Native Americans Refuse to Work on Adam Sandler’s New Film

Posted on May 3, 2015 at 3:35 pm

Adam Sandler is currently filming “The Ridiculous Six,” reportedly a comic version of the classic Western “The Magnificent Seven.” According to Indian Country Today Media, a group of Native American actors walked off the set because they were offended by racist and sexist material in the script, including character names like Beaver Breath and No-Bra and crude humor.

“There were about a dozen of us who walked off the set,” said Anthony, who told ICTMN he had initially refused to do the movie. He then agreed to take the job when producers informed him they had hired a cultural consultant and efforts would be made for tasteful representation of Natives.

Five Thirty-Eight has an incisive look at the Sandler films, putting them in three categories: paydays, pineapples (a reference to a particularly gross joke in “Little Nicky”), and “he’s trying.” I wish he would try harder.

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Behind the Scenes Gender and Diversity Race and Diversity Understanding Media and Pop Culture

Trailer: Woody Allen’s “Irrational Man”

Posted on May 3, 2015 at 8:00 am

Woody Allen’s new movie has Joaquin Phoenix as a depressed middle-aged professor who finds new joy and meaning in the love a beautiful young student. This is a recurring theme in Allen’s films, but this trailer suggests that it may take a different direction. I hope so!

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Trailers, Previews, and Clips

Wit and Wisdom in The Jottery by Andy Selsberg

Posted on May 2, 2015 at 3:39 pm

Copyright 2015 Perigee
Copyright 2015 Perigee

I really enjoyed The Jottery: Thought Experiments for Everyday Philosophers and Part-Time Geniuses by Andy Selsberg. Each page has a question or mental challenge — think of it as something between a really high-end fortune cookie, a profound zen koan, and a really great late-night dorm room discussion. Next time you’re going to be in the car for more than half an hour with a friend or family member, bring this book instead of listening to music or letting the kids watch a movie.

In ten words or fewer, explain why it’s useful or stupid to ask people to explain things in ten words or fewer.

List a handful of elevator tension-breakers, and a handful of elevator tension-makers.

A service specializes in planning vacations that seem unremarkable at the time, but that people look back on with an almost unbearable fondness and longing. Suggest a few itineraries.

List at least ten groups about which you could grandly announce, “These are my people!”

Selsberg’s books (Dear Old Love: Anonymous Notes to Former Crushes, Sweethearts, Husbands, Wives, & Ones That Got Away, You Are Good at Things: A Checklist) have been featured by The New Yorker, NPR, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, and Penthouse, and he has also written for GQ, The Believer, Oxford American, and Salon.

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Books

Tomorrowland Contest: The Museum of Science Fiction Wants Your Ideas About Tomorrow

Posted on May 1, 2015 at 5:29 pm

Copyright Disney 2015
Copyright Disney 2015

The Museum of Science Fiction today announced the launch of an online contest to celebrate the opening of Disney’s new film “Tomorrowland.” Fans can submit their vision of tomorrow for a chance to win a prize pack including promotional items and tickets to the film.

The Vision of Tomorrow Contest invites fans ages 13 and up to create a display that reveals their predicted landscape of the future. Using any materials, entrants will create and photograph their design for submission via email. Visions can be built from, but are not limited to, drawings, blocks, paper clips, 3D printing – whatever captures the builder’s imagination. As in the world of Tomorrowland, the sky is the limit.

The contest runs May 1 – May 18, 2015. Two winners will be selected by the judging committee based on the qualities of: originality, detail, scope of vision and overall creativity.  Another 25 entries will be selected for showcase on The Museum of Science Fiction Facebook page, where fans can vote for one “People’s Choice” Award. Three total winners from the two categories will each receive a prize pack including promotional items from “Tomorrowland” and a $50 gift card for a theater chain in their area to see the movie.

Entries must consist of no more than four photos of the creation, showcasing different angles, and each photo must be 1MB or smaller in size. They may be submitted to tomorrowland@museumofsciencefiction.org and include the creator’s full name, address and date of birth. Complete rules of this contest are available at www.museumofsciencefiction.org/tomorrowland

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Contests and Giveaways
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