Entertainment,
Celebrity And Gaming News: Hollywood, AussieWood,
Sin City Sydney, Australia - 8th April 2012
Australian
movie, entertainment and wrestling fans. It's time
for yet another showbiz update. We've got Marvel Entertainment,
WWE, gaming, celebrities, and more.
50
Cent, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger Will
Star In 'The Tomb' Movie...
50
Cent continues to evolve. The music mogul just signed
on for yet another film, Summit's latest action-thriller,
"The Tomb.” After working together on Lionsgate's
"Fire With Fire," Fif will reunite with
Vincent D'Onofrio and Vinnie Jones in this Mikael
Hafstrom directed action-thriller. The film also stars
Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with
Oscar nominee Amy Ryan as its female lead.
50
Cent To Guest Star On SyFy's 'Dream Machines'...
The
film is focused around Stallone who plays an expert
on structural security. The plot thickens as Stallone
is framed and put in a high-security prison of his
own design. The storyline then unfolds as he must
put his skills to the test to find out who put him
there.
The
70 million dollar movie is being co-financed by both
Summit and Emmett/Furla Films, which also produced
"Fire With Fire." However, this is not 50’s
first time working with Emmett/Furla films, as he
was also cast in the company's "Setup" with
Bruce Willis, "Freelancers" with Robert
De Niro and "The Frozen Ground" with Nicolas
Cage.
Last
month 50 Cent announced that his fifth studio album
will be released this summer. “My album is coming
out july 2. I got some heat trust me I'm ready,”
Fif tweeted. The announcement comes after the New
York MC called out Interscope Records for a lack of
support surrounding the release of the LP.
CM Punk At Chicago Comic-Con...
Rosemont,
IL, April 06, 2012 - Wizard World Chicago Comic Con,
which for nearly two decades has thrilled hundreds
of thousands of fans with standout celebrities, top-notch
superstar artists, VIP experiences and more, rolls
out an expanded, full four-day show, August 9-12 at
the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. More than
50 celebrities, including headliners like William
Shatner, Jeri Ryan, Stan Lee, Jon Bernthal and WWE
Superstar CM Punk, notable artists Carlos Pacheco,
George Pérez, Greg Capullo and dozens of others
are already signed up to attend what is shaping up
as the biggest Wizard World show ever and the Midwest's
No. 1 Pop Culture Convention.
The
international pop culture icon Shatner ("Star
Trek," "T.J. Hooker") will appear on
Friday, Aug. 10, and Saturday, Aug. 11, Ryan ("Star
Trek: Voyager," "Boston Public") on
Sunday, Aug. 12, Eisner Award Hall of Famer and comic
book legend Lee and Bernthal ("The Walking Dead,"
The Ghost Writer) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
and WWE Superstar CM Punk, the current WWE champion,
on Saturday.
"Wizard
World Chicago Comic Con continues to grow in all areas,
from celebrity guests to Artist Alley to evening entertainment
to VIP experiences, so much so that we've made it
a full four-day show for the first time," said
John Macaluso, CEO, Wizard World. "William Shatner,
Jeri Ryan and Stan Lee are at the top of a deep celebrity
roster that will connect with fans of all ages."
The
announcement follows the recent news that one of Hollywood's
fastest-risers, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers),
will headline Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on June 2.
The
longest-running and highest-attended show annually
on the Wizard World calendar, 2012 Wizard World Chicago
Comic Con will also feature movie and television stars
such as Nina Dobrev ("The Vampire Diaries,"
CHLOE), Kate Mulgrew ("Star Trek: Voyager,"
Remo Williams), Bruce Campbell (Army Of Darkness,
Evil Dead), Tom Felton (Harry Potter, Rise of the
Planet of the Apes), Amy Acker ("Angel,"
The Cabin In The Woods) and dozens of others.
Eisner
Award winner Pérez ("Superman," "JSA"),
nominee Pacheco ("X-Men," "Green Lantern")
and Capullo ("Batman," "Spawn")
are joined in Artist Alley by Rodolfo Migliari ("Green
Arrow," "Green Lantern"), "Brom"
("Dungeons & Dragons," "The Plucker),
"CAFU" ("Superboy," "Action
Comics"), Ken Kelly ("Batman," "Star
Wars") and Pat Lee ("Spider-Man," "Iron
Man"), among a first-class roster of special
guests.
Wizard
World Chicago Comic Con, produced by Wizard World,
Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans
of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture,
movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming,
television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles,
contests and more.
For
more on the 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit
http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/home-ch.html
Dwayne Johnson Named CinemaCon Action Star of the
Year...
He'll
receive the honor at the upcoming convention of theater
owners in Las Vegas.
Dwayne
Johnson will be lauded with the Action Star of the
Year Award at CinemaCon.
This
summer, Johnson stars in Paramount tentpole G.I. Joe:
Relaliation. He's currently still in theaters in box
office hit Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, from
Warner Bros.
Johnson
will receive the CinemaCon award during Paramount's
opening night presentation.
Captain America sequel scheduled for 2014 release...
It's
official: Captain America will continue to fight the
good fight for liberty and freedom.
On
Thursday, Walt Disney Studios announced that a sequel
to last summer's Captain America: The First Avenger
is scheduled to be released on April 4, 2014, one
month before the release of the sequel to The Amazing
Spider-Man, who begins spinning his web July 3 of
this year.
Chris
Evans -- formerly Johnny Storm/the Human Torch of
The Fantastic Four -- finally put Marvel's patriotic
super-soldier on the A-list of superheroes in the
original, which earned $368 million dollars worldwide.
The
actor returns to the role as one of "Earth's
Mightiest Heroes" known as The Avengers with
Robert Downey, Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth
(Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/the Hulk), Jeremy
Renner (Clint Barton/Hawkeye), Scarlett Johnansson
(Natascha Romanoff/Black Widow), and Samuel L. Jackson
(Nick Fury); the film comes out in the U.S on May
4.
'Captain America' sequel heads to theaters in 2014...
LOS
ANGELES — Captain America is getting another
solo shot on the big-screen.
Walt
Disney Studios announced Thursday that a sequel to
last year's superhero hit "Captain America: The
First Avenger" will arrive in theaters on April
4, 2014.
The
first movie starred Chris Evans as the patriotic fighter
for justice dressed in red, white and blue. "Captain
America" took in $368 million at the worldwide
box office.
Evans
reprises his role as Captain America in "The
Avengers," an ensemble adventure featuring Robert
Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson,
Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner as
a team of Marvel Comics heroes.
"The
Avengers" is due out in the U.S on May 4, and
Australia will likely be just days after.
Brock Lesnar Retired From MMA / UFC; Re Signs With
WWE Pro Wrestling / Sports Entertainment...
He
was billed as “The Next Big Thing” when
he first ripped up the pro wrestling business.
Now,
more than 10 years later, WWE head honcho Vince McMahon
and his top brass are hoping he's still be “The
Next Big Thing.”
Lesnar's
return to pro wrestling after an eight-year hiatus
made global news he meWWE posterboy John Cena with
an F-5 (ex FU) at the conclusion of last week's RAW,
as seen on Rupert Murdoch's Foxtel in Australia.
The
buzz confirmed Lesnar sightings in Miami over Wrestlemania
weekend, and wrestling fans had hoped that star would
make a surprise appearance at Mania. It's likely Lesnar's
contracted was signed before WrestleMania 28, but
the powers that be elected to use him the RAW after
WM, to help maintain momentum, and give viewers more
reason to continue to choose to tune into the WWE
brand.
Lesnar,
who departed WWE in 2004 primarily due to a massive
road schedule, reportedly signed a one-year deal with
WWE that will include a lighter workload and less
work dates than his last run. He is expected to be
featured mainly on pay-per-views and live televised
shows leading up to next year's Wrestlemania.
Lesnar,
an NCAA heavyweight champion at the University of
Minnesota, is expected to initially feud with Cena.
There's also talk of a possible match with The Rock
at the Wrestlemania 29 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), who defeated Cena last
Sunday U.S) at Wrestlemania 28 in Miami, already has
committed to appear at next year's wrestling 'Grand
Dadddy Of The All".
Lesnar
defeated The Rock in their last matchup back in 2002.
Many wrestling experts feel that a "Brock vs.
Rock" rematch would draw big money and huge interest
once again for the WWE machine.
Lesnar
already is being promoted for WWE's Extreme Rules
pay-per-view in Chicago on April 29, and is scheduled
to appear on the April 9 Raw in Washington, D.C.,
and a three-hour Raw on April 23 in Detroit.
Lesnar's
last UFC match was Dec. 30 in a loss to former Strikeforce
heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. Following the
loss, Lesnar announced his retirement from mixed martial
arts, mentioning his life-threatening bouts with diverticulitis.
Lesnar,
34, is married to the former Rena Mero, the ex-WWE
diva and Playboy centerfold known as Sable. They have
two young children.
Citing
a number of issues, including burnout and a massive
travel schedule, Lesnar left the wrestling business
eight years ago after advising WWE owner Vince McMahon
that he had come to the realization that he was miserable
in his job.
Lesnar's
admission, though, came at a particularly critical
juncture — just days before a dream Wrestlemania
showdown with Bill Goldberg in what had been billed
as one of the biggest events in WWE history.
At
the time Lesnar told colleagues and company officials
that the match would mark his last in the wrestling
business.
Eight
years later, and on the heels of a relatively short
but highly publicized run in the mixed martial arts
industry, Lesnar appears ready for a return to pro
wrestling ranks.
McMahon
and the company are hoping he's in for the long haul
— or at least until Wrestlemania 29.
Lesnar
Contract Details And More...
WWE
wrestling fans, and sports fans worldwide have been
abuzz all week after Brock Lesnar returned to WWE
Raw this past Monday night. Lesnar, a former Ultimate
Fighting Championship athlete joins Hollywood actor
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the latest
mainstream celebrity to be signed to a WWE contract.
Both men formerly labored for Vince McMahon's empire
before they coursed on to bigger and more prestigious
accolades. However, there have been reports that many
current WWE roster members are not too pleased with
the return of The Rock and Brock Lesnar.
A
contract stipulations begin to leak, on of those circumstances
reported in Brock Lesnar's agreement was that Brock
had to work a told 30-40 wrestling dates for the year.
For those intervals, Lesnar would receive five million
dollars. The dilemma with this exists that other full
time members of the roster perform over 200 dates
per year and don't even make a fifth of Lesnar's income.
In fact, other than a handfull of elite headliners,
most WWE wrestlers make less than $500,000 dollars
a year. And that doesn't include travel expenses and
hotel accommodations that those wrestlers have to
fork out for out of pocket each week. The gap between
dates and salary among full time WWE wrestlers and
Brock Lesnar is huge.
The
Rock has a comparable WWE contract. It has been reported
that The Rock will work a modest amount of matches
over the next year, which will likely culminate in
a bout at Wrestlemania 29 against Brock Lesnar.
Storm smashes 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's Texas ranch...
FOWLERTON,
Texas -- Wrestling legend "Stone Cold" Steve
Austin was left stunned this week after the barn on
his Texas ranch was destroyed by a storm.
The
47-year-old, real name Steven James Williams, saw
the roof of his barn torn off at the storm ripped
through Broken Skull Ranch in McMullen County.
The
wrestler-come-actor said he planned to use the damage
to add more storage space.
He told TMZ fixing the damage, "ain't gonna be
cheap."
Andy Kaufman's pro wrestling exploits recalled in
CNN feature, claims WWE won't allow him in the Hall
of Fame...
The
pro wrestling exploits of Andy Kaufman were chronicled
in a lengthy CNN website feature. The story states
that Kaufman remains shut out of the WWE Hall of Fame.
"His absence from the Hall of Fame is conspicuous,"
Syracuse professor Bob Thompson said. "He is
one of the really important members of the pantheon
of that form." To read the full article, visit
CNN.com/2012/04/07/us/kaufman-lawler-wrestling-match/index.html
Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment To Ramp Up New Product Offers;
Social Media Attack And More...
Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment has reported plans to develop
and launch numerous gaming products. Since the merger
in April 2011, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment has
strived to evolve and grow in the competitive online
gaming market.
Bwin.Party
has reported its desire to continually integrate its
platform and products as well as invest in Research
and Development. The online gaming giant has announced
the development of a rush poker variant and the launch
of social gaming products in order to stay pace with
the evolving market. Furthermore, co-CEOs Jim Ryan
and Norbert Teufelberger have reported that the company
is “well placed” to take advantage of the
regulatory movement in both Europe and the US.
New
Products
Bwin.Party
has reported plans to launch several products ranging
from mobile applications to new gaming products. The
gaming giant plans to launch a social gaming platform
in addition to building an independent social gaming
site. The first social gaming product is tipped to
be poker-based game called Aces Hangout, which was
tested in late 2011 and we understand launched on
Google+ days ago. The company has announced that the
poker-based social gaming offerings will be followed
by a casino and sports book application. In addition
to these social gaming offerings, the company plans
to launch mobile applications for its core products
as well as HTML5 versions of its major gaming sites.
CEO
Jim Ryan recently told news media that “We expect
to gain competitive advantage this year from additional
scale and improved flexibility that will flow from
the integration and migration of our main products
to a single technology platform.”
In
addition to the launch of the social gaming platform,
Ryan announced that the company has launched the development
of a rush poker variant.
Legislation
and Finance
Bwin.Party
has announced that it is well positioned to take advantage
of the regulatory movements in major markets like
Spain and the US. In Spain, the gaming company is
one of 60 companies that are waiting for the approval
of the licensing application that was recently delayed
due to controversy surrounding a Spain regulator.
In the United States, Bwin.Party secured a joint venture
with brick and mortar casino operators MGM and Boyd
Gaming in order to position itself for the anticipated
regulation of online poker in the US. Furthermore,
the company has an application for the Schleswig-Holstein
Board that will allow the launch of all products except
bingo.
Financially,
Bwin.Party announced an increase in flat pro-forma
revenues from €814m to €816m and a 9% increase
in its casino revenue. EGamingReview also reported
that analysts have a positive outlook on the company
with a 2% average daily increase over last year’s
figures.
Bwin.Party
continues to evolve in the competitive gaming market
and plans to launch several exciting products in the
near future. In addition to the new developments and
regulatory preparations, Bwin.Party is expected to
finally have real money dotcom players move to the
merged platform by the third quarter of 2012 and the
dot.it and dot.fr migrations to occur in the fourth
quarter of this year. The company expects this migration
to further enhance its position in the poker market
alongside its major competitors like PokerStars, Virgin
Games and PKR.
Media
Man will be following up Bwin.Party developments,
and as we go to press the have already released at
least one new slot to the online casino portfolio
PartyCasino,
as seen on the Media Man network, so its game on!
That's
it fans. Stay tuned to Media
Man and Street
Corner for more entertainment news and scoops
daily.
News
'Ocean's
Eleven' voted greatest ever remake; Hollywood Celebrity
News, Pro Wrestling Connection - 29th February 2012
Readers,
we're hear to tell you that the 'Rock N Roll Wrestling
Connection' is back, with a bit of casino fun and
games thrown into the mix, both in Australia and in
the USA.
'Ocean's
Eleven' has been chosen as the best movie remake of
all time in a recent poll.
Australia
casino king James Packer, is probably going to be
pleased to hear that land based casino themed movies
are in vogue, since he's looking to open or take over
his own Sydney, Australia casino soon. Obviously,
JP won't be hoping for a casino robbery - to state
the obvious. Vegas casino and hotel tycoon Steve Wynn
would have caught the 'Ocean's Eleven' news no doubt.
Not sure if Kevin Nash (once upon a time known as
Vinnie Vegas) did. Nash, also a former leading member
of the nWo is currently off the WWE wrestling roster,
following a feud with Triple H.
The
movie, which is based on an original 1960 film, hit
screens in 2001 and went on to gross over 450 million
dollars worldwide.
It
sees Clooney lead an all-star cast of Brad Pitt, Matt
Damon and Julia Roberts in an attempted casino robbery
in Las Vegas.
Danny
Ocean and his eleven accomplices plan to rob three
Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
Clooney
has been dating former WWE wrestler - diva Stacey
Keibler for over 6 months and they attended the Oscars
together.
Leading
man Clooney was up for a Best Actor and Best Adapted
Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
And despite losing out on the Best Actor accolade,
Clooney's girlfriend Stacy Keibler made sure he went
home with an Oscar of his own as her dress appeared
to have been inspired by the statuette.
Attending
her first Academy Awards on Clooney's arm, Keibler
looked stunning in a gold Grecian-style Marchesa creation.
Ocean's
Eleven (2001)
Director:
Steven Soderbergh
Writers: George Clayton Johnson (1960 story), Jack
Golden Russell (1960 story)
Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts
Top
10 Best Remakes...
1.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
2. The Mummy (1999)
3. King Kong (2005)
4. The Italian Job (2003)
5. Cape Fear (1991)
6. The Parent Trap (1998)
7. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
8. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
9. Scarface (1983)
10. Alfie (2004)
Top
10 Worst Remakes
1.
Arthur (2011)
2. The Wicker Man (2006)
3. Fame (2009)
4. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
5. Clash of the Titans (2010)
6. Planet of the Apes (2001)
7. Piranha 3-D (2010)
8. House of Wax (2005)
9. Freaky Friday (2003)
10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis arm wrestle...
Hollywood
tough guys and action heroes Sylvester Stallone and
Bruce Willis challenged each other to an arm wrestle
during a recent night out.
The
actors were enjoying a meal with their respective
wives when they started arguing about who was in better
shape.
Stallone,
65, challenged 56-year-old Willis to an arm wrestling
match and the pair then swept aside glasses, cutlery
and plates to lock arms and start their fight.
Diners
at nearby tables were initially stunned but as as
they recognised the wrestler like actors they started
cheering and Willis and Stallone grunted, groaned
and wheezed for several minutes.
However,
the men's wives were not impressed and asked them
to "break it up", which they duly listened
to.
It's
understood that soon after their meal, Stallone went
into hospital to have an operation on his shoulder,
although it is not thought to have any link to his
night out with Willis.
A
Media Man agency spokesperson said "We suspect
this may be another elaborate publicity stunt by Team
Stallone, although we can't prove it. Stallone fans
will recall that only a week ago Stallone was photographed
in a hospital bed alongside long time mate Arnold
Schwarzenegger, both nursing the same injury, and
Arnold took a photo for the world to see. Well, as
least the cast of Expendables 2 is doing well, and
it seems that they sure as heck know how to promote
a movie".
Action
movie fans take note however that in the filming of
the original Expendables WWE wrestling legend "Stone
Cold" Steve Austin did break the neck of Stallone
for real, or so the story goes.
Wrestling
Legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper In Fancypants
Movie...
Fancypants
is a 2011 film directed by Joshua Russell and starring
Patrick Gleason, Roddy Piper, and Robert Carradine.
Featuring Nick Turturro, Richard Kind, and introducing
Jackson Dunn.
It
is a comedy/drama about a professional wrestler who
is afraid of conflict in real life. He is nearing
the end of his career and finds out he has one fan
left in an 8-year old boy, who hides a secret that
will change Leo's life forever. The film was shot
entirely on location in Chicago.
The
film won Best Feature at the 2011 Sunscreen Film Festival
in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was an official selection
at the 2011 Seattle True Independent Film Festival.
Roddy
Piper is also rumoured to be one of the house-mates
in upcoming WWE reality TV show, 'Legends House'.
Four Canadians indicted on US gambling charges; Online
Casino Royale or Ocean's Eleven...
US
authorities seized the gambling website Bodog on Tuesday
and announced the indictment of four Canadians on
charges of illegal sports betting and money laundering,
including founder Calvin Ayre.
The
federal grand jury indictment of Ayre, James Philip,
David Ferguson, Derrick Maloney and the Bodog Entertainment
Group was unsealed in Baltimore, Maryland, and is
the latest blow by US prosecutors against online gambling.
"Sports
betting is illegal in Maryland, and federal law prohibits
bookmakers from flouting that law simply because they
are located outside the country," US Attorney
Rod Rosenstein said in a statement.
"Many
of the harms that underlie gambling prohibitions are
exacerbated when the enterprises operate over the
Internet without regulation," Rosenstein said.
