B-Rock NYLA

Decisions, decisions

So, I've finally settled on what this blog is going to blog is going to be all about - movies, television, celebrity, technology. I know, another one, right? Well, I hope to add the conversation something a little different. I settled on this topic because I have an intense interest and it is something I know a little something about. I work in the film/television business, but am by no-means a "hollywood insider". Nor am I a random PA (production assistant) or prop guy. My daily work life, I believe, offers a sometimes interesting and fascinating perspective on the business of show. It will be less about revealing trade secrets and more about my journey from "near-insider" status to my destined eventual status of "Hollywood Insider". So, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. And, by all means, say something.

Technorati Tags: New Mission

JHud's Next Film Role?

[posted with ecto]

Well, this would be a welcomed development.

From Variety:

Jennifer Hudson may have found her next acting gig, playing the daughter of fellow Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in "Winged Creatures." Robert Salerno is producing the pic through his Unruly Films banner.

While Hudson's reps maintained earlier this week that her participation in the film was tenuous due to the fact that she is recording her first album -- which Arista Records will release in the fall -- all parties acknowledged Wednesday that they were trying to make time for her to join the cast.

Count me among the pleasantly surprised. I have been a big fan of Jennifer's since American Idol. I think she was born to play the role of Effie. I have been more than a little concerned, however, about where she goes from here for many reasons:

1. The role of Effie is so defined by the singing and the voice. To establish herself as an actress she will need to find a dramatic role without relying on her singing voice.
2. The number of significant roles for young Black women in Hollywood are few and far between.
3. The number of significant roles for young curvy Black are even fewer.

Add to all that the fact that Hollywood likes to put people boxes. It will be a challenge for her to break out of the feisty big momma type cast. There is hope, however, when we consider the fact that for the first time we have a decent number of bankable Black male actors in Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Jamie Fox, Terrence Howard and Forrest Whitakker. If more movies are made around these men then there are more opportunities for people like Jennifer. So, I am hopeful. It is interesting and good that it is Jennifer who is in serious consideration and not someone like, say, Beyonce, who would have been the more obvious choice sans DreamGirls. I'll do one of my Star Analysis on Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce this week.

Technorati Tags: Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson, Black Hollywood

Snakes On A Plane Disappoints at Box Office

Once again the "internets" have failed to come through when it counts. First Howard Dean, now "Snakes on a Plane":

Variety:

After months of buzz on the Internet and inthe media, and weeks of speculation over how that buzz would translateinto B.O., "Snakes on a Plane opened to $15.3 million. An estimated$1.4 million of that came from shows at 10 PM on Thursday night.

Grossis well below estimates that the hype could translate into a bow ashigh as the 30s and slightly below weekend tracking. But given thepic's budget estimated in the mid-30s, it's a perfectly decent openingthat gives New Line a good shot at coming out in the black, especiallyif the cult following translates into big homevideo sales.

It is hard to imagine a film having more pre-release hype. At the end of the day, the movie will make a decent profit, so I'm sure New Line isn't shedding too many tears. Sam Jackson, however, has to begin to wonder how many of these B/C-movies his career can take.

technorati tags:SamJackson, Snakes

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Technorati Tags: SamJackson, Snakes

Angelina Jolie Does St. Johns

angelina-jolie-st-john-ads-06.jpg on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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Behold! Angelina Jolie St. John Photo Shoot

Angie's ads for St. John's have surfaced and she is simply gorgeous. I'll shut up so you can just look at her.

Many more pics after the jump. Many, many thanks to JustJared. I don't know who he is, but I love him and his site.

Technorati Tags: Angelina Jolie, St. John

Justin Timberlake vs Taylor Hicks

Justin Timberlake, the former Mouseketeer who went on to cheesy boy band fame, went on record this week trashing American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. Justin: "He can't carry a tune in a bucket". Wow. Scratch head now.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of Taylor Hicks or American Idol, but Mr. Timberlake must know that he too "can't really carry a tune". Right? He must know that his popularity primarily stems from his sexy lil body, cute face, and in-studio production gimmicks. He knows that right?

I believe his camp was also quoted as saying they didn't want Lindsay Lohan at the launch party for his new CD because her antics might be too distracting. Again, wow. Scratch head again.

Am I missing something here? Since when is Justin Timberlake a musical genius? Like Simpson, Justin is a pin-up. Nothing more. Someone should either clue hm in or stop him from talking.

On smoking weed:
"I remember the first time it was reported that I smoked pot. I was like, y'all don't? that's why I sort of respect Kate Moss. I think you lose once you start trying to analyze what people like. So I'm like, 'I hope you like how I live, but if you don't, you don't."

via A Socialite's Life

Technorati Tags: American Idol, Justin Timberlake, Lindsay Lohan, Taylor Hicks

Blame the media

A federal judge ruled in a Constitutionally significant case with national security implications on the same day a man was taken in to custody in the Jon Benet Ramsey case.  I give you one guess which story was the lead and which story garnered the most attention.

