Slate, as usual, has an incredible article on the business of movie critics, and whether they have an effect on box office receipts. I won't spoil the fun of reading this article with any details, but lets just say the critics aren't really wasting their breath.
Why we need movie critics - Slate
7.03.2008
Yes America, the critics may actually matter
6.30.2008
HBO has me excited for yet another show
Jason Schwartzman has been cast as the lead in a new HBO comedy, "Bored to Death," which sounds pretty original and full of potential. Sounds a bit like "Californication" meets the East coast. For the details, check out THR.
Jason Schwartzman cast in HBO pilot - THR
6.06.2008
Once I open the vault, it ceases to be a vault. Oy ga-vault.
This is one of the more interesting stories I came across today, and something that I'm particularly interested in. In the wake of the Universal fire that destroyed some archival video that was in a vault on the lot, studios are starting to look into better methods of film preservation and digital data storage. Its actually a pretty important issue. I'd like to think they could start by building vaults that are fireproof. I mean, it's not much a vault if it can't protect what's inside, is it?
Studios examine preservation policies - Hollywood Reporter
(Apologies for two Seinfeld references in a row.)
Who are the ad wizards that came up with THAT one??
Seriously now...I would have loved to be in the meeting room when someone proposed this idea, and then another person said "I like it!" and then yet another person agreed, and then people spent time actually figuring out how to do this, and then they went ahead and did it. There were many spots along that journey where someone could have easily said, "This is a terrible idea." If this is the future of TV advertising, i'm going to have to go back to reading books. I guess we have TiVo to blame.
While watching Family Guy on TBS, I was rudely interrupted:
6.04.2008
Seth Rogen is a superhero. (Not the Hebrew Hammer)
Seth Rogen has gotten the Green Light for Green Hornet according to Entertainment Weekly. He will star as, who else, The Green Hornet, shattering his do-nothing-stoner-slacker typecast. Mark your calenders for June 25, 2010.
Seth Rogen's "The Green Hornet" gets a green light - Entertainment Weekly
As a hockey fan, this makes me happy. I'm sure it makes NBC happy too.
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings drew an awesome 6.25 million viewers, the largest US tv audience for a hockey game in 4 years! Go NHL! (And Detroit.)
NBC Wins with Stanley Cup - Variety
New York Street? In Universal City? 911 Struggles with this concept
Is that a restaurant? TMZ has the audio up of the first call into 911 about the Universal City/Studios blaze that destroyed, amongst other things, the New York Street backlot.
911 Dispatcher: Universal's on fire, Really? - TMZ
Paramount Vantage gets swallowed by Paramount
In the wake of New Line merging with Warner Bros, one of my favorite art house studios, Paramount Vantage, is getting folded into its parent studio, striking another blow to an economically challenged indie.
Paramount brings Vantage into fold - Variety
Nikki Finke has more:
Paramount Vantage reorganizes bigtime - Nikkie Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily
5.28.2008
People aren't buying DVD's - Happy Feet or Porn
Hollywood is spending more and more on their films, but DVD sales are dropping. This article touches not only on Hollywood DVD's, but the adult film industry's troubles as well.
DVD Sales down but not out - Variety
Macaulay Culkin and Eliza Dushku have Sex. And Breakfast.
Sex and Breakfast premiered at Cannes:
“Two couples uncover what it takes to achieve a long-term romance while maintaining a healthy and satisfying sexual relationship.”
MacCaulay Culkin and Eliza Dushku have group sex with people to better their relationship. Only, there's no nudity in this movie.
And you can watch the entire movie on YouTube!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=diNB5m1uUPM
Peter and Cleveland discuss the new Family Guy ripoff, "The Cleveland Show."
Peter thinks this sounds an awful lot like more of a 'ripoff' than a 'spinoff.' Video complete with Cleveland Show opening theme:
Laurent Cantet's "Entre Les Murs" wins Palme D'Or at Cannes
So i'm a little late on this, but here are some movies you are going to probably need to see at some point. I guarantee they are better than Indiana Jones 4.
Laurent Cantet's "Entre Les Murs" wins Palme D'Or at Cannes, a film about classroom life using real students and teachers.
The Grand Prix (runner-up) went to Matteo Garrone's "Gomorra" - a study of the criminal underworld in Naples.
Best actor went to Benicio del Toro for his role in Steven Soderbergh's "Che," which I can't wait to see.
French Film wins Cannes #1 Palme D'Or - Nikki Finke's Hollywood Daily
AFTRA may have possible deal with Producers, may be caving on Clips usage
AFTRA optimistic on possible deal - Variety
BUT
AFTRA Having Difficulty On AMPTP Deal: Preparing Members For Clips Cave-In? - Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the McGuffins Link Roundup
I finally saw this movie last night, and now can (un)biasedly pass on some of my favorite select links to you, the consumer.
My review: If this movie did not have 30 years of a historic trilogy behind it, there would be no reason to see it. It was very not good. But, you should see it, because it is an Indiana Jones movie. And many people will go see it. Making those involved lots of money, for a bad movie.
