Movie Stars' Continuous Migration to TV

In 1988, when Dustin Hoffman won his second Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of an autistic savant in "Rain Man," few would have predicted that he would be starring in a television show later in his career. Big-name actors would never consider playing TV roles-ever. Yet, the list of top movie stars making their way to the small screen continues to grow each year. So what has caused this migratory pattern?

With the help of performers like Hoffman, television is no longer the stepchild for actors. It is attracting top talent because it has caught up with silver-screen movies in three broad categories-jobs, spending, and creativity. From all indications, TV intends to step up its competition for the stars.

The Unemployment Rate

Like all industries, filmmaking continues to seek more return on investment. Nowadays, there is less incentive for producers to undertake a film that showcases acting aptitude. The list of top box-office hits is filled with movies that rely on computer-generated effects to draw large audiences. In fact, we often lose sight of a movie star against a backdrop of alien invasions or catastrophic explosions. These movies are expensive to make and frequently divert money from other projects. In the end, the availability of big-screen acting jobs has diminished.

Movie blockbusters like "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" have deemphasized the need for top-drawer talent. The movie received three Oscar nominations for visual effects and sound, but none for acting. Although Shia LaBeouf did a credible job as lead character in the film, it's difficult to envision any actor winning an Academy Award playing that part. No matter how well it could have been written, the role would never supersede the action. For an accomplished actor like Hoffman, it's not a part that would demonstrate his far-reaching ability.

Television, on the other hand, has grown from three channels in the 1950s to hundreds of channels that need new shows to entice viewers. The cable and satellite TV concept has made it possible for commercial-supported and subscription channels to offer increased opportunities. It's true that reality TV has reduced the demand for actors. Nonetheless, premium content providers like HBO and Showtime have led the pack by developing challenging roles that appeal to the stars.

The Expenditures

Large movie-studio films used to command the roster of A-list actors. Making a fortune from one film was possible if you had name recognition. Television actors, by comparison, made paltry sums and probably had to work harder for their money.

But as television grew, so did its spending on film actors. Some felt it was just an experiment that would fail. Nevertheless, Charlie Sheen, who transitioned from Hollywood movies to the TV series "Two and a Half Men," earned millions of dollars per episode. Few movie stars made as much during the same time period.

Salaries, however, aren't the only issue. Television spending on all aspects of production has increased, which has pushed the quality of what it now offers. TV wasn't known for its lavish spending in 1988. Situation comedies like "The Cosby Show" and "Roseanne" were shot on limited sets, and many dramas like "L.A. Law" and "Matlock" didn't feature an abundance of outdoor scenes. The argument that TV was too small for pricey visuals could be made then. Large-screen TVs forced changes in that thinking, however. Viewers wanted better visual effects than what the original "Battlestar Galactica" series could provide in 1978. The updated version, which drew Academy Award nominee Edward James Olmos to the series lead in 2004, filled the bill.

The Freedom

Hollywood studios once had a corner on edgy material. In 1972, comedian George Carlin had a list of the seven words you can't say on television. That inventory remained intact two years later when Hoffman starred in "Lenny," the autobiography of another off-color comedian, Lenny Bruce.

Such a movie could have never shown to a TV audience in those days. Rewriting it to meet FCC standards would have been a disservice. But now Carlin's list is a memory of how things used to be on TV. Television pursues content without strict censorship. In addition, TV has strayed from its traditional good-and-evil characters. For example, the lead in the Showtime series "Dexter" is a serial killer. He is good in the eyes of viewers because he eliminates violent criminals who have slipped through the cracks of the legal system. It's a far cry from what television used to be, and many high-profile performers relish the change.

Conclusion

The theater box office no longer represents the only option for actors in search of profound or high-paying roles. The law of supply and demand applies. Because of that, the resettlement of big-time film stars to television is sure to continue. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Celebrities And Their Electronic Accessory

Celebrities have fame and fortune, which affords them luxuries that the everyday person cannot afford. Top celebrities have the cash to enjoy the finer things in life and if they find something they want, they simply buy it! One area of shopping that celebrities tend to lean toward is electronics. Most people want to have the latest technological gadgets from sound system equipment to phones and other mobile devices. Celebrities have the funds to be able to purchase these items as soon as they come out.

