When 1980’s Airplane! proved to be a massive hit, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year – up there with The Empire Strikes Back and Best Picture winner Kramer vs. Kramer – it was inevitable that it would get a sequel. But how often are comedy sequels good anyway? When have they ever really recaptured the magic and the laughter of the original? Well, Airplane II: The Sequel gave it a go…by basically being the same movie. Except this time around, Zaz wisely opted out, leaving the production without the strong leaders who reinvented the spoof genre. Instead, they got the guy who wrote Grease 2, one of the most notoriously awful sequels ever! So, strap in – no, not to an airplane but a space shuttle – as we find out: Wtf Happened to This Movie?!…The Sequel!
1980’s Airplane! did incredibly well upon release, making just under $85 million on a $3.5 million budget,...
1980’s Airplane! did incredibly well upon release, making just under $85 million on a $3.5 million budget,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
How often do we see a sequel to a spinoff that is actually a lot of fun? What if you then also made it a tragic love story that involves zombies? That sounds like a Roger Corman or Troma movie but in actuality it’s Return of the Living Dead III (watch it Here) and its from channel favorite Brian Yuzna. Return of the Living Dead is a stone cold classic and is one that I sometimes prefer watching over any of the original Romero trilogy due to how different it is and how it sets up its own rules. Part 2 I have great memories of seeing on TV at my Nana’s house in Santa Ana, California on an old tube TV. It skates that Evil Dead II line of leaning much further into the comedy realm than the first, which is pretty funny in its own way and right.
- 3/14/2024
- by Andrew Hatfield
- JoBlo.com
With the new Predator movie Prey being released through the Hulu streaming service earlier this month, a lot of people have been talking about the Predator franchise and revisiting the early movies. In the new episode of The Arrow in the Head Show, hosts John “The Arrow” Fallon and Lance Vlcek are getting in on the Predator action as well, looking back at the 1990 film Predator 2 (watch it Here). To find out what they had to say about Predator 2, check out the video embedded above!
Directed by Stephen Hopkins from a screenplay written by Jim Thomas and John Thomas, Predator 2 has the following synopsis:
Los Angeles is enduring a heat wave and a crime wave, so the pressure on police officer Michael Harrigan to solve a strange string of murders is mounting. Harrigan thinks the culprit can be found among the warring gangs and drug cartels, but...
Directed by Stephen Hopkins from a screenplay written by Jim Thomas and John Thomas, Predator 2 has the following synopsis:
Los Angeles is enduring a heat wave and a crime wave, so the pressure on police officer Michael Harrigan to solve a strange string of murders is mounting. Harrigan thinks the culprit can be found among the warring gangs and drug cartels, but...
- 8/24/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Photo: California Movies & TV Top 10 California Movies and TV Shows As a California native, I’m a huge fan of watching any shows or films that are set in my home state. With Los Angeles being only a short half-hour drive away from home, I naturally grew up in and out of the city. In addition to L.A. or the “city of stars” as it’s referred to in the Oscar-nominated feature ‘La La Land’, California has numerous bustling places, beautiful scenery, countless beaches, incredibly laid-back people, and is of course home to the film and entertainment industry (and lots of celebrity sightings!). Related article: A Tribute to Cannes Film Festival: A Celebration of Cinema, Glamour, and Humanity | Statement From Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase Related article: ‘La La Land’ – Damien Chazelle’s Love Letter to LA is a Magical Portrayal of Love and Life Here are my...
- 6/10/2021
- by Alexa Sutherland
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Veteran actor Matthew Modine is running for president of SAG-AFTRA as the head of the ticket for the Membership First faction of the performers union.
Modine was first elected as a member of the SAG-aftra national board in 2017. He’s the first candidate to announce for the presidency. Current president Gabrielle Carteris, who won a two-year term in the 2017 election, has not yet announced whether she will seek re-election.
“As a current national and local board member of SAG-aftra, it would be my honor to represent all 160,000 members of the union I have proudly been a member of for nearly four decades,” Modine said in a statement released Monday. “It is my privilege to stand up for our legacy in order to safeguard our future. There comes a time when we must work to ensure that current and future membership will be able to enjoy the basic rights...
Modine was first elected as a member of the SAG-aftra national board in 2017. He’s the first candidate to announce for the presidency. Current president Gabrielle Carteris, who won a two-year term in the 2017 election, has not yet announced whether she will seek re-election.
“As a current national and local board member of SAG-aftra, it would be my honor to represent all 160,000 members of the union I have proudly been a member of for nearly four decades,” Modine said in a statement released Monday. “It is my privilege to stand up for our legacy in order to safeguard our future. There comes a time when we must work to ensure that current and future membership will be able to enjoy the basic rights...
- 4/29/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Matthew Modine has thrown his hat into the ring as a candidate for president of SAG-AFTRA. Modine, a member of the union’s local and national boards of directors, is running at the top of the Membership First ticket, the self-styled progressive wing of the union that promises more democracy and transparency — which the union’s loyal opposition says is in short supply. He seeks to unseat Gabrielle Carteris, who’s been president of the union since 2016.
“As a current national and local board member of SAG-aftra, it would be my honor to represent all 160,000 members of the union I have proudly been a member of for nearly four decades,” he said in a statement. “It is my privilege to stand up for our legacy in order to safeguard our future. There comes a time when we must work to ensure that current and future membership will...
“As a current national and local board member of SAG-aftra, it would be my honor to represent all 160,000 members of the union I have proudly been a member of for nearly four decades,” he said in a statement. “It is my privilege to stand up for our legacy in order to safeguard our future. There comes a time when we must work to ensure that current and future membership will...
- 4/29/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Previous | Image 1 of 15 | NextTony Dow and Jerry Mathers of TV’s ‘Leave it to Beaver.’
Chicago – The TV, movie and entertainment world is coming back to Chicagoland with The Hollywood Show on March 23rd and 24th, 2019, at the Hyatt Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. The event gives fans and admirers an opportunity to meet and get pictures with celebrities and take advantage of vendors offering show business memorabilia.
Prominent film actor John Cusack will make his first Chicago appearance at The Hollywood Show (Saturday the 23rd only). For nostalgists, Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris of “West Side Story” (1961) are appearing. This year’s show will also focus on some of the biggest TV shows in history, as Richard Thomas (John-Boy from “The Waltons”), Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H), Shirley Jones (“The Partridge Family”) and Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island) are set to appear. Also in attendance...
Chicago – The TV, movie and entertainment world is coming back to Chicagoland with The Hollywood Show on March 23rd and 24th, 2019, at the Hyatt Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. The event gives fans and admirers an opportunity to meet and get pictures with celebrities and take advantage of vendors offering show business memorabilia.
Prominent film actor John Cusack will make his first Chicago appearance at The Hollywood Show (Saturday the 23rd only). For nostalgists, Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris of “West Side Story” (1961) are appearing. This year’s show will also focus on some of the biggest TV shows in history, as Richard Thomas (John-Boy from “The Waltons”), Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H), Shirley Jones (“The Partridge Family”) and Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island) are set to appear. Also in attendance...
- 3/21/2019
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Scott Wilson, an acting veteran of half a century who was a high-profile member “The Walking Dead” cast, was remembered warmly at memorial ceremonies Saturday at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
Wilson died at the age of 76 after a battle with leukemia on Oct. 6. The premiere episode of the ninth season of “The Walking Dead” aired the next day and was dedicated to Wilson’s memory.
“The Walking Dead” cast members Danai Gurira, Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies and Greg Nicotero spoke at Saturday’s event along with director Ernest Dickerson. Gurira recalled in her speech that Wilson went out of his way to make her feel comfortable on her first day when she joined the cast of “The Walking Dead” in its third season.
“Scott made me feel like part of the family as soon as I met him,” she said. “He also taught me to how to smoke a cigar.