US
law prohibits US financial institutions from knowingly
accepting payments for online gambling made through
credit cards, electronic transfers and checks, but
bills have been introduced in the US Congress to ease
the restrictions.
In
April, 11 people were charged with bank fraud, money
laundering and other offenses in a crackdown on the
three largest online poker companies -- Absolute Poker,
PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.
A
spokeswoman for the US Attorney's Office told the
press that none of the four accused Canadians is in
custody but warrants have been issued for their arrests
and the United States would seek their extradition.
The
indictment accuses Bodog and the defendants of conducting
an illegal online sports gambling business and conspiring
to commit money laundering between June 2005 and January
2012.
"The
defendants and their conspirators allegedly moved
funds from Bodog's accounts located in Switzerland,
England, Malta, Canada and elsewhere to pay winnings
to gamblers, and to pay media brokers and advertisers
located in the United States," the US Attorney's
Office said.
"The
conspirators directed payment processors to send at
least $100 million by wire and by check to gamblers
located in Maryland and elsewhere," it said.
Internal
Revenue Service special agent Eric Hylton said "laundering
money from illegal activity such as illegal Internet
gambling is a crime.
"Regardless
of how the money changes hands -- via cash, check,
wire transfers or credit cards -- and regardless of
where the money is stored -- in a United States financial
institution or an offshore bank -- we will trace the
funds," Hylton said.
In
an affidavit supporting a seizure warrant for the
Bodog.com website domain name, a former employee of
Bodog was quoted as saying the gambling operation
has hundreds of employees in Canada and Costa Rica.
A
visitor to Bodog.com is met with a message reading
"This domain name has been seized" and pictures
of the official seals of the Department of Justice
and Department of Homeland Security.
In
a statement on his website, Ayre, who is described
by Forbes magazine as a "former billionaire,"
said the Bodog.com domain name has been dormant for
some time.
"Not
sure what to say," Ayre said. "The brand
left the market last year and the domain in question
has been dormant globally for longer than that."
Ayre,
50, who launched Bodog.com in 1994 and operates several
other gaming websites, also said he was a victim of
"abuse of the US criminal justice system for
the commercial gain of large US corporations.
"It
is clear that the online gaming industry is legal
under international law," he said. "It is
also clear that the rule of law was not allowed to
slow down a rush to try to win the war of public opinion."
The
gambling charges are punishable by up to five years
in prison while a conviction for money laundering
conspiracy can bring 20 years behind bars.
The Four Horsemen Including Ric Flair To Be Inducted
Into WWE Hall Of Fame 2012; Jim Ross Tweets - 27th
Feb 2012...
Ross
on Ric Flair’s Birthday: Happy Birthday to Ric
Flair. Naitch called me this past week to catch up.
He’s got a great opportunity with Coca Cola’s
energy drink along with his state lottery work. I
went on You Tube and checked out Ric’s TV commercials
for the lotteries he promotes and they were hilarious.
Some
of my fondest memories in the business involve Ric
Flair and I’m so blessed to have been able to
broadcast not only many Ric Flair bout but @ShawnMichaels
bouts over the years, too as they are widely considered
the two, best, all around pro wrestlers ever. That’s
a debate that will rage on until the end of time but
no one can intelligently say that Naitch and HBK aren’t
on an abbreviated list of the best ever.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Continues His
Journey Towards WrestleMania Match With John Cena...
Never
before, never again, reads the tagline for this WrestleMania
match of the decade (if not century).
One
one side of the ring is wrestler, turned Hollywood
movie megastar, Johnson, and on the other side, wrestler
- rapper (and occasional actor, John Cena).
In
old school terms, there is a lot of "heat"
between the two, or at least that's what the WWE storyline
would have you believe.
WWE
head honcho Vince McMahon is set to make a financial
killing with this with live tickets, PPV (including
Australia's Foxtel - Main Event), merchandising, advertising
and god knows what else.
Fruity
pebbles are set to collide as Mr 'You Can't See Me'
Cena wrestles with "The Most Electrifying Man
In Sports Entertainment" with a lot of 'Boots
To Asses" thrown in there.
WrestleMania
is a bit of a triple headliner this year with CM Punk
("The Best In The World" VS Chris Jericho
("The best in the world at everything I do",
then there's Daniel Bryan VS Sheamus, and how can
forget The Undertaker VS Triple H, as Hunter attempts
to end The Undertakers's WrestleMania winning streak
inside a 'Hell In A Cell' cage match.
All
up the show is pretty loaded and may actually produce
one or two matches of the year, but time will tell.
Before you ask, no Brock Lesnar as he's still under
contract to the UFC, even though he's retired from
MMA. UFC are set to invade Sydney's AllPhones Arena
on the 3rd March 2012.
The
live WWE RAW tour will hit Sydney, Australia on Friday
31st August 2012. And if they tour Perth, WA they
will likely perform at Crown Perth (formally known
as Burswood Casino or Burswood Entertainment Complex).
Something
tells us that Austin will be leaving his Broken Skull
Ranch in Texas to catch WrestleMania lose up, and
so should you.
Oh,
if you didn't hear already, The Rock stars in Journey
2: The Mysterious Island, which is currently breaking
box office records in Australia, the US, and in most
other parts of the world.
Keep
checking Street Corner and the Media Man blog network
for more on these developing news stories and more.
One
last thing... kids, don't try this at home or anywhere
else. Leave it to the professionals.
News
Marvel
Entertainment Movies: Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers,
The Wolverine and Ghost Rider - February 2012
Hollywood
is continuing its lover affair with superhero themes,
movie revamps and the like, and Australian fans are
lapping it up with the superhero jackpot bonanza.
This
year we're looking at a bush tucker bag of sequels,
prequels, remakes... you name it. The Hollywood studios
will be pumping out their best efforts in order to
make as much money as they can muster, and who can
blame them.
Entertainment
kingpin Marvel Entertainment are going to be spinning
out their “The Amazing Spider-Man”, hitting
us hard with "The Avengers", "Ghost
Rider" is about to ride into "Sin City"
Sydney, Australia, and then there's Australia's favorite
son, Hugh Jackman back in "The Wolverine".
The
Warner Bros. - DC Comics tag-team is going to attempt
to combat that Marvel onslaught with the next instalment
of Batman - "The Dark Knight Rises", but
most tipsters are picking Marvel to win the movie
superhero fight over DC Comics this year, but time
will tell.
Here’s
a peek at some of this year’s coming attractions...(US
dates)
Nicolas
Cage provides a winter warm-up with “Ghost Rider:
Spirit of Vengeance” (Feb. 17), returning as
the bounty hunter from hell on a mission to rescue
a child from the devil.
“The
Avengers” (May 4), teaming Robert Downey Jr.
as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans
as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as the Incredible
Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy
Renner as Hawkeye.
Next
is “The Amazing Spider-Man” (July 3), with
Andrew Garfield taking over as Peter Parker in director
Marc Webb’s new take on how a mutant spider bite
turns a teen into a web-slinging hero.
Christian
Bale returns as Batman in “The Dark Knight Rises”
(July 20), director Christopher Nolan’s third
and final tale of the well to do vigilante with all
the cool gadgets. Anne Hathaway joins the cast as
Catwoman.
After
the late Heath Ledger’s Academy Award-winning
performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,”
Nolan went with a lesser-known villain: This time,
it’s Bane (Tom Hardy), known to comic-book fans
as the brute who breaks Batman’s back and puts
him in a wheelchair.
The
Avengers are assembling...
Disney
released more stills from its superhero superteam
movie reving up fans who are eagerly awaiting the
answers to the age-old question, who would win in
a fight between The Incredible Hulk and The Mighty
Thor.
The
first image shows Captain America (Chris Evans) in
full updated costume and shield, flanked by Avengers
teammates Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow
(Scarlett Joahnsson), the three heroes walking as
if they mean business. The second still is slightly
less dramatic, simply showing Thor (Chris Hemsworth)
gripping a conference room chair, pondering heavy
thoughts next to S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Coulson (Clark
Gregg).
"When
you walk out of your trailer and you bump into Chris
Hemsworth with the cape on and you see Downey in the
Iron Man suit and that’s when you really get
excited and you start geeking out a bit,” Evans
told The News last year from the film's New Mexico
set.
Fans
are already starting to geek out, more than two months
before the film's May 4 (U.S) release date.
The
Marvel Studios movie, which is directed by fanboy
favorite Joss Whedon, unites three franchises (Iron
Man, Thor, Captain America and The Hulk) within an
even bigger franchise that’s expected to be one
of the biggest box office hits of all time.
Avengers
News cont...
Marvel
Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures
“Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super
hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel
super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor,
Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an
unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety
and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international
peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself
in need of a team to pull the world back from the
brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment
effort begins.
Starring
Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris
Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel
L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay
by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers”
is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series
“The Avengers,” first published in 1963
and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself
for an exciting event movie, packed with action and
spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s
The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012.
Marvel
Release Dates Updated (U.S)
In
addition to "Marvel's The Avengers," Marvel
Studios will release a slate of films based on the
Marvel characters including "Iron Man 3"
on May 3, 2013; and "Thor 2" on November
15, 2013.
Andrew Garfield as Spiderman Featured in an Avengers
(English, 2012) Cameo...
Mumbai,
Feb 13, 2012 - A few days ago we reported the rampant
Internet rumor that Andrew Garfield’s Spiderman
would be featured in an Avengers cameo. All of this
was built off a statement made by actress Jenny Agutter
who has a small role in the Whedon production. Well,
we’ve stumbled across another source who confirms
Spider mans cameo in Avengers.
“This
will be similar to how Wolverine made a quick cameo
in X-Men: First Class and Sony’s going to make
sure to promote their new Spiderman movie any way
they can. Andrew (Garfield) isn’t a widely known
actor so they want to get his face on everything,
including The Avengers even if it’s for a couple
seconds.”
This
is an absolute multiple bonanza for the superhero
fans.
Starring
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris
Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom
Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel
L. Jackson, and written and directed by Joss Whedon,
“Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on
the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The
Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics
institution ever since.
“Marvel’s
The Avengers” is presented by Marvel Studios
in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is
being produced by Marvel Studios’ President Kevin
Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee,
Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher,
Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film is distributed
by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
The
movie is to release in India on 27th April, 2011.
The Wolverine Gets Release Date...
It
is official, a sequel to that 2009 X-Men Origins:
Wolverine movie will be coming to a theatre near you
on or around July 26th 2013 (depends if your in the
U.S, Australia or elsewhere). After months of production
delays, including replacing Darren Aranofsky as director,
that cigar smoking, 'bub' saying, furry Canadian Logan
will once again rip things up. The film sequel is
running with the title: The Wolverine and will take
Logan to Japan where he finds a forbidden romance
and the Silver Samurai to deal with. Hugh Jackman
has already praised the script as being "one
of the best we've ever had." This is good news
for those fans and critics who felt the first Wolverine
movie offering could have been better. We trust that
director James Mangold and Hugh Jackman deliver on
this to keep both Marvel hardcore and casual fans
happy. What the critics will think is anyone's guess,
but as a few stars have noted - movies are made for
fans (not critics).
'Ghost Rider' movie controversy; Red hot back story...
The
new "Ghost Rider" movie's ticket sales are
not very strong, but the controversy raging in the
comic-book community is like a mega fireball.
The
story begins back in 1972, when the flaming motercyclist
was created at Marvel Comics by writer Mike Friedrich,
editor Roy Thomas and artist Mike Ploog. Comics creators
in those days - and often today - don't own anything
they create for the major publishing houses, because
of a contract called "work for hire." But
when the first "Ghost Rider" movie came
out in 2007, Friedrich sued Marvel for partial ownership
of the character on a technicality - which would result
in a windfall from the movie.
He
desperately needed the money. Friedrich, now 69, is
unemployed, broke and suffering from liver problems.
He has been getting through the days by selling autographed
"Ghost Rider" items at conventions as a
paid guest, which according to documents amounted
to a total of $17,000.
But
ownership of trademark and copyright isn't something
that comics publishers take lightly. Both of the major
comic publishers (ala Marvel and DC Comics) make more
income from licensing their library of characters
than they do selling comic books. Here's the thing:
According to U.S. law, failure to defend a trademark
can lead to losing it.
So
Marvel - and parent company Disney - went after the
lawsuit, including a countersuit demanding the $17,000.
They were victorious. In December, the court threw
out Friedrich's suit and ordered him to pay Marvel.
Also, his future income was constrained, in that he
can sign and sell only "Ghost Rider" material
that he buys retail.
The
creative and fan community responded with fury. Blogs
across the Internet excoriated Marvel, or started
petitions for the $17,000 to be forgiven. Steve Niles,
creator of "30 Days of Night," led a charge
on Twitter and set up a Facebook page for contributions
(www.steveniles.com/gary.html). Creators such as Gail
Simone ("Batgirl") and Jill Thompson ("Scary
Godmother") tweeted encouragement. Longtime creators'-rights
champion Neal Adams was one of many who auctioned
original art, with proceeds going to Friedrich.
As
you might expect, there were calls to boycott the
new film, "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance."
That might have contributed to the film's disappointing
third-place finish on its opening weekend in the U.S,
with $22 million at the U.S box office.
If
the movie did well, it would still be overshadowed
by the back story - comics creators and fans rising
up like a tidal wave to help one of their own.
What
a red hot and real superhero story.
Check
out the "Support Gary Friedrich" Facebook
page (www.facebook.com/supportgaryfriedrich) for more.
Marvel Comics and Movies Alive And Well At Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment...
Marvel
superhero fans - great news... more superhero themed
online games rumoured to be soon hitting PartyCasino.
Stay tuned to the Media
Man network for more on that.
If
it sounds like 2012 is going to be a pretty good year
for superhero movies, both on an entertainment front
(for fans) and business angle (for studios etc), that's
because it is. Enjoy brigadiers, and as Marvel living
legend Stan Lee would say - Excelsior!
News
Reality
TV News From Australia And U.S; Excess Baggage, Mrs
Sly Stallone, WWE Legends House
Excess
Baggage For Channel Nine?...
Channel
Nine's weight loss reality TV program 'Excess Baggage'
might be pulled from TV screens before viewers see
the contestants drop weight!
It
premiered on Monday with 880,000 viewers. Only 555,000
Aussie's tuned in to watch last night. Its Channel
Ten rival The Biggest Loser attracted 734,000 viewers
on Thursday.
The
Australian newspaper, a Murdoch publication, is reporting
that Channel Nine executives held a crisis meeting
last night to discuss the future of the program, shown
in the paramount 7pm timeslot.
The
network is reportedly considering moving the heavily-promoted
show to a later timeslot or to one of its digital
multichannels.
Production
is still underway, however there is the possibility
that it will be cut short.
Its
replacement may be re runs of US sitcom The Big Bang
Theory. The Celebrity Apprentice Australia could also
get a fast track back to Nine around Easter time.
The
official TV ratings year begins on Sunday, February
12.
Promo...
Eight
celebrities, eight ordinary Australians and one life
changing decision. Their physical and emotional baggage
is holding them back, and they’re ready to reclaim
their lives. Travelling far across this country, and
deep inside themselves they will discover the secrets
to shedding life’s Excess Baggage. Hosted by
Kate Ceberano with celebrities: Kevin Federline, Christine
Anu, Kate DeAraugo, Gabby Millgate, Darryn Lyons,
Brant Webb, Ajay Rochester and Robert “Dipper”
DiPierdomenico.
Sylvester Stallone’s Wife Approached Again For
Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills...
Sylvester
Stallone's wife Jennifer Flavin has reportedly been
approached to feature in their reality show The Real
Housewives Of Beverly Hills.
And
it appears that the 43-year-old former model could
have the looks, the fortune and the connections to
best all the women on the show.
Radaronline.com
is reporting that the good looking brunette has been
invited in for talks with producers of the Bravo series.
'The
producers asked Jennifer Flavin to talk to them about
being on the show,' an informer told the website.
Stallone
and Flavin own a huge mansion in Beverly Hills...
just down the road from her potential co-stars Vanderpump
and Adrienne Maloof and her husband Paul Nassif.
The
action star and his wife have three beautiful daughters
together, Sophia Rose (15), Sistine Rose (13) and
Scarlet Rose (9).
As
well as being a model, Flavin has also appeared on
two reality game shows, including Gladiator and alongside
her hubby in 'The Contender'.
The
brunette is also a business queen of sorts, owning
her own skin care line Serious Skin Care.
She
is also said to be already friends with some of the
women on the popular programme.
'Jennifer
would be great on the show, she’s married to
a super famous guy and she’s friends with a few
of the women on the show,” the source told media.
'She
has her own business and she’s really successful
all on her own. Plus she’s got a great personality
for reality TV.'
It
does however remain to be seen if Sylvester will actually
let his wife appear on the show.
The actress' friends are believed to think he will
be opposed to the idea.
'Her
friends don’t think that Sly would ever let her
be on the show,' the source added. 'They don’t
think he would ever want her to do it, but he might
if she really wants to.'
The
news comes as it was reported earlier this month that
Camille Grammer does not intend to continue her role
on the reality show when it returns for its third
season.
And
the executives behind the Bravo show are allegedly
already auditioning women to replace the blonde.
A
source told media 'Producers are asking Lisa Vanderpump,
Adrienne Maloof and Kyle Richards if any of their
wealthy female friends would be interested in appearing
on the show.'
And
the informant added that the reality star is displeased
with the way she has been portrayed during the current
second season of Real Housewives.
The
source said: 'It's an open secret that Camille most
likely won't be back for a third season. She came
off as such a b**** during season one, whereas this
season she has been very reserved, and she isn't exactly
eager to return.'
The
mother of two apparently intends to move on to bigger
and better things should she leave the popular show.
The
informant claimed: 'Camille has some other projects
in the works, but she needs to get released from her
Bravo contract before she can pursue those.'
The
source told Radar Online that viewers can expect some
changes when it returns for a third season.
The
blonde denies that Bravo had any influence on the
ploy and said she she believes that it was solely
the women's idea.
'No,
I really don’t think so, no one at Bravo ever
told me what to say, there was plenty of drama, there
was no need for Bravo to create any,' she said.
'The
reunion opened some old wounds, we were ok and then
we had to rehash the past arguments, it brings it
all out again.'
WWE Legends House May Appear On TV Before WWE Network
Hits The Air...
Wrestling
fans from Sydney's Bondi Beach, New York, USA, Hollywood
and around the world are buzzing at the news of an
upcoming WWE television show - WWE Legend's House,
may be one of the showcase programs on the new WWE
Network.
However,
a source tells us that if the WWE Network takes too
long to launch, "Legends House" may start
on a TV station such as Sci-Fi.
Filming
is to commence next month in Rancho Mirage, California,
USA and its turned into quite a news media frenzy
with video camera operators and photographers all
seeking out shots of the legends.
This
February at least eight former World Wrestling Entertainment
stars will be under one roof in a show not too unlike
MTV's "Real Life" with a bit of "Jersey
Shore", "Big Brother", "The Ultimate
Fighter" and "Tough Enough" thrown
in there for good measure.
WWE
Legends House will be filmed in Rancho Mirage at the
historic home of late comedian Harpo Marx at the Tamarisk
Country Club.
WWE
Hall of Famer "Mean" Gene Okerlund, the
legendary wrestling announcer and interviewer, has
been confirmed for the show. Australian fans will
recognise Gene as the host of "WWE Vintage Collection"
as seen on Foxtel - Fox 8, usually in a TV spot next
to WWE SmackDown or WWE Superstars.
We're
been tipped off that other cast members with include
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, "Rowdy"
Roddy Piper and The Iron Sheik. We're hoping that
Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jimmy "Superfly"
Snuka, "The Honky Tonk Man", "The Magnificent"
Don Muraco or even Ric Flair (*Flair is currently
under contract to Impact Wrestling) are also a chance
to appear. Don't expect Scott Hall to appear as the
man formally known as "Razor Ramon" has
been getting some WWE Wellness Program rehab (for
real) in recent years, and to have Hall on the new
show would not be a wise risk to take at this stage
of the game, however we're hopeful Hall may be able
to appear on future episodes of Legends House, should
the show be as wildly successful as anticipated.
Sadly
Australia's "Outback Jack" - real name Peter
Stilsbury (circa 1987 with WWF) won't appear, nor
will Nathan "The Front Row" Jones. Neither
would be considered an outright WWE legend, however
both were certainly well known in their day.
