Filed under: Horror, Independent, New Releases, Lionsgate Films, Celebrities and Controversy, Movie Marketing

We knew the 'Captivity' party would be controversial, but who knew it could affect the horror flick's rating? According to the FishbowlLA blog on mediabistro.com, the MPAA actually threatened to pull the movie's R-rating because of some exterior decor at a West Hollywood club called Privilege, where the party was being held Tuesday night. Remember those tasteless billboards that already got the movie into trouble with the MPAA? Well, someone thought it was a good idea to drape the same offensive images outside the club. Apparently After Dark Films' Courtney Solomon got a call from the MPAA's Marilyn Gordon; afterward the images were removed and placed around the interior of the party instead. Solomon told FishbowlLA that he expected to hear again from the MPAA in the morning.

You'd think that after all the mess 'Captivity' got into with the MPAA over its billboards, Solomon would have known better. Of course, who would have thought the MPAA had jurisdiction over party decorations, even if they are in public view? I despise everything about the MPAA as well as everything about Captivity (except the actual movie, which I haven't seen), so I can't completely choose a side here. I also don't know how big or how visible the images were from the street. I don't think they included the film's title, so they might not have fit into the category of advertisement, and therefore shouldn't have been a concern for the MPAA. If I had my way, the MPAA and 'Captivity' would just battle it out until they destroyed each other, and then we wouldn't have to hear about either one ever again. Unless the MPAA does something drastic, 'Captivity' is set to open in theaters Friday the 13th.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Documentary, Independent, Celebrities and Controversy, The Weinstein Co., Politics, Michael Moore, Cinematical Indie

Yesterday we told you about filmmaker Michael Moore's CNN appearance to discuss his film SICKO, in which he ended up blasting Wolf Blitzer on his previous film, Farenheit 911, and took particular umbrage with CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who's report on the facts Moore presented in SICKO ended with an accusation that Moore "fudged the facts." Larry King, sensing a ratings bonanza (because seeing Moore all riled up is nothing if not entertaining), got Moore to come on Larry King Live to debate Gupta about the facts on the show.

The result, which you can see in three parts on YouTube, is just about as entertaining as the CNN segment; watching the rough-around-the edges Moore and slick-and-polished Gupta - -both clearly two very intelligent guys -- thrust and parry as they toss around world healthcare stats, is almost as good as seeing the film itself. In the first of the segments, you can see Moore waving around an email his staff sent to Gupta's senior producer the day before Gupta's report originally aired on June 29 giving them facts and figures that weren't used in Gupta's segment, and then Gupta (who must practice staying calm under pressure, because he gives the impression he never breaks a sweat) calmly replying that his staff wasn't going to just use stats Moore provided them -- that, like Moore, they used stats from a variety of sources in order to give viewers the most accurate information.

Continue reading More Moore: This Time It's Moore Versus Sanjay Gupta

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Celebrities and Controversy, Exhibition, Remakes and Sequels

Alec Baldwin just can't catch a break lately. Monika told you about the status of his directorial debut back in January and now we're finally starting to hear more about its release. Trouble is, Mr. Baldwin doesn't want you to see the thing! In addition to directing, Baldwin produced and starred in the film, an update of The Devil and Daniel Webster. The movie wrapped in 2001, and has experienced nothing but problems since. It will finally be released this Friday, and oh dear, that's -- dun dun duh! -- Friday the 13th! If you're trying to find the film at your local multiplex, good luck. It is only being released in six cities (Las Vegas, Rochester, Fort Myers, Columbus, Albuquerque and Santa Fe), and you'll have to look for it under its new title: Shortcut to Happiness. Oh, and Baldwin's name won't even be listed as director or producer. It has been removed and replaced with an "Alan Smithee" -- style fake name -- Harry Kirkpatrick.

Despite Baldwin's many talents and a solid cast that includes Anthony Hopkins as Daniel Webster, Jennifer Love Hewitt as The Devil (?), Kim Cattrall, Dan Aykroyd and Jason Patric, the film has been called "one of the greatest train wrecks of all time." Where did it all go wrong? Apparently producers didn't like the more serious cut Baldwin submitted, and they recut the film into a pure comedy. Baldwin was naturally upset. To make matters worse, two of the films investors became entangled in legal woes after they were investigated for bank fraud. On top of all that, one of Baldwin's producing partners sued him for her cut. A source close to Baldwin tells the New York Post: "Alec doesn't recommend unrecognizable films to his fans. This is not an Alec Baldwin film. He's in the movie but he has nothing to do with it. His name was taken off as producer and director six years ago, but he couldn't get it taken off as an actor." So, I have to ask ... if any of you live in one of the six cities listed above and don't mind taking one for the team -- would you check it out and tell us if it's as bad as it sounds?

Permalink | Email this | Comments