Wilson died at the age of 76 after a battle with leukemia on Oct. 6. The premiere episode of the ninth season of “The Walking Dead” aired the next day and was dedicated to Wilson’s memory.
“The Walking Dead” cast members Danai Gurira, Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies and Greg Nicotero spoke at Saturday’s event along with director Ernest Dickerson. Gurira recalled in her speech that Wilson went out of his way to make her feel comfortable on her first day when she joined the cast of “The Walking Dead” in its third season.
“Scott made me feel like part of the family as soon as I met him,” she said. “He also taught me to how to smoke a cigar.
- 10/21/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Kent McCord, J. Trevor Edmond, Melinda Clarke, Basil Wallace, Sarah Douglas | Written by John Penney | Directed by Brian Yuzna
These days he might be making nonsense like Amphibious Creature of the Deep, but Brian Yuzna’s directorial career began on a high with the excellent body horror satire Society, followed up by a good Re-Animator sequel. Then in 1993 came Return of the Living Dead 3, which, while not matching Dan O’Bannon’s 1985 original, goes some way to righting the wrongs of Part II.
Experiments with “Trioxin” gas began in 1969. The idea was to resurrect the dead and use them as a zombie army. It didn’t go so well, and now the cadavers are locked away in tanks in a temporary government facility. (The facility recalls Day of the Dead’s underground bunker, although it looks rather like a Red Dwarf set at times.)
Colonel John Reynolds (Kent McCord...
These days he might be making nonsense like Amphibious Creature of the Deep, but Brian Yuzna’s directorial career began on a high with the excellent body horror satire Society, followed up by a good Re-Animator sequel. Then in 1993 came Return of the Living Dead 3, which, while not matching Dan O’Bannon’s 1985 original, goes some way to righting the wrongs of Part II.
Experiments with “Trioxin” gas began in 1969. The idea was to resurrect the dead and use them as a zombie army. It didn’t go so well, and now the cadavers are locked away in tanks in a temporary government facility. (The facility recalls Day of the Dead’s underground bunker, although it looks rather like a Red Dwarf set at times.)
Colonel John Reynolds (Kent McCord...
- 8/23/2017
- by Rupert Harvey
- Nerdly
A military coup in the U.S.? General Burt Lancaster’s scheme would be flawless if not for true blue Marine Kirk Douglas, who snitches to the White House. Now Burt’s whole expensive clandestine army might go to waste – Sad! John Frankenheimer and Rod Serling are behind this nifty paranoid conspiracy thriller.
Seven Days in May
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1964 / B&W / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / Street Date May 8, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Martin Balsam, Andrew Duggan, John Houseman, Hugh Marlowe, Whit Bissell, George Macready, Richard Anderson, Malcolm Atterbury, William Challee, Colette Jackson, John Larkin, Kent McCord, Tyler McVey, Jack Mullaney, Fredd Wayne, Ferris Webster.
Cinematography: Ellsworth Fredericks
Film Editor: Ferris Webster
Original Music: Jerry Goldsmith
Written by Rod Serling from the book by Fletcher Knebel, Charles W. Bailey II
Produced by Edward Lewis
Directed by John Frankenheimer...
Seven Days in May
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1964 / B&W / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / Street Date May 8, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Martin Balsam, Andrew Duggan, John Houseman, Hugh Marlowe, Whit Bissell, George Macready, Richard Anderson, Malcolm Atterbury, William Challee, Colette Jackson, John Larkin, Kent McCord, Tyler McVey, Jack Mullaney, Fredd Wayne, Ferris Webster.
Cinematography: Ellsworth Fredericks
Film Editor: Ferris Webster
Original Music: Jerry Goldsmith
Written by Rod Serling from the book by Fletcher Knebel, Charles W. Bailey II
Produced by Edward Lewis
Directed by John Frankenheimer...
- 5/5/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Title: Return of the Living Dead 3 Lionsgate Director: Brian Yuzna Writer: John Penney Cast: Melinda Clarke, J. Trevor Edmond, Kent McCord, Sarah Douglas, Basil Wallace, Anthony Hickox Rated: Unrated (Gore, Violence, Nudity) Running Time: 97 minutes Special Features: Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna; Audio Commentary with Actress Melinda Clarke and Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Rainone; […]
The post Return of the Living Dead 3 Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Return of the Living Dead 3 Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 3/17/2017
- by juliana
- ShockYa
Updated below with a tribute from Milner’s Adam-12 costar and longtime friend, Kent McCord. Martin Milner, the veteran actor best known for starring in the popular TV dramas Adam-12 and Route 66, has died. He was 83. The Los Angeles Police Department’s communications office confirmed his death in an Instagram post referring to his Adam-12 character that reads, “Pete Malloy, you are end of watch”: Milner began his career in late 1940s, appearing in war films including the…...
- 9/7/2015
- Deadline TV
Sandwiched between Star Wars and Star Trek: The Motion Picture in the heyday of late 1970’s sci-fi entertainment was Battlestar Galactica. The show pitted Cylons against the crew of the Galactica for 24 episodes before being followed by Galactica 1980, and fans of the franchise should be pleased to hear that Universal is releasing both series on two separate Blu-ray releases—each with a bunch of bonus features:
(Press release via TVShowsOnDVD.com.) “Universal City, Calif., Nov. 24, 2014 – From renowned writer/producer Glen A. Larson, the creative force behind Knight Rider, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, comes the groundbreaking TV series that launched one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises in history, now available in widescreen and high definition as both Battlestar Galactica: The Definitive Collection and Battlestar Galactica: The Remastered Collection come to Blu-ray on May 12, 2015 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
(Press release via TVShowsOnDVD.com.) “Universal City, Calif., Nov. 24, 2014 – From renowned writer/producer Glen A. Larson, the creative force behind Knight Rider, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, comes the groundbreaking TV series that launched one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises in history, now available in widescreen and high definition as both Battlestar Galactica: The Definitive Collection and Battlestar Galactica: The Remastered Collection come to Blu-ray on May 12, 2015 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
- 12/4/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
It's not that hard to believe that it's been 25 years since the release of "Heathers," on March 31, 1989.
Really, the movie seems like an artifact from a different era, one paradoxically bolder than our own. It's hard to imagine a movie getting made today that makes fun of teen suicide, schoolhouse violence, and the public grieving process that follows both. "Heathers"'s gleefully gruesome satire made stars out of Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty, launched the careers of screenwriter Daniel Waters and director Michael Lehmann, and created the mold for subversive schoolgirl comedies to come, from "Clueless" to "Mean Girls."
"Heathers" wasn't a hit at first, but it eventually became such a huge cult success that it made lunchroom polls and lines like "What's your damage?" into pop-culture fixtures. Still, as many times as you've seen it, there's still much you may not know about "Heathers," from which other...
Really, the movie seems like an artifact from a different era, one paradoxically bolder than our own. It's hard to imagine a movie getting made today that makes fun of teen suicide, schoolhouse violence, and the public grieving process that follows both. "Heathers"'s gleefully gruesome satire made stars out of Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty, launched the careers of screenwriter Daniel Waters and director Michael Lehmann, and created the mold for subversive schoolgirl comedies to come, from "Clueless" to "Mean Girls."
"Heathers" wasn't a hit at first, but it eventually became such a huge cult success that it made lunchroom polls and lines like "What's your damage?" into pop-culture fixtures. Still, as many times as you've seen it, there's still much you may not know about "Heathers," from which other...
- 3/26/2014
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Shock Jock Tom Leykis finally took a little time off teaching socially inept guys how to get laid ... and helped cops catch an alleged mail thief instead -- all with the help of Officer Jim Reed from that 70s show "Adam-12"!!!Leykis -- who has hosted the controversial "Tom Leykis Show" for years -- tells TMZ, he first spotted the alleged mail thief a couple weeks ago outside his L.A. home.According to Leykis,...
- 10/18/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Celebrity Bowling—that unabashedly silly but undeniably entertaining weekly TV show that ran for eight years in the 1970s (from 1971 though ’78) is coming to DVD From S’More Entertainment.
