Authorship is a major point of contention in queer cinema, so let’s get one thing straight: Ethan Coen’s solo directorial debut is co-written and edited by Tricia Cooke, a lesbian who is also his spouse. Yes, that’s a present tense use of “spouse.” If Cooke and Coen’s unique personal arrangement shocks you, then good luck enjoying a single frame of the married filmmakers’ wildly endearing, decidedly shaggy, and gay as fuck comedy caper. It’s steeped in mismatched genre styles and dark red blood; not to mention, it’s chockful of dildo jokes sure to put a lovable new spin on contemporary audiences’ evolving definitions of found family… member.
Cooked up more than two decades ago with the title “Drive-Away Dykes” in mind, “Drive-Away Dolls” puts an overdue spotlight on Cooke’s indelible impact on the Coen brothers’ filmography. This misadventure in girl-on-girl odd coupling was...
Cooked up more than two decades ago with the title “Drive-Away Dykes” in mind, “Drive-Away Dolls” puts an overdue spotlight on Cooke’s indelible impact on the Coen brothers’ filmography. This misadventure in girl-on-girl odd coupling was...
- 2/21/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
YouTube is an unparalleled community and resource. It’s the only place I’m sure to find my acting and directing work, like unseen audition clips from our Bill & Ted movies or a terrible KFC commercial I acted in as a pre-teen that my son sleuthed out. As a director of documentaries, YouTube is a mainstay for my researchers and often where we discover the most critical archive material, whatever the topic. But YouTube is also home to some of the darkest and most dangerous content online. It continues to negatively influence and radicalize users,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Alex Winter
- Rollingstone.com
Oliver Stone said Friday he was shocked to hear that the stars of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer had walked out of its London premiere the day before as SAG-AFTRA officially declared strike action.
“I know several producers are opening movies, like Oppenheimer. Chuck Roven, he was in London. I heard it was going to be cancelled,” said Stone, when asked for his view on the strike.
“I don’t know if it went ahead but all the actors left. That was shocking that they really meant business and cut off right away all the promotion, which is big.”
Commenting on the ongoing 11-week WGA strike, Stone suggested the roots of the current industrial action lie in the deal brokered to end the five-month writers strike in 1988.
“There was a basic miscarriage of justice way back when, when Brian Walton was the head of the WGA, when we gave in. I...
“I know several producers are opening movies, like Oppenheimer. Chuck Roven, he was in London. I heard it was going to be cancelled,” said Stone, when asked for his view on the strike.
“I don’t know if it went ahead but all the actors left. That was shocking that they really meant business and cut off right away all the promotion, which is big.”
Commenting on the ongoing 11-week WGA strike, Stone suggested the roots of the current industrial action lie in the deal brokered to end the five-month writers strike in 1988.
“There was a basic miscarriage of justice way back when, when Brian Walton was the head of the WGA, when we gave in. I...
- 7/14/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
At a time when daytime talk shows reigned on television, Yoko Ono and John Lennon co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show for a week in 1972. Daytime Revolution, a documentary about their time on the Philadelphia-based talk show with Douglas, has been approved by Ono and her son Sean Lennon, Variety reports.
It was the most popular show on daily television and watched by about 40 million people a week. The pair joined the show a few months following the release of their single “Happy Christmas (War Is Over).” As hosts, Ono and...
It was the most popular show on daily television and watched by about 40 million people a week. The pair joined the show a few months following the release of their single “Happy Christmas (War Is Over).” As hosts, Ono and...
- 2/16/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon have authorized “Daytime Revolution,” a documentary about the week John Lennon and Ono co-hosted “The Mike Douglas Show” in early 1972, a few months after the release of their single “Happy Christmas (War Is Over).”
The Shout! Studios, Creative Differences, and CBS Media Ventures feature docu uses archival footage from each of the five 70-minute shows as well as interviews with six surviving guests, including Ralph Nader, to tell the behind-the-scenes story of the unprecedented week. While Ono and her son did not participate on camera, the duo approved and creatively consulted on the project. Directed by Erik Nelson, the 108-minute docu recently wrapped production and is looking for a distributor as Ono prepares to celebrate her 90th birthday Feb. 18.
“It’s become a cliche that Woodstock was the defining moment of the counterculture,” Nelson says, but “when I watched these broadcasts in their entirety, I realized that,...
The Shout! Studios, Creative Differences, and CBS Media Ventures feature docu uses archival footage from each of the five 70-minute shows as well as interviews with six surviving guests, including Ralph Nader, to tell the behind-the-scenes story of the unprecedented week. While Ono and her son did not participate on camera, the duo approved and creatively consulted on the project. Directed by Erik Nelson, the 108-minute docu recently wrapped production and is looking for a distributor as Ono prepares to celebrate her 90th birthday Feb. 18.
“It’s become a cliche that Woodstock was the defining moment of the counterculture,” Nelson says, but “when I watched these broadcasts in their entirety, I realized that,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Rob Lowe’s starring role in the Fox series “9-1-1: Lone Star” stands as only the latest capstone in a Hollywood career full of them. And he credits taking a risk on hosting NBC’s “SNL” for his career longevity. He certainly has had a good run — more than 100 TV and film credits over a span of 43 years to date.
In an interview published Friday by Et Online, Lowe credited that career streak to a force of will that led him to take risks that paid off. One of those risks was the hosting job on “Saturday Night Live,” a gig he said several people close to him advised him not to take.
“If you want to do it a long time, be prepared to be brave and say yes to things that maybe other people in your life are going to be worried about,” Lowe, 58, advised to up-and-coming actors...
In an interview published Friday by Et Online, Lowe credited that career streak to a force of will that led him to take risks that paid off. One of those risks was the hosting job on “Saturday Night Live,” a gig he said several people close to him advised him not to take.
“If you want to do it a long time, be prepared to be brave and say yes to things that maybe other people in your life are going to be worried about,” Lowe, 58, advised to up-and-coming actors...
- 10/14/2022
- by Jeremy Bailey
- The Wrap
San Francisco, Aug 19 (Ians) Elon Musk-run Tesla has come under heavy scrutiny on the controversial Autopilot advanced driver assistance system that has allegedly killed many, with both federal and state regulators turning up the heat on electric car-maker.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Nhtsa) has upgraded its investigation from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, asking Tesla to answer questions about its cabin camera as part of a probe into 830,000 Tesla vehicles that include Autopilot.
