AFI Moments of 2004
FXs for MDs, Moore vs. Drugs
January 2005 Movie News
AFI Events of 2004: Prior to their annual luncheon on January 14, the AFI (American Film Institute) has released their "top moments" of 2004. These are judged to have had the most impact on the world of film, voted upon by two 13-person juries.
Below are the biggest, with the rest unveiled at the luncheon, along with other film and TV awards.
- Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ
- Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11
- The death of Marlon Brando
- The "changing landscape of TV news": the retirements of Tom Brokaw, Barbara
Walters, Bill Moyers, Dan Rather, and 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt.
- (and my personal favorite) The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, mixing news
with humor.
Moore vs. Drugs: Speaking of Michael Moore, the pharmaceutical and drug companies better watch out... the portly filmmaker has taken aim on their doors, working on another piece on our health care industry. Even the FDA isn't safe from his roaming cameras. Better hide those happy pills, folks!
Mixing Games With Medicine: The military has always used computer simulations for battle situations, but it looks like the operating room may also gain such useful tools. They could better simulate the difficult conditions and types of wounds medics are likely to encounter during war time, said Dr. Greg Mogel, West Coast director of the U.S. Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center. "When you see Spider-Man climbing up the building in a very realistic way, I can use the same technology to create a patient that has Parkinson's and create motion disorders," Mogel said.
New Film Festival!: Ah yes, the greats of this age: Sundance, Cannes, ... Kearney? Well, perhaps not yet as famous, but this Nebraska town will host the first Central Nebraska Film Festival on January 28-29 at the Kearney Community Theatre. It will celebrate and promote independent films and filmmaking in the Midwest, including feature films, short films and documentaries. So pack your bags and go west, young man!
Spirited Reception: Japanese audiences were waiting to see whether Hayao Miyazaki's new pic Howl's Moving Castle could top his Oscar-winner Spirited Away. A month after its release, it looks like the animated feature will definitely do that, and maybe even more. Considering the genius of SA, I am eagerly awaiting this new masterpiece.
Evil Bird!: Well, according to the Parents Television Council, the Peacock (NBC) takes top pie for least Godlike network, depicting faith and religion in a negative way 9.5 times for each positive portrayal. The PTC analyzed more than 2300 hours of prime-time programming among NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, Pax, UPN, and the WB. Fox (with all their trashy "reality" programs) came in a distant second in the poll. Oh well, 'tis the season to be charitable. NBC has a whole year to shape up!
