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Sundance Selections Announced
4 December 2008 1:53 AM, PST
The Sundance Film Festival on Wednesday released the titles of 118 features that it plans to screen at this year's 10-day edition beginning January 15 in Park City, UT. They were chosen from 1,905 submissions from U.S. independent filmmakers and 1,756 from abroad. Today's (Thursday) New York Times observed that the competition films "reflect an unusual tilt toward the emotional -- maybe even melodramatic -- side of independent cinema." It quoted festival director Geoffrey Gilmore as saying, "Audiences this year are going to be surprised. ... The range of emotions evoked by the films is going to be greater than in the past." Reporting on the planned Sundance offerings, the Times commented, "Alienation is out. Engagement is in."
SAG Foes Of Strike Referendum Arise
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
Opposition is rising within the ranks of the Screen Actors Guild to a strike-authorization referendum that is expected to be sent to members before the end of December. Among the opponents is Richard Masur, a former national president of the union, who said that he agreed to the referendum if mediation failed. However, he told today's (Thursday) Wall Street Journal, "It was the SAG committee and our negotiators who failed to make a sufficient effort at a deal. Therefore, I feel that it is premature to send out a strike-authorization referendum as more work needs to be done on trying to find a deal." Liberal activist/actor Mike Farrell sent an email to members that concluded with the words, "As a member for over 40 years, I'm not anti-sag. But I am anti-idiocy. I'm voting 'no.'" Husband-and-wife Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman released a letter that they had sent to SAG President Alan Rosenberg saying, "We support our union and we support the issues we're fighting for, but we do not believe in all good conscience that now is the time to be putting people out of work." Forget six-foot-wide home theaters. National board member Mike Hodge pointed out that studies conducted by the Directors Guild of America concluded "that there won't be money in New Media until 2012 or even 2014. Our contracts last for three years."
ER To Be Taken Off Life Support
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
NBC said Wednesday that it will air the series finale of its long-running medical drama ER on March 12, 2009. The demise of the show that once dominated the 10:00 p.m. hour was mentioned in passing with a slew of other NBC announcements that included: The Office will be have the honor of of following next year's Super Bowl; Celebrity Apprentice will debut on March 1. Kings, which replaces E.R. will debut March 19. Surprising some industry observers, two shows that the network had planned to begin broadcasting around midseason are not mentioned in the company's announcement. Washington Post columnist Lisa de Moraes noted that the shows, The Philanthropist and Merlin, may not debut until next season.
Australia Shuts Down Alleged Pirate Site
4 December 2008 1:53 AM, PST
An Australian-based BitTorrent site was shut down by police today (Thursday) and its two operators were charged with money laundering, following an investigation by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT). The anti-piracy group had claimed that the site had bootlegged millions of copyrighted movies while charging subscribers $10 per month for access. A Brisbane magistrate froze a bank account of one of the two men containing A$54,000. AFACT had alleged that they were earning A$10,000 per month from the operation. The website TorrentFreak identified the site as MovieX and said that it was currently displaying the message, "We are temporarily offline. Currently there is No Eta Available." The two arrested men were described as brothers, but their names were not immediately disclosed.
Utah Firm Selling "Backyard Theaters"
4 December 2008 1:53 AM, PST
A Lindon, UT firm is now marketing its "backyard" theater, made possible by an inflatable screen 16 feet wide by 9 feet tall. "Users can enjoy their favorite movies by the pool ... or at a BBQ on the beach," Open Air Cinema said in a statement. The screen, which comes with an air blower that can inflate the screen "in seconds," is being sold for $999. A projector is required -- which Open Air also sells for an additional $2,299.
Redstone To Unload Theaters
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
Sumner Redstone will sell a part of his National Amusement theater chain as part of a proposed agreement with lenders that will allow him to avoid selling additional shares of Viacom and CBS, the London Financial Times reported today (Thursday), citing people familiar with the matter. The move required Redstone to reach an agreement on the sale with his daughter Sheri, who heads the chain and is a member of the board of National Amusements, the holding company for Viacom and CBS. The newspaper said that the plan would allow Redstone to hold on to National Amusements' theaters in the New England area, where it is based and which account for half its value. Redstone is under pressure to restructure $1.6 billion in debt within about two weeks (December 19), when about half of it comes due. The Ft observed that the entire theater chain is valued at $500-700 million by analysts and $1 billion by Redstone.
Media Should Not Call Terrorists "Islamic," Group Says
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
In an apparent reference to recent reports about the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the international Organization of the Islamic Conference, has charged that "some circles" had attempted to associate "such evil" with Islam, which, the group said, "condemns, scorns and outlaws" terrorist deeds. The attacks, the Oic said, were the acts of "deviant and fanatic individuals." It added that reporters "who refer to the perpetrators as acting on behalf of Islam help them by offering them justification, anchor and premise that they don't have or deserve." However, Robert Spencer, who oversees the website JihadWatch.org, which has been called an "Internet hate site" by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair), told CNSNews.com, a unit of the conservative Media Research Center: "[The Oic] is trying to hoodwink the U.N. and the West into passing speech codes that will forbid non-Muslim analysts from connecting any act of violence or terror to Islam, even when the perpetrators themselves make that connection. This will render the West mute and defenseless in the face of continuing Islamic jihadist aggression."
