Not only that, another
favorite among the Hollywood crowd, "Life Itself," a look at the career and passion of Roger Ebert, has made it, too.
But, the Sony hack and its implications continue to send ripples through Hollywood. It seems Hollywood has acted differently with this one as they do with others. A surrender, some say, but so much more is happening on this. It is not just about one movie.
Perhaps one day a
documentary will get made about this. My guess is that will be released, but not from Sony. Meanwhile, Sony is a Japanese company, so saying it goes against the American ideals, may be the feel good thing, but not really.
Let the emotions go and look at it from the business side of
Hollywood, and it makes sense - for now.
Oscar documentary shortlist:
"Art and Craft," Purple Parrot Films
"The Case against 8," Day in Court
"Citizen Koch," Elsewhere Films
"CitizenFour," Praxis Films
"Finding Vivian Maier," Ravine Pictures
"The Internet’s Own Boy," Luminant Media
"Jodorowsky’s Dune," City Film
"Keep On Keepin’ On," Absolute Clay Productions
"The Kill Team," f/8 filmworks
"Last Days in Vietnam," Moxie Firecracker Films
"Life Itself," Kartemquin Films and Film Rites
"The Overnighters," Mile End Films West
"The Salt of the Earth," Decia Films
"Tales of the Grim Sleeper," Lafayette Film
"Virunga," Grain Media
As a sidebar to the Sony hack, here is a release idea: If they do release "The Interview," how about January? That is one of the slowest times at the box office. Pick a day and release it then, for a low price, but make people pay to show capitalism works. Make it event like a playoff game and really hype it. If freebies are to be done, have TV stations, radio and newspapers take those spots. Or offer reduced rates or treat them like public service
announcements, and hit it big.
Now, truth be told, "The Interview" was not going to be a huge movie. It doesn't fit that bill at all. It was to be released on Christmas, a very crowded day this
year.