So we already know that the NFL banned their players to go on twitter for fear of letting the public (or other team) in on some confidential news, well it looks like the social media tool Twitter has been added to Hollywood’s contracts as well.
It’s been rumored that DreamWorks want to make sure Diaz and Myers will keep mum about the new Shrek sequel, in which they’ll both be starring next year, by staying off of Twitter.
This is an interesting article on the state of Hollywood today. Check it out from LATimes.com:
The stars are not twinkling bright this summer.
Hollywood’s movie studios, hopeful that marquee-name actors would push their summer box-office receipts to record levels, are finding that the heavyweights aren’t winning over audiences like they used to. With all but a couple of big-budget films already opened, the summer of 2009 is shaping up to be one of the worst on record for Hollywood’s A-list talent.
The studios stocked this summer’s release schedule with so-called star vehicles, including “Land of the Lost” with Will Ferrell, “Year One” featuring Jack Black, the comedy “Imagine That” with Eddie Murphy, and Denzel Washington and John Travolta in a remake of “The Taking of Pelham 123.” But rather than igniting ticket sales, the star-studded movies have dramatically underperformed.
The brightest stars of the lucrative popcorn season — which typically accounts for about 40% of annual ticket sales — instead have turned out to be mostly movies with no-name actors — or no actors at all on screen.
So far, the summer’s most profitable film has been Warner Bros.’ surprise hit “The Hangover,” a $35-million-budget R-rated comedy about a bachelor party in Las Vegas that boasts not a single household-name actor but has reached $183 million in U.S. ticket sales since its June 5 opening and is expected to exceed $200 million. Other summer hits like J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” and Michael Bay’s “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” showcase eye-popping visual effects along with up-and-coming talent.
And, the highest-grossing summer movie so far? Walt Disney’s Co.’s “Up,” the Pixar-animated movie starring the voice of . . . Ed Asner.
The studios, which for years have banked on richly paid stars to open their movies, are now witnessing a new reality: even the most reliable actors can be trumped by what Hollywood executives like to call “high concepts” (a bachelor party gone awry), movies based on brand-name products (Hasbro’s Transformers toys), and reinvented franchises (not your father’s “Star Trek”).
“I think we’re seeing a transformation in what the value of the star system represents,” said Marc Shmuger, chairman of Universal Pictures, which will take a significant loss on Ferrell’s “Land of the Lost,” which cost $100 million to make and tens of millions more to market and distribute. There’s also an “incredible hunger among audiences for something new and different,” he said.
Indeed, that was the appeal of the buddy comedy “The Hangover.”
“Movie stars still hold an incredible value both creatively and financially,” said “Hangover” director Todd Phillips. “But it’s getting to be more about the movie and whether it delivers on the promise of its trailers and commercials.”
Internet plays a role
Moreover, in the Internet age, word of mouth about movies spreads instantly.
“There used to be a free weekend where marketing departments could open a movie and if it didn’t work, word didn’t get out until Monday, but that’s evaporated with Facebook and Twitter,” Phillips said. “The water-cooler effect is much more immediate.”
Even before a major movie hits the big screen, Twitter users and bloggers are weighing in — which can help or hinder a studio opening a movie.
“The world has changed, throwing conventional wisdom out the window,” said former studio marketing executive Peter Sealey. “The star-power opening is fading in importance and the marketing and releasing of movies is going into new territory where the masses are molding the opinion of a movie. People no longer say, ‘It’s a Tom Cruise movie, let’s go see it!’ With social networking, you know everything about a movie before it comes out.”
Doug Belgrad, production president of Sony Pictures Entertainment, whose studio is behind “Year One” and “Pelham,” said stars alone no longer can compete against the draw of franchise movies and sequels like “Transformers” and “Harry Potter” that come with a high degree of public awareness.
“Movie stars in the right films provide a certain amount of value from a marketing point of view,” he said. “But there is no star power that you can throw at a movie that gives you the kind of brand awareness you get from pre-sold titles.”
This summer’s woes come at a time when studios are already battling the climbing cost of making and marketing movies as well as a decline in DVD sales, which have long supported the economics of the film business.
A telling test case will come this week when Johnny Depp, one of the biggest movie stars in the world, appears as 1930s gangster John Dillinger in Universal’s crime saga “Public Enemies, which cost $100 million to produce.”
Given the poor performances this year of dramas targeted to adults, the prospects of the Michael Mann-directed film gaining mass audience appeal appear dim.
