Saturday, September 29, 2012

David Byrne Breaks Down How Music Works in New Book

David Byrne Breaks Down <em>How Music Works</em> in New Book

David Byrne's impressive output over the past four decades reaches far beyond his work as a musician, most famously in Talking Heads and in numerous solo albums and collaborations. He is also a deep thinker on topics ranging from cities to bicycle advocacy to urban studies to art, neuroscience, architecture, and politics. But in his new book How Music Works he tackles the music industry head-on -- using examples from his own career in the industry.



Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Gets a Pacemaker, Keeps Sense of Humor

Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Gets a Pacemaker, Keeps Sense of Humor

Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Gets a Pacemaker, Keeps Sense of Humor

Stan Lee is beloved for his long-running career in the comic book biz, and though the 89-year-old has some health issues, as he recovers from having a pacemaker installed, Lee proves the years have done nothing to dampen his creativity or sense of humor.

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Friday, September 28, 2012

Tim Burton’s regeneration of ‘Frankenweenie’ is a personal tale



Looking down on the miniature artifacts represented in the “Art of Frankenweenie” exhibit — replicas of record players, plastic Christmas decorations and resin grapes scattered among the sketches and models — Burton made sure to note that the movie geek references were just window-dressing for a very personal story about processing grief and coping with loss.

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Avengers Assemble!

Avengers Assemble!

It was to be “a golden future.” After frustrating years watching its four-color superhero properties sputter in Hollywood—while rival DC drove its own superhero franchise to even greater prominence—Marvel Comics resolved to put its destiny in its own hands at last. “Total creative control of our celebrated roster of comic book characters”—that’s how a company newsletter announced the launching of Marvel Productions, its new studio. “We are looking forward to taking the reins for the development of our own properties as well as sharing our expertise with other suppliers.”


Hollywood Post Alliance to Honor Ray Dolby

The pioneering inventor and engineer will be recognized with the Charles S. Swartz Award at the HPA Awards on Nov 1.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Odd Hollywood History Behind Ben Affleck's 'Argo'

The Odd Hollywood History Behind Ben Affleck's 'Argo'



A kooky sci-fi script, the CIA and ads in The Hollywood Reporter: the real story behind the film is too strange to have been invented.

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Singer Andy Williams dies

Singer Andy Williams dies

TV host and legendary crooner behind ''Moon River'' died in his home in Branson, Mo. at the age of 84


Monday, September 24, 2012

Emmy Winners 2012: The Complete List

Emmy Winners and Nominees 2012: The Complete List



"Modern Family," Louis C.K., Claire Danes and "Game Change" were among the honorees at the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

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Friday, September 21, 2012

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Make Your Movies Pay With Vimeo's New 'Tip Jar'

Make Your Movies Pay With Vimeo's New 'Tip Jar'

Video-sharing website Vimeo has added two new ways to make money off your movies: a "tip jar" for fans to chip in a few bucks and a more serious pay-per-view option coming later this year.



Oscar season gets intense

Oscar season gets intense

Award Central:
Why has Academy reduced pre-nom screening period?


Former 'SNL' Star to Write 'Looney Tunes' Reboot Film (Exclusive)

Former 'SNL' Star to Write 'Looney Tunes' Reboot Film



The film will be produced by "Harry Potter" producer David Heyman, along with David Katzenberg and "Dark Shadows" scribe Seth Grahame-Smith.

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Four Big Trends of TV Development Season

Four Big Trends of TV Development Season



From "Homeland" copycats to Big Name Reboots, what's on deck as the season picks up.

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15 biggest animated scene-stealers

15 biggest animated scene-stealers

Spotlight on Timon and Pumba, the Minions, and more all-star side players who add zip to our favorite 'toons

Friday, September 14, 2012

Humans Are What's for Dinner When Hollywood Needs a Shock

Humans Are What's for Dinner When Hollywood Needs a Shock

The Soylent Corporation processed human flesh into wafers. The psychos in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre turned their victims into sausage. But people provide the mystery meat in more than just sci-fi and horror movies. They've also been unwittingly consumed in adaptations of Broadway musicals and feel-good tales of female empowerment. How do all the meals compare?


Don Mischer to direct Oscars again

Don Mischer to direct Oscars again

Award Central:
Helmer takes on show for third consecutive year


In 1992, Bill Plympton made history by drawing an entire film on his own

Film: Rescued From Semi-Obscurity: In 1992, Bill Plympton made history by drawing an entire film on his own






Sometimes largely forgotten pieces of pop culture need to be dusted off and given a fresh look. 
Rescued From Semi-Obscurity does just that.
These days, independent creators have plenty of unlikely side roads to mainstream success. Like animator James Curran, who created his own animated opening-credits sequence for Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures Of Tintin, released it to the web, watched it go viral, and ended up with a job offer from Spielberg himself. Or E.L. James, who wrote a series of erotic Twilight fan-fiction pieces, then turned them into novels and self-published them as the 50 Shades Of Grey series, which sold so well as e-books that the brick-and-mortar publishing houses came sniffing around and put them into print.
But back in 1992, there were fewer opportunities for a wholly independent creator to get national attention. That never stopped DIY animation pioneer Bill Plympton, who in 1992 released ...

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Hollywood Walk of Fame Gets Its $4 Million-Plus Facelift

Hollywood Walk of Fame Gets Its $4 Million-Plus Facelift

Hollywood Walk of Fame Gets Its $4 Million-Plus Facelift

In typical Hollywood fashion, the star-studded Walk of Fame is getting a three-phase facelift, one that is expected to be two-thirds finished by the year's end.

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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Cable's Walls Are Coming Down

Cable's Walls Are Coming Down

There are so many mixed signals around cord cutting. While the industry is losing some customers, powerful motivations are in place for most people to remain. But here's why it's ultimately inevitable.



Monday, September 3, 2012

Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54

Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54

Actor was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in ''Green Mile''; he had suffered a heart attack in July


Observation Deck: The Shaky Science of Sci-Fi Booze

Observation Deck: The Shaky Science of Sci-Fi Booze


Considering some of the tsuris characters in science fiction go through, it?s no wonder they drink. But what, exactly, are they drinking?