With 2016 coming to an end movie critics have begun announcing their picks for the year’s noteworthy releases. As in recent years, critics groups from New York to Los Angeles differ slightly on what the top movie should be. The New York critics group went with the musical “La La Land”, while The L.A. group chose the drama “Moonlight”. To really confuse things the National Board of Review selected “Manchester by the Sea”. What this breadth of selections means is there were plenty of great films to see this year.
Where you see these movies, on the other hand, continues to be a debate, at least for the heads of movie studios. Kevin Tsujihara, the head of Warner Bros., made it known his company would like to release films into the home market soon after their release in movie theaters. He says the studio is having “constructive conversations” with a few cinema operators to make this a reality, but what that really means is anybody’s guess.
There seems to be no confusion however over whether TV networks want to attend the winter press gathering of the Television Critics Association; they don’t. These annual events allow networks to promote new shows while giving journalists a chance to grill the creatives and executive behind them. It looks as if many networks are skipping out on this January’s press tour as the top executives from ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC declining their invites.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including DirecTV’s plans to go over the top, Netflix allows users to download movies for offline viewing and the Bee Gees get a new record deal.

comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of December 4, 2016
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-december-4-2016-300372569.html
Japan’s ‘Your Name’ Poised to Win China Box Office Weekend
https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/japan-your-name-to-win-china-box-office-weekend-1201932734/
The Anime Master of Missed Connections Makes Strong Contact in Japan
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/04/movies/the-anime-master-of-missed-connections-makes-strong-contact-in-japan.html
Box Office: ‘Moana’ Sails to No. 1 for Second Weekend With $28.4 Million
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-moana-sails-no-1-second-week-284-million-952517
Universal, Warner Bros. Talking to Theater Owners About Offering Films in Homes Early
https://variety.com/2016/film/news/universal-warner-bros-theater-owners-early-windows-1201931478/
Oscars: Jimmy Kimmel to Host This Year’s Ceremony
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-jimmy-kimmel-host-years-ceremony-952662
‘La La Land’ Named Best Film by New York Film Critics Circle
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ny-film-critics-circle-winners-2016-951751
L.A. Film Critics Name ‘Moonlight’ Best Picture