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June02, 2007 - Reel 2 Reel #155 ~ Birthday announcements! >> |
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Howdy Adventureland Friends: Once again, you got several copies last week. In my desperation, I downloaded my subscriber list to my address book. Again, sorry for the delay. For this reason, we are moving to Zinester. In the short term, I will sending through both services. I urge you white list this: advlandvideo@yahoo.com. The old addy, I had intended for corporate business, will remain connected to the Topica version of the newsletter. So I will get any email you send there. Sorry for the delay. But this situation and my life in general are just getting in the way. I hope things to can settle down next week. +===================================+ Find your showtimes @ Adventureland http://advland.bravehost.com +===================================+ <> <> <> BOX OFFICE <> <> <> +===================================+ 'SPIDEY' NO MATCH 4 EVER-GROWING 'SHREK' The big green ogre keeps getting bigger. "Shrek the Third" took in $122 million in its first weekend, breaking the his own record for best debut ever for an animated film, according to studio estimates. The latest adventure of the ogre shot past 2004's "Shrek 2," the previous record-holder for animated openings with $108 million. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount, "Shrek the Third" was the third-biggest debut ever, coming in behind the $151.1 million haul of this month's "Spider-Man 3" and the $135.6 million gross of last summer's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Executives at DreamWorks Animation and Paramount had expected "Shrek the Third" to open more in range with "Shrek 2." Strong business from audiences across the board lifted "Shrek the Third" well above projections. "The opening was significantly beyond our expectations," said Anne Globe, head of marketing for DreamWorks Animation. "The movie played much more like an all-audience movie. It played broadly to general and family audiences." Adding in $900,000 the movie grossed during previews Thursday night, "Shrek the Third" has taken in $122.9 million. Factoring in higher admission prices, "Shrek the Third" also drew more fans - 18 million - than did "Shrek 2," which pulled in 17.4 over opening weekend. "Shrek the Third" also took in $13.3 million in 4 overseas markets: Russia, Ukraine, Romania and the Philippines. The film rolls out to most countries between mid-June and early July. The movie reunites Mike Myers, who provides the voice of Shrek, and co-stars Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas. Justin Timberlake joins the cast, providing the voice of King Arthur, an awkward teen Shrek grooms to rule the land. After ruling the box office for 2 weekends, Sony's "Spider-Man 3" slipped to second with $28.5 million, raising its domestic total to $281.9 million. Worldwide, "Spider-Man 3" has taken in $747 million. "Shrek the Third" is expected to have a short reign at No. 1. On Friday, Disney releases "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," with Johnny Depp as woozy buccaneer Jack Sparrow in the franchise's third installment. Box-office analysts say "At World's End" has a shot at breaking the debut record of "Spider-Man 3," though it faces stiff competition from the Spidey sequel and "Shrek the Third." "At World's End" also runs nearly 3 hours, limiting the number of screenings theaters can fit in each day. "The third film of this massive triumvirate is on the way. Given the strength of 'Spider-Man 3' and 'Shrek the Third,' anticipation is running extremely high for 'Pirates 3,'" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers. "Both 'Spider-Man' and 'Shrek' exceeded expectations, so who knows with 'Pirates'? The marketplace is just exploding right now." Like "Spider-Man 3," "Shrek the Third" boosted the overall box office. The top 12 movies took in $172.9 million, up 12% from the same weekend a year ago, when "The Da Vinci Code" opened at No. 1 with $77.1 million. Fox Searchlight's "Once" debuted with $60,511 in 2 theaters in New York City and Los Angeles. The film stars Glen Hansard of rock group Frames as a Dublin street musician who falls for a Czech immigrant. The favorite of Sundance Film Festival expands to 11 more cities friday. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC: 1. "Shrek the Third," $122 million. 2. "Spider-Man 3," $28.5 million. 3. "28 Weeks Later," $5.15 million. 4. "Disturbia," $3.7 million. 5. "Georgia Rule," $3.5 million. 6. "Fracture," $2.4 million. 7. "Delta Farce," $1.8 million. 8. "The Invisible," $1.3 million. 9. "Hot Fuzz," $1.26 million. 10. "Waitress," $1.14 million. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/ +===================================+ <> <> <> NOW SHOWING <> <> <> +===================================+ DELTA FARCE (2007) Larry decides to join his neighbor, Bill, and his combat-happy buddy, Everett, for a relaxing weekend. But when the 3 hapless guys are mistaken for Army Reservists by Sergeant Kilgrove, they're loaded onto a plane headed for Iraq -- and mistakenly ejected in a Humvee somewhere over Mexico. Convinced they're in the Middle East, the clueless wannabe soldiers save a rural village from bandits and become local heroes. But when Carlos Santana, a ruthless warlord, strikes back, Larry, Bill and Everett have to prove they just might be real soldiers after all. MPAA rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor. http://www.lionsgate.com/deltafarce/ +===================================+ <> <> <> COMING SOON <> <> <> +===================================+ June 1, 2007 GRACIE (2007) Set in 1978, a teen girl overcomes the loss of her brother and fights the odds to achieve her dream of playing soccer at a time when girls' soccer did not