“Describe the role that the cabin camera plays in the enforcement of driver engagement/attentiveness and the manner in which its inputs are factored into the subject system’s operation,” the US regulator said in a letter to Tesla late on Thursday.
The letter asked Tesla to share inputs on the impact on driver engagement alert types and timing and how it integrates with the existing engagement strategy; recoverable data elements pointing...
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Nhtsa) has upgraded its investigation from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, asking Tesla to answer questions about its cabin camera as part of a probe into 830,000 Tesla vehicles that include Autopilot.
“Describe the role that the cabin camera plays in the enforcement of driver engagement/attentiveness and the manner in which its inputs are factored into the subject system’s operation,” the US regulator said in a letter to Tesla late on Thursday.
The letter asked Tesla to share inputs on the impact on driver engagement alert types and timing and how it integrates with the existing engagement strategy; recoverable data elements pointing...
- 8/19/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
San Francisco, Aug 11 (Ians) Former US presidential candidate Ralph Nader has called Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Fsd) technology as one of the “most dangerous and irresponsible actions” by a car company in decades. Nader, a political and consumer protection advocate, has called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Nhtsa) in the US to remove […]...
- 8/11/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
“Saturday Night Live” bowed to the rising threat of Covid-19, opening its final show of 2021 with a pre-taped segment that featured Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, Steve Martin and Kenan Thompson welcoming host Paul Rudd into the “Five-Timers Club.”
Production of tonight’s “SNL” was thrown into disarray late this week when numerous cast members tested positive for Covid-19. Crew members became vocal about concerns of gathering as usual to produce the live broadcast at 30 Rock’s famed Studio 8H, prompting NBC to drop the live audience and use a limited crew for tonight’s installment.
The episode opened with a “previously recorded” slate as Tom Hanks bounded out on the familiar stage in a royal blue smoking jacket with an oversized “5” patch over the right breast. Rudd, the beloved comedy character actor, was set to log his fifth time at the helm of “SNL.”
“As you know I started the Five-Timers Club,...
Production of tonight’s “SNL” was thrown into disarray late this week when numerous cast members tested positive for Covid-19. Crew members became vocal about concerns of gathering as usual to produce the live broadcast at 30 Rock’s famed Studio 8H, prompting NBC to drop the live audience and use a limited crew for tonight’s installment.
The episode opened with a “previously recorded” slate as Tom Hanks bounded out on the familiar stage in a royal blue smoking jacket with an oversized “5” patch over the right breast. Rudd, the beloved comedy character actor, was set to log his fifth time at the helm of “SNL.”
“As you know I started the Five-Timers Club,...
- 12/19/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
This piece is part of Rolling Stone’s annual Hot List, published in the July/August 2021 issue of the magazine.
Imagine an election with three candidates. Let’s call them Alex, Barry, and Claire. Alex and Barry have staked their campaigns on universal strawberry ice cream, but Claire wants to lead a rum raisin regime. When the results come in, Alex gets 30 percent of the vote, Barry gets 34 percent of the vote, and Claire gets 36 percent of the vote. In most U.S. elections, Claire would be declared the winner,...
Imagine an election with three candidates. Let’s call them Alex, Barry, and Claire. Alex and Barry have staked their campaigns on universal strawberry ice cream, but Claire wants to lead a rum raisin regime. When the results come in, Alex gets 30 percent of the vote, Barry gets 34 percent of the vote, and Claire gets 36 percent of the vote. In most U.S. elections, Claire would be declared the winner,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
The Kate Winslet HBO miniseries “Mare of Easttown” received a pop-culture seal off approval: It got the “Saturday Night Live” treatment. In a sketch led by Kate McKinnon as the grizzled Pennsylvania detective, “Murdur Durdur” riffed on the Delaware County accents and featured host Elon Musk as a shady priest.
In the fake show promo, a vocieover intones: “You’ve seen dead teens in New York, Chicago, and Boston, but what about another city with very specific whites? Pennsylvania whites?” “Murdur Durdur” also parodies Winslet as a British person playing a salt-of-the-Earth Pennsylvanian. The commercials bills “Murdur Durdur” as “an extremely Pennsylvania crime show.”
Musk added to a line of unusual and potentially risky “SNL” hosts, often to impressive ratings, including Donald Trump, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and Al Sharpton. While he may have seemed like an unlikely choice, and certainly was a controversial one thanks to his obscene wealth,...
In the fake show promo, a vocieover intones: “You’ve seen dead teens in New York, Chicago, and Boston, but what about another city with very specific whites? Pennsylvania whites?” “Murdur Durdur” also parodies Winslet as a British person playing a salt-of-the-Earth Pennsylvanian. The commercials bills “Murdur Durdur” as “an extremely Pennsylvania crime show.”
Musk added to a line of unusual and potentially risky “SNL” hosts, often to impressive ratings, including Donald Trump, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and Al Sharpton. While he may have seemed like an unlikely choice, and certainly was a controversial one thanks to his obscene wealth,...
- 5/9/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Like it or not, Elon Musk will be hosting tonight’s episode of “Saturday Night Live.” The CEO and Technoking of Tesla will be joined by musical guest Miley Cyrus in Studio 8H for an episode that’s sure to nab attention, if not only for the fact that the obscenely wealthy Musk is one of the most controversial figures around, but one everyone is fascinated by. Here’s how to tune in.
“SNL” airs on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. Et/10:30 p.m. Ct on NBC. The weekly episodes, as usual, are available to stream on Hulu the next day — typically by 12 p.m. eastern time — and will also be made available on NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, Peacock, on Sunday as well. If you’re on the West Coast, you can catch “Saturday Night Live” on NBC beginning at 8:30 p.m. Pt.
If you have access...
“SNL” airs on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. Et/10:30 p.m. Ct on NBC. The weekly episodes, as usual, are available to stream on Hulu the next day — typically by 12 p.m. eastern time — and will also be made available on NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, Peacock, on Sunday as well. If you’re on the West Coast, you can catch “Saturday Night Live” on NBC beginning at 8:30 p.m. Pt.
If you have access...
- 5/8/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
‘SNL': 40 Non-Entertainers Who Hosted Before Elon Musk, From Ralph Nader to Miskel Spillman (Photos)
“Saturday Night Live” has a long, long history of stunt casting people who aren’t actually entertainers. Even back in the 70s, they nabbed a guy who literally worked for the sitting President of the United States. So when you’re watching Elon Musk do… whatever it is they decide to do with him this weekend, remember he’s only the latest in a long, long line of hosts without an entertainment background. Read on for the complete list of relative amateurs who helmed the show.
