Watchers Watch
Watchers Watch

Commentary on Television, Film and Video

Contact Us
Film Releases
Homepage
Linking to Us
Movie Books
RSS Feed
WWFeeds.com



Add to MyYahoo

Add to MyMSN

Add to Bloglines

Add to NewsGator



Add to Google



February, 2008 Archives | Homepage

Ferrell's Semi-Pro Not a Critic Favorite

AP Movie Critic Christy Lemire says 'Semi-Pro' "follows a now familiar formula: Cast Will Ferrell, pick a sport to mock, and watch the laughs pile up." Lemire says there are laughs but that you've seen these characters before. That may not be such a bad thing because the characters are very funny characters. Many other critics were unhappy with the film but the many spoofs of the 70s look hilarious. Will Ferrell and Jon Heder managed to make Blades of Glory hilarious despite a very simple concept. Christy Lemire also reveals that the 'fro Ferrell has in Semi-Pro is all Ferell's real hair.



Posted on February 29, 2008
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati



Quarterlife Canceled After One Airing

Quarterlife Screenshot The web show turned television phenomenon Quarterlife has been canceled after a disastrous premiere. The rest of the episodes may end up on Bravo, but no one knows for sure.
Quarterlife, the first Web-based drama to air on network television, has been canceled by NBC after a dismally rated first episode but will move to sister cable channel Bravo, people close to the show said on Thursday. The highly touted online series about a group of young artists bombed in its NBC debut on Tuesday night, drawing the network's lowest ratings and smallest audience for that time slot in at least 20 years, according to Nielsen Media Research. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.) The show ranked a distant third place for the 10 p.m. hour, averaging just 3.1 million viewers and a meager 1.3 rating among advertisers' favorite demographic, adults aged 18 to 49, the precise audience for whom the series was designed.

*****

Quarterlife originally was created for the social-networking site MySpace.com by Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, Emmy-winning producers of "thirtysomething" and My So-Called Life. Consisting of 36 eight-minute webisodes, the series began running on MySpaceTV.com and quarterlife.com in November, with two new segments appearing online each week.

NBC made headlines when it announced in the midst of the Hollywood writers strike it was picking up the series as a mid-season replacement show, and heavily promoted the drama in the run-up to its prime-time launch.

At the time, quarterlife was touted as a new model for the development of video entertainment, marking the first program to originate independently online before moving to a major broadcast outlet.
We never saw it, but those are some pretty ghastly numbers. We're thinking that everyone who wanted to see it watched it on the Web.

Posted on February 28, 2008
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Vanity Fair's Hitchcock Tribute Has Seth Rogen Running For His Life

Photo of Seth Rogen


Seth Rogen plays Cary Grant in this recreation of the famous scene from Hitchcock's North by Northwest. Photographed by Art Streiber, Rogen looks like leading man material. The photo is just one of a fabulous Hitchcock tribute in which current movie stars recreate famous scenes from classic films. See all the photos at Vanity Fair.

Posted on February 26, 2008
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati



2008 Oscar Winners

80th Oscars PosterHere is a list of the winners for the 80th annual Academy Awards. No Country for Old Men took home four Oscars including Best Picture. The Bourne Ultimatum won three awards.

  • Best Picture: No Country for Old Men.
  • Lead Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood.
  • Lead Actress: Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
  • Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men.
  • Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton.
  • Director: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men.
  • Foreign Language Film: The Counterfeiters Austria.
  • Adapted Screenplay: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men.
  • Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, Juno
  • Animated Feature Film: Ratatouille
  • Art Direction: Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
  • Cinematography: There Will Be Blood
  • Sound Mixing: The Bourne Ultimatum
  • Sound Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum.
  • Original Score: Atonement Dario Marianelli.
  • Original Song: "Falling Slowly" from Once Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
  • Costume: Elizabeth: The Golden Age
  • Documentary Feature: Taxi to the Dark Side
  • Documentary Short Subject: Freeheld
  • Film Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum
  • Makeup: La Vie en Rose
  • Animated Short Film: Peter & the Wolf
  • Live Action Short Film: Le Mozart des Pickpockets ('The Mozart of Pickpockets')
  • Visual Effects: The Golden Compass

    Posted on February 25, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    2008 Razzie Award Winners

    The Razzie winners for 2008 are in. Nobody wants to win these awards and Lindsay Lohan will not be happy that her awful film I Know Who Killed Me took home so many of the uncoveted prizes. I Know Who Killed Me set a Razzie record winning 8 awards - there were only eleven categories. Eddie Murphy took home three Razzies include Razzies for Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Actor.

