10
Mar
2011

airplane luggageIf Homeland Security gets their way, there will be no way to take luggage on a plane with you that somehow don’t pay extra for.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano went before Congress this week according to USA Today and told the Congressman that carry-on luggage is costing taxpayers $260 million annually.  Apparently the rise in carry-on luggage due to growing checked baggage fees is increasing the work load at security gates, and is in turn causing the expenses of running the nationally mandated security system to increase.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA – D) asked:

Checked-bag fees are increasing, it looks like, the cost to TSA because people don’t want to pay the fees so they are not checking bags and putting more on the planes.  My question is, do the taxpayers have to pick up this fee? Or should we be looking at the airlines for some of the profits that they make from these fees to offset the cost to the taxpayer?

Ms. Napolitano suggested that a $5 fee be assessed to each one-way ticket, which would in turn bring in about $600 million a year to the security agency.

Excuse me, I may not be a math expert, but if the carry-on luggage is costing the department $260 million a year, why do they need to bring in $600 million in fees?  Additionally, why shouldn’t the airlines, which are bringing in billions a year, team  up to pay what would be a measly bill when split up amongst them?

It is becoming increasingly less attractive to bring any luggage with you on a plane, and as much as I’m sure the airlines would love if we brought none on board, we, as humans, have this silly need for clothing at our destination.  I know, how pedestrian of me.

The good news is that Homeland Security has asked for some sort of fee every year since 2002 and have yet to have it approved.  The problem is, you know as well as I do, it will eventually get approved, and airline travel costs will once again rise.  I had to buy a ticket last week for a business trip next week, and I don’t even like to think about how much it ended up costing.  True, it was somewhat “last minute”, but considering how much it cost, I hope I’m getting a solid gold seat.

At what point are all of these fees going to end?  There has to be a “breaking point”, but one has to wonder where exactly that is.

9
Mar
2011

arrested developmentAccording to Jason Bateman, the Arrested Development movie has a plot, and completion by the end of the year is definitely looking possible.

Just last month series creator Mitch Hurwitz said that the Arrested Development movie was moving ahead at full speed and that he hoped to film it before the end of the year.  After so many false starts it was hard not to say it was just another false start and that you didn’t want to get your hopes up.  Luckily it appears that there truly is movement this time.

Speaking with MTV News to promote the upcoming alien comedy Paul, Jason Bateman spoke to the current status of the film.  He said that he had a meeting with Mr. Hurwitz, and while the script isn’t yet completed, he was able to lay out the entire plot of the film for the actor. It’s incredible. It’s everything you would want it to be and more,” Mr. Bateman told MTV News. ” I really hope he finishes it soon so we can have a shot of doing it before the end of the year.”

“For the very first time, he sat me down last week to talk abut what he’s got and where he’s going and what do I think,” Bateman said. “As a fan of the show, I was vibrating with excitement that he was pulling me behind the curtain. So I can confirm what his update was, which was that he is very deep into the work on it and the odds of him getting it done before the end of the year, as he says he wants to, are good.”

We can only hope this really is finally coming together.  My only fear is that the series was such a slow build with some jokes being telegraphed half a season before they happened (Buster and his hand), that the idea of trying to cram all of the adventures of the characters into the confines of a movie may be tough, but I’m definitely along for the ride.


8
Mar
2011

NBC logoNBC has announced the dates for its slate of season finales.

Almost as important as learning when shows will return in the fall is finding out when the finales will air.  Before heading into the summer, it’s always nice to know when those characters you love will finally grace your screens.  Thus far only NBC has announced it’s end dates for this season, and with good reason since the earliest date clocks in on April 4th for Harry’s Law.

Now comes the fun of waiting for the fall announcements.