Read original story ‘SNL': 40 Non-Entertainers Who Hosted Before Elon Musk, From Ralph Nader to Miskel Spillman (Photos) At TheWrap...
Read original story ‘SNL': 40 Non-Entertainers Who Hosted Before Elon Musk, From Ralph Nader to Miskel Spillman (Photos) At TheWrap...
- 5/7/2021
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
It’s official: Elon Musk will make his “Saturday Night Live” debut as host of the NBC series on Saturday, May 8. Alongside him, Miley Cyrus will make her sixth appearance on “Saturday Night Live” as the musical guest. She’s currently promoting her most recent studio album “Plastic Hearts.”
As the CEO and Technoking of Tesla as well as the Chief Engineer of SpaceX, Musk was most recently in the news for the launch of the second operational flight of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station on April 23.
Musk adds to a line of unusual hosts that “Saturday Night Live” has taken chances on in the past (and often to impressive ratings), including Donald Trump, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and Al Sharpton. While he may seem like an unlikely choice, Musk has shown an affinity for humor in his social media interactions with fans and adversaries alike.
As the CEO and Technoking of Tesla as well as the Chief Engineer of SpaceX, Musk was most recently in the news for the launch of the second operational flight of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station on April 23.
Musk adds to a line of unusual hosts that “Saturday Night Live” has taken chances on in the past (and often to impressive ratings), including Donald Trump, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and Al Sharpton. While he may seem like an unlikely choice, Musk has shown an affinity for humor in his social media interactions with fans and adversaries alike.
- 4/24/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
NBC is likely expecting its ratings to shoot into outer space, thanks to today’s announcement that entrepreneur Elon Musk will host the show on May 8.
At first, Musk seems like a left-field choice for a sketch comedy show. But the man behind Tesla and Space X has shown a quick wit in his online dealings with fans, foes and the like, so may have a few more surprises in store.
The only surprise was that girlfriend and recording artist Grimes, the mother of his son X Æ A-12, is not on board as a music guest.
SNL has taken chances with past guest hosts, among them Donald Trump, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and Al Sharpton.
At first, Musk seems like a left-field choice for a sketch comedy show. But the man behind Tesla and Space X has shown a quick wit in his online dealings with fans, foes and the like, so may have a few more surprises in store.
The only surprise was that girlfriend and recording artist Grimes, the mother of his son X Æ A-12, is not on board as a music guest.
SNL has taken chances with past guest hosts, among them Donald Trump, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and Al Sharpton.
- 4/24/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
In “Battlestar Galactica” star and sometime director Edward James Olmos’ “The Devil Has a Name,” corporate America is poisoning the little guy, again. Call me cynical, but that will hardly come as a surprise to most audiences, who’ve been watching entities with deep pockets shirk public safety for quick profits for the better part of their lives, thanks in no small part to Hollywood’s efforts to amplify the whistleblower. Over the years, we’ve seen nuclear facilities fail to contain radiation (“Silkwood”), fracking interests conspire to deceive a small town (“Promised Land”) and DuPont dump toxic chemicals into a West Virginia water supply (“Dark Water”).
Such movies are nearly always earnest to the point of self-righteous, an approach best exemplified by “Erin Brockovich” — which is the case “Devil” most closely resembles, since both true(ish) stories seek to expose the impact of carcinogens seeping from unlined wastewater ponds into the surrounding area.
Such movies are nearly always earnest to the point of self-righteous, an approach best exemplified by “Erin Brockovich” — which is the case “Devil” most closely resembles, since both true(ish) stories seek to expose the impact of carcinogens seeping from unlined wastewater ponds into the surrounding area.
- 10/17/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
With less than two months to go until the presidential election, Pearl Jam are stepping up their efforts to engage fans in the process with the announcement of Pj Votes 2020. A big part of the initiative involves asking their audience to accept the Take-Three Pledge of “Vote by Mail,” “Recruit Three Friends” and “Don’t Wait.”
“It’s about reminding people that their voice matters and their voice can make a big difference,” says Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament. “Like a lot of things, if you find out that your good friends are doing something,...
“It’s about reminding people that their voice matters and their voice can make a big difference,” says Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament. “Like a lot of things, if you find out that your good friends are doing something,...
- 9/9/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Longtime “Saturday Night Live” director Phil Hymes died Monday, an NBC spokesperson confirmed to Variety. He was 96.
Hymes, who began his career at NBC in 1951, starting work at “SNL” during its second season in 1976. He worked on more than 500 episodes of NBC’s venerable sketch comedy program and served as its lighting director until last year. In addition to his technical work, Hymes appeared in sketches during episodes hosted by Ralph Nader in 1977, Christopher Walken in 2000, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in 2006.
He broke records during his extensive career, becoming the oldest person to win an Emmy in 2018 for outstanding lighting design and lighting direction for a variety series for his work on Kevin Hart’s “SNL” episode. He also won an Emmy for Hallmark Hall of Fame television film “The Magnificent Yankee” in 1965 for outstanding individual achievements in entertainment centered on lighting design. Over the span of his career, he earned a total of 10 Emmy nominations,...
Hymes, who began his career at NBC in 1951, starting work at “SNL” during its second season in 1976. He worked on more than 500 episodes of NBC’s venerable sketch comedy program and served as its lighting director until last year. In addition to his technical work, Hymes appeared in sketches during episodes hosted by Ralph Nader in 1977, Christopher Walken in 2000, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in 2006.
He broke records during his extensive career, becoming the oldest person to win an Emmy in 2018 for outstanding lighting design and lighting direction for a variety series for his work on Kevin Hart’s “SNL” episode. He also won an Emmy for Hallmark Hall of Fame television film “The Magnificent Yankee” in 1965 for outstanding individual achievements in entertainment centered on lighting design. Over the span of his career, he earned a total of 10 Emmy nominations,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Updated throughout: Phil Hymes, longtime Emmy-winning lighting director for Saturday Night Live, who joined the show in 1976, died this week of complications from cancer, NBC confirmed. He was 96.
Hymes, who began his career at NBC in 1951, worked on more than 500 episodes of the iconic late-night program until his most recent episode in January 2018. He was nominated for 10 Emmy Awards over the course of his career, winning twice 53 years apart, the first for Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Magnificent Yankee in 1965, and just this past September for the Kevin Hart-hosted episode of Saturday Night Live.