The Celebrity Bowling 3-dvd Collector’s Set will be available on June 14.
Hosted by Jed Allan (CSI: Miami), Celebrity Bowling featured a pair of two-celebrity teams competing on regulation size bowling lanes that were actually installed inside the show’s studio at L.A.’s Kttv Channel 5.
The rules of the game were known as “best ball”—each team member would take a shot on their own lane. If neither bowled a strike, then whoever rolled the worse shot would try to put up a spare on their partner’s lane. Winning teams garnered prizes (usually appliances, but occasionally even cars!) for audience members both present and sitting at home.
Dick Martin and Bob Newhart team up in that Seventies TV staple,...
The Celebrity Bowling 3-dvd Collector’s Set will be available on June 14.
Hosted by Jed Allan (CSI: Miami), Celebrity Bowling featured a pair of two-celebrity teams competing on regulation size bowling lanes that were actually installed inside the show’s studio at L.A.’s Kttv Channel 5.
The rules of the game were known as “best ball”—each team member would take a shot on their own lane. If neither bowled a strike, then whoever rolled the worse shot would try to put up a spare on their partner’s lane. Winning teams garnered prizes (usually appliances, but occasionally even cars!) for audience members both present and sitting at home.
Dick Martin and Bob Newhart team up in that Seventies TV staple,...
- 3/26/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Remember the lawsuit filed by then-SAG president Alan Rosenberg, 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord against their own Guild? That's the suit that got dismissed for the umpteenth time last month.
Turns out that there's some unfinished business. SAG's lawyers filed a motion for court costs, in the amount of $834.44. If the figure sounds low, remember that that's just filing fees and the like; it's basically impossible to obtain an award of attorney's fees.
Well, it turns out that Rosenberg et al have now filed a counter-motion to strike some or all of those costs. Thus, on October 12, there will be yet another hearing, requiring once again the presence of SAG's outside lawyers, who are presumably being paid by the hour.
So, rather than Rosenberg and the three other plaintiffs paying about $200 each in court costs as a result of their long-lived misbegotten battle,...
Turns out that there's some unfinished business. SAG's lawyers filed a motion for court costs, in the amount of $834.44. If the figure sounds low, remember that that's just filing fees and the like; it's basically impossible to obtain an award of attorney's fees.
Well, it turns out that Rosenberg et al have now filed a counter-motion to strike some or all of those costs. Thus, on October 12, there will be yet another hearing, requiring once again the presence of SAG's outside lawyers, who are presumably being paid by the hour.
So, rather than Rosenberg and the three other plaintiffs paying about $200 each in court costs as a result of their long-lived misbegotten battle,...
- 9/7/2010
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Gloucester - The night Sebastian Junger arrived in town, it was a rather mild and cloudless day. There would be need to use the phrase “The Perfect Storm” to hype the writer’s talk and signing at Raleigh’s Quail Ridge Books. It was The Perfect Mild.
This appears to be a rarity in today’s journalism. Anything that happens now gets blamed on “A Perfect Storm” of calamities after Junger’s book about the doomed fishermen. Wall Street meltdown, Bp well disaster and McRib are all given The Perfect Storm treatment. Sadly enough, he does not get a nickel every time it’s said on TV.
This appearance didn’t include tales of the people who put seafood on your table or George Clooney’s pranks. Junger spoke of the men who fight for America in Afghanistan. The Second Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment of the...
This appears to be a rarity in today’s journalism. Anything that happens now gets blamed on “A Perfect Storm” of calamities after Junger’s book about the doomed fishermen. Wall Street meltdown, Bp well disaster and McRib are all given The Perfect Storm treatment. Sadly enough, he does not get a nickel every time it’s said on TV.
This appearance didn’t include tales of the people who put seafood on your table or George Clooney’s pranks. Junger spoke of the men who fight for America in Afghanistan. The Second Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment of the...
- 6/25/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
Remember the lawsuit that former SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other Membership First members (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) filed against their own union? No? You may have blissfully forgotten this misbegotten legal action, filed a year and a half ago (!), but the courts haven't. This is the lawsuit that attempted to reinstate former SAG National Executive Director Doug Allen and undo ratification of the SAG-AMPTP collective bargaining agreement. In a case of chasing a horse that's left the barn, and despite two court decisions that the action was moot, the lawsuit drags on. Or maybe not. This morning, yet another judge declared the lawsuit moot. That's five judges total, since one of the previous decisions was by a three judge panel. In a statement, SAG's Deputy National...
- 6/23/2010
- by Jonathan Handel
- Huffington Post
Remember the lawsuit that former SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other Membership First members (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) filed against their own union?
No? You may have blissfully forgotten this misbegotten legal action, filed a year and a half ago (!), but the courts haven’t. This is the lawsuit that attempted to reinstate former SAG National Executive Director Doug Allen and undo ratification of the SAG-AMPTP collective bargaining agreement. In a case of chasing a horse that’s left the barn, and despite two court decisions that the action was moot, the lawsuit drags on.
Or maybe not. This morning, yet another judge declared the lawsuit moot. That’s five judges total, since one of the previous decisions was by a three judge panel. In a statement, SAG’s Deputy National Executive Director and General Counsel, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, said “Screen...
No? You may have blissfully forgotten this misbegotten legal action, filed a year and a half ago (!), but the courts haven’t. This is the lawsuit that attempted to reinstate former SAG National Executive Director Doug Allen and undo ratification of the SAG-AMPTP collective bargaining agreement. In a case of chasing a horse that’s left the barn, and despite two court decisions that the action was moot, the lawsuit drags on.
Or maybe not. This morning, yet another judge declared the lawsuit moot. That’s five judges total, since one of the previous decisions was by a three judge panel. In a statement, SAG’s Deputy National Executive Director and General Counsel, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, said “Screen...
- 6/22/2010
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
HollywoodNews.com: Sergeant Joe Friday and his hard-nosed partner Bill Gannon from the classic crime drama Dragnet, starring master storyteller Jack Webb and Emmy(r)-winner Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H*) hit the streets of Los Angeles in the name of law and order, to protect and to serve when Dragnet 1968: Season 2 arrives on DVD for the first time July 6, 2010 from Shout! Factory and the NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group. Brimming with all 28 memorable episodes from this groundbreaking police drama, the 6-dvd box set is packed with special bonus content that includes Dragnet 1966 pilot movie, vintage Dragnet 1969 trailer, featurette Jack Webb – The Man Behind Badge 714, plus a commemorative booklet. A must-have for aficionados of crime, mystery classics and TV-dvd collectors, Dragnet 1968: Season 2 DVD set is priced to own at $44.99 Srp.
The community landscape is littered daily by juvenile delinquency,...
The community landscape is littered daily by juvenile delinquency,...
- 5/27/2010
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
This week sees more new film and TV releases on Blu-ray and DVD. Among the ones we’re more interested in this week are Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Dead Snow, The Box, Season One of Nurse Jackie and Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (pictured above with John C. Reilly and Chris Massoglia).
Check out all the new releases below.
Movies
Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant ~ John C. Reilly, Salma Hayek (Blu-ray and DVD)
Dead Snow ~ Vegar Hoel (Blu-ray and DVD)
Dirty Harry/Magnum Force ~ Clint Eastwood (Blu-ray)
Everybody’s Fine ~ Robert De Niro, Drew Darrymore (Blu-ray and DVD)
Grumpy Old Men/Grumpier Old Men ~ Walter Matthau, Jack Lemon (Blu-ray)
Howards End (Criterion Collection) ~ Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter (Blu-ray and DVD)
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths ~ Mark Harmon, Alyssa Milano, William Baldwin (Blu-ray and DVD)
Miss Congeniality/Miss Congeniality 2 ~ Sandra Bullock (Blu-ray)
The Informant!
Check out all the new releases below.