  • 30 Rock, Thursday May 5th (10-10:30 p.m.)
  • America’s Next Great Restaurant, Sunday May 1st (8-9 p.m.)
  • Chuck, Monday May 16th (8-9 p.m.)
  • Community, Thursday May 12th (hour-long episode from 8-9 p.m.)
  • Harry’s Law, Monday April 4th (10-11 p.m.)
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Wednesday May 18th (10-11 p.m.)
  • Outsourced, Thursday May 12th (10:30-11 p.m.)
  • Parenthood, Tuesday April 19th (10-11 p.m.)
  • Parks and Recreation, Thursday May 19th (hour-long finale from 10-11 p.m.)
  • Perfect Couples, Thursday May 5th (8:30-9 p.m.)
  • Saturday Night Live, Saturday May 21st (11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)
  • The Biggest Loser, Tuesday May 24th (9-11 p.m.)
  • The Celebrity Apprentice, Sunday May 22nd (9-11 p.m.)
  • The Event, Monday May 23rd(9-10 p.m.)
  • The Office, Thursday May 19th (one-hour finale from 9-10 p.m.)
  • Who Do You Think You Are?, Friday April 8th (8-9 p.m.)

7
Mar
2011

BBC America, once a bastion of British programming, seems to have completely lost track of its original intended purpose.

Last year I complained when it was announced that BBC America was going to start showing Star Trek: The Next Generation.  While I could somewhat grasp the concept as Patrick Stewart is a well respected British actor, but could someone explain to me why they are now also showing The X-Files in the afternoons?  Is there some British connection there that I’m unaware of?  (answer: “No.”)

Then lets take a look at some of the movies they’ve been airing as of late.  Apparently so long as a movie has a British (or Scottish) actor in it, it qualifies for airing on the channel.  The Untouchables?  The story of Elliot Ness that just happens to have Sean Connery in it?  The Hunt for Red October?  Same connection.  It’s getting a bit silly at this point when you consider how many British productions exist that they’ve never aired and yet we’re saddled with American productions you can see just about anywhere on a channel they aren’t made for.

This has become a problem not just limited to BBC America, however.  Could someone explain to me why the SyFy Channel now has a cooking show, Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen?  Don’t forget they also have WWE Smackdown on Friday nights.

I understand that channels may find their original formulas don’t work quite as well as they first thought they might, and then they need to retool, but to go this far afield of their intended purposes just seems wrong.  SyFy is a bit more forgivable than BBC America’s programming choices, but neither of them make a whole lot of sense to me.

And in case you are curious, yes, I have actually e-mailed BBC America to voice my displeasure instead of just venting here.  This used to be my favorite cable channel, but now I find myself turning to it  a lot less as I have no burning desire to watch American shows on a channel dedicated to British television.

6
Mar
2011

green-band-trailerIn the modern age of streaming video, can we now please get rid of trailers on DVDs before the film so I don’t completely ditch the format?

While siting down to watch a DVD last night, I was rather annoyed by the concept of having to skip through some trailers.  While not anywhere close to being as annoying as the days of VHS, it’s still just a nuisance.

Studios are concerned about declining home video sales, but yet they continue to make watching discs an inconvenience.  When I pop in a disc, I’m forced to go through the trailers.  Not a horrible thing to once, but lets say you go back to watch the same disc a year or two down the road, are you going to care about seeing the same trailers again, or especially what amounts to advertisements for movies from a few years ago?  Short answer, no.

With the rise of digital downloads and streaming video, things that start instantly, why should I be force to even think about trailers any more?  Yes, I know it’s a minor thing, but considering I watch almost everything  via download or streaming now, so when I popped in that disc last night, the first in quite some time, I was just immediately struck by how antiquated this was.  If you insist on putting them on the disc, put them in the extra features or something, but when I start up a Blu-ray or DVD, I should be immediately launched into the menu and not have to fight my way to get there.

With that being said, I’ll go back to watching Netflix now, thanks.  If you want to dump the trailers, let me know.

6
Mar
2011

writingA total of 39 published this week.

FunJug.com

SeanPAune.com

TechnoBuffalo.com

5
Mar
2011

Star Wars logoThe Star Wars films in 3D are kicking off in Feb. 2012 with Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Lucasfilm announced last Sept. that it was releasing the Star Wars films in 3D.  At that time I expressed my disgust with the concept, and that feeling remains.  Since we hadn’t heard anything since then, I wondered if maybe fan backlash had killed the concept, but nope, come Feb. 12th, 2012, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace will hit screens.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (March 3, 2011) – Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox announced today that the 3D theatrical launch of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace now has an official release date – February 10, 2012! Set against the thrilling and exotic backdrop of a “galaxy far, far away,” Star Wars is perfectly suited to the immersive 3D theatrical experience, and Episode I delivers some of the Saga’s most stunning and spectacular sequences – from the Naboo invasion to the Tatooine Podraces to the climactic lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and the Jedi. Supervised by Industrial Light & Magic, the meticulous conversion is being done with utmost respect for the source material, and with a keen eye for both technological considerations and artistic intentions.