Shows Hymes worked on over his 68-year career include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Kids in the Hall and The Miss Teen USA Pageant.
Earlier in his career, he worked on such iconic classics as Bell Telephone Hour,...
Hymes, who began his career at NBC in 1951, worked on more than 500 episodes of the iconic late-night program until his most recent episode in January 2018. He was nominated for 10 Emmy Awards over the course of his career, winning twice 53 years apart, the first for Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Magnificent Yankee in 1965, and just this past September for the Kevin Hart-hosted episode of Saturday Night Live.
Shows Hymes worked on over his 68-year career include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Kids in the Hall and The Miss Teen USA Pageant.
Earlier in his career, he worked on such iconic classics as Bell Telephone Hour,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The dozens of Americans who have been thirsting for former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to take on President Trump in 2020 were treated to some good news Sunday night. The 65-year-old business executive said in an interview with 60 Minutes that he is preparing to mount a presidential campaign, one in which he would run as a “centrist independent, outside of the two-party system.” Schultz described himself as a “lifelong Democrat” in the same interview, but said he is fed up with how extreme both sides have grown, citing the ballooning national...
- 1/28/2019
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Lisa Simpson offers her seat at the dinner table to the Girl on the Bus in The Simpsons, season 30, episode 12.
This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.
The Simpsons: Season 30 Episode 12
The Simpsons Season 30, Episode 12, presents a French farce on "The Girl on the Bus," and Lisa puts the fab in fabrication. The Simpsons' middle child tries to obscure her family but winds up exposing both the series and family's most recent flaws in a funny and effective episode.
The Simpsons' "The Girl on the Bus" starts with hardly any theme music at all and a couch gag that's over before it starts, disintegrating the family before Lisa gets a chance to let her sculptor father reconstruct it. That's one of the lies Lisa commits to when she first drops into the character she always wants to be. The opening sequence is reminiscent of Woody Allen's Stardust Memories,...
This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.
The Simpsons: Season 30 Episode 12
The Simpsons Season 30, Episode 12, presents a French farce on "The Girl on the Bus," and Lisa puts the fab in fabrication. The Simpsons' middle child tries to obscure her family but winds up exposing both the series and family's most recent flaws in a funny and effective episode.
The Simpsons' "The Girl on the Bus" starts with hardly any theme music at all and a couch gag that's over before it starts, disintegrating the family before Lisa gets a chance to let her sculptor father reconstruct it. That's one of the lies Lisa commits to when she first drops into the character she always wants to be. The opening sequence is reminiscent of Woody Allen's Stardust Memories,...
- 1/13/2019
- Den of Geek
On September 14 Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will introduce Jackson Browne as he receives the Gandhi Peace Award from Promoting Enduring Peace at the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts starting at 7:30 pm.
Kennedy, the second son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, is an American environmental attorney, author, and activist who serves as president of the board of Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit environmental group that he helped found in 1999.
Dr. Joseph Bertolino, president of Southern Connecticut State University, will greet the audience, as will Andrew Wolf, New Haven’s Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism. Ben Grosscup and Luci Murphy of the People’s Music Network will begin the evening with musical tributes. Chris George of Iris (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services) and Frida Berrigan, columnist for Waging Peace and daughter of Philip Berrigan, will also speak.
Jackson Browne is the first artist to receive the Gandhi Peace Award.
Kennedy, the second son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, is an American environmental attorney, author, and activist who serves as president of the board of Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit environmental group that he helped found in 1999.
Dr. Joseph Bertolino, president of Southern Connecticut State University, will greet the audience, as will Andrew Wolf, New Haven’s Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism. Ben Grosscup and Luci Murphy of the People’s Music Network will begin the evening with musical tributes. Chris George of Iris (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services) and Frida Berrigan, columnist for Waging Peace and daughter of Philip Berrigan, will also speak.
Jackson Browne is the first artist to receive the Gandhi Peace Award.
- 9/11/2018
- Look to the Stars
Over two decades ago, I traveled to a city in the Russian provinces called Rostov-On-Don to interview a psychiatrist named Alexander Bukhanovsky.
Bukhanovsky, now deceased, was famous. If you’ve seen the movie Citizen X, about the capture of serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, Bukhanovsky was the guy played by Max Von Sydow. He was the Soviet Union’s first criminal profiler.
One of the first things he said was that both Russia and America produced disproportionate shares of mass killers.
“Giant militarized countries,” he said, “breed violent populations.”
Bukhanovsky at...
Bukhanovsky, now deceased, was famous. If you’ve seen the movie Citizen X, about the capture of serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, Bukhanovsky was the guy played by Max Von Sydow. He was the Soviet Union’s first criminal profiler.
One of the first things he said was that both Russia and America produced disproportionate shares of mass killers.
“Giant militarized countries,” he said, “breed violent populations.”
Bukhanovsky at...
- 2/16/2018
- by Matt Taibbi
- Rollingstone.com
New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio won a second term a few weeks ago — despite, as it turns out, having some pretty famous competition.
A list of all the people who received votes in the 2017 N.Y.C. mayoral election was released by the city’s Board of Elections on Wednesday, and it has a few familiar names on it. Quite a few, in fact: Though there was a lighter turnout for this year’s mayoral election than in years past, The New York Times reported that there were more write-in votes than ever.
And it turns out there are...
A list of all the people who received votes in the 2017 N.Y.C. mayoral election was released by the city’s Board of Elections on Wednesday, and it has a few familiar names on it. Quite a few, in fact: Though there was a lighter turnout for this year’s mayoral election than in years past, The New York Times reported that there were more write-in votes than ever.
And it turns out there are...
- 11/30/2017
- by Diana Pearl
- PEOPLE.com
[Editor’s Note: The following review contains spoilers from “Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier,” a new book by Mark Frost, and “Twin Peaks: The Return.”]
To get right to it: For anyone interested enough to click on this article, “Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier” is almost certainly worth reading in full. (And with the holidays coming up, why not put it on your wish list?) Engrossing, efficient, and with just the right amount of personality, Mark Frost’s 145-page novel provides both necessary and superfluous information related to the series — especially “The Return” — all of which can be digested quickly and enjoyably.
Framed as a report from FBI Agent and newly inducted Blue Rose Task Force member Tamara Preston (played by Chrysta Bell in “The Return”) to her boss and FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole (David Lynch), the book consists mainly of case files. Most cover individuals ranging from Shelly Johnson to Windom Earle, but there are also sections on The Double R Diner, Twin Peaks (the town), and a briefing near the end simply titled “Today.
