Miami Vice" was the top destination for weekend moviegoers across North America, as the high-powered remake of the slick TV series ended the three-week reign of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Among other new releases, the Tom Hanks-produced cartoon "The Ant Bully" tanked, while young women turned out in force for the lively romantic comedy "John Tucker Must Die."
"Miami Vice," starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell as suave drug-busters, earned about $25.2 million during its first three days, distributor Universal Pictures said on Sunday.
The tally consists of actual sales for Friday and Saturday, and estimated sales for Sunday. Final data will be issued on Monday.
The $135 million film was directed by Michael Mann, an executive producer of the original 1980s television series. The shoot was plagued by hurricanes, injuries, and a shootout on location in the Dominican Republic. But the finished product drew warm reviews from critics despite an opaque plot.
Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, said almost two-thirds of the audience was aged 30 and older, and exit polling indicated that Foxx was the main draw.
If the estimate holds, it would rank as Mann's No. 1 opening, surpassing the $24.7 million debut of his 2004 film "Collateral," also starring Foxx.
DISNEY RECORD
Walt Disney Co.'s "Pirates" sequel slipped to No. 2 with $20.5 million in its fourth round. The buccaneer sequel now ranks as the No. 1 domestic release in the firm's history, with a booty of $358.4 million. The 2003 cartoon "Finding Nemo" held the record with $339.7 million.
"John Tucker Must Die" followed at No. 3 with $14.1 million, slightly exceeding the expectations of its distributor, News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox. The film, which cost about $18 million to make, stars Jesse Metcalfe, the jailbait gardener in ABC's "Desperate Housewives."
"The Ant Bully," a cartoon based on a children's book, has a high-wattage voice cast, including Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep. But it only managed a No. 5 debut with $8.1 million. Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures had hoped for an opening in the mid-teens.
The film marks the second consecutive dud for the Time Warner Inc. unit, following "Lady in the Water." The M. Night Shyamalan fantasy earned $7 million in its second weekend, for a 10-day haul of $32 million. The studio hopes it will reach $48 million, less than half the earnings of his 2004 under-performer "The Village."
One reason for the disappointing opening of "The Ant Bully" was competition from another cartoon, "Monster House," which fell two places to No. 4 with $11.5 million in its second weekend. The 10-day tally for Columbia Pictures' animated film stands at $43.9 million. Columbia is a unit of Sony Corp .
"SUNSHINE" ENLIGHTENS
The art house scene was busy over the weekend, with Woody Allen's crime farce "Scoop" and the Sundance Film Festival favorite "Little Miss Sunshine" opening in limited release.
Despite mixed reviews, "Scoop" earned $3 million from 538 theaters. The film stars Allen's latest muse, Scarlett Johansson, and Hugh Jackman. Distributor Focus Features, also a unit of NBC Universal, said it was very happy with the opening, but would not expand the film beyond its current theater count.
"Little Miss Sunshine," a comedy revolving around a dysfunctional family's road trip to California, earned a stellar $356,863 from seven theaters in New York and Los Angeles. It will expand to additional cities over the next two weekends before going into national release on August 18. It was released by News Corp.'s Fox Searchlight arm, which bought the film at Sundance in January.
Copyright © 2005 Reuters Limited All rights reserved.
Monday, July 31, 2006
movie news : Lord of War with Nicholas Cage
The movie; Lord of War with Nicholas Cage is a great movie to help illustrate the kinds of things that go on behind the scenes in the arms trade business. It rationalizes all different points of view and explains situations that so often we as citizens are not willing to address. It shows how often we make judgments without understanding the reality and brutality of the rest of the world.
Indeed, it also shows the darker side of man and the obvious innate characteristics to wage war and kill his own species. The movie also goes into the thought processes of all the different players on all sides of the fence in the movement of drugs, diamonds, currency, arms and even oil. During this current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah many people are wondering how the international terrorists organizations get their arms and their money to securities arms, which end up killing innocent people.
This movie should be seen by people who simply watch the news and think they understand world affairs because it is rather obvious that the mass media has done a mass snow job on the reality of world events. The Lord of War with Nicolas Cage is a great action-packed movie and worth your time to view. Please consider all this in 2006.
Lance Winslow
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow
Indeed, it also shows the darker side of man and the obvious innate characteristics to wage war and kill his own species. The movie also goes into the thought processes of all the different players on all sides of the fence in the movement of drugs, diamonds, currency, arms and even oil. During this current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah many people are wondering how the international terrorists organizations get their arms and their money to securities arms, which end up killing innocent people.
This movie should be seen by people who simply watch the news and think they understand world affairs because it is rather obvious that the mass media has done a mass snow job on the reality of world events. The Lord of War with Nicolas Cage is a great action-packed movie and worth your time to view. Please consider all this in 2006.
Lance Winslow
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow
Saturday, July 29, 2006
movie news : Operation Petticoat (1959)
A rather average Blake Edwards comedy released the same year as that other Cary Grant movie that would destined to become a classic of all times – NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959). OPERATION PETTICOAT is written by Stanley Shapiro and Maurice Richlin.
The film is one long flashback of Admiral Sherman (Cary Grant) who used to be the first captain of an old WW2 sub about to be commissioned.
Cary Grant stars as Lt. Cmdr. Matt T. Sherman, the commander of the WW2 submarine USS Sea Tiger docked at its port in Philippines.
December 1941. Before it can join the battle in the Pacific, Sea Tiger is damaged heavily by the attacking Japanese fighter planes. Rather than decommission the one-year old ship right away, Sherman manages to get the permission to fix his sub within two weeks – which does not seem possible given the impossibility of getting any parts or supplies.
But the next character who shows up will change the fate of the sub -- Lt. Nicholas Holden (Tony Curtis) has served previously as the “idea man” and an “entertainment officer” providing Navy's liaison “with Hollywood.” He has never set foot on a submarine and with his pretty-boy looks and spoiled mannerisms he does not look like he is ready for the rigors of sailing for war.
Yet Holden, who actually grew up in a tough neighborhood and a dog-eat-dog world, has one skill that comes in handy for the rule-and-order straight-arrow Sherman who cannot cut through the Navy red tape and order 150 rolls of toilet paper for his crew: Holden can scavenge, steal and do anything and everything possible to get things done. He is a smooth, sweet talking and shameless operator who knows the “easy way” to get everything. He asks to be assigned as the “supply officer” of Sea Tiger and his request is accepted right on the spot.
Pretty soon, due to clandestine visits to navy supply depots in black faces and black burglar outfits, Holden and his men manage to get whatever is needed in record time. Soon the black-smoke belching and wheezy sub is swimming again on a single faulty engine.
After sailing for open seas, a major plot point arrives when five female officers stranded on an island board the ship, thanks to Lt. Holden.
From that point on till the end, the story transforms into a comedy of double entendres and innuendos, of sexually suggestive and socially embarrassing chance encounters and confrontations among a boat full of men and five attractive women. A submarine is not made for “co-educational purposes” and that generates a lot of tension, a lot of one liners and laughs.
The film is full of sexist wisecracks that would not fly today like “When a girl is under 21, she's protected by law. When she's over 65, she's protected by nature. Anywhere in between, she's fair game. Look out.”
At one point, since they can get their hands only on red and white paint, they end up painting the whole submarine with pink primer, becoming the butt of jokes in the Navy. But when the “Tokyo Rose”starts to make radio broadcasts inviting the “pink submarine” to surrender, the US Navy command, certain that the Americans do not have a pink submarine, think all that talk might actually be a Japanese ruse to slip a pink sub masquerading as a US vessel behind the US lines. Thus the US surface ships are ordered to sink the pink sub wherever it is spotted.
At the end Sherman's pink sub survives the attacks and the ridicule and the war of the sexes in tight quarters. It even survives a goat on board and two babies delivered by the female officer who also happened to be a nurse.
USS Sea Tiger returns to its home port listing on one side, its engine misfiring and belching out black smoke. The funny looking sub is jeered and ridiculed until the proud ship shows the colors and gains the respect of all the US sailors present at the port for homecoming.
The last scene -- we zoom back to the present time. Lt. Holden is now the Captain of the decommissioned US Sea Tiger and Sherman is an Admiral giving Holden the good news – he is going to be the captain of a brand new nuclear sub.
Both have married and had kids with the female officers with whom they have flirted in the sub during those eventful days of WW2. Both are happy and the film leaves us there while the going is still good.
Cary Grant and Tony Curtis excel in their roles. They are cast superbly. Both are very believable and deliver their lines with authority. Lots of good one liners and innuendos. But ultimately this is a feel-good comedy reflecting the specific conditions of WW2. Half a century later it probably has lost all its relevance and shine, especially for the younger generation born in the '80s and '90s.
A 7 out of 10.
Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.
He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us
In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).
A true movie fan since he was a child, Akinci provides FREE MOVIE PLOT IDEAS every day of the year at SCRIPT BOILER. Visit http://scriptboiler.blogspot.com today.
You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci
The film is one long flashback of Admiral Sherman (Cary Grant) who used to be the first captain of an old WW2 sub about to be commissioned.
Cary Grant stars as Lt. Cmdr. Matt T. Sherman, the commander of the WW2 submarine USS Sea Tiger docked at its port in Philippines.
