News reports indicate a some incidents occurred where moviegoers go into convulsions during a scene replete with flashing visuals in “Twilight: Breaking Dawn--Part One.” These apparently spontaneous attacks of jitters call to mind publicity stunts for pure horror films in the 1950s that promised over-the-top frights. This week’s episodes with the “Twilight” audience, which … [Read more...] about Some ‘Twilight’ Moviegoers Suffer Convulsions
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7-Eleven Rides ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
Sci-fi extravaganza “Cowboys & Aliens” has a tie-in with 7-Eleven convenience stores arranged by Universal Pictures, which is scheduled to premiere the PG-13-rated film July 29. The DreamWorks production stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, whose likenesses appear on 7-Eleven beverage cups. “The new Wrist Blaster cup filled with an Alienade Slurpee beverage is modeled … [Read more...] about 7-Eleven Rides ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
Oscar Best Pix Count to Vary from 5-10
After watering down the Oscars in quest for TV audiences, the motion picture academy reversed some of the damage done two years ago when it expanded the Best Picture category to 10 movies. Yesterday, it set the nominees for Best Picture category to anywhere from 5-10 films, depending on clearing a benchmark in secret votes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences … [Read more...] about Oscar Best Pix Count to Vary from 5-10
Tattoo Rights in Dispute for “Hangover II’
The "Hangover Part II” is experiencing its own cliffhangers. The tattoo artist who created ex-boxer Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo is suing to block theatrical premiere of “Hangover 2” alleging copyright infringement because the distinctive tattoo appears in the film. The raunchy R-rated comedy is scheduled for Thursday premiere (at midnight) and the “Hollywood Reporter” says … [Read more...] about Tattoo Rights in Dispute for “Hangover II’
Brad Pitt Film Sneaks into Theaters
Other than reports from its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, “Tree of Life” is barely making a ripple in the U.S. The website and ads are a bit of blur. The movie’s first poster is a mosaic that didn’t catch the eye graphically and barely communicated the star power with the names of Pitt and Penn. Their names are hard to read. Another poster with a dominant image of a … [Read more...] about Brad Pitt Film Sneaks into Theaters
Product-placement Movie Piles On Satire
Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” is getting a lot of publicity heat and was well received at the Sundance Film Festival in January, but the premise kind of leaves me cold. I also will be interested to see if box office is strong or weak for a film that playfully delves into the behind-the-scenes world of placement of brand name products in films. … [Read more...] about Product-placement Movie Piles On Satire
‘Source Code’ Arm-twists Journalist
A journalist for news website TechCrunch, which is owned by AOL, went public with an internal request sent by AOL asking that the journalist's article “tone down” a “snarky tone” about the Summit Entertainment film “The Source Code,” which is scheduled to premiere April 1. Alexia Tsotsis posted an inter-company memo from an AOL executive (AOL also owns MovieFone) complaining … [Read more...] about ‘Source Code’ Arm-twists Journalist
Critics Lambast ‘Adjustment Bureau’ Marketing
The trailers and other marketing materials for “Adjustment Bureau” are getting mentions in reviews for not representing the movie well, with some going as far as to claim that its misleading audiences. “New York Post” film critic Lou Lumenick wrote, “The misleading trailers for the supremely goofy ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ promise action-packed sci-fi. What you actually get … [Read more...] about Critics Lambast ‘Adjustment Bureau’ Marketing
Oscars Present Two TV Screens
ABC Television has built a website to present behind-the-scenes activity at the Oscars awards www.oscar.com/all-access, which attempts to keep viewers glued to its screens…whether TV or computer. “Trying to exploit viewers’ two-screen behavior, the television network has built a companion Web site with behind-the-scenes video streams, so Oscar winners will be seen accepting … [Read more...] about Oscars Present Two TV Screens
Battle Over ‘King’s Speech’ Profanity
The Weinstein Co. (TWC) is trying to get filmmakers behind “The King’s Speech” to accept edits to secure a PG-13 or PG rating, so the Oscar nominated period drama can play to a wider audience. A ‘Los Angeles Times” article by Ben Fritz says TWC is asking the film’s director Tom Hooper to agree to changes clipping swear words, and a revised cut would then be submitted to the … [Read more...] about Battle Over ‘King’s Speech’ Profanity