the eyes of those old men, Tom Cruise, who is the representative of the actor of the ‘milk squad’, has always been synonymous with no acting skills and food on his face. Who is he black if he doesn't black?
Besides, there are too many places where Tom Cruise can be criticized.
Probably after learning from the experience that Duke made to black Cruise a few years ago, during this sensitive time period related to the entire award season, many gossip newspapers once again talked about Tom Cruise’s beliefs, although beliefs are here. The film’s so-called free land cannot be the main reason for attacking people, but the first premise of Oscar is that politics and value orientation are correct. The Scientology advocated by Scientology is really hard to get the approval of mainstream society.
Many tabloids also dragged Nicole Kidman in by the way, accusing Tom Cruise’s family of problems. He and Nicole Kidman were a false marriage. Cruise divorced his ex-wife Rogers. Marrying Nicole Kidman was completely manipulated by Scientology. He is not an independent Hollywood movie star at all, but a puppet used by Scientology for propaganda.
The college has more than 6,000 members. Half of them or even more, they would never go to the movies before voting, even if it was just a fragment of them. To win the favor of these people to win the votes in their hands, it often takes a lot of hands and feet and arouses their resentment. Just a nasty reason is enough.
Because I hate an actor, there are countless examples of hating a movie.
It is even more exaggerated. There are tabloids questioning Tom Cruise's sexual orientation, but now is not the future. Even Judy Foster, who has never lacked courage, dare not open sex. Orientation, actors are taboo for Oscars.
The past Oscar competition was fierce enough, but the behavior of discrediting opponents is often enough, and everything seems to have changed since the last Oscar.
Mel Gibson has gone from being an Oscar favorite to being a frustrated person who no one cares about today. Many people have seen a good way to win awards-get rid of the top of the competition!
Harvey Weinstein is an Oscar speculator. Naturally the best among them.
Unfavorable remarks about "Chicago" circulated everywhere. Of course, Warner Bros. and Duke's Studio were not idle. While the other side attacked, they continued to fight back.
Many judges do not watch related movies, and they can still vote with their feet even if they do a lot of work. So some media questioned the tendency of "The English Patient" to sympathize with the Nazis.
True or false is not important, what is important is that it can affect the choices of some people.
At the same time, many gunmen reported that there are also cryptic hints. This is a movie about Europeans. Anthony Minghella is also gay, etc...
In short, Miramax is discrediting "Chicago", and Duke Studios and Warner Bros. are attacking "The English Patient", and neither side uses less means than either.
It seems that some hint was received. In the following days, the media supporting "The English Patient" has been criticizing Duke for making "Chicago" too commercial and losing the essence of the musical.
As if to set off the media's criticism, the North American box office of "Chicago" easily exceeded 100 million U.S. dollars. After the fifth weekend of the show before Christmas, the total box office reached 111.05 million U.S. dollars!
In terms of box office trends alone, "Chicago" looks like a pure commercial film.
Christmas is approaching, Duke did not go to New York, mother is here to attend the reception party jointly held by George Lucas and Lucas Pictures. This Christmas will be spent in Malibu. The difference is that together Two more people spent Christmas Eve.
The first is Catherine Zeta Jones. Although Pani Callis has been actively planning to end the relationship between the two, the other party does not take the initiative to go out, and Duke can never drive her out on Christmas Eve.
There is also Irene Lauder who came here from New York to attend the Lucas dinner. She came to Los Angeles not only to accept George Lucas’ personal invitation, but also to represent the entire Estee Lauder. These cosmetics and luxury goods companies have always been with Hollywood The relationship is close, and the entertainment industry is also their high-end consumer market.
"So you are going to sponsor this Oscar?"
While slicing the roast turkey, Duke asked Irene Lauder who was sitting next to his mother, "Already negotiated?"
"I came to Los Angeles this time not only to attend Mr. Lucas' banquet, but also to handle these tasks."
Irene Lauder shrugged her shoulders gracefully and said, "Actually, we have already negotiated today. After the Christmas holiday, I will officially sign the 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 appear in the Oscar gift package?"
"The turkey tastes good."
This kind of food has always been a taboo for dieting women. Irene Lauder only took a sip, put it aside, and then answered Duke’s words, "The latest Lauder skin care suit."
She smiled playfully at Duke, "Of course you don't need it. What's there last year?"
"I didn't watch last year's Oscar gift package." Duke handed the turkey plate to Zeta Jones and continued, "I gave it to Tina after receiving it."
Oscars will provide a gift package for the nominees and invited guests participating in the awards ceremony. Gift packages are generally from sponsors of various brands. Items such as cosmetics to men’s underwear to hotel coupons often appear. Gift packages also depend on each person’s identity. The status and the nominations obtained vary, and the value ranges from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
For people of Duke's level, these gift packages are generally given to assistants or close friends around them.
In recent years, the rumors about the Oscar gift package can also reflect how frenzied tax collection is in this country that started because of tax resistance. 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 next year’s Victoria’s Secret annual catwalk. Also, the general meeting of shareholders will be held soon, if you don’t attend. , It’s better to find an agent."
"I see, mom." Duke nodded.
With his current position in the movie circle, as long as he sits in the Victoria's Secret show, even if he doesn't say anything, he doesn't do anything, and he can raise the catwalk style.
"Hey, dear, are you a shareholder of Victoria's Secret?" Irene Lauder winked at him deliberately, "Presumably there are many men who envy you."
"What is enviable?"
Hearing Duke's words, Irene Lauder raised an eyebrow at him. Duke could understand this expression, and the other party was clearly saying that I know you.
Sitting silently at the table, Catherine Zeta Jones found that she was an outsider at all. She could not insert their topics. Even if she spoke, she often did not get enthusiastic responses. What's more, most of the topics they talked about Are not accessible.
For example, Duke and Irene Lauder talked about the upper class in New York, the investment that Mrs. Leah occasionally mentioned, etc., which have nothing to do with Hollywood.
This stems from many differences in birth, status, wealth and ethnicity. Zeta Jones is not a naive little girl. This country is known as a paradise of freedom and equality. In fact, the barriers between classes are very obvious.
After all, she and them are people living in two worlds.
I don't know why, Catherine Zeta Jones suddenly realized a little bit. In fact, people sometimes stand tall and see more things naturally.
This small banquet didn't end until very late, and Duke found a driver to take Irene 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 had sent her out. Although he was more mature and shrewd than before, his love for movies has not completely disappeared. "Last time did you mention Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala's story? Can you see their new actor?"
"It is said that they will attend."
Two steps quickly, Duke helped her open the car door, "Tomorrow I will come to pick you up with my mother. Besides, you may be disappointed. Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala are still two little ass. Child." (To be continued.)