Articles by robert-greenberger
Mon Dec 22, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Winter Weather or Bar Reviews? 'Yes Man' Tops Lackluster Box Office
Jim Carrey and Will Smoth Both Miss Expectations
The question wasn’t whether they were naughty or nice, but whether the harsh weather or poor reviews kept people out of the theaters this weekend. According to numbers from Box Office Mojo, the repetitive Jim Carrey vehicle, Yes Man, bested Will Smith’s guilt-ridden drama Seven Pounds. Yes Man topped the box office charts with $18,160,000, nearly $5 million less than expected while Smith’s holiday offering grabbed $16 million, about $3 million under the predictions.
The other new film, the family friendly The Tale of Despereaux did $10,507,000 worth of business and met the low end of expectations.
Coming in fourth is Fox’s remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still but poor word of mouth saw it dip 66.7% from its so-so opening weekend. As a result, after two weeks it has grossed only $48,627,000 and may prove a costly disappointment in a year where Fox has had more misfires than hits.
Fifth place went to Four Christmases, the Warner comedy that took in an additional $7,745,000, letting it crack the $100 million mark. The other seasonal film, Nothing Like the Holidays, tumbled to 13th place and has an anemic $5,940,000 after two weeks.
Family fare did better with Bolt with $4,256,000 and possibly the last film to break $100 million so during the calendar year. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is slowing down, but with $172,332,000 after seven weeks, Paramount has to be delighted.
Twilight continues to attract besotted fans, taking in another $5.2 million, with the movie now immensely profitable with $158,461,000 to date.
More serious offerings are being met with indifference during these tough economic times. While good for Academy Awards nods, they seem to attract on true cinephiles.
Mon Dec 22, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Arcana Makes Deal for 5 Film Adaptations
Co-Productions in Canada Begins in 2009
Arcana Studios has optioned five of their titles to Legacy Filmworks in a co-production deal that also involves production-finance group Bron Management according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Paradox, starring Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) will be the first of the quintet to reach the cameras. Brenton Spencer (Stargate: Atlantis) will direct the story of a “homicide cop on a parallel Earth ruled by magic who investigates a series of murders committed by a previously unseen means: the power of science” The script adaptation has been handled by the 2005 miniseries writer Christos Gage and his wife, Ruth Fletcher Gage (The Breed).
Deboragh Gabler will producing the five films on behalf of the Canadian based production company, working alongside Bron’s Aaron Gilbert, with Arcana founder-publisher Sean O'Reilly receiving executive producer credentials.
Chopper, produced for Arcana through Martin Shapiro’s Night Owl Studios, was originally developed for Platinum Studios before moving to Arcana. Written by Shapiro, it will be illustrated by Martin Montiel and Rodney Ramos with a cover from Tony Mauro. The first issue was previewed at Comic-Con International in July but has not been scheduled or solicited by Arcana nor does it appear on their website. Night Owl’s site describes the premise as:
“Combining the chills of supernatural horror with the excitement of action movie gun battles and car chases, the first issue of Chopper reveals the origin of the chopper-riding Angel of Death and how he became a headless ghost. Jeremiah Payne, an ex-outlaw biker turned fanatical soldier of God hunts down and exterminates evil sinners. He meets his match when he runs into a headstrong cop determined to bring him down.”
The third property is Sundown, which was a three-issue miniseries from writer Jay Busbee and artist Jason Ossman.
Arcana’s website offer this synopsis:
“Arizona territory, 1880. Someone’s killing preachers, and New York City reporter Will Dalton heads west to cover the story. Will and his brother Clay, a small-town sheriff, begin digging for the truth behind the murders. But they soon find themselves on the front lines of a horrific war for the very soul of America! Sundown is a terrifying three-issue tale of the Old West where sometimes, dying just means you’re switching sides.”
Arcana was founded in 2004 and has comics, webcomics and custom comics produced ever since. They made a splash this fall as the home for the comic book in carnation of The Greatest American Hero, which was released last week. They also produced Red Lotus, animated webisodes for Spike TV.
Mon Dec 22, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
CW4Kids Line-Up Announced
New Shows Debut January 3
TheCW4Kids' Saturday morning lineup has been solidified by 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. The revised lineup, incorporating shows moving from Fox, will kick off on January 3, 2009,
4Kids is also launching a new video streaming website at 4KidsTV.com, where kids can watch many shows from 4KidsTV, TheCW4Kids, as well as exclusive content for free.