exist. Gracie Bowen is the only girl in a family of 3 brothers. Their family life revolves around soccer. Tragedy strikes when Gracie's older brother Johnny, star of the high school varsity soccer team is killed in a car accident. Struggling with grief, Gracie decides to fill the void left on her brother's team. MPAA rated PG-13 for brief sexual content. http://www.graciemovie.com/ June 8, 2007 HOSTEL: PART II (2007) Three young Americans studying in Rome set off for a weekend trip when they run into a beautiful model from one of their art classes. Also on her way to an exotic destination, the gorgeous European invites the coeds to come along, assuring them they will be able to relax and rejuvenate. Will the girls find the oasis they are looking for? Or are they poised to become victims for hire, pawns in the fantasies of the sick and privileged from around the world who secretly travel here to savor more grisly pursuits? MPAA rated R for sadistic scenes of torture and bloody violence, terror, nudity, sexual content, language and some drug content. http://www.hostel2.com/ +===================================+ <> <> <> LOST LEGENDS <> <> <> +===================================+ CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF JOHN WAYNE On the 100th anniversary of John Wayne's birth, the Duke still swaggers through the American psyche as an actor and patriot - his centennial spawning fond remembrance. Wayne's legacy is unique because of the dual perspectives that pervade his memory. Author and historian Garry Wills, who wrote "John Wayne's America" in 1997, described Wayne as "the most popular movie star ever, but also the most polarizing." It could be argued that no other film actor has ever come to symbolize so many things: rugged masculinity, the frontier, even America itself. The Duke has remained, in the truest sense, an icon. For many, an entire way of life is epitomized in the tired, unblinking eyes that peered knowingly from his cocksure pose. His voice, too, seems etched in the collective memory: With a simple "pilgrim," a whole lost world is summoned. Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison, would have turned 100 on Saturday. He died at 72 of stomach cancer in June 1979 after a career that spanned more than 170 films. To this day, he still ranks atop polls rating the most adored actors; a Harris Poll conducted just this year rated him as the third-most popular movie star behind Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. Nostalgia for strong, silent heroes like those Wayne portrayed can regularly be spotted in places like HBO's "The Sopranos." Wayne's rugged masculinity is viewed as the symbol of bygone era; feelings are now meant to be openly expressed and analyzed. Those who keep their emotions locked up have even been referred to as suffering from "John Wayne syndrome." He seldom deviated from heroic roles, often set in the West or on the battlefield. His range was limited, but he mined a narrow path of the reluctant but obligated hero - a consistent approach that furthered his iconic stature. "When I started, I knew I was no actor, and I went to work on this Wayne thing," he once said. "I figured I needed a gimmick, so I dreamed up the drawl, the squint and a way of moving meant to suggest that I wasn't looking for trouble but would just as soon throw a bottle at your head as not. I practiced in front of a mirror." It's a notably different - and perhaps dated - tactic in a profession that values, above all, malleability. If you want to be an actor, study Brando. But if you want to be a movie star, study Wayne. "He never tricked the audience with the characters he played," says Gretchen Wayne, who heads late husband Michael Wayne's company, Batjac Production, formed in 1954 by her legendary father-in-law. "His films started in the late '20s, early '30s, so there's 3 generations of people who have grown up with him." She will host an evening presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday, where a new restoration of "The High and the Mighty" (1954) will be shown. (Wayne was married three times and had seven children.) Turner Classic Movies has been paying tribute by airing a 35-film festival of his movies. His birthplace, Winterset, Iowa, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for a new John Wayne museum. "Hondo" (1953), recently restored in digital 3-D, will screen at the Cannes Film Festival. Hollywood studios are also rolling out a small army of DVD releases, including collector's sets from Lionsgate, Universal, Warner Home Video and Paramount. This is all evidences an enduring love for Wayne that may surpass even his contemporaries: Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, whose centennial was earlier this month. Unlike some stars of his day, Wayne never served in World War II, ironic since Gen. Douglas MacArthur said he "represented the American serviceman better than the American serviceman himself." He was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 1979 before his death. Jim Olson, Sam Houston State University history professor who co-wrote the 1995 biography "John Wayne: American," believes Wayne's guilt over not serving propelled him to compensate by being an anti-communist and symbol of American ideals. "Wayne was a confused young man," says Olson. "He sort of grew up searching for the meaning of life and I think he found it in the values he ended up portraying on screen. His screen image and his individual persona kind of kept ricocheting off each other over time until the image on screen became his alter ego." Especially in his later years, Wayne symbolized political conservatism and a dedication to country. His stand against communism during the Cold War was so influential that Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin plotted to assassinate him, according to