  • Worst Picture: I Know Who Killed Me
  • Worst Actor: Eddie Murphy (as Norbit) Norbit
  • Worst Actress (TIE) : Lindsay Lohan (as Aubrey) and Lindsay Lohan (as Dakota) I Know Who Killed Me
  • Worst Supporting Actress: Eddie Murphy (as Rasputia) Norbit
  • Worst Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy (as Mr. Wong) Norbit
  • Worst Screen Couple: Lindsay Lohan and Lindsay Lohan in I Know Who Killed Me
  • Worst Remake Or Rip-off: I Know Who Killed Me
  • Worst Prequel or Sequel: Daddy Day Camp
  • Worst Director: Chris Siverston, I Know Who Killed Me
  • Worst Screenplay: I Know Who Killed Me, Written by Jeffrey Hammond
  • Worst Excuse for a Horror Movie: I Know Who Killed Me

    Posted on February 23, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati



    The Oscars Are Coming

    The Oscars are this Sunday. Here are the nominees for Best Picture:

  • "Atonement" (Focus Features) A Working Title Production: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Paul Webster, Producers

  • "Juno" (A Mandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd Production) A Mandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd Production: Lianne Halfon, Mason Novick and Russell Smith, Producers

  • "Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros.) A Clayton Productions, LLC Production: Sydney Pollack, Jennifer Fox and Kerry Orent, Producers

  • "No Country for Old Men" (Miramax and Paramount Vantage) A Scott Rudin/Mike Zoss Production: Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers

  • "There Will Be Blood" (Paramount Vantage and Miramax) A JoAnne Sellar/Ghoulardi Film Company Production: JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Lupi, Producers

    We think No Country for Old Men will win Best Picture. Juno would be a big upset. You can see the full list of nominees here.

    Posted on February 22, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Ugly Betty Renewed for Fall

    The networks are busily rearranging their schedules and shows are being renewed and canceled at a frenetic pace. Here's the latest news on ABC shows:
    Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy return April 24, with each series airing five new episodes. To round out the Thursday-night knockout punch, execs are (as Ausiello first reported) placing Lost in the 10 pm/ET slot for at least five new episodes.

    Desperate Housewives returns April 13 with five original episodes and a two-hour finale planned. DH's Sunday-night sibling, Brothers & Sisters, won't be back until the following Sunday and will only air four new episodes.

    Samantha Who? and Boston Legal will return April 7 and April 8, respectively, each with six original episodes to air. Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money will all return... next season.
    Over at CBS, Moonlight is in a bit of a crisis. The showrunner left (or got fired, according to rumor) and they are looking for a new one. But until they find one the show's status is up in the air, which is really irritating. Ghost Whisperer and NUMB3RS have both been renewed for next season.

    Posted on February 21, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    The Bionic Woman Officially Canceled

    The Bionic Woman has been offically canceled, according to Michael Ausiello of TV Guide.
    It's now official: The Commander in Chief award for the most spectacular freshman flame-out of the 07-08 TV season goes to... Bionic Woman!

    Although NBC isn't talking, I'm told by multiple sources that Bionic staffers were informed late last week that the troubled reboot has indeed been canceled. That means no spring relaunch under new show-runner Jason Cahill - which is too bad. Cahill's a talented guy (see: The Sopranos), and I was anxious to see what he would do with the show. But I guess it wasn't meant to be.
    Now that the writers' strike is over, the networks aren't wasting any time canceling and renewing shows as quickly as they can. The Bionic Woman really didn't work as a show, but we still watched it hoping that somehow it would get better. But it never did.

    Posted on February 20, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati



    Star Wars Universe Returns to Film, TV

    Star Wars The Clone Wars


    The picture above shows Anakin Skywalker and his new padawan learner Ahoska from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Star Wars: The Clone Wars will premiere as a feature film in August. This will be followed by the debut of the television series on the Cartoon Network in the fall. You can see a sneak peak of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars here (via Fantasy SF Blog).

    "I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell," said George Lucas. "I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and, at the same time, push the art of animation forward."