Movies
Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant ~ John C. Reilly, Salma Hayek (Blu-ray and DVD)
Dead Snow ~ Vegar Hoel (Blu-ray and DVD)
Dirty Harry/Magnum Force ~ Clint Eastwood (Blu-ray)
Everybody’s Fine ~ Robert De Niro, Drew Darrymore (Blu-ray and DVD)
Grumpy Old Men/Grumpier Old Men ~ Walter Matthau, Jack Lemon (Blu-ray)
Howards End (Criterion Collection) ~ Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter (Blu-ray and DVD)
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths ~ Mark Harmon, Alyssa Milano, William Baldwin (Blu-ray and DVD)
Miss Congeniality/Miss Congeniality 2 ~ Sandra Bullock (Blu-ray)
The Informant!
- 2/25/2010
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
Everyone knows that composers and lyricists make scales ... now they want to make scale as well. Union scale, that is (or, even better, above scale). One of the few non-unionized sectors of Hollywood, composers and lyricists - the people who write music (as opposed to musicians, the people who perform it) - are now in talks with the Teamsters for representation.
It's not as strange as it seems: the macho union of dock workers and Hollywood truck drivers (Teamsters Local 399 on the West coast and Local 817 in New York) also represents casting directors, location managers, and various other tenderfoots. An earlier bid to join the Writers Guild (WGA) apparently gained little traction.
All this according to recent pieces in Variety (here, here, and here) and a long piece today in the La Times. An early-stage meeting Monday, which had been announced by the Society of Composers & Lyricists (a trade group,...
It's not as strange as it seems: the macho union of dock workers and Hollywood truck drivers (Teamsters Local 399 on the West coast and Local 817 in New York) also represents casting directors, location managers, and various other tenderfoots. An earlier bid to join the Writers Guild (WGA) apparently gained little traction.
All this according to recent pieces in Variety (here, here, and here) and a long piece today in the La Times. An early-stage meeting Monday, which had been announced by the Society of Composers & Lyricists (a trade group,...
- 11/19/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Alan Rosenberg is no longer president of SAG, nor even a national board member, but his lawsuit against his own union drags on pointlessly. Believe it or not, he’s still trying to undo Doug Allen’s firing, the appointment of David White, the ratification of the TV/theatrical contract and, no doubt, the discovery of a new ring around Saturn. That last is probably a particularly bitter blow for the ex-president.
Rosenberg and his fellow Membership First plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord might see some reason to continue the charade, but the Court of Appeal is apparently more skeptical: in a one-paragraph letter to counsel last week, the court asked both sides’ lawyers to be prepared to discuss at oral argument whether the appeal is moot, given that the SAG board reaffirmed Allen’s dismissal and White’s appointment, and the membership...
Rosenberg and his fellow Membership First plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord might see some reason to continue the charade, but the Court of Appeal is apparently more skeptical: in a one-paragraph letter to counsel last week, the court asked both sides’ lawyers to be prepared to discuss at oral argument whether the appeal is moot, given that the SAG board reaffirmed Allen’s dismissal and White’s appointment, and the membership...
- 10/12/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Thursday’s SAG election was a victory for the moderate coalition. Yet, strangely enough, the leaders of the losing hardline faction will all find seats on the national board, and will continue to be a shadow government within the union’s Hollywood board—a board on which none of the key moderate leaders will be voting members.
Yes, the moderates (Unite for Strength (Ufs) / Usan / Rbd / independents) won the national offices – President and Secretary-Treasurer – and picked up additional national board seats and many on the Hollywood board as well. But with SAG, the story is never simple.
In fact, paradoxically, 1st VP and failed Membership First presidential candidate Anne-Marie Johnson will probably continue as 1st VP, ex-president Alan Rosenberg will almost certainly be back on the national board in a matter of days despite winning only an alternate seat, Mf leader David Joliffe will probably be on the Hollywood board...
Yes, the moderates (Unite for Strength (Ufs) / Usan / Rbd / independents) won the national offices – President and Secretary-Treasurer – and picked up additional national board seats and many on the Hollywood board as well. But with SAG, the story is never simple.
In fact, paradoxically, 1st VP and failed Membership First presidential candidate Anne-Marie Johnson will probably continue as 1st VP, ex-president Alan Rosenberg will almost certainly be back on the national board in a matter of days despite winning only an alternate seat, Mf leader David Joliffe will probably be on the Hollywood board...
- 9/27/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've no doubt noticed that Hollywood seems obsessed with remaking old TV shows into new movies and series. While the trend seems to have gotten out of control lately, it's certainly nothing new. Tinseltown has been rehashing old shows for quite some time.
If you grew up in the 1960s or 1970s, you certainly remember the old Adam-12 series. The show ran for seven successful seasons and was created by Dragnet's Jack Webb. By the time the show had come to an end, it seemed like Lapd Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) had responded to every disturbance imaginable.
In 1989, seven years after the death of Webb, some producers decided to revive the concept as The New Adam-12.
The cast and characters had all changed but the name...
If you grew up in the 1960s or 1970s, you certainly remember the old Adam-12 series. The show ran for seven successful seasons and was created by Dragnet's Jack Webb. By the time the show had come to an end, it seemed like Lapd Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) had responded to every disturbance imaginable.
In 1989, seven years after the death of Webb, some producers decided to revive the concept as The New Adam-12.
The cast and characters had all changed but the name...
- 8/19/2009
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've no doubt noticed that Hollywood seems obsessed with remaking old TV shows into new movies and series. While the trend seems to have gotten out of control lately, it's certainly nothing new. Tinseltown has been rehashing old shows for quite some time.
If you grew up in the 1960s or 1970s, you certainly remember the old Adam-12 series. The show ran for seven successful seasons and was created by Dragnet's Jack Webb. By the time the show had come to an end, it seemed like Lapd Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) had responded to every disturbance imaginable.
In 1989, seven years after the death of Webb, some producers decided to revive the concept as The New Adam-12.
The cast and characters had all changed but the name of the black and white squad car -- Adam-12 -- was still the same.
If you grew up in the 1960s or 1970s, you certainly remember the old Adam-12 series. The show ran for seven successful seasons and was created by Dragnet's Jack Webb. By the time the show had come to an end, it seemed like Lapd Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) had responded to every disturbance imaginable.
In 1989, seven years after the death of Webb, some producers decided to revive the concept as The New Adam-12.
The cast and characters had all changed but the name of the black and white squad car -- Adam-12 -- was still the same.
- 8/19/2009
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Here’s a list of some of the new DVD and Blu-ray releases this week we’re particularly interested in. Plus, some old favorites (and not so favorites) coming out this week for the first time on Blu-ray.
Movies
About Last Night… ~ Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, James Belushi (Blu-ray)
Alien Trespass ~ Eric McCormack, Dan Lauria, Robert Patrick, and Jenni Baird (DVD and Blu-ray)
Blue Thunder ~ Roy Scheider, Warren Oates, Candy Clark, and Daniel Stern (Blu-ray)
Chaos ~ Jason Statham (Blu-ray)
The Class (Entre Les Murs) ~ François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, and Angélica Sancio (DVD)
Cutthroat Island ~ Geena Davis, Frank Langella, Matthew Modine (Blu-ray)
Eagles Over London ~ Van Johnson, Frederick Stafford, Francisco Rabal, and Luigi Pistilli (Blu-ray)
Gigantic ~ Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, and Ed Asner (DVD)
I Love You, Man ~ Paul Rudd, Jason Segal (DVD and Blu-ray)
Katyn ~ Artur Amijewski, Maja Ostaszewska, and Andrzej Chyra (DVD)
Michael Jackson: Moonwalking – The...
