Another day, another remake. Sometimes it seems like Hollywood is relying on sequels and reboots to make up for its lack of original content. In recent years, the film and TV industries have produced remakes of everything from action films like “The Mummy” to sitcoms like “Will & Grace,” with more projects on the horizon. […]
Author Archives: Olivia Mazzucato
Second Take: Jessica Chastain is a model for positive change in Hollywood
Solidarity is only meaningful if it’s backed up with action. Over the past few months, countless celebrities have stood in solidarity to bring awareness to a variety of issues within Hollywood, ranging from sexual harassment and assault to lack of representation and equal pay. Most recently, celebrities walked the Golden Globe Awards’ red carpet wearing […]
Reel Representation: Ageism against Hollywood actresses may be reaching its twilight years
Potent. Powerful. Viable. These are the words Nicole Kidman chose to describe fellow actresses over the age of 40 in her Screen Actors Guild award acceptance speech, an opportunity she used to point out the ways in which actresses were challenging perceptions and changing norms. “How wonderful it is that our careers can go beyond […]
Second Take: Fan edit of ‘The Last Jedi’ highlights objection toward diversity
Some headlines are so absurd that they sound like they’re from The Onion. Such was the case when I stumbled across an article reporting on an anonymous fan recut of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” that had removed all female roles. It seems exactly like something The Onion would write. The idea that someone in […]
Reel Representation: On-screen diversity must not be used to avoid controversial discussions
Sometimes, it’s wrong to bring up diversity in Hollywood. When promoting problematic or contentious film projects, actors have launched into discussions about diversity as a tool to circumvent more controversial topics. The tactic has most recently been used by actors discussing the controversy surrounding Woody Allen. Allen’s daughter, Dylan Farrow, accused the prolific director of […]
Reel Representation: Hollywood’s women of color suffer a disparity in nominations, awards
2017 was deemed by many the year of women in Hollywood – the #MeToo campaign helped oust dozens of sexual predators from their jobs and the three highest grossing films were led by female heroines. And the 75th Golden Globe Awards was perhaps the most “woke,” female-centric awards show yet. Stars wore black in solidarity […]
Movie review: ‘The Commuter’
“The Commuter” feels like a familiar face you would see every day on a bus ride home. Starring Liam Neeson, the film marks the actor’s fourth collaboration with director Jaume Collet-Serra, and echoes their last transit-based thriller, “Non-Stop.” In both films, Neeson’s character receives instructions via his cell phone that threaten the safety of other […]