    Lucasfilm says Star Wars: The Clone Wars showcases an entirely new look and feel to the Star Wars universe. Old favorites like Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padme Amidala will appear alongside new heroes like Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains include Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous.

    "Nothing like this has ever been produced for television," said Stuart Snyder, President/COO Turner Animation,Young Adults & Kids Media. "For 30 years, Star Wars has shown that it appeals to a huge breadth of fans. The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network will be appointment television for everyone in the family. We're thrilled to be working with Lucasfilm again and very excited to be playing a role in bringing this remarkable adventure to viewers."

    Posted on February 19, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Dancing With the Stars Contestants Announced

    The new contestants for Dancing With the Stars was just announced and the list overall is kind of blah. Adam Corolla and Steve Guttenberg? Penn Jillette? Really? Here they are in alphabetical order with brief bios. We're rooting for Kristi Yamaguchi.

    ADAM CAROLLA - Television and Radio personality Adam Carolla is the host of the Los Angeles based and nationally syndicated morning radio program, The Adam Carolla Show. The actor/comedian has his first starring film role soon to be released in The Hammer (in theaters March 21st), which he co-wrote and co-produced. Carolla was also one of the creators and hosts of Comedy Central's The Man Show (alongside Jimmy Kimmel) and the MTV and long-running syndicated radio program, Loveline, with Dr. Drew Pinsky.

    CRISTIAN DE LA FUENTE - Having started his acting career in his native Chile, the international film and television star's Spanish language projects include: Univision's mini series, Como ama una mujer and Sony television's Reyes y Rey which aired on Telemundo. He gained recognition in the States as a series regular on Family Law and CSI: Miami. Recent TV guest roles include: Ugly Betty and Psych. He stars in the upcoming USA Network series, In Plain Sight. Film work includes Driven and Basic. Cristian is a First Lieutenant in the Chilean Air Force Reserve and a member of Halcones, the High Aerobatics team. People Magazine named him one of their "50 Most Beautiful." He was the first man ever to grace the cover of Cosmopolitan en Espanol.

    SHANNON ELIZABETH - Actress/model Shannon Elizabeth starred in the box office hits, American Pie and Scary Movie. Some of her other credits include Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Love Actually, Cuts and That 70s Show. Shannon is also an accomplished poker player taking third out of sixty-four invited professionals at the 2007 National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

    STEVE GUTTENBERG - Actor Steve Guttenberg has starred in blockbusters such as Police Academy, Three Men And A Baby, Short Circuit and Cocoon, as well as such acclaimed dramatic hits as Diner and The Boys From Brazil. Guttenberg has starred in a dozen films, each of which earned in excess of $100,000,000 at the American box office. His television credits include one of the highest-rated telefilms of all time, The Day After. Guttenberg runs The Guttenhouse Project, which houses selected children who are phased out of foster care programs.

    MARIO - Twenty-one year-old, multi-platinum selling R&B/Pop singer and actor, Mario, is known for such hit singles as "Just a Friend (2002)" and "Let Me Love You." He was the recipient of Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year in 2005 for "Let Me Love You" and was nominated for a Grammy, BET Award, Vibe Award, MOBO Award and Soul Train Music Award. His latest album Go is in stores now. Mario has also appeared in the feature films Step Up and Freedom Writers.

    MARLEE MATLIN - Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for her film debut. In addition to the Oscar, Marlee received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. She has since appeared on a number of hit television programs including The West Wing, The L-Word, Nip/Tuck, and Desperate Housewives. In Spring 2008, she will star opposite Jeff Daniels in the telefilm, Sweet Nothing In My Ear.

    PENN JILLETTE - Penn Jillette is one-half of the famous illusionist team Penn & Teller. Penn & Teller have been performing together for thirty years and are currently headlining in their own theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They've received eleven Emmy nominations for their television series, Penn & Teller: Bulls**t and created several TV projects together. The duo has also written three best-selling books. In 2005, Penn produced and co-created the critically acclaimed documentary, The Aristocrats.

    PRISCILLA PRESLEY - Actress, producer and entrepreneur Priscilla Presley starred in the Naked Gun films and the internationally popular television series Dallas, as well as guest-starred on TV's Touched by an Angel, Spin City and Melrose Place. Founder of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Priscilla has also served as executive producer on the feature film Finding Graceland and the television version of her autobiography, Elvis and Me. Presley was married to music icon, Elvis Presley.