ThinkProgress:

All three major TV networks led their evening news with stories on JonBenet Ramsey’s death and the comments made by arrested teacher John Mark Karr. The networks offered multiple segments and numerous expert analyses to provide in-depth coverage on the legal case. The NSA decision received only a passing mention from two of the newscasts, while ABC devoted a full segment to it.

Still, ABC devoted twice as much time to Ramsey as it did to the NSA story. More egregiously, CBS offered seven times as much airtime to Ramsey as it did to the NSA story, while NBC devoted 15 times more airtime. Below is a comparison of the allocation of time made by each network:

NETWORK	RAMSEY SEGMENT	NSA SEGMENT
NBC	7:39	0:27
CBS	3:23	0:25
ABC	4:03	2:00

This is what happens when the maximizing principle of your news department is entertainment and money.  Personally, I couldn't give a shit about Jon Benet Ramsey and the developments in solving the case of her murder.  My heart goes out to her family for sure, but this is, at best, a local story.  The only reason I'm subjected to this bunk here in New York City is because she was a little blond girl whose parents dressed her up like a Barbie doll.

Believe me, I get the fact that millions of Americans are probably interested in this soap opera drama.  I understand the incentive.  But, is there no one at the Networks with self-respect?  Is there no one out there who might consider it more important to sufficiently inform the American public about issues of fundamental importance?  Must we always be entertained? Anyone?!?!?

Also see: Jeff Cohen's further explanation.

technorati tags:JonBenet, Ramsey, Media, News, NSA

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Katie Couric has "new ideas" for the nightly news

Variety

So, they are starting the wind up to the launch of Katie Couric's stint as the anchor of CBS Evening News.

Couric said she expects the newscast to remain a work in progress for several months as the team tinkers with the right mix of stories, presentations and the "Free Speech" segment, which will introduce opinion to the newscast.

The biggest change aside from cosmetic, she said, is that the newscast will occasionally take a deep look at one issue to try to bring greater understanding to an ongoing story. That would mean running through other headlines of the day quickly in order to clear out time for a piece on, say, the history of the U.S. relationship with Israel, which could take up a large slice of the 22-minute broadcast. - Variety

I wish her all the luck in the world, but, frankly, I think think the evening news structure has a few fundamental problems that even the star power of Ms. Couric can not fix.  First of all, who is home from work by 6:30PM when the evening news comes on?  Most people are either still at work or still traveling from work or passed out from work during that time.  Second, any obligation people might have felt to get themselves informed via the traditional evening news go to the wayside when they have at least three other 24-hour news sources and access to the internet with its plethora of information sources.  Thirdly, are viewers still loyal to a particular station or personality? I somehow doubt it.  If I happen to be home and ready to watch the evening news (I can't remember the last time I saw an evening news broadcast) I am hardpressed to have a strong preference between Brian Williams, Charles Gibson and Katie Couric.  They all pretty much read the same shit, right?  Finally, and most fundamentally, the entire business model of the news is problematic.  News should be a cost center, not a profit center.  When there is pressure to generate profit from the news you inevitably will incite a race to the bottom of the cess pool.

I'll definitely make an attempt to tune in to the Ms. Couric periodically during the first few months, but,  frankly, I'm more excited to see Meredith Viera in the new Today Show slot.

technorati tags:Katie, Couric, News

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Oh Mel, What The Hell?

Los Angeles Times

So,  Hollywood is quietly (read = off the record) up in arms because a drunken Mel Gibson made an ass and anti-semite of himself the other night in Malibu.  I haven't liked Mel Gibson since I learned he is a raving religious lunatic.  Some things we simply shouldn't know about our celebrities (hello Tom Cruise!) as it distracts from their ability to allow the audience to surrrender disbelief for the 1 1/2 hours it takes to sit through one of their movies.  Gibson's glibness never set well with me and I kind of smiled when I heard all the juicy details of his arrest.  As far as I'm concerned he should have been put out to pasture a looooong time ago.  But, at the end of the day it is about the almighty dollar.  Just maybe he has offended enough people with his anti-semetic rant that his box office appeal with lead him out of this little biz. 

One can only pray.

Now if we can just apply these standards of outrage to the way we allow people to speak about gay people and fat people we will be getting somewhere as a society.

technorati tags:MelGibson

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Vintage Peter Cook

Okay, I def feel bad for Christy Brinkley. I mean it has to be totally embarrassing to have all your business out in the street like this. But, on the other hand, when was the last time Christy Brinkley came to your mind? Her husband is a man whore. Is she really surprised? At least she got screwed over by a used-to-be-hottie. Hmmm...where is he now?

Vintage Cook