Sound System Equipment

Celebrities, like everyday people, enjoy listening to their favorite artists. A purchase choice that many celebrities take advantage of is sound system options. From tricking out their car to their home theater system, celebrities have the option of purchasing whatever they like for their entertainment needs. Many celebrities have full theaters in their home and have systems that allow for screening of their latest movies or to listen to their favorite artists, including themselves!

Mobile Phones

Celebrities also stay up to date on mobile phone options. From the latest Apple or Google release, celebrities have the cash to purchase the latest mobile phones even if their contract is not up! Most of us have to wait until we can get the latest phone for free or at a very low price. However, celebrities have the cash to purchase the latest items now! We all get jealous when we see our favorite celebrities walking around with the latest mobile device, when it has barely hit the shelves!

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are another hot electronic accessory that celebrities have easy access to. Many celebrities earn such devices during red carpet events for free, despite the fact that they can easily afford the options. From iPads, to iPods and other options, celebrities have all the mobile technology at their fingertips! Celebrities simply use the extra cash they have to purchase the latest mobile devices as they are released.

Gaming

Actor and Actress also love gaming. From Xbox 360 to Playstation 3, celebrities love playing video games with their celebrity friends and family. Celebrities can easily afford the latest gaming systems, which us regular people have to wait until holidays or save up enough cash to be able to afford the expensive systems. Celebrities are given access to the latest gaming technologies and they have the cash to be able to purchase any gaming items they wish.

Television Remote Systems

Another technology accessory that celebrities have is television remote systems. We have all see celebrities showing off their homes and they will show their huge television which has a large touch screen remote that they can use to change channels, listen to music or even control security cameras. Celebrities have access to the technology that regular people can only dream of! celebrities can pay for expensive technology to control their televisions from all locations in the home as well as other unique features.

Computers

Celebrities have to stay in the loop when it comes to the latest computer technology. Celebrities have the latest laptops, Mac systems and other computer options that are not as easy for regular people to access. Celebrities want to stay connected just like us and they need computers to connect on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. Celebrities also use this technology to be able to promote themselves so it is essential to be able to have the latest technologies.

Overall, celebrities have the income to purchase any electronic accessory they wish! Just simply head the store and pick it out. It would definitely be nice to be able to live like a celebrity! Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

What Makes a Good Sci-Fi Movie?

Each year, a handful of movies are released bearing the sci-fi label in the hope that they will find their place among the best sci-fi films of all time. The problem that many of these films share, however, is their deep misunderstanding of what sci-fi really is and how it works to create a great movie. Although most movies that reach the distinction of being the best are older, classic films, several modern movies have made the leap as well. A closer look at these films can help to illustrate the criteria for a good sci-fi movie.

Easily Explained Technology

Despite the elaborate machines, ships or robots used in sci-fi films, an important element for a good sci-fi movie is how easily the technology can be explained. "Avatar" (2009), for example, took a ship full of people to a new planet and placed those people into alien bodies. Sounds complex, doesn't it? The greatness and popularity of the film "Avatar" lies in the ease with which the technology can be explained. By the time the ship lands on Pandora and the main character (Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington) is thrust into the alien land in the body of an alien, the audience has fully understood how all of this technology works. In fact, the explanation comes so easily that it is fitted seamlessly into Jake's training. The audience never has to face an information overload. Therefore, a good sci-fi movie must let the audience in on how the technology used works, no matter how complex it may be.

Characters to Care About

Technology, however, is not the sole focus of a movie. A good sci-fi flick still has to worry about character development and likeability. Having characters that the audience can care about is another way that filmmakers can help dole out the explanation of the technology. However, the characters and their part in the plot should always stand on their own merits.