    MONICA SELES - Tennis champ, Monica Seles, is the holder of nine grand slam singles titles and was the top-ranked player in the world. She turned pro in 1988 at the age of fourteen and won her first grand slam championship, the French Open, just two years later. After a two-year absence from the tour in 1993 and 1994, Seles rose above adversity and returned to capture her final grand slam crown in 1996 winning the Australian Open. She holds an outstanding career win loss singles record of 595-122 and was ranked the13th greatest player of all time by Tennis Magazine. Her accomplishments also extend beyond the tennis court as Goodwill Ambassador for the Laures Sports Foundation and the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Microalgae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM).

    JASON TAYLOR - This year's NFL Man of the Year Award Winner and last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Taylor has played defensive end for the Miami Dolphins for over a decade. The six-time All Pro formed the Jason Taylor Foundation in 2004 and continues to be heavily involved throughout the South Florida community. Taylor holds the NFL record for touchdowns by a defensive lineman (7) and is the Dolphins all-time leader in quarterback sacks (117) and consecutive games played (130). Jason is married to Katina, and the couple reside in Weston, Fla., with their two sons, Isaiah Paul and Mason Paul, and daughter, Zoe Grace.

    MARISSA JARET WINOKUR - Marissa Jaret Winokur is best known for creating the role of "Tracy Turnblad" in the hit Broadway musical Hairspray, a performance for which she won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress. Winokur has since been seen in the Farrelly Brothers film Fever Pitch and the television series Stacked. She just finished filming the series lead in a new pilot called Fugly, for 20th Century Fox and CBS and is currently working as one of the leads in the Lifetime movie Betrayals.

    KRISTI YAMAGUCHI - An Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion, Kristi Yamaguchi is one of the most popular and successful figure skaters of our time. Since winning the 1992 Winter Olympics, Yamaguchi retired from competitive skating, performing in numerous television specials and traveling the globe on Stars on Ice tour. Along with her many awards and accomplishments, she is a member of the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the US Olympic Hall of Fame. In 1996, she founded the Always Dream Foundation dedicated to fundraising and supporting children's charities. Yamaguchi is married to Stanley Cup Champion and Carolina Hurricanes star, Bret Hedican. Together, they have two young daughters.

    Posted on February 18, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Numb3rs - G33K Love

    Charlie Eppes and Dr. Larry Fleinhardt are a little nerdy but there are two beautiful women (Amita and Megan) on Numb3rs who love them anyway!



    Posted on February 14, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    New Trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

    Here's the new trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It looks awesome:



    Posted on February 14, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Saturday Night Live Returns February 23

    The writers' strike is finally over and the screenwriters are heading back to work. Saturday Night Live will return on February 23rd on NBC and Tina Fay will be the host. We're guessing that there will be lots of political skits.

    The other networks are still finalizing plans. 24 won't return until January, 2009, which is too bad. But CBS announced that it will be airing six new episodes of Ghost Whisperer on April 4 and four new episodes of Moonlight on April 11.

    Posted on February 13, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Will Ferrell Talks Semi-Pro

    Photo of Will Ferrell and Heidi KlumWill Ferrell is in character as owner/player/coach Jackie Moon from his new film Semi-Pro about the ABA basketball league (yes, it really existed). Will and Heidi Klum hit the court as part of a Sports Illustrated photo shoot.

    In the SI interview, Will talks about the characters's famous shooting style (granny) and those scary short shorts that all the basketball players used to wear.
    SI.com: You conveniently find a way to show off your stellar physique in all your movies. You showed some restraint in Semi-Pro, although we do get a closer-than-comfortable look under your short shorts while you are on the free-throw line. What was the goal of the groin cam and do you think the NBA will implement a similar camera angle now?

    Ferrell: They will if they're smart. I knew going in I wanted to have the nice tight shorts because it was first, historically accurate and second, just stupid looking. That close-up shot came about to focus on Jackie Moon's form in the classic, granny style free throw. It was all about capturing that moment.

    SI.com: What did you think when the Lakers played in the short shorts for the first half of their game against the Celtics a few weeks back?

    Ferrell: I heard about it. I didn't see it, I heard they were extremely self conscious and that the audience half cheered and half laughed and didn't know how to react to it. So I don't think they'll be going back to the short shorts anytime soon.
    Semi-Pro opens in wide release on February 29, 2008.