Movies
About Last Night… ~ Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, James Belushi (Blu-ray)
Alien Trespass ~ Eric McCormack, Dan Lauria, Robert Patrick, and Jenni Baird (DVD and Blu-ray)
Blue Thunder ~ Roy Scheider, Warren Oates, Candy Clark, and Daniel Stern (Blu-ray)
Chaos ~ Jason Statham (Blu-ray)
The Class (Entre Les Murs) ~ François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, and Angélica Sancio (DVD)
Cutthroat Island ~ Geena Davis, Frank Langella, Matthew Modine (Blu-ray)
Eagles Over London ~ Van Johnson, Frederick Stafford, Francisco Rabal, and Luigi Pistilli (Blu-ray)
Gigantic ~ Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, and Ed Asner (DVD)
I Love You, Man ~ Paul Rudd, Jason Segal (DVD and Blu-ray)
Katyn ~ Artur Amijewski, Maja Ostaszewska, and Andrzej Chyra (DVD)
Michael Jackson: Moonwalking – The...
- 8/11/2009
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
The appeal grinds on. SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other Membership First hardliners (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) filed their reply brief earlier this week.
I'm told there will be oral argument (unscheduled as yet). That'll drive up the price to SAG of this nonsense by probably about $5,000 more: I'd imagine several attorneys for a mock practice session for several hours, then two attorneys for oral argument for a half day or so. Members' dues money at work, thanks to MembershipFirst.
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I'm told there will be oral argument (unscheduled as yet). That'll drive up the price to SAG of this nonsense by probably about $5,000 more: I'd imagine several attorneys for a mock practice session for several hours, then two attorneys for oral argument for a half day or so. Members' dues money at work, thanks to MembershipFirst.
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Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law. Go to the blog itself to subscribe via RSS or email. Or, follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook, or subscribe to my Huffington Post articles. If you work in tech, check out my new book How to Write LOIs and Term Sheets.
- 7/24/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
For those who like keeping up with legal dockets, SAG a few days ago filed its Respondent’s Brief in the appeals court case that stems from the lawsuit filed by SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other Membership First hardliners (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) against their own union.
Rosenberg et al will shortly file another brief, then (as I’ve previously outlined) there may be oral argument and then there will ultimately be a decision. But that’s just on the appeal. The case also proceeds in the lower court as well, and will probably continue to do so regardless of the outcome in the appellate court. Not that there’s any good reason for this case to continue in either court . . .
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Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law. Go to the blog...
Rosenberg et al will shortly file another brief, then (as I’ve previously outlined) there may be oral argument and then there will ultimately be a decision. But that’s just on the appeal. The case also proceeds in the lower court as well, and will probably continue to do so regardless of the outcome in the appellate court. Not that there’s any good reason for this case to continue in either court . . .
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Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law. Go to the blog...
- 7/6/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
As I previously reported, SAG’s counsel in late May filed a motion to dismiss the appeal by SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other Membership First hardliners (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) of a Superior Court order that denied their application for a temporary restraining order. On June 5—just days before the new TV/theatrical contracts were ratified—Rosenberg et al. filed a brief opposing the motion to dismiss.
Unfortunately, the Court of Appeals on June 9 issued a one-sentence order denying the motion to dismiss, presumably meaning that the appeal is too complex to be decided without oral argument (or, at least, full briefing). So, the appeal grinds on. Rosenberg et al. previously filed their brief in the appeal. SAG’s responsive brief is due July 1. Thereafter, Rosenberg et al. get to file a reply brief, and then there will probably be oral argument at some point.
Unfortunately, the Court of Appeals on June 9 issued a one-sentence order denying the motion to dismiss, presumably meaning that the appeal is too complex to be decided without oral argument (or, at least, full briefing). So, the appeal grinds on. Rosenberg et al. previously filed their brief in the appeal. SAG’s responsive brief is due July 1. Thereafter, Rosenberg et al. get to file a reply brief, and then there will probably be oral argument at some point.
- 6/15/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
SAG held a town hall meeting in NY last night to provide information re the TV/theatrical contract. It comes a bit late in the process, since the ballots are due back in the mail by next Tuesday, June 9. That means that the last day to reliably mail the ballots is probably Friday, or even Thursday, depending on your faith in the Usps and its vagaries. It also means that we have probably seen the end of the multitude of pro and con videos deployed on the SAG website, Membership First website, and YouTube.
Variety reports the turnout was slim—about 100 actors. SAGWatch infers, accurately I think, that most people have already voted and would have little reason to attend an informational meeting at this point.
The Variety report notes that attendees included SAG interim Ned David White, President Alan Rosenberg, Mf-ers 1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and Scott Wilson, while...
Variety reports the turnout was slim—about 100 actors. SAGWatch infers, accurately I think, that most people have already voted and would have little reason to attend an informational meeting at this point.
The Variety report notes that attendees included SAG interim Ned David White, President Alan Rosenberg, Mf-ers 1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and Scott Wilson, while...
- 6/3/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
As you'll recall, several months ago, SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other hardliners (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) sued their own union, seeking to enjoin negotiations and reverse personnel and procedural changes that they correctly anticipated would pave the way for a deal on terms the hardliners are pledged to oppose. Although their requests were denied by both the trial and appeals courts, the lawsuit nonetheless continues in both of those forums (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC406900 and Second Appellate District 2d Civil No. B214056).
Several days ago, SAG filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, on the grounds that the appeal is moot. You can read the motion here. Even if the court grants the motion, which it ought to, and may well, Rosenberg et al might choose to appeal to the State Supreme Court. They won't get any traction if they do,...
Several days ago, SAG filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, on the grounds that the appeal is moot. You can read the motion here. Even if the court grants the motion, which it ought to, and may well, Rosenberg et al might choose to appeal to the State Supreme Court. They won't get any traction if they do,...
- 5/24/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Where did the Screen Actors Guild go? After months of news—a near daily barrage covered diligently by various journalists and citizen-journalists, including this author—the guild fell off the radar screen. It was as though 5757 Wilshire, SAG’s national headquarters, somehow disappeared into the black hole that features so prominently in (spoiler alert) the latest “Star Trek” movie.
The quiet was deceptive however. Last week, SAG’s Hollywood board, controlled by the hardline Membership First faction, passed a resolution establishing a task force “to explore the acquisition of actors of AFTRA.” That appears to violate an agreement between the two unions that prohibits disparagement and raiding. The AFL-CIO is currently investigating, and monetary fines are a possibility. The irony is that the guild, controlled (albeit narrowly) by a moderate majority (composed of the Hollywood-based Unite for Strength faction coupled with Hollywood independents and New York and regional members), could...
The quiet was deceptive however. Last week, SAG’s Hollywood board, controlled by the hardline Membership First faction, passed a resolution establishing a task force “to explore the acquisition of actors of AFTRA.” That appears to violate an agreement between the two unions that prohibits disparagement and raiding. The AFL-CIO is currently investigating, and monetary fines are a possibility. The irony is that the guild, controlled (albeit narrowly) by a moderate majority (composed of the Hollywood-based Unite for Strength faction coupled with Hollywood independents and New York and regional members), could...
- 5/19/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
The ballots for SAG’s recently approved TV/theatrical contract won’t be going out until mid to late May, a source tells me, several weeks later than the early May target that the Guild stated as recently as a week or so ago. That means that ratification, if achieved as expected, will not come until early to mid June, since balloting is expected to be a three week process. Update: The ballots will go out May 19 and are due back June 9, SAG announced today.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that writing the pro and con statements has only just begun. That process takes a week, and then another week is allowed for rebuttal statements to be written.
(Btw, a copy of the proposed TV/theatrical agreement is available here. I’ve not yet done an analysis, but in the meantime you can read SAGWatch’s.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that writing the pro and con statements has only just begun. That process takes a week, and then another week is allowed for rebuttal statements to be written.
(Btw, a copy of the proposed TV/theatrical agreement is available here. I’ve not yet done an analysis, but in the meantime you can read SAGWatch’s.
