-“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
controversy
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
Some ‘Twilight’ Moviegoers Suffer Convulsions
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
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’
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