Selasa, 30 Juni 2009

Review: 'Public Enemies' lacks energy, despite Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

Sources: Paramount in talks to merge backroom DVD operations with Sony and Fox

Paramount_logo 

Paramount Pictures is in talks with at least two of its competitors to merge some elements of its home video backroom operations, people briefed on the negotiations said.

While negotiations are in a very preliminary stage, the Viacom-owned studio has initiated discussions with Sony Pictures and 20th Century Fox to combine the production, distribution and administrative elements of their DVD businesses, these people said. The talks are not limited to those studios and could expand to other studios, with Universal being a leading candidate.

People close to the talks stressed that any potential combination would be about saving costs, not about sharing revenue. The studios would not combine marketing or promotion of home entertainment.

There is precedent: Universal and Paramount formed a joint venture years ago called CIC to handle video distribution in international markets.

These talks come at a time when major retailers, including Wal-Mart and Best Buy, are reducing the amount of space they dedicate to carrying DVDs. First quarter DVD sales fell 14% in the first quarter of this year, compared to 2008, according to DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, a non-profit trade group.

News of the talks was first reported by The Financial Times.

-- Joe Flint and Dawn C. Chmielewski


Info on 'Battlestar,' 'Caprica' and 'Middleman' panels at San Diego Comic-Con

Sci Fi, the cable network that becomes Syfy July 7, has announced its roster of panels for San Diego Comic-Con, the annual pop-culture fest that begins July 23.

Before we get to that news, however, here's a little tidbit about "The Middleman," the ABC Family series that is unfortunately no longer around. However the cast -- including stars Matt Keeslar and Natalie Morales as well as creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach -- will reassemble at Comic-Con to do a table read of the final episode of the show, which did not get made (it was turned into a graphic novel from Viper Comics). The "Middleman" DVD set comes out on Shout! Factory July 28.

Sci Fi will have the casts and creators of the following shows at Comic-Con: "Stargate Universe," "Eureka," "Warehouse 13," "Sanctuary," "Caprica" (which debuts in January) and the November TV movie "Battlestar Galactica: The Plan" (those last two programs will do a joint panel).

I'll be at Comic-Con again this year, and I certainly hope to be at the "Caprica"/"The Plan" panel, not just to hear from executive producers Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, Jane Espenson and "Caprica's" Esai Morales, but to hear from Edward James Olmos, "BSG's" Admiral Adama and the director of "The Plan." Olmos, to the delight of journalists everywhere, rarely sticks to PR-approved talking points and thus is always a very enjoyable wild card at any "Battlestar"-related event.

For comprehensive lists of what TV shows will be presenting panels at Comic-Con, check out my previous posts or Watch With Kristin. Also, follow my Twitter feed, the feed of Seat42f and IGN's Eric Goldman, for daily Comic-Con news morsels. And follow Comic-Con's Twitter feed to see if the organizers of the event put more passes to the San Diego festival on sale, as they have in recent days.

The information about "The Middleman" panel and the full release from Sci Fi is below.

SCI FI FEATURES FAN FAVORITE SERIES AND STARS AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2009

New York, NY â€" June 30, 2009 â€" In keeping with its longstanding tradition of hosting some of Comic-Con’s most popular, crowd-pleasing events over the years, SCI FI Channel will once again feature some of its biggest hits â€" as well as its highly-anticipated new series â€" at this year’s Comic-Con International, held July 23-26 at the San Diego Convention Center.  Fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite SCI FI stars and get the answers to all their burning questions at each of the Channel’s star-studded panels, including Warehouse 13, Eureka, Sanctuary, Stargate Universe, and Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan.  

In addition, SCI FI will take over a restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel, re-branding it as Eureka’s “Cafe Diem” for the duration of the convention. The fictional local hot spot heavily featured in the popular dramedy, Café Diem will be the hub of all SCI FI activities during the week. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, July 24

10:30 AM-11:30 AM               Stargate Universe
Ballroom 20
A new chapter of the Stargate saga begins with the all-new original series Stargate Universe. Join stars Robert Carlyle (Dr. Nicholas Rush), Brian J. Smith (1st Lt. Matthew Scott), Elyse Levesque (Chloe Armstrong), David Blue (Eli Wallace), Alaina Huffman (1st Lt. Tamara Johansen), Jamil Walker Smith (Master Sargeant Ronald Greer), and Ming-Na (Camile Wray) alongside Brad Wright (Series Co-Creator) and Robert Cooper (Series Co-Creator) as they take you through a gate you’ve never seen before.