- 4/29/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Though it gets less play than the stalled SAG TV/theatrical talks, SAG and AFTRA have been jointly negotiating for several weeks with the advertising industry over the commercials contract. That contract is SAG’s second most important, economically, and represents hundreds of millions of dollars per year to SAG alone (I don’t have the AFTRA figures). Now, after industry statements that the negotiations had been going reasonably well, the talks seem to have hit a snag, and the unions may seek a strike authorization vote from their members, reports The Wrap.
The report goes on to say that the unions have already written—and someone has leaked—a draft letter to be sent to the membership of both unions seeking a strike authorization. A separate report in Blog Stage adds that the letter would also include a separate set of pro-authorization talking points, also leaked. That report cautions...
The report goes on to say that the unions have already written—and someone has leaked—a draft letter to be sent to the membership of both unions seeking a strike authorization. A separate report in Blog Stage adds that the letter would also include a separate set of pro-authorization talking points, also leaked. That report cautions...
- 3/18/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
The Screen Actors Guild is besieged by bad news, and thanks to the misguided strategies of the previously-dominant hard-line faction, the union may be slipping towards irrelevance.
Start with the latest: Talks between SAG and the AMPTP (studio alliance) collapsed Thursday night, with the AMPTP presenting SAG with a take it or leave it offer and a 60-day deadline, after which the offer could be modified or withdrawn. (AMPTP statement below; SAG has not yet issued a statement.)
The new Last, Best and Final Offer (highlights here) deletes or modifies several rollbacks contained in the previous AMPTP offer, which had been on the table since June 30, 2008—approximately eight months ago—when the 2005-2008 union agreement expired. Other than the removal or modification of rollbacks (which I had anticipated, see secs. 3(d), (e) & (f) of this post), the new offer contained no significant improvements over the previous offer (SAGWatch has a...
Start with the latest: Talks between SAG and the AMPTP (studio alliance) collapsed Thursday night, with the AMPTP presenting SAG with a take it or leave it offer and a 60-day deadline, after which the offer could be modified or withdrawn. (AMPTP statement below; SAG has not yet issued a statement.)
The new Last, Best and Final Offer (highlights here) deletes or modifies several rollbacks contained in the previous AMPTP offer, which had been on the table since June 30, 2008—approximately eight months ago—when the 2005-2008 union agreement expired. Other than the removal or modification of rollbacks (which I had anticipated, see secs. 3(d), (e) & (f) of this post), the new offer contained no significant improvements over the previous offer (SAGWatch has a...
- 2/20/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
Friday the 13th proved unlucky for SAG president Alan Rosenberg and his co-plaintiffs in their lawsuit against their own union. It turns out that three days ago, they filed an appeal of the Superior Court’s denial of their request for a temporary restraining order that would have blocked negotiations with the studios. Today, that appeal was denied.
For those into legal details, the appeal was in the form of a writ of mandamus, essentially a special form of appeal. Rosenberg and his fellow Membership First plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord can still file an ordinary appeal of the denial, and they can still continue to press their lawsuit in the Superior Court as well. Both of those processes would take months.
However, although the “Gang of Four” can continue the lawsuit ad nauseam, wasting SAG members’ money in the process, they’re unlikely to gain traction.
For those into legal details, the appeal was in the form of a writ of mandamus, essentially a special form of appeal. Rosenberg and his fellow Membership First plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord can still file an ordinary appeal of the denial, and they can still continue to press their lawsuit in the Superior Court as well. Both of those processes would take months.
However, although the “Gang of Four” can continue the lawsuit ad nauseam, wasting SAG members’ money in the process, they’re unlikely to gain traction.
- 2/14/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
A special appeal filed by SAG national president Alan Rosenberg, 1st vp Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord was denied Friday.
Rosenberg and his co-plaintiffs have been trying to sue their own union in L.A. Superior Court to reverse a national board action that removed national executive director and chief negotiator Doug Allen from his posts. The lawsuit would have effectively halted any negotiations between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over a new TV/theatrical contract.
Their request for a temporary restraining order was denied Feb. 3 and again Feb. 5 after it was amended and refiled. The following Wednesday, Rosenberg's lawyers filed a special appeal that was also denied.
Negotiators from SAG and the AMPTP are scheduled to meet Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Rosenberg and his co-plaintiffs have been trying to sue their own union in L.A. Superior Court to reverse a national board action that removed national executive director and chief negotiator Doug Allen from his posts. The lawsuit would have effectively halted any negotiations between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over a new TV/theatrical contract.
Their request for a temporary restraining order was denied Feb. 3 and again Feb. 5 after it was amended and refiled. The following Wednesday, Rosenberg's lawyers filed a special appeal that was also denied.
Negotiators from SAG and the AMPTP are scheduled to meet Tuesday, Feb. 17.
- 2/13/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An AMPTP (studio alliance) spokesman confirmed to me today that negotiations between the studios and SAG are still on for next Tuesday and Wednesday, as previously announced, despite a threat from SAG President Alan Rosenberg’s lawyers that any deal reached would be null, void and not binding on SAG members.
That threat, which was contained in a letter Friday that came to light yesterday, arises out the lawsuit filed by Rosenberg and his fellow MembershipFirst plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord against their own union. To date, the suit has gotten no traction, with a judge denying the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction that would have prevented the negotiations. So, Rosenberg and his allies attempted to obtain via a threatening letter what they haven’t gotten via a lawsuit. That effort too appears to be unsuccessful.
Although the letter indicates that the plaintiffs are appealing the denial,...
That threat, which was contained in a letter Friday that came to light yesterday, arises out the lawsuit filed by Rosenberg and his fellow MembershipFirst plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord against their own union. To date, the suit has gotten no traction, with a judge denying the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction that would have prevented the negotiations. So, Rosenberg and his allies attempted to obtain via a threatening letter what they haven’t gotten via a lawsuit. That effort too appears to be unsuccessful.
Although the letter indicates that the plaintiffs are appealing the denial,...
- 2/12/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
The SAG Board met yesterday and re-affirmed actions already taken in writing two weeks earlier: the ouster of former National Executive Director Doug Allen and the replacement of the negotiating team. That action paves the way for resumed contract talks with the studios, which are expected to start next Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 17-18, according to sources and other media reports. Negotiations will probably continue over a period of a few weeks, as a significant number of issues remain.
The Board’s vote would appear to render moot a lawsuit filed last week by SAG president Alan Rosenberg. However, according to a source at yesterday’s board meeting, Rosenberg’s Membership First faction argued that yesterday’s board meeting was itself invalid because it was called by the interim National Executive Director, David White, who was appointed by the written document that Rosenberg’s lawsuit deems to be invalid as well.
The Board’s vote would appear to render moot a lawsuit filed last week by SAG president Alan Rosenberg. However, according to a source at yesterday’s board meeting, Rosenberg’s Membership First faction argued that yesterday’s board meeting was itself invalid because it was called by the interim National Executive Director, David White, who was appointed by the written document that Rosenberg’s lawsuit deems to be invalid as well.
- 2/9/2009
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
If you want to review the legal documents in the lawsuit filed by Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg, Guild 1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson, and board members Kent McCord and Diane Ladd against SAG, they are posted here. I'll update the document folder as more documents become available.
Some abbreviations used in document titles:
Cplt = complaint. This is the document that initiates a lawsuit. It includes an outline of the alleged facts and of the legal arguments that the plaintiff is making.
1st Am Cplt = First Amended Complaint. This is a revised complaint.
P's & A's = Memorandum of Points and Authorities. This is the name that California lawyers use for a legal brief - i.e., a detailed legal argument, with references to precedent.
Decl = Declaration. A sworn statement by a party to the lawsuit or by a witness.
Some abbreviations used in document titles:
Cplt = complaint. This is the document that initiates a lawsuit. It includes an outline of the alleged facts and of the legal arguments that the plaintiff is making.
1st Am Cplt = First Amended Complaint. This is a revised complaint.