Islamic Group Praises -- The Simpsons???
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which ordinarily is critical of the representation of Muslims and Arabs in films and on television, has congratulated Fox Television for last Sunday's episode of The Simpsons, in which a Muslim family moving into Springfield faces prejudice. (Homer suspects them of being terrorists while Bart befriends a boy who is bullied by classmates.) The Cair letter, sent Wednesday, said that the episode, titled "Mypods and Boomsticks," one of four entire Simpsons shows posted online at http://tinyurl.com/6jgq4y, "brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and inclusion by getting to know their neighbors." Cair Executive Director Nihad Awad said, "Fox and [Simpsons creator] Matt Groening are to be congratulated for tackling the disturbing phenomenon of Islamophobia."
Knight Rider Sideswiped
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
Industry observers who expressed surprise when NBC announced in October that it would order a full season of Knight Rider despite its lackluster ratings were likely even more surprised when the network said that it will produce only 17 episodes and yank the show from its schedule on February 25. The following week, NBC said, it will present a "new show ... to be announced soon." NBC has continued to see an exodus of viewers this season (except for its Sunday Night Football fans). Knight Rider is not expected to return to the NBC schedule.
CNN Distances Itself From Miles
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
After having lost his job as co-host of CNN's American Morning last year, Miles O'Brien is being dropped by the cable news network altogether. O'Brien, who had earned much respect as the chief technology and environment correspondent for CNN, had spent 17 years with the cable network -- an "epoch" in the television news business, O'Brien said in a statement. CNN said: "Miles has made many contributions to CNN over the years. He is a terrific reporter and we wish him all the best. Also losing their jobs will be six producers for CNN's science and technology unit, which is being shut down.
Fox Potent During November Sweeps
4 December 2008 1:44 AM, PST
The presidential election came only a few days into the November sweeps, but its political coverage drew so many viewers during those early days of the month that it was able to claim second place in the ratings among all cable TV channels, tying with USA Networks and topped only by ESPN, which drew big numbers for college and professional football. Fox's ratings were up a whopping 75 percent from November 2007. Nevertheless, CNN claimed that it had bested Fox among viewers 25-54 total day. (Fox triumphed in that category during primetime.) MSNBC had something to boast about, too, as its Countdown With Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show beat their CNN rivals in the younger demo.
Ex Child Actors Say "Midgets" Discriminated Against Them
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
Some of the one-time child actors who worked as Munchkins in 1939's The Wizard of Oz are upset that they are usually overlooked whenever Hollywood pays tribute to "the little people" Noting that Munchkins scenes included 10 girls of normal height between the ages of seven and nine, the Times notes that three of them went without introduction or participation when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored the Munchkins actors with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Ardith Doindanville Todd, now 78, told the Times: "That was disappointing because my family was with me. You can pick me out as clearly as any of the midgets in the film, but they knew the midgets would draw the crowds, I guess."
Sling Takes A Shot At Online Video
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
Sling Media, the company that sells a device that allows consumers to access programs and movies on their TV sets from remote location, announced Tuesday the creation of a new video website. "Users can go to Sling.com to watch a huge selection of clips, TV shows, films, news and sports in high quality, for free, anytime they want, a company announcement said." It added that video programming will come from over 90 providers, including 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios and NBC. Jason Hirsschorn, the company's president, said in the announcement: ""Sling.com is a wonderful combination of premium video content, television viewing, robust editorial and consumer-friendly access and socialization features." It did not detail how the "socialization features" will be employed. In addition it said that owners of its Slingbox device will now be able to view their home television and digital video recorders remotely via the Sling.com website.
Nominations For Independent Spirit Awards Announced
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
Three films each received six nominations for this year's Independent Spirit Awards and all three were nominated for best picture. They include Rachel Getting Married, Frozen River, and Ballast. Other films nominated for best picture include Wendy and Lucy and The Wrestler. Michelle Williams was also nominated for best actress for Wendy and Lucy and Mickey Rourke, for best actor in The Wrestler. Other best-actress nominations went to Melissa Leo for Frozen River, Summer Bishil for Towelhead and Tarra Riggs for Ballast. Other best actor nominees were Javier Bardem for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Richard Jenkins for The Visitor, Sean Penn for Milk and Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker.
Could Documentary Overturn Polanski Conviction?
