LESSON #1: IF YOU CAN’T BEAT THEM, BUY THEM— Barring any final hang-ups, big media will be getting bigger. The entertainment universe is abuzz with the prospect of Walt Disney buying 21st Century Fox (more than just parts or assets of it as initially rumored), a $60 billion deal that could be done as early as next week. Word is Fox would retain its sports and news properties (dammit), but the film wing is what has folks dreaming. Fanboys go straight to the fantasies of seeing the X-Men/Fantastic Four worlds merged with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I cannot blame them for those tingles. I have them too, but circle back to some of the little things we’ve seen Disney do over the course of the year (many reported in this column): the blackout of critics from certain publications, the price hikes for theater dividends, taking their ball to their own convention and streaming service, and more. There is something to be said for healthy competition and not a one-stop shop that is the size of an empire. For example (and I bet you didn’t know this one), buying 21st Century Fox would give Disney controlling interest in Hulu. Combine that potential with Disney’s ESPN service and their own streaming platform coming in 2019 and Disney could have the power to squeeze the life out of Netflix like a corporate anaconda. Plainly put, I hope the deal doesn’t go through. If Disney wants to use X-Men and the Fantastic Four, broker a sharing deal with Fox the way they did with Sony for Spider-Man until the rights run out and the properties are free agents again. Share and play nice together instead of bully with a takeover.
LESSON #2: SPEAKING OF BIG BUSINESS, LET THE JUSTICE LEAGUE AFTERMATH BEGIN AT DC/WARNER BROS.— I have been one of the vocal minority to tip my hat at Warner Bros. going the bolder and more adult direction with their superhero properties as an antithesis to the sunny and safe market cornered by Disney’s MCU. They had the balls to be different. The bottom line, unfortunately, is that even the cajones have to sell. I wouldn’t say Warner Bros. is losing money from its DC films, but you can tell a boardroom somewhere looks at their receipt and then looks at Marvel’s receipts and sees lost earning potential. They’re making money, but they think they should be making even more money. Go figure. Justice League is being seen as a business failure and a rumored producer and operational shake-up made headlines this week. Adding salt to the wound for many (even though I saw this coming as soon as the Flash solo film was titled Flashpoint, implying the out clause for a reboot), there is strong desire to recast Ben Affleck as Batman in the future Matt Reeves-directed film. You had to know they were going to need to go younger at some point and it’s reading this was according to plan for Affleck too. As much as I admire their attempt to be different, I’m fine with a shake-up and some changes to normalize these characters and their potentials.
LESSON #2: “STANDARDS OF CONDUCT” ARE NOW NECESSARY TERMS TO HAVE ON THE BOOKS— The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing and voting body of the Oscars, have enacted a “standards of conduct” requiring members to “behave ethically by upholding the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity.” In this day and age, what should be common sense for personal behavior now has to be spelled out in specifics and put into print because of how flippant and rampant those unwritten rules have been broken. It’s never pretty to need this measure, but it’s one that should be applauded.
LESSON #3: LOS ANGELEANS ARE DIFFERENT THAN NEW YORKERS— The critics’ groups from the two largest and leading cities have spoken with their year-end award picks. Both are trendsetters, yet both are different. As reported here last week, the New York Film Critics Circle stumped for Lady Bird for Best Picture and Best Actress. This week, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association went in the direction of Call Me By Your Name for Best Picture and Best Actor with equal love shown to The Shape of Water for Best Director and Best Actress. If those three non-conformist films are your Oscar frontrunners, this is going to be a feather-rustling awards season with bold independent film leading the way.
LESSON #4: RYAN REYNOLDS HAS NOT TURNED THE CORNER FROM MAKING BAD DECISIONS–Before Deadpool resurrected his career, Ryan Reynolds could not have put together a trashier resume if he tried. Just when you thought being enlivened striking gold with the “Merc with a Mouth,” here he goes signing on to be the lead voice in a Pokemon movie named Detective Pikachu. Come on, man. You’re back. You’re better than that crap now. Did you not learn your lesson? Stick to the good stuff, Ryan.
LESSON #5: QUENTIN TARANTINO’S INVOLVEMENT WILL EITHER BE FUN OR A HOT MESS— News bounced around this week that J.J. Abrams and Quentin Tarantino are meeting to hash out some ideas for a Star Trek film. Word around the campfire is Tarantino pitched an idea to Paramount and Abrams they thought was awesome and now the two filmmakers are putting together a team of writers to develop the screenplay. If all goes well, Tarantino, a self-professed Trekkie since the original TV show, could also direct. Follow-up word says that an R-rating has been given a green light. I don’t know what to think about that potential. I don’t think you need profanity and R-rated violence in a Star Trek film, in any shape or firm. Would it spice things up? Sure, but it’s out of character, even for this rebooted universe. I’ll grant that Tarantino has panache like no other. He could take an old TV episode premise like “City on the Edge of Forever” and jazz it up well for the big screen. However, unchecked Tarantino is silly and excessive when not reined in. I’m glad other screenwriters are involved to keep the chatty Cathy Tarantino grounded. Hire a crack editor while they’re at it to keep it from being a 170-minute yak-fest. I don’t see a middle ground between awesome and disaster when it comes to a guy like Quentin.
LESSON #7: THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING FOR STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI SPOILERS— Folks, next week is the week. It’s finally here! Star Wars: The Last Jedi! I humblebragged this week that I have yet to watch the supposedly spoiler-ish final trailer and I’m pleased as punch that I made it this long. If you’re avoiding stuff like me, be ready for radio silence next week right around Tuesday morning (hint, hint). Be cool. Don’t be a troll. Don’t ruin it for people. I promise a spoiler-free review, as always.
DON SHANAHAN is a Chicago-based film critic writing on his website Every Movie Has a Lesson. As an elementary educator by day, Don writes his movie reviews with life lessons in mind, from the serious to the farcical. As a contributor here on Feelin’ Film, he’s going to expand those lessons to current movie news and trends. Find “Every Movie Has a Lesson” on Facebook, Twitter, Medium, and Creators Media.
