Hollywood balks at big-budget movies as DVDs drop – Yahoo! News

Cover of The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, Book 7)

LOS ANGELES AP — Hollywood — long considered the land of excess — is becoming more cost-conscious, as movie executives rethink what they’re willing to pay to make a blockbuster.

After years of beefing up budgets to meet audience expectations, movie studios are cutting back and canceling projects that are too costly. Half-baked, expensive movie ideas that would have received approval a few years ago are now under scrutiny. For movies that are made, producers have to settle for toned-down special effects, cheaper actors and fewer locations for shoots.

In the past five years, major studios have trimmed the annual number of films they release by nearly a third to cut costs and avoid having big movies compete head-to-head on opening weekends.

In July, two major projects were stopped mid-stream because of budget pressures. The Walt Disney Co. halted “The Lone Ranger,” starring Johnny Depp, even though sets were already half-built in New Mexico. Universal pulled out of “The Dark Tower,” a three-movie, two-TV-series colossus based on books by Stephen King.

via Hollywood balks at big-budget movies as DVDs drop – Yahoo! News.

Strange Random Budget Quote:

“Some couples go over their budgets very carefully every month. Others just go over them.” – Katherine Mansfield (New Zealand Writer, 1888-1923)

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• Johnny Depp Denied?! Lone Ranger Movie Scrapped (eonline.com)
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Vince Cable To Unveil Copyright Reforms

Image via Wikipedia

PRESS ASSOCIATION — Changes to copyright law to be unveiled later this week are expected to open the door to new services for film and music fans. Unlike most countries, Britain’s current intellectual property regime makes it technically illegal to transfer content from CDs or DVDs on to a different format, such as an MP3 file on a computer. Business Secretary Vince Cable is expected to say on Wednesday that he will legislate to sweep away these restrictions, according to a copy of his announcement seen by Channel 4 News. The move would make it legal for consumers to build up personal libraries of music, videos and films on their home computers and transfer them on to devices such as iPods – as millions already do without being aware that they are technically breaking the law.

via Vince Cable To Unveil Copyright Reforms.

Strange Random Copyright Quote:

The idea of copyright did not exist in ancient times, when authors frequently copied other authors at length in works of non-fiction. This practice was useful, and is the only way many authors’ works have survived even in part. – Richard Stallman

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Legend Of The Golden Egg Warrior – video

If you’re looking for a laugh before crawling back to work tomorrow, look no further than this short Easter- themed animation!

Strange Random Easter Quote:

I think of the garden after the rain;

And hope to my heart comes singing,

At morn the cherry-blooms will be white,

And the Easter bells be ringing! – Edna Dean Proctor, “Easter Bells”

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Ted Talks – the surprising spread of “Idol TV”

Image by Rico-san via Flickr

Cynthia Schneider studies culture and politics — watching how novels, TV shows and cultural engagement around the globe (and especially within the Muslim world) might lead to political change. She was the US ambassador to the Netherlands from 1998 to 2001.

In another of the excellent TED Talks series, Cynthia Schneider looks at two versions of “Talent” or “Idol” shows, one in the United Arab Emirates and the other in Afghanistan. Don’t forget that you can choose subtitles in several languages from the player menu.

Strange Random Talent Quote:

“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”

H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (American best selling writer, author of Life’s Little Instruction Book)

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Twin Peaks 20th Anniversary!

Welcome to Twin Peaks

Next month marks the 20th anniversary of the start of Twin Peaks, David Lynch‘s  absorbing, frustrating and frequently surreal TV series about the murder of one Laura Palmer in the quiet town of Twin Peaks. Here are a few suggestions for those of you who want to celebrate or just find out what you missed.

To start with, here’s the title sequence with the classic music by Angelo Badalamenti:

Lynchnet is a fan site (not an official TP site) where you can find a wealth of information about the series, including an episode guide, the original press kit, photos, interviews and more.

Greetings from Twin Peaks is the official site for the DVD reissue of the series. Worth the visit just for the surreal atmosphere, it also has a lot of  extras and free downloads.

Finally, a tribute to Agent Dale Cooper, played by Kyle MacLachlan, whose passion for great coffee (as well as cherry pie and doughnuts) became one of the hallmarks of Twin Peaks.

Strange Random Twin Peaks Quote:

Dale Cooper

Harry, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it. Don’t wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men’s store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee -Kyle MacLachlan as Special Agent Dale Cooper

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