A good example of a sci-fi movie with very likeable characters is "Independence Day" (1996). The film is full of stars, including Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. From the drunken pilot who dries out long enough to protect the nation, to the President of the United States who straps into a jet to help save his country, there are several characters to love. By the time that the President, played by Pullman, gave his rallying speech to the public, audiences in theaters were thoroughly riveted and rooting for this world fighting against alien invaders.

A Compelling Story

The story is often the reason that audiences are drawn to the movie initially. The film may have cool graphics, slick technology and great actors, but if a sci-fi flick lacks a compelling story, it will surely fail. A good modern example of a film with a compelling story is "District 9" (2009). This film is built on the premise that aliens have landed on earth, but that instead of taking over, they have become a second class of citizen. This was a new concept that audiences flocked to the theaters to see. What was initially billed as an alien colonization story quickly became a tale of discrimination, set in the future of what is supposed to be a discrimination-free world.

Keeping with the Rules of Science

Keeping with scientific rules is also important. In some cases it is acceptable to break the rules of science, but the film must have an explanation for doing so, and must also share that explanation with the audience. Otherwise, breaking an essential rule could break the film before it is widely released. A film that went against this was "Red Planet" (2000), a film that had actors roaming around the planet Mars for much of the film before they realized that their own technology allowed for breathing the Martian air. The scientists in the film also botch basic DNA strand sequences. In addition, they often use the wrong scientific terms to describe basic scientific items. For example, the scientist in the film calls the beetle-like creatures nematodes, which is a term to describe worm-like creatures.

In order to make a film that sci-fi audiences will enjoy watching, filmmakers must keep in mind these basic tenets of the genre. Sci-fi is fraught with opportunities for fantasy, but there are also limitations. Several successful movies have been built within these limits without sacrificing cinematic quality. There are definitely several sci-fi contenders in the works for next year. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

The Reaper, Movie Review

"Whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap" is a popular English idiom originally from Epistles to the Galatians of the Bible. The central theme and the very message of the movie was centered on the Biblical story found in Exodus. This is when the Pharaoh of Egypt was made obdurate by God Himself by not letting the Israelites be freed from slavery. The ten plagues presented in the Bible that were brought down to Egypt by Moses are the same plagues depicted in the movie, i.e. from the first plague of the river turning to blood to the death of the first born sons and daughters of the locals.

But it is worthy to note that the last plague was not brought about by the unseen supernatural force as all the others. Instead, the group members of the cult of the land were the ones killing their own. Also, unlike in the Bible, the second born children were the ones sacrificed instead of the first born. This is clearly so as to put an element of a Hollywood tinge on the movie and not be a copy cat of what's in the Bible (which admittedly would have made the movie less exciting or plain boring). Effectively, the tenth plague was made the climax of the movie.

Tension was built up little by little with each plague unfolding and peaked at the last plague holding the viewers momentarily confused by deviating from what was expected (death of second born instead of first born). And then here comes the vision shared by the child Loren to Katherine where she was about to be killed for being a second born but miraculously survived after being stabbed by her brother. At the time of being momentarily dazed, the viewers are fired with explanations as to why was Katherine chosen to be in that town at such crucial time. She was, in the past, an ordained minister.

She turned away from her God when the locals of the town she was serving sacrificed her family in exchange for the long drought. The cult members in the place where the child Loren lived believed that Katherine would help them kill Loren since she was after all like them, backsliders in faith. But of course, as the protagonist in the movie, she did not succumb to their wishes but instead saved the girl from them.

Since we've started interpreting the movie in Biblical terms, we might as well finish it on the same tone. In the Old Testament, God is presented as a jealous God, an angry God and all other similar actuations. The message of the movie was effectively delivered in the light of such interpretation, i.e. it was made a horror film with events lifted from the Bible. In the Old Testament, God came with thunder and lightning. But rest assured that in the New Testament, it was promised that He will come again with love and justice.

So then after all the 'scary moments' depicted in the movie, we go back to that promise, then sit back, relax and enjoy. After all, it's a beautiful world (Amen). Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.