FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 26, 2018
Pull up a list of the 10 best picture nominees. Did you see any yet? Which do you want to watch?
Read an Oscars preview article and share something you learn.
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During the Academy Awards show, Hollywood's annual celebration next Sunday night, hosts hope to hear more applause than anger. Film industry leaders want "to keep the focus on the show and on the great work of this year," says a statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a 6,000-member group of actors, directors, producers and other move-makers. Still, the global telecast – hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel on ABC for a second straight year -- is sure to have references to the #MeToo movement against workplace harassment.
Some presenters, nominees and guests will wear "Time's Up" lapel pins to support that campaign, which began last October with journalists' revelations about decades of abuses by former studio head Harvey Weinstein. During red carpet interviews outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, some stars are likely to mention a Time's Up legal defense fund, which has raised about $21 million to help women suing employers or individuals.
There also are signs of change in an industry that was widely mocked in 2015 and 2016 with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite because all best actor and best actress nominees were white. An ambitious membership overhaul diversified the voting body by race, gender, geography and age. Nominees for Oscar statues this time reflect a new era:
Journalist says: "The class of nominees for this year's 90th Academy Awards feels like a breath of fresh air." – Sara Vilkomerson, Entertainment Weekly writer
Film reviewer says: "It's shaping up as the most exciting and competitive Oscar night in years . . . [with choices] that reflect the startling changes happening in the world we live in." – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Network executive says: "We certainly want to honor and respect Time's Up and allow that message to be heard. But we're trying to make it more planned than spur of the moment. . . . I would love for every award recipient to not feel like they have to acknowledge it independently." -- Channing Dungey, ABC entertainment division president
Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
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