Michael Munn's 2005 biography "John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth." Wayne famously said, "I always thought I was a liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a right-wing conservative extremist." He angered more people with his support of the Vietnam War, which he expressed openly in 1968's "The Green Berets," a film he co-directed and starred in. "Wayne lived in a world of absolutes. He did not like ambiguity," says Olson. "He lived in a world where, in his mind, right was right and wrong was wrong. And evil was real and evil had to be crushed with violence if necessary. "There's a generation of Americans that kind of grew up with Wayne, matured with Wayne and grew old with Wayne, through all the trials and traumas of modern American history - and in doing so, found in him a voice they understood." It's been not only 100 years since his birth, but nearly 3 decades since his death. Yet Wayne still remains one of the most recognizable faces in the world. He is, as New York Times film critic Vincent Camby once wrote, "marvelously indestructible." On the Net: http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?cid158612 http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/centennial/index.html +===================================+ <> <> <> SNACK BAR <> <> <> +===================================+ STUPID EASY 3 INGREDIENT NACHO DIP This was made for me by a friends mom for an Indy 500 race party. It was gone within 15 minutes. If you run out of chips-which happens a lot-many people resort to the use of a spoon. -- by Catie Bartley 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 2 (15 ounce) cans hormel chili (with or without beans) 1 (8 ounce) bag of shredded cheese, 4 cups (nacho cheese works best) Layer the 2 packages of cream cheese on the bottom of a glass square 8x8 baking dish. Cover evenly with the 2 cans of hormel chili. Cover with the shredded cheese (some people use only half the bag -- I use the whole bag, it depends on what the preparer likes). Put in microwave (or oven) leave in until cheese in center is bubbly. http://www.recipezaar.com/ <I use house brands and often add salsa, peppers, mushrooms and olives. Personally, I prefer to use the slow cooker on low. This is good with garlic bread sticks too. Play around with your own ideas because every recipe can be improved upon. -- Paul> +===================================+ <> <> <> BOOK MARKS <> <> <> +===================================+ BARTER BEE.COM -- MOVIE & GAME TRADER Barter Bee is now free. And cheaper than eBay and other options. Post your unwanted movies and games. Buy your most wanted movies and games. Their points program is easier and cheaper than auction sites. Do it all without the need of money. Sign-up today for bonus points good toward your next movie or game. Send your name & email to the address below. mailto:psgoods@excite.com?subject=Barter_Bee +===================================+ <> <> <> INTERMISSION <> <> <> +===================================+ Check back next week for all-time favorite racing movies. But, for now, watch the Indianapolis 500 and miss Jim Nabors as I will. +===================================+ <> <> <> DVD SHOWCASE <> <> <> +===================================+ Buy your favorite DVDs @ Adventureland http://psgoods.bravehost.com +===================================+ <> <> <> NOW SHOWING <> <> <> +===================================+ APOCALYPTO (2006) A tale set in the Mayan civilization. When a man's presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate, and spurred by the power of his love, he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life. MPAA rated R for sequences of graphic violence and disturbing images. http://video.movies.go.com/apocalypto/ LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (2006) Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima tells the story of the Japanese soldiers who defended their homeland against American forces during World War II. Their sacrifices, struggles, courage and compassion live on in the taut, gripping film Rolling Stone calls "unique and unforgettable." It is the powerful companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers. MPAA rated R for graphic war violence. http://iwojimathemovie.warnerbros.com/ THE GOOD GERMAN (2006) Berlin, 1945. Correspondent Jake just arrived. It's not Jake's first visit. He once managed a news bureau and fell in love here. His driver, Tully, is corrupt. Tully's dealings don't interest Jake, but Tully's girlfriend does. She's Lena, Jake's old love, but not the same person he knew. When Tully ends up with a bullet in his back, Jake finds himself drawn into the mystery of this murder. His investigation leads him back to Lena. MPAA rated R for language, violence and some sexual content. http://thegoodgerman.warnerbros.com/ +===================================+ <> <> <> COMING SOON <> <> <> +===================================+ June 5, 2007 NORBIT (2007) Norbit has never had it easy. As a baby, he was abandoned on the steps of a restaurant/orphanage and raised by Mr. Wong. Things get worse when he's forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, Rasputia. Just when Norbit's hanging by his last thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate, moves back to town. He finds that nice guys sometimes finish first. MPAA rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, some nudity and language. http://www.meetnorbit.com/ June 5, 2007 THE MESSENGERS (2007) The Solomon family has left the fast paced life of Chicago for the secluded world of a North Dakota farm. Amidst the tranquil sway of the farm’s field of sunflowers, Jess, 16, soon realizes how terrifying seclusion can be when she and her brother Ben, 3, begin seeing ominous apparitions invisible to everyone else. When the ghosts become violent, Jess