P's & A's = Memorandum of Points and Authorities. This is the name that California lawyers use for a legal brief - i.e., a detailed legal argument, with references to precedent.
Decl = Declaration. A sworn statement by a party to the lawsuit or by a witness.
- 2/6/2009
- by noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan Handel)
A judge today denied a temporary restraining order sought by Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg and three other board members against their own union, thus allowing negotiations with the studios to proceed. The judge ruled that the SAG moderate majority was within its rights when it replaced its National Executive Director and negotiating committee last month by using a written assent document instead of an actual board meeting. Rosenberg’s lawyer said he would appeal immediately.
[Update: The documents filed by Rosenberg and by SAG are available here.]
The ruling, by California judge James C. Chalfant, leaves in place the new team without restrictions. Indeed, Back Stage magazine’s Blog Stage is reporting that SAG-AMPTP talks are tentatively set for Feb. 17-18, less than two weeks from now. However, a SAG spokeswoman told me that there are no confirmed dates for talks. I asked whether she could confirm that there would be talks at all (i.e., but that the...
[Update: The documents filed by Rosenberg and by SAG are available here.]
The ruling, by California judge James C. Chalfant, leaves in place the new team without restrictions. Indeed, Back Stage magazine’s Blog Stage is reporting that SAG-AMPTP talks are tentatively set for Feb. 17-18, less than two weeks from now. However, a SAG spokeswoman told me that there are no confirmed dates for talks. I asked whether she could confirm that there would be talks at all (i.e., but that the...
- 2/6/2009
- by noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan Handel)
With SAG's top staffer fired and its elected president humbled, guild negotiators are expected soon to return to contract talks with Hollywood studios.
That's barring any other surprise developments in a nasty civil war at the oft-volatile guild.
On Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied a request by SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three like-minded guild officials to bar the removal of SAG exec director Doug Allen. The decision leaves recently installed interim exec director David White in his post and a special board meeting on the books for Sunday.
The judge's refusal to grant plaintiffs a temporary restraining order also means SAG senior adviser John McGuire will replace Allen as the guild's chief negotiator, whenever SAG resumes film and TV contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers. The parties had intended to hold their first bargaining session in over two months last Tuesday,...
That's barring any other surprise developments in a nasty civil war at the oft-volatile guild.
On Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied a request by SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three like-minded guild officials to bar the removal of SAG exec director Doug Allen. The decision leaves recently installed interim exec director David White in his post and a special board meeting on the books for Sunday.
The judge's refusal to grant plaintiffs a temporary restraining order also means SAG senior adviser John McGuire will replace Allen as the guild's chief negotiator, whenever SAG resumes film and TV contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers. The parties had intended to hold their first bargaining session in over two months last Tuesday,...
- 2/5/2009
- by By Carl DiOrio
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome to today's installment of "As the Guild Turns."
David White, interim national executive director of the Screen Actors Guild, has called a special bicoastal national board meeting for Sunday. While the agenda is not officially disclosed, a self-described moderate faction of the guild is expected to use the forum to fire former SAG exec director Doug Allen.
For a second time.
SAG national president and Allen booster Alan Rosenberg essentially dared as much Tuesday, when he and three other guild officials attempted to file suit to nullify Allen's previous firing by written assent. The unusual process used to oust Allen failed to heed various constitutional provisions, the plaintiffs charged in the legal action tossed on technical grounds.
The moderate faction -- with members from New York, regional branches and the Hollywood-based party Unite for Strength -- had tried just that at a Jan. 12-13 board meeting. But Rosenberg, first...
David White, interim national executive director of the Screen Actors Guild, has called a special bicoastal national board meeting for Sunday. While the agenda is not officially disclosed, a self-described moderate faction of the guild is expected to use the forum to fire former SAG exec director Doug Allen.
For a second time.
SAG national president and Allen booster Alan Rosenberg essentially dared as much Tuesday, when he and three other guild officials attempted to file suit to nullify Allen's previous firing by written assent. The unusual process used to oust Allen failed to heed various constitutional provisions, the plaintiffs charged in the legal action tossed on technical grounds.
The moderate faction -- with members from New York, regional branches and the Hollywood-based party Unite for Strength -- had tried just that at a Jan. 12-13 board meeting. But Rosenberg, first...
- 2/4/2009
- by By Andrew Salomon and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A California Superior Court judge Tuesday rejected a request for a temporary restraining order filed by SAG national president Alan Rosenberg and several confederates because of errors in the petition.
Rosenberg is seeking to nullify an action taken by a national board majority last week that removed national executive director and chief negotiator Doug Allen from his post via written assent. Rosenberg and his co-petitioners plan to amend the complaint and refile it with the court as early as Thursday.
The complaint alleges that self-described moderates on SAG's national board "unilaterally co-opted the democratically elected leadership of SAG" and seeks to restore that leadership, including Allen. In addition, the Rosenberg faction wants to prevent Allen's replacements -- interim Ned David White and chief negotiator John McGuire -- "from taking any actions on SAG's behalf."
As a practical matter, this extends indefinitely the seven-month stalemate between the actors and...
Rosenberg is seeking to nullify an action taken by a national board majority last week that removed national executive director and chief negotiator Doug Allen from his post via written assent. Rosenberg and his co-petitioners plan to amend the complaint and refile it with the court as early as Thursday.
The complaint alleges that self-described moderates on SAG's national board "unilaterally co-opted the democratically elected leadership of SAG" and seeks to restore that leadership, including Allen. In addition, the Rosenberg faction wants to prevent Allen's replacements -- interim Ned David White and chief negotiator John McGuire -- "from taking any actions on SAG's behalf."
As a practical matter, this extends indefinitely the seven-month stalemate between the actors and...
- 2/3/2009
- by By Andrew Salomon and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SAG national executive director Doug Allen, a lightning rod for criticism during the ongoing contract talks with the studios, is on the way out as chief negotiator.
The development is an indicator that moderate elements of the board now have the votes to derail the proposed strike-authorization vote. With the leverage that a yes vote would provide gone, SAG leadership would have few options but to send the studios' final offer to its membership for approval.
During Monday's national board meeting in Los Angeles, sources said, it became clear that moderate board members from the Hollywood-based faction Unite for Strength and the New York and regional branch divisions had the votes necessary to strip Allen of his title of chief negotiator, which is mandated by his contract. A resolution calling for his ouster was working its way through the parliamentary process at the board meeting late Monday.
Insiders said Monday...
The development is an indicator that moderate elements of the board now have the votes to derail the proposed strike-authorization vote. With the leverage that a yes vote would provide gone, SAG leadership would have few options but to send the studios' final offer to its membership for approval.
During Monday's national board meeting in Los Angeles, sources said, it became clear that moderate board members from the Hollywood-based faction Unite for Strength and the New York and regional branch divisions had the votes necessary to strip Allen of his title of chief negotiator, which is mandated by his contract. A resolution calling for his ouster was working its way through the parliamentary process at the board meeting late Monday.
Insiders said Monday...
- 1/12/2009
- by By Andrew Salomon and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The SAG National Board is meeting next Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 12-13, and speculation is rampant over whether SAG will send out the postponed strike authorization ballot (as well as whether the negotiating team will be replaced). But what if, rather than send out the authorization ballot, SAG leaders decide instead to send out the deal itself for a vote?
That’s just one of the intriguing possible outcomes of next week’s meeting. Here’s why it might happen: support for the strike authorization vote is eroding. Rather than risk defeat, the hardliners who control the Guild may instead push for the deal to be sent out to the members for ratification. If so, the deal might be accompanied by a recommendation that the membership vote No, or there might not be any recommendation included at all.
Either way, the accompanying informational materials would no doubt highlight the failings in the deal,...
That’s just one of the intriguing possible outcomes of next week’s meeting. Here’s why it might happen: support for the strike authorization vote is eroding. Rather than risk defeat, the hardliners who control the Guild may instead push for the deal to be sent out to the members for ratification. If so, the deal might be accompanied by a recommendation that the membership vote No, or there might not be any recommendation included at all.