To get right to it: For anyone interested enough to click on this article, “Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier” is almost certainly worth reading in full. (And with the holidays coming up, why not put it on your wish list?) Engrossing, efficient, and with just the right amount of personality, Mark Frost’s 145-page novel provides both necessary and superfluous information related to the series — especially “The Return” — all of which can be digested quickly and enjoyably.
Framed as a report from FBI Agent and newly inducted Blue Rose Task Force member Tamara Preston (played by Chrysta Bell in “The Return”) to her boss and FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole (David Lynch), the book consists mainly of case files. Most cover individuals ranging from Shelly Johnson to Windom Earle, but there are also sections on The Double R Diner, Twin Peaks (the town), and a briefing near the end simply titled “Today.
- 11/7/2017
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
The horrible image of a passenger being dragged from a United Airlines flight has its origins in another dispute over an overbooked flight — 45 years ago. One of the passengers on that fated 1972 flight was Ralph Nader, a consumer lawyer who would go on to become a failed presidential candidate. Nader sued Allegheny Airlines for not telling him it had intentionally overbooked his flight, and won at the Supreme Court, which ruled that airlines commit fraud and violate federal aviation law when they secretly overbook planes and boot passengers without warning. Today, airlines still quietly overbook flights — but thanks to Nader v.
- 4/11/2017
- by Susan Seager
- The Wrap
As we get ready (or as ready as we’ll ever be) for tomorrow’s presidential election — and, thankfully, the end of what’s seemed like the most savage campaign season since the 1800s — you may be sitting there with any number of questions you’re just too afraid to ask. After all, it’s been a while since Civics 101. And by this point, you’re probably just too afraid to ask. So we’re here to help. Please, thank us later, after you post a selfie with your “I Voted” sticker. (If you have more specific inquiries about the...
- 11/7/2016
- by alexheigl
- PEOPLE.com
With the Libertarian Party and Green Party expected to harvest a combined 10 percent of the vote in this crucial election, John Oliver provided a warts-and-all analysis of Gary Johnson and Jill Stein on Last Week Tonight.
"This election has now achieved a dubious distinction: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are among the most disliked presidential candidates in history, so it is hardly surprising that some are seeking an alternative," Oliver said. "This disenchantment might explain the high interest in America's third parties, because when your main two options are depressing,...
"This election has now achieved a dubious distinction: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are among the most disliked presidential candidates in history, so it is hardly surprising that some are seeking an alternative," Oliver said. "This disenchantment might explain the high interest in America's third parties, because when your main two options are depressing,...
- 10/17/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Former Vice President Al Gore hearkened back to his own failed Presidential campaign during a Hillary Clinton campaign event in Miami, Florida, Tuesday, warning supporters that their votes were crucial in helping the Democratic nominee avoid a similar fate.
Gore, who previously served as Bill Clinton‘s VP for eight years, lost to President George W. Bush in the 2000 election after a lengthy recount in Florida, falling short ultimately by only an incredible 537 votes.
“Your vote really, really counts a lot,” Gore told the gathered crowd during a joint speech with Clinton on climate change. “You can consider me as...
Gore, who previously served as Bill Clinton‘s VP for eight years, lost to President George W. Bush in the 2000 election after a lengthy recount in Florida, falling short ultimately by only an incredible 537 votes.
“Your vote really, really counts a lot,” Gore told the gathered crowd during a joint speech with Clinton on climate change. “You can consider me as...
- 10/11/2016
- by Lindsay Kimble
- PEOPLE.com
Sarah Silverman and Bill Maher spent a portion of Real Time Friday wondering why 29 percent of millennials – many of them former Bernie Bros – have ticketed their vote to Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson instead of Hillary Clinton.
Silverman, whose support for Bernie Sanders shifted immediately to Clinton once the former Secretary of State won the Democratic nomination, said that Sanders supporters should be voting for Clinton, since she's the only candidate who, as president, would help make Sanders' goals as reality.
"He needs an ally in office. That's why I don't...
Silverman, whose support for Bernie Sanders shifted immediately to Clinton once the former Secretary of State won the Democratic nomination, said that Sanders supporters should be voting for Clinton, since she's the only candidate who, as president, would help make Sanders' goals as reality.
"He needs an ally in office. That's why I don't...
- 10/1/2016
- Rollingstone.com
At its best, journalism should have an adversarial relationship with power, constantly questioning or combatting it in a relentless pursuit of the truth. Unfortunately, modern media conglomerates have a vested interest in making money over uncovering lies, and thus are willing to be spokespeople for the powerful instead of the ones who hold their feet to the fire. Fred Peabody’s new documentary “All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, and the Spirit of I.F. Stone” takes on the inherent flaws of the modern news media and how they are increasingly reluctant to investigate or criticize government policies.
Read More: The 75th Annual Peabody Awards Announce Latest Group of Winners: ‘Mr. Robot,’ ‘UnREAL,’ and More
In “All Governments Lie,” Peabody explores the legacy of I.F. Stone, whose groundbreaking reporting filled his tiny 4-page newsletter from 1953 to 1971. He inspired many of those changing the face of journalism who are featured in “All Governments Lie,...
Read More: The 75th Annual Peabody Awards Announce Latest Group of Winners: ‘Mr. Robot,’ ‘UnREAL,’ and More
In “All Governments Lie,” Peabody explores the legacy of I.F. Stone, whose groundbreaking reporting filled his tiny 4-page newsletter from 1953 to 1971. He inspired many of those changing the face of journalism who are featured in “All Governments Lie,...
- 8/23/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
“Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party” is now the top-grossing documentary of 2016, placing ninth last weekend in 1,216 theaters and grossing $4.6 million to date. Together with his 2012 film, the $33.4 million hit “2016: Obama’s America,” right-wing writer/activist/director Dinesh D’Souza is now the conservative Michael Moore.
In 10 days of release, “Hillary’s America” is a bigger performer than high-profile arthouse releases “Swiss Army Man,” “The Neon Demon,” “Everybody Wants Some!”, and “Midnight Special.”
And the doc beats out Moore’s recent “Where to Invade Next?,” which underperformed at $3.8 million, lower than his four most recent films since “Bowling for Columbine” as well as his first, “Roger and Me,” in 1989. His biggest hit was Cannes winner “Fahrenheit 9/11,” which grossed $119 million, the highest-grossing documentary of all time. He also has three others (“Columbine,” “Sicko,” and “Capitalism: A Love Story”) among the 20 biggest.