    Posted on February 12, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Terminator Returns Tonight

    Photo of Summe Glau on Terminator Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns to television tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/8:00 p.m. Central time on Fox. Brian Austin Green guest stars in tonight's episode, which is entitled "Queen's Gambit."

    Andy (Brendan Hines) submits his computer into a chess competition. During the match, Sarah (Lena Headey) meets up with a stranger (Brian Austin Green) who has a similar background. John (Thomas Dekker) makes new friends at school while Cameron (Summer Glau) gets a counseling session. Meanwhile, Agent Ellison (Richard T. Jones) finds remnants of a "Terminator Battle," and tries to figure out what it all means.

    We're so happy that the writers' strike is basically over. Now we can figure out when the shows we like are on, because the scheduling has been just awful the past three months.

    Posted on February 11, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Tentative Deal Reached: Writers' Strike Could Be Over Soon

    A tentative deal has been reached between the writers and the studios, which is fantastic news for television viewers. Today, the terms of the proposed deal are being submitted to the membership of the WGA for approval. If the membership approves the deal, everyone will be back at work next week.

    That means Oscars will go on (with jokes and movie stars and evening gowns aplenty) and that writers will get back to work on all our favorite TV shows. And movies, of course. It's a happy day in Hollywood.

    Posted on February 8, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Paris Hilton Plays Hottie in Movie

    Paris Hottie and the NottieParis Hilton plays hottie Cristabel Abbott in her new movie The Hottie and the Nottie. Christine Laki plays Christabel's not-so-hot friend June. Christine Laki is an attractive actress - this hints at an inevitable transformation scene. The critics are not impressed with The Hottie and the Nottie. AP's movie critic Christy Lemire doesn't think it is worth seeing either.
    Really, there's no point in paying to see a movie starring Paris Hilton -- she of the platinum blonde extensions and the nonexistent acting range -- because you can get exactly what she has to offer for free by turning on a TV infotainment show or clicking on any number of gossip Web sites.

    In "The Hottie and the Nottie," she once again essentially plays herself, or at least the version of herself she's concocted for public consumption. (Sadly, the world may never get to know the "real" Paris, if such a thing exists.) Then again, Katharine Hepburn built a career on portraying a carefully crafted version of herself, so hey, anything's possible.

    This time, Hilton stars as sexpot Cristabel Abbott, who's so massively desirable, men line the beach path where she jogs every day (in slow motion, naturally) with marriage proposals and other wacky expressions of love. Cristabel has an entire walk-in closet devoted entirely to her extensive collection of lingerie. When she practices yoga, the instructor compliments her on the quality of her downward facing dog.
    With no critics on her side the only hope for Paris is that her fans turnout for her comedy.



    Posted on February 8, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Oscars President Wants Answer From WGA About Telecast

    The Oscars bigwigs are putting pressure on the Writers Guild to give them an answer about whether the show will go on.
    Academy prexy Sid Ganis has again reached out to the Writers Guild of America about Oscar's fate but still hasn't received an answer. "We're running out of time," he told Daily Variety.

    WGA leaders obviously have a lot on their plate this week, but Ganis on Wednesday said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences needs to know ASAP "as a matter of logistics. We have nominees and potential presenters who live all over the globe. I'm nervous. We're getting down to the final moments; we need to make plans."

    Guild reps have told reporters several times that they don't intend to grant the Academy a waiver, but have never given a definitive yes or no to the org itself. "We've asked several times for a waiver or a one-day truce to move ahead," Ganis said, with the latest request delivered Monday afternoon. WGA reps told the Academy that they could expect an answer sometime next week. Ganis said he is sympathetic to the guild's sensitivities at this time -- but next week is too late for a show that involves not only travel arrangements for dozens of people, but complicated plans for a stage show, TV production, etc.

    Logic would dictate that since the guild gave waivers to such kudocasts as the Image Awards and the upcoming Grammys, then Oscar would be given the OK. But nothing's been firmed. Ganis is hopeful, because all 13 nominated screenwriters attended Monday's nominees luncheon at the BevHilton, as did James L. Brooks and Frank Pierson, who are governors of the Acad's writers branch. All the scripters were "thrilled at being there," Ganis said.
    The Oscars staff has prepared two shows: one which uses writers and movie stars and one which doesn't. Needless to say, they'd rather have the one with the writers and actors. The WGA meets this weekend to look over a proposed settlement to the strike. If all goes well, the Oscars will move forward as planned, with a red carpet and everything. If not, then it will be something truly horrible like the fiasco that was the Golden Globes newscast.