December 1941. Before it can join the battle in the Pacific, Sea Tiger is damaged heavily by the attacking Japanese fighter planes. Rather than decommission the one-year old ship right away, Sherman manages to get the permission to fix his sub within two weeks – which does not seem possible given the impossibility of getting any parts or supplies.
But the next character who shows up will change the fate of the sub -- Lt. Nicholas Holden (Tony Curtis) has served previously as the “idea man” and an “entertainment officer” providing Navy's liaison “with Hollywood.” He has never set foot on a submarine and with his pretty-boy looks and spoiled mannerisms he does not look like he is ready for the rigors of sailing for war.
Yet Holden, who actually grew up in a tough neighborhood and a dog-eat-dog world, has one skill that comes in handy for the rule-and-order straight-arrow Sherman who cannot cut through the Navy red tape and order 150 rolls of toilet paper for his crew: Holden can scavenge, steal and do anything and everything possible to get things done. He is a smooth, sweet talking and shameless operator who knows the “easy way” to get everything. He asks to be assigned as the “supply officer” of Sea Tiger and his request is accepted right on the spot.
Pretty soon, due to clandestine visits to navy supply depots in black faces and black burglar outfits, Holden and his men manage to get whatever is needed in record time. Soon the black-smoke belching and wheezy sub is swimming again on a single faulty engine.
After sailing for open seas, a major plot point arrives when five female officers stranded on an island board the ship, thanks to Lt. Holden.
From that point on till the end, the story transforms into a comedy of double entendres and innuendos, of sexually suggestive and socially embarrassing chance encounters and confrontations among a boat full of men and five attractive women. A submarine is not made for “co-educational purposes” and that generates a lot of tension, a lot of one liners and laughs.
The film is full of sexist wisecracks that would not fly today like “When a girl is under 21, she's protected by law. When she's over 65, she's protected by nature. Anywhere in between, she's fair game. Look out.”
At one point, since they can get their hands only on red and white paint, they end up painting the whole submarine with pink primer, becoming the butt of jokes in the Navy. But when the “Tokyo Rose”starts to make radio broadcasts inviting the “pink submarine” to surrender, the US Navy command, certain that the Americans do not have a pink submarine, think all that talk might actually be a Japanese ruse to slip a pink sub masquerading as a US vessel behind the US lines. Thus the US surface ships are ordered to sink the pink sub wherever it is spotted.
At the end Sherman's pink sub survives the attacks and the ridicule and the war of the sexes in tight quarters. It even survives a goat on board and two babies delivered by the female officer who also happened to be a nurse.
USS Sea Tiger returns to its home port listing on one side, its engine misfiring and belching out black smoke. The funny looking sub is jeered and ridiculed until the proud ship shows the colors and gains the respect of all the US sailors present at the port for homecoming.
The last scene -- we zoom back to the present time. Lt. Holden is now the Captain of the decommissioned US Sea Tiger and Sherman is an Admiral giving Holden the good news – he is going to be the captain of a brand new nuclear sub.
Both have married and had kids with the female officers with whom they have flirted in the sub during those eventful days of WW2. Both are happy and the film leaves us there while the going is still good.
Cary Grant and Tony Curtis excel in their roles. They are cast superbly. Both are very believable and deliver their lines with authority. Lots of good one liners and innuendos. But ultimately this is a feel-good comedy reflecting the specific conditions of WW2. Half a century later it probably has lost all its relevance and shine, especially for the younger generation born in the '80s and '90s.
A 7 out of 10.
Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.
He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us
In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).
A true movie fan since he was a child, Akinci provides FREE MOVIE PLOT IDEAS every day of the year at SCRIPT BOILER. Visit http://scriptboiler.blogspot.com today.
You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci
movie news : Horror Movie News
Scream 4 is pretty much a done deal according to Icons Of Fright. Read on for the blockbuster news which comes straight from the mouth of Wes Craven.
Icons Of Fright Reports...
Big news for "Scream" fans from Wes Craven. During his panel discussion Craven revealed that he had recently had breakfast with Neve Campbell. He told us that she had recently spoken with the Weinsteins about coming back for "Scream 4". Wes made it clear that this was the first he'd heard about it, but Campbell seemed to be seriously considering another stab at Sidney Prescott.
My 2 cents on Scream 4
Back in 2000, when the third film was released, and I saw it, I felt things had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion as far as the "Scream" universe goes, despite the ominous ending. Now here we are 4 years later, and the rumor of a 4th movie still lives, and now with this latest lump of coal added to the fire, seems to have gained steam. Truthfully, I would pay to see a 4th film, but still alot of questions remain... We know Williamson won't be involved. Craven most likely won't be. Who will write and direct then? Neve Campbell has been a long time hold out for doing a 4th film if you believe what you read on most of the "Scream 4" rumor sites. Just who will and won't be returning? and finally, what direction can this story continue in? Sids already disposed of Mrs Loomis, and her Brother Roman, as well as Billy and Stu, whos left at this point? Sure there are plenty of relatives out for revenge type scenarios, but which one makes the most sense?
Mr. HoRrOr Horror Movies & stuff.com http://www.hms.notlong.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicky_Jones
Icons Of Fright Reports...
Big news for "Scream" fans from Wes Craven. During his panel discussion Craven revealed that he had recently had breakfast with Neve Campbell. He told us that she had recently spoken with the Weinsteins about coming back for "Scream 4". Wes made it clear that this was the first he'd heard about it, but Campbell seemed to be seriously considering another stab at Sidney Prescott.
My 2 cents on Scream 4
Back in 2000, when the third film was released, and I saw it, I felt things had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion as far as the "Scream" universe goes, despite the ominous ending. Now here we are 4 years later, and the rumor of a 4th movie still lives, and now with this latest lump of coal added to the fire, seems to have gained steam. Truthfully, I would pay to see a 4th film, but still alot of questions remain... We know Williamson won't be involved. Craven most likely won't be. Who will write and direct then? Neve Campbell has been a long time hold out for doing a 4th film if you believe what you read on most of the "Scream 4" rumor sites. Just who will and won't be returning? and finally, what direction can this story continue in? Sids already disposed of Mrs Loomis, and her Brother Roman, as well as Billy and Stu, whos left at this point? Sure there are plenty of relatives out for revenge type scenarios, but which one makes the most sense?
Mr. HoRrOr Horror Movies & stuff.com http://www.hms.notlong.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicky_Jones
Thursday, July 27, 2006
movie news : Ghost Rider - Biker's Beloved or Philosopher's Pet?
I see today that they're making a Ghost Rider movie. I discovered Ghost Rider when I was about thirteen years old, at my regular haunt, Collector's Comics of Wantagh, New York. I was a late bloomer to comic books, having been introduced to them by my D&D buddy, Marc Koenig. Like most things new in my life, I quickly became hooked and soon after, obsessed. I started small, with X-Men, Daredevil, and Thor. Oh, and I was lucky enough to be there for the Wolverine miniseries. The X-Men were about to embark on their second fight with the Brood, Daredevil was looking for direction after his lover had died, and I can't remember what was happening to poor Thor. What I do remember, though, was that crossovers got me to buy more books, and if I bought an issue I bought into the series. I was a Marvel man all the way, and they played me like a fiddle. At sixty cents an ish, I was soon spending twenty bucks a week and was a member of the discount club, adding to the savings I got by preordering my subscriptions. One of those that I ordered was Ghost Rider, the continuing story of the much-cursed Johnny Blaze, host to a demon motorcyclist.
Now a tale about a demonic motorcycle rider might seem like it's only appealing to tattoo artists and Harley salesmen, and perhaps tasteless teenagers, and that probably isn't that far off. Ghost Rider created solid objects out of Hellfire™ and spouted no small amount of preachy stuff about punishing the guilty, and all-in-all came off as a strange hybrid of Green Lantern and Captain America. However, after I went off to college and had no money for comics they retooled his character, making it less dependent on supernatural solids and moreso on his chain and "Penance Stare," whatever that is. I can't say I'm an expert on this character anymore, but I can say that the movie version looks really, really cool.
So why am I interested? Why don't I ever see issues of Ghost Rider laying in the waiting rooms of tattoo studios? Is Ghost Rider actually a multilayered allegory of truth and consequence, cause and effect, the dark nature within each of us? Is the carnival background of the oh-so-aptly-named Johnny Blaze a commentary of the estrangement that increases daily in our society, and the growing fear of the "other" that bears down on us? Given its original writing, would that "other" have once been Communist, and now have been transmogrified into the Islamist terrorists all over the news? And what of the motorcycle aspect? Man becoming his own worst nightmare by embracing technology? Pushing the limits of danger to finally push past the fear of death? Are these the deep, weighty issues that attract us to this much-misunderstood anti-hero?
Or is it that flames, motorcycles, and skulls go really well together?
Terence P Ward expresses much of his observations about the world through the written word, spoken word, visual media . . . well, any way he damned well pleases. Most of what he's responsible for can be found at, or through, http://otherlleft.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terence_Ward
Now a tale about a demonic motorcycle rider might seem like it's only appealing to tattoo artists and Harley salesmen, and perhaps tasteless teenagers, and that probably isn't that far off. Ghost Rider created solid objects out of Hellfire™ and spouted no small amount of preachy stuff about punishing the guilty, and all-in-all came off as a strange hybrid of Green Lantern and Captain America. However, after I went off to college and had no money for comics they retooled his character, making it less dependent on supernatural solids and moreso on his chain and "Penance Stare," whatever that is. I can't say I'm an expert on this character anymore, but I can say that the movie version looks really, really cool.