Here is the new TheCW4Kids 2009 lineup:
7:00 a.m. - Will & Dewitt
7:30 a.m. - The Spectacular Spider-Man
8:00 a.m. - Sonic X
8:30 a.m. - Gogoriki
9:00 a.m. - Dinosaur King
9:30 a.m. - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back to the Sewer
10:00 a.m. - Chaotic: M'arrillian Invasion
10:30 a.m.- Huntik
11:00 a.m. - Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
11:30 a.m. - Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight
Mon Dec 22, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Sneak Peek: 'Archie' #592
Archie Comics has provided us with a first look at this week's Archie #592
“The Demo”: A salesmen tries to sell Archie and Jughead an interactive sports video game, but the teens consider acting out the action with the wireless device as just “going through the motions” compared to their real life memories.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
“Snow Woe”: Will Archie and Chuck’s entries in the winter photo contest wow the judges or be met with a “chilly” reception?
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
“Trouble by the Foot”: Klutzy Archie’s clodhoppers have trampled everything in Lodge Mansion… including Mr. Lodge’s feet!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
“A Touchy Subject”: The gang contemplates what life would be like if everything could be accessed via touch screen.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: January 6th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
'Ghost Hunters' goes to College
Scond Spinoff due in 2009
Sci Fi Channel has given a green light to Ghost Hunters: New Generation, a six-episode spin-off set at a college. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the channel also commissioned a sixth season of the main series plus a third season of Ghost Hunters International spinoff.
Creator Craig Piligian’s deal also calls for a new, original series to debut on the channel in 2010.
"Craig is a star performer who's been a great partner," Sci Fi executive vp original programming Mark Stern said. "You want to be in business with people like him on a consistent basis."
The new series will take GH regulars Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango and have them work with students on investigating paranormal activity.
"It's going to be more of a teaching format," Piligian said. "We're going to try to have a little more fun with the franchise."
"What's cool about Ghost Hunters is it has tried to rely on empirical science," Stern said. "This is an opportunity to delve into that a little deeper and take the show into a more academic setting."
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Screen Actors Guild Honors Ledger, Downey
Following the Golden Globe nominations, Heath Ledger has received another posthumous nod for his role as the Joker, this time from his peers in the Screen Actor’s Guild. He’s nomination once more alongside Robert Downey, Jr. who is recognized for his hilarious turn in Tropic Thunder. On the television side, William Shatner is once more honored for his work in the final season of Boston Legal.
The full release is here:
Nominations for the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2008 in five film and eight primetime television categories and for the SAG honors for film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center’s Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood.
Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg introduced Angela Bassett (ER) and Actor recipient Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), who announced the nominees for this year’s Actors. SAG Awards Committee member JoBeth Williams and Committee Vice Chair Daryl Anderson announced the stunt ensemble nominees.
The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast live nationally on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, and 6 p.m. MT from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Recipients of the stunt ensemble honors will be announced from the SAG Awards red carpet during the TNT.TV and TBS.COM live pre-show webcasts.
Of the top industry accolades presented to performers, only the Screen Actors Guild Awards are selected solely by actors’ peers. Two randomly selected panels–one for television and one for film–each comprised of 2,100 Guild members from across the United States, chose this year’s Actor and stunt honors nominees. Integrity Voting Systems, the Awards’ official teller mailed the nominations secret ballots were mailed on November 26. Voting was completed by noon Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008.
Awards ballots will be mailed on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. The entire active membership of the Guild across the country will vote on all categories. Votes must be received by Integrity Voting Systems by noon Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 where results will be tallied and sealed until they are opened by the presenters at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremonies on Jan. 25.
The Screen Actors Guild Post-Awards Gala, benefiting the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, will be hosted for the 13th consecutive year by People Magazine and by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).
Continue reading Screen Actors Guild Honors Ledger, Downey ›
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
BCI Eclipse Being Shut Down
Specialty DVD Label Victim of Restructuring
Navarre Corporation announced Thursday that BCI Eclipse Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, will shut down its licensing operations in connection with the implementation of a restructuring plan. This restructuring will include a workforce reduction, a write down of assets and the incorporation of BCI's exclusively distributed DVD business into the company's distribution segment.
Fans know BCI through their releases of material from Filmation’s vaults including He-Man, She-Ra, BraveStarr, Isis, The Original Ghost Busters, Space Academy, Jason of Star Command and Ark II. Much of the supplemental material was put together by writer/historian Andy Mangels, which earned kudos from around the industry.
The fate of BCI’s recently announced titles, including Andy Barker P.I., Tattletales and What's My Line? remains unclear.
