Why did this hold my attention for 10 minutes? Made in 1976 by Claude Lelouch, showing a high speed drive through Paris.
In a 2001 PBS interview Bill Mechanic, former CEO of FOX, said the following:
“If it wasn’t for television, I’m sure that the conglomerates would shut down the movie business completely. … If you’re being honest about it, you’d say, I’m in a lousy business. I’m making no money. I don’t know why I’m doing what I’m doing. I have to change it. I have to fundamentally start to say one word, “No.” And nobody will do that. So, you know, I sit there with people, I used to pull out statements, show them, you know. It’s not hidden stuff. Here it is. I got the most profitable studio in the business and, you know, I could be in the grocery business, making more money.”
Since 2001, things have changed, and Mr. Mechanic’s statement becomes very relevant. It looks like the business of television distribution is going to run aground: DVR is killing the traditional ad revenue model of broadcast TV, and internet distribution gaining traction constantly in two formats (subscription-based sites like Netflix, and ad-based sites like Hulu) but neither fully pays for quality programming. Networks still count on traditional revenue…. Here is the question of the next five years: will corporations kill (sell off) their entertainment arms? It’s only 5% of revenue after all, and if that’s slipping, why risk it?
Thanks for choosing Universal Grocery! Paper or plastic?
The 3-D animated story of a struggling “super villain” who is eventually softened by the three little orphans whom he rescues is fun and kid-friendly.
Debuting at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, the audience included most of the cast: Steve Carell as Gru, Jason Segel as Vector, Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, Julie Andrews as Gru’s mother, Will Arnett as Mr. Perkins.
The audience was lively, not not near as responsive as the electrified Eclipse audience. The after-party was held in the same tent on the event deck as Eclipse. They even used the same giant moon balloon at the Despicable Me premiere.
By the way, what’s up with the moon theme? And they both premiered around the same full moon (yesterday). And there was even a minor lunar eclipse yesterday (a brilliant marketing flourish). And this month’s moon is no ordinary moon – it’s known as the Mead Moon, according to Garrison Keilor’s Writer’s Almanac. Coincidentally my brother and I harvested honey yesterday at his house in Santa Monica. Seriously! Photographic proof:
And is it a mere coincidence that DESPICABLE contains the letters for the word ECLIPSE? Okay…
That one was a stretch. The Despicable Me after-party was mostly a family affair with IHOP sponsored beverages and little dancing “Minions.” Rainn Wilson was there with his wife and child – as was most of the cast of “The Office.” Steve Carell was the man of the hour, surrounded by kids and parents and a couple watchful security guards.
The musical score was perhaps the most striking thing about the film. Pharrell Williams and the talented Heitor Pereira did a remarkable job with the music. The theme song is especially catchy:
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