Disney to Ban Smoking in All Future Releases
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Disney, Miramax, Touchstone, Family, Distribution, Filmmaking,
Two months ago, the MPAA announced that any films submitted for rating would now be scrutinized for instances of cigarette smoking, particularly when it is glamorized. This new regulation was aimed at keeping these images away from the eyes of young, malleable children, and could affect said film’s rating, though the deciding criteria remains unknown. Now family-friendly juggernaut Disney has become the first major Hollywood studio to back the MPAA’s anti-smoking decision to help keep cigarettes away from the youth of America.
The decision was made as a result of recent studies exploring the affect current films have on children given the ubiquitous nature of these images — the results don’t look good. It seems that 90 percent of all films depict smoking, and that children with the highest exposure to these films are three times more likely to try smoking.
In addition to banning smoking in all upcoming releases, Disney has said it will place anti-smoking public service announcements on any future DVDs that feature smoking, and they are encouraging theater owners to do the same on the big screen. The company’s two other labels, Touchstone and Miramax, will also be strongly discouraged from producing or distributing movies with images of smoking, though how strong the discouragement remains unclear.
Disney may be taking an important step in the fight against this national health crisis, but film is only a small piece of the pie. It is up to our government to implement proper anti-smoking education for children — a quick PSA before a movie will do nothing. And it helps to remember that smoking, unlike violence or sexual imagery, is around children all the time, wherever they go. The only way to make real change is with parents who feel a need to protect their children. Light a fire under them, and the problem will smoke itself.
Read More 
| Reuters
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More On Lindsay Lohan’s Latest Arrest, Plus Mughot
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Controversy,
As we pretty much all know by now, Lindsay Lohan was arrested yesterday on DUI charges - she blew a .13, which is well over the legal limit in California. Even worse, she was driving with a suspended license. Worse still? They found cocaine in her car. Of course, Lindsay says she’s innocent:
“Yes. I am innocent… did not do drugs they’re not mine. I was almost hit by my assistant Tarin’s mom. I appreciate everyone giving me my privacy.”
If it’s privacy you want, stay out of the public eye, mmkay? We just have to know - what was your first thought when you heard that Lindsay has been arrested again?
REVIEW: I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Universal, Drama, Comedy, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews,
When Larry Valentine (Kevin James), an NYPD fireman and father of two, discovers his children will no longer be pension beneficiaries after the death of his wife, he must find a way to protect them should something happen to him. After saving the life of his longtime friend and co-worker Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler), Larry hatches a plan and convinces Chuck to become his domestic partner – much to Chuck’s chagrin. Everything seems easy at first, but soon the men are challenged by the city of New York and must go to extreme lengths to keep up the charade. Sexy lawyer Alex McDonough (Jessica Biel) steps in to help the gentlemen, but Chuck has a hard time keeping his eyes (and hands) off of the only person with the ability to help them refute the skepticism.
Although Chuck and Larry attempts to show the difficulties homosexuals still have being accepted in society, the themes are contradicted by numerous (and horribly dated) gay jokes and derogatory terms audiences will first find mildly amusing, then awkward and discomforting.
Click to continue reading REVIEW: I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Box Office Breakdown: Chuck and Larry Outmuscle Harry
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy,
Lord Voldemort should be kicking himself. Wizardry, schmizardry. All he needed was a bag of outdated gay jokes to bring young Harry down.
Wedding planners everywhere had expected 7/7/07 to be the biggest wedding day of the year, but it was 7/20/07 that proved to be eventful for comedians Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Their domestic partnership brought in enough guests to outdo Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, though they only gained $2 million more than the Potter juggernaut. Fan support for Sandler movies has always been strong—which is why I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry is his ninth movie to open at #1.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Chuck and Larry Outmuscle Harry
FilmCrunch 061: 28 Weeks Later, The Fountain, MPAA Dislikes Smoking
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Drama, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Thrillers, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts,
Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review the theatrical release of 28 Weeks Later, as well as The Fountain on DVD in this episode of FilmCrunch. In addition, we discuss the MPAA’s decision to take scenes that involve smoking into effect when making their decision on a film’s rating.
Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.