D’Souza isn’t close to that level,...
In 10 days of release, “Hillary’s America” is a bigger performer than high-profile arthouse releases “Swiss Army Man,” “The Neon Demon,” “Everybody Wants Some!”, and “Midnight Special.”
And the doc beats out Moore’s recent “Where to Invade Next?,” which underperformed at $3.8 million, lower than his four most recent films since “Bowling for Columbine” as well as his first, “Roger and Me,” in 1989. His biggest hit was Cannes winner “Fahrenheit 9/11,” which grossed $119 million, the highest-grossing documentary of all time. He also has three others (“Columbine,” “Sicko,” and “Capitalism: A Love Story”) among the 20 biggest.
D’Souza isn’t close to that level,...
- 7/27/2016
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
As with anything Roseanne Barr talks about, the comedienne does not hold back when it comes to the way the United States handles presidential elections. "It's almost impossible to get anything that helps this country or anybody in it on the ballot," she says. "Real people are going to have to decide for themselves whether it makes any difference to vote or not."
But she's not encouraging people not to vote ... right? "A lot of people say if you don't vote, you have no right to complain," Barr says, laughing.
But she's not encouraging people not to vote ... right? "A lot of people say if you don't vote, you have no right to complain," Barr says, laughing.
- 7/1/2016
- Rollingstone.com
There’s a lot of time travel going on in pop culture these days. The CW has DC’s Legends of Tomorrow where a rag-tag group of misfits travel around with Doctor Who, excuse me, Rip Hunter Time Master, as he tries to stop the immortal villain, Vandal Savage, from killing his family. Oh, and to prevent Savage from really messing up the world… but mostly to save his own family.
In general, I like time travel stories and have ever since I saw The Time Machine (the 1960 one with Rod Taylor, not the 2002 version with Guy Pearce). A great variation on the H.G. Wells story was Time After Time, where H.G. Wells (played by Malcolm McDowell) comes to (then) modern day San Francisco chasing Jack the Ripper (David Warner) and encounters the ever adorable Mary Steenburgen.
I like time travel stories in movies, books, comics, and so on. One...
In general, I like time travel stories and have ever since I saw The Time Machine (the 1960 one with Rod Taylor, not the 2002 version with Guy Pearce). A great variation on the H.G. Wells story was Time After Time, where H.G. Wells (played by Malcolm McDowell) comes to (then) modern day San Francisco chasing Jack the Ripper (David Warner) and encounters the ever adorable Mary Steenburgen.
I like time travel stories in movies, books, comics, and so on. One...
- 5/8/2016
- by John Ostrander
- Comicmix.com
Jay Leno is back in familiar territory.
The former The Tonight Show host returned Tuesday to hijack the monologue from Jimmy Fallon.
"I think I pulled a hammy, I think I'm gonna sub out," Fallon, 41, said midway through his monologue to bring out his predecessor.
Leno, 65, was welcomed by roaring applause before he went on to joke about the presidential candidates Ralph Nader, Martin O'Malley, Marco Rubio, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Jeb Bush and, of course, Donald Trump.
Even Osama Bin Laden and Obamacare were topics in his arsenal of political jokes.
Leno and Fallon also joined forces for a hilarious tag team.
The former The Tonight Show host returned Tuesday to hijack the monologue from Jimmy Fallon.
"I think I pulled a hammy, I think I'm gonna sub out," Fallon, 41, said midway through his monologue to bring out his predecessor.
Leno, 65, was welcomed by roaring applause before he went on to joke about the presidential candidates Ralph Nader, Martin O'Malley, Marco Rubio, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Jeb Bush and, of course, Donald Trump.
Even Osama Bin Laden and Obamacare were topics in his arsenal of political jokes.
Leno and Fallon also joined forces for a hilarious tag team.
- 10/7/2015
- by Karen Mizoguchi and Aaron Couch
- People.com - TV Watch
On the eve of its 40th anniversary special (though the anniversary itself isn't until October), what is left to say about "Saturday Night Live"? There have been multiple books written about the show, several documentaries, countless essays — riding the never-ending roller-coaster between "Saturday Night Dead" and "Saturday Night Lives Again!" — best-ofs, worst-ofs, and every other kind of list you can think of. I don't know that anything I write over the next few pages will provide new insight into one of the most influential comedy shows ever made, but I wondered if you could tell the story of the show — through good times and bad, through revolutions and evolutions and retrenchments — by looking at its sketches. I wound up picking 21 in all: some among the show's most famous, some obscure but important. These aren't meant as a definitive breakdown of the best "SNL" ever had to offer, but as a...
- 2/12/2015
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Ralph Nader dropped by “Real Time with Bill Maher” and wasn't shy about expressing his serious concerns about corporate power in America. Among other topics, he took a moment to address the potential takeover of Time Warner by Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox. Also read: Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox Reaches Deal With BSkyB for European Pay TV Companies Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes rejected a takeover bid from 21st Century Fox last month, but that doesn't mean Murdoch and company are done trying, or that other buyers won't come calling. Meanwhile, Fox has been selling off assets to increase its war chest,...
- 8/2/2014
- by Jason Hughes
- The Wrap
Charlize Theron last hosted Saturday Night Live in November of 2000 — which might as well have been a lifetime ago. The episode, which aired just days before that year’s presidential election, featured a running gag about possible outcomes (President Ralph Nader’s address to the nation is interrupted by a flying pig and frozen devils); the night was filled with Fey-era recurring characters like Will Ferrell’s Robert Goulet and the ladies of Gemini’s Twin and even Chris Kattan’s Mr. Peepers; Theron herself was there to promote The Legend of Bagger Vance, a movie which single-handedly made her...
- 5/10/2014
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "Of By For" Tweetable Logline: Of By For uncovers the powerful interests that corrode our political system and divide the people. Elevator Pitch: Uncovering the powerful interests that corrode our political system and divide the people, Of ByFor finds that hope for real change still exists – we've just been looking in all the wrong places. Featuring Ron Paul, Dan Rather, Newt Gingrich, Al Sharpton, Ralph Nader, Jack Abramoff and a host of others, the film is a surprisingly honest and incisive exposition of our broken system. Production Team: Director Christopher Kay Producer Chad Monnin Writing & Research Christopher Kay Chad Monnin Aaron Keith Harris Andrew Malone Photography Christopher Kay...