So why am I interested? Why don't I ever see issues of Ghost Rider laying in the waiting rooms of tattoo studios? Is Ghost Rider actually a multilayered allegory of truth and consequence, cause and effect, the dark nature within each of us? Is the carnival background of the oh-so-aptly-named Johnny Blaze a commentary of the estrangement that increases daily in our society, and the growing fear of the "other" that bears down on us? Given its original writing, would that "other" have once been Communist, and now have been transmogrified into the Islamist terrorists all over the news? And what of the motorcycle aspect? Man becoming his own worst nightmare by embracing technology? Pushing the limits of danger to finally push past the fear of death? Are these the deep, weighty issues that attract us to this much-misunderstood anti-hero?
Or is it that flames, motorcycles, and skulls go really well together?
Terence P Ward expresses much of his observations about the world through the written word, spoken word, visual media . . . well, any way he damned well pleases. Most of what he's responsible for can be found at, or through, http://otherlleft.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terence_Ward
movie news : Microsoft Loses Patent Lawsuit
One of the top news stories this week that got virtually no popular press involves the judgment against Microsoft by a small company with a big software patent.
University of California and Eolas Technologies, Inc. hold a patent which Microsoft, according to several judges, violated with its popular Internet Explorer Web browser.
Without going into painful technical detail, the patent involves the "ActiveX" technology enabling Web browsers to display both web pages and content such as streaming audio, Flash, QuickTime video and other "rich" or "dynamic" content.
Despite heated input by the Internet community to invalidate Eolas' patent because of its broad nature, Microsoft lost every appeal and effort to get the patent nullified.
Bottom line: Microsoft faced two choices. First, they could pay the patent owner and keep things moving along, business as usual (much the way Blackberry did recently when a judge found them guilty of patent infringement).
Second choice: Microsoft could avoid future licensing fees by changing their IE browser and removing the offending code.
Which do you think they chose? Ding-ding-ding!
You guessed it, Microsoft chose to avoid paying millions more by simply removing the offending code.
Unfortunately, that decision means a bit of trouble for a few million web designers who use Flash, streaming movies, and more.
Ultimately, the change to IE may force visitors to sites with rich content to click on an object to enable it before they can interact with it.
Not a huge deal. However, time will tell what ultimately happens and the actual impact on sites running rich content.
But before everyone starts screaming that "The sky is falling" and "our websites are broken," let me ask you a question.
Do you really think that companies like Macromedia (makers of Flash) and sites like Google Video will let a few changes in Internet Explorer put them out of business?
I don't think so!
If anything, this change will force companies to step up to the plate and discover ways to serve dynamic content that does not depend on ActiveX.
Sure, it will mean some pain for both content creators and users in the short term, but in the end I honestly believe that, through innovation, we will all end up with a better solution than what currently exists.
In other news today...
** Hollywood Goes Online **
Six major movie studios recently announced their intentions to start selling new-release movies via Internet download from the site MovieLink.com.
But before you jump for joy at watching "Brokeback Mountain" on your pc, understand a couple of facts.
You can't burn the movie to DVD, and the downloadable films carry a price tag of around $15-30, a price comparable or more than a physical DVD you can purchase at Wal-Mart.
As a rabid DVD consumer and enthusiastic computer user (with six in my home office alone), I can tell you right up front, there is no way in @#$%* I'll pay 20 bucks for a movie I can't "veg" out with in front of the TV.
Are they insane?
Until it gets to the point where you can download a new- release movie, burn it to DVD or put it on your iPod, downloadable flicks will remain, at best, a novelty.
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up Your OWN Moneymaking 'Mini' Websites... Without Being a Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Edwards
University of California and Eolas Technologies, Inc. hold a patent which Microsoft, according to several judges, violated with its popular Internet Explorer Web browser.
Without going into painful technical detail, the patent involves the "ActiveX" technology enabling Web browsers to display both web pages and content such as streaming audio, Flash, QuickTime video and other "rich" or "dynamic" content.
Despite heated input by the Internet community to invalidate Eolas' patent because of its broad nature, Microsoft lost every appeal and effort to get the patent nullified.
Bottom line: Microsoft faced two choices. First, they could pay the patent owner and keep things moving along, business as usual (much the way Blackberry did recently when a judge found them guilty of patent infringement).
Second choice: Microsoft could avoid future licensing fees by changing their IE browser and removing the offending code.
Which do you think they chose? Ding-ding-ding!
You guessed it, Microsoft chose to avoid paying millions more by simply removing the offending code.
Unfortunately, that decision means a bit of trouble for a few million web designers who use Flash, streaming movies, and more.
Ultimately, the change to IE may force visitors to sites with rich content to click on an object to enable it before they can interact with it.
Not a huge deal. However, time will tell what ultimately happens and the actual impact on sites running rich content.
But before everyone starts screaming that "The sky is falling" and "our websites are broken," let me ask you a question.
Do you really think that companies like Macromedia (makers of Flash) and sites like Google Video will let a few changes in Internet Explorer put them out of business?
I don't think so!
If anything, this change will force companies to step up to the plate and discover ways to serve dynamic content that does not depend on ActiveX.
Sure, it will mean some pain for both content creators and users in the short term, but in the end I honestly believe that, through innovation, we will all end up with a better solution than what currently exists.
In other news today...
** Hollywood Goes Online **
Six major movie studios recently announced their intentions to start selling new-release movies via Internet download from the site MovieLink.com.
But before you jump for joy at watching "Brokeback Mountain" on your pc, understand a couple of facts.
You can't burn the movie to DVD, and the downloadable films carry a price tag of around $15-30, a price comparable or more than a physical DVD you can purchase at Wal-Mart.
As a rabid DVD consumer and enthusiastic computer user (with six in my home office alone), I can tell you right up front, there is no way in @#$%* I'll pay 20 bucks for a movie I can't "veg" out with in front of the TV.
Are they insane?
Until it gets to the point where you can download a new- release movie, burn it to DVD or put it on your iPod, downloadable flicks will remain, at best, a novelty.
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up Your OWN Moneymaking 'Mini' Websites... Without Being a Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Edwards
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
movie news : The Squid and the Whale
I've been a Jeff Daniels fan for a long time.
This is yet another great Jeff Daniels movie based on a very strong script by Noah Baumbach who also directed this family drama. Bernie Berkman (Daniels) is an English professor married to another writer Joan (delivered with great texture by Laura Linney). They have two sons Walt (Chicken) (Jesse Eisenberg) and Frank (Pinkie) Berkman (Owen Kline) who go through their own breakdown episodes when they hear that their mom and dad are separating.
The opening tennis scene in which the four are playing a nasty game of doubles (Bernie keeps hitting Joan with stiff volleys) is a good metaphor for where their relationship is headed. On the one side is Bernie and Walt, and on the other, Joan and Frank.
Nobody seems to be blameless but Joan probably contributed more to the breakup than anybody else with her illicit love affair with a neighbor. During their separation she beds her son's tennis coach (a perfectly cast happy-go-lucky Bill Baldwin). Soon we have a seriously malfunctioning family unit where the little Frank starts drinking beer when he is home alone and displays sex-related anomalies at school and home. Walt, on the other hand, takes a different route to his neurosis and tries plagiarism to score a quick success at his high school's talent contest.
Bernie himself loses his rudder as well and vacillates between his desire to keep away from Joan, on the one hand, and his jealousy with her literary success and boyfriends on the other. He also starts an affair with a female student of his who rents a room at his new house and flirts with his son as well.
There is no quick and neat solution to this modern drama set in Brooklyn in the 80s. There is an attempt at reconciliation but no one knows how to get the toothpaste back into the tube again. Thus it is very appropriate that the film ends with Walt's visit to the museum of natural history where there is an immense replica of a whale battling with a giant squid (and thus the film's title). That looks like a visual representation of Bernie and Joan's stalemate as well as Walt and Frank's no holds barred fight in and out of school to keep their sanity and grow as a “normal adult” in a very turbulent world.
The editing is as sharp and fast as the script. I really loved the transitions that kept exposition to a minimum and used the cinema language to great effect. For example, in the scene where Joan is trying to talk and “explain things” to his little son who is in the shower, the appearance of his frail small hand on the shower tile, just a small fragile object coming out of the shower curtain as if it were the antenna of a scared creature testing the world's atmosphere for presence of poisonous gasses, shows the kind of great talent Noah Baumbach has for telling stories in “motion pictures.”
It's a good watch if you like modern R-rated dramas. A good 8 out of 10.
Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.
He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us
In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).
A true movie fan since he was a child, Akinci provides FREE MOVIE PLOT IDEAS every day of the year at SCRIPT BOILER. Visit http://scriptboiler.blogspot.com today.
You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci
This is yet another great Jeff Daniels movie based on a very strong script by Noah Baumbach who also directed this family drama. Bernie Berkman (Daniels) is an English professor married to another writer Joan (delivered with great texture by Laura Linney). They have two sons Walt (Chicken) (Jesse Eisenberg) and Frank (Pinkie) Berkman (Owen Kline) who go through their own breakdown episodes when they hear that their mom and dad are separating.