Fifth Shrek to Close Book on Ogre-licious Movies
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: DreamWorks, Animation, Sequels, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,
Though DreamWorks Animation SKG probably hasn’t popped the last celebratory bottle of champagne after the success of Shrek the Third, the studio is planning the fifth – and final – chapter in the daily life of everyone’s favorite ogre. The fourth Shrek is set to come to theatres in 2010, the only one the studio has expressly committed itself to make, but studio insiders say there are five chapters to the Shrek saga. Since the May 18 release of Shrek the Third, the ogre and his pals have raked in $643.6 million for Dreamworks. What will happen in the fifth film? Even the secrets of the fourth film have yet to be revealed, but it’s certain that Shrek will only be successful as long as Eddie Murphy (my personal favorite) remains involved.
Read More | LA Times
Winona Ryder Comes Clean
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Controversy, Upcoming Releases,
In late 2001, Ms. Ryder was caught walking out of a Saks Fifth Avenue with around $5,000 worth of merchandise. Now, nearly six years later, she is speaking out for the first time about her notorious shopping spree.
The actress claims to have been under the influence of a prescribed pain medication during the ordeal — Oxycodone, specifically — and was having a hard time making sound decisions:
Two months prior to that, I broke my arm in two places, and the doctor…was giving me a lot of stuff, and I was taking it at first just to get through the pain. And there was this weird point when you don’t know if you are in pain but you’re taking it. It isn’t a reckless [state], like you’re out of your head. It’s just confusion.
Then, Ryder just shut down and never released a statement, merely pleading not guilty
in court and letting it ride out:
The attention was what was embarrassing. It was the December after Sept. 11…So much attention was being paid to me, when we had just been attacked, and there was all this really important news going on.
And although the actress admitted to wrongdoing, she claimed not to feel any tremendous sense of guilt.
However, Ryder says that had someone been hurt, the ordeal would have played out much differently.
So what is she up to now? Well, after a career lain practically dormant for years, Ryder is about to return to the business in full force with at least three films coming this year alone.
One can’t help but applaud Ryder for finally spilling her guts — she was obviously ashamed and, being in public eye, didn’t know how to articulate her regret. I also question whether the public would have been ready to look past the shoplifting at any point before now. However, I find it interesting that this catharsis coincides with her return to Hollywood, rather than a genuine desire to unload her burden.
Whatever the case, Winona is back. We’ll see her first in the upcoming ensemble comedy The Ten.
Read More | E!
The Preview Review: Special Coen Edition
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Action, Adaptation, Drama, Independent, Thrillers, Trailers, Upcoming Releases,
Let’s be honest: The Coen Brothers have had a string of slightly innocuous endeavors beginning in 2003 with Intolerable Cruelty and following with 2004’s The Lady Killers. Beyond that, Joel and Ethan also made a small contribution to the 2006 cooperative film Paris, je t’aime, a movie asking directors to make five minute shorts about love. But we haven’t really seen the Coens in true form since 2001’s The Man Who Wasn’t There — a slow moving, but thrilling black-and-white piece starring Billy Bob Thornton.
That having been said, as I sat in a near-empty theater yesterday, charged with watching the new Herzog film Rescue Dawn, the trailer for No Country for Old Men ran, renewing my faith in those two brothers from Minnesota and the amazing stories they tell.
Get more info and watch the trailer after the jump.
Click to continue reading The Preview Review: Special Coen Edition
Box Office Breakdown: Competition Schooled By Hogwarts
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Apparently Daniel Radcliffe can bring in the audiences without having to strip…unless that’s what the female theatergoers were secretly hoping for.
Whatever the reason, a record number of voyeurs helped the Hogwarts clan whip up the biggest 5-day total for a non-holiday release. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’s $140 million beat out Shrek 2’s record set in 2004 ($128 million). The film is now on track to be the largest Potter installment to date.
As for why the producers of Captivity chose to open amongst all the recent family-fare is beyond me. And yes, I know that’s why they call it counter-programming. Ironically, while I would have loved to watch Elisha Cuthbert’s character from 24 (the oh-so annoying Kim) be subjected to torture-porn, I really no desire to see her do anything these days. Apparently I’m not alone….which is why the only other film widely-released this week opened in 12th place. Now that’s torture.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Competition Schooled By Hogwarts
I Now Pronounce You Box Office Gold
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Universal, Comedy, Box Office, Upcoming Releases,
To be honest, comedy king Kevin James and hilarious SNL success Adam Sandler could have united on any movie project and it would be a hit. But, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a great way for the duo to make their screen debut as a pair – and just what audiences need in the middle of a summer that has so far been filled with lots of movie CGI, large-scale adventures, and not-so-hot comedies.
Click to continue reading I Now Pronounce You Box Office Gold
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