Category Archives: The Media

Film and TV, Food, Politics, The Media

OPRAH WINFREY FORMS AMERICAN FILM ACADEMY

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imageChicago, Illinois – When Oprah cries, everybody cries; when Oprah gets pissed, you better watch out.

The most influential woman in the world – not to mention one of the richest – was perturbed at the fact that the film she starred in, Lee Daniels’ The Butler was snubbed by both the Golden Globes and the Oscars. When the film was released earlier this year, critics thought that Winfrey’s performance as the wife of the White House butler played by Forest Whitaker, was a shoo-in for a Best Actress nomination.

Ms. Winfrey not only has her own magazine but her own television network as well (Oprah Winfrey Network or OWN).

Today, she announced that she is forming her own American Film Academy which will function just like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which puts up the annual Oscar Awards.

The new academy’s awards will be called the Oprahs.

As of press time, it wasn’t known how many of the current Oscar voting members will defect to Oprah’s new academy.

For a list of  Oscar voters, visit NeverTooEarlyMoviePredictions by clicking HERE.

Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Music, The Media, Travel

WILL THE ‘UNDOCUMENTED’ ROSE FOSTANES PLEASE STEP FORWARD?

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imageTel Aviv, Israel – The  story of  a Filipina caregiver who captivated the world for winning the first-ever X Factor Israel this week is one of “rags to riches.” After winning the singing competition, 47-year old Rose Fostanes is on her way to recording contracts and professional gigs that would pay millions of dollars.

But, STOP THE PRESSES!

While Fostanes the caregiver is documented in Israel, Fostanes the singer is not. Like with most immigration laws anywhere in the world, foreign nationals are granted work permits to get paid for the specific jobs that they were recruited for. In Fostanes’ case, she can legally work in Israel only as a caregiver.

This means that Fostanes cannot get paid for recording contracts or professional concerts and appearances within Israel.  This has become a big dilemma for the producers of X Factor Israel.

But no worries. The producers have come up with a brilliant idea to skirt around the country’s immigration laws.

Beginning next week, Fostanes will go on a road tour throughout Israel, visiting hospitals and convalescent homes, singing for the sick and elderly. All her appearances will be televised and she will get paid for it.

“We will be paying her as a caregiver, not as a singer,” the producers said, “so we will not be violating any Israeli law or the conditions of her legal work permit.

All’s well that ends well.

Film and TV, International, Music, The Media

IS THE SONG ‘MY WAY’ BAD OMEN FOR FILIPINA FINALIST IN X FACTOR ISRAEL?

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imageTel Aviv, Israel – All in Israel and the Philippines await the results of the finals of X Factor Israel, the syndicated reality TV singing competition originated by Simon Cowell in Great Britain. For one last time, the four finalists belted out their chosen song with all the passion and gusto they could muster.

For Filipina caregiver Rose Fostanes, a heavy favorite to win the competition, her chosen song could spell victory or doom, depending on how one feels about the classic ballad popularized by Frank Sinatra.

Unknown to many, “My Way” is closely identified with a strange phenomenon in the Philippines, dubbed “My Way Killings.” The Sinatra song has all but disappeared from the playlists of karaoke bars in the Philippines because of a series of  murders involving individuals singing or listening to the song.  At least half a dozen murders have been linked to the singing of “My Way” in various karaoke bars in the Philippines.

The big question now is: will “My Way” win the X Factor title for Fostanes or spell her doom?  If she wins the competition, will the song reappear in the playlists of Filipino karaoke bars?

All we can do is wait and see.