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
What Roman Polanski's attorneys call "extraordinary new evidence" unearthed by Marina Zenovich for her documentary about the Polish-born director has spurred the them to file a complaint seeking to have his 1977 sexual-misconduct conviction overturned. In particular, the complaint notes that in the documentary, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, former prosecutor David Wells describes his discussions with Judge Lawrence Rittenband about the case during Polanski's trial, something the attorneys claim revea;ed "a pattern of misconduct and improper communications between the Superior Court and the District Attorney's Office, in violation of the rule of law and without the knowledge of the defendant or his counsel." Polanski, the director of such films as Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby, fled the U.S. to France, where he was a citizen, after being convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Cuts Hurt Coverage Of Mumbai Attacks, Says Trade Magazine
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
The much criticized TV coverage of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last week manifested the effects of deep cuts in the broadcast and cable networks' foreign news operations, Broadcasting & Cable magazine said in a commentary on its website today (Wednesday). "The dearth of reliable information on U.S. television over the three-day conflict that broke during the Thanksgiving holiday was apparent," the trade publication asserted, pointing out that they provided little information about the precise number of targets, attackers, casualties and hostages, the result of little "boots-on-the-ground" reporting. CNN, it noted, was the only U.S. news operation, broadcast or cable, that provided any live coverage at all from Mumbai. On Thursday morning, at the height of the attacks, B&C observed the broadcast networks virtually ignored them, two of them providing in-depth coverate of the Macy's Christmas Day Parade in New York. Former CBS News producer Rome Hartman, now reigning over BBC World News America, remarked, "There was something slightly diffident about that being pretty much all you could find on American TV on Thursday morning."
Black Family In White House, None On Network TV
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
As an African American prepares for his inauguration as president of the United States, the Los Angeles Times observes today (Wednesday) that no American broadcast network is airing a single show featuring a person of color in a central role. (An arguable exception is the role of Dennis Haysbert in CBS's The Unit.) Responding to requests by the Times for interviews, each of the major networks declined and instead submitted statements detailing their commitment to diversity. (CBS did not respond.) Felicia D. Henderson, creator of the Showtime classic Soul Food, told the newspaper, "I've pitched these projects with main black characters and have been told, 'We just can't see that,' or, 'No one will watch that,'"
For Cable Operators: Now, The Good News!
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
Cable operators should take heart in the fact that their stocks began falling long before the recession officially was declared since history suggests that they also rise before the general economy recovers, Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen told the B&C-Multichannel News OnScreen Media Summit in New York Tuesday. As reported by the online Multichannel News, Cohen predicted that cable systems will outperform the rest of the market and observed that the recession gives them an opportunity to win subscribers always from satellite operators. Those satellite companies, she noted, have become a kind of "one-trick pony," whereas cable companies are now a triple threat, since they're able to package cable, Internet, and telephone service together.
More Broadcast Regulations Returning Under Obama?
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
Former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley predicted that the Feb. 17 switchover to digital TV will go relatively smoothly and that those who have not acquired converter boxes will do so when their TV sets go black. "It's not like we're shutting off their electricity," Wiley told the B&C-Multichannel News OnScreen Media Summit in New York Tuesday. "I think within a week or so we can have this problem solved." Wiley, a Republican who served as head of the FCC during the Ford administration, also warned broadcasters that the coming Obama administration was likely to support tougher regulations than the current Bush administration. In particular, he warned that Congressman Henry Waxman, who will become chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee "is going to be a very vigorous chairman" in pursuing new rules regarding advertising for prescription drugs, ads during children's shows and product placement."
ABC: Dancing One Minute, Crashing The Next
3 December 2008 1:32 AM, PST
Dancing With the Stars is clearly to ABC what American Idol is to Fox -- the most important weapon in its arsenal against rivals. The problem is that neither of the shows provide much rerun opportunity and when they're over for the season the shows that replace them generally don't come close to equaling their ratings. That was particularly obvious in the case of Dancing. Last week's final episode attracted 21.1 million viewers, the most for any regular non-sports show of the season. By comparison, the season debut of According to Jim one week later drew a last-place 5.83 million viewers for two back-to-back episodes in the 9:00 p.m. hour, leading MediaWeek.com's ratings columnist Marc Berman to ask, "Why is this show still on the air?" Dancing is not scheduled to return to ABC's lineup until March 9. The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:1. Dancing With the Stars (Tuesday), ABC, 12.9/20; 2. Dancing With the Stars (Monday), ABC, 12.8/19; 3. 60 Minutes, CBS, 11.4/17; 4. NCIS, CBS, 11.1/18; 5. Desperate Housewives, ABC, 9.9/15; 6. The Mentalist, CBS, 9.7/15; 7. Sunday Night Football -- Chicago at Minnesota, NBC, 9.6/15; 8. CSI: Miami, CBS, 9.2/15; 9. Two and a Half Men, CBS, 9/13; 10. Criminal Minds, CBS, 8.6/15.
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