The opening tennis scene in which the four are playing a nasty game of doubles (Bernie keeps hitting Joan with stiff volleys) is a good metaphor for where their relationship is headed. On the one side is Bernie and Walt, and on the other, Joan and Frank.
Nobody seems to be blameless but Joan probably contributed more to the breakup than anybody else with her illicit love affair with a neighbor. During their separation she beds her son's tennis coach (a perfectly cast happy-go-lucky Bill Baldwin). Soon we have a seriously malfunctioning family unit where the little Frank starts drinking beer when he is home alone and displays sex-related anomalies at school and home. Walt, on the other hand, takes a different route to his neurosis and tries plagiarism to score a quick success at his high school's talent contest.
Bernie himself loses his rudder as well and vacillates between his desire to keep away from Joan, on the one hand, and his jealousy with her literary success and boyfriends on the other. He also starts an affair with a female student of his who rents a room at his new house and flirts with his son as well.
There is no quick and neat solution to this modern drama set in Brooklyn in the 80s. There is an attempt at reconciliation but no one knows how to get the toothpaste back into the tube again. Thus it is very appropriate that the film ends with Walt's visit to the museum of natural history where there is an immense replica of a whale battling with a giant squid (and thus the film's title). That looks like a visual representation of Bernie and Joan's stalemate as well as Walt and Frank's no holds barred fight in and out of school to keep their sanity and grow as a “normal adult” in a very turbulent world.
The editing is as sharp and fast as the script. I really loved the transitions that kept exposition to a minimum and used the cinema language to great effect. For example, in the scene where Joan is trying to talk and “explain things” to his little son who is in the shower, the appearance of his frail small hand on the shower tile, just a small fragile object coming out of the shower curtain as if it were the antenna of a scared creature testing the world's atmosphere for presence of poisonous gasses, shows the kind of great talent Noah Baumbach has for telling stories in “motion pictures.”
It's a good watch if you like modern R-rated dramas. A good 8 out of 10.
Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.
He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us
In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).
A true movie fan since he was a child, Akinci provides FREE MOVIE PLOT IDEAS every day of the year at SCRIPT BOILER. Visit http://scriptboiler.blogspot.com today.
You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci
movie news : At the Peak of Disaster Films:
"Dante's Peak" does for disaster movie fans what a hot fudge sundae does for a chocolate addict. It satisfies you immensely and then makes you want to come back for more. This afternoon, while sitting at home looking at all the housework that needs to be done, I decided to watch "Dante's Peak" for probably the twelfth or thirteen time since it first hit the big screen.
"Dante's Peak" stars Pierce Brosnan as Harry Dalton, a scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey. Harry, who lost his fiancée in a volcanic eruption several years before, is sent to "Dante's Peak", a quiet town in the Cascades, where a dormant volcano overshadows the nations second best place to live -- population under 20,000.
After two deaths (backpackers boiled while bathing in Twonset hot springs), and a suspiciously acidic water level in the lake, Harry wants to put "Dante's Peak" on alert. His boss, Paul, thinks otherwise. Of course, in the middle of all this is a potential multi-million dollar investor. Politics, politics...
Starring alongside Pierce Brosnan is Linda Hamilton, who plays Rachel Wando, a small town mayor and single mom of two. Hamilton is better remembered as the pumped-up mom in the Terminator movies. I've liked Linda Hamilton's work ever since her Beauty and the Beast days. I'm not saying she's an Oscar-caliber actress, but she turns in a solid performance time and again, and it's nice to see her in a softer role.
Brosnan, on the other had, I've always had a healthy dislike of, even in his better roles, such as in the perennial favorite, "Mrs. Doubtfire." Brosnan is, however, perfect for his role in "Dante's Peak", and even I can't take this away from him. The two stars have good chemistry -- very subtle -- and it adds to the movie, rather than detracting from it.
"Dante's Peak" does a great job of building suspense and holding it there -- much better than Volcano which was released in theaters at approximately the same time and with a similar theme. The suspense builds from the time the unsuspecting backpackers are cooked, and when the geologists are ready to pack it up, certain that there will be no action from this volcano, viewers know that this idyllic town is cooked as well.
Evacuation begins, but of course, Wando's two children (played beautifully by Jamie Renee Smith and Jeremy Foley) have taken off on a wild ride up the mountain to rescue their brutally independent grandmother. Harry and Rachel take off after them and they all end up in the devil's layer itself -- the very heart of "Dante's Peak".
This movie has some wonderful special effects. The pyroclastic cloud is incredibly believable, and the pyrotechnics will steal your breath. But it's the more focused, personal moments that are really gripping in "Dante's Peak", such as the boat scene. Anyone who's seen the film will know just the scene I'm talking about -- and for those of you who haven't, I won't ruin it. This scene was wonderfully original, and easily one of the most suspenseful moments in any movie ever. Row, row, row your boat... After a dozen viewings, I still sit on the edge of my seat for those few moments.
One thing I never really noticed in my many watchings of "Dante's Peak" was the music -- and it's really very good. I've always found that the mark of a good musical score for a film is that it isn't obtrusive -- that you don't really know it's there. Still, take a moment while you're watching "Dante's Peak", close your eyes, and listen to the music. It's beautiful, orchestral music which swells and ebbs at just the right moments. I'd buy the soundtrack.
As far as believability goes, well no, "Dante's Peak" is not always 100% credible. What movie of this type is? Disaster movies do tend to be formulaic. I've seen this time and again. If you're willing to suspend your disbelief at times, you'll enjoy it immensely. Stretch your imagination -- and for those of you who've seen "Twister," there is nothing in "Dante's Peak" worse than the concept of a "suck zone" for scientific believability. Do I believe a tire-less vehicle could outrun a pyroclastic cloud? Who cares? That's the whole fun of "Dante's Peak".
This is, on the whole, a remarkably well put-together movie, and I don't wholly understand all the criticism it has received. This type of movie is supposed to be great fun -- no nitpickers allowed. And if you're car shopping -- well, then it would also make a great commercial for SUVs.
This is the perfect movie for a Friday night. Make some popcorn and gather together in your very safe living room and pop in the video. For adrenaline addicts, technophiles, and disaster fans alike, it's a wild ride through this volcanic eruption.
Lisa is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Koosis
"Dante's Peak" stars Pierce Brosnan as Harry Dalton, a scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey. Harry, who lost his fiancée in a volcanic eruption several years before, is sent to "Dante's Peak", a quiet town in the Cascades, where a dormant volcano overshadows the nations second best place to live -- population under 20,000.
After two deaths (backpackers boiled while bathing in Twonset hot springs), and a suspiciously acidic water level in the lake, Harry wants to put "Dante's Peak" on alert. His boss, Paul, thinks otherwise. Of course, in the middle of all this is a potential multi-million dollar investor. Politics, politics...
Starring alongside Pierce Brosnan is Linda Hamilton, who plays Rachel Wando, a small town mayor and single mom of two. Hamilton is better remembered as the pumped-up mom in the Terminator movies. I've liked Linda Hamilton's work ever since her Beauty and the Beast days. I'm not saying she's an Oscar-caliber actress, but she turns in a solid performance time and again, and it's nice to see her in a softer role.
Brosnan, on the other had, I've always had a healthy dislike of, even in his better roles, such as in the perennial favorite, "Mrs. Doubtfire." Brosnan is, however, perfect for his role in "Dante's Peak", and even I can't take this away from him. The two stars have good chemistry -- very subtle -- and it adds to the movie, rather than detracting from it.
"Dante's Peak" does a great job of building suspense and holding it there -- much better than Volcano which was released in theaters at approximately the same time and with a similar theme. The suspense builds from the time the unsuspecting backpackers are cooked, and when the geologists are ready to pack it up, certain that there will be no action from this volcano, viewers know that this idyllic town is cooked as well.
Evacuation begins, but of course, Wando's two children (played beautifully by Jamie Renee Smith and Jeremy Foley) have taken off on a wild ride up the mountain to rescue their brutally independent grandmother. Harry and Rachel take off after them and they all end up in the devil's layer itself -- the very heart of "Dante's Peak".
This movie has some wonderful special effects. The pyroclastic cloud is incredibly believable, and the pyrotechnics will steal your breath. But it's the more focused, personal moments that are really gripping in "Dante's Peak", such as the boat scene. Anyone who's seen the film will know just the scene I'm talking about -- and for those of you who haven't, I won't ruin it. This scene was wonderfully original, and easily one of the most suspenseful moments in any movie ever. Row, row, row your boat... After a dozen viewings, I still sit on the edge of my seat for those few moments.
One thing I never really noticed in my many watchings of "Dante's Peak" was the music -- and it's really very good. I've always found that the mark of a good musical score for a film is that it isn't obtrusive -- that you don't really know it's there. Still, take a moment while you're watching "Dante's Peak", close your eyes, and listen to the music. It's beautiful, orchestral music which swells and ebbs at just the right moments. I'd buy the soundtrack.
As far as believability goes, well no, "Dante's Peak" is not always 100% credible. What movie of this type is? Disaster movies do tend to be formulaic. I've seen this time and again. If you're willing to suspend your disbelief at times, you'll enjoy it immensely. Stretch your imagination -- and for those of you who've seen "Twister," there is nothing in "Dante's Peak" worse than the concept of a "suck zone" for scientific believability. Do I believe a tire-less vehicle could outrun a pyroclastic cloud? Who cares? That's the whole fun of "Dante's Peak".