- 10/21/2013
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Stephen Colbert will soon have a veneer of waxiness to go with his aura of truthiness. The "Colbert Report" host is getting the wax-figure treatment from Madame Tussauds D.C., with the figure being unveiled at the museum on Nov. 16. (Naturally, Colbert will be on hand for the celebration of himself.) Also read: Ralph Nader to Stephen Colbert: Give Me Your Super Pac Cash! (Exclusive) The figure will reside in Madame Tussauds D.C.'s Media Room, which is being renovated into a replica of "The Colbert Report" set. Guests will have the opportunity to...
- 11/13/2012
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Hear me now. Long before Sacha Baron Cohen delved into politics and government as Admiral General Aladeen in "The Dictator," he spent a lot of time interviewing real politicians and public servants under the guise of Ali G for "Da Ali G Show."
Ali G asks the hard-hitting questions that politicians rarely have to face on camera, such as, "Was it worth fighting a war over BLTs?" and, "Do you think people should get more welfare the longer they're on welfare?" Check out Baron Cohen interviewing the likes of Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, and be sure to vote for your favorite interview. Respect.
Ali G asks the hard-hitting questions that politicians rarely have to face on camera, such as, "Was it worth fighting a war over BLTs?" and, "Do you think people should get more welfare the longer they're on welfare?" Check out Baron Cohen interviewing the likes of Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, and be sure to vote for your favorite interview. Respect.
- 5/19/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Hear me now. Long before Sacha Baron Cohen delved into politics and government as Admiral General Aladeen in "The Dictator," he spent a lot of time interviewing real politicians and public servants under the guise of Ali G for "Da Ali G Show."
Ali G asks the hard-hitting questions that politicians rarely have to face on camera, such as, "Was it worth fighting a war over BLTs?" and, "Do you think people should get more welfare the longer they're on welfare?" Check out Baron Cohen interviewing the likes of Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, and be sure to vote for your favorite interview. Respect.
Ali G asks the hard-hitting questions that politicians rarely have to face on camera, such as, "Was it worth fighting a war over BLTs?" and, "Do you think people should get more welfare the longer they're on welfare?" Check out Baron Cohen interviewing the likes of Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, and be sure to vote for your favorite interview. Respect.
- 5/19/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Aol TV.
HollywoodNews.com: Our selected celebrity to be included in our “Hot Hollywood Celebrity Photo Gallery of the Week” is Sean Penn.
Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt ◄ Back Next ►Picture 1 of 12
Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt - 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival - "The Tree of Live" Premiere - Arrivals - Palais des Festivals - Cannes, France
This year, the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at their World Summit will recognize a high-profile personality making an outstanding contribution to international social justice and peace. Sean Penn is that person. Sean is an actor, founder and CEO of J/P Haitian Relief Organization, and will be presented with the 2012 Peace Summit Award during the summit for his work to rebuild and aid the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, as well as his ongoing advocacy for peace and human rights protection worldwide.
Penn has been...
Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt ◄ Back Next ►Picture 1 of 12
Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt - 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival - "The Tree of Live" Premiere - Arrivals - Palais des Festivals - Cannes, France
This year, the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at their World Summit will recognize a high-profile personality making an outstanding contribution to international social justice and peace. Sean Penn is that person. Sean is an actor, founder and CEO of J/P Haitian Relief Organization, and will be presented with the 2012 Peace Summit Award during the summit for his work to rebuild and aid the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, as well as his ongoing advocacy for peace and human rights protection worldwide.
Penn has been...
- 3/19/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
Rank the week of August 23rd’s Blu-ray and DVD new releases against the best films of all-time: New Releases Blitz
(Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #9439
Win Percentage: 51%
Times Ranked: 215
Top-20 Rankings: 5
Directed By: Elliott Lester
Starring: Jason Statham • Paddy Considine • Aidan Gillen • Zawe Ashton • David Morrissey
Genres: Crime • Crime Thriller • Police Detective Film • Thriller
Rank This Movie
The Beaver
(Blu-ray & DVD | PG13 | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #5199
Win Percentage: 52%
Times Ranked: 858
Top-20 Rankings: 6
Directed By: Jodie Foster
Starring: Mel Gibson • Jodie Foster • Anton Yelchin • Jennifer Lawrence • Zachary Booth
Genres: Comedy Drama • Drama • Psychological Drama
Rank This Movie
Win Win
(Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #2107
Win Percentage: 61%
Times Ranked: 2455
Top-20 Rankings: 6
Directed By: Thomas McCarthy
Starring: Paul Giamatti • Amy Ryan • Bobby Cannavale • Jeffrey Tambor • Burt Young
Genres: Comedy Drama • Drama • Sports Comedy • Sports Drama
Rank This Movie
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
(Blu-ray & DVD | PG13 | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #5643
Win Percentage: 49%
Times Ranked: 725
Top-20 Rankings:...
(Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #9439
Win Percentage: 51%
Times Ranked: 215
Top-20 Rankings: 5
Directed By: Elliott Lester
Starring: Jason Statham • Paddy Considine • Aidan Gillen • Zawe Ashton • David Morrissey
Genres: Crime • Crime Thriller • Police Detective Film • Thriller
Rank This Movie
The Beaver
(Blu-ray & DVD | PG13 | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #5199
Win Percentage: 52%
Times Ranked: 858
Top-20 Rankings: 6
Directed By: Jodie Foster
Starring: Mel Gibson • Jodie Foster • Anton Yelchin • Jennifer Lawrence • Zachary Booth
Genres: Comedy Drama • Drama • Psychological Drama
Rank This Movie
Win Win
(Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #2107
Win Percentage: 61%
Times Ranked: 2455
Top-20 Rankings: 6
Directed By: Thomas McCarthy
Starring: Paul Giamatti • Amy Ryan • Bobby Cannavale • Jeffrey Tambor • Burt Young
Genres: Comedy Drama • Drama • Sports Comedy • Sports Drama
Rank This Movie
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
(Blu-ray & DVD | PG13 | 2011)
Flickchart Ranking: #5643
Win Percentage: 49%
Times Ranked: 725
Top-20 Rankings:...
- 8/23/2011
- by Jonathan Hardesty
- Flickchart
Oops! That’s not the complete title it’s actually Pom Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. Well, that’s explained during the course of this new documentary from Morgan Spurlock- the man behind the TV show ” 30 Days ” and the features Super Size Me and Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden? ( no need for a sequel to that one ). In this new film the easy-going everyman explores the world of sponsorship and movie marketing.
