Well guys, I’m glad to be back from three weeks of traveling. First I was on vacation in Thailand. While there, I thought I was going to be able to write a lot except that for four of my eight
by Frank DeMartini31 Aug 2011, 5:01 AM PST0
Director Woody Allen is responsible for some of the most interesting feature films ever made, and some of the worst. His latest work doesn’t fit into either category. It actually fits somewhere in the middle of his oeuvre. Comparatively, it
by Frank DeMartini29 May 2011, 6:37 AM PST0
Today I had the pleasure of doing something I have wanted to do for the past twenty years: I walked out of a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) arbitration. For those you who are unaware of the method in which disputes
by Frank DeMartini20 Apr 2011, 4:49 AM PST0
This week I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening of Millennium Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. As some of you know, I have a “first look” deal with Millennium. I have enjoyed working with Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, and
by Frank DeMartini8 Apr 2011, 4:55 AM PST0
The MPAA’s decision to hire Chris Dodd to replace Dan Glickman as its Chief Executive Officer is inexplicable. But first some context… For those of you not in the Entertainment Industry, the MPAA is the major lobbying force for the
by Frank DeMartini10 Mar 2011, 4:37 AM PST0
As you all know, I am a producer of feature films, well mostly TV movies. Thus far, most of my films have shot overseas in order to keep costs down. A number of them could have and would have been
by Frank DeMartini19 Feb 2011, 2:48 PM PST0
Yesterday, after watching a number of college basketball games, I decided to put on the classic Frank Capra film, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” I had not seen it in about 15 years and had forgotten most of its content.
by Frank DeMartini11 Feb 2011, 2:54 PM PST0
Over the course of my writing, I and some of my friends have written many articles about the obsession on the left known as “PC” or Political Correctness. These articles include, but are not limited to: “Has PC Taken Away
by Frank DeMartini24 Jan 2011, 6:51 AM PST0
Last Saturday night I was sifting through my Academy Screeners and nothing much caught my eye. I had already watched, “The Social Network,” “The Fighter,” “127 Hours,” “True Grit,” and “Black Swan,” as well as a myriad of movies that
by Frank DeMartini25 Dec 2010, 1:44 PM PST0
This week in the Daily Variety there was an article by Ted Johnson entitled “Biz Need Louder Voice to Fight Piracy.” In that article Mr. Johnson makes a case that the entertainment industry needs to be stronger and more vocal
by Frank DeMartini21 Dec 2010, 1:13 PM PST0
On June 27, 1966, a serial drama on ABC started running that would remain as a force in pop culture for many years. That show, “Dark Shadows” created by my late friend Dan Curtis has either remained on TV or
by Frank DeMartini13 Sep 2010, 12:04 PM PST0
I am sitting in my hotel room in Bangkok on a Sunday afternoon; taking a break from prepping a film that will star Djimon Hounsou and be directed by the Steven Spielberg of Thailand, Prachya Pinkaew. Prachya is famous for
by Frank DeMartini9 Feb 2010, 6:55 AM PST0
Over the last weekend, I had the privilege of seeing “Avatar.” This is a film of epic proportions and although I had some problems with it cinematically, from a technological standpoint, I recommend that everyone should see it. However, do
by Frank DeMartini27 Dec 2009, 7:12 AM PST0
It is pretty much the end of 2009. It is also the end of the first decade of the Millennium. Hard to believe that we’ve gone through ten years since the Y2K scare. Also, hard to believe we had three
by Frank DeMartini19 Dec 2009, 6:10 PM PST0
As we all know, the American economy is currently battling double digit unemployment. The current unemployment rate is 10% and most major economists believe it will go higher. The Screen Actor’s Guild which has over 100,000 members would love to
by Frank DeMartini14 Dec 2009, 9:13 AM PST0
Last Saturday night, in what was mostly a procedural vote, the Senate approved moving forward with debate on the health-care reform bill. The vote was 60-39, the barest minimum necessary for debate to start in the Chamber. To listen to
by Frank DeMartini29 Nov 2009, 5:47 PM PST0
A little more than eight years ago, a group of Muslim terrorists attacked Americans on American soil. In the end, more than 3,000 innocent civilians were dead. The attack on that day was just that: an attack. A well planned
by Frank DeMartini15 Nov 2009, 5:27 PM PST0
Chris Christie was obviously wearing his; as was Robert McDonnell. The GOP is officially breathing again. It was a great day for Republicans Tuesday. It happened exactly one year after we took our worst shellacking since the 1960s. And, what
by Frank DeMartini7 Nov 2009, 2:45 PM PST0
A few months ago I wrote a column about the effect IATSE’s wage increase in Michigan would have on future production in Michigan. Just recently, the company I have my first look deal with decided to produce another picture in
by Frank DeMartini29 Oct 2009, 5:02 AM PST0
I have been a California resident for the past 23 years. During that time, I have seen the best of times and worst of times. Prior to this economic disaster, the only serious recession in those 23 years was in
by Frank DeMartini24 Oct 2009, 5:53 PM PST0
Representative Joe Wilson shouts in the House Chamber to President Obama during a speech on Health Care Reform, “You lie,” and is forced to apologize to the President directly and compelled to apologize in the House where the incident occurred.
by Frank DeMartini11 Oct 2009, 5:43 PM PST0
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the GI Film Festival at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The Festival took place in one day and showed films that portray American enlisted men and women in a favorable
by Frank DeMartini4 Oct 2009, 5:54 PM PST0
At the end of last week, I was watching President Obama’s speech before the United Nations. I must admit it was given with eloquence and was quite moving. However, for the most part it was rhetoric and the dreams of
by Frank DeMartini27 Sep 2009, 9:36 AM PST0
Since the health care debate has wound down a little as a result of President Obama’s speech on Wednesday which, by the way, was pure rhetoric and seen by the general public and pundits as a failure because of its
by Frank DeMartini20 Sep 2009, 6:54 AM PST0
Congress is back in session after its hot and grueling August recess. More than a few of its members were drilled incessantly by citizens upset about the pending passage of HR 3200 and/or its progeny. Today President Obama will address
by Frank DeMartini9 Sep 2009, 4:30 PM PST0