Apparently the plan calls for one film to be released per year in this manner. Oh joy.

If anyone ever runs into George Lucas somewhere, could you please kick him in the shins for me?  Thanks.

4
Mar
2011

It’s episode #135 of Scattercast … and it’s movies, movies, movies!

A look back at the Oscars.

The King’s Speech being cut for a lower rating just annoys me.

Blade Runner pr/sequel … No.  Just … no.

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subscribe to Scattercast via iTunes.

3
Mar
2011

Hugo Weaving has finally had his Red Skull look in the Captain America movie fully revealed, and it’s better than we could have hoped for.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of Captain America, and the movie was looking a tad bit cheezy to me.  It was just something about his costume that wasn’t speaking to me, but I knew the big missing factor was what the final look would be for his arch-enemy, the Red Skull.  Luckily Entertainment Weekly has finally released a final photo, and … not bad.

I’m still not convinced this movie is going to rock my socks off, but at least I have a bit more hope now.

(UPDATE 3/4/11: Clicking on the image will now take you to a larger, high resolution version of the image.  Thanks, Jon!)

red-skull-hugo-weaving

2
Mar
2011

blade-runner-posterBlade Runner, the classic sci-fi film from1982, may be receiving a sequel … or a prequel.

In a press release dated for tomorrow, but out today via i09, Alcon Entertainment is negotiating for the rights to prequels and sequels of Blade Runner for both film and television.  As just about anyone who has ever seen the original Ridley Scott film will say … don’t.  Please … just don’t.

Blade Runner is one of those films that is just perfection, and even though three versions exist, and there is debate over whether you should have narration with it or not, it’s just a great film and should be left alone.  Yes, there have been a few sequels via books, and one in the form of video game, and I have just ignored the fact that those things exist.  Ignoring a film is a bit more difficult as it will be on TV commercials left and right, all over the Internet and so on.

Hollywood just needs to stop this insanity.  Stop making sequels/prequels/reboots of films that don’t need it.  I was actually for the Alien prequel because there were some definite questions there, but it got killed off.  Oh, okay, that makes sense, you kill the one project that makes sense, but then look around for others that no one wants.  Good call.

Some days I just to head to Hollywood and start slapping people.  They all deserve it.  Here’s the press release:

LOS ANGELES, CA, MARCH 3, 2011-Warner Bros-based financing and production company Alcon Entertainment (“The Blind Side,” “The Book of Eli”) co-founders and co-Chief Executive Officers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove, in the most significant property acquisition negotiations in the Company’s 13-year history, are in final discussions to secure film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic 1982 science-fiction thriller “Blade Runner.”

Alcon is negotiating to secure the rights from producer-director Bud Yorkin, who will serve as producer on “Blade Runner” along with Kosove and Johnson. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will co-produce. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.

Alcon’s franchise rights would be all-inclusive, but exclude rights to remake the original. The Company, however, may produce projects based on situations introduced in the original film. The project would be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. International rights are yet to be determined.

Johnson and Kosove stated: “We are honored and excited to be in business with Bud Yorkin. This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favorite film for both of us. We recognize the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”

Among its many distinctions, “Blade Runner” has been singled out as one of the greatest movies of all time by countless polls and media outlets, and overwhelmingly as the greatest science-fiction film of all time by a majority of genre publications.

Released by Warner Bros. almost 30 years ago, “Blade Runner” was adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples from Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and directed by Ridley Scott following his landmark “Alien.” The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction).

“Blade Runner” was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the Visual Effects Society.

Alcon’s COO Scott Parish and head of business affairs David Fierson are negotiating on behalf of the Company.

