SubscribeVariety's new blogger Kris Tapley really knows his Oscars
Lots of new Oscar blogs are popping up all over the web these days (with no weed killer on the market strong enough to solve the problem), but one deserves special note: "Red Carpet District" by Kristopher Tapley at Variety.com. (CLICK HERE)
Unlike the academy's statuette, it's solid gold. Kris knows his stuff and his recent appointment in this job proves that there are real happy endings in Hollywood. Because Kris deserves this gig. He isn't one more ego-bloated film critic who thinks he knows the Oscars because he writes about Martin Scorsese and Ang Lee. (To my mind, giving us one more of those would be like hiring your TV repairman to write an episode of "The Sopranos" because, well, he works in TV, right?)
Kris studies the Oscars as a science and has been writing about them since he was a college student in the Carolinas. I asked Sasha Stone of AwardsDaily.com, the old Oscarwatch.com, to tell us his story, since it was at her site where he emerged with some prominence, first as a poster, then as a writer, then he launched his own site, then wrote for MovieCityNews.com, then launched another site of his own — InContention.com, still going strong — then landed this prized gig at Variety.
"Kris and I met years ago when he was a teenager and a frequent visitor of Oscarwatch," Sasha says. "He then launched OscarCentral, his own prediction site which really took off when he got an interview with 'Gosford Park' writer Julian Fellowes and they became 'friends.' From there, he did well but at some point wanted to be part of my site and dump his own. So he wrote for me for a while doing interviews and predictions."
After graduating from college, he moved to Los Angeles where he picked up freelance gigs, writing for Variety's award supplements and even occasional film pieces for the New York Times.
"One thing about him is he's always been really smart for his age," Sasha adds. "He is bright and funny and comes off online as a lot more cocky than he actually is. I think he's got a bright future."
Uh-oh. Do you think Sasha wanted me to quote that last "cocky" part of her email?
Congratulations, Kris! And congrats, too, to Variety, for hiring a real winner among award pundits.
Hey. We cannot destroy kindred: Our chains stretch a little sometimes, but they never break.
I am from Kosovo and , too, and now am writing in English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "Are mainly mediated through multiple anti inflammatory mechanisms milgrom, h, et al.Neurotransmitter agents anti allergic agents."
Thanks for the help 8-), Anthea.
Posted by: Ashlan | May 30, 2009 at 01:00 PM
I think Kris does know his stuff but I don't always agree with his predictions.
But I don't get the dig at people who think they know their Oscars because they write about Scorsese and Ang Lee? What does that mean?
Posted by: daveylow | October 30, 2007 at 07:12 PM
I hate having to defend myself but - oh well.
I realize I'm in charge of editing Gerard (and I missed the word you went crazy on, there, David) - but try to read bylines and know who's writing what. It'll make it much easier when directing your vitriol.
Hejla - no idea how to respond. Sorry? I dunno...
ANYWAY, thanks for the good words, Tom. Hard to stay above the fray (clearly) in this corner of the web, but I'll try.
Posted by: Kristopher Tapley | October 30, 2007 at 06:29 PM
I used to read his site, but the arrogance gets to be too much after a while. I wonder if he even realizes how arrogant he sounds. It's very offputting.
Posted by: Hejla | October 30, 2007 at 03:36 AM
Dear Tom, Not to burst your or Sasha's bubble or anything about this boy but great he may be with Oscar predicitons and analysis, I still wonder why his English teacher made him pass the subject. See for yourself....
"Monday night, I was subjected to “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” where Cate Blanchett did a whole lot of showboating and Shekhar Kapur messed with history way too much. I found the result to be histrionic silliness. But I can’t fault Alexandra Byrne’s flawless costumes dawned (????) by Blanchett and her co-stars." (Source: http://www.incontention.com/)
Uh.. I think you mean donned... like... Don we now our gay apparel fa-la-la la-la-la la la la.
Posted by: David | October 29, 2007 at 09:18 PM
I just wish he could be more impartial like Sasha herself, Johnny Alba or Mark Bakalor.
Posted by: Tommy | October 28, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Yeah, his predictions last week that The Great Debaters would get nominated for Picture, Director, and Actor reminded me that anybody can do Oscar predictions and get their fifteen minutes.
Posted by: RBurton | October 28, 2007 at 09:31 PM