Poised for the prowl: Black Panther’s box office attack continues

By DeForest Mapp Medill Reports Superhero King T’Challa led the multitudes  to “Black Panther” for two consecutive weekends. The blockbuster topped attendance at any other movie with a domestic gross of $400 million and shattered previous earnings records for a film that showcased a majority African American cast. “Black Panther” made gold for a Marvel gamble that debuted on […]

What’s beyond #OscarsSoWhite? Chicagoans sound off on Hollywood diversity

a hand holding an oscar statue

By Jasmine Cannon and Jasmine M. Ellis While Hollywood is still recovering from criticisms revolving around racial diversity in casting, some Chicagoans believe it’s time for The Academy to take a different approach. According to UCLA’s 2015 Hollywood Diversity Report, little more than 10 percent of lead actors in theatrical films were minorities, and just […]

Oscars red carpet lacks diversity

charlize theron

By Alexandra Whittaker Although Hollywood stars dressed to impress for the red carpet before Sunday’s 2016 Oscars telecast, many failed to dazzle. A few stars stood out among the conservatively dressed crowd, but most played it safe by sticking to darker colors and designers they wore before. Armani Prive gowns dominated the red carpet, which […]

Oscar ceremony doesn’t shy away from important issues

By Tim Rosenberger The big question on everybody’s lips before Sunday night’s ABC telecast of the 88th Academy Awards ceremony at LA’s Dolby Theatre was not who was going to win this or that award. It was how the biggest night for Hollywood would handle the diversity issue people have been talking about for the […]

Diversifying film not just Academy’s responsibility

By Tim Rosenberger Filmmakers may hold the ultimate power and responsibility for bringing diverse voices to the movies, but The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences can still increase diversity in its own membership and predominately white Hollywood through influence and trendsetting.

And the Oscar goes to…New York

By Tim Rosenberger The decision to move production of the gold Oscar statuettes to New York after 34 years at Chicago manufacturing company R.S. Owens & Company was amicable, will not hurt the company’s business and R.S. Owens even helped in the transition, said Joseph Petree, R.S. Owens’s design director.