Positive review: Review: New Indiana Jones Hits the Mark - Underwire
Negative and hilarious review (Contains spoilers): Nerd Up: Indiana Jones' Skull Flick - Underwire
Interestingly clever review: What would a 32nd-century scholar make of Harrison Ford? - Slate
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Temple of the Last Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls is raking in the money at the box office, beating all the other bad movies out right now:
'Crystal Skull' debuts big at global boxoffice - The Hollywood Reporter
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Indiana Jones Rules Over Slow Holiday Weekend - Rotten Tomatoes
In one of the more interesting stories surrounding the 4th Indiana Jones, in a rare agreement with a studio, Lucas, Spielberg and Ford will not recieve any profit until 'Skulls' recoups $400 million in revenue for Paramount. Thereafter, Paramount will take 12.5% and the three big stars will split the 87.5%.
Ford, Lucas, Spielberg on risky quest for treasure - LA Times
Also: McGuffin
5.15.2008
Herzog and Lynch to team up on "Greatest Movie Ever Made...Ever."
Directors team for "My Son" - The Hollywood Reporter
David Lynch AND Werner Herzog, together, on the same movie? Mark your calendars for this one now.
5.14.2008
CBS 2008-2009 Primetime Fall Schedule - At least they still have Survivor
CBS 2008-2009 Primetime Fall Schedule - Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily
More after the jump...5.13.2008
ABC's new Fall sched looks pretty much like it did last year
Up Fronts: ABC's Schedule - LA Times
“Life On Mars” and “Opportunity Knocks" are the only new shows to debut in the new Fall ABC schedule, as they are banking on relaunching their returning shows.
Opportunity Knocks is a new game show by Ashton Kutcher's production company: "This show is basically an amazing game show where we go to different neighborhoods around America and knock on people’s doors and bring the game show directly to their front lawn." Sounds...generic.
“Life on Mars” is a remake of the popular BBC series about a detective who finds himself in 1972 after he’s run over by a car.
ABC also picks up Scrubs off of NBC, but that show has really gone downhill anyway.
Jeff Probst doesn't know where Gabon is, HD will make him ugly
Jeff Probst talks about next 'Survivor' location - Entertainment Weekly
Just after the awesome season of Survivor Fans vs Favorites wrapped up (it was probably one of the best seasons the show has had), Jeff Probst discussed the upcoming season in Gabon, Africa. (He confessed he didn't know where it was.) The new season will be the first filmed in HD: “People with bug bites are gonna look worse, people that don’t have great bodies are gonna look worse, and people who are really attractive are probably gonna look… worse.”
'Hills' star Audrina Patridge to star in work of fiction other than 'The Hills'
'Hills' star to make feature debut - Hollywood Reporter
MTV's "The Hills" nude picture superstar Audrina Patridge has just signed on to the cast of "Into the Blue 2." According to THR, "Patridge will play a no-nonsense, beautiful beach babe whose boyfriend caters to her every command."
I'll give you all a minute to comprehend the fact that they are making a sequel to "Into the Blue."
Iron Man 2nd week awesomeness beats Speed Racer's premiere awfulness
"Speed Racer" Crashes at the Box Office - Entertainment Weekly
If you haven't gotten out to see Speed Racer yet, don't. Go see Iron Man instead. You'll thank me.
Oliver's Stones Bush Biopic (Might not be historically accurate??!!)
EW.com Cover Story: First Look: 'W,' Oliver Stone's Bush Biopic - Entertainment Weekly
This is a great piece that gives us the most information we've had up until now on the highly anticipated "W" (Dub-ya?).
Shooting begins in a few weeks, and here's an alert for aspiring actors: The Dick Cheney part still is not cast! So if you are overweight, balding, and hate freedom, be sure to contact Oliver Stone.
5.07.2008
5.02.2008
New "Hancock" trailer now out - Iron Man could beat him anyday
These days, anything Will Smith touches turns to gold. He's a mega-star. I Am Legend grossed over $250 million. His new movie "Hancock" is set to be one of this summer's biggest hit. Check out the new trailer of one of the weirder "superhero" movies to hit theaters this summer.
I say forget Will Smith, I'm more excited about Jason Bateman's role in this film, playing the alcoholic superhero's publicist.
Hancock Trailer - Yahoo Movies
5.01.2008
Moonves brings Extreme fighting to CBS - Sumner Redstone not nearly as happy as I am about this
Les Moonves reached a deal with Elite Xtreme Combat to air mixed martial arts on CBS. His chairman, Redstone, is "a lover not a fighter" and is not happy about not being consulted on this decision.
Redstone rips Moonves' fight plan - THR
ThinkFilm picks up "Roman Polanski" doc
The Sundance hit, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" was just picked up by ThinkFilm. ThinkFilm is going with the always popular, "release it straight to HBO, then to NY, then the platform rollout" release plan. If you get HBO, you should definitely check this film out, airing on June 9.