    Posted on February 7, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Super Tuesday TV

    Coverage of the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses will dominate television tonight. Many of the news channels will also be streaming coverage online, which is nice. Here's our take on the different styles of the competing news coverage:

    CNN: CNN has the best smart board coverage: John King really works that board, spewing out so much information about how people voted in every county of every state that it will make your head spin. CNN's wall graphics are the easiest to read. They have some good analysts on tonight: Paul Begala (wasn't he banned from CNN by Obama's people?), Bill "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" Bennett, David Gergen (professor, served under like a million presidents, great analysis), Jeffrey Toobin (started as a legal analyst, has transitioned well into politics), Wolf Blitzer (always keeps his cool, beard immaculately trimmed) and Bill Schneider (tells you more about exit polls than you ever wanted to know in your lifetime).

    Fox News: Karl "The Architect" Rove is analyzing the Republican races (he's amazing -- he seems to have John King's smart board inside his head), former congressman and current DLC Chair Harold Ford is analyzing the Democratic races (he was the first Obama, but somehow the buzz died down over time), Brit Hume keeps referring to Bill Hemmer's "amazing toy" (the Smart Board Version 1.0 that can't even compare to CNN's Smart Board Version 5.0).

    MSNBC: Chris Matthews hasn't started spitting yet, but he's getting excited as the night goes on, Keith Olbermann seems to forget that he's not a sports anchor anymore and is calling the races like they're a football game. Usually Tom Brokaw shows up to chastise Matthews when he makes sexist remarks, which is always fun. Their graphics leave much to be desired, but they seem to be willing to call races faster than the other channels.

    Or, you could always watch House.

    Posted on February 5, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Hannah Montana Rules the Box Office

    Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert ruled the box office this past weekend. The 3-D film of Miley Cyrus' tour as herself and as alter ego Hannah Montana took in $29 million this past weekend, which was the biggest Super Bowl weekend debut ever.
    Distributor Disney planned to have the movie out for only a week but now has decided to keep it in theaters until it runs its course. The concert film -- featuring 15-year-old Cyrus both as herself backstage and as her Disney Channel character, pop sensation Hannah -- filled the void for fans unable to catch one of the live shows on the Hannah Montana 54-date tour.

    The digital 3-D technology also gave fans the illusion of practically being at a live show, said Mark Zoradi, president of Disney's motion-picture group, who visited several packed theaters where the movie played over the weekend. "The screaming level was unbelievable. It almost plays like a concert. At the end of a song, you have audiences clapping like you do at a concert," Zoradi said. "Parents who weren't able to get concert tickets, now they were able to take their kids and satisfy that demand, and kids were in a way able to be up close and personal, with the best seats in the house."

    *****

    Lionsgate's "The Eye," a remake of the Japanese horror hit, opened at No. 2 with $13 million. "The Eye" stars Jessica Alba as a blind concert violinist whose vision is restored by a corneal transplant that also results in terrifying visions.

    "Desperate Housewives" co-star Eva Longoria Parker delivered a dud with her first top-billed movie, "Over Her Dead Body," which opened with a weak $4.6 million to finish at No. 11. Distributed by New Line, the movie stars Longoria Parker as a dead woman whose ghost tries to break up a romance between her fiance (Paul Rudd) and his new girlfriend.

    Playing in just 683 theaters, "Hannah Montana" broke another record: never before has a movie in so few cinemas premiered at the top of the box office chart. The movie averaged a whopping $42,460 a theater, compared to an average of $5,337 in each of 2,436 cinemas for "The Eye" and about $2,327 in each of 1,977 theaters for "Over Her Dead Body."
    We saw Beowulf in 3-D at the Imax and it really is amazing technology. We admit that we took alcohol wipes with us to make sure we didn't pick up someone else's eye or ear infection from the 3-D glasses they hand out. Hey, we don't watch Monk for nothing.

