Showbiz Sandbox 265: This Year’s Oscar Nominations Aren’t Only Racist, They’re Anti-Lego
Summary: While debating Oscar nomination snubs has become an annual tradition, the criticism over this year’s list of nominees had to do with racial bias and a lack of diversity. Specifically, a film about civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was nominated for Best Picture, but its female director and lead actor, both black, were surprisingly overlooked.<br> Yet few seemed to notice is that “Selma”, the film in question, is only the twelfth film directed by a woman to receive a Best Picture nomination in the 86 year history of the Academy Awards. On only four occasions has the filmmaker also been nominated for Best Director. And six of these movies were nominated during the last 10 years, pointing towards a positive trend for female helmers.<br> Also under represented in the Best Picture category at this year’s Oscars are hit movies. Sure, all of the nominees were successful, but only “American Sniper” earned big bucks at the box office. If only Legos were eligible to vote… maybe they’re film would have been nominated for Best Animated Feature.<br> Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Barbara Streisand’s latest platinum album, Amazon’s move into theatrical film distribution and why James Cameron is delaying the “Avatar” sequels to 201.<br> <br> Why Did ‘American Sniper’ Do So Well At The Box Office?<br><br> <a title="Why Did ‘American Sniper’ Do So Well At The Box Office?" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/0119/Why-did-American-Sniper-do-so-well-at-the-box-office" target="_blank">http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/0119/Why-did-American-Sniper-do-so-well-at-the-box-office</a><br> Study: 53 Percent Shun Movie Theaters Citing High Ticket Prices<br><br> <a title="Study: 53 Percent Shun Movie Theaters Citing High Ticket Prices" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/study-53-percent-shun-movie-763435" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/study-53-percent-shun-movie-763435</a><br> Average Movie Ticket Price Jumps to $8.17 in 2014<br><br> <a title="Average Movie Ticket Price Jumps to $8.17 in 2014" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/average-movie-ticket-price-jumps-764951" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/average-movie-ticket-price-jumps-764951</a><br> ‘The Interview’ Makes $40 Million Online and On-Demand<br><br> <a title="‘The Interview’ Makes $40 Million Online and On-Demand" href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/the-interview-makes-40-million-online-and-on-demand-1201409731/" target="_blank">http://variety.com/2015/film/news/the-interview-makes-40-million-online-and-on-demand-1201409731/</a><br> N.S.A. Breached North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say<br><br> <a title="N.S.A. Breached North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/19/world/asia/nsa-tapped-into-north-korean-networks-before-sony-attack-officials-say.html?_r=0" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/19/world/asia/nsa-tapped-into-north-korean-networks-before-sony-attack-officials-say.html?_r=0</a><br> ‘The Interview’ to Get Theatrical Release in France<br><br> <a title="'The Interview' to Get Theatrical Release in France" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/interview-get-theatrical-release-france-763013" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/interview-get-theatrical-release-france-763013</a><br> DreamWorks Animation Planning Layoffs<br><br> <a title="DreamWorks Animation Planning Layoffs" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-planning-layoffs-764726" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-planning-layoffs-764726</a><br> Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger Paid $46.5 Million in Fiscal 2014<br><br> <a title="Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger Paid $46.5 Million in Fiscal 2014" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/walt-disney-ceo-bob-iger-764428" target="_blan..."></a>