ThinkFlim picks up "Roman Polanski" rights - THR
Abdul's Idol gaffe will actually help Idol ratings
The American public will watch just about anything these days. Finding out American Idol, one of the most successful "reality shows" of all time, is not in fact real, changes nothing.
Paula Abdul hits a sour note - THR
Variety sees the glass half-empty on the SAG strike hourglass
Ok so maybe don't go running for your sign pickets and blow-up rats just yet, but at least stock your TiVo's full of stuff you actually want to watch just in case. Variety doesn't seem too optimistic about the latest rounds of talks between the SAG and the AMPTP.
"In a development that will amp up strike fears, hopes for a SAG deal with the majors this week have nearly vanished.
With a dozen days of negotiations in the book, progress remains negligible, although both sides have adhered to an unofficial news blackout with no public disclosure on the substance of talks on SAG's feature-primetime deal."
Outlook dim for SAG deal - Variety
Must Read TV - Thursday Link Dump
"Baby Mama" Set in Philadelphia, Just Not Shot Here - The Illadelph; The Women rush across the Ben Franklin Bridge to Camden to go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. So many reasons why this is funny. Ha, local humor.
"Are They For Real? Why MTV's 'The Hills' is the Show you Love to Hate - or Hate to Love" - Rolling Stone; I may actually buy my first Rolling Stone in like 5 years. Have you SEEN this cover?
"Brad Pitt Hoping To Ride His Own Silly, Coens-Movie Hairdo To Oscar Gold" - Defamer; Malkovich + Clooney + Pitt + Coen^2 = A must see. Only the Coens could make the CIA funny.
"Prosecution rests in Pellicano trial" - Hollywood Reporter; Wiretapping hasn't seen this much action since Watergate
"Say Goodbye To The Blockbuster: The A.V. Club's Summer Movie Preview, Part Two" - AVClub; So this summer's blockbusters are not actually good movies? When is the last time a truly good movie made a crapload of money? Hint: The answer is not Titanic.
"Hollywood sees upside in economy's downturn" - LA Times; Poor, depressed people will flock to the movie theaters this summer to escape the realities of their poor, depressing lives. Hollywood rejoices.
Family Guy spinoff officially announced - Fox targets 18-49 african-american cartoon male demographic
In a move which could be completely awesome, or a horrible horrible failure, FOX announced today thats it's soon to come network upfront will include the Family Guy spinoff "Cleveland," based on the Peter Griffin's neighbor Cleveland Brown. While this is exciting news for many, can an entire series about a divorced, speech-impaired, gentle and kind-hearted deli owner hold a candle to the comic genius that is the subtle and nuanced brilliance of Stewie and Brian's relationship? Fox executives sure hope so.
New fox cartoon set for spring launch - Hollywood Reporter via Yahoo News
4.30.2008
Spitzer Prostie Ashley Dupre gives drunken underage consent to Girls Gone Wild - Joe Francis says "I told you so."
Elliot Spitzer has an affair with hot prostitute. Prostitute becomes famous/sings badly. Girls Gone Wild offers her lots of money to be in a video. GGW then discovers they already have tons of footage of her on video from 5 years ago. They get set to release said footage. Prostitute sues GGW for $10 million. GGW says, "But you consented." Prostitute says "No, I didn't." GGW digs up the video of her consenting, and says "Boo-yah."
GGW - 2, Prostitute - 0
Tape shows 'Kristen' OK with 'Girls Gone Wild' - msnbc.com
Video of consent - Gawker
The MPAA wants to control your interweb
The MPAA weighs in on the Net neutrality debate today. Obviously, they are against it. They want cable and phone companies to be able to control their internet users, so they can control the cable and phone companies, and thus, control you. And stop you from pirating the horrible movies that they expect you to pay 12 bucks for. Beware of the MPAA. They're watching you.
Hollywood taking sides in Net neutrality debate - Seattle Times
Scarlett Johanssen is not Tom Waits. Tom Waits would never kiss Salman Rushdie.
Scarlett Johanssen's new video for her first single "Falling Down" from her album of Tom Waits covers was just released. Its sound is pretty indescribable really. It's sounds sort of good, right? Or maybe it's awful? It has some sort of mysterious and hypnotic quality to it. Maybe it's tricking me into thinking it's good.
The video however, is not good. No trickery there. But she does make out with Salman Rushdie. WTF?
Yahoo Music - check it out.
Paula Abdul is too high to remember she's supposed to pretend American Idol isn't scripted
So basically, on American Idol, the contestants sang two songs last night. They were all judged together onstage after they all sang their first song. Magically, however, Paula not only judged one contestant's first song, but his second song as well, BEFORE HE HAD SANG IT, prompting the audience to laugh uncomfortably at her psychic abilities, and causing producer Nigel Lythgoe to shit his pants as the curtain of deception fell on his creation. Wait, you mean, reality television....isn't.....real??? Video, below:
EW.com does the best coverage of this one:
American Idol: Rough Diamond - for a summary of what happened.
On the Scene: The Paula Abdul 'Idol' gaffe heard 'cross the nation - for a first-hand account of how it went down in the studio.
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