This is, on the whole, a remarkably well put-together movie, and I don't wholly understand all the criticism it has received. This type of movie is supposed to be great fun -- no nitpickers allowed. And if you're car shopping -- well, then it would also make a great commercial for SUVs.
This is the perfect movie for a Friday night. Make some popcorn and gather together in your very safe living room and pop in the video. For adrenaline addicts, technophiles, and disaster fans alike, it's a wild ride through this volcanic eruption.
Lisa is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Koosis
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
movie news : CinemaNow to sell movie downloads that can be burned to DVD
CinemaNow Inc. will begin selling mainstream movies for download that can be transferred to DVD and watched on standalone players, marking a first for Hollywood films bought and distributed over the Internet.
The online movie provider's "Burn to DVD" service was to debut Wednesday with more than 100 movies available, including "Scent of a Woman," "About a Boy," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Barbershop."
"Our customers will experience a true innovation in home entertainment, the ability to obtain a DVD in the comfort of their living room," said Curt Marvis, CinemaNow's chief executive.
Previously, Hollywood movies purchased through CinemaNow could be watched on a PC _ or even a TV hooked up to a computer _ but not transferred to a DVD.
Studios have been reluctant to offer movies for at-home DVD copying because of piracy concerns. But the development of more secure technology has eased those fears.
"The studios were pretty rigorous in their need to have very strong encryption," Marvis said.
CinemaNow said studios initially licensed only a limited number of films.
"It's a test of the distribution and the security architecture," said Benjamin Feingold, president of Sony's home entertainment division.
He expects more films to be offered if users find the system easy to use and if the copy-protection is successful at thwarting pirates.
Hollywood is looking toward digital distribution as a way to generate revenue amid rising manufacturing and retail costs.
"It is a big deal that the studios are going to do this because they're all very interested on electronic sell-through," said Josh Bernoff, digital video analyst for Forrester Research.
"It has some challenges, but it's a much cheaper way to distribute content," he said.
A separate Web site run by CinemaNow has been offering the DVD download option for adult films since May.
CinemaNow will sell the mainstream films starting at $8.99. The offerings will contain all the features of its store-bought counterpart, including boosted sound settings, interactive menus, deleted scenes, commentaries and other extras, Marvis said.
Consumers can transfer only one copy of the movie to a DVD, which will be near the quality of retail DVDs. The service will also allow consumers to view the movies on their computer with video software like Windows Media Player.
Initially, the DVD service will not offer any first-run movies for purchase, which is likely to dull its prospects in the near term, Bernoff said.
"The choice of movies here is, shall we say, underwhelming," he said.
"It's a step in the right direction, but I don't think it's a fair test because you'd have to have a whole lot more selection, even of library movies," he said.
Marvis expects first-run movies to be added later.
The lack of selection will likely keep CinemaNow and other video-on-demand services behind traditional DVD retailers for a while, said Steve Swasey, a spokesman for Netflix Inc.
"Until the title selection is significant so that the majority of the people are interested, it's going to be a very niche and small market that does not take off," Swasey said.
Among the major Hollywood film distributors providing content for the service are The Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, MGM Worldwide Digital Media and Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Independents Lionsgate, EagleVision and Sundance Channel have also licensed films for home download and transfer to DVD.
CinemaNow rival Movielink announced Monday it has licensed technology to offer DVD downloads but has yet to launch such a service.
The CinemaNow burning technology is based on fluxDVD, which was developed by Dortmund, Germany's ACE GmbH. Movielink's technology partner is Marin-based Sonic Solutions.
© 2006 AP DIGITAL
The online movie provider's "Burn to DVD" service was to debut Wednesday with more than 100 movies available, including "Scent of a Woman," "About a Boy," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Barbershop."
"Our customers will experience a true innovation in home entertainment, the ability to obtain a DVD in the comfort of their living room," said Curt Marvis, CinemaNow's chief executive.
Previously, Hollywood movies purchased through CinemaNow could be watched on a PC _ or even a TV hooked up to a computer _ but not transferred to a DVD.
Studios have been reluctant to offer movies for at-home DVD copying because of piracy concerns. But the development of more secure technology has eased those fears.
"The studios were pretty rigorous in their need to have very strong encryption," Marvis said.
CinemaNow said studios initially licensed only a limited number of films.
"It's a test of the distribution and the security architecture," said Benjamin Feingold, president of Sony's home entertainment division.
He expects more films to be offered if users find the system easy to use and if the copy-protection is successful at thwarting pirates.
Hollywood is looking toward digital distribution as a way to generate revenue amid rising manufacturing and retail costs.
"It is a big deal that the studios are going to do this because they're all very interested on electronic sell-through," said Josh Bernoff, digital video analyst for Forrester Research.
"It has some challenges, but it's a much cheaper way to distribute content," he said.
A separate Web site run by CinemaNow has been offering the DVD download option for adult films since May.
CinemaNow will sell the mainstream films starting at $8.99. The offerings will contain all the features of its store-bought counterpart, including boosted sound settings, interactive menus, deleted scenes, commentaries and other extras, Marvis said.
Consumers can transfer only one copy of the movie to a DVD, which will be near the quality of retail DVDs. The service will also allow consumers to view the movies on their computer with video software like Windows Media Player.
Initially, the DVD service will not offer any first-run movies for purchase, which is likely to dull its prospects in the near term, Bernoff said.
"The choice of movies here is, shall we say, underwhelming," he said.
"It's a step in the right direction, but I don't think it's a fair test because you'd have to have a whole lot more selection, even of library movies," he said.
Marvis expects first-run movies to be added later.
The lack of selection will likely keep CinemaNow and other video-on-demand services behind traditional DVD retailers for a while, said Steve Swasey, a spokesman for Netflix Inc.
"Until the title selection is significant so that the majority of the people are interested, it's going to be a very niche and small market that does not take off," Swasey said.
Among the major Hollywood film distributors providing content for the service are The Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, MGM Worldwide Digital Media and Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Independents Lionsgate, EagleVision and Sundance Channel have also licensed films for home download and transfer to DVD.
CinemaNow rival Movielink announced Monday it has licensed technology to offer DVD downloads but has yet to launch such a service.
The CinemaNow burning technology is based on fluxDVD, which was developed by Dortmund, Germany's ACE GmbH. Movielink's technology partner is Marin-based Sonic Solutions.
© 2006 AP DIGITAL
movie news : Disney to Cut 650 Jobs, Movie Output
LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. is restructuring its studio division to emphasize blockbuster franchise films over more adult fare, a move that will mean slashing 650 jobs worldwide, the company announced Tuesday.
Among those who will lose their jobs is Disney's longtime head of live-action production, Nina Jacobsen.
The restructuring will cut Disney's output from about 18 films a year to about a dozen. Of those, about 10 will be released under the Walt Disney Pictures banner, a proven family-friendly brand that includes the successful"Pirates of the Caribbean"franchise.
Disney's Touchstone label, which is responsible for more esoteric fare by artists like Joel and Ethan Coen of"Fargo"fame, will be cut back to only two or three releases a year. Recent Touchstone films have included the box-office flops"The Alamo"and"The Ladykillers."
The shift, the company explained, will allow Disney films to bolster the resources of other divisions. A hit like"Pirates of the Caribbean,"for example, can spawn video games, action figures, cable TV shows and, in the case of"Pirates,"give new life to an old Disney theme park attraction.
"When we do it well, the lift it gives to the entire company is so significant,"Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios told The Associated Press.
By ANDREW GLAZER, Associated Press Writer
Among those who will lose their jobs is Disney's longtime head of live-action production, Nina Jacobsen.
The restructuring will cut Disney's output from about 18 films a year to about a dozen. Of those, about 10 will be released under the Walt Disney Pictures banner, a proven family-friendly brand that includes the successful"Pirates of the Caribbean"franchise.
Disney's Touchstone label, which is responsible for more esoteric fare by artists like Joel and Ethan Coen of"Fargo"fame, will be cut back to only two or three releases a year. Recent Touchstone films have included the box-office flops"The Alamo"and"The Ladykillers."
The shift, the company explained, will allow Disney films to bolster the resources of other divisions. A hit like"Pirates of the Caribbean,"for example, can spawn video games, action figures, cable TV shows and, in the case of"Pirates,"give new life to an old Disney theme park attraction.
"When we do it well, the lift it gives to the entire company is so significant,"Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios told The Associated Press.
By ANDREW GLAZER, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, July 13, 2006
movie news : It’s movie time!
Summer appears quite a dead season for good movies. I mean “Poseidon,” “She’s the man,” “The Break-Up,” “Just My Luck” – all very fine but they can hardly make me rush to the cinema and give away my cash for a couple of hours of dubious pleasure. But I do love cinemas – big screens, the smell of popcorn and all that jazz, and for the last few weeks I just couldn’t wait for some movie to come out which would be worth seeing. Finally, this coming week three great flicks will hit Ukrainian cinemas – one in English, one in Portuguese and one in Ukrainian and Russian, but I’d say, speaking of the latter, the language will hardly matter there at all.
Pirates of the Carribean:
Dead Man’s Chest
“Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s Chest” is surely the most awaited blockbuster this summer and the reason for it is quite simple – the success of its predecessor “Pirates of the Carribean: the Curse of the Black Pearl.” It’s easy to predict that the sequel will be just as much or even much more fun and judging by the latest reports of viewers and critics, it’s very likely.