Here’s a partial list of Golden Globe winners from Film and Television, the winners are noted with two asterisks(**). From HollyScoop.com:
FILM
BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
**Slumdog Millionaire
BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
**Vicky Cristina Barcelona
ACTOR, DRAMA
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
**Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
ACTRESS, DRAMA
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long
**Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
**Colin Farrell, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey
ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
**Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
**Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
**Kate Winslet, The Reader
DIRECTOR
**Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road
SCREENPLAY
**Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
**WALL-E
TELEVISION
TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Dexter
House
In Treatment
**Mad Men
True Blood
ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
January Jones, Mad Men
**Anna Paquin, True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
**Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors
TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
**30 Rock
Californication
Entourage
The Office
Weeds
ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
**Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
**Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Kevin Connolly, Entourage
David Duchovny, Californication
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Judi Dench, Cranford
Catherine Keener, An American Crime
**Laura Linney, John Adams
Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel
Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris
ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris
**Paul Giamatti, John Adams
Kevin Spacey, Recount
Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption
Tom Wilkinson, Recount
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Eileen Atkins, Cranford
**Laura Dern, Recount
Melissa George, In Treatment
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Denis Leary, Recount
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Blair Underwood, In Treatment
**Tom Wilkinson, John Adams
The crew at LandlineTV are back at it, this time they take on Diablo Cody, David Lynch and M. Night Shyamalan:
Wonder no longer. John Woo, Kevin Smith and Wes Anderson all get jabbed at here, but its very well done. The John Woo parody is a bit over the top, but still hilarious and the Smith and Anderson parodies are borderline perfect. The clips were created by a comedy group called the Landline, I’d love to see some more of these!
On behalf of Samuel Goldwyn Films, we are pleased to present the trailer from TRUMBO, the remarkable story of Dalton Trumbo’s journey from Hollywood royalty, to blacklisted writer to Academy Award winner.
TRUMBO focuses on the writer’s own indelible words, the film features performances of some of his extraordinary letters, clips from his films and, archival and contemporary interviews with those who knew him best. Forced to write underground, letter writing became the chief repository of Trumbo’s extraordinary talents and they serve as a wonderfully entertaining testament to his boundless intellect, acerbic humor, and staggering resilience.
TRUMBO is directed by Peter Askin and is based on the play Trumbo by Christopher Trumbo. The film includes the all-star cast of Joan Allen, Brian Dennehy, Michael Douglas, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson, David Strathairn, and Donald Sutherland.
DeLorean Time Machine wins hands down… From Yahoo!Movies:
DeLorean DMC-12Before Doc Brown’s breakthrough mod — the flux capacitor — the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 was the “it” car for movie producers, record execs and other dirtbags. But this car is capable of so much more. Not only can you impress the ladies along the Sunset Strip, but you can also outrun terrorists, thwart high school bullies, and resolve oedipal issues.
Available Options: Deluxe edition runs on trash and doesn’t need roads.
Back to the Future | Back to the Future Part II | Back to the Future Part III
1970 Dodge Challenger R/TIf you absolutely, positively have to get away from Kurt Russell, this is the car for you. This 440 cubic-inch beauty is the car of choice for reckless adrenaline junkies everywhere. Perfect for a nihilist race across the American west or pursuing a serial killer through Tennessee’s rolling hills.
Available Options: Comes with matching stuntperson E-Z grip gloves.
Grindhouse: Death Proof | Vanishing Point | 2008 Dodge Challenger
Wayne Industries TumblerIt’s the latest vehicle from Wayne Industries’ lead engineer, Lucius Fox. Sure, the Tumbler lacks the stylistic flourishes of previous models — no tail fins, bubble windshields or neon lighting here. Instead it delivers pure, jet-boosted power. This ride will shock and awe any evil-doer into submission.
Available Options: Stealth-mode. Rocket launchers. iPod input.
1968 390 GT V8 Ford MustangThis pine green hunk of steel and attitude gets more air time than Michael Jordan in a shoe ad. It is the ride for running a Dodge Charger filled with mafia hit men off the road. This car has proven to be so iconic that 40 years later Ford has revived its look and feel for the 2008 Bullitt Mustang.
Available Options: Allows you to look cool in a turtleneck/blazer combo.
2009 Chevrolet CamaroIf you’re a socially awkward adolescent aiming for a girl who’s way out of your league, this car is for you. Not only can this coupe dispense well-timed dating advice and mood music, but it can also turn the driver into a hero of an epic intergalactic fight between good and evil. The ladies dig that.
Available Options: Deluxe edition fires laser cannon while being towed.
1963 Aston Martin DB5Aston Martin has been the make of choice for MI-6 agents for years, but this remains the gold standard. The DB5 is ideal for fleeing sinister henchmen on Alpine by-ways or mowing them down with the .30 caliber machine guns hidden behind the tail lights. Remember: do not drink martinis and drive.
Available Options: New double-0 agents can upgrade to the DBS V12.
2002 MINI Cooper SThe Mini Cooper has long been the preferred car for bands of thieves both on the Continent and here in the States. Whether you’re winding your way through the streets of Turin or the subway tunnels of Los Angeles (not recommended), you won’t find a groovier ride that the MINI.
