Show biz flips, flaps and flops

JENNER. Headline-hugging tabloid fodder.

This 2015-2016 season, the entertainment scene’s upbeat flips, or surprising successes, are led by triumphant sequels to old film franchises, like the “Star Wars” and James Bond series, that have broken records at the box office.

Another upbeat “flip” is the rise of new but unexpectedly gifted and popular stars—with Jennifer Lawrence providing the most dazzling example.

What about the flaps? —Ah, they’re the scandals, stellar “wars” and other headline-hugging tabloid fodder and grist for the gossip and paparazzi mills—paced by Bruce Jenner reinventing himself as Caitlyn. And the iconic Mr. Nice Guy, Bill Cosby, shockingly being unmasked by more than 20 of his victims as a serial sexual exploiter and violator.

It’s a good thing that the industry’s villains are compensated for by its heroes, stars like Robert Redford and Brad Pitt, who are famous for their selfless advocacies, which benefit so many people around the world!

On the other hand, vivifying the flops, some usually high-flying stars have unexpectedly experienced low blows and outright failures, as their new starrers have shockingly failed to fly: Zac Efron played a groovy electronic music DJ in “We Are Your Friends”—but the film was perplexingly rejected by unfriendly moviegoers.

Ditto for George Clooney, whose new movies are usually raved over by adoring viewers—until his 2015 film, “Tomorrowland,” barely made back the multimillions it took to produce it.

Poor player

Another poor player was the usually fave Johnny Depp’s action flick, “Mordecai”—his fans simply didn’t know quite how to take it!

But, the biggest (temporary) dip in popularity was experienced by Bradley Cooper, whose two new starrers, “Aloha” and “Burnt” disappointingly said “bye-bye” and were toasted to a crisp at the box office.

But, not to fret: Cooper recently bounced back with “Joy,” where he had “only” a supporting role, but acquitted himself well in it. It could have been because he was acting with lead female protagonist Lawrence, with whom he’s shared past thespic triumphs like “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle” and “Serena.”

Exciting discoveries

Other signs that things are looking up this film year: New star discoveries who are also exceptional thespians continue to make their exciting mark, like Brie Larson in “Room,” Lily James in “Cinderella,” Dakota Johnson in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” Levi Miller in “Pan,” John Boyega in “The Force Awakens,” Kate Mara in “Fantastic Four” and Tony Jaa in “Furious 7.”

On the other hand, there are new or recurrent problems aplenty to be faced and resolved, like the Oscars’ “lack of racial diversity” controversy.

The US film academy has pledged to institute key reforms to democratize its vetting process for awards, but those improvements could take years before they bear substantial fruits. So other, speedier changes are needed to placate the growing number of stars who have threatened to snub the Oscars from here on in!