The success of the first “Pirates” movie was mainly due to the performance of Johnny Depp – who knows what could become of a movie based on the Disneyland attraction if not for his character, Captain Jack Sparrow. The famous Hollywood “chameleon” approached his new image with quite some inspiration – having fancied that pirates where nothing but hippies and rock-n-rollers of the past, he based his performance on Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. In fact, Depp was eager to have Richards appear in the movie sequel as Jack Sparrow’s father. Unfortunately, we’re not going to see the veteran rocker in “Dead Man’s Chest” but it has been reported that Richards finally agreed to appear in the third installment of “Pirates,” and in autumn he will arrive on the set to play a cameo written specially for him.
In the meantime we’ll be treated to another portion of adventures from the dashing Captain Jack Sparrow, his pal Will Turner and the brave beauty Elizabeth Swann. Haunted by ghosts just as much as before, Sparrow finds out that he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davey Jones, Captain of the ghostly Flying Dutchman played by Bill Nighy. The hippy pirate risks being doomed to eternal damnation and servitude in the afterlife, and naturally tries to escape this sort of fate in the company of his two friends, who are forced to put off their marriage in order to help Jack.
“Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s Chest,” premiered in USA last week, grossing $132 million in the first three days and topping the previous record of “Spider-Man,” which grossed $115 million. Of course, those figures don’t guarantee that the movie is going to be great, but trust me, Johnny won’t let us down.
by Alexandra Matoshko, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Pirates of the Carribean:
Dead Man’s Chest
“Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s Chest” is surely the most awaited blockbuster this summer and the reason for it is quite simple – the success of its predecessor “Pirates of the Carribean: the Curse of the Black Pearl.” It’s easy to predict that the sequel will be just as much or even much more fun and judging by the latest reports of viewers and critics, it’s very likely.
The success of the first “Pirates” movie was mainly due to the performance of Johnny Depp – who knows what could become of a movie based on the Disneyland attraction if not for his character, Captain Jack Sparrow. The famous Hollywood “chameleon” approached his new image with quite some inspiration – having fancied that pirates where nothing but hippies and rock-n-rollers of the past, he based his performance on Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. In fact, Depp was eager to have Richards appear in the movie sequel as Jack Sparrow’s father. Unfortunately, we’re not going to see the veteran rocker in “Dead Man’s Chest” but it has been reported that Richards finally agreed to appear in the third installment of “Pirates,” and in autumn he will arrive on the set to play a cameo written specially for him.
In the meantime we’ll be treated to another portion of adventures from the dashing Captain Jack Sparrow, his pal Will Turner and the brave beauty Elizabeth Swann. Haunted by ghosts just as much as before, Sparrow finds out that he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davey Jones, Captain of the ghostly Flying Dutchman played by Bill Nighy. The hippy pirate risks being doomed to eternal damnation and servitude in the afterlife, and naturally tries to escape this sort of fate in the company of his two friends, who are forced to put off their marriage in order to help Jack.
“Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s Chest,” premiered in USA last week, grossing $132 million in the first three days and topping the previous record of “Spider-Man,” which grossed $115 million. Of course, those figures don’t guarantee that the movie is going to be great, but trust me, Johnny won’t let us down.
by Alexandra Matoshko, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
movie news : Piracy 'destroying China's own movie industry'
Most Chinese film executives believe movie piracy, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of the market in China, will expand in the short term and is unlikely to shrink in the future, according to a survey. The survey was recently conducted on behalf of the Motion Picture Association, the lobby group for Hollywood and the global interests of the US film industry.
The survey represents an effort by the MPA to put a Chinese face on its longstanding claims about the size and scope of movie piracy in China, which it argues is devastating the local industry as well as harming foreigners. "Pirated movies have fundamentally undermined the production capabilities of China's movie industry, with the private sector hit most severely," the report says.
The MPA's work in countries such as China has often been undermined by the perception that the Hollywood lobby simply represents wealthy foreign studios with little interest in building the local market. A recent study commissioned by the MPA estimated that piracy cost movie makers $2.7bn in 2005 in China, with more than half of that loss being carried by the Chinese industry itself.
The latest report makes no such claims for total monetary losses, as it is based on the responses of about 100 senior Chinese executives to a list of survey questions. One measure of the scope of piracy are China's 774 registered DVD/CD production lines which have a total annual capacity of about 2.7bn pieces, overshadowing official sales of 353m in 2003. "Some pirated DVD manufacturers have established their own reputations and brands," the report says.
The rapid growth in downloads by young movie watchers is a major reason why piracy will continue to thrive. The makers of pirated discs are mostly clustered in Guangdong, the southern Chinese province bordering Hong Kong, and are structured along the lines of organised crime organisations, the report says. "These [crime] bosses generally establish illegal production plants in mainland China but stay abroad themselves to avoid being arrested," the report says.
The main drivers of piracy remain the tight restrictions on movies in China and the huge profits that come from selling illegal discs. Discs cost less than Rmb1 (E0.10) to manufacture and are sold for between Rmb5 and Rmb10 each.
von Richard McGregor, Beijing
The survey represents an effort by the MPA to put a Chinese face on its longstanding claims about the size and scope of movie piracy in China, which it argues is devastating the local industry as well as harming foreigners. "Pirated movies have fundamentally undermined the production capabilities of China's movie industry, with the private sector hit most severely," the report says.
The MPA's work in countries such as China has often been undermined by the perception that the Hollywood lobby simply represents wealthy foreign studios with little interest in building the local market. A recent study commissioned by the MPA estimated that piracy cost movie makers $2.7bn in 2005 in China, with more than half of that loss being carried by the Chinese industry itself.
The latest report makes no such claims for total monetary losses, as it is based on the responses of about 100 senior Chinese executives to a list of survey questions. One measure of the scope of piracy are China's 774 registered DVD/CD production lines which have a total annual capacity of about 2.7bn pieces, overshadowing official sales of 353m in 2003. "Some pirated DVD manufacturers have established their own reputations and brands," the report says.
The rapid growth in downloads by young movie watchers is a major reason why piracy will continue to thrive. The makers of pirated discs are mostly clustered in Guangdong, the southern Chinese province bordering Hong Kong, and are structured along the lines of organised crime organisations, the report says. "These [crime] bosses generally establish illegal production plants in mainland China but stay abroad themselves to avoid being arrested," the report says.
The main drivers of piracy remain the tight restrictions on movies in China and the huge profits that come from selling illegal discs. Discs cost less than Rmb1 (E0.10) to manufacture and are sold for between Rmb5 and Rmb10 each.
von Richard McGregor, Beijing
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
movie news : Kenya: Armenians? It's Only a Movie
The cartoonist Gado got it right. His daily offering in last Friday's Daily Nation depicted the Kenyatta International Conference Centre as a movie theatre showing the saga of The Artur Brothers. A poster to one side advertised the movie, showing them together with two African women - one old and one young. No prizes for guessing whom they were meant to represent - the repudiated daughter of the repudiated second wife now euphemistically referred to as a 'NARC activist.' Meanwhile, a woman excitedly described the contents of the movie to her male companion, "It has everything: intrigue, conflict, romance, betrayal, comedy and tragedy."
The reference was to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry now sitting on the matter, its proceedings open to the public. The sub-text was the turning of serious national proceedings into circuses where our outrage is silenced. Just as we did with the Goldenberg inquiry, we will troop to this inquiry's sittings in large numbers. We will exclaim and wring our hands, beside ourselves at the juicy revelations.
The proceedings will dominate media coverage for the duration. We will feel we participated. That we have learnt just how security is assured at our international airport. That we have sufficiently chastised and embarrassed the senior airports officials involved in enabling the breach of that security. Simply by being there. Or hearing about it. And discussing it, endlessly, tediously, with our families and friends.
For Kenyans, it is apparently now enough to know. But only after having resisted knowledge in the first place. Let us not pretend, after all, that we had not been forewarned about the presence of the so-called Armenian brothers in our country.
AND WE LET THE STORY DIE DOWN, while allowing the jurisdiction of our Police Commissioner to be trampled upon unceremoniously. Until the goings-on at our international airport when, finally (so the story goes), one brave minister apparently stepped up to the plate to enable the Police Commissioner to do his job.
But, even then, we resisted the logical progression from partial knowledge to full knowledge to decisive action. We decided that it was enough to know only as much of the story as is allowed to come through by inflexible and strict adherence to basic principles of law. Meaning that no inferences are to be drawn based on broader understandings of accountability. At all.
Thus the Judicial Inquiry into Goldenberg can be closed with absolutely no mention of our former president's good name. Even though he clearly had, if not legal accountability, then political accountability for everything that transpired under his watch.
Similarly, the only result of the release of John Githongo's dossier on Anglo-Leasing has been the resignation of erstwhile ministers, only for them to be resurrected unchallenged in various House committees - including those (gasp!) dealing with financial matters.
The events at our international airport, together with the discoveries made in the home of the "Armenian brothers" should have resulted in the prompt (and I do mean prompt!) sacking (not "resignations") of our Ministers for Internal Security and Immigration - just for a start. Because they are so clearly politically accountable.
Instead, what do we see going on before our very eyes? A movie.
We know what happened. The direct line of accountability that can be legally established and substantiated never tells the whole story. Political accountability demands more.
