Posts in LIST
COLUMN: 2018 Box Office Predictions

With Black Panther showing no signs of slowing down, what films coming in 2018 can make similar dents in our wallets?  What blockbusters could put up big time numbers? Can anything catch Black Panther?  I know the oddsmakers and informative websites like Sports Betting Dime can be a great resource for answering those questions and examining the field.   In a quick list and editorial, let’s handicap and predict 10 contenders that could rule the 2018 box office.

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INFOGRAPHIC: Movie Math of Sci-Fi Movie Cars

Check out this fun infographic on the real-life costs of some popular movie cars.  The folks over at NerdWheels have done some "movie math" and put proof to their math (see below after the graphic).  I don't know who can foot the bill on some of these price tags, but, boy am I tempted to start buying lottery tickets.  Enjoy the fascinating information and thank you for sharing, NerdWheels!

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INFOGRAPHIC: 15 ways to get around in Harry Potter

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just click your fingers and change location spontaneously? Think how much time we’d get back! No more delays at the airport check-in, no more rushing to the station to catch the train. Well, if you live in Harry Potter’s world, and have the magical skills, there’s a whole bunch of ways to get from one place to the next.  Here are some of OSV’s favorites

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INFOGRAPHIC: The Disney/Fox Merger

ABCFinance has compared these media giants, looked at the potential impact of the deal on both their own employees and the end user, and demonstrated how Disney is looking to leverage this deal to break into new markets.  Read on to see how the merger will affect everything from television and the cinema box office to streaming platforms and sports broadcasting with their comprehensive infographic.

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EDITORIAL: 19 films to watch for the 2019 Oscars

In what has become an annual day-after-hangover and post-Oscars tradition, I have this editorial that closes the book on one awards season and declares the next one open for competition.  Each year, I pull out the crystal ball and look into the murky future to prognosticate which films coming in 2018 will we be applauding for at this time next year for the 91st Academy Awards.  Here are 19 films to watch for the 2019 Oscars.

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COLUMN: 17 hidden gem films from 2017

With each year of PR and press access, I’ve been diving deeper to experience more and more of what this art form and entertainment source has to offer.   For the second year in a row and on the heels of the Oscars putting a bow on all things 2017, I wanted to share a list of personal recommendations of hidden gems from last year.  Even these 17 are but drops in a larger bucket.  There so many little gems that I have yet to see.

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OSCAR FUN: Betting odds, prop bets, and party ideas!

I enjoy tracking the trends and changes on my annual Awards Tracker, but once we get to crunch time before the Academy Awards, the cash flow takes over.  I want my promise of "stick with me and I will win you your Oscar pool" to become more ironclad every year. Betting websites and odds-makers, like those at SportsBettingDime.com, can put spin some monetary probability into predicting the future Oscar winners. 

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the"Page 2 Screen" podcast reviewing the 2018 Oscar-nominated shorts

Together at The Century Bar of the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, fellow CIFCC critic Jeff York and I critiqued the ten short films nominated for the 90th Academy Awards for Best Live Action Short Film and Best Animated Short on the "Page 2 Screen" bost on the International Screenwriters' Association network.  Both categories of contenders boasted impressive range and buried treasure.  Enjoy our reviews and discussion!

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INFOGRAPHIC: Vaping on Screen

We all know that Vaping is taking over the world, but did you know that due to its popularity, Vaping devices are being introduced into movies, TV shows, and even Video Games? It’s true! This infographic piece from Grey Haze takes a look at where vaping has popped up on the big and little screen and see which Vaping device each character is using and what that tells us about them.  Enjoy!

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SPECIAL: Winners of the second annual CIFCC Awards!

The 26 film critics, myself included, and voting members of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle completed their final ballots in 21 categories for their second annual CIFCC Awards. Leading all films with four awards is Get Out from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, including three awards for Jordan Peele and his many hats.  A24 and Focus Feature’s Lady Bird from director Greta Gerwig follows with three wins, including Best Independent Film.

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