In an unusual move, actor Jim Carrey is refusing to promote his role in the violent black comedy “Kick-ass 2” because of sudden moral qualms—in this case about the impact of screen violence in the real world. “I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence,” Carrey wrote on Twitter, referring to a school shooting … [Read more...] about Carrey Won’t Publicize ‘Kick Ass 2’
controversy
Advocacy Group Rips On-screen Smoking
An anti-smoking advocacy group asserts that audience impressions of characters using tobacco products doubled from 2010 to 2012 in youth-oriented films, “returning to levels of a decade ago.” That’s the upshot from Legacy, a Washington D.C.-based organization funded by tobacco companies in settlements over litigation with government agencies. The Legacy analysis multiplies … [Read more...] about Advocacy Group Rips On-screen Smoking
Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
With the Oscar telecast tomorrow, let’s look at some of the many marketers that attach themselves to the awards without an official affiliation. “This year’s Oscar Celebrity Gifting Suite will be held at an undisclosed location in Beverly Hills,” says an enthusiastic press release for Inance skin care products. “Many celebrities have been waiting for this chance to sample … [Read more...] about Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
‘Django’ Slavery Action Figures Irk Activist
-“Django Unchained” action figures are drawing criticism for satirizing America’s sensitive slavery era. An activist, who says he saw and liked the movie argues the plastic action figures are "a slap in the face of our ancestors," he tells the Associated Press. "We feel that it trivializes the horrors of slavery and what African Americans experienced." The plastic … [Read more...] about ‘Django’ Slavery Action Figures Irk Activist
Raunchy ‘Ted’ Thrives Online
The marketing campaign for Universal Pictures comedy "Ted" emphasized online, where promotional content could be raunchy and outrageous like the R-rated movie. Traditional media such as TV doesn't allow swear words and overt sexual content, such as this Tweet credited to the teddy bear movie character, "Do I get to have sex with the chick from 'Brave' now?" in a naughty … [Read more...] about Raunchy ‘Ted’ Thrives Online
Anti-Obama Docu Soars
The anti-Obama movie “2016: Obama’s America” is emerging as an out-of-nowhere hit in the documentary category. The Rocky Mountain Pictures release premiered at one theater in Houston July 13 and hefty box office from a small start supported an ever-wider release in later weeks--now at 1,800 locations. While that trajectory is impressive, 2,000+ locations on opening weekend … [Read more...] about Anti-Obama Docu Soars
Fanboys Hurl ‘Dark Knight’ Threats
Passions by some fans of the “The Dark Knight Rises” are getting a little too overheated. A blogger critic Marshall Fine received online death threats on film website Rotten Tomatoes for panning the PG-13-rated release that Warner Bros. will premiere July 20. Writing for “Time” magazine, Eliana Dockterman said that Fine generated the first negative review from professionals … [Read more...] about Fanboys Hurl ‘Dark Knight’ Threats
Conviction for Fake Vintage Movie Posters
Vintage movie posters are a big business and there are pockets of fraud for posters and lobby cards. A Georgia man who was an active collector and seller was convicted in federal court to 6 ½ years in prison for manufacturing replicas of posters from famous old movies and selling them as original. The convicted man Kerry Haggard “worked his scam by paying a New York City … [Read more...] about Conviction for Fake Vintage Movie Posters
‘Lorax’ Backlash
There’s a bit of a backlash brewing over the mountain of tie-in promotions for “Dr. Suess’ The Lorax,” which is the PG-rated family animated film from Universal Pictures set to premiere Friday. “I personally think that Sr. Seuss would only be disappointed that ‘The Lorax’ has only 70 product tie-ins,” said a deadpan Stephen Colbert on a Comedy Central skit. Colbert continued … [Read more...] about ‘Lorax’ Backlash
Unofficially Yours: Oscar Night Hanger-ons
It seems every Oscar season, corporate America entities without any formal association try to wiggle their way into Hollywood’s greatest night. Here are some outfits that jumped on the Academy Awards bandwagon without official status: *UK gambling site Sky Bet is laying odds and taking bets for all the Oscars categories. It’s got 10-to-1 odds for "The Descendants" to win … [Read more...] about Unofficially Yours: Oscar Night Hanger-ons