Can
you imagine The Iron Sheik drinking, eating and just
socialising in general with other WWE legends. Something
tells us they are going to have to bleep out much
of his foul language, but fans familiar with the very
funny and vulgar sheik will get the idea.
Hardcore
fans will remember the time Australia's Wide World
of Sports on Channel Nine aired the Madison Square
Garden matches featuring "The Iron Shiek".
One was when then WWF Champion Bob Backlund got caught
in the camel clutch by the Iranian and Backlund's
manager, (the late) Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel.
The other famous sheik match that aired on the then
Kerry Packer owned Channel Nine was when Hulk Hogan
beat the sheik with his famous clothesline and atomic
leg drop. The old WWF Championship Wrestling used
footage from the Hogan - Sheik match for its intro
music video for many years.
The
WWE is going to pitch "Legends House" to
audiences as unscripted drama, which is curious as
pro wrestlers by nature usually work of a script.
Wooooo! - we just broke kayfabe again, but most of
the western world knows pro wrestling aka "sports
entertainment" has storylines, angles, script
writers et al these days, but that's not to say they
are not talented athletes - they are indeed some of
the best athletes on the planet, but only a few such
as Roddy Piper could be considered a very talented
actor as far as regular movie appearances go.
The
concept does share some similarities to the UFC's
Ultimate Fighter (TUF) series, but its wrestling legends
- not up and coming UFC stars, who have to prove their
worth in matches.
Many
fans are hoping for a few outcomes - legends sharing
tales from the road trips and locker rooms, who hated
who for real, secrets of the profession and that sort
of thing. We suppose if a real fight breaks out on
set that will be a bonus.
The
Media Man agency's spokesperson said "We fully
expect that WWE Legends House" will become one
of the most popular and most talked about shows on
both American and Australian television. WWE top brass
genius Vince McMahon has really hit the sweet spot
with this one. It's got ratings winner all over it
and fits in perfectly with the current "reality
era" of the WWE, where the pro wrestling action
and scripts carry a much more realistic edge than
in the '90 - 2000 era. Australian TV networks, be
it Foxtel or Network Nine or Ten, would do well to
get in early on this one and secure the rights of
a sure fire winner. Kids and parents should try not
to copy some of the bad language and practical jokes
that are bound to be a staple of this hot new show".
Australia
fans are hopeful that Aussie pay TV will get the show.
Foxtel, are you listening?
Australian TV Ratings - 2nd Feb 2012...
1
My Kitchen Rules Seven 1,439,000
2 Seven News Seven 1,129,000
3 Nine News Nine 1,050,000
4 A Current Affair Nine 994,000
5 ABC News ABC1 983,000
6 Today Tonight Seven 981,000
7 Home And Away Seven 934,000
8 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nine 764,000
9 The Biggest Loser Ten 734,000
10 Ten News At Five Ten 684,000
11 7.30 ABC1 678,000
12 Desperate Housewives Seven 620,000
13 The Straits ABC1 599,000
14 Law And Order: SVU Ten 570,000
15 Excess Baggage Nine 555,000
16 Desperate Housewives E2 Seven 537,000
17 CSI: NY Nine 535,000
18 Hot Seat Nine 535,000
19 The Project Ten 527,000
20 A Gifted Man Ten 524,000
SOURCE:
OzTam
News
Entertainment
News: AussieWood And Hollywood - WWE, Stallone, Schwarzenegger,
Hemsworth, Underbelly, by Greg Tingle
The
Media Man agency has a bush tucker of interesting
news to report today. We're got Hollywood, AussieWood,
Australia's own Chris "Thor" Hemsworth,
"Underbelly" from the mean streets of Sydney,
Australia, and more. 3, 2, 1 and action...
WWE
Sign Son of Legendary Country Singer Kris Kristofferson
To Contract...
Country
singer and actor Kris Kristofferson is currently celebrating
his son Jody being signed by WWE. Jody Kristofferson
had a tryout match at WWE last Summer and impressed
Triple H.
The
deal has apparently been in place for some time now,
but the deal was kept quiet. Jody had been going by
the nickname ‘Big County’ in All Pro Wrestling.
APW is a California-based promotion and has helped
trained many big stars in the industry including:
Crash Holly, Great Khali and Sara Del Rey.
Jody
has appeared on an episode of SmackDown in 2010. He
wrestled against Big Show in a 3-on-1 handicap match
on August 13. At the time, Matt Striker referenced
him as the ‘Highway Man’. The Highwaymen
were a group of country singers comprising Jody’s
Dad Kris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie
Nelson.
After
impressing WWE officials against Brodus Clay this
past Summer, Jody was signed to a developmental deal
and is expected to start working with Florida Championship
Wrestling very soon.
Triple
H notably worked with Jody’s Dad in the 2004
movie Blade Trinity.
The
WWE will be in Sydney on 31st August with its RAW
World Tour.
WWE Superstar David Otunga -- Slams Competition in
Triumphant Return to His Lawyer Life...
WWE
superstar David Otunga took a break from his full
time wrestling gig to return to his previous career
-- attorney-at-law -- and much like his "Monday
Night Raw" matches ... crushed the competition.
TMZ
found out Otunga returned to court Thursday morning
to represent a man who believes he was wrongfully
terminated and denied unemployment benefits. Otunga
tells us he was repping the man in his appeal to the
NY State Department of Labor.
The
proceedings took place before an administrative judge
who heard witness testimony and arguments from both
sides.
Otunga
-- who graduated from Harvard Law School before wrestling
-- told us he "smoked the witness during cross
examination." The judge agreed ... Otunga's client
won the appeal and will now get unemployment benefits.
Otunga
says he enjoys keeping his legal skills sharp, and
adds ... "If the outcome of the case is any indication
of how I'll do in the Royal Rumble this weekend, then
it looks like I'll be the winner."
By
the way, Otunga didn't do it for the cash -- he took
the case, pro bono. (Credit: TMZ)
New Terminator film to be R-rated...
Coming
the week after Sylvester Stallone confirmed that The
Expendables 2 was to be a PG-13 movie, at the wishes
of Chuck Norris, there’s better news surrounding
the planned Terminator 5.
The
project is stuck in limbo at the moment, with planned
director Justin Lin committed to two more Fast And
The Furious movies. But Megan Ellison, who is funding
the new Terminator movie, has answered one key question
about the new film: Will it be stuck with a PG-13
rating? The answer? No, it won’t.
She
wrote on Twitter, “We can't really tell you guys
anything about Terminator BUT it will be an R rated
film as God and James Cameron intended.”
More
on Terminator 5 soon.
Sly and Arnie 'killing thousands of bats'...
Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone are under fire
from animal activists after they woke up one of Europe's
biggest colonies of hibernating bats to film their
latest movie.
They
say the bats may starve in their thousands because
the lights and cameras disturbed their winter sleep,
leaving them disorientated and confused.
Stallone,
Schwarzenegger and their crew entered the Devetashka
cave in Bulgaria to film The Expendables 2, due to
be screened this summer.
Sylvester Stallone Responds to The Expendables 2 PG-13
Rumor...
A
few days back we got wind that that The Expendables
2, the follow-up to Sylvester Stallone's 2010 action
flick that starred about half of Hollywood's action
stars, would be rated PG-13. The story was instantly
thought as a a rumor after Chuck Norris told a Polish
news site that he only agreed to appear in the sequel
if the "vulgar dialogue" was dropped so
the movie could avoid a R-rating that would exclude
"many young people" from watching.
Was
Norris misquoted? Or was the translation off? Many
thought the story couldn't be true, because the first
Expendables movie didn't end up earning $274 million
worldwide by playing nice. While it may be disappointing
for some, Stallone wrote to AICN and revealed that,
yes, Norris was telling the truth after all. He also
warns that before fans "pass judgement",
Expendables 2 is still going to "deliver."
Harry,
the film is fantastic with (Jean-Claude) Van Damme
turning in an inspired performance... Our final battle
is one for the ages. The PG13 rumor is true, but before
your readers pass judgement, trust me when I say this
film is LARGE in every way and delivers on every level.
This movie touches on many emotions which we want
to share with the broadest audience possible, BUT,
fear not, this Barbeque of Grand scale Ass Bashing
will not leave anyone hungry...Sly
The
Expendables 2 brings back the Expendables crew —
Barney Ross (Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham),
Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren),
Toll Road (Randy Couture), Hale Caesar (Terry Crews)
and newest members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth)
and Maggie (Yu Nan) — for a new mission where
they will lose one of their own and seek revenge.
Whether the movie will be the "barbeque"
that Stallone promises remains to be seen, as the
teaser trailer released in December spent its running
time going through the movie's massive cast rather
than revealing much footage from the sequel. We keenly
await another trailer to help judge.
Directed
by Simon West (Con Air), The Expendables 2 co-stars
Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Underbelly 2012...
From
the streets of 1920’s Darlinghurst to the back
alleys of Melbourne in the 90’s, the Underbelly
franchise has kept us engrossed by the extraordinary
criminal stories in Australia. In 2012 Underbelly
is back, along with one of its biggest characters
ever...
Hemsworth in a constant honeymoon...
Chris
Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been on a 'constant
honeymoon' since they got married.
The
couple - who are expecting their first child together
- tied the knot in December 2010 after almost a year
of dating and the actress says they have loved every
minute of married life so far.
She
said: 'Marriage has been wonderful. A constant honeymoon.
I feel very lucky to have found the person who completes
me.'
Though
she doesn't know the gender of her unborn tot, Elsa
is expecting their baby to be 'stubborn' because it
is a characteristic shared by herself and her spouse.
She
explained: 'Because it's our first child, we would
be happy with either a boy or a girl. The only thing
we care about is that it is healthy. But it's bound
to be stubborn because we both have such strong personalities.'
Elsa
- who is Spanish - also admitted she has no idea where
she and Australian-born Chris will welcome their child
into the world because her spouse is so busy.
Asked
where the baby will be born, she told Britain's HELLO!
magazine: 'We don't know yet. It depends where we
are. We move about all the time. Chris has got a lot
of projects on the go and at least four movies coming
out this year, so it depends on that. Wherever he
is, that's where I'll be.'
Wrestling
News Media: WWE Australian Tour; International Hulk
Hogan, Austin and Piper News, by Greg Tingle
Professional
wrestling aka "sports entertainment" continues
to be a red hot commodity in both Australian and overseas
markets.
The
United States may be the birthplace of pro wrestling
but Australians have long been recognised as some
of the most passionate fans on the planet, dating
back to the good old days of the original World Championship
Wrestling which was broadcast on Kerry Packer's Channel
Nine circa 1970 - 78.
Early
on into 2012 and pro wrestling appears to be heading
towards another golden era in pro wrestling with more
focus been giving to wrestler's with tremendous athletic
gifts such as CM Punk, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho
and the soon (likely) to be returning, Brock Lesnar.
Sydney,
Australia, will soon once again be host to the WWE
Live Tour, as the gentle giants tour down under, also
doing Melbourne and most other capital cities, promoted
by Melbourne based Dainty Entertainment. The WWE Tour
is set to hit Australia on the 30th August 2012.
Not
to be outdone, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
is set to return to Sydney via All Phones Arena on
3rd March 2012, but sadly Brock Lesnar will not be
going there, having recently retired from UFC - MMA
compeition, following his loss against Alistair Overeem.
This
development of course may be WWE's gain, aiming to
secure Lesnar for their yearly showcase event - WrestleMania.
WWE
RAW World Tour 2012, Australia details...
Presented
by: Dainty Group
WWE's
unique brand of action packed entertainment is returning
to Australia with WWE RAW. Fans will be able to see
all their favourite WWE Superstars including John
Cena®, Alberto Del Rio®, CM Punk®, The
Miz® and many more*.
*Card
subject to change
WHEN:
In Brisbane from 19.30, Thursday, August 30th
In Sydney from 19.30, Friday, August 31st
In Melbourne from 19.30, Saturday September 1st
WHERE:
Live
from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Live from the Sydney AllPhones Arena
Live from the Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tickets
go on sale on Thursday, December 8th at 9am and can
be purchased at:
Online: www.ticketek.com.au
Charge by Phone: 132 849
*
Card subject to change
TOUR
DATES
Thu 30 Aug - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fri 31 Aug - Allphones Arena, Sydney
Sat 1 Sep - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Let's bodyslam ourselves into what's news on some
of the world's hottest pro wrestlers...
"Stone
Cold" Steve Austin - 'STONE COLD' STEVE AUSTIN
Tebow Can HAVE My 3:16 If ...
Before
there was Tebow 3:16 in the NFL ... there was Austin
3:16 in the WWE ... and now the wrestling legend says
he's willing to surrender his iconic numbers to the
NFL star, pending one GIANT condition.
TMZ
spoke with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin --
who tells us he watched Tebow's Mile High Miracle
this weekend and was blown away when he learned Tim
threw for exactly 316 yards in the playoff victory.
FYI
-- the numbers have a special meaning with Stone Cold,
who created the famous faux bible verse back in the
'90s to humiliate his enemies -- "Austin 3:16
says I just whooped your ass!!!"
Now,
Austin tells us, "Austin 3:16 still rules"
... but adds, "If Tebow can throw for 316 yards
again this weekend then hell, he can have the numbers
and I'll have no problem with it."
Austin
continues, "A guy named John was using it before
me ... so if Tebow can do it again, more power to
him!"
"I
wish him all the luck in the world," Austin says
... adding, "I'm not a Denver fan but Tim's a
great role model for kids." (Credit: TMZ)
Hulk
Hogan...
Hulk
Hogan to shave off his iconic moustache...
Hulk
Hogan is going to shave off his iconic moustache.
The
wrestling legend has revealed he is planning to take
a razor to his famous facial hair and long hair in
the coming weeks for some movie auditions.
Hulk
- who has starred in several films, including 'Rocky
III' and 'Suburban Commando' - said: "I'm getting
ready to go to some auditions; I'm getting ready to
shave my head and moustache so that should be scary!"
The
TNA Wrestling star has also revealed he had to have
a "hole drilled" into his head to clear
an infection in his mouth.
The
58-year-old grappler underwent surgery in October
to get dental implants and then after having a teeth
mold fitted he got an infection which wouldn't clear
up which was revealed to have been caused by a metal
tack left in his mouth by a dentist.
He
told TMZ.com: "The theme for today is kids take
care of your teeth, because if you stuff candy in
your mouth you're going to rot your teeth out.
"After
many years of not taking care of teeth correctly I
had to finally have surgery and a couple of glitches
in the system and we got an infection.
"I
had surgery and they drilled a hole in my head - which
I needed to let all the hot air out - cleaned everything
up so I'm good to go. But it feels like somebody punched
me in the face."
Over
the course of his five decade spanning career, Hulk
has only been seen a handful of times without his
moustache in the ring and on screen.
It
is not yet known if the 12-time world heavyweight
champion will recover in time to join the rest of
the TNA roster for the Maximum IMPACT Tour of the
UK later this month.
The
tour kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Nottingham
Capital FM Arena before heading to the Manchester
MEN Arena.
The
company's flagship TV show 'IMPACT Wrestling' - which
is broadcast on Challenge TV in the U.K. and Ireland
and Spike TV in Canada and the U.S. - will then be
filmed for the first time outside of the U.S. at London's
Wembley Arena on Jan. 28.
The
tour will feature a host wrestling's biggest names,
including Kurt Angle and AJ Styles and will also be
the last ever appearance made in the UK by grappling
icon Sting.
Hulk Hogan Surgery Scare - Metal Tack Removed, Will
Shave Off Iconic Mustache?...
Hulk
Hogan is going to shave off his iconic mustache.
The
wrestling legend has revealed he is planning to take
a razor to his famous facial hair and long hair in
the coming weeks for some movie auditions.
Hulk
– who has starred in several films, including
'Rocky III' and 'Suburban Commando' – said: "I'm
getting ready to go to some auditions; I'm getting
ready to shave my head and mustache so that should
be scary!"
The
TNA Wrestling star has also revealed he had to have
a "hole drilled" into his head to clear
an infection in his mouth.
The
58-year-old grappler underwent surgery in October
to get dental implants and then after having a teeth
mold fitted he got an infection which wouldn't clear
up which was revealed to have been caused by a metal
tack left in his mouth by a dentist.
He
told TMZ.com: "The theme for today is kids take
care of your teeth, because if you stuff candy in
your mouth you're going to rot your teeth out.
"After
many years of not taking care of teeth correctly I
had to finally have surgery and a couple of glitches
in the system and we got an infection.
"I
had surgery and they drilled a hole in my head - which
I needed to let all the hot air out - cleaned everything
up so I'm good to go. But it feels like somebody punched
me in the face."
Over
the course of his five decade spanning career, Hulk
has only been seen a handful of times without his
moustache in the ring and on screen.
It
is not yet known if the 12-time world heavyweight
champion will recover in time to join the rest of
the TNA roster for the Maximum IMPACT Tour of the
UK later this month.
The
tour kicks off on Thursday January 26 at the Nottingham
Capital FM Arena before heading to the Manchester
MEN Arena.
The
company's flagship TV show 'IMPACT Wrestling' –
which is broadcast on Challenge TV in the UK and Ireland
and Spike TV in the US - will then be filmed for the
first time outside of the US at London's Wembley Arena
on January 28.
The
tour will feature a host wrestling's biggest names,
including Kurt Angle and AJ Styles and will also be
the last ever appearance made in the UK by grappling
icon Sting.
"Rowdy"
Roddy Piper...
Wrestling
Legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper Reveals One Last
Match...
Professional
wrestling legend, and star of the cult horror classic
movie by John Carpenter "They Live", Roddy
Piper announced on his Twitter that he expects to
wrestle one last match. A fan asked Piper about the
possibility of having a final match and Piper responded,
via the social networking site, "I have not been
asked to be in Royal Rumble. I tell u a secret, promise
to keep it? I am going to do 1 more balls to wall
match!"
Andre
The Giant (the late) - set to appear in an online
slot game at Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment - PartyCasino.
The game was developed by North Sydney based NextGen
Gaming. You can trust the Media Man and Wrestling
News Media network to keep following up the story.
WWE
producing "Legends House"...
WWE
continues to develope a slew of new content for the
launch of their upcoming 24/7 channel, WWE Network.
"Legends House" is set to be a part of the
launch as a reality series focusing on WWE legends
living together in the a house. WWE has promoted the
show and the new network via WWE RAW on the USA Network.
The
concept of the show is expected to be similar to traditional
reality set-up like MTV's "Real World" and
CBS's "Big Brother", yet with larger-than-life
personalities of WWE peformers it will be must-see
TV for any wrestling fan, as well as for fans of the
reality TV genre.
No
legendary stars have been confirmed for the series
yet, but there's plenty of speculation.
The very controversial and foul mouthed Iron Sheik
is rumored to a part of the cast. On social media
many fans have chatted about what legends they would
want to see on "Legends House." Hacksaw
Jim Duggan, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, and Dusty Rhodes
were among some of the names being tossed around between
fans on Twitter and Facebook. We're hoping Jake "The
Snake" Roberts, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka,
Sgt Slaughter, Billy "Superstar" Graham,
Don "Magnificent" Muraco, Paul "Mr
Wonderful" Orndorff, "Cowboy" Bob Orton,
and Dusty "The American" Dream also get
serious consideration. A similar pitch was made to
Media Man three years ago, however at the time a number
of financial related aspects slowed concept to reality.
This time around the project looks to be moving full
speed ahead and the Media Man agency will be offering
strong media coverage should the project keep moving
forward. For the record, we think its going to cross
the finish line and put a nice little pay cheque in
a few people's pockets. Let's hope the legends are
looked after fairly for all their blood, sweat and
tears they put out over the years.
The
Late News...
Shaquille
O’Neal Close to WWE WrestleMania Deal?; Latest
on Brock Lesnar’s Return...
According
to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Shaquille "Shaq"
O’Neal has reportedly been closing in on his
WWE WrestleMania deal, and he may have already agreed
to business terms.
WWE
creative has been told to start thinking about weaving
O’Neal into storylines - likely for a match with
The Big Show (Paul Wight).
Due
to its John Cena vs. The Rock main-event, WrestleMania
28 is a strong contender to set the all-time buyrate
record, and WWE is striving to do everything it can
to push the interest and buy rates to the moon. Adding
Shaquille O’Neal into the equation, especially
with Shaq should help further the event’s must
see statue as WWE’s biggest WrestleMania of all-time.
Regarding
a Brock Lesnar return, no one has been provided any
reason to expect it will happen at this year’s
WrestleMania, but it might just happen. WWE top brass
Vince McMahon reportedly told at least one creative
staff member that it is not a foregone conclusion
a Lesnar return would include the return of Paul Heyman
as his manager.
Recently
returned WWE Superstar, Chris Jericho, for what its
worth, has been having little verbal jabs at Lesnar,
so we will have to see if that develops into something
more.
In
any event, this years WrestleMania should be awesome.
For
recent updates on pro wrestling keep checking the
Wrestling News Media www.wrestlingnewsmedia.com web
blog along with the website of our friends over at
Wrestling.net.au
News
Movie
Box Office News: Tom Cruise leads US box office for
2011
Tom
Cruise's Mission: Impossible movie held on to the
top of box office charts over New Year's weekend as
Hollywood said see ya to a slow-ish year at movie
theatres.
As
2011 ended, US and Canadian revenue dipped from last
year and attendance slumped to its lowest level since
1995.
Most
industry commentators including the Media Man agency
put the low numbers down to the struggling economy,
with many movie fans staying at home watching commercial
or pay TV, and getting the occasional DVD new release
to satisfy their new release fix. Movie lovers also
satisfied their entertainment desires with internet
use and a range of handheld devices.
The
year's final weekend saw top movies add to ticket
sales from the Christmas holiday one week earlier
but no change in the top three chart positions.
The
Sherlock Holmes and Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise
films took the second and third positions behind Cruise's
Mission: Impossible.
From
Friday through to Monday, Mission: Impossible - Ghost
Protocol netted in an estimated $US38.3 million at
US and Canadian theatres, distributor Paramount Pictures
advised.
The
movie that features the 49-year-old Cruise as special
agent Ethan Hunt hanging off the world's tallest building
has grossed $US366.5 million globally.
Of
that, $US225.3 million has come from international
markets, affirming Cruise's place as a solid performer
for global audiences and cementing a strong year for
Paramount Pictures.
Rocketed
along by the third Transformers film, Paramount's
movies grossed nearly $US5.2 billion worldwide, the
studio said. The total included nearly $US2 billion
at U.S theatres and a record $US3.2 billion internationally.
No
new movies were released nationwide over the weekend.
In
second place, detective sequel Sherlock Holmes: A
Game of Shadows grossed $US26.5 million over four
days. Third place belonged to family film Alvin and
the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, which pulled in $US21
million.
Rounding
out the top five, Steven Spielberg's family film War
Horse galloped into fourth with $US19.2 million, and
thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo pulled in
$US19 million.
Elsewhere,
The Iron Lady starring Meryl Streep in a critically
praised performance as former British prime minister
Margaret Thatcher, opened strong with $US280,409 from
just four theatres. That's a massive per-screen average
of $US70,102, nearly three times higher than the next-closest
movie.
U.S
ticket sales for all films rose 10 per cent from the
same weekend a year ago, but the strong finish could
not lift yearly revenues in line with 2010.
U.S
revenue for 2011 fell 3.4 per cent to $US10.2 billion,
the second-straight yearly decline, according to estimates
from Hollywood.com. More troubling for studios and
theatre chains is that attendance dropped 4.2 per
cent to 1.3 billion, the lowest pace since 1995.
Commentators
typically peg low turnout on unappealing movies, but
this year studio executives and industry experts have
said other factors may be dampening sales. They cite
the weak economy and competition from mobile devices,
social networking, video games and a range of other
entertainment options.
This
year also was measured against early 2010 results
from Avatar, the top-grossing movie of all time with
$US760 million at U.S and $US2 billion at international
box offices.
"A
confluence of factors contributed to the downturn,"
said Paul Dergarabedian of box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
The
coming year, with a large slate of promising titles,
"will be a very pivotal year. It will tell us,
is it really just the product, or is something bigger
going on," he said.
But
the year ended on a positive theme. The final week
of the 2011 ranked as the year's second highest with
domestic sales of more than $US350 million, said Chris
Aronson, senior vice-president for domestic distribution
at 20th Century Fox.
"It's
not all doom and gloom," he said. "We just
had a sensational week of movie-going."
Executives
also note global ticket sales remain healthy with
several of 2011's biggest titles seeing the bulk of
sales from international markets, much like Mission:
Impossible.
Looking
forward, Hollywood aka Tinsel Town is counting on
a packed line-up of big-budget action movies and sequels
to bring crowds back in 2012.
The
offering will include Batman sequel The Dark Knight
Rises, superhero flick The Avengers, young-adult book
adaptation The Hunger Games and the first of two Hobbit
movies.
News
Wrestling
News Media: WWE, Kevin Nash, Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan,
Ric Flair, Mick Foley, Andre The Giant, Steve Austin,
The Rock, John Cena, UFC - 7th November 2011
Kevin
Nash aka 'Diesel' returns to WWE Raw on Monday's episode
from the United Kingdon. Nash is scheduled to resume
his feud with an "injured" Triple H as part
of the build-up to an expected singles match in the
near future. Plus, more build-up for The Rock &
John Cena teaming up at Survivor Series. Nash continues
to run his official website, sporting gaming in the
mix, but his site could do with a major update, not
that ours is perfect either. Great to see Nash become
relevant again and Triple H should bring out the best
in him, but don't expect a Shawn Michaels 5 star classic.
WWE
TV Network News Update...
During
WWE's quarterly conference call with investors this
past Thursday, WWE CEO Vince McMahon had some harsh
words about talk show host Oprah's cable TV network
and contrasted the Oprah model with WWE Network plans,
which McMahon was very optimistic about during the
conference call.
"I
would say I suppose the one of the notorious ones
(branded TV Network models) would be the Oprah Network,
which is a miserable failure on all accounts because
you have a brand like Oprah and it does take a genius
to figure out that, 'Okay, why don’t we have
Oprah do what she does best in our very own network,'
and that's the one thing that doesn't happen,"
McMahon said. "So, in terms of the introduction
of a network theory, you're saying, 'Okay, let's take
Oprah, but let’s don’t use, let’s not
whatever we do, we don’t use her and what she
does best. Let’s just try and take an Oprah name
and try and brand that in a big round about way,'
which obviously from a common sense standpoint, it
doesn't make sense... We know what our WWE attributes
are. So, we have the opportunity to enhance all of
that and bring further viewers, lapse viewers, and
as well as current viewers and new viewers from a
younger age set of two to 11 into the network, which
will be extraordinary, because we are giving the audience
what they want, not what they don't want."
Mick
Foley WWE Return...
Mick
Foley returned to WWE at Wednesday's Raw house show
in Dublin, Ireland, which started WWE's bi-annual
European Tour. Foley, who has hinted at a WWE return
for several weeks, is in the U.K. for his own promotional
tour.
Piper campaigning for Piper's Pit with Rock &
Cena...
WWE
Hall of Famer Roddy Piper has taken to Twitter to
campaign for a Piper's Pit segment with The Rock and
John Cena prior to their tag team match at Survivor
Series.
"IF
THE WWE DOESN'T PUT THE ROCK, CENA, PIPER IN PIPER'S
PIT THEY ARE CHEATING EVERY FAN IN THE WWE UNIVERSE.
THINK THERE AFRAID? i'M NOT," Piper tweeted Friday.
"SPAM THE WWE FOR PIPERS PIT WITH CENA AND ROCK.
I PROMISE, IT WILL BE EPIC."
Ric Flair staying put in TNA; Interesting in more
business deals...
For
the meantime Flair will be staying in Impact Wrestling
(formally known as TNA). Flair continues to endorse
Carolina's Education Lottery, and is keen to see a
Ric Flair online slot game become a reality, following
in the footsteps of Hulk Hogan and the late Andre
The Giant, both expected to have their slots online
in a number of months.
WrestleMania
28 press release; Rock vs. Cena...
STAMFORD,
Conn., November 2, 2011– WWE® announced today
that tickets for its annual pop culture extravaganza,
WrestleMania XXVIII, will go on sale this Saturday,
November 5 at 10 AM ET. WrestleMania XXVIII will take
place Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Sun Life Stadium
in Miami, FL. The event will be headlined by the highly
anticipated main event featuring “the most electrifying
man in all of entertainment,” The Rock® against
WWE Superstar John Cena®.
Ticket
prices range from $25-$850. There will also be a limited
number of “Gold Circle” VIP Packages available
for $1,500. The Gold Circle packages include seating
in the first four rows ringside, an exclusive Gold
Circle VIP Stadium Entrance, a collectible WrestleMania
XXVIII ticket holder and the commemorative WrestleMania
XXVIII take-home folding chair. Tickets can be purchased
through all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com
or by calling 1-800-745-3000. All tickets are subject
to service charges and facility fees.
Last
year, a capacity crowd of 71,617 fans from all 50
states and 30 countries attended WrestleMania XXVII
at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. WrestleMania is
more than just a one day event, it’s a week long
celebration, as WWE will be taking over the greater
Miami area during WrestleMania Week. In addition to
WrestleMania XXVIII, other activities will include:
WrestleMania Axxess – WWE’s four day interactive
fan festival; WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals;
WrestleMania Pro-Am Golf Tournament and the 2012 WWE
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Additional information
on these events will be announced in the future at
www.wrestlemania.com.
Sylvester Stallone speaks to Entertainment Tonight
about his Steve Austin injury during 'The Expendables'...
Entertainment
Tonight's Nancy O'Dell (one-time WWE Raw guest host)
caught up with Sylvester Stallone on-set at his new
movie, "Bullet to the Head," to discuss
the film's progression before an April 2012 scheduled
release date. Stallone noted he's still feeling the
effects of neck surgery that was required after he
suffered an injury at the hands of "Stone Cold"
Steve Austin shooting "The Expendables"
last year. Austin was required to tackle Stallone,
who accidentally landed on a pile of bricks. Stallone
said, "It's never really the same. "You're
just able to function a little bit better."
Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page starring in new movie...
Hulk
Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page are scheduled to be
featured in an upcoming movie, "Black River,"
that is currently in production. According to a synopsis
released by filmmakers Corn Bred films, the movie
centers around several murders, a local town secret,
and a father who lost his son and whose life "rapidly
deteriorates into a storm of violence, murder, and
small town intrigue."
UFC 138 Gets Fox Sports...
After
more than a devade of working his arse off and telling
anyone who would listen that mixed martial arts would
one day surpass soccer as the world’s most popular
sport, UFC president Dana White has finally gotten
to the super big time in the sports media world.
The
UFC, the major league of MMA, will debut on network
television on Saturday when Fox Sports airs the heavyweight
title bout between champion Cain Velasquez and No.
1 contender Junior dos Santos live at 9 p.m. ET/6
p.m. PT from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The
seven-year deal between the UFC and Fox, which runs
through 2018, is an affirmation of the brilliant work
done in the last decade by White and UFC co-founders
Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta (casino, gaming and entertainment
entrepreneurs from Station Casinos) in building a
sport from the ground up.
The
Velasquez-dos Santos match up is an interesting clash
of styles, pitting Velasquez’s top line wrestling
and awesome conditioning against dos Santos’
terrific boxing and underrated jiu jitsu.
The
match up would have been a huge pay-per-view main
eventer, but when he finally landed the network deal,
White didn't hesitated to offer it as the first Fox
main event. The show will essentially serve as a one-hour
promo for the UFC, and there could be no better way
to showcase the sport at its best than by putting
the two top fighters in the sport’s marquee division
on network television in front of the largest possible
audience.
“This
is a throwback to the old days of boxing,” White
said. “We are putting a big fight – a huge
fight – on free TV to expose this thing to a
new audience. Our goal has always been to bring big
fights back to network television. We are thinking
long-term for the future of this sport. It is an investment
in the future of the UFC. Fans that have never seen
the UFC before will see this show, and that’s
why we decided to put Cain and Junior in this position.
“I
know for a fact this is going to be an awesome fight.
I know it is going to be great. That’s why it
was these two [fighters] in this position. I have
no worries at all this is going to be a great fight.”
As
its popularity has grown, the UFC has added a vast
array of businesses. There is now a UFC video game,
a UFC magazine and UFC-branded gyms. There are DVDs,
trading cards, action figures, fan festivals and tons
of clothing.
The
turnaround that White and the Fertittas engineered
with the UFC, which they bought for $2 million in
Jan. 2001, is every bit as impressive as what Vince
McMahon did with the old WWWE -Titan Sports, bringing
it to WrestleMania and sports entertainment level.
White
and the Fertitta brothers engineered a similar turnaround
with the UFC. Less than five years into their ownership,
they were $44 million in debt and on the verge of
selling the company.
White,
though, believed deeply in the sport and in putting
on the best, most evenly matched fights he could.
Then, he encouraged his fighters to compete in a fan-friendly
style, awarding cash bonuses for Fight of the Night,
Knockout of the Night and Submission of the Night.
In addition, White often pays fighters locker-room
bonuses, which are above and beyond what fighters
are contracted to earn, if he likes their matches.
Those bonuses have gone in excess of $1 million at
times.
Making
the best fights he could and rewarding the fighters
who delivered entertaining bouts are key reasons for
the UFC’s skyrocketing popularity and is largely
what made the Fox deal possible.
The
UFC flourished on cable. Its deal with Spike saved
the company and helped it to get to the point where
every major broadcast network had some degree of interest.
It’s
still got a long way to go however. UFC fighters aren’t
nearly as well known as stars in other sports or sports
entertainment. No UFC fighter is close to WWE's The
Rock, John Cena, Steve Austin or Impact Wrestling's
Hulk Hogan.
White
is banking on the Fox deal to help bring the UFC into
the mainstream. Lightweight contender Joe Lauzon,
who fought on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality
show on Spike, is convinced Fox will propel the sport
to the next level.
“This
is just the beginning,” Lauzon said. “The
UFC took a huge jump when they got on TV with ‘The
Ultimate Fighter,’ [though] no one really understood
how big of a deal it was until after the fact. Look
how far the UFC has come with just Spike, basically.
“Now
that they have Fox, and it’s going to take another
tremendous jump. I think that Lorenzo Fertitta was
saying it’s a commercial for the UFC. They’re
going to use these Fox shows to get attention and
funnel people into the pay-per-view.”
Prior
to this deal, Velasquez would be preparing to defend
his belt on pay-per-view. But White, 42, grew up in
an era when there was still plenty of live boxing
on television. He religiously watched fights on the
weekends on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports”
and during the week on USA Network’s “Tuesday
Night Fights.”
The
biggest stars in the sport competed in those fights.
But when pay-per-view came along, boxing promoters
took their stars off network television and put them
on PPV, where they were fighting in front of a significantly
smaller audience.
White
never forgot that, and when he took over the UFC,
he vowed that he would honor the “Wide World
of Sports” tradition and put big fights on free
television when he got the opportunity.
There
are few bigger bouts than a heavyweight championship
match. Velasquez, who defeated former WWE megastar
Brock Lesnar 13 months ago to win the belt, is an
unlikely star in many ways.
A
two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State, he
is soft-spoken and polite and not the kind of person
to draw attention to himself. But he’s a fierce
fighter who has become a fan favorite because of his
aggressive, entertaining style.
He
was on the set of Fox’s NFL pre-game show and
has made dozens of appearances as he’s prepared
to face dos Santos. Seeing the growth of the sport
up-close has been mind-boggling to him.
“I
saw it growing because it’s a very fun sport
to watch, and it appeals to a young audience,”
Velasquez said. “I never saw this, though. This
is well beyond what I thought would ever be possible.”
And
it’s only going to get bigger. The Fox contract
will expose the sport to many who haven’t given
it a chance and will help White cultivate an entirely
new segment of fans.
The
UFC may never become bigger worldwide than soccer,
as White predicts, but that’s hardly a problem.
The
combination of a network TV deal and White’s
firm commitment to putting first-rate fights consistently
on Fox will guarantee that the UFC’s growth spurt
is nowhere close to being finished.
Make
no mistake, UFC is right up their with WWE and most
say its already far surpassed professional boxing
(while taking away legions of fans from the sweet
science).
White
and his UFC are on top of the world, right next to
WWE's Vince McMahon, who he has deep respect for.
Crown
Casino Braces For TV Week Logies; Katy Perry On Despite
Lawsuit, by Greg Tingle - 29th April 2011
Australia's
night of nights - the TV Week Logie Awards are to
hit James Packer's Crown Casino - The Palladium to
be exact, and security is to be on high alert as Katy
Perry is to perform despite a lawsuit against ACP
Magazines for story she says is not true. And, security
and Crown Casino powers that be have banned mobile
devices in response to last years Twitter-Gate, where
one writer was fired for inappropriate Tweets. Will
plastic handcuffs be required and will any footballer
players or guest run a muck? Media
Man with the calm before the storm that is forecast
to hit the TV Week Logies at James Packer's most famous
casino...
Crown
Casino Expects Huge TV Week Logies Night; Show Must
Go On Despite Katy Perry Lawsuit...
James
Packer, Australian gambling and media king loves this
event - certainly the positives it brings his world
famous Crown Casino in Melbourne - home of the original
real life and TV Underbelly (in with a slight chance
of a Logie we hear).
On
the 1st of May Australia and the world will know who
the Logies winners will be, and there's going to be
plenty of news and gossip stemming from the prestigious
event also.
'The
Teenage Dream'... call her what you will (but we are
not sure on the Russell Brand statue these days before
you ask us) has her scheduled performance confirmed
at the Logies On Sunday evening. Not even her lawsuit
against ACP Magazines...publishers of TV Week is going
to slow down this runaway train.
Parry
who arrived in about 56 hours ago in Melbourne for
her down under tour, has fired off a lawsuit to ACP's
women's gossip mag NW claiming it falsely reported
that Perry married for six months to Russell Brand
(star of Arthur and all round bloody funny chap)...
has been having an affair with record producer Benny
Blanco. It's implied it was more than a fling.
Her
writ, lodged in the Victoria Supreme Court against
ACP Magazines, said: "By reason of the publication
of the article, the plaintiff (Perry) has been gravely
injured in her reputation and feelings (and) has suffered
distress, embarrassment and humiliation."
The
suit, lodged on Wednesday, has put a shadow over the
Logies Awards since ACP - the main partner of the
event - is reportedly remunerating Perry in the region
of $300,000 to perform on the big night.
The
publishing firm may even have to more if Perry's suit
is successful. Her label EMI Music yesterday confirmed
the pop singer was still due to perform.
ACP
spokesman Peter Holder said: "ACP or Nine Entertainment
Co have not been served with any court documents as
yet and have no comment to make."
It's
understood NW executive editor Corrine Barraclough
flew to Melbourne yesterday to consult with lawyers.
FOXTEL Stars To Invade Logies; Tipped To Win Big...
FOXTEL
TO SHOWCASE ITS BIGGEST EVER LINEUP OF STARS AT THE
2011 TV WEEK LOGIE AWARDS
FOXTEL stars will light up the stage and red carpet
at the 2011 TV Week Logie Awards, to be held at the
Crown Palladium in Melbourne this weekend. The cast
of the much-anticipated Tim Winton’s cloudstreet
(showcase) will be in attendance, including Stephen
Curry – also presenting an award on the night
– Todd Lasance, Essie Davis, Geoff Morrell and
Huge Johnstone-Burt. cloudstreet will premiere on
Sunday, May 22. Justine Clarke, Silver Logie nominated
actress and star of Tangle (showcase) will also attend
TV’s night-of-nights, as she prepares to commence
production on the third season of the hit drama series
in Melbourne. Host and Executive Producer of Australia’s
Next Top Model (FOX8), Sarah Murdoch, will present
an award at the ceremony and will be joined on the
red carpet by Australia’s Next Top Model judge,
Charlotte Dawson, as production commences on Series
7 of FOXTEL’s most-watched series. Gorgeous model
Tahnee Atkinson, winner of Series 5 of Australia’s
Next Top Model returns to the Logies stage for the
second year in a row to present the winners with their
Awards. Megan Gale, the new host of Project Runway
Australia (Arena), will grace the red carpet in a
custom-made gown by Project Runway mentor and red
carpet divo Alex Perry. The fashion reality series
recently wrapped production in Melbourne and will
premiere on FOXTEL’s Arena channel in July. Megan
will also take the stage to present an award on the
night. Nominated for Most Outstanding Sports Coverage,
FOXTEL’s own Matt Shirvington, Tiffany Cherry
and James Bracey will represent the team from FOXTEL’s
coverage of the XIX Delhi Commonwealth Games and will
be joined by superstar athletes Geoff Huegill and
Liesel Jones. In 2011, one of the most tumultuous
years in political history, SKY NEWS has received
a nomination for its coverage of Election 2010 in
the Most Outstanding News Coverage category –
and representing Australia’s News Channel will
be Political Editor, David Speers, Senior Political
Reporter, Kieran Gilbert and Political Reporter Ashleigh
Gillon. One of the biggest ratings hits of 2010, Grand
Designs Australia (The LifeStyle Channel), has received
a nomination in the viewer voted Most Popular Lifestyle
category. Host Peter Maddison will attend the 52nd
annual Awards, alongside LifeStyle stable mate Sarah
Wilson. For the second year in a row, the hosts of
Nickelodeon’s Camp Orange: Castle Mountain, Luke
Joseph Ryan and Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd will rock the red
carpet in celebration of their nomination for Most
Outstanding Children’s Program. Three of the
most photographed and beautiful woman on Australian
TV – host of Cricket Superstar (FOX8) Lee Furlong,
host of Dating in the Dark (FOX8) Laura Dundovic and
MTV’s Erin McNaught – will add some glamour
to the red carpet. From the new Movie Extra series
Small Time Gangster, lead star Steve Le Marquand and
Sacha Horler are also on the guest list this Sunday
night. Rounding out the guest list are the stars of
FOX8’s hot new reality series WAG Nation, who
are leaving their ball-playing men at home for a night
of glitz and glamour. Shoe designer Terry Biviano,
fiancée of NRL Sydney Roosters player Anthony
Minichiello; event planner Lynette Bolton, wife of
AFL Sydney Swans player Jude Bolton; fashion boutique
owner Jackie Spong, fiancée of AFL Carlton
Blues player Jarrad Waite; promotions manager Jana
Peterson, long-term girlfriend of NRL Cronulla Sharks
player John Williams; and flight attendant Chantelle
Raleigh, girlfriend of NBL Gold Coast Blaze player
Adam Gibson will all attend the Logies.
TV
Week 2011 Logie Awards...
And
the nominations are:
TV
WEEK GOLD LOGIE – Most Popular Personality on
Television
Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC1)
Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network)
Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
TV
WEEK SILVER LOGIE -- Most Popular Actor
Callan Mulvey (Rush, Network Ten)
Don Hany (Offspring, Network Ten / Tangle, Foxtel
[Showcase])
Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Michael Caton (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
TV
WEEK SILVER LOGIE -- Most Popular Actress
Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Margot Robbie (Neighbours, Network Ten)
Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Zoe Ventoura (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
TV
WEEK SILVER LOGIE -- Most Popular Presenter
Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC1)
Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy 'Specials', Network
Ten)
Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network)
Shaun Micallef (Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Network
Ten)
MOST
POPULAR NEW MALE TALENT
Charles Cottier (Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Eddie Perfect (Offspring, Network Ten)
Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Manu Feildel (My Kitchen Rules, Channel Seven)
Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
MOST
POPULAR NEW FEMALE TALENT
Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Hannah Marshall (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Julie Goodwin (Home Cooked! With Julie Goodwin, Nine
Network)
Poh Ling Yeow (Poh's Kitchen, ABC1)
MOST
POPULAR DRAMA SERIES
Home And Away (Channel Seven)
Neighbours (Network Ten)
Offspring (Network Ten)
Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)
Rush (Network Ten)
Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network)
MOST
POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
Good News Week (Network Ten)
Hey Hey It's Saturday (Nine Network)
Sunrise (Channel Seven)
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)
The Circle (Network Ten)
MOST
POPULAR LIFESTYLE PROGRAM
Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven)
Domestic Blitz (Nine Network)
Getaway (Nine Network)
Grand Designs Australia (Foxtel [The Lifestyle Channel])
Ready Steady Cook (Network Ten)
MOST
POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM
Before The Game (Network Ten)
The Footy Show (AFL) (Nine Network)
The Footy Show (NRL) (Nine Network)
The Matty Johns Show (Channel Seven)
Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network)
MOST
POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM
Dancing With The Stars (Channel Seven)
MasterChef Australia (Network Ten)
The Biggest Loser Australia (Network Ten)
The Farmer Wants A Wife (Nine Network)
The X Factor (Channel Seven)
MOST
POPULAR FACTUAL PROGRAM
Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)
Bondi Vet (Network Ten)
RPA (Nine Network)
Undercover Boss Australia (Network Ten)
Who Do You Think You Are? (SBS)
Most
Outstanding Nominees
TV
WEEK SILVER LOGIE -- Most Outstanding Drama Series,
Miniseries or Telemovie
Hawke (Network Ten)
Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)
Rake (ABC1)
Rush (Network Ten)
Sisters Of War (ABC1)
Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network)
TV
WEEK SILVER LOGIE -- Most Outstanding Actor
Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Jason Gann (Wilfred, SBS)
Richard Roxburgh (Hawke, Network Ten)
Richard Roxburgh (Rake, ABC1)
TV
WEEK SILVER LOGIE -- Most Outstanding Actress
Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Catherine McClements (Rush, Network Ten)
Claire van der Boom (Sisters Of War, ABC1)
Justine Clarke (Tangle, Foxtel [Showcase])
Kat Stewart (Offspring, Network Ten)
GRAHAM
KENNEDY AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEW TALENT
Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Richard Davies (Offspring, Network Ten)
Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Sarah Snook (Sisters Of War, ABC1)
MOST
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT
"Brothers In Arms" (Sunday Night, Channel
Seven)
"Hey Dad..! Scandal" (A Current Affair,
Nine Network)
"Iraq's Deadly Legacy" (Dateline, SBS)
"Smugglers' Paradise" (Four Corners, ABC1)
"The Condemned" (Dateline, SBS)
MOST
OUTSTANDING LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
Hamish & Andy's Caravan of Courage: Great Britain
& Ireland (Network Ten)
Luke Nguyen's Vietnam (SBS)
Spicks And Specks (ABC1)
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)
Yes We Canberra! (ABC1)
MOST
OUTSTANDING SPORTS COVERAGE
2010 AFL Grand Final (Channel Seven)
2010 Melbourne Cup (Channel Seven)
Rugby League - 2010 State Of Origin - Game One (Nine
Network)
The Ashes 2010 First Test - Day One at the Gabba (Nine
Network)
XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (Foxtel)
MOST
OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
Camp Orange: Castle Mountain (Foxtel [Nickelodeon])
Dance Academy (ABC3)
Dead Gorgeous (ABC3)
Hi-5 (Nine Network)
Prank Patrol (ABC3)
MOST
OUTSTANDING FACTUAL PROGRAM
Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)
Miracle in the Storm (ABC1)
RPA (Nine Network)
Such Is Life: The Troubled Times Of Ben Cousins (Channel
Seven)
Trishna & Krishna: The Quest For Separate Lives
(Channel Seven)
Shane Bourne To Host Logie Awards...
TV
actor Shane Bourne will host the 2011 Logie Awards.
In a statement announcing who would be the host, TV
Week said Bourne "promises to deliver what he
does best" at the 53rd Annual Logie Awards on
May 1 at Melbourne's Crown Entertainment Complex.
"I am genuinely thrilled to be involved in TV's
night of nights," Bourne said. "It's an
honour to be following in the footsteps of such television
luminaries as Bert Newton et al - and the timing couldn't
be better. "I've always enjoyed myself immensely
at the Logies, and since the chances of a nomination
coming my way this year look pretty slim, I figure
it's not a bad way of making sure I score an invitation."
Bourne currently stars in the Seven Network drama
series City Homicide, but is also known for his comedic
roles. Most recently, he hosted the popular show Thank
God You're Here and was a regular on Hey Hey It's
Saturday for many years. Thank God You're Here won
a Silver Logie for most outstanding comedy in 2007.
Bourne was also nominated for the most outstanding
actor Logie in 2003 for his leading role in medical
drama MDA. This year's Logie nominees will be revealed
on April 3. Critics are at the read to praise or pan
Bourne. Will Twitter-Gate strike again at Crown Casino.
Don't blink!
Crown Casino Gorilla's Will Have Plastic Handcuffs;
Last Resort To To Use On Patrons Or Special Guests...
We've
confirmed that Crown Casino security will have plastic
handcuffs (and other measures) at the ready for patrons
or special guests who get out of hand. We are not
certain if someone attempting a Tweet on a mobile
device falls into that category, but punters, don't
tell us we didn't warn you. Spin or tap your thingo
to win or lose. Enjoy the Logies and don't do anything
we wouldn't do. Good luck to all.
*The
writer owns shares in Crown Limited
News
Australian
And Hollywood Gambling TV Movie News, by Greg Tingle
- 10th April 2011
Australian's
Kerry Packer and Ita Buttrose In New Cleo TV Show...
Gambling
and media fans. You won't have to wait much longer.
The late Kerry Packer (played by actor Rob Carlton)
will be returning to Australian TV screens (and internet).
Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, promises to be a
quality production that will also show some of the
more intimate details of the relationship between
the late Packer and Ita, as well as show us a bit
of our mate, Jack Thompson (in a Cleo spread no less).
Jack is understood to be pleased with the choice of
model just quietly. Yeah, we're going to get some
nudity boys and girls. The telemovie stars Asher Keddie
as Ita Buttrose and will tell the story of the magazines'
rise in the Australian media circa 1970s. The viewer
will also get some solid insight into the lives of
Packer and Buttrose. What do our friends at the Australian
Broadcasting Corporation have to say about it? "In
early 1972, 30 year old journalist and editor, Ita
Buttrose (Asher Keddie) and 35 year old Kerry Packer
(Rob Carlton), heir to what was then Australia's most
ruthlessly powerful and influential publishing family,
got together to create a magazine that became one
of the most dramatic sensations in Australian publishing
history. CLEO went on to help define women, Australia
and the relationship between the two." Buttrose,
who first cemented her place as the magazine's editor,
was a consultant on the production. "If there
was a supposed affair it didn't happen in this timeframe.
I have no idea if there was, we didn't raise it with
her," said producer John Edwards. A 2007 feature
article by The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Packer
- Buttrose: "He soon proposed marriage and, despite
rumours to the contrary, she accepted him. But she
was less committed to the idea of marriage than he
was. She already had one failed marriage behind her,"
we were told. That marriage to Alasdair Macdonald
produced Buttrose's two children, Ben and Kate. "After
Ita accepted Kerry's proposal, Kerry told his wife
Ros, who knew about the affair anyway. She threatened
to take half his wealth and deny him custody of his
children, Gretel and James. Kerry found himself weighing
up the loss of half of his riches and the loss of
his children and finally had a change of heart. He
didn't want to lose either." Actor Carlton says
he approached the role of Packer with "an equal
dose of terror and exhilaration. Like most encounters
with Kerry Packer, I'm told". The two-part telemovie
will go to air at 8.30pm, Sunday 17 April (and) the
same time on Monday, 18 April, on ABC1. News media
is speculating is the son of the late KP, James Packer,
may get any positive spin offs or PR's from the telemovie
which is being touted to be the talk of 'Sin City'
Sydney, and perhaps even across Australia, such is
the interest in Packer and Buttrose. Buttrose is managed
by the Harry M. Miller Group, and Packer is well...
not easy to get in touch with, but the right approach
to Crown Casino directly can sometimes work wonders.
No, please don't ask us for more information on how
to, and no, we don't manage them either, but offer
online profiles on the two for folks who are interested.
From the leaks we've got on Paper-Cuts so far; 4 out
of 5 stars. "It's 1972. Skirts are up, pants
are down". Spin to win with Cleo, the telemovie,
not the slot!
Boardwalk
Empire On Australia's Foxtel ...
Tonight's
the night if you have pay tv service Foxtel. The much
hyped Boardwalk Empire continues it's dream run on
Australian screens. We're 3 episodes in now and the
storyline is awesome. We hear that tonight a fella...
a bad guy arrives in hospital, giving a shit load
of problems for corrupt Atlantic City treasurer Nucky
Thompson (Steve Buscemi). Thompson's bro Eli, the
city sheriff (Shea Whigham), to make sure the witness
dies in hospital. Michael K. Williams (The Wire's
Omar) plays Chalky White, a black leader. It's a bit
like a Yankee version of Underbelly, but most critics
say the acting and production is much better than
the Aussie equivalent. No offence Firass Dirani or
John "Vulcan" Seru. Just saying.
The
flick stars John Travolta as the leader of the legendary
and notorious Gambino crime family is: "Gotti:
Three Generations." Film spokesman Steve Honig
confirmed the title Saturday and says the biopic about
"Dapper Don" John Gotti will be shot on
a budget of roughly $75 million this year. Honig says
details would be released April 12 at a news conference
in New York, where the project will be filmed. An
insider spoke on condition of anonymity. It will be
produced by Marc Fiore and directed by Nick Cassavetes.
The infamous mob leader died in prison in 2002. His
son, 47-year-old John "Junior" Gotti, sold
film rights to Fiore last year for an undisclosed
figure.
Sylvester
Stallone Movie And Casino Industry Hotshot To Do Rambo
Style Fashion...
Living
legend Stallone reckons he has what it takes for men's
fashion. The 64-year-old actor is working on his own
clothing line, inspired by his two iconic characters
in "Rambo" and "Rocky,". The collection,
set to debut in 2012, will fall under his new men's
lifestyle brand Sly Inc. and will feature "looks
for the rebel and the gentleman." "I thought
the time is now," Stallone said. "I've lived
a life where I know what has worked and what hasn't
worked. Clothing is the first step to building a character."
According to Sly Inc. president Michael Henry, the
collection, to be sold in mid-tier department stores
like Macy's, will first debut with jeans, shirts,
outerwear and watches, and will then follow by eyewear,
fragrance, shoes and grooming products. Stallone,
who recently starred in "The Expendables"
with Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke and Steve Austin,
said the idea to start his own line came up when he
lost 45 pounds between "Rambo 2" and "Rambo
3." "Nothing fit so I started buying custom
clothing," he said."I found out I really
like this world." He added, "I pay a great
deal of attention to the way I dress. When men learn
to put things together, they start taking care of
themselves better." I hope that what worked for
me will work for others," he said. "I really
believe I have an understanding of the male psyche
on all levels. I want to expose people to things that
will work and this is the apropos time. I'm not experienced
in this field, but we have the proper team to move
this vision along."
Snoop
Dogg Does 'Sin City' Sydney's Star City; Official
Presser...
Not
only is SNOOP DOGG a living legend in hip-hop, he
is also one of the greatest rappers and pop culture
icons of our time. In a musical career spanning over
two decades, Snoop has amassed an impressive discography
consisting of ten solo albums and has sold tens of
millions of albums worldwide. He has scored acting
roles in over 40 movies, featured in his own reality
show and has endorsed numerous pop culture brands.
It’s his natural appeal to both the hood and
Hollywood that has allowed Snoop to stay tremendously
relevant through the years. Since bursting into our
consciousness alongside famed producer Dr. Dre on
the 1992 classic “The Chronic”, Snoop has
remained a constant force in hip-hop and a household
name around the world. With 18 Top 20 singles in Australia,
including 3 number ones, NELLY is a Grammy Award winning
artist that has been topping the charts for over 10
years. With a genre-defying discography, its easy
to see why Billboard Magazine recognized Nelly as
the #3 artist of the decade (2000-2009). Hailing from
St. Louis, Nelly first burst onto the scene with the
massive worldwide hit “Country Grammar”,
and continued to consistently return to the charts
with hit after hit including “Hot in Herre”,
“Dilemma” and “Over & Over”.
Nelly became a rapper capable of crossing practically
all boundaries from the Dirty South to MTV and everything
in between. With 21 million album sales under his
belt, Nelly is also a successful actor and entrepreneur,
owning two clothing lines, Apple Bottoms and Vokal,
plus the energy drink Pimp Juice. Nelly’s latest
album “5.0” is out now featuring the hit
single “Just A Dream” which peaked at #3
on the Aria Charts. *Snoop Dogg has also appeared
in various film and TV shows such as Scrubs, Old School,
Bigg Snoop Dogg: Raw 'N Uncut Vol. 1, Snoop Dogg:
Drop It Like It's Hot, "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood",
Bigg Snoop Dogg Presents: The Adventures of Tha Blue
Carpet Treatment, Snoop Dogg: On the Record with Fuse,
Snoop Dogg: On the Record with Fuse - The Lost Tapes,
Doggy Dogg: Smokefest 1996 Tour Video, Hood of Horror,
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror, Gang of Horror, Bigg
Snoop Dogg's Puff Puff Pass Tour, Youth Authority:
California and Snoopadelic Films Presents: Welcome
to tha House - The Doggumentary DVD.
News
Asia
Pacific Mega Gambling News Update, by Greg Tingle
- 9th April 2011
Newcastle
NSW War Pokie Laws...
New
poker machine restrictions proposed by Tasmanian independent
Andrew Wilkie will "annihilate" pubs and
clubs in the Hunter, leaving hundreds out of work,
ClubsNSW Newcastle councillor Jon Chin says. Clubs
Australia is launching a $20 million advertising campaign
on Monday in an attempt to prevent the introduction
of mandatory pre-commitment technology for all poker
machines. Banjo, a John "Singo" Singleton
company is behind the campaign. Mandatory pre-commitment
requires pokies users to commit to a spending limit
before they begin gambling. Once they reach that limit
they will be unable to gamble again until the following
day or longer, depending on what restrictions the
player sets for themselves. Chin said the cost of
implementing the new technology in the Hunter region
would surpass $100 million. This figure did not include
the 40% in revenue clubs would experience once the
restrictions were imposed, he said. "This means
Hunter clubs will lose another $100 million, making
it impossible for us to sustain our businesses,"
he said. Australian Hotels Association Hunter sub-branch
vice-president Bruce Woods said there was no evidence
to suggest the restrictions would discourage people
from gambling. "This won't help pathological
gamblers at all but it will lead to a loss of jobs,"
he said. "We support the clubs' campaign against
this, it will affect pubs just as much as clubs".
Online
Gaming Strong Growth In Asia...
Online
gaming industry has grown into a $US3 billion business
that provides a good standard of living to migrant
workers in Asia who play games all day and sometimes,
all night! Virtual currency is all the rage, it sometimes
gets sold to punters abroad for cash. A World Bank
study demonstrates an emerging industry in which firms
seeking to boost their brands' popularity pay low-skilled
workers overseas to become their Facebook fans or
Twitter followers. The study, Knowledge Map of the
Virtual Economy, is the World Bank's first in-depth
look at the impact of online gaming and social media
in the developing world. Vili Lehdonvirta, a co-author
of the report, advised that the bank should not pour
its money into the industry, because he said the deal
making violated some of the game publishers' terms
of service and was cheating. Known in the business
as "gold farming", the game-playing boomed
in the early 2000s with games like World of Warcraft
and has evolved considerably. Labourers in Asia spend
numerous hours each day advancing through levels of
an online game, picking up gold, swords and gems that
enhance a game player's status. Then gaming studios,
which employ the players, sell those virtual goods
to online retailers. Next step, the retailers sell
on those goods to more than 120 million players globally,
many of them in Europe and North America, who don't
want to play the games day and night to gather their
own. The bank's report indicates that online gaming
has a positive impact in Asia because 70% of the industry's
revenue remains in the gaming countries, with most
of that money going to the gaming studios. Compared
with the $US70 billion coffee market...in which only
a tiny fraction of the revenue remains in the bean-growing
countries...the gaming industry had a "much better
development impact", the report states. A report
survey checks out on a group of 26 players and studio
managers that offers a rough, yet rare demographic
look at their lives. Most of the players work out
of studios in China, in Beijing or Changsha, capital
of Hunan province. They earn an average wage of $US2.70
an hour, $US1 more than Beijing's minimum wage for
part-time factory work. "The larger point is
that online gaming is often viewed as exploitation,
Lehdonvirta said. "Certainly it's not a dream
career, but the players are not at sweatshop levels."
The gaming studios keep about 60% of the industry's
$US3 billion in revenue. Readers, would you like to
be a prize gather for the gaming studios on that level
of pay? Better not answer!
Samoan
Casino Proposal Has Social Concerns For Kiwi, Samoan
Locals...
All
these places have land based casinos - Las Vegas,
Monte Carlo, Macau, Melbourne and just maybe soon
- Apia in Samoa. Some business folks have earmarked
it as a future gambling destination, and Kiwi group,
the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, is
advising against it, citing social harms of a casino
will outweigh any economical benefits that the Samoan
government will hope to achieve. In an admission of
the dangers of gambling, the proposed casino in Apia
will attempt to bar locals by only allowing the holders
of foreign passports to gamble. Problem #1... many
locals have duplicate passports, so getting in to
a casino for locals may not be that hard, and don't
even bring up the subject of fake ID. Will the region
get a land based casino? Stay tuned for updates.
Clubs
Australia War On Gillard Labor Government Re Pokie
Laws...
Clubs
Australia has declared "open warfare" on
the Gillard government, preparing a $20 million media
campaign to try to stop laws to limit how much punters
can spend on poker machines. Last year "Tasmanian
Devil" (MM satire) independent MP Andrew Wilkie
backed Labor to form a minority government in return
for a clampdown on the use of poker machines. Now,
the lobby that represents clubs and pubs is wrestling
and punching back, with a media blitz targeting Wilkie
and Prime Minister Julie Gillard. Both Wilkie and
Gillard are in big trouble in the popularity polls,
with Labor set to lose the next federal election,
following their NSW loss, where it was bloody and
crimson mass. Billboards, a website, beer coasters
and more It's war on nationwide. The campaign has
been criticised as misleading for claiming punters
will need a licence to gamble. Clubs Australia executive
director Anthony Ball rejects that. "What we
do know is that everyone who plays a poker machine
will need to register and obtain a card, and then
insert it into a poker machine and set a binding limit.
There needs to be player tracking, because how else
does the machine know what the player is doing? It
will have your private details and your gambling history
on it. Now if that's not a licence, I don't know what
is." Under Wilkie's master plan, gamblers would
have to nominate a dollar figure for how much they
are prepared to lose before they start gambling, a
scheme known as "mandatory pre-commitment".
Wilkie wants the law in place by 2014 and he has the
backing of South Australian independent Senator Nick
'Mr X' (MM satire) Xenophon. Senator Xenophon describes
the Clubs Australia campaign as a "joke".
"This industry is willing to spend $20 million
of tax-break money that they get from community clubs
- effectively taxpayers' monies, indirectly - to peddle
lies in terms of a campaign where they haven't even
seen what the final report will say. Whether it's
$20 million or $200 million, this mob can spend as
much as they like, but they can't spin that they are
causing enormous damage out in the community. There
are 300,000 Australians who either have a severe gambling
problem because of poker machines, or are already
showing the signs of one."
Proposed
Pokie Laws With Cost 10,000's of Aussie Jobs...
Clubs
Australia advise the changes will cost jobs. They
want it to be a voluntary scheme and have rejected
a government request to hold off on the ad war. "It
will cost jobs, for the simple reason that asking
Australians to sign on to this licence to gamble will
mean they'll do something else," Mr Ball said.
"They'll go and gamble online where none of these
controls exist, or they they'll go to the TAB - they
won't do it at the club.Even the proponent of this,
Andrew Wilkie, is saying that this will cost up to
40% of revenue."
It's all hot fodder in Aussie Parliament too. Liberal
Steve Ciobo sits on the joint committee on gambling
reform, which has been hearing arguments pro and con
against a mandatory pre-commitment scheme. "The
committee was charged by the Labor party with the
responsibility to look at a roll-out of pre-commitment,"
he said. "But Coalition members will be putting
in a dissenting report because the evidence is clear
that it's going to cost jobs, it's going to cost investment,
and I'm concerned based on the evidence that it will
make problem gambling potentially worse." The
committee is due to report in the next few weeks.
The states and territories have until the end of May
to decide if they will agree to the Wilkie-led reforms.
If they refuse, the Commonwealth believes it has the
power to introduce overriding legislation to impose
a national scheme. The pokie industry has shown the
willingness to wrestle all the way to the next election,
and perhaps even beyond. It's the lovers VS the haters.
Who will win, and when will the final victor emerge.
Stay tuned.
Sky
City Entertainment Group Stocks Fall From Sky...
Sky
City Entertainment Group, the casino and hotel operator,
fell 0.9% to $3.41 amid media reports that overseas
competitors were looking to hire the 500 staff made
redundant or on leave without pay due to the closure
of the Christchurch Casino. SkyCity owns a 50% stake
in the business.
Casino
Bouncer Thought Disabled Bloke Was Drunk...
A
South Australian man with deasiese cerebral palsy
says he was refused entry to the Adelaide Casino because
the bouncer thought he was drunk. Mark Thiele was
on a big night out with friends when he attempted
to enter the casino, but was refused by a bouncer
aka "gorilla". Thiele says the bouncer mistakenly
thought he was drunk, but the casino is sticking by
its decision. "I had said to the man that I wasn't
a drunk, I was crippled," said Thiele, talking
about his rejection on 7.30 South Australia. "He
had said to me he was convinced I was intoxicated
even though we said that I had only had a few drinks
earlier on in the evening. "So I can't see why
I was singled out and everybody else in my party wasn't.
There was no difference between any of us besides
the obvious. It's a mystery to me really." Last
month, he and his friends had walked to the casino
from the city's Hindley Street entertainment strip
a few blocks away. Thiele has trouble moving his body
and for him, walking distances is a big effort. His
mate Aaron Nettlebeck says the casino bouncer did
not understand. "Walking that sort of distance
does get very, very sweaty over that sort of short
period. It was a bit infuriating that it happened
like that after such a nice evening." Thiele
says he has not had a problem at venues until now.
"For the vast majority it's never been a problem.
Bouncers that I've come into contact with have been
understanding and even let me skip the line a few
times just to put me at ease," he said. "Obviously
it's a stamina thing that I can't walk these long
distances and stand in lines and all of these things."
He says he is considering lodging a complaint with
the commission or under South Australia's liquor laws.The
casino's general manager, David Christian, has offered
an apology of sorts. "It was certainly not our
intention that Mark would have felt discriminated
against and I'm sorry that he does feel that way,"
he said. But he is defending the actions of his staff.
"They believe that they made the right call.
I would believe that with the calibre we have and
the training we put into our security officers, and
the level of management that oversees it, that they
would be right most of the time."
New
Zealand Christchurch Casino Workers Hurting From Earthquake
Financial Aftershocks...
Financial
and emotional aftershocks are still be felt by the
casino sector after a series of earthquakes that rocked
the Asia Pacific - Japan and New Zealand region. Christchurch
Casino workers are feeling disappointed and even depressed
after having failed attempt to get a bigger redundancy
payday.In excess of 500 formally happy and motivated
casino employees were offered redundancy at the central
Christchurch casino last weekend, which was badly
damaged in the February 22 quake and has stayed closed
ever since the act of mother nature. Anyone who wants
to stay at the casino will be paid their holiday pay
as either a weekly amount or in a "lump sum".
Simply put, they will remain as employees of the land
based casino on leave without pay until the the gambling
den opens again. The SFWU (Service and Food Workers'
Union), which reps for 100 plus casino workers, has
a meeting with the casino's managers on Thursday.
SFWU strategic industry boss Len 'Razor' (MM tag)
Richards said workers were sombre but firm in their
desire about securing a more attractive redundancy
package. The union power that be were also asking
for continued pay for employees that choose to stay
on until the casino opens again. However, he advised
management was not prepared to increase the amount
of redundancy pay for staff, but did agree to request
for a government wage subsidy. Due to a private insurance
deal and policy in place, the land based casino has
not relied upon the $1.5 million government subsidy
available for quake-affected businesses. Richards
stated that the union has contacted earthquake recovery
minister Gerry Brownlee to request assistance to help
pay workers who remain employed. SkyCity, half owner
of the famous Christchurch Casino, has projected a
$130 million plus profit this year. It's not known
how much financially the quake cost Christchurch Casino
or SkyCity. Christchurch Casino top sheep er top dog...chief
executive Brett 'Ask Him' (MM satire) Anderson said
about 70% of employees have indicated they will stay
with the company rather than take the offered redundancy.
He said a number of employees are also being offered
jobs offshore. Anderson elaborated "I'm getting
phone calls from Australia looking for our people
and likewise all over New Zealand, and a few of them
have spread their wings. More than a few have gone
over to the Gold Coast. It's a lot warmer, it's a
lot more stable, you can swim in the sea, the pay
rates are better." Anderson said he still does
not know when the casino will reopen.Employees have
a deadline until Monday to decide whether they will
take the redundancy package or stay on. Yep, it's
the money or the box. Workers who have not contacted
the company by showdown at 5pm on Monday will be deemed
to have left their jobs and will be paid out a four-weeks-notice
payment, along with their annual leave entitlements.
Casino workers, did you get that. D Day is approaching.
A
Media Man spokesperson said "In the current global
economy anyone with a decent job should be grateful,
especially in the casino or gaming sector. Well done
to Christchurch Casino management for doing their
utmost to assist in their difficult times. Employers
will always want to ask for more... its in the nature.
Land based casinos generally remain popular around
the world so good staff will always be in demand."
Media
Man and Gambling911 wish all parties well with their
dealings, and hopefully some win - win - wins will
still be possible.
States
Probe Sports Betting Ads...
Aussie
states are uniting to consider a crackdown on an explosion
in advertising of sports betting, Victoria's Gaming
Minister says. Michael O'Brien last night revealed
the betting blitz on sport was being examined by the
Council of Australian Governments. "There is
growing concern at the extent to which is becoming
inseparable from the coverage of major sporting events.
Kids are being exposed to it constantly just by watching
the footy or cricket," he said.AFL chief executive
Andrew Demetriou said the league had expressed its
concerns to stadium managers. Goal posts, boundary
line fences and scoreboards at the MCG and Etihad
Stadium have been plastered with ads from bookmakers.
Demetriou said the alarm was raised during last year's
Brownlow Medal telecast. "There seemed to be
an enormous amount of (gambling) advertising after
each break," he told press. O'Brien said the
AFL, which enjoys lucrative sponsorship arrangements
with gambling giants, could take responsibility through
its media and stadium deals. "It may be that
there's an opportunity for this influence to be exercised
to ensure the promotion of sports betting isn't allowed
to detract from family-friendly objectives of (such)
sports," he said. This week, former Demon Daniel
Ward revealed in the the newspapers his battle with
gambling. "It's always in your face," he
said of the ads. "It's like being a drug addict
and an advert comes on saying, 'The first 50 people
to ring will get a free bag of marijuana'."
Hawkins
Former Ms Univervese Lookalike Kahili Blundell Wins
Ralph Swimwear Title At Star...
Sin
City Sydney babe Kahili Blundell has snatched the
Ralph Australian Swimwear Model of the Year comp.
The Crows Nest bikini super babe bested more than
2000 babes from all over Australia and Kiwi land to
grab the coveted title at Sin Sydney's Star City Casino
on Thurday. "I feel more than special right now,
I'm blown away and so honoured to be given this position,"
Blundell said. "I was expecting him to call another
number and I stood there thinking 27, is that me?
"It's also my boyfriend's birthday, but I realised
it was me and I was shivering." The 21-year-old
Jennifer Hawkins lookalike works as a personal assistant
and dabbles in makeup artistry in her spare time.
Blundell says modelling has been tough, slogging it
out for 3 years. "Since November I've been training
every week for this, thinking about it every night,"
she said. "I've been brought up to eat very healthy,
so I don't have too much trouble doing that, but I
definitely exercise a lot. I've been working very
hard so thank god it's all paid off." The comp
saw the 38 finalists strut their stuff in catwalk
parades. Sex bikinis were all the rage. A select group
of a bakers dozen were picked, then reigning champ
Emmi Moore handed over her sash and championship title
to Blundell. "I've been doing this for three
years now and this is exactly what I've been dreaming
and hoping for," Blundell said. "I'm open
to any opportunity and I love challenges. I've obviously
done well in the bikini field, so I might just continue
on this track for a little while." Burlesque
babe Sina King from Underbelly home Melbourne snatched
runner-up while second runner-up went to 21-year-old
writer - journo type Tiffany Baker from Fremantle
in Western Australia.
Australian
Boxer Katsidis To Fight Guerrero In MGM Grand Casino
Las Vegas Bloody Sunday...
Down
under's Australia's Michael Katsidis and his opponent
in Sunday's (AEST) interim lightweight world-title
fight at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Casino, America's Robert
"The Ghost" Guerrero, also have powerful
stories. Guerrero's world was crushed big time circa
2007 when his wife, Casey, was diagnosed with leukemia.
The Californian gave up boxing, giving up his world-title,
so he could be by Casey's side and stay close to their
young children as she underwent a bone-marrow transplant.
Things are now looking up for Guerrero. "Casey
has been cancer free for almost a year now,"
28-year-old Guerrero, the number one ranked lightweight
in the world and a former featherweight and super
featherweight champion, said. Last year Katsidis'
was having a dream run. The likable 30-year-old blokefrom
Toowoomba celebrated his first wedding anniversary
with wife Kumiko. He loved being a dad to their one-year-old
daughter Kalia and was preparing for the biggest bout
of his career, a world-title fight in Las Vegas against
Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez. Things quickly
went downhill when five weeks before the Marquez fight
he learned his 31-year-old brother, champion Australian
jockey (horse racing) Stathi Katsidis, had passed
away. Just days later Katsidis' longtime trainer,
Brendon Smith, received two more bad news calls. Smith's
nephew got paralysed from the chest down in an accident
and one of the trainer's former boxers passed away.
"We got it all within three weeks and just before
the Marquez fight," Smith said. Katsidis and
Smith made the call to keep training at their Thai
boxing camp and take on Marquez at the MGM Grand Casino,
a match that would be voted the Fight of the Year
after Katsidis floored Marquez to the mat in the third
round. Marquez guts and balls by getting up and pounding
Katsidis so badly ref Kenny Bayless ended the match
in the ninth round, giving Marquez a ninth round technical
knockout victory. On the eve of the Guerrero fight,
Katsidis and Smith, who kept quite before the Marquez
bout, finally opened up about their personal tragedies.
Katsidis did not sleep two days before the Marquez
fight. "He was emotionally spent before he got
in the ring and to do what he did under the circumstances
was incredible," Smith said. "I believe
if something doesn't kill you it only makes you stronger,"
Katsidis said. Guerrero has 22 knockouts in his 27
professional victories. "This is truly a fight
for boxing fans," Guerrero, who has a 28 win
(18 KO), one loss professional record, said. "You
are going to see two guys go at it and give it their
all." The winner of the match will be named the
interim World Boxing Association and World Boxing
Organisation lightweight champions. Promoter 'Golden
Boy' Oscar De La Hoya has named the MGM card "Action
Heroes", with another Mexican legend, Erik Morales,
fighting Argentina's exciting welterweight contender
Marcos Maidana and in another welterweight battle,
Brooklyn's Paulie Malignaggi VS Jose Miguel Cotto.
The matches will be broadcast live in Australia on
Sunday from 11am AEST by Main Event pay-per-view.
"For a boxing card, sounds like it will be value
for money for a bit of a change", said a Media
Man insider.
News
Underbelly
Gets Average TV Viewership In February..., by Greg
Tingle
It
had to happen eventually. The TV Underbelly series
numbers have done down. The third Underbelly telemovie
'The Man Who Got Away' came out in 9th for the night
with just over a million viewers for Channel 9. It
was beaten black and blue (pardon the pun) in its
timeslot by a new episode of 'Bones' on Channel 7,
which snatched 1.148 million. Seven's 'My Kitchen
Rules' was champion of the night with an massive 1.457
million viewers.
Sydney:
St Ives Gets Gunshots For Underbelly TV...
The
residents were instructed not to be alarmed by machine
guns before scenes from series of a couple of Underbelly
takes were shot in an otherwise quite St Ives street.
Filming took place at two homes in Waterhouse Ave.
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities is set in the years
from 1976 to 1986. Series on-set manager Chris Wheeler
said the street was a good reflection of houses from
this period. "St Ives shows the 70s and 80s style
for the series in the most beautiful way," he
said. Residents were informed of filming via a letterbox
drop. In the letter, location manager Carl Wood said:
"The production of Underbelly in Sydney (rather
than Melbourne) is considered to be something of a
coup for Sydney, and the NSW Government is right behind
the project." The prequel cast includes Peter
O’Brien, Roy Billing, Asher Keddie and Matt Newton.
Boardwalk
Empire: International Bonus - Atlantic City Roaring
1920s: Crime, Gambling, Prostitutes, The Works...
Enter
Atlantic City in the 1920s when prohibition was introduced
and alcohol became illegal, everybody partied big
time. Dancing, champagne, beer, the best food. County
Treasurer, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve
Buscemi) was living large. Nucky was a real life character
in Atlantic City who rose to power as one of the city’s
leaders who became a racketeer running bootlegging,
gambling and prostitution. HBO’s new drama series
is a fictionalised version inspired by actual events
in a book by writer Nelson Johnson. It’s a backdrop
to themes of corruption, vice and larger-than-life
characters. Buscemi has the lead TV role. Screenplay
is by Sopranos writer Terence Winter. It has Martin
Scorsese directing its first episode. Mark Wahlberg
is also a producer. Nucky is a complex man. To the
masses and media he condemns alcohol to the Women’s
Temperance League while secretly commandeering backroom
deals of booze smuggled and sold at inflated prices,
all going strong under the federal law of Prohibition.
He was the king in Atlantic City’s own underbelly,
acquiring wealth via organised crime. Buscemi nailed
this role, even snatching a Golden Globe for his efforts.
The other key characters in the opening episode include
Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt) Nucky’s former protégé,
who is tempted to work for the Feds, and Margaret
Schroeder (Kelly Macdonald) a wife who is beaten by
her husband and turns to Nucky for help. In a city
of liars, cheats and fornicators, she serves as the
symbol of virtue. The production values of Boardwalk
Empire are awesome. The Art Direction, Costume and
Cinematography are outstanding. There are lavish sets
and the attention to detail is world class. Scorsese’s
use of period music hits the right tone. There’s
nothing quite like hearing a 20's ditty warbling on
an old gramophone while an unlucky person gets whacked.
Boardwalk Empire premieres 8:30pm Sunday March 27th
on Australian pay television via Showtime. If you
have pay TV, you owe it to yourself to tune in. Yes,
most critics think its better than 'Underbelly' also,
but you be the judge, jury and executioner.
Crown
Casino Teams Up With NRL's Melbourne Storm...
Melbourne
are expecting a cyclone size backlash as the latest
National
Rugby League club to link with a gambling establishment
after confirming Crown
Casino as their new major sponsor. In a massive
deal snatcher for a club which last year was disgraced
after being stripped of all points and two premierships
during the salary cap scandal, the Storm unveiled
Crown as their front jersey sponsor on Friday. Melbourne
chief executive Ron Gauci agreed there would be criticism
of the club's link with gambling. However he defended
the arrangement and said Crown offered a home for
Storm supporters, which the club had not had since
it joined the competition in 1998. All Storm after-match
and mid-season functions for members will be held
at Crown. The casino believes the sponsorship will
boost their exposure interstate. "I think you'll
have those that wish to comment but I think we need
to emphasise what it is that we wanted out of the
relationship and that is a home for our supporter
base," Gauci said. "If you think about what
Crown has to offer as an entertainment complex ...
this is a great place to consolidate those activities."
The Storm lost major sponsors Host Plus and ME Bank
in the wake of last season's scandal. Gauci said the
new sponsorship delivered a message of confidence
in the Storm ahead of the 2011 season. "I think
it does deliver us a substantial message to the marketplace,
and for the club it's very important to have an organisation
as big a Melbourne icon as Crown is to support the
club. It delivers a magnificent message about the
confidence the corporate world has in Melbourne Storm
and our future direction." The Storm joined South
Sydney as the second NRL club to have a gambling
establishment as their major sponsor, while Penrith
have renamed their home ground Centrebet Stadium and
Manly will also have the Centrebet logo on the back
of their jumper. Yes, NRL ramped up links to gambling
are all the rage. A rumour has started that igaming
kings PartyGaming
want into Australia and would accept an NRL jersey,
shorts or even stadium deal. The firm is known for
its well known and respected PartyCasino,PartyPoker
and World
Poker Tour brands, which have a strong following
in Australia, other parts of the Asia Pacific, such
as New Zealand. Party is also looking to ramp up sports
betting services in the Asia Pacific region. Melbourne's
announcement also comes in the same week as Ryan Tandy,
who left the Storm midway through last season to join
Canterbury, was arrested and charged as a result of
an ongoing police investigation into "irregular
betting" on a match between the Canterbury Bulldogs
and North Queensland Cowboys last August. Dennis Watt,
rugby league general manager with News Limited, who
own the Storm, defended the arrangement between a
gambling establishment and a sport sold as a family
game. "I can speak for Crown as an integrated
entertainment, retail complex. It is very much reflective
of the heart and soul of Melbourne and it's a great
relationship for us to have and I don't see a conflict
for the relationship the Storm have sought here."
He echoed the views recently expressed by NRL chief
executive David Gallop that the association between
sport and gambling "is as old as sport itself".
"Gambling's a part of the Australian way of life,
part of our character and our history," he said.
"We advocate moderation, we know that problem
gambling affects less than half a per cent of the
population. "You've got two million problem drinkers,
four million smokers, over nine million Australians
suffering levels of obesity which are also big social
issues."
A
Media Man
spokesperson said "The Crown Casino - Melbourne
Storm sponsorship deal looks to be a match made in
heaven. Crown has world class facilities and entertainment
is the name of the game. Entertainment takes many
forms, be it football, burlesque, television, rock
bands or slot machines aka one armed bandits. Crown
Casino can do it all. Already this deal has generated
national and international headlines, and yes, we
are helping spread the word to our friends in the
U.S and Canada. Gambling911, CAP, GWPA and Poker News
Daily are just a few outlets that we expect to run
the story. It's balanced and positive coverage all
the way, instead of the agenda driven gaming hater
stuff you read from time to time. Chalk up more browny
points for Crown's James Packer and his world class
team at Crown, and good on the NRL and The Storm for
seeing the golden opportunity and moving it into high
gear. I never thought I would say this again after
last season's scandals, but Go The Storm!"
Australian
Betting Limited 'Bullet Proof' NOT! Says Maker Aristocrat...
A
card-based system forcing pokie players to set betting
limits isn't a "bullet proof" solution to
problem gambling, poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure
Ltd says. Aristocrat, representing over 60% of the
Australian pokies market, is instead proposing a machine-based
system that lets gamblers set time and/or betting
limits. But the proposal was met with some opposition
when Aristocrat executives appeared before a joint
federal parliamentary committee hearing in Sydney
on Friday. The committee is investigating the idea
of a pre-commitment scheme using smart card or other
technology to force pokie players to set limits on
their gambling. It follows a controversial commitment
from Prime Minister Julia Gillard to Tasmanian "independent"
(so to speak - has seen to be bias and preduduce against
those liking a punt) MP Andrew Wilkie to introduce
such a scheme across the country in return for his
support of her Labor government. "As a company,
we acknowledge that there is a problem out there,"
Aristocrat general manager of corporate affairs Kristene
Reynolds told the hearing. "For us, coming here
today is to come to the table and be part of that
solution." The company's managing director in
Australia and New Zealand, Trevor Croker, said card-based
systems, which have been used in other countries,
can be manipulated by problem gamblers. "It is
not a bullet proof solution. People do swap cards
and have been able to use multiple cards," he
said. "I think finding the complete solution
is going to be a very difficult outcome. "It
should not be something we don't aspire to, but it
will be very difficult, from what we see in those
(other) markets." Aristocrat will soon trial
a new slot machine that features opt-in pre-commitments,
allowing users the option to set themselves spending
or time limits. These machines could be ready for
mass production from the end of 2012, and phased in
as part of the normal machine replacement cycle, Croker
said. But with the average cost of a pokie at $25,000,
Labor MP Stephen Jones questioned the Aristocrat executives
on the cost effectiveness of such a solution. "It
would be good for Aristocrat, I can see that. But
it's a very expensive solution to the problem, isn't
it?", he asked. Aristocrat general manager of
design and development Justin Brown said smaller venues
could be given longer to replace their machines, while
newer models may only require a software upgrade,
at a cost of about $3,000. Mr Wilkie, the committee's
chairman, also questioned the motives of Aristocrat's
proposal. "I can't help feeling an element of
commercial self interest in your advice to the committee
here," he said. Further questioning resulted
in the Aristocrat executives conceding their machine-based
proposal would not prevent problem gamblers from simply
switching machines or venues once they had reached
a pre-committed loss or time limit. The hearings continue
in Canberra and Hobart later this month. In Australia
the machines are often known as pokies or poker machines,
in the U.S - slots, and much of Europe - Fruit Machines
or Fruities!
Queensland's
Sunshine Coast A Big Winner For Lottery Sector; Punters
To Win Homes Via BoysTown Gambling...
It's
steal from the rich to give to the poor! Ok, not exactly,
but read on and you will get the drift soon enough.
The Sunshine Coast has long been regarded as a prize
location by local residents, but now a range of national
and state lottery organisations are taking notice.
BoysTown Lotteries recently unveiled a million-dollar
home in Buderim as its latest prize home offering.
Located at 22 Orme Rd, the home is part of a prize
package worth more than $1.5 million. It is arguably
one of Buderim’s most beautiful homes, according
to BoysTown’s general manager fundraising Keith
Coventry. "Our previous lottery prize home was
in Nerang (Gold Coast) and the one before that was
in Rainbow Bay (Coolangatta). Now we find ourselves
in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. When deciding on
a prize home, we look at the property itself and then
the desirability of the location and the features
of the area," Coventry said. "I think the
thing about Buderim is that you are close to the beach,
but you also have those great views over the ocean
and the coastline. I guess you get the best of both
worlds. "The Buderim home has been particularly
popular and the retail sales have been very strong."
Yet another contender in the Coast’s prize pool
is a home in Mount Coolum, raising funds for the Mater
Foundation as part of the Mater Prize Home Lottery.
Also sporting a million-dollar price tag, the home
is located at 47 Boardwalk Blvd in Coolum’s Boardwalk
Estate. Twin Waters is the site of Surf Life Saving
Lottery’s prize home, which is valued at more
than $750,000. The three-bedroom home at Lot 4 Ameen
Cct comes with $41,832 in furniture and electrical,
along with 12 months paid council rates. Coventry
said funds raised from the BoysTown lottery would
assist the Kids Helpline service, which was in particular
demand since the recent floods. "Kids Helpline
is certainly taking a lot more calls from kids who
are worried about the impacts of the floods, or who
have been affected by the floods. A lot of people
are seeking assistance with the mental health aspects
of this natural disaster, so I think that is certainly
going to be the focus of much of our fundraising over
the coming months." The money raised from Mater
lotteries help funds medical research teams and the
purchase of life-saving medical equipment, as well
as supporting patients and families. Surf Life Saving
lotteries assist Surf Life Saving clubs around the
country. Aussies, feeling lucky. Go on, give them
a go, and you know the money is going to a good place,
if you don't happen to win. Mind you, feel welcome
to check out the slots, poker, bingo and other casino
games showcased on the portal also. BoysTown Lottery
will set you back a bit, while at Media Man partners
like PartyGaming, many games can be played for free
or for money. The choice if yours. Hours of entertainment
for young and old - just kidding, check legalities
but most counties insist you are at least 18 years
old to gamble, and that includes from lottery to poker
to slots, ok crew!
Clubs
Australia VS Productivity Watchdog: Dog Fight; Bark
Worse Than Bite?...
Clubs
Australia will today accuse the nation's productivity
watchdog of making a mathematical error in its claim
that problem gamblers are responsible for 40% of poker
machine revenue. Media Man spokespersons and investigators
have been disputing the "problem gambling"
numbers for almost 2 years! The figure of 40% is being
used by anti-gambling politicians aka "gaming
haters" to try to justify new limits on gambling
the Gillard government has pledged to introduce to
maintain the support of independent MP Andrew Wilkie
in the hung parliament. Clubs Australia is fighting
a mandatory precommitment scheme that would force
pokies players to set a limit on how much they intend
to spend before they start gambling. It claims the
scheme will cost clubs and pubs $2.5 billion nationally
and cost thousands of jobs if it turns off casual
gamblers from having a punt, throwing a couple of
bucks down the throat of an "one armed bandit",
whilst often sinking a cold Aussie beer at the same
time (not that we endorse it). Beer can change ones
thinking, but you likely knew that already Jack! Politicians
backing the reform have seized on a claim in the Productivity
Commission report that problem gamblers contribute
40% of pokie revenue to justify the crackdown. Clubs
Australia president Anthony 'On The Ball' Ball will
tell a parliamentary inquiry in Sydney today the figure
is "highly contentious" and "inaccurate".
In his opening address to the inquiry he will say
that the Productivity Commission claims there are
95,000 problem gamblers who play the pokies and spend
on average $21,000 each year on the machines. When
multiplied together, this comes to a total of $1.995bn,
and this figure represents just 16.8% of the $11.9bn
total expenditure on poker machines. "These are
not our numbers. These are the figures from the commission,"
Ball will say. "Therefore the vast majority of
gambling revenue comes from recreational gamblers."
The Productivity Commission used a range of different
methods to calculate the amount spent by problem gamblers
and found both problem and recreational gamblers underestimated
how much they spent on gambling each year. The 40
per cent figure was not derived from multiplying the
number of problem gamblers by the amount they said
they spent each year but was derived from a range
of surveys that looked at what gamblers actually spent.
Clubs Australia will tell the parliamentary committee
the proposed mandatory precommitment scheme is a "massive
infringement of people's individual rights".
"There's a vast difference between making the
pre-commitment available to any player who wants to
use it, and forcing anybody who wants to play a gaming
machine to register, obtain a device and provide personal
details or fingerprints in order to be able to play,"
Mr Ball plans to tell the inquiry.
Australian
Gambling Enquiry: Traditional Gamblers Heading Online
For Slots, Poker, Roulette Et Al; Problem Gamblers
VS Problem Child Government Policy?...
Using
hi-tech to force pokies players to set betting limits
would drive gambling addicts online in the masses
and divert resources away from helping problem punters,
a Senate inquiry has heard. The inquiry, chaired by
Tasmanian federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie, is
investigating the concept of a pre-commitment scheme
using smart card or other technology to force all
pokies players to set limits on their gambling. Clubs
Australia, the peak body for registered clubs in the
nation, on Friday told the joint parliamentary committee
inquiring into the issue it had reservations about
the proposal in its current form. Clubs Australia
executive director Anthony Ball said more research
was needed on how effective it would be. "There
is very little good research out there about whether
this proposal or any others are going to work,"
he told the inquiry in Sydney. "There are a multitude
of gambling opportunities. The strategy must not be
to drive (problem gamblers) online ... The strategy
must be to find these people, get them the right treatment
and turn their lives around." He said state regulations
on gambling were sufficient and that a 'one-size-fits-all'
policy should not be applied across all states. Clubs
Australia president Peter Newell said the three main
issues regarding the scheme were cost, whether it
would reduce problem gambling and the consequences
of implementing it. He said the system failed to work
in Norway, and instead drove problem gamblers to the
internet. Five million Australians would play the
pokies in any given 12-month period and the system
would only drive away recreational players, who represented
the "vast majority" of gambling revenue,
he said. "As a recreational gambler myself, I
am disturbed that there are people who think I need
assistance in determining how I spend my money,"
he said. "Mandatory pre-commitment fails to provide
what problem gamblers need most and that is treatment,
and in doing so, diverts attention and resources away
from treatment. Problem gamblers will still gamble
in the mandatory pre-commitment system. They are addicted.
But recreational gamblers will walk away from pokie
machines." Newell said the system would be expensive
and difficult to implement across 197,000 machines
nationwide, taking years and billions of dollars to
do - forcing clubs to close and costing thousands
of jobs - with no indication as to how effective it
will be. It's man VS machine; The People VS The Government,
and The Government VS The Gaming Industry. News media
and website portals just keep lapping up the action
resulting in a readership jackpot bonanza.
News
Australian
Celeb News: Media, Casino And Gaming Celebs, by Greg
Tingle - 29th January 2011
G'day
punters, celebrities, journos, high rollers - casino
whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, poker
sharks, entertainment news junkies, media tycoons,
politicians, insiders, outsiders, legal eagles,...
one and all. You know who you are. Seems just about
everyone is a celebrity, or knows a celebrity these
days. God know the poker world is full of them. This
is our Aussie celebrity special, featuring Aussie
celebs from the world of media, gaming, poker and
more, and even a few ring-ins for good measure. Media
Man and Gambling911 with celebrities you love
to love, and even a couple you love to hate...
Shane
Warne...And Liz Hurley...
Warnie
and Liz look to be in love, with each other and with
Twitter. The spinner is hanging out for a game of
poker or "poke her" with Liz, almost begging
for Hurley
Burley to come down under for a face to face. The
couple have taken to Twitter like ducks to water.
Warne and Hurley's developing romance is good fodder
out for their almost half a million Twitter followers.
They are now publicly planning her trip Down Under.
The poker - fashion babe might be in Australia within
weeks. Hurley has been tweeting about her new parrot,
Ping Pong. "I'm getting jealous of ping pong!
Think it's time you left ping pong alone for a while
& come visit me in Australia," Warne tweeted.
"No need for jealousy SW, she's not getting any
cuddles or kisses!" Hurley replied. The model
brunette is teaching the parrot to talk and Saints
fan Warne has urged her to teach it the St Kilda club
song. "Don't forget advance Australia fair !!!!
In tune too please ping pong . . . Ps organized kangaroos
and koalas for your trip," he wrote. The affair
between the former spinner and the movie - poker babe
went public in December and the pair were busted on
a romantic weekend in LA earlier this month. Both
have bounce back, and judging by the Tweets, can't
wait to bounce, fly and play together. Is it an Aussie
expression... a bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush? Never mind. Tweet me at twitter.com/mediamanint
Russell
Crowe: Ex Kiwi (On Defending His South Sydney Rabbitoh's
Star City Casino Deal)...
"The
football club is a completely different organisation
from the leagues club. We don't have any control over
what the leagues club does; they run their own game."
Crowe
then went on to defend the move by pitching Star
City as primarily an entertainment precinct and
putting forward society benefits from gaming revenue,
of which there is some truth in. Entertainment is
the name of the game, and its broken into sub sectors.
"This is an entertainment venue in general; it's
not just about gaming. Let's get real about this situation;
we're living in a state where they're telling us that
the revenue from poker machines is paying for our
hospitals. What we're talking about here is about
a connection between two organisations that are all
about entertainment, that are all about the future
of Sydney." Souths chief executive Shane Richardson
seconded the views put forward forward by NRL chief
executive David "Gambling" (MM satire) Gallop
this week that the association between sport and gambling
"is as old as sport itself". "Let's
be honest no sport in the world could ignore it, we're
not holier than thou, the NFL, the English Premier
League, wherever it is, there's gambling. As David
Gallop said all along, it's going to be there, it's
a major part of what sport is whether we like it or
not and we've got to be part of it to have some sort
of control over it." Crowe did concede that his
own personal beliefs on gambling were at odds with
the deal and recognised that problem gamblers were
an issue of concern. "I don't like them (pokies).
I'm not a fan of them; I've made that clear in the
past. "But in life I am a gambler. The fact that
I took on South Sydney underlines that." Media
Man and Gambling911 congratulate both the Rabbitohs,
Crowe and Tabcorp's Star City for taking a bet on
this. Life is a gamble, just don't let it get the
better of you, and always have fun... on and off the
field. Work hard and play harder!
Julian
Assange...
He
is possibly Australia's most notorious public figure
in a strange sort of way. Hero or Villain? Guess it
depends on who you ask. If you ask Prime Minister
Julia
Gillard we think you know the answer! This weekends'
The Australian newspaper fueled rumours that the James
Bond franchise might like to have an Assange type
in an upcoming flick. The journo penned...Ian Fleming
could have turned the WikiLeaks boss into a villain
in a James Bond novel. Given the pervasiveness of
the Bond myth, it is no surprise that Assange, like
Osama bin Laden before him, should be likened to a
Bond villain. He has been labelled many things both
positive and negative, from champion of free speech
to cyber-terrorist. Perhaps the strangest, and for
many fans of popular culture most glamorous, epithet
applied to Julian Assange is that of Bond villain.
Moreover, it is an epithet that has found widespread
media acceptance. The connection has been made in
blogs and especially tabloid newspapers, and equally
it has surfaced in such diverse publications as Britain's
The Guardian, The Financial Times and the US's The
Washington Post. The most conspicuous parallel between
Assange and the fantasy world of Ian Fleming's James
Bond involves the Bond villain's lair. The WikiLeaks
HQ, known as the Pionen data centre, is a remodelled
Swedish nuclear bunker set in a granite mountain face.
Special thanks to Simon Caterson at News Limited.
We like your work mate.
Elle
Macpherson...
The
once former flame of Brit gambling tycoon Damian Aspinall
has got busy again as of late. Elle
Macpherson and Cate Blanchett were guests at the
major bling event for the Portofino range at a dinner
in Geneva yesterday. They were joined by Lost's Matthew
Fox - looking heavier and a bit ratty in a Brad Pitt-style
Catweazle beard - plus Kevin Spacey, Ronan Keating
and more. We're sure it was a fun event. And we're
sure all received a special gift.
Damian
Aspinall (James Packer Mate) To Sell Aspinall's Casino
In Britain Following Bad Luck!..
Damian
does business with Australia's James
Packer, but its possible that soon that may come
to an end. The Brit has had relationships with glamorous
women, including the TV presenter Donna Air, Elle
Macpherson and Naomi Campbell. He confirmed the
scale of the club’s debts but said it was not
unusual for a casino business. He said: “You
are talking about a business that has £250 million
a year drop (the money staked by its clients). So
it is a bit circular. You are looking at unlucky years.
That is the business we are in. “Anyone in the
business with high value VIP tables will have years
when you do well and years when they don’t do
well because it is volatile." Asked about the
house’s performance last year, he added: “That’s
completely normal. You are talking about a volatile
business.” He said over a 10-year period Aspinall’s
was winning 18 per cent of the money gambled at its
tables. But he added: “You have years when you
do nine per cent and years when you do 24 per cent.”
The most recent available accounts for the club are
for 2009 and Mr Aspinall said the club was now doing
better. He said that despite his plan to move away
from the elite clubs founded by his father such businesses
would not die out. “I think there is a future.
You have got to be grown up about those sorts of investments.
You lose £10 million one week, and win £8
million the next. It is part of the business. When
you lose these amounts it is a knock for the casino
concerned, but you have weeks like that. We also had
a week where we won £11 million in six days.
It is big numbers these days. The winners could be
three people over a number of days, it can be one
person in one night. There are plenty of players all
over the world who have won and lost that sort of
money in a night."
Mel
Gibson...
American
law enforcement sources say Summit Entertainment which
is distributing Aussie Mel's upcoming movie, "The
Beaver" - gave Mel the final cut of the movie
on DVD. Mel
screened it at his home, and at 10:45 AM put the DVD
in his mailbox so a courier could pick it up and return
it to Summit. The DVD was rumoured to go missing in
action, not Mel!
Hugh
Jackman...
Hugh
Jackman, Oprah
Winfrey, Halle Berry and Marisa Tomei Among Oscar
Presenters...Tony Award winner and previous Academy
Awards host Hugh Jackman will be part of this year's
Oscar ceremony, according to the Associated Press.
Jackman will be a presenter at the 83rd Academy Awards.
Other presenters currently include Sandra Bullock,
Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry and Marisa
Tomei. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements
of 2010 will be presented Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre
at Hollywood & Highland Center. The awards will
be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning
at 8 PM ET. James Franco and Anne Hathaway will co-host
this year's ceremony. Jackman, who was seen on screen
in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine,"
earned a Tony Award for his work in the Broadway musical
The Boy From Oz. He is also known for his film roles
in the "X-Men"
trilogy, "Someone Like You," "Swordfish,"
"Kate and Leopold," "Van Helsing"
and the recent "The Fountain" and "Happy
Feet" (in voice). His stage credits also include
Trevor Nunn's staging of Oklahoma! at Britian's National
Theatre and award-winning work in productions of Sunset
Boulevard and Beauty and the Beast.