Available Options: Buy in bulk for your (funky) bunch of crooks.
The Italian Job | The Italian Job (1969) | 2008 MINI Car Models
1961 Ferrari 250 GT CaliforniaLooking to get the attention of an emotionally distant parent? Slamming one of these through the glass wall of an elevated garage might just do the trick. Since only 45 of these babies were ever made, the going price is in the neighborhood of $2.5 million. So unless you’re looking to get throttled or disowned, find another set of wheels for your “sick day” joyride.
Available Options: Deluxe edition had odometer that does run backwards.
2002 Nissan 350Z FairladyA lot of cars are fast. Some are furious. But few cars combine speed with anger management issues like 350Z Fairlady. With its custom paint job and fine tuned suspension system you’ll be drifting like a Tokyo crime lord.
Available Options: Discontinued Paul Walker add-on is available again.
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift | 2008 Nissan 350Z Coupe
1963 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1 “Beetle” DeluxeEver longed for a set of wheels that handled like a dream, was fuel efficient, and would follow you around like a love-hungry golden retriever? Well, this is the car for you. It’s sporty enough to compete in NASCAR, yet so dependable even Lindsay Lohan can drive it without endangering others.
Available Options: May develop a romantic interest in a New Beetle.
Herbie: Fully Loaded | 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
(AGI) - Los Angeles, 8 Jan. - The Hollywood scriptwriters’ strike has a famous victim now: the Golden Globe ceremony scheduled for next Sunday has been annulled and replaced with a press conference of an hour to be broadcast live by NBC News.This decision was announced by NBC News and by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) - which is the organiser of the Golden Globe, a classic anticipation of the Academy Awards.
Even the ceremony of the Academy Awards scheduled for 24 February risks to become an hostage of this ruthless negotiation, and there is the concrete possibility of a ceremony without many interventions and without many stars. The traditional dinner including the show of the Golden Globes could have been boycotted by approximately sixty actors and possible winners such as George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie and Julie Christie, who intended to express their solidarity with the Hollywood scriptwriters on strike since 5 November. Their trade union - the Writers Guild of America - was ready to picket and sabotage the event, and this induced many actors to try to avoid a clash with a fundamental component of Hollywood. Now even the Academy Awards - a symbolic night for Hollywood - is at risk: if no way out is found for the negotiation the danger is that John Stewart - the comedian who will present the show - will be left with very few protagonists.
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - When Cameron Diaz signed on to lend her voice to Princess Fiona in 2001’s animated fairy tale “Shrek,” she earned a modest six figures for the work. But after the third installment of the Paramount/DreamWorks Animation franchise earned more than $320 million domestically, Diaz saw her paycheck balloon to more than $30 million, thanks to her generous share of the film’s profits.
But even though actress salaries seem to be bigger than ever, the news this year is not how large the paychecks of Hollywood’s hottest female stars have become, it is how low they are prepared to go to fill in their schedules.
While Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon are now asking for $15 million-$20 million per movie, they frequently agree to “no-quote deals” — deals in which the studios actually pay them far less than their usual fee.
Jolie, who is believed to have made more than $20 million (including profits) for pictures like 2005’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” earned around $8 million for her latest release, “Beowulf” — the reason being that she played a supporting role in Paramount’s picture, involving only a few weeks of work. Similarly, Witherspoon took a major pay cut to star in New Line’s “Rendition,” but asks for — and gets — more than $15 million per picture when she headlines a comedy. (Sources strenuously denied reports that Witherspoon is being paid as much as $29 million for her next movie, Universal’s “Our Family Trouble.”)
While Hollywood’s list of the 10 highest-earning actresses includes only names that have dominated the screen for several years, a few promising stars are climbing up the pay scale, including Katherine Heigl, Rachel McAdams and Jennifer Garner.
Click HERE for the annual breakdown of the 10 highest-paid actresses in Hollywood from Yahoo! Movies.
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This movie looks pretty funny in a “look how ridiculous people in LA act” kind of way. It also promises plenty of sex, drugs and bad behavior which is never a bad thing! The movie is by first time director Paul Sapiano and hits DVD shelves on Sept. 11th. Check out the synopsis and find a link for the trailer below:
Synopsis:
An outrageous story blended with a “how to” guide to enjoy a truly insane party lifestyle. The film follows a group of Hollywood party-goers on their escapade as they travel from home to bar to party to after-party seeking the ultimate party experience. Through their adventure, viewers will learn truly insightful – and at times politically incorrect – lessons in nightlife etiquette, which will leave you feeling a bit dirty for enjoying it so much.
Check out the trailer here from iFilm.com
and the movies MySpace page here.
PLAY