11:45 AM-12:45 PM               Caprica / Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Ballroom 20
The present meets the past as the makers of Battlestar Galactica deliver the highly anticipated original series Caprica and the 2-hour event, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, directed by Edward James Olmos. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on these exciting projects and see two generations of Adamas on stage together for the first time. Executive Producers Ronald D. Moore, David Eick and Jane Espenson sit down with Caprica star Esai Morales (Joseph Adama), and Battlestar Galactica’s Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), director of The Plan, to reveal the truth about these two new chapters in the mythology of BSG.  Moderated by Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times.

3:15 PM-4:15 PM         Eureka
Room 6BCF
Eureka is back this summer with all new episodes, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Allison Blake), Erica Cerra (Jo Lupo), Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo), and Jaime Paglia (Executive Producer/Co-Creator) are stopping by to let you in on the fun. Don’t miss your chance to see one of Comic Con’s most entertaining panels.  Moderated by Josh Gates, Destination Truth. 
 
8:30 PM-10:30 PM                SCI FI Screening
Room 6DE
Warehouse 13 & Eureka will premiere every week this summer on SCI FI, but only Comic-Con fans can see them on the big screen. Join SCI FI for an exclusive screening of the next all-new episodes of the summer’s two hottest series, along with best of clips from Ghost Hunters.  
 
Saturday, July 25

12:30 PM-1:30 PM                Sanctuary
Bayside Hilton Indigo Room
Before Sanctuary returns for an all-new season, don’t miss your chance to go inside the action and behind the scenes. Join stars Amanda Tapping (Dr. Helen Magnus) and Robin Dunne (Dr. Will Zimmerman) as well as Martin Wood (Executive Producer) and Damian Kindler (Executive Producer) for an exclusive conversation about one of television’s most innovative shows. Moderated by Michael Logan, TV Guide.

2:15 PM-3:15 PM                 Warehouse 13
Room 6A
This summer, the unknown has an address in the new original series, Warehouse 13. Join stars Eddie McClintock (Pete Lattimer), Joanne Kelly (Myka Bering), Saul Rubinek (Artie Nielsen), Allison Scagliotti (Claudia Donovan), Jack Kenny (Executive Producer/Showrunner) and David Simkins (Executive Producer) as they reveal confidential information about America’s most classified secret.  Moderated by Michael Logan, TV Guide.
 
Café Diem Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, July 22nd 6:30am-midnight
Thursday, July 23rd 6:30am-midnight
Friday, July 24th 6:30am-3am
Saturday, July 25th 6:30am-3am 
Sunday, July 26th 6:30am-10pm
 
SCI FI Channel is a television network that fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com). Launched in 1992, and currently in 95 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.    SCI FI will become Syfy on July 7, 2009.

"The Middleman" info:

Thursday [July 23] 11:15â€"12:15

The Middleman Cast Reunion and Lost Episode Table Readâ€" creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost) and the complete cast, including Matt Keeslar and Natalie Morales, reunite to celebrate the DVD release of The Middleman: The Complete Series on Shout! Factory, with an exclusive table read of the lost 13th episode, The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse, which was never produced for television but which is now available as a graphic novel from Viper Comics. Room 6A
 
12:30The Middleman signing session at Shout! Factory's booth. (#3749).


Review: 'Public Enemies' lacks energy, despite Johnny Depp, Christian Bale
With 'Public Enemies,' all the pieces would seem to be in place for an epic gangster drama: director Michael Mann, who has an affinity for complicated criminals; stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, who are famous for immersing themselves in their roles; and a thrilling true story of brazen bank robbers on the run. Trouble is, 'Public Enemies' feels rather stagnant.
'Ice Age' 3-D: Blended-Family Fun, With Dino Bites

Sweet, silly and solid enough to entertain most anybody, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs insists that even carnivorous reptiles can learn a little something from the cooperative approach.


RIGHTS: Arab TV Soaps Reinforce Gender Bias
MANAMA, Jun 30 (IPS)Arabic TV channels wait for Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, to launch new soaps that generally portray women negatively. Ramadan starts this year at the end of August.

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar