Low-budget independent movie “Midgets vs. Mascots” is getting the worst kind of publicity on YouTube, courtesy of one of its stars. Pint-sized TV series actor Gary Coleman (TV series “Webster”) does a rant knocking the film in which is stars. “It was worse than any film school project that I think I could ever bear to be involved in,” Coleman says in the YouTube video. “I … [Read more...] about Actor Rips His Film on YouTube
3-D Screens Double Boxoffice
“Monsters vs. Aliens” pulled a robust $59.3 million for the three-day weekend on 7,300 screens, in a validation for 3-D cinema projection. Lionsgate’s horror film “The Haunting in Connecticut” grossed $23 million from half as many screens, in another strong debut, as cinema going continues to ride high despite the deep recession. Those figures are domestic box office—U.S. and … [Read more...] about 3-D Screens Double Boxoffice
HP Promotes ‘Monsters’ Computer Tie-in
As another DreamWorks Animation film hits cinema screens, Hewlett-Packard gets a chance to again shout from the rooftops that it provided computer equipment, this time for the making of “Monsters vs. Aliens.” HP is part of a small cadre of corporate sponsors tied to DreamWorks Animation in long-term deals. The other sponsors are McDonald’s restaurants (which mounts … [Read more...] about HP Promotes ‘Monsters’ Computer Tie-in
Film Critics Star in Documentary
Film critics star in front of the camera for a change in “For The Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism,” which is a documentary by Gerald Peary, himself a long-time critic for the “Boston Phoenix” and member of the National Society of Film Critics. The hour-and-a-half documentary includes interviews with Roger Ebert, Richard Schickel, Lisa Schwarzbaum, … [Read more...] about Film Critics Star in Documentary
Verizon Sues Film Telemarketer
A small theatrical distributor and its telemarketing agency were sued by Verizon Wireless, which alleges its mobile phone subscribers were deluged with hundreds of thousands unsolicited phone calls. The telemarketing campaign pushed the family film “The Velveteen Rabbit.” The lawsuit names as defendants Family 1 Films, which is distributing "The Velveteen Rabbit," and … [Read more...] about Verizon Sues Film Telemarketer
No ‘Oscar Bounce’ For Nominees
Mainstream entertainment films lifted box office 15.4% year-to-date, but prestige films in the Oscar race are having a lousy year. The fabled “Oscar bounce” at the box office has eluded this year’s Academy Award contenders, notes the “Los Angeles Times.” “The whispers you hear everywhere around town are asking the same hushed question: What happened to the fabled Oscar … [Read more...] about No ‘Oscar Bounce’ For Nominees
Film Commercials Wow Viewers, Not Critics
Movie commercials were among the most viewed online after the Super Bowl, according to a researcher. With 10 films ads in Sunday’s pro football championship game, commercials for “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen”, “Angels and Demons” and “G.I. Joe” were most popular among all categories, according to a viral video tracking report issued today by BayTSP. See press release … [Read more...] about Film Commercials Wow Viewers, Not Critics
Hollywood Shuffle: Misleading Ads
The one-sheet movie posters certainly seem promising. There’s the close-up, tender embrace of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio that calls to mind their "Titanic" pairing. Separately, Clint Eastwood strikes a steely “Dirty Harry”-esqe pose grimacing with a hard-ass facial expression. Trouble is…the advertising doesn’t truly represent the films involved. Winslet and … [Read more...] about Hollywood Shuffle: Misleading Ads
Ranking Films Irks Critics, Liked by Audiences
Film critics assigning scaled ratings to films--anything from a number on a scale to thumbs up/down—usually would prefer not. But the public demands a simple evaluation metric available at a glance. Those evaluation rankings have evolved into various scales or “star” systems; that’s stars as in one star bad and five stars tops. “Critics tend to loathe the system and … [Read more...] about Ranking Films Irks Critics, Liked by Audiences
Comedy Nips Crude Dialog for PG Rating
Filmmakers will cut movies to achieved desired audience classification and upcoming release “New in Town” acknowledges snipping some foul language to receive a PG (parental guidance) rating. So the romantic comedy escapes the more restrictive PG-13. “Marketing to Moviegoers” notes that historically parties involved are loath to admit to making edits to appease the ratings … [Read more...] about Comedy Nips Crude Dialog for PG Rating