I think that's the default assumption for reality shows now, right?  That most of the stuff caught on camera is staged, or re-staged rather than caught live?

@avclub-99c00d1610cbba7ba966b699cbc317a1:disqus : Thanks, that's a lot to chew on.  Some preliminary thoughts:

@avclub-99c00d1610cbba7ba966b699cbc317a1:disqus : Thanks, that's a lot to chew on.  Some preliminary thoughts:

I met Dave Holmes at one of the post-Prop 8 protests in Los Angeles, and even at a political protest he can't help coming across as one of the nicest, most well-adjusted guys.  I'm not sure if a television station that now specializes in train wrecks was the right fit for him, anyway.  Glad that he's had a steady gig…

I met Dave Holmes at one of the post-Prop 8 protests in Los Angeles, and even at a political protest he can't help coming across as one of the nicest, most well-adjusted guys.  I'm not sure if a television station that now specializes in train wrecks was the right fit for him, anyway.  Glad that he's had a steady gig…

On the aesthetic side, one of the reasons Eisenstein and Vertov 'get away with it' is that they're not in the least bit interested in realism, so subtlety isn't even a virtue.  Eisenstein in particular came through theatre and a whole theory of circus exhibitionism, mixed media, and montage … Bertolucci is just not…

On the aesthetic side, one of the reasons Eisenstein and Vertov 'get away with it' is that they're not in the least bit interested in realism, so subtlety isn't even a virtue.  Eisenstein in particular came through theatre and a whole theory of circus exhibitionism, mixed media, and montage … Bertolucci is just not…

Allegory is tough to pull off effectively.  One of the reasons a non-subtle director like (e.g.) Eisenstein's films still work (largely) is that he has the creative chops to keep throwing new and imaginative things at the screen to keep your brain working.  If you're not as flashy a director as Eisenstein, you better…

Allegory is tough to pull off effectively.  One of the reasons a non-subtle director like (e.g.) Eisenstein's films still work (largely) is that he has the creative chops to keep throwing new and imaginative things at the screen to keep your brain working.  If you're not as flashy a director as Eisenstein, you better…

I think it's his best movie, actually.

I think it's his best movie, actually.

Chill out; I'm not saying the academy is picking the Best Animated Films of All Times and Nations… I'm saying that given how predictable and milquetoast the other major categories are, their track record on animation has yielded more and better happy surprises.  If it were more like the Best Picture category, it'd be a…

Chill out; I'm not saying the academy is picking the Best Animated Films of All Times and Nations… I'm saying that given how predictable and milquetoast the other major categories are, their track record on animation has yielded more and better happy surprises.  If it were more like the Best Picture category, it'd be a…

Yup… we're team Electrolytes in my household, for pretty much the same reasons.  I don't think they're great, but they've been the least not-bad over the last few episodes.  Hoorah!

Yup… we're team Electrolytes in my household, for pretty much the same reasons.  I don't think they're great, but they've been the least not-bad over the last few episodes.  Hoorah!

@avclub-dc10fce584f2cdf09d6690e0f2883227:disqus … Three weeks ago, I may have agreed with you.  But I don't know if your perception of MWC is a bit colored by how good they were at the beginning of the season, or by some of the heavy hitters they have on their team.  Two weeks ago they massively flubbed their routine.…

@avclub-dc10fce584f2cdf09d6690e0f2883227:disqus … Three weeks ago, I may have agreed with you.  But I don't know if your perception of MWC is a bit colored by how good they were at the beginning of the season, or by some of the heavy hitters they have on their team.  Two weeks ago they massively flubbed their routine.…

Ah, that's too bad… I'll check it out when it comes to town, though.  If there's one thing to commend the Academy on, it's the oddball choices in the animation nods: I never would have heard of The Secret of Kells, much less seen it, much less fell in love with it like I did.

Ah, that's too bad… I'll check it out when it comes to town, though.  If there's one thing to commend the Academy on, it's the oddball choices in the animation nods: I never would have heard of The Secret of Kells, much less seen it, much less fell in love with it like I did.

@avclub-e0b2ce3685c37ff452b211bd8b6b1b5c:disqus : where are you getting that from the film, though?  There's a very specific moral philosophy outlined: some people are bad (their crimes are explained in the film), and God as anointed others to kill them mercilessly.  That's a far cry from indifference or hostility,…