films

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Entertainment Bits: Disney star gets book deal, hip hop artist hooks movie role, and NBCUniversal plan is a go

Teen TV star scores book offer Disney Channel star, Bella Thorne, is now an actress, singer, dancer, and author. The 15-year-old has a new deal to write a YA, young adult, book series called, “Autumn Falls,” according to Galleycat. Not familiar with Thorne? Well, she’s co-stars in the sitcom, “Shake It Up,” and reportedly has 2.9 million followers on Twitter! […]
Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Entertainment Bits: “Iron Man 3” tickets, Reese Witherspoon, and Matthew McConaughey

Flap over “Iron Man 3” tickets Make no mistake about it, the dispute involving Disney and some of the top theater chains is about money. Big Money. Several chains, including the AMC, are refusing to offer advance tickets for “Iron Man 3,” one of the major releases of the year. Disney wants to re-negotiate it’s deal with these theaters. Not […]
Friday, April 5, 2013

Film critic Roger Ebert 1942 – 2013

A lot of chatter on the Internet  and elsewhere today about the passing of legendary film critic Roger Ebert. He possessed a sharp mind, quick wit, and a passion for movies and writing.  Ebert died yesterday in Chicago after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 and one of the world’s most influential film critics. Ebert took on the job […]
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” makes a short list of important films

The classic romantic comedy film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)  is among the reported cinematic treasures selected for the National Film Registry. The Library of Congress today announced the 25 films picked for the registry in 2012. “Established by Congress in 1989, the National Film Registry spotlights the importance of preserving America’s unparalleled film heritage,” said Librarian of Congress James H. […]
Sunday, December 16, 2012

Casablanca piano sells for just over $600, 000

Sam’s piano in the movie classic “Casablanca” sold for $602, 500 last Friday according to Reuters. The 58-key upright hit the auction block for between $800, 000 and $1.2 million. The selling price fell short of Sotheby’s estimate, but still a huge gain over the previous purchase, which was $154, 000 back in 1988. The reason: this piano has been […]
Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Disney makes major deal with Netflix

Netflix, the popular online movie service, has scored a huge deal with the Walt Disney Company. In a news release today, Disney announced a “… new multi-year licensing agreement that will make Netflix the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run live-action and animated feature films from The Walt Disney Studios.”  The deal begins with 2013 direct-to-video releases and 2016 big […]
Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Academy Award winner rides out superstorm Sandy

The East Coast took a brutal pounding from the superstorm Sandy, which made landfall late yesterday. The storm caused widespread devastation in some of the mid-Atlantic states, knocking out power to millions. At least 26 deaths have been blamed on Sandy, now moving slowly across the country — less powerful, but still a threat. The nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., suffered […]
Monday, July 23, 2012

President Obama meets victims of Colorado theater shooting

President Obama visited some of the victims of that tragic theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado and their families yesterday. At the University of Colorado Hospital, Obama chatted with victim Allie Young and hugged her friend Stephanie Davies — who is credited with keeping Young alive after she was shot. Twelve moviegoers were killed and around 58 wounded when a gunman […]
Friday, July 20, 2012

“The Dark Knight Rises” tragedy: Statement from President Obama

Tragedy in Colorado. Authorities are saying a lone gunman opened fire during a midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colorado — at least 12 people were killed and 38 injured.  The suspect has been tentatively identified as 24-year-old James Holmes. Witnesses say tear gas was tossed into the theater before the gunfire erupted. This morning the White […]