must find a way to protect her family. MPAA rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, disturbing violence and terror. http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/themessengers/ +===================================+ <> <> <> FUN & GAMES <> <> <> +===================================+ Sorry, I have nothing for this week. +===================================+ <> <> <> TRADE TALK <> <> <> +===================================+ NATIONAL LAMPOON EXPANDS WEB OFFERINGS National Lampoon has expanded its Web video offerings by establishing an online network that will be distributed on several Web sites, including Veoh, Joost and YouTube. The company, which produces feature films as well as video content, already distributes its content on AOL Video, which is owned by Time Warner, and Brightcove, and it operates its own portals, Nationallampoon.com and TogaTV.com. The expansion is part of the company's strategy to offer advertisers multiple outlets to reach young, mostly male, audience attracted to National Lampoon's sophomoric college humor. "Everything we develop or produce today, whether it's audio for the radio network or video or film, has an online component," National Lampoon Chief Executive Daniel Laikin said. The company produces online episodes as it films its various theatrical features, Laikin said. The company is filming its next feature, "National Lampoon's Bag Boy," and is producing a short video called "Cart Wrangler" that will air on its broadband network. The company is focusing mostly on streaming video, although some partners will also sell downloads. The company makes money by selling advertising either in the video or around it in banner ads. Besides sites operated by Veoh Networks, Joost and YouTube, which is owned by Google, the company's videos will be distributed by Lycos, GoFish, Handheld Entertainment and Biggy TV. http://www.veoh.com/ http://www.joost.com/ http://www.youtube.com/ http://video.aol.com/ http://www.brightcove.com/ http://www.nationallampoon.com/ http://www.togatv.com/ http://www.lycos.com/ http://www.gofish.com/ http://www.hheld.com/ http://www.computertvonline.com/gpage1.html +===================================+ <> <> STEALS & DEALS <> <> +===================================+ THIS IS THE SUMMER OF SEQUELS You wouldn't start a book in the middle, would you? Why do the same with movies? Pick up the prequels. That way you'll understand the complexity of the characters and the noble missions they're on. You know, all the stuff that leaves you wanting more... http://psgoods.bravehost.com +===================================+ <> <> <> NEWS REELS <> <> <> +===================================+ LA DA: LOHAN WON'T BE CHARGED WITH THEFT Lindsay Lohan won't be charged. District attorney's office declined to file felony grand theft charges on May 9 because of insufficient evidence, spokeswoman Jane Robison said. A woman claimed that Lohan walked away with clothing after visiting her apartment while she was away. The rejection notice said a housesitter had invited Lohan over and told authorities that she had given Lohan some clothing. "The bottom line is that Lohan can't be shown to have been seen either taking or to have been later in possession of missing items and items she can be shown to have possessed were with (the housesitter's) permission," Deputy DA Greg Somes wrote. http://www.llrocks.com/ HILTON DROPS APPEAL, WHAT SHE CAN EXPECT Paris Hilton is abandoning her appeal of a 45-day sentence. Hilton was ordered to report to jail by June 5 for violating her probation. She has changed legal teams and is now represented by Richard Hutton, a lawyer specializing in drunk driving cases. Hilton is likely to spend 23 days in the Century Regional Detention Center, said LA sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore. "All inmates get credit for good behavior," Whitmore said. Hilton will be separate from general inmates in a unit reserved for high-profile inmates. Like everyone else in the facility, Hilton would get at least an hour outside her cell each day to shower, watch television, participate in outdoor recreation or talk on the telephone. http://www.lasd.org/divisions/correctional/crdf/index.html LEO FOLLOWS AL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE FILM A decade ago, Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore talked about global warming. Now DiCaprio followed Gore's lead. DiCaprio co-produced and co-wrote "The 11th Hour" which explains how humans changed the climate and how to fix it. Leo said the movement owed a great debt to Gore and "An Inconvenient Truth." "I think that movie, through the cinematic format, was able to convey science to the public and to the media in a way that it had never done before," DiCaprio said. He said of their meeting, Gore "took his time to talk to me about the issue of global warming, which I didn't really understand very much about, and from then on I've kind of been more active." For a new project, DiCaprio is looking for a script. "It can't be just a film about the environment...," he said. "It's got to be powerful and moving... It's got to be good." http://www.11thhourfilm.com/ CANNES: CAMPION ON LACK OF FEMALE DIRECTORS When Jane Campion was honored at the Cannes Film Festival with about 30 other major directors Sunday, she was the lone woman. The New Zealander is the only woman filmmaker to have won Cannes' top prize, for "The Piano" in 1993. This year, she showed a fantasy short about a ladybug - a woman dressed up in an insect costume - who gets stomped on. She said it was a metaphor for women in the film world. "I just think this is the way the world is, that men control the money, and they decide who they're going to give it to," Campion said. A survey released last year said U.S. female directors made 7% of the 250 highest-grossing films in 2005. Martha M. Lauzen, San Diego State University professor, authored "The Celluloid Ceiling." Campion is one of 3 women to be nominated for an Academy Award for best director. Her next film is the story of poet John Keats' romance with his young neighbor Fanny Brawne. Campion plans to tell the story from Brawne's point of view. http://www.nywift.org/documents/2005%20celluloid%20ceiling.pdf SLY CONVICTED, FINED ON AUSSIE CHARGE Sylvester Stallone was convicted and ordered to pay $10,651. New South Wales Deputy Chief Magistrate Paul Cloran said the star failed to show a prescription. He said he was satisfied the hormone and testosterone were for Stallone's use, "there is no suggestion that the substances were being used for anything other than cosmetic or therapeutic purposes." The actor told customs he had purchased the drugs at a U.S. pharmacy, but did not have the prescription with him. Cloran said Jintropin is not available in the U.S., finding Stallone "untruthful about the existence of a prescription." Citing testimony from Stallone's doctor, Robert Huizenga, Cloran found that Stallone had been using the testosterone legally under medical supervision. Stallone said he was carrying a large amount of the drug because he was about to go on location in Thailand and Myanmar to shoot "Rambo." http://www.sylvesterstallone.com/ CANNES: IRAN PROTESTS 'PERSEPOLIS' SCREENING Iran protested the Cannes Film Festival screening of "Persepolis," an animated adaptation of Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel about growing up in Iran after the Islamic revolution. The film is competing for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, and has its official screening on Wednesday. A letter of protest was sent to the French Embassy in Tehran by the Iran Farabi Foundation according to the ISNA news agency, which provided the text of the letter. "This year the Cannes Film Festival, in an unconventional and unsuitable act, has chosen a movie about Iran that has presented an unrealistic face of the achievements and results of the glorious Islamic Revolution in some of its parts," the letter read. The letter said the inclusion of the film would damage the reputation of the festival. Earlier this year, the hit American movie "300" angered Iranians who said the Greeks-vs-Persians flick insulted their ancient culture and provokes animosity against Iran. http://media.amctv.com/video/video_smso_cannes.html?s_cid=cannesvid_yahoo THATS A WRAP 4 THIS JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES Carl Wright (75), who began his career as a tap dancer/comedian and later appeared in "Barbershop" and "Big Momma's House," has died. Wright died of cancer at his home in Chicago, according to his daughter, Kia Wright. Wright's film credits also include "Soul Food," "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" and "The Cookout." Born in Orlando, Fla., Wright traveled the world as a young man working as a tap dancer. He also worked as a comedian, emcee and songwriter. His movie career began late in his life, his daughter said. "He's done so many things," she said. "He worked with everyone from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra." Wright is survived by his wife, Shirley, two other daughters and a granddaughter. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19468914 CANNES: 'SICKO' SPAWNS 'MOORE' FEVER In Cannes, Michael Moore is mobbed by fans. His documentary "Sicko" - an attack on U.S. health care - is the talk of the festival. "It's a government that's funded by the pharmaceutical companies and the health insurers, so I'm not surprised they're coming after me," said Moore, who is being investigated. Several interview subjects died before the film was completed. "It was pretty somber working on this film," Moore said. "We just kept thinking, the only reason this person is dying is because they hold American citizenship. If they lived in Canada or Britain or France, they'd have a chance." Moore's last film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," won the festival's top prize in 2004. Moore knows that a rockier reception awaits in the United States. His critics say "Sicko" is overly rosy in depiction of other countries' health care. "The facts are indisputable," Moore said. "Are there flaws in those systems? Absolutely." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/ GARRISON PLEADS GUILTY IN CAR CRASH Lane Garrison pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving in a crash last year that killed a teen passenger. Garrison (26) faces up to up to 6 years and 8 months when he is sentenced in August. He remains free on bail. He was driving a 2001 Land Rover on Dec. 2 when he lost control and hit a tree. The crash killed Vahagn Setian (17). Two other passengers, both 15-year-old girls, survived. Garrison had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit for driving, and was under the influence of cocaine. The actor's attorney, Harland Braun, said earlier that Garrison was "going to accept responsibility for his conduct. The only question is what is that level of responsibility?" Garrison's character on Fox's "Prison Break" - Tweener - was killed. The Dallas native's other credits include the 2006 film "Crazy." http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1460812/ FIRE GUTS 'STAND & DELIVER' AUDITORIUM A fire gutted the historic auditorium of the East LA high school that inspired "Stand and Deliver." School officials canceled classes at Garfield High School as crews cleaned up from the fire, which also damaged some classrooms. The cause of the blaze, reported 7 a.m. Sunday, was under investigation. "Some initial companies inside did say the auditorium was the point of ignition, that it might have started in a corner behind the stage," County Fire Inspector Sam Padilla told KABC-TV. No injuries were reported and a damage estimate was not available. Built in 1925, the auditorium was known for its grand stage, vintage glass chandeliers and ornate plasterwork. http://www2.sandi.net/garfield/ CANNES: KIDMAN-CRAIG FLICK SNEAK PEAK Reporters at Cannes Film Festival watched a preview of 10 minutes of footage from "The Golden Compass," a $180 million digital fantasy to be released worldwide Dec. 7. The studio used the same sneak peek strategy at Cannes with "Lord of the Rings" in 2001. Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, "The Golden Compass" is set in a mysterious parallel world. The heart of the story belongs to newcomer Dakota Blue Richards. The tale is a screen adaptation of Philip Pullman's novel, the first book in a trilogy called "His Dark Materials." Director Chris Weitz was stunned by the books' imagination and heart, and he hopes to make two follow-ups if all goes well. http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/ HARRY POTTER 5 TO PREMEIR IN TOKYO The world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth movie about the boy wizard, will be held June 28 in Tokyo. Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter, is slated to attend. The world premiere of "Spider-Man 3" was held in Tokyo last month. "Harry Potter," directed by David Yates, will have its London premiere July 3. The film franchise is based on the best-selling novels by J.K. Rowling. The movie is scheduled for release in the U.S. on July 13, and will open to general audiences in Japan on July 21. http://www.harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com/ DEPP: THIRD JOURNEY AS JACK NOT ENOUGH Three journeys as Captain Jack in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" may not be enough to quench the thirst of Johnny Depp. Before the Tokyo premiere Wednesday of the series' third installment, Depp said he would consider taking the oddball character out for one more spin. "It's been a great experience," Depp said. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" was to premiere Wednesday and open in theaters across the United States and elsewhere on May 24. The film completes what had been intended as a trilogy based on the ride by the same name at Disneyland. Even so, producer Jerry Bruckheimer cautioned. "This is the end for now," he said. "I think everybody is exhausted and needs some time off. We're all going to take a little break." http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/ CANNES: 'OCEAN'S 13' CAST'S FUNDRAISER George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and company became good friends while playing crooks and con men. They're still as thick as thieves - and that was reason enough to get together for "Ocean's Thirteen." "We all love working together, and making movies is about as fun a thing as you can do," Damon told The AP. "The only thing that tops it is making it with your friends. When the call came, I think we all jumped." Clooney said the actors "wanted to go out on a high note" in what is expected to be their last "Ocean's" film together. "Ocean's Thirteen" was to have its black-tie premiere Thursday at Cannes. Meanwhile, cast members hosted a fundraiser for Not on Our Watch, which is working on behalf of refugees from the Sudanese province of Darfur, and gave back-to-back interviews. "Ocean's Thirteen" will be released June 8. http://www.oceans13.com http://notonourwatchproject.org/ CHILD DIRECTOR WINS SHORT FILM RIGHTS An 11-year-old director settled his lawsuit against a woman who demanded creative control over his short film after she financed it. Dominic Scott Kay, voice of Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web," sued Conroy Kanter, who demanded creative control and distribution and promotion rights to "Saving Angelo." The 15-minute movie stars Kevin Bacon and is based on Kay's real-life effort to nurse an abandoned, injured dog back to health. Kanter will receive producer credit and the young filmmaker will get full rights, said Kay's attorney, Dylan Ruga. Kay is editing the movie and plans to submit it to the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, Ruga said. "Dominic has worked so hard on this film and now finally it can be finished and widely distribute," he said. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1122614/ CANNES: STONE HOSTED AN AIDS BENEFIT Sharon Stone played host and auctioneer, Kylie Minogue & Julian Lennon sang, and Dita Von Teese did a strip - all for AIDS. The annual benefit raised $7M for American Foundation for AIDS Research. As George Clooney and the "Ocean's Thirteen" cast auctioned off a yacht vacation, Stone promised: "If you put up $350K, George will kiss you." Clooney went through with it, and sold 2 vacations for $700K. Ivana Trump won a portrait of Bette Davis for $200K. Claudia Schiffer & Naomi Campbell auctioned off fashion show tickets for $175K. Harvey Weinstein pulled Minogue onstage to sing "The Loco-Motion" & "Can't Get You Out of My Head," which raised $300K. Von Teese came on in cowgirl suit, then stripped down to underwear, boots and tassels. She rode a giant lipstick. MAC Aids Fund, Weinstein and Bold Films were sponsors. Lennon closed with "Stand by Me." A previous benefit hosted by "Ocean's Thirteen" raised $9.2M to help refugees the Sudan province of Darfur. http://www.amfar.org/ BLOOM SAILS AWAY FROM MOVIES FOR NOW After 2 mega trilogies, Orlando Bloom is walking away from movies - temporarily. "It's been an incredible ride," said the 30-year-old. "And it's been wonderful but I'm sort of psyched to do something completely different." He's returning to theater - the London stage, to appear in David Storey's "In Celebration." Bloom didn't use his star power to snag a leading role, either - although he probably could have. "I'm just part of what will be a great company of actors," he