Pop, Cultured

So for the final "Pop, Cultured" of 2011, I'm doing something completely different... by omitting any references to an obscure celebrity.

You're welcome.

In this week's edition we take a look at the nominations for January's Golden Globes, as Christian Bale defends his latest film that's been labelled "anti-Japanese propaganda".

Plus, video-gamers help break the money-making record set by "Avatar", following the release of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3".

Now before I switch off the lights on 2011, I'd like to issue somewhat of a "Wanker Alert".

Over the past 12 months I've been fortunate enough to compile several stories for World News Australia stemming from my blatant obsession with all things entertainment.

So I'd like to finish by revisiting four particular pieces that got a lot of feedback from you guys at home. And I can't express just how grateful I was to receive it.

First, it was at this time last year I spend six hours wandering around an art deco cinema in Melbourne that once served as my second home. At the time the Astor Theatre had just turned 75, in which it became a mecca for local cinephiles.

But what I enjoyed most was discovering just how big a role it played in the lives of Melbourne's Greek population in the 1960s - where families could enjoy a slice of the old country while settling in to their new one (before a certain multicultural broadcaster came along and ruined everything).

Then in January I was asked a random question by one of the newsroom producers: "How would you like to interview James Cameron?"

I nearly swallowed my tongue.

The Oscar-winning director behind the top two highest grossing films of all time was in town to promote "Sanctum", an Australian-made cave-diving drama produced by Cameron and filmed with his own 3D cameras.

I also got to chat with the film's director Alister Grierson, and writer Andrew Wight. Here's the interview in its entirity.

In July, film critic David Stratton gave the following assessment on the Australian comedy "Big Mamma's Boy".

"This is a broad comedy that feels as if it could have been made 40 years ago," he said. "I'm amazed that jokes can still be milked from such familiar material."

"It's a bit of a shame because it's a lovely world, this world of Italian Australians, Greek Australians and we've been enriched so much by it that you'd like it to be taken to another level in a way. So I must admit to being slightly disappointed."

Using the film's release, I looked back at just how far Greeks and Italians had come in terms of their portrayal in Australian movies.

Short answer: not much.



And finally, October presented two pleasant surprises: a chance to interview professional wrestler CM Punk, and discovering said interview had become World News Australia's highest-rating Youtube video ever.

Alright, that's enough.

Thanks again for your company, and until 2012 have a very Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah / Kwazy Kwanzaa / tip-top Tet / disappointing Festivus (for the rest of us).