Tonight Geraldo Rivera accused the producers of the Oscar-nominated film - "Inglorious Basterds" - of starting up one of the controversies surrounding the war drama "The Hurt Locker" which hit the fan on the eve of the Academy race.
"The timing was suspicious," he snorted in so many words from his anchor desk.
When a guest pooh-poohed the notion, Geraldo roundly asserted that a big-shot producer in New York confirmed that it was so.
The entertainment reporter admitted to Geraldo that producers of "Inglorious Basterds" were a bit "colorful" but came short of pointing a finger.
Of course, this was another pain in the butt for the film's director (Kathryn Bigelow) and her creative team.
The Geraldo bombshell came on the heels of a headlining twist to the ongoing "Hurt Locker" saga which unfolded earlier this week.
Just after the balloting deadline was reached on Tuesday March 2nd - a solider in an elite bomb squad (the one depicted in the feature film) - issued a press release to inform frenzied media types that a lawsuit had been filed against the producers of "Hurt Locker" for recovery of damages.
In a cause of action filed with the court, the plaintiff alleged that the script for the Oscar-nominated film, was inspired by his own experiences in war-torn territories overseas.
In sum, the disgruntled soldier has asserted in his pleadings, that the producers lifted his story - bastardized it - then failed to negotiate profits due in consideration of his cooperation with the film production company.
In response to queries from the press corps, the angry litigant confirmed for the record that he held off filing the lawsuit until the voting for the coveted award was complete (to ensure his actions did not adversely affect the film's chances at the winning the Oscar).
Smart boy!
Meanwhile, Geraldo's guest blamed the "media" for fanning the flames.
Bottom line, though, he admitted it was a good story.
"That's why the editors at the New York Times, Newsweek, and Los Angeles times went with it."
The film has had its share of headaches.
In addition to the newly-filed legal proceeding, producer Nicolas Chartier was banned from the Oscar celebration tomorrow night for instigating a negative campaign against Avatar (the major competition in the Oscar race) in violation of Academy rules.
I reported on the controversy this past week.
Post: 03/03/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/03/hurt-lockerproducer-banned-from-oscars.html
Although "Hurt Locker" has been recognized as a front-runner to nab the gold, armchair critics are quick to point out that in spite of the plaudits coming Kathryn Bigelow's way, the gritty war picture has only managed to rustle up 13 million at the box office.
A disaster by Hollywood standards.
Today, a news report acknowledged that "Hurt Locker" has been fairing much better in DVD rentals and sales in recent weeks since the product began to appear on marketplace shelves.
Hopefully, there will be a profit margin down the road somewhere.
Otherwise, the plaintiff in the suit may end up with an empty bag (even if he wins favor with the court and obtains a money judgment).
A hollow victory?
How ironic, when you ponder the notion that the Iraq War will face a similar end scenario, for a myriad of complex political reasons.
Meanwhile, the Oscar celebrations march on unphased!
Bigelow & Cameron fought to to be top!
(between-the-sheets)
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