said, occasionally chewing his thumbnail. "I just really wanted to have a very organic experience. I didn't want to feel like I was in a star vehicle yet by any means." http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0089217/ 'PIRATES 3' OPENS IN RECORD THEATERS Even before it opened, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" had a box-office record in hand. Third film in the "Pirates" franchise opens Friday in an all-time high of 4,362 theaters domestically, 110 more than the record-holder, "Spider-Man 3." The length of "At World's End" - 2 hours, 47 minutes - will be a hurdle, limiting the number of screenings. The movie runs 15 minutes longer than "Dead Man's Chest" and a half an hour longer than "Spider-Man 3." Along with the theater count, "At World's End" has the advantage of opening over Memorial Day weekend, which should boost Sunday grosses. Giving "Pirates" a better chance to beat "Spider-Man 3," which opened over a non-holiday weekend. http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/ NEW SMYRNA: 'BUD BUNDY' PLEADS NOT GUILTY A disorderly intoxication charge against David Faustino was dropped, but the man who played Bud Bundy on "Married with Children" still faces a drug charge. The charge was dropped because Faustino's arrest May 12 was sufficient punishment for the disorderly intoxication charge, Linda Pruitt, a spokeswoman for the State Attorney's Office said. Faustino still faces a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession, punishable by a year in prison, Pruitt said. He pleaded not guilty. Trial is scheduled for July. Faustino's lawyer, Michael Rodriguez, downplayed the drug charge, saying: "It's not the biggest charge in the world." "Married With Children" ran on the Fox network from 1987 to 1997. http://www.bundyology.com/df.html MILLER ADAPTS 'SPIRIT' COMIC 2 FILM Frank Miller will write and direct an adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit comic for Lionsgate. In a press release, Miller said "Will Eisner's The Spirit is a product of passion and dedication for me. Will was a dear friend, a mentor, and translating his vision to the screen will be a labor of love. I look forward to working with the people at Lionsgate, and to add to their lauded reputation for genre films." The Spirit is about a man named Denny Colt who fakes his own death and fights crime. Will Eisner created The Spirit as a newspaper comic strip in 1940. Eisner died in 2005. Frank Miller is the artist and author of numerous comics and graphic novels including Sin City and 300, both were adapted into feature films. Director Robert Rodriguez even fought to give Miller a co-director credit for Sin City. Production on The Spirit will begin after Sin City 2 which again has Miller teaming with Rodriguez. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588340/ SITE 4 LOHAN'S 'I KNOW WHO KILLED ME' Lindsay Lohan's next film is I Know Who Killed Me. Lohan stars as Aubrey, a young woman rescued from the clutches of a serial killer. However, when she comes home she claims to be the identical-looking Dakota, not Aubrey. The cast includes Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, and Kenya Moore. Also making an appearance is Jessica Rose, who rose to fame with the fake "lonelygirl15" YouTube blog. Sony Pictures launched the official site. It includes a strange video blog. Coming to theaters July 27. http://www.iknowwhokilledme.com +===================================+ <> <> <> DVD NEWS <> <> <> +===================================+ You know the drill by now. These are some prominent new announcements of upcoming DVD releases. The break-out hit of this TV season, Heroes, lands on DVD in a superhuman release on Aug. 28. The 7-disc set is packed with bonus features, including five featurettes, over 50 deleted scenes plus the series premiere that has never aired and more. There's even a never-before-seen character in the pilot. The Anthony Hopkins-Ryan Gosling legal thriller Fracture comes to DVD on Aug. 14. Both the widescreen and full-screen formats contain deleted scenes including two alternate endings. Like the Energizer bunny, The Simpsons keep going and going and going... The Tenth Season of the show is coming to DVD on Aug. 7. Just after the release of the big screen movie in theaters. The Simpsons Movie debuts July 27 -- there will be a free movie ticket in this DVD and specially marked packages of previous seasons' DVDs. Speaking of TV on DVD, season four of the FX drama Nip/Tuck comes to DVD on Sept. 4 -- the same day as the season five premiere. It will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, and HD-DVD. There will be unaired scenes, featurettes, and a gag reel. The second season of the animated Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, the Cartoon Network hit, comes to DVD on Sept. 11. Season two is when they added the character known as Cheese. REMINDER & NOTIFICATION EMAILS MyVideoStore.com will send you messages when the movies you want to see are available on video or DVD. REMINDERS tell you when a movie has been released. NOTIFIERS tell you about a movie's upcoming release. http://myvideostore.com/content/movies/reminder.html?client=myvideostore +===================================+ <> <> <> TECH TALK <> <> <> +===================================+ CAMERA PHONE MAKER ON GADGET'S IMPACT The chilling sounds of gunfire on the Virginia Tech campus; the hateful taunts from Saddam Hussein's execution; the racist tirade of Michael Richards. Those videos, all shot with cell phone cameras and seen by millions, are just a few recent examples of the power now at the fingertips of the masses. Even the man credited with inventing the camera phone in 1997 is awed by this cultural revolution. "It's had a massive impact because it's just so convenient," said Philippe Kahn, a tech industry maverick whose other