Sony Pictures Entertainment is reeling from a seventh cache of files leaked on Saturday, the latest move by Guardians of Peace, the group claiming responsibility for the hacks.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the group sent an email to journalists that contained two web addresses where new Sony information could be found. The email also claimed a “Christmas gift” would be arriving soon that will “put Sony Pictures into the worst state.”
One email by Amy Pascal, co-chairman at Sony, called Leonardo DiCaprio “despicable” for pulling out of the Steve Jobs film. Another has Columbia Pictures co-president of production Michael de Luca telling Pascal that Ryan Gosling had expressed interest in the reboot to “Ghostbusters.” Pascal then asked whether “Sinister Six” or the Steve Jobs biopic would interest Gosling.
There were also some bad words exchanged in the emails towards Willow and Jaden Smith, the children of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Several reports, including one from The Times of London, have Sony suspending film shoots after hacks affected payments. However, USA Today reports Sony has refuted those claims.
“Production of Sony projects remain in motion,” Robert Lawson, a spokesman for Sony Pictures, told USA Today on Saturday.
In an odd twist, Variety also reports Crackle, which is Sony Pictures Television’s online-video site, pushed back the release of its upcoming hacker movie “The Throwaways” in the wake of the recent attacks. The film was supposed to be released on Dec. 19 but will now come out sometime in January.
The next set of reviews we’ll be publishing are some of the ones Roger Thomas has done exclusively for The Stanly News & Press. Roger has written movie reviews for The Stanly News & Press and other outlets for years, long before starting this blog. So we decided it would be good to give readers a sample of his previous work, in addition to posts of reviews of current films. Other reviews will run daily.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in one of the most famous scenes in the film.
Perhaps, I should begin with a confession. I like James Cameron’s film “Titanic.” I liked it when I saw it 15 years ago. I have enjoyed it the numerous times I have seen it on video, and occasionally if I catch it playing on television, I will stop and watch, waiting for my favorite moments.
That being said, I do not think “Titanic” belongs alongside “Schindler’s List,” “The Godfather” or the “Lord of the Rings Trilogy.” All of those films have affected me in more powerful ways than the saga of Rose Dewitt Bukator and Jack Dawson.
On the other hand, I have a great respect for Cameron’s determination to make an old-fashion epic love story set to the backdrop of one of the most horrendous disasters of human history. “Titanic” was not a film of 90’s.It was a film of 40’s or 50’s made with 90’s technology. (I would offer that Steven Spielberg did the same thing this year with his film “War Horse.” No one would argue that “War Horse” offered a realistic depiction of war as did Spielberg’s own “Saving Private Ryan.” “War Horse” and “Titanic” are films from the past made in the present. They harken back to a time when holidays made epics routinely.)
As for “Titanic,” all the proof one needs that it was made well is found in the 11 Oscars the film eventually won. (A record held by “Ben-Hur” alone for 38 years, which has only been matched once since “Titanic” by “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”)
Over the last 15 years, “Titanic” has certainly had its critics. Some of the harsher criticisms have dealt with the writing. One should note that among the staggering 14 Oscar nominations the film received, it did not get a nomination for screenplay.
And if it had, it would have lost to the superior script written by two struggling actors, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck; that pair of nearly unknowns won their first, and thus far only, Oscars for Good Will Hunting.
And yes, “Titanic” has poorly envisioned one dimensional villains. And do you really need a scene with gunplay as the great ship is sinking? Is there not enough real drama without someone firing shots? No and yes.
But Cameron was more interested in the spectacle than dialogue or plot and as one who believes a great script is paramount, I concede it is permissible that the director went for the spectacle. As a spectacle, the movie succeeds. And not just in the scenes after the iceberg.
When the ship leaves port, it is spectacular. When Rose stands on the front of the ship and the wind blows through her hair as the sun sets, it is beautiful. When Jack and Rose dance down among the third class passengers, it is hard not to tap your feet. And who can forget Jack and Rose running through the ship to avoid Rose’s fiancé and his butler. Cameron’s skill in showing us every part of the great ship is a masterwork all on its own.
There is far more to celebrate in “Titanic” than some critics want to acknowledge. Two great performances by the leads. Great attention to detail in art direction, costumes and cinematography. And staggering effects. And ultimately, two characters we do not want to go down with the ship.
I would offer one detail about the film that I have never heard or read from any other source. From the first time I saw it, I noticed that Cameron spends a lot of time filming hands. In fact, Jack even shows Rose some sketches of hands he has drawn. Over and over again, the screen fills with images of hands. I wonder if the director’s point in all these shots of hands is a reminder that the Titanic was built by human hands, and the handiwork of man can always fail. There are greater forces in the world than what we can make with our hands.
I have not seen the new 3D version of the film, released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage. I am not sure whether I will see the new version, but I am sure I will watch “Titanic” several more times through the years because there is much that I admire about the film, and in the end, I want to again see Jack and Rose fall in love and then do all they can to ensure that their love survives.
Cinema Corner 