ABOUT BUD YORKIN

Emmy Award winning director-producer Bud Yorkin started in live television directing and writing for the “Colgate Comedy Hour” starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, “The Dinah Shore Show” and “The Abbott and Costello Show” and many others. He went on to direct the first live TV specials for many stars including “An Evening With Fred Astaire” (which won 12 Emmys), “The Jack Benny Hour” (which won 5 Emmys) as well as specials for Bobby Darin, Duke Ellington, Henry Fonda, Danny Kaye, Carol Channing and Andy Williams.

In his first feature film, Yorkin directed Frank Sinatra in “Come Blow Your Horn.” Other films he produced and directed include: “Divorce American Style”, “Start the Revolution Without Me”, “The Thief Who Came To Dinner” and “Twice In A Lifetime”. Yorkin partnered with Norman Lear to revolutionize television with their shows “All in the Family”, “Sanford and Son” and “Maude”.

In 1973 Yorkin was voted “Man of the Year ” by the Television Academy. He was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences “Hall of Fame” in 2002 and the following year he received the prestigious “David Susskind Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Producers Guild of America.

ABOUT ALCON ENTERTAINMENT

Alcon Entertainment co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson founded the Company in 1997 with financial backing from Frederick W. Smith, the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx. Alcon, which is named after a mythological archer and ally of Hercules, has financed, and/or co-financed/produced over 19 films, including “My Dog Skip,” “Dude, Where’s My Car?”, “Insomnia,” “Racing Stripes,” the Academy Award nominated Best Picture “The Blind Side,” which earned Sandra Bullock a Best Actress Oscar; “The Book of Eli,” starring Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman; “Insomnia,” starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank and directed by Chris Nolan; “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and “P.S. I Love You,” starring Hilary Swank, among many others.

The Company’s next release is “Something Borrowed,” based on New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin’s book, starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski, on May 6, 2011. Alcon recently completed “Dolphin Tale,” a 3-D family film starring Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and Kris Kristofferson, scheduled for release on September 23, 2011. “Joyful Noise,” a music driven comedy starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, is currently in production. All three films will be released via its output deal with Warner Bros.

1
Mar
2011

Dancing With the StarsThe cast has been announced for the spring 2011 season of Dancing With the Stars.  And, again … how many times can you scrape the bottom of the barrel?

While a couple of people this year were once big names, they have definitely lost their shine.  It’s kind of sad when the biggest current name is probably Kendra Wilkinson.  I’ve come to the conclusion over the past couple seasons as the “stars” have gotten more and more comical that no one watches this show for someone they actually follow, they are simply tuning in for the pros, and I can’t say as I blame them.

Sadly, as always, I will endure the pain … and then question my own sanity when it’s over.  (and possibly cry quietly in the corner after each episode)

(Professionals added!)

Star Dancer
Chelsea Kane Mark Ballas
Chris Jericho Cheryl Burke
Hines Ward Kym Johnson
Kendra Wilkinson Louis van Amstel
Kirstie Alley Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Mike Catherwood Lacey Schwimmer
Petra Nemcova Dmitry Chaplin
Ralph Macchio Karina Smirnoff
Romeo Chelsie Hightower
Sugar Ray Leonard Anna Trebunskaya
Wendy Williams Tony Dovolani

And here’s a little something about each:

  • Chelsea Kane – Well, it’s been a while since we had a Disney actress, guess it was time again.
  • Chris Jericho – Oh goody, a wrestler.  I predict he’ll be out within three weeks.
  • Hines Ward – And here’s are required sports star.  I’m so tired of this formula.
  • Kendra Wilkinson – The former Playboy Playmate/Hugh Hefner girlfriend … apparently multiple other reality shows wasn’t good enough for her.
  • Kirstie Alley – Former actress, and a Scientologist … one guess who I’ll be rooting against.
  • Mike Catherwood – A radio host I am unfamiliar with.
  • Petra Nemcova – She was the model trapped in a tree during the famous 2004 Indian ocean earthquake where her fiancée was killed.
  • Ralph Macchio – Yes … The Karate Kid.
  • Romeo – Yet another rapper.  And actually the son of Master P who was on several seasons ago after his son injured himself.
  • Sugar Ray Leonard – Former boxing champ.
  • Wendy Williams – Talk show host … oh yeah, that should be entertaining.