Cary Deacon, Navarre's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "To deal with the effect of the recession, we are moving quickly to decrease expenses in all areas of our business. BCI's operations have been unprofitable for the past two years. Although strides have been made this year to improve operating results, it has been mainly due to the strength of BCI's exclusive distribution business. Rapidly changing conditions in the licensed and budget DVD markets during this holiday sales season have prompted us to make more fundamental changes. In response, we are closing BCI's licensing unit in order to position our overall business for enhanced financial results upon the improvement of macro economic conditions."
Deacon continued, "We continue to be very excited about the DVD content that will now be exclusively sold and marketed through Navarre Distribution Services. These changes will allow us to focus our efforts on growing the sales of the DVD content that is most appealing to our retail customers and consumers. Mr. Bob Freese will be the executive in charge of this restructuring and will be responsible for the smooth transition of our BCI distribution partners."
The company indicated that its financial results for the fiscal 2009 third quarter, ending December 31, 2008, will include a significant charge related to the impairment of the carrying value of certain balance sheet assets and in connection with severance costs. This restructuring is expected to be substantially complete by the end of January 2009 and is a part of the company's strategy to reduce its overall cost structure.
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Sneak Peek: 'Mighty Avengers' #21
Marvel provided us with the cover and pages from Mighty Avengers #21, written by Dan Slott and drawn by Young Gun artist Khoi. The issue is described as beginning a bold new era for the Mighty Avengers. Spinning out of Dark Reign, the Mighty Avengers have an all-new line up and an all-new missionm, guest starring the New Avengers, Dark Avengers, Young Avengers and Classic Avengers.
A new team assembles in Mighty Avengers #21!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #21
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils & Cover by KHOI PHAM
Rated A …$3.99, On-Sale—01/14/09
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger Discussing 'Wonder Woman'
Criminal investigation meets Greek mythology when current primetime television stars David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger assume the voices of Zeus and Hera, respectively, for Wonder Woman, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 films, débuting March 3 in multiple formats.
McCallum, known to current TV audiences as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the hit CBS series Navy NCIS (Navel Criminal Investigative Service), adds Wonder Woman to an animation resume that already includes the DC Universe movie Batman Gotham Knight and TV series Ben 10 and The Replacements. Animation is but a side gig for McCallum, though, the actor having achieved legendary status for his two best known roles – in film as Lt.-Cmdr. Eric Ashley-Pitt in The Great Escape and on TV as super spy Illya Kuryakin in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. During his 62-year career, McCallum has played many notable characters in fanboy TV favorites like Jeremiah, The Outer Limits (1963-64 & 1997), Babylon 5, SeaQuest DSV, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The A-Team, The Invisible Man and Night Gallery, to name a few.
Helgenberger is an anchor for the patriarch of CBS' current crime lineup, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The actress is approaching her 200th episode as Catherine Willows, the series' female lead.Helgenberger, remembered for her breakthrough, Emmy Award-winning performance in China Beach, is no stranger to the sci-fi genre, having starred in Species and its sequel on the big screen. The 2005 People's Choice Award winner as Favorite Female Television Star has been seen in a variety of roles ranging from feature films (Erin Brockovich, Bad Boys, Always) to top-rated TV series (ER, thirtysomething, Frasier).
Continue reading David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger Discussing 'Wonder Woman' ›
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
'Pokémon TCG: Platinum' to be Released February 11
Pokémon TCG: Platinum will be released on February 11, according to Pokémon USA. Theme decks and boosters packs will let gamers collect all 130 cards which will introduce the never-before-seen Pokémon Shaymin in addition to a new Forme of the Renegade Pokémon Giratina Origin Forme.
The new release also includes six new Pokémon LV.X, including Giratina and Shaymin, as well as three Shiny Pokémon, which are available as parallel foil cards.
Nintendo of America will release the new Pokémon Platinum Version in March hot on the heels of the cards going on sale. The video game will be linked to the new Pokémon TCG by the character of Giratina. The new Forme of Giratina is a key character in both the video game and Platinum.
Platinum will contain 60-card theme decks, Rebellion and Flourish, ($11.99) for both beginners and intermediate players of all ages. The 10-card Pokémon TCG: Platinum Booster Packs, will retail for $3.79.
Pokémon USA is planning Platinum Prerelease Tournaments for the weekends of January 31 to February 1 and February 7-8.
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
'The Dark Knight' Tops 2008 DVD Sales Charts
Expected to Pass 'Iron Man' Next Week
The Hollywood Reporter says sales are so brisk on The Dark Knight DVD in both standard and Blu-ray format that it will top the sales charts for both categories when the books for 2008 are closed.