Copyright © 2006 The East African. All rights reserved.
The reference was to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry now sitting on the matter, its proceedings open to the public. The sub-text was the turning of serious national proceedings into circuses where our outrage is silenced. Just as we did with the Goldenberg inquiry, we will troop to this inquiry's sittings in large numbers. We will exclaim and wring our hands, beside ourselves at the juicy revelations.
The proceedings will dominate media coverage for the duration. We will feel we participated. That we have learnt just how security is assured at our international airport. That we have sufficiently chastised and embarrassed the senior airports officials involved in enabling the breach of that security. Simply by being there. Or hearing about it. And discussing it, endlessly, tediously, with our families and friends.
For Kenyans, it is apparently now enough to know. But only after having resisted knowledge in the first place. Let us not pretend, after all, that we had not been forewarned about the presence of the so-called Armenian brothers in our country.
AND WE LET THE STORY DIE DOWN, while allowing the jurisdiction of our Police Commissioner to be trampled upon unceremoniously. Until the goings-on at our international airport when, finally (so the story goes), one brave minister apparently stepped up to the plate to enable the Police Commissioner to do his job.
But, even then, we resisted the logical progression from partial knowledge to full knowledge to decisive action. We decided that it was enough to know only as much of the story as is allowed to come through by inflexible and strict adherence to basic principles of law. Meaning that no inferences are to be drawn based on broader understandings of accountability. At all.
Thus the Judicial Inquiry into Goldenberg can be closed with absolutely no mention of our former president's good name. Even though he clearly had, if not legal accountability, then political accountability for everything that transpired under his watch.
Similarly, the only result of the release of John Githongo's dossier on Anglo-Leasing has been the resignation of erstwhile ministers, only for them to be resurrected unchallenged in various House committees - including those (gasp!) dealing with financial matters.
The events at our international airport, together with the discoveries made in the home of the "Armenian brothers" should have resulted in the prompt (and I do mean prompt!) sacking (not "resignations") of our Ministers for Internal Security and Immigration - just for a start. Because they are so clearly politically accountable.
Instead, what do we see going on before our very eyes? A movie.
We know what happened. The direct line of accountability that can be legally established and substantiated never tells the whole story. Political accountability demands more.
Copyright © 2006 The East African. All rights reserved.
movie news : Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
THE STORY: Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightly) and Will Turner (Johnny Depp) are arrested on their wedding day for releasing the notorious pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in the first “Pirates” film;, So, they must find Sparrow if they want to secure freedom for themselves and Sparrow, too ... or, something.
PIRATE TRUTH: The plot of this movie is about as convincing as the plot from the first movie, but in a series of films with a heck of a lot of undead pirates, believability isn’t exactly paramount. These films serve up exactly what they promise: extremely attractive people, amazing swordfights, some worth-watching special effects, and a little bit of Depp hilarity.
What more could you want from a mindless summer flick?
What worked quite well in the first film was that the special effect of the walking skeletons was used only as a temporary fright, making them all the more interesting. Some might consider it a drawback that in this installment, the villains — the legendary Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and the monstrous crew of “The Flying Dutchman” — dominate a huge chunk of screen time. But if, like me, you are at all impressed by a perfect binding of unbelievable makeup arts and flawless special effects, you won’t be able to peel your eyes away from them.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If “Dead Man’s Chest” had pre-dated “The Curse of the Black Pearl,” the whole “Pirates” cult following and obsession probably wouldn’t have reached the magnitude that it’s at today. However, this incredibly amusing sequel -- with it’s wickedly wonderful, cliff-hanger ending -- will be sure to fill theaters for next year’s release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
-- Jody Goldberg, Los Gatos High
PIRATE TRUTH: The plot of this movie is about as convincing as the plot from the first movie, but in a series of films with a heck of a lot of undead pirates, believability isn’t exactly paramount. These films serve up exactly what they promise: extremely attractive people, amazing swordfights, some worth-watching special effects, and a little bit of Depp hilarity.
What more could you want from a mindless summer flick?
What worked quite well in the first film was that the special effect of the walking skeletons was used only as a temporary fright, making them all the more interesting. Some might consider it a drawback that in this installment, the villains — the legendary Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and the monstrous crew of “The Flying Dutchman” — dominate a huge chunk of screen time. But if, like me, you are at all impressed by a perfect binding of unbelievable makeup arts and flawless special effects, you won’t be able to peel your eyes away from them.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If “Dead Man’s Chest” had pre-dated “The Curse of the Black Pearl,” the whole “Pirates” cult following and obsession probably wouldn’t have reached the magnitude that it’s at today. However, this incredibly amusing sequel -- with it’s wickedly wonderful, cliff-hanger ending -- will be sure to fill theaters for next year’s release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
-- Jody Goldberg, Los Gatos High
Thursday, July 06, 2006
movie news : Natalie bares all in new movie
Natalie Portman appears nude in her new movie.
The stunning actress will be seen completely naked during torture scenes in the upcoming historical drama Goya's Ghosts, which focuses on revered artist Francisco Goya.
Portman plays Goya's muse, Alicia, who becomes embroiled in a scandal after she is accused of being a heretic by a monk.
It is not the first time Portman has stripped off for a movie role.
She previously exposed her body in the complex romantic drama Closer, which also starred Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, but the explicit scenes were eventually cut.
The 24-year-old actress, who appeared in the three Star Wars prequels, has previously admitted she is uncomfortable being a sex symbol - because of her role in Leon. Portman shot to fame aged just 12 playing a young Lolita-esque orphan who befriends a hardened assassin in the critically acclaimed 1994 movie.
Although the role won her universal acclaim, the actress admits she found it disturbing that some men lusted after her - even though she was a child.
She said: "I had a bad experience when Leon first came out.
"In hindsight, I'm really proud of that film, though at the time it was
unnerving to find myself suddenly being looked at."
©2006 Tonight & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.
The stunning actress will be seen completely naked during torture scenes in the upcoming historical drama Goya's Ghosts, which focuses on revered artist Francisco Goya.
Portman plays Goya's muse, Alicia, who becomes embroiled in a scandal after she is accused of being a heretic by a monk.
It is not the first time Portman has stripped off for a movie role.
She previously exposed her body in the complex romantic drama Closer, which also starred Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, but the explicit scenes were eventually cut.
The 24-year-old actress, who appeared in the three Star Wars prequels, has previously admitted she is uncomfortable being a sex symbol - because of her role in Leon. Portman shot to fame aged just 12 playing a young Lolita-esque orphan who befriends a hardened assassin in the critically acclaimed 1994 movie.
Although the role won her universal acclaim, the actress admits she found it disturbing that some men lusted after her - even though she was a child.
She said: "I had a bad experience when Leon first came out.
"In hindsight, I'm really proud of that film, though at the time it was
unnerving to find myself suddenly being looked at."
©2006 Tonight & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.
movie news : Harry Potter author receives honorary law degree
Harry Potter author JK Rowling received an honorary law degree from the University of Aberdeen on Thursday to mark her support for research into multiple sclerosis.
"I am thrilled, it is very exciting," she said about the degree, which she said was "particularly meaningful" to her.
Rowling, whose mother died aged 45 from MS in 1990, has helped fund a programme of research at the university into the debilitating condition.
She became patron of the MS Society Scotland in 2001 after discovering what she has described as the "appallingly poor quality of care" available to people with the condition in Scotland.
"I am particularly pleased to support the work that the University's Institute of Medical Sciences is doing on MS research," Rowling said.
"As the patron of the MS Society Scotland, and someone with personal experience of the devastating effects of MS, it is a great privilege to be able to help the Institute continue its pioneering work into the causes and effects of multiple sclerosis."
The 40-year-old writer has already been honoured for her contribution to literature by three other Scottish universities, St Andrews, Edinburgh and Napier.
Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter adventure when she was an unemployed single mother in Edinburgh, but has gone on to become one of the richest authors in history.
The Potter series has sold an estimated 300 million copies worldwide. - Reuters
movies news
©2006 Tonight & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.
"I am thrilled, it is very exciting," she said about the degree, which she said was "particularly meaningful" to her.
Rowling, whose mother died aged 45 from MS in 1990, has helped fund a programme of research at the university into the debilitating condition.
She became patron of the MS Society Scotland in 2001 after discovering what she has described as the "appallingly poor quality of care" available to people with the condition in Scotland.
"I am particularly pleased to support the work that the University's Institute of Medical Sciences is doing on MS research," Rowling said.
"As the patron of the MS Society Scotland, and someone with personal experience of the devastating effects of MS, it is a great privilege to be able to help the Institute continue its pioneering work into the causes and effects of multiple sclerosis."
The 40-year-old writer has already been honoured for her contribution to literature by three other Scottish universities, St Andrews, Edinburgh and Napier.
Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter adventure when she was an unemployed single mother in Edinburgh, but has gone on to become one of the richest authors in history.
The Potter series has sold an estimated 300 million copies worldwide. - Reuters
movies news
©2006 Tonight & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.
Monday, July 03, 2006
movie news : Knightley Didn't Dig 'Pirates' at First
Keira Knightley acknowledges she was a bit skeptical at first about appearing in a movie that shared a name with a Disney ride.
"I was like, 'Wait a minute, you're doing a pirate movie something that hasn't worked in about 50 years and it's based on an amusement park ride?!" the actress told the New York Daily News for a story published Sunday.
