Film Preservation Selections: The National Registry of the Library of Congress announced its annual selections for films “to be preserved as cultural, artistic and historical treasures.” Walt Disney’s
Bambi, Robert Rodriguez’
El Mariachi, and Jonathan Demme’s
The Silence of the Lambs are among the 25 selections chosen “because of their enduring significance to American culture.” (
Los Angeles Times)
Check Your Mailbox: Ballots for the 84th Academy Awards have been mailed to more than 5,000 members of the Academy and are due back on January 13. Nominations for 15 of the 24 categories will be decided, with members in the different branches (actors, directors, editors, and so forth) voting for the nominations in their specific branch of the Academy. (
The Wrap)
Hitchcock Mystery Solved: Why did seabirds crash into homes across the Monterey Bay in California in 1961? The mystery inspired Daphne du Marier to write a story about it, and Alfred Hitchcock to make
The Birds. Now scientists say that the birds most likely ate anchovies and squid that had been poisoned by acid. (
USA Today)
Most Pirated Movies: Holding the dubious distinction of being the most pirated movie of the year,
Fast Five was downloaded more than nine million times. Following behind were
The Hangover II and
Thor, while independent films
127 Hours and
The King’s Speech also made the top 10 list. (
TorrentFreak)