efforts include the founding of software maker Borland. "There's always a way to capture memories and share it," he said. "You go to a restaurant, and there's a birthday and suddenly everyone is getting their camera phones out. It's amazing." If Kahn feels a bit like a proud father when he sees people holding up their cell phones to snap pictures, there's good reason: He jury-rigged the first camera phone while his wife was in labor with their daughter. "We were going to have a baby and I wanted to share the pictures with family and friends," Kahn said, "and there was no easy way to do it." As he sat in a maternity ward, he wrote a crude program on his laptop and sent an assistant to Radio Shack for supplies to wire his digital camera to his cell phone. When Sophie was born, he sent her photo over a cellular connection around the globe. A decade later, 41% of American households own a camera phone "and you can hardly find a phone without a camera anymore," said Michael Cai, an industry analyst at Parks Associates. Market researcher Gartner Inc. predicts that about 589 million cell phones will be sold with cameras in 2007, increasing to 1 billion worldwide by 2010. Mix in the Internet's vast reach and the growth of the YouTube generation, and the ubiquitous gadget's influence only deepens and gets more complicated. So much so that the watchful eyes on all of us may no longer just be those of Big Brother. "For the past decade, we've been under surveillance under these big black and white cameras on buildings and at 7-Eleven stores. But the candid camera is wielded by individuals now," said Fred Turner, an assistant professor of communications at Stanford University. The contraption Kahn assembled in 1997 has evolved into a pocket-friendly phenomenon that has empowered both citizen journalists and personal paparazzi. It has prompted lawsuits - a student sued campus police at UCLA for excessive force after officers were caught on cell-phone video using a stun gun during his arrest; and been a catalyst for change - a government inquiry into police practices ensued in Malaysia after a cell-phone video revealed a woman detainee being forced to do squats while naked. On another scale, parents use cell-phone slideshows - not wallet photos - to show off pictures of their children, while adolescents document their rites of passage with cell phone cameras and share the images. One of the recipients of Kahn's seminal photo e-mail was veteran technology consultant Andy Seybold, who recalled being "blown away" by the picture. "The fact that it got sent wirelessly on the networks those days - that was an amazing feat," Seybold said. Kahn's makeshift photo-communications system formed the basis for a new company, LightSurf Technologies, which he later sold to VeriSign Inc. LightSurf built "PictureMail" software and worked with cell phone makers to integrate the technology. Sharp was the first to sell a commercial cell phone with a camera in Japan in 2000. Camera phones didn't debut in the U.S. until 2002, Kahn said. Though Kahn's work revolved around digital still photographs - video developments were created by others in the imaging and chip industries - his groundbreaking implementation planted a seed. "He facilitated people putting cameras in a phone, and he proved that you can take a photo and send it to someone with a cell phone," Seybold said. Kahn, 55, is well aware of how the camera phone has since been put to negative uses: sneaky shots up women's skirts, or the violent trend of "happy slapping" in Europe. But he likes to focus on the technology's benefits. It's been a handy tool that has led to vindication for victims or validation for vigilantes. As Kahn heard stories about assailants scared off by a camera phone or criminals nabbed later because their faces or their license plates were captured, he said, "I started feeling it was better than carrying a gun." And though he found the camera-phone video of the former Iraqi dictator's execution disturbing, Kahn said the gadget helped "get the truth out." The unofficial footage taken by a guard was vastly different from the government-issued version. Kahn also thinks the evolution of the camera phone has just begun. He wouldn't discuss details of his newest startup, Fullpower Technologies, which is in stealth mode working on the "convergence of life sciences and wireless," according to its Web site. But, Kahn said, it will, among other things, "help make camera phones better." http://www.fullpower.com/?Page=Home +===================================+ <> <> TIME CAPSULE <> <> +===================================+ May 21, 1980 - The movie "The Empire Strikes Back" was released. May 22, 1891 - The first public motion picture was given in Thomas Edison's lab. May 23, 1994 - "Pulp Fiction" won the "Golden Palm" for best film at the 47th Cannes Film Festival. May 25, 1927 - The "Movietone News" was shown for the first time at the Sam Harris Theatre in New York City. May 26, 1913 - Actors’ Equity Association was organized in New York City. May 27, 1926 - Bronze figures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer were erected in Hannibal, MO. May 28, 1929 - Warner Brothers debuted "On With The Show" in New York City. It was the first all-color-talking picture. +===================================+ In addition to more babysitting, we had a death in the family. My late grandma's sister-in-law passed away. Rest in peace Grandma Joe! Inspite of your minister, I am confident Harold was waiting. Keep in touch and see you next week. The end, Paul @ Reel 2 Reel mailto:advland@iwon.com?=Reel_2_Reel Make tonight a movie or game night! http://adventureland.moviefever.com |
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June02, 2007 - Reel 2 Reel #155 ~ Birthday announcements! >> |
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