The 2003 film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" went on to be a $650 million worldwide success, and co-star Johnny Depp earned an Oscar nomination for his role.
Knightley appears again in the sequel "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," opening Friday. A third "Pirates" installment is due out Memorial Day weekend next year.
Knightley says it wasn't until she was at the premiere of the first "Pirates" movie with co-star Orlando Bloom that she knew the premise would work.
"Orlando and I were sitting next to each other at the premiere, which was the first time I'd seen it, and we'd had a big talk and decided that if it was awful, we'd still leave the theater all smiles," she said.
"Halfway through the film, I nudged him and said, 'It's quite good, isn't it?' and he was like 'Yeah, it's really good.' We had no idea it would work."
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
"I was like, 'Wait a minute, you're doing a pirate movie something that hasn't worked in about 50 years and it's based on an amusement park ride?!" the actress told the New York Daily News for a story published Sunday.
The 2003 film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" went on to be a $650 million worldwide success, and co-star Johnny Depp earned an Oscar nomination for his role.
Knightley appears again in the sequel "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," opening Friday. A third "Pirates" installment is due out Memorial Day weekend next year.
Knightley says it wasn't until she was at the premiere of the first "Pirates" movie with co-star Orlando Bloom that she knew the premise would work.
"Orlando and I were sitting next to each other at the premiere, which was the first time I'd seen it, and we'd had a big talk and decided that if it was awful, we'd still leave the theater all smiles," she said.
"Halfway through the film, I nudged him and said, 'It's quite good, isn't it?' and he was like 'Yeah, it's really good.' We had no idea it would work."
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
movie news : Superman Returns (2006)
Superman--born on a planet which has long since died--has been raised by adoptive parents on the Kent farm in Kansas. The young boy Kal-El is renamed Clark Kent, and though he has grown up among humans, he is not one of them. Under Earth's yellow sun, he can do two things humans can only dream of, but to co-exist with them he must live a dual life as mild, unassuming Clark Kent, secretly transforming into the Man of Steel when the world cries out for him. But now, the world's crises have gone unheeded for five long years since Superman's mysterious disappearance. Without him, crime has risen in the city of Metropolis and beyond; that's not even counting the future destructive acts of Lex Luthor, who has been sprung from prison with the specific intent of using Superman's technological secrets for his own personal gain and glory. Lois Lane, star reporter for the Daily Planet and the love of Superman's life, has moved on since Superman left without a word. She has even won a Pulitzer Prize for her essay, "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." Lois has other issues to contend with--she is now engaged to the editor's nephew and has a young son to look after. But for Superman, the long search for his place in the universe ends back at the Kent farm, among the only family he has ever known. His destiny lies in Metropolis, where one look in Lois's eyes tell him that this place, among the flawed but ultimately good people of Earth, is his true home. And with Lex's plan coming to fruition mere hours after his return, the world will never need Superman more than it does now.
Also Known As: The Last Son of Krypton
Unbelievable
Production Status: Released
Logline: Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Running Time: 2 hrs. 34 min.
Release Date: June 28th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense action violence.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures International, Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Production Co.: Bad Hat Harry Productions, Peters Entertainment
Studios: Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
Financiers: Co-Financier: Legendary Pictures, Inc.
Filming Locations: Fox Studios Austrialia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Los Angeles, California, United States
Produced in: United States
movies news
Copyright © 2006 Baseline. All rights reserved.
Also Known As: The Last Son of Krypton
Unbelievable
Production Status: Released
Logline: Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Running Time: 2 hrs. 34 min.
Release Date: June 28th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense action violence.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures International, Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Production Co.: Bad Hat Harry Productions, Peters Entertainment
Studios: Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
Financiers: Co-Financier: Legendary Pictures, Inc.
Filming Locations: Fox Studios Austrialia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Los Angeles, California, United States
Produced in: United States
movies news
Copyright © 2006 Baseline. All rights reserved.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
movie news : Copter filming movie crashes in Iowa field, killing 1
A helicopter being used to film scenes for a movie crashed, killing one person and critically injuring two others, authorities said.
The helicopter crashed just before 1 p.m. (2330 IST) yesterday, said Jim Saunders, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Federal Aviation Administration officials in Kansas City said the helicopter, a Bell 206, may have crashed because of a "wire strike."
The Gazette newspaper reported on its Web site that the helicopter was filming a parade for the movie "The Final Season," starring Sean Astin and Powers Booth, about a high school baseball team.
Witnesses said the helicopter was carrying the pilot, a producer and a photographer when it hit power lines and crashed into a field about 16 kilometers southwest of Cedar Rapids, the newspaper reported.
The photographer, Roland Schlotzhauer, 50, of Lenexa, Kansas was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Benton County sheriff's office. Pilot Richard Green, 72, and producer Tony Wilson, 49, both of Iowa, were hospitalized in critical condition last night.
The helicopter was contracted through Ri Tel Copter Services Inc. in Hudson. A woman who answered the telephone at the company said a family member was piloting the aircraft and declined to comment.
"The Final Season" is based on the real life story of the 1991 Norway High School baseball team. It is being directed by David Mickey Evans, who also directed the "The Sandlot".
Copyright © 2006, The Hindu
The helicopter crashed just before 1 p.m. (2330 IST) yesterday, said Jim Saunders, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Federal Aviation Administration officials in Kansas City said the helicopter, a Bell 206, may have crashed because of a "wire strike."
The Gazette newspaper reported on its Web site that the helicopter was filming a parade for the movie "The Final Season," starring Sean Astin and Powers Booth, about a high school baseball team.
Witnesses said the helicopter was carrying the pilot, a producer and a photographer when it hit power lines and crashed into a field about 16 kilometers southwest of Cedar Rapids, the newspaper reported.
The photographer, Roland Schlotzhauer, 50, of Lenexa, Kansas was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Benton County sheriff's office. Pilot Richard Green, 72, and producer Tony Wilson, 49, both of Iowa, were hospitalized in critical condition last night.
The helicopter was contracted through Ri Tel Copter Services Inc. in Hudson. A woman who answered the telephone at the company said a family member was piloting the aircraft and declined to comment.
"The Final Season" is based on the real life story of the 1991 Norway High School baseball team. It is being directed by David Mickey Evans, who also directed the "The Sandlot".
Copyright © 2006, The Hindu
movie news : South Korean movie stars rally against screen cuts.
South Korean movie stars rallied Saturday night against a proposed free trade agreement between their country and the United States amid the start of reduced protections for the domestic film industry.
About a dozen actors including Choi Min-shik, who starred in the Cannes award-winning film "Oldboy," actress Jeon Do-yeon, movie industry workers, academics and some 3,000 supporters gathered in a park in central Seoul for a rally denouncing the U.S. and South Korean governments as well as the American movie industry.
"We refuse to surrender to the unjustifiable demands of the United States," Kim Min-woong, a professor of social science and theology at Sungkonghoe University, told the rally. "We will not kneel down before the Hollywood giant."
The focus of the protester's anger is a government measure announced in January - the so-called screen quota system - that cuts the required number of domestic films shown annually in the nation's cinemas.
As of Saturday, local theaters are now required to show South Korean movies for 73 days a year, down from the previous 146 days. The system was introduced in 1966 to protect the local film industry.
The United States had long pushed for the quota to be reduced and made it a prerequisite for free trade negotiations, which began in Washington last month. The second round of talks is set to start in Seoul on July 10.
Cinematographer Kim Byung-il said he fears the domestic movie industry will lose jobs becasue of the lower screen quota.
"The Korean film industry is small," said Kim, who filmed the acclaimed 2003 movie "Untold Scandal," a South Korean version of the novel "Les Liasons Dangereuses." It's a "huge industry in Hollywood."
The South Korean government has pledged to continue supporting the local film industry, and has promised a 400 billion won (US$422 million; euro330 million) fund to help cushion the blow.
by Associated Press
About a dozen actors including Choi Min-shik, who starred in the Cannes award-winning film "Oldboy," actress Jeon Do-yeon, movie industry workers, academics and some 3,000 supporters gathered in a park in central Seoul for a rally denouncing the U.S. and South Korean governments as well as the American movie industry.
"We refuse to surrender to the unjustifiable demands of the United States," Kim Min-woong, a professor of social science and theology at Sungkonghoe University, told the rally. "We will not kneel down before the Hollywood giant."
The focus of the protester's anger is a government measure announced in January - the so-called screen quota system - that cuts the required number of domestic films shown annually in the nation's cinemas.
As of Saturday, local theaters are now required to show South Korean movies for 73 days a year, down from the previous 146 days. The system was introduced in 1966 to protect the local film industry.
The United States had long pushed for the quota to be reduced and made it a prerequisite for free trade negotiations, which began in Washington last month. The second round of talks is set to start in Seoul on July 10.
Cinematographer Kim Byung-il said he fears the domestic movie industry will lose jobs becasue of the lower screen quota.
"The Korean film industry is small," said Kim, who filmed the acclaimed 2003 movie "Untold Scandal," a South Korean version of the novel "Les Liasons Dangereuses." It's a "huge industry in Hollywood."
The South Korean government has pledged to continue supporting the local film industry, and has promised a 400 billion won (US$422 million; euro330 million) fund to help cushion the blow.
by Associated Press
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