    Posted on February 4, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

    Razzie Award Nominations For Worst Films and Worst Acting Announced

    Razzie AwardsThe 28th annual Razzie award nominations have been announced. Lindsay Lohan and Eddie Murphy seem to be the most at risk of taking home one or more of the gold-spray-painted, $4.89 statuettes this year. Lindsay Lohan's flick I Know Who Killed Me was most nominated film with nine total nominations. Lindsay managed to get nominated twice for Worst Actress. Eddie Murphy set a record with 5 nominations most of them having to do with his Norbit movie. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Bratz and Daddy Day Camp are also up for Worst Picture along with Lindsay's I Know Who Killed Me and Eddie Murphy's despised Norbit movie. Here is the complete list of nominees.

    Worst Picture
  • Bratz
  • Daddy Day Camp
  • I Know Who Killed Me
  • I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
  • Norbit

    Worst Actor
  • Nicolas Cage, Ghost Rider, National Treasure: Book of Secrets and Next
  • Jim Carrey, The Number 23
  • Cuba Gooding, Jr., Daddy Day Camp and Norbit
  • Eddie Murphy (as Norbit), Norbit
  • Adam Sandler, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

    Worst Actress
  • Jessica Alba, Awake, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Good Luck Chuck
  • Logan Browning, Janel Parrish, Nathalia Ramos & Skyler Shaye, Bratz
  • Elisha Cuthbert, Captivity
  • Diane Keaton, Because I Said So
  • Lindsay Lohan (as Aubrey), I Know Who Killed Me
  • Lindsay Lohan (as Dakota), I Know Who Killed Me

    Worst Supporting Actor
  • Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
  • Kevin James, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
  • Eddie Murphy (as Mr. Wong), Norbit
  • Rob Schneider, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
  • Jon Voight, Bratz, National Treasure 2, September Dawn and Transformers

    Worst Supporting Actress
  • Jessica Biel, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry and Next
  • Carmen Electra, Epic Movie
  • Eddie Murphy (as Rasputia), Norbit
  • Julia Ormond, I Know Who Killed Me
  • Nicolette Sheridan, Code Name: The Cleaner

    Worst Screen Couple
  • Jessica Alba & either Hayden Christensen (Awake) or Dane Cook (Good Luck Chuck) or Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer)
  • Any Combination of Two Totally Air-Headed Characters Bratz
  • Lindsay Lohan & Lindsay Lohan (as The Yang to Her Own Yin) I Know Who Killed Me
  • Eddie Murphy (as Norbit) & either Eddie Murphy (as Mr. Wong) or Eddie Murphy (as Rasputia) Norbit
  • Adam Sandler & either Kevin James or Jessica Biel I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

    Worst Remake or Rip-Off
  • Are We Done Yet?
  • Bratz
  • Epic Movie
  • I Know Who Killed Me
  • Who's Your Caddy

    Worst Prequel or Sequel
  • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
  • Daddy Day Camp
  • Evan Almighty
  • Hannibal Rising
  • Hostel: Part II

    Worst Director
  • Dennis Dugan, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
  • Roland Joffe, Captivity
  • Brian Robbins, Norbit
  • Fred Savage, Daddy Day Camp
  • Chris Siverston, I Know Who Killed Me

    Worst Screenplay
  • Daddy Day Camp, Screenplay by Geoff Rodkey and David J. Stem & David N. Weiss
  • Epic Movie, Written by Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer
  • I Know Who Killed Me, Written by Jeffrey Hammond
  • I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Screenplay by Barry Fanaro and Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
  • Norbit, Screenplay by Eddie Murphy & Charles Murphyand Jay Sherick & David Ronn

    Worst Excuse for a Horror Movie
  • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
  • Captivity
  • Hannibal Rising
  • Hostel: Part II
  • I Know Who Killed Me

    Posted on February 1, 2008
    Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

  • Our Blogs
    Bloggers Blog
    Crafters Craft
    Drivers Drive
    Fantasy SF Blog
    Gamers Game
    Health News Blog
    HowToWeb.com
    The IWJ Blog
    Lovers Love
    Media Cynic
    Petosphere
    Pleasant Morning Buzz
    Readers Read
    Science News Blog
    Shopping Blog
    Singers Sing
    Surfers Surf
    Traders Trade
    Video Nacho
    Watchers Watch
    Workers Work
    The Write News
    Writer's Blog















    www.watcherswatch.com

    Copyright © 2006-2007 by Writers Write, Inc. All Rights Reserved.