“In Mr. Boehlert’s last article on Press Run, published the day he died, he questioned journalists’ coverage of the Biden administration, saying the news media was playing down the president’s achievements. ‘The glaring disconnect between reality and how the press depicts White House accomplishments means a key question lingers: Why is the press rooting against Biden?'”

Phil Lord & Chris Miller: “Next year, invite a respected filmmaker to present the award and frame animation as cinema. Guillermo del Toro, who produces, directs and deeply appreciates animation, could remind the audience that animation predates cinema, that without the zoetrope, there is no American Zoetrope. Bong Joon Ho could present while explaining why he listed two of this year’s animated feature nominees (Flee and The Mitchells vs. the Machines) among his top 10 favorite movies of the year.This year, as we celebrated the 30th anniversary of “White Men Can’t Jump,” we might also have celebrated the 20th anniversary of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award winner “Spirited Away.” It’s not too late to have him present the award next year. It would, incidentally, be the first time he has ever graced the stage at the Oscars.”

RogerEbert.Com Elevates Editors

PRESS CRITIC ERIC BOEHLERT WAS 57

James Graham: “Privatising Channel 4 is the solution to a problem that doesn’t exist: The channel costs the taxpayer nothing, roughly breaks even, and operates the largest free-to-view streaming service in the UK. The government just doesn’t like it.”

“Cinema box office in mainland China crumbled to its lowest weekend total this year as the film industry was once again hit by the impact of anti-coronavirus lockdowns. Nationwide, cinemas recorded just $12.6 million of business.”

Richard Rushfield: “The Slap might be the most over-discussed pop culture moment in history. But as far as Hollywood goes, as it might have been brought on by some sort of psychic break in its perpetrator, it seems to have triggered a break in its community — as though the tear in Smith’s psyche leaped from his brain and created a rift through the very seam of Hollywood. The Slap has exposed how rudderless, and more important, how leaderless Hollywood is.  It was a shocking moment, but it should have been a fairly straightforward matter to respond to and address. Instead, we are in the midst of Week Two of finger-pointing, ass-covering and half-measures. And no one is capable of bringing any of it to any resolution.”

“Fremantle’s global head of documentaries Mandy Chang insisted that “the golden age of documentary is a cliché” and urged filmmakers to avoid “a two-tier system of haves and have nots,” where independent documentaries are crowded out by splashier commercial projects bankrolled by streaming platforms. “Mainstream docs are popular, but not all documentaries are popular or given prominence,” Chang said to an audience in Copenhagen. “And success for me is a golden age not just for the mainstream, but for a plethora of smaller, less expensive, but still important and powerful films made by a much more diverse group of filmmakers.”

“Jay-Z and Beyoncé crossing a picket line to party shows how shallow celebrity activism really is”

“The merger is now expected to potentially be finalized by the close of business Friday, meaning Warner Bros. Discovery would be open for business first thing Monday morning.”

Ann Sarnoff Out At WarnerMedia Studio And Networks Group

HBO Max Topper Andy Forssell Out At WarnerMedia

Jason Kilar: “With the pending transaction with Discovery nearing close, now is the right time to share with each of you that I will be departing this amazing company. There are many feelings one could have in a moment like this, but for me there are none bigger, or more lasting, than the feelings of gratitude and love that I have for this team, this company, and this mission. I’ve never been more fulfilled professionally. I’ve never been happier professionally. This team – and what we’ve built together – are the reasons for that. We’re leading the industry creatively. We’ve elevated technology, product, and design to the highest levels in the company. We’re operating as one team, proudly and successfully going direct to consumers across the globe. It has been deeply gratifying to lean into the future alongside each of you and to do so with conviction.”

Pixar Ups Turning Red Filmmakers Lindsey Collins, Domee Shi

Los Lobos’ Francisco González Was 68

Los Lobos’ 1975 KCET Concert

Tories To Destroy Channel 4

“Channel 4, founded by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government in 1982 to deliver programmes for under-served audiences, is funded by advertising but is publicly owned. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “I have come to the conclusion that government ownership is holding Channel 4 back from competing against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.” For Labour, shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said: “Selling off Channel 4, which doesn’t cost the taxpayer a penny anyway, to what is likely to be a foreign company, makes absolutely no sense. It will cost jobs and opportunities in the North and Yorkshire, and hit the wider British creative economy.” Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Jamie Stone said: “Occasionally, we as a country manage to magic up a world-renowned gem into being and Channel 4 is a perfect example. And yet this government seems hell-bent on trashing this uniquely British legacy and undermining jobs and investment in the creative sector.”

Sion Sono Accused Of History Of Sexual Harrassment

Iran Court Calls Farhadi Plagiarist

“Farhadi sued Masihzadeh for defamation and Masihzadeh countersued claiming Farhadi had plagiarized her original work.”

INSIDER: “WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar sent a memo saying he’s leaving.”

The Sonic Work Of Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr And  Apichatpong Weerasethakul