Either way, the accompanying informational materials would no doubt highlight the failings in the deal,...
- 1/7/2009
- by noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan Handel)
The Screen Actors’ Guild has been surrounded by controversy as a dissident group formed to raise the issue about the Membership First, the Hollywood-based political group in the Screen Actors Guild that holds a fair majority on the national board. Membership First came to power in 2005, and since then has been blamed for weakly negotiating and further discrediting the American Federation of Television and Radio (AFTRA) , which recently signed a three-year contract with the studios.
"We think the current leadership has put SAG on a dangerous path," veteran actor Ned Vaughn said last month. The dissident group, aptly named Unite for Strength, is currently aiming to fill 11 seats in the national board, whose elections will be held come September. The candidates who are part of the said group include Private Practice’s Kate Walsh and Amy Brennenman, Desperate Housewives’ Doug Savant, and Chicago Hope’s Adam Arkin.
More recently, another...
"We think the current leadership has put SAG on a dangerous path," veteran actor Ned Vaughn said last month. The dissident group, aptly named Unite for Strength, is currently aiming to fill 11 seats in the national board, whose elections will be held come September. The candidates who are part of the said group include Private Practice’s Kate Walsh and Amy Brennenman, Desperate Housewives’ Doug Savant, and Chicago Hope’s Adam Arkin.
More recently, another...
- 8/28/2008
- by BuddyTV
- buddytv.com
The controversial MembershipFirst faction of SAG announced Friday a slate of 33 potential candidates who will vie for openings on the national and local boards and go head-to-head with the newly formed opposition group, Unite for Strength.
Among the actors looking to fill Hollywood's 11 national board seats and 22 local seats are 11 new MembershipFirst candidates, including Scott Bakula, Keith Carradine, Charles Shaughnessy and Joely Fisher. Also on the slate are 22 incumbents to the board, including JoBeth Williams, Joe Bologna, and Lainie Kazan.
The announcement of the candidates comes a day before a crucial SAG national board meeting Saturday and two days after Unite for Strength announced its intention to contest seats held by those in MembershipFirst. Unite's 31 candidates include Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh and Doug Savant.
MembershipFirst came to power in 2005 and currently dominates the Hollywood board, holding the majority of seats as well as backing current president Alan Rosenberg. The group is the controlling voice in the SAG contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, which is currently at a stand still.
Unite for Strength blames MembershipFirst for its hardline approach to the negotiations as well as its anti-aftra sentiment, which led to the unsuccessful campaign to get members to vote down the sister union's primetime/TV deal with the AMPTP.
In its announcement, MembershipFirst said its goals for the coming year include uniting "all actors under the Screen Actors Guild banner, protect actors wages and working conditions in all areas, fight for residuals in all media platforms, protect the right of every dues paying member to vote on SAG issues and to secure complete jurisdiction in new media."
Unite for Strength's main goal is to merge SAG with AFTRA, something the MembershipFirst faction has bitterly opposed in the last two attempts in 1999 and 2003.
The potential MembershipFirst national board candidates are:
Scott Bakula
Joe Bologna (incumbent)
Clancy Brown
Keith Carradine,
Joely Fisher
Lainie Kazan (incumbent)
William Russ (incumbent)
Alan Ruck
Charles Shaughnessy
JoBeth Williams (incumbent).
Joe d'Angerio (incumbent)
Jane Austin (incumbent)
Jeff Austin (incumbent)
Renee Aubrey (incumbent)
Steve Barr (incumbent)
Michael Bell (incumbent)
Warren Berlinger (incumbent)
Eugene Bogs (incumbent)
Tom Bower
Anthony Desantis (incumbent)
Ron Harper (incumbent)
David Jolliffe (incumbent)
Russell McConnell (incumbent)
Peggy Miley (incumbent)
Paul Napier (incumbent)
Peter Van Norton
France Nuyen (incumbent)
F.J. O'Neil (incumbent)
Vic Polizos
Yale Summers (incumbent)
Charles Malik Whitfield
Christopher R. Wielh
Scott Wilson (incumbent)
Current MembershipFirst sitting members of the SAG National Board of
the Hollywood Division are:
1st Vice President Kent McCord
Angel Tompkins
Bonnie Bartlett
Justine Bateman
Joanna Cassidy
Seymour Cassel
George Coe
Anne DeSalvo
Frances Fisher
Leigh French
Elliott Gould
Valerie Harper
Sumi Haru
Robert Hays
Anne-MarieJohnson
Diane Ladd
Piper Laurie
William Mapother
Esai Morales
Barbara Niven
Harrison Page
Susan Savage
Nancy Sinatra
Renee Taylor
Angela Watson
Jenny Worman...
Among the actors looking to fill Hollywood's 11 national board seats and 22 local seats are 11 new MembershipFirst candidates, including Scott Bakula, Keith Carradine, Charles Shaughnessy and Joely Fisher. Also on the slate are 22 incumbents to the board, including JoBeth Williams, Joe Bologna, and Lainie Kazan.
The announcement of the candidates comes a day before a crucial SAG national board meeting Saturday and two days after Unite for Strength announced its intention to contest seats held by those in MembershipFirst. Unite's 31 candidates include Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh and Doug Savant.
MembershipFirst came to power in 2005 and currently dominates the Hollywood board, holding the majority of seats as well as backing current president Alan Rosenberg. The group is the controlling voice in the SAG contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, which is currently at a stand still.
Unite for Strength blames MembershipFirst for its hardline approach to the negotiations as well as its anti-aftra sentiment, which led to the unsuccessful campaign to get members to vote down the sister union's primetime/TV deal with the AMPTP.
In its announcement, MembershipFirst said its goals for the coming year include uniting "all actors under the Screen Actors Guild banner, protect actors wages and working conditions in all areas, fight for residuals in all media platforms, protect the right of every dues paying member to vote on SAG issues and to secure complete jurisdiction in new media."
Unite for Strength's main goal is to merge SAG with AFTRA, something the MembershipFirst faction has bitterly opposed in the last two attempts in 1999 and 2003.
The potential MembershipFirst national board candidates are:
Scott Bakula
Joe Bologna (incumbent)
Clancy Brown
Keith Carradine,
Joely Fisher
Lainie Kazan (incumbent)
William Russ (incumbent)
Alan Ruck
Charles Shaughnessy
JoBeth Williams (incumbent).
Joe d'Angerio (incumbent)
Jane Austin (incumbent)
Jeff Austin (incumbent)
Renee Aubrey (incumbent)
Steve Barr (incumbent)
Michael Bell (incumbent)
Warren Berlinger (incumbent)
Eugene Bogs (incumbent)
Tom Bower
Anthony Desantis (incumbent)
Ron Harper (incumbent)
David Jolliffe (incumbent)
Russell McConnell (incumbent)
Peggy Miley (incumbent)
Paul Napier (incumbent)
Peter Van Norton
France Nuyen (incumbent)
F.J. O'Neil (incumbent)
Vic Polizos
Yale Summers (incumbent)
Charles Malik Whitfield
Christopher R. Wielh
Scott Wilson (incumbent)
Current MembershipFirst sitting members of the SAG National Board of
the Hollywood Division are:
1st Vice President Kent McCord
Angel Tompkins
Bonnie Bartlett
Justine Bateman
Joanna Cassidy
Seymour Cassel
George Coe
Anne DeSalvo
Frances Fisher
Leigh French
Elliott Gould
Valerie Harper
Sumi Haru
Robert Hays
Anne-MarieJohnson
Diane Ladd
Piper Laurie
William Mapother
Esai Morales
Barbara Niven
Harrison Page
Susan Savage
Nancy Sinatra
Renee Taylor
Angela Watson
Jenny Worman...
- 7/25/2008
- by By Leslie Simmons
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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