QWIKSTER DUMPED, DVD RENTALS TO STAY AT NETFLIX Netflix’s market value has dropped 60% since these debacles began, which just so happens to be the exact same percentage as their recent price increase (today’s announcement helped some). This is a
CINEMARK THEATER CHAIN REFUSES TO SHOW ‘TOWER HEIST’ AS A RESULT OF EARLY VOD PLAN As I mentioned yesterday, Universal is closing the window on VOD even further, offering Brett Ratner’s upcoming “Tower Heist” just three weeks after its theatrical
A WORD ON STEVE JOBS… Jobs was not only a great man who changed the world for the better, he remains an example of how one person is capable of doing extraordinary things when he or she is lucky enough
From the Associated Press: BAGHDAD — Iraqi leaders said Tuesday that they need U.S. military trainers to stay beyond a year-end deadline for American forces to leave but that the troops should not be granted immunity from prosecution. The late-night
BIG HOLLYWOOD CONTRIBUTOR MIKE MANDEVILLE LOOKING FOR KICKSTARTER LOVE Welcome to “Shysters” The Movie: A laugh out loud, zany comedy! With a bit of faith. Make a difference! Play a role in this hilarious Faith-based film by helping us to
BOX OFFICE ANALYSIS 1. Dolphin Tale: $14.3M – Family films rule. Shallow nihilism and conformity posing as “edginess” do not. Yet Hollywood keeps right on making them. Yes, someone somewhere is currently squandering millions of dollars on “Margot At the
From Reuters: Democrats want tax hikes to be the first item negotiated in “super committee” deficit-reduction talks, trying to force Republicans to confront an issue at the heart of this year’s budget fights, sources told Reuters. The tough stance by
From the Associated Press: The deals announced Friday include a $1.5 billion loan guarantee to Florida-based NextEra Energy and other investors that bought a planned 550-megawatt solar farm on federal land in Southern California from First Solar, as well as
From Reuters: A key recommendation for medical coverage standards under President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul will be released on October 7, according to the organization preparing the report. The Department of Health and Human Services has asked the influential Institute
– What NBC News producers do when they retire? The same thing they always did, perhaps, influence news coverage? Former NBC News Producer Yells at NPR For Missing Leftist Wall St. Protest: If the Tea Party farts, that’s news. But
Another day, another desperate email from Team Lightbringer: Stephen — I’m the national finance director here at OFA. I know we’ve been sending you a lot of email lately. That’s because we’re staring down a critical fundraising deadline tomorrow at
ZOOEY DESCHANEL’S ‘NEW GIRL’ FIRST TV HIT OF THE SEASON Whether it’s on television or in the movies, Deschanel deserves to be a star. With so many cookie-cutter actresses out there, she really stands out. There’s a quality about her
Coming Soon tells us “Gods and Kings” is a “whole new take” on the story of Moses in relation to “The Ten Commandments.” Deadline adds: Gods and Kings covers the life of Moses from birth to death. In between, there
CULVER STUDIOS UP FOR SALE Over the course of my short, undistinguished Hollywood career, I had the opportunity to visit every major studio lot in Southern California many times over and other than the MGM lot (which is now Sony),
MGM’S ‘RED DAWN’ REMAKE LIKELY TO HIT THEATRES BY FALL OF 2012 Another year? My heart goes out to the remake producers and filmmakers in a big way. I’ve spoken to them, they’ve written for us and while they’ve handled
—BLOFELD IS NEW BOND 23 VILLAIN?– This sounds like a move in the right direction. Because for the first time in 40 years the James Bond franchise is in real trouble, at least when it comes to me — and
HERE COMES DISH: NETFLIX FLUBS ENTICE COMPETITION Here we go: At a press conference scheduled for Friday, Dish Network is expected to announce its entry into the streaming-video market via a Blockbuster-branded service that could emerge as a rival to
This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com. * Pressure increases on Abbas to skip UN statehood bid * Chaos in Europe as deadline for Greece draws near * Greece may vote on whether to remain in euro zone * Germany’s Angela
The rumor is that in this upcoming season Sue (Jane Lynch’s character) is going to run for Congress as a Tea Party candidate. If true, we can likely expect much bashing and proselytizing aimed at our children. Because there’s no
MANY THANKS TO OUR 9/11 CONTRIBUTORS As always, Big Hollywood’s contributors came through in a big way. We can’t thank those who contributed to yesterday’s series of posts commemorating the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 atrocity enough. In fact, we
ABOUT THAT ‘ANGEL HEART” SYMBOLISM Yesterday, in the “Last Night’s Screening” section, I mentioned that after a dozen screenings I might have finally figured out what director Alan Parker was trying to tell us with the returning symbolism of that
IRENE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC BOX OFFICE WEEKEND? Okay, so over a thousand theatres shut down, but in its third week “The Help” still managed to rake in $14.3 million. Enough people who wanted to see “The Help” saw “The Help.” How
PACINO’S ‘SCARFACE’ CELEBRATES BLU-RAY RELEASE You’ll never hear me make any apologies for my unqualified love of this film. It’s just a fact (admit it) that when you’re in the right mood and have three-hours to kill, Brian DePalma’s completely
MIRAMAX TO LAUNCH FACEBOOK STREAMING VENTURE While Miramax already has a deal with Netflix, this is still a fascinating move on the studio’s part. Warners, Universal and Paramount have already moved onto Facebook, as well. On a less horrifying scale,
Will Billy Crystal return as Oscar’s host? That’s the question today. You know, it’s kind of amazing that as telecast ratings for the the Academy Awards sail over a cliff, the Academy appears to be in complete denial over what