The DVD sold in excess of 10 million discs after one week in stores according to Warner Home Video. Add in rental dealer sales, the number pushes 13.5 million worldwide which also includes 1.7 million in Blu-ray sales.
The discs that came with digital copy activation codes led to 300,000 copies legally downloaded to computers.
The disc will surpass the year’s current leader, Iron Man, next week according to analysts.
The Dark Knight also eclipsed Wanted as the number one video rental for the week ending December 14.
Sun Dec 21, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Back surgery Not Expected to Slow Down David Tennant
Returns to the TARDIS January 19
Producer Russell T Davies told the BBC that David Tennant is expected to recover from his back injury in time to shoot the four 2009 Doctor Who specials. The actor required surgery for the injury which also forced him to drop out of the stage production of Hamlet.
Filming on the first of the quartet remains scheduled for January 19.
"We'll have to be very careful," he said. "I don't think we'll be swinging him on a wire on his first day back."
Davies pooh-poohed the notion the scripts would need to be adjusted to accommodate the actor’s condition. "No, there's been none of that, and I think David would have told us by now because he's read the first script."
Two of the four specials are said to be filming overseas, possibly including America. "It's going to be quite exotic," he said. "I can't tell you where, but we've got four days filming abroad, to give it a bit of size and a new feel to it."
In discussing the specials, which will end with Tennant’s departure from the series as the Doctor, he said each would pair the Doctor with a different companion. He’s reserved writing the final two for himself to send off the actor in a grand fashion.
"The big climax is mine, all mine," he said.
He refused to join in the speculation as to who will replace Tennant, which has filled column inches for months even before Tennant formally announced his departure last month.
"I think it could be a while - it's a very big deal to set up. Whoever becomes the Doctor has got to take on a whole life. It's not just becoming a part of a TV show," he said.
Sat Dec 20, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
'Conjure Wife' Gets Fourth Big Screen Treatment
Fritz Leiber's Classic Tale Optioned by Untied Artists
Fritz Leiber’s 1943 Conjure Wife is headed back to the screen from writer/director Billy Ray (Breach). United Artists has acquired the rights to Leiber’s debut novel according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film will adapt the story of “a New England college professor who discovers that his good fortune is the result of his wife's secret, magical interference. When he pressures her to stop, dark forces descend on the couple without her protection.”
The trade notes, “Ray's update will amp up the prurience factor as one woman's desire to take over a more ideal female body factors into the plot.”
This will be the fourth film adaptation, following Weird Woman (1944), Night of the Eagle/Burn, Witch, Burn! (1962), and Witches' Brew (1980).
Leiber (December 24, 1910 – September 5, 1992) was a prolific science fiction and fantasy author, best known for his sword & sorcery series featuring Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser.
Fafhrd appeared in Leiber’s first sale, sold in 1939. Leiber become the Science Fiction Writers of America's 5th Grand Master.
Sat Dec 20, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Marco Pavia on Tokyopop Layoffs
Tokyopop Associate Publisher Marco Pavia told ICv2, “Publishers and booksellers are describing this as one of the worst retailing environments in memory and I don’t know what to add. I think that’s an accurate assessment. We’re adjusting to this landscape that’s shifting every day. We need to be as responsive as we can to these new realities just to endure.”
This year alone, the company has had to lay off nearly 50 staffers and reduce their scheduled output for 2009. “Whenever we lay off someone they’re extremely talented, dedicated people, so it’s hard, especially this time of year,” he said of the eight reportedly laid off this month.
Sat Dec 20, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
First Look: 'Knowing'
Nicolas Cage (National Treasure: Book of Secrets) stars in Knowing, a gripping action-thriller of global proportions about a professor who stumbles on terrifying predictions about the future—and sets out to prevent them from coming true.
In 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead.
Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule’s contents and the girl’s cryptic message ends up in the hands of young Caleb Koestler. But it is Caleb’s father, professor John Koestler (Nicolas Cage), who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As Ted further unravels the document’s chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events—the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve Ted and his son. When Ted’s attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself to try to prevent more destruction from taking place.
With the reluctant help of Diana Wayland (Rose Byrne) and Abby Wayland, the daughter and granddaughter of the now-deceased author of the prophecies, Ted’s increasingly desperate efforts take him on a heart-pounding race against time until he finds himself facing the ultimate disaster—and the ultimate sacrifice.
Summit Entertainment, the people behind Twilight, has set a release date of March 20, 2009.