Spurlock begins the film with a simple premise-i’ll make a film about product placement and finance it with money from corporate sponsors. He sets up meetings with these companies and marches through their lobbies carrying a big portfolio and spreading out art boards adorned with concept illustrations ( one is a cartoon-like sketch of him showing artwork to seated execs ) on to long conference room table like Mad Men’s Don Draper...
Spurlock begins the film with a simple premise-i’ll make a film about product placement and finance it with money from corporate sponsors. He sets up meetings with these companies and marches through their lobbies carrying a big portfolio and spreading out art boards adorned with concept illustrations ( one is a cartoon-like sketch of him showing artwork to seated execs ) on to long conference room table like Mad Men’s Don Draper...
- 5/20/2011
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Morgan Spurlock goes meta on product-placement’s back end in Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. In making a documentary about how product placement gets done, he decides to pimp out his movie to the highest bidders. I’m betting there are hundreds of documentary filmmakers smacking their foreheads, wishing they’d thought of this idea first. It’s a deceptively simple idea, but Morgan goes deep into the system, and what he finds is mind-boggling. From businesses whose sole raison d’être is to tell you how to brand yourself to school systems that have to resort to advertising on school buses and soccer fields just to make ends meet, this is Mad Men gone rabid. And it’s a highly entertaining, thought provoking film.
Morgan interviews people from all sides of the product-placement biz, including entertainers, directors, producers, marketers, and brand-name companies. The list is impressive; Norm Chomsky,...
Morgan interviews people from all sides of the product-placement biz, including entertainers, directors, producers, marketers, and brand-name companies. The list is impressive; Norm Chomsky,...
- 4/29/2011
- by Denise Kitashima Dutton
- Atomic Popcorn
Boundary-pushing Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock explores the world of product placement, marketing and advertising in Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, a film that was fully financed through product placement from various brands, all of which are integrated transparently into the film.
Click here to listen to the interview
Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Release date: April 22, 2011
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Cast: Ralph Nader, Morgan Spurlock
Directed by: Morgan Spurlock
Ever notice your favorite soda brand in the background of the summer’s hottest romantic comedy? Wonder why Carrie Bradshaw uses that specific kind of soap? In Morgan Spurlock’s new documentary, the creator of “Super Size Me” shifts his focus from fast food excess to the power of product placement. He asks a simple question: backed by the right brands, could a documentary reach the same marketing success as Hollywood’s latest blockbuster? Spurlock...
Click here to listen to the interview
Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Release date: April 22, 2011
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Cast: Ralph Nader, Morgan Spurlock
Directed by: Morgan Spurlock
Ever notice your favorite soda brand in the background of the summer’s hottest romantic comedy? Wonder why Carrie Bradshaw uses that specific kind of soap? In Morgan Spurlock’s new documentary, the creator of “Super Size Me” shifts his focus from fast food excess to the power of product placement. He asks a simple question: backed by the right brands, could a documentary reach the same marketing success as Hollywood’s latest blockbuster? Spurlock...
- 4/23/2011
- by Vactor
- FusedFilm
After stuffing his belly with Big Macs and traveling to the Middle East to search for Osama Bin Laden, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock has given himself another challenge: fund a documentary solely with corporate money.
To be more process, Pom Wonderful Presents: ‘The Greatest Movie Ever Sold’ — Spurlock’s thesis on product placement and advertising, and how they affect us — is a film that would not exist without the companies who have pitched in to have their products featured prominently throughout. (Pom Wonderful agreed to put up $1 Million dollars, of the $1.5 Million need to finish the project, in exchange to have their name in the title.)
Most of the first half focuses on Spurlock’s struggle to get corporate executives on board with his film. The ad agencies he initial goes to reject him out right. And once he is eventually able to get into the boardroom to pitch his idea,...
To be more process, Pom Wonderful Presents: ‘The Greatest Movie Ever Sold’ — Spurlock’s thesis on product placement and advertising, and how they affect us — is a film that would not exist without the companies who have pitched in to have their products featured prominently throughout. (Pom Wonderful agreed to put up $1 Million dollars, of the $1.5 Million need to finish the project, in exchange to have their name in the title.)
Most of the first half focuses on Spurlock’s struggle to get corporate executives on board with his film. The ad agencies he initial goes to reject him out right. And once he is eventually able to get into the boardroom to pitch his idea,...
- 4/22/2011
- by Mo Fathelbab
- BuzzFocus.com
With his new release, Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden) fans can rest assured that Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (from now on referred to as Tgmes) remains true to his style, packing an informative, entertaining punch. Without revealing too much of the context, there is a moment within the film that Morgan has his personality analyzed, and it is presented back to him as being a balanced combination of playful and thoughtful. It is these same two descriptors that I could apply to any one of his films, and perhaps because he is able to remain so true to his own nature and curiosity, he is continuously successful.
In Tgmes, we dive into the world of product placement and advertising, focusing primarily on its presence in movies. The idea behind the approach is that blockbuster are in part made...
In Tgmes, we dive into the world of product placement and advertising, focusing primarily on its presence in movies. The idea behind the approach is that blockbuster are in part made...
- 4/22/2011
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
You know the old adage that writing is more effective when the writer "shows," not "tells"? Documentarian Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) has come up with a pretty brilliant way to show how "product placement," a new and disturbing form of advertising that is currently sweeping the entertainment industry, is ultimately a very corrupting influence with consequences for us all.
How? By literally getting advertisers to finance his movie on the topic of product placement, which even has a sponsor as part of the title: Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.
In other words, this is a humorous documentary about the practice, always done in a secretive, non-disclosed fashion, of getting advertisers to pay to incorporate their messages into a finished entertainment product. You're really watching a commercial, but you don't know you're watching it — which, psychologists say, makes the advertiser's message much more effective and manipulative.
Here...
How? By literally getting advertisers to finance his movie on the topic of product placement, which even has a sponsor as part of the title: Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.
In other words, this is a humorous documentary about the practice, always done in a secretive, non-disclosed fashion, of getting advertisers to pay to incorporate their messages into a finished entertainment product. You're really watching a commercial, but you don't know you're watching it — which, psychologists say, makes the advertiser's message much more effective and manipulative.
Here...
- 4/22/2011
- by Brent Hartinger
- The Backlot
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