John
Travolta...(As John Gotti)...
Travolta
was at Amici restaurant in Brentwood a few nights
ago. He wasn't giving much away about taking the role.
But Marty Ingels, Executive Producer of the movie
was much more direct, stating Travolta will play the
lead role in the movie, "Gotti." Leaks tell
us James Franco has been approached to play John Gotti,
Jr. Bang! Hit us up for an update soon.
David
Gyngell...
Gyng
is tipped to be very shortly flying to the U.S to
test the waters re the upcoming float on the stock
market on his CVC. Nine
Entertainment's private equity owners will assess
the health of the local equity and advertising markets
this month. After which, they will decide the date
for a $5 billion listing of the television, magazine
and digital group. According to market sources, Nine's
owner, CVC Asia Pacific, is yet to decide on the listing
date although most observers expect the debt-laden
group to test the waters as soon as April if global
equity markets remain relatively strong. Management,
including newly installed chief executive David Gyngell,
will travel to the US next month to gauge the interest
of potential offshore investors.
Celebrity
Poker Pros: Tyron Krost And Stewart Scott: Celebrity
Stars Going Down In Ratings; Direct Response To Poor
Showing In Aussie Millions 2011...
These
couple of poker celebs were on fire at some point,
but lately a shower has been thrown on their parade.
Both are former Aussie Millions champs - Krost from
last year, Scott from 2009. Fellas, time to win some
big games again or you might not even be thought as
celebs any more. Start performing or might those sponsorship
deals with PartyGaming'sPartyPoker.com
dry up?
Van
Marcus...
Poker
pro Van Marcus, currently in Melbourne for Aussie
Millions, is the chap who has his red rare Ferrari
nicked from the Crown valet parking last year, in
a story that generated massive international headlines.
In the past days Marcus has been seeing driving around
Melbourne in what looks to be the same card, but this
time reportedly with a hot blonde or brunette in the
passenger seat. Hows the ride girls?
Australian
Chris Hemsworth Plays Father To Thor; Anthony Hopkins
Is Thor!...
The
Aussies and Brits are teaming up again in film, thanks
to our friends at Marvel Entertainment. The industry
is abuzz for Aussie Hemsworth and Brit Hopkins. Hopkins
has portrayed so many notable characters from history,
literature, and the arts, that it’s no surprise
we will see him in yet another role of stature. In
this year’s hotly anticipated Paramount
Pictures and Marvel
Entertainment epic adventure Thor, he will be
Odin, the major god of Norse mythology, and father
to Thor, (played by Australian Chris Hemsworth). The
film is based on the Stan
Lee comic book version, and directed by Kenneth
Branagh. Excelsior! Marvel Entertainment: Don't just
buy the comics and watch the movies, play the games
at PartyGaming. May the power of Thor be with you.
James
Packer And Co...
Marketing
and gaming advisers to James
Packer have leaked that they see merit in having
an Aussie Millions branded online slot game. They
saw the popularity of Cleopatra and Sinatra in an
online environment, and well as PartyGaming's World
Poker Tour slot in land based casinos. They have
not confirmed a Kerry Packer themed slot game, with
some concerns it may be a uncomfortable proposal for
one or two of the Packer family, however many punters
and insiders think that Kerry would have loved the
idea, and further would have loved the concept that
a slot game will his likeness via tribute slot would
actually make Crown
Limited money. PartyGaming,WMS
and IGT
are keen to talk turkey with Crown Limited with their
online plans, which may also compliment what's in
store for the further development of Packer 50% owned
Betfair.
Who is tipped to the the contract?
We
think PartyGaming,
based on their strong US land based casino deals,
ink still drying over the last few days, but you will
just have to keep watching the space.
As
they say on TV, I'm a celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here!
*Media
Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet
portal development company. Gaming is just one of
a dozen sectors covered
*the
writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Ten Network
Holdings
News
Australia
Day Special, by Greg Tingle - 26th January 2011
G'day
and Happy Australia Day everyone. Ok, we know some
of you punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales,
entertainment news junkies, politicians, insiders,
outsiders and legal eagles are from across the globe
are not Australia, nor have ever been down under,
but you get the idea. Did you know that some indigenous
Australia's call Australia Day 'Invasion Day'! That's
because most history books show that Captain James
Cook and his crew invaded Australia on this day in
1988. They are known by a new names including the
First Fleet, while some aborigines will always think
of them and murderous mongrels, who stole their land
and pride. It's easy for many of us to get the point
of the blackfellas (affectionate). Media
Man and Gambling911
with a bush tucker bag full of Australian gambling,
casino, poker, media and sports news. Fair winds...
Queensland
Banana Bender State: Pub Pokies And Online Pokies
Becoming More Popular?...
One
armed bandits are maintaining their popularity in
'The Sunshine State'. It's understand that punters
might have only a 1 in a million chance of winning
really big, lotto - millionaire style, but they just
keep coming back for more. Yep, throw another dime
in the pokie baby. Queenslanders "invested"
close to $2 billion last year as the punters passion
for the slots maintained its fever pace. The total
pokies expenditure of $1.81 billion was slightly down
on the previous year, it was the third year consecutively
the number exceeded $1.8 billion. We're also learned
that the 2008 figure of $1.83 billion was an all-time
record. Now, this is important - those numbers Do
Not take into account the rabid take up and roll our
of online poker or sports betting. You know, betting
over the global medium - the internet. Overall, Queenslanders
spent $7 million less on pokies than last year and
$28 million less than in 2008, but it still works
out at in excess of $150 million every month down
the slots August was the year's biggest month for
slot gamblers, who put close to $170 million in the
throats of the one armed bandits. August was also
the biggest month for gamblers in 2008, with more
than $173 million lost. Pokies remain by far the most
popular games for punters in Australia, bringing in
most of the estimated $17 billion spent on all forms
of gambling down under each year. Some insiders think
that the reduction in official spending was more a
sign of the increased popularity of internet and sports-based
gambling. Concentrating on pokie figures, it appears
Queenslanders gambled more at the height of the global
financial crisis two years ago than they did throughout
2010.
Tassie
'Devil' Gambling Tycoon Devilish Quotes...
David
Walsh from Tasmania was such a big hit with the readership
we thought we would dig up a few more of the red hot
'The Devil's' quotes, that are too good not to share.
First a refresher...Art and gambling do mix, at least
that's the experience of Brits Damian Aspinall, Phil
'Tuffers' Tufnell, Australian artist Gina Sinozich,
Media Man
(bodypaint and burlesque "fetish") and Tasmanian
gambling whale - tycoon, David 'Wicked' (satire) Walsh.
You will pick up on Dave's affectionate nickname by
us later. We like you David, ok mate. Tasmania's most
famous or infamous gambling figure, millionaire, David
Walsh yesterday gave us a peak into his art exhibit...the
biggest (and weirdest) private art gallery in Tasmania,
if not the Asia Pacific. The $110 million Museum of
Old and New Art is nestled on the banks of Hobart's
Derwent River.
Quotes
By The Tasmanian Devil!...
"FUCK
the art, let's rock'n'roll."
"I
think formal curation is a form of mental masturbation."
"I'm
not really that interested in a bunch of big names.
Most of the works are by people most people haven't
heard of and still won't have heard of because there's
no wall labels."
"I
don't want to lose control (or) something that ends
up looking like a pale version of the National Gallery
of Victoria".
"Subversive
adult Disneyland".
"Please
see reception if you are planning a pool party or
a ritualistic orgy."
"It's
the opportunity to mess with your head. I like the
idea of people having a couple of beers and looking
at the art, having a couple more and changing their
mind."
"Just
a privileged guy with a megaphone"
"It’s
like a rich man’s soap box. I’m standing
on my soapbox and I’m shouting my views like
they mean something."
"I’ll
take all the popular stuff out. And if you go to the
toilet two or three times we’ll recommend a good
urologist."
“My
brother once said about me that I’d rather be
outside a barrel pissing in than inside the barrel
pissing out. I’m anti this idea that we know
what we’re doing with certainty. I kinda think
that most things that are good happen to people largely
by accident, but then they start looking for explanations.
You see the views of rich, successful people on television,
and they tell you why they got rich and successful;
they don’t interview all the people who went
through the same process and didn’t. I think
most things are complete crap. I want to show that
you can be fortunate without believing that your fortune
was anything other than fortune."
"There
are so many things we do that we hide from. We hack
open cows and eat their guts but we compartmentalise
that away from our lives so we can pretend it’s
not happening. And on a larger, more important scale,
if each of us acted individually to say ‘OK,
we f…ed up the atmosphere, it is our personal
responsibility’, humanity would behave in a very
different way."
"One
of the things about having money is that … I
feel a bit of guilt and a level of privilege, and
it seems to be an obligation to do something, and
since art is what I’ve been doing....but it wasn’t
really like that. It was: I bought this small gallery,
bought a bigger one, and gradually it became something
of this scale. It’s become a lot more serious
endeavour than I intended it to be. There’s a
bit of thumbing my nose at the establishment and trying
to bypass academia, but mainly I just wanted it to
be a bit of fun. And it is. And it will be."
"The
gambling is all a computer thing that is going on
right now".
Queensland:
Cairns Reef Hotel Casino Poised To Raise Big Bucks
For Flood Relief On Australia Day...
Punters,
let's all spare a thought for those who have been
attacked by the floods on Australia Day. Numerous
events are being planed around Australia, from 'Sound
Relief' to and initiative from the Cairns Reef Hotel
Casino 'Bring on the Sun' It will be one of the biggest
events on the Australia Day calendar for the city
and all funds raised will go to the Premier’s
Flood Relief Appeal. There's a good old fashioned
sausage sizzle, competitions and female performers
including the Marlins’ cheer squad. "The
whole idea is slanted towards the female performer,"
entertainment manager Bruce Stewart said. "We’ve
got an eclectic blend of female artists coming to
perform as well." Cazalys, El Mundo Tapas Bar
and the Marlin Coast Bowls Club will also host events
to raise money for flood victims. Cairns Regional
Council will hold events across the region, including
the ever-popular celebrations on the Esplanade. Mayor
Val Schier said the council was expecting a good attendance
as usual with residents keen to get outside and celebrate
our sunburnt country in the green and gold. "Even
last year when it poured, a huge number of people
came to the Aussie breakfast; we expect the same will
happen this year, rain, hail or shine. It is one of
those days where people can come together as a community
and help celebrate why it is great to be an Australian.
We live in a fantastic country and it is good for
people to get out and enjoy it." Pubs and clubs
will also get into the Aussie spirit with a number
of activities on offer. Paradise Palms Resort and
Country Club has a patriotic, fun-filled day planned
with activities that pay homage to Australia’s
heritage such as the much-anticipated pie-eating competition.
"Everybody is welcome to come along and have
some fun while tucking into our Aussie selection of
meat pies, icy beers, lamingtons and classic Australian
music by DJ Danny from Millennium Sounds," director
of sales and marketing Darlene Holdsworth said.
Events
Join
the celebrations
Paradise
Palms Resort and Country Club Australia Day celebrations
What’s on: Australian menu served from noon in
Restaurant 59, pie-eating and thong-throwing competitions
start at 1.30pm. Pies, icy beers, lamingtons and classic
Australian music on offer at the resort.
Time: 12pm. Entry free.
Bring on the Sun at Cairns Reef Hotel Casino
What’s on: Entertainment, sausage sizzle, raffles,
jumping castle and more with all proceeds going to
the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.
Time: 2pm. Entry free.
Shane Warne And Poker Mates Get VIP Star Treatment
At Australian Open Tennis Sunday Night...
The
spinner got there at 8pm hoping to get star VIP treatment
for 14 of his closest mates. In the mix was was Joe
Hachem, who he had earlier caught up with at the launch
of the Aussie Millions Poker Tournament at Crown Casino.
Warne requested an escort (no, not that type silly)
when he arrived and posed mostly for photographs with
his sunglasses on. He also spent time in Andy Roddick's
player's box during his loss to Swissman Stanislas
Wawrinka. It been a big couple of days for "poker
her" for the legend, playing rendezvous with
Liz Hurley in LA. He is expected to play in the second
round of the poker tournament and could face off against
Gary Ablett Jr and Jeff Fenech tomorrow. Blett made
it through to the second round.
Australian Financial Review Goes Gaga For Lady Gaga;
Gets Facts Wrong (We Think)...
It
took us a few months of going through newspapers but
we finally found the AFR to make a slip up, and its
a doozy....An article reads "the complex will
have a few upmarket bars, including one on the roof,
and an events theatre to house live acts – think
Lady Gaga – as well as awards nights." With
Gaga's level of popularity she would require a much
larger venue than Star City. Earlier this year, she
- they played two concerts at the Sydney Entertainment
Centre, capacity 12,000 or thereabouts. Do the math.
Australia's
Kylie Minogue To Do The Colosseum At Caesars Palace
Las Vegas: Aphrodite Live...
Mark
is down Kylie fans the word over. She's doing Ceasers
Sunday May 22, 2011 8pm
Melbourne: Aussie Joker Comedian Performs At Packer's
Crown; Raises Cash For Flood Relief...
Melbourne
folks at Crown Casino recently enjoyed 'The Jokers
Comedy That Rocks' at Crown Casino. James Packer's
casino donated all proceeds from last Friday night’s
show to Queensland flood victims. Organiser William
Leitch has happy with the way things went and showcased
an evening with some of the city’s top stand-up
artists, including Brad Oakes, Christine Basil and
Greg Fleet. It's understood he got close to 150 people
to come along, and he may be invited back on upcoming
Friday nights.
Top 100 ASX Listed Companies Respond To Flood Cry
For Help; Gambling And Gaming Industry Steps Up; Mining
Firms and Banking Bastards Lead Charge...
1.
BHP Billiton: $1.3 million (in addition, matching
employee donations)
2.
CBA: $1.35 million
3.
Westpac: $1 million
4.
ANZ: $1 million
5.
NAB: $1 million
6.
News Corp: $500,000 and Blue Ribbon campaign
7.
Rio Tinto: $1 million ($700,000 to Premier Relief,
$300,000 to Emerald community)
8.
Wesfarmers: $7.5 million (plus $3.5 million from Coles
customers)
9.
Telstra Corp: up to $1 million by matching staff contributions
(so far $338,000; is also supplying phones and free
calls to people affected)
11.
Woolworths: $6.9 million (matching customer donations
in Woolies, Big W, Dick Smith dollar for dollar)
14.
Fortescue Metals: Matching staff donations dollar
for dollar
15.
CSL: $250,000
16.
QBE Insurance: not releasing a statement
17.
Origin energy: $1 million
18.
Macquarie Group: $200,000 (combined staff and company
effort with fundraising activities continuing both
here and overseas)
19.
AXA Asia Pacific: No response
20.
Santos: $500,000 plus use of helicopters and vehicles
for clean up. Also $50,000 for flooding in WA
21.
Coal and Allied Industries: (see Rio Tinto)
22.
AMP: $250,000 + matching employee contributions to
WA flood appeal up to $250,000
23.
Suncorp Group: $100,000 (staff and customers have
donated $1.5million)
24.
Foster's Group: $500,000
25.
Brambles: No response
26.
Leighton Holdings: No response
27.
Orica: No response
28.
Oil Search: No response
29.
Stockland: Donated $250,000 to the Premier's flood
relief appeal, another $30,000 to the Mayoress Rockhampton
regional flood appeal and are matching employee donations
dollar for dollar
30.
Coca. Cola Amatil: No response
31.
Amcor: No response
32.
Westfield Retail Trust: No response
33.
IAG: No response
39.
Crown: Donation tins in Crown complexes and have committed
to matching all donations as well as staff contributions
52.
Tabcorp Holdings: $1 million
78.
Tatts Group: Going to run a dedicated lottery for
the Queensland flood appeal where all profits will
go to the Premier's Flood Appeal. They ran the same
thing in Victoria after the Black Saturday bushfires.
It will run on Wednesday 2 Feb in Queensland and is
expected to raise $200,000. In addition, another donation
will be made from the unclaimed prizes fund of an
as. yet undecided amount
79.
Fairfax Media: Matching staff donations
100.
Seek: Reported it had made a donation to the Premier's
Flood Appeal but chose not to disclose how much
Brisbane:
Flood Relief Money Gets Spend On Pokies, Vice - Piss
Up At Pubs...
It's
been reported in a number of Queensland newspapers
that the $1000 flood relief grants that went to many
good folks in Granville are being used to feed slots
and buy piss (beer) rather than food and necessities.
Two Maryborough publicans say that in some instances
the answer to that is yes, and they are disgusted.
One of the publicans was so incensed by the misuse
of flood relief money she telephoned Fairfax Media
to complain. "A man came in bragging about how
he’d got the $1000 payout because he told Centrelink
he was stuck in Granville – but he was here the
whole time. It makes me sick that people are openly
admitting they’ve got the money for nothing,
while there are people who’ve died or lost everything."
She said Centrelink should have screened the applications
more carefully to make sure only people who were genuinely
in need received the cash. Another pub owner said
his one armed bandits had not stopped buzzing since
the grants became available. "We were quiet during
the actual floods but this week’s been totally
different. The pokies and the bottle shop have been
going non-stop." Yeah, Aussie continue to love
a punt, rain, hail, shine or flood!
Aussie
Millions Game 8 Results...
The
London based chap took down the $1,100 8 game mixed
event title at Crown Casino in Melbourne adding AUD$23,800
to his almost $1.2 million in career tournament earnings.
He entered the final table as the short stack, but
managed to grind his way to victory and nudge away
Australia's Bruno Portaro for the victory. The event
marked Ashby's 8th final table appearance at the Aussie
Millions that includes a side-event win back in 2005
and a seventh-place finish in the main event in 2009.
Ashby also won his first WSOP bracelet this summer
in the $1,500 7 Card Stud event and went well in the
$10k H.O.R.S.E. for his biggest career score of $378,027.
The 2011 Aussie Millions $1,100 8-Game Mixed event
drew 68-players and paid the final 7.
Here
are the results:
1 Richard Ashby AUD$23,800
2 Bruno Portaro AUD$16,320
3 Casey Kastle AUD$10,880
4 Daniel Ospina AUD$6,800
5 Oliver Gill AUD$4,760
6 Dane Coltman AUD$3,400
7 Paul Ravesi AUD$2,040
Aussie
Main Event Day 1b: PartyPoker And Full Tilt Poker
Players Feel The Pain...
PartyGaming'sPartyPoker
and Full Tilt Poker's powers that be likely won't
be celebrating. Ok, they got news coverage and exposure,
but its because their players are out. Yep, history
maties. Full Tilt went well on Day 1a but Day 1b was
rooted. Many of the big name pros went down for the
count as locals stepped up. 209 players entered the
Crown Poker room but after 7 levels of play, 80 remained.
David Oppenheim, Annette Obrestad, Carlos Mortensen,
David Benyamine, Andrew Feldman, Steve Yea, Andy Bloch
and Gus Hansen were some of the Full Tilt players
who died. Other casualties included Luke Santo, Raj
Ramakrishnan, George Moussa, Michael Pedley, Graeme
Putt, Martin Comer, Dennis Huntly, Jamie Pickering,
Bruno Portaro, Casey Kastle, Ben Savage and Tim Marsters.
2005 World Champion Joe Hachem (tweeting he struggled
with jetlag following a recent trip to the PokerStars
Caribbean Adventure.) Defending champ, 2010 Aussie
Millions Main Event winner Tyron Krost (PartyGaming's
PartyPoker
pro went down too). A new champ will be crowned in
2011 with plenty of Aussies still in contention. The
field kicked off with Jeff Rossier in the lead with
154,900, closely followed by Michael Ottobra (143,400)
and Martin Drewe, After winning the Opening Event
last week and going deep in another event, Drewe is
now set in the chip leaders in the Main Event after
getting to 136,100. Jay “SEABEAST” Kinkade
did nicely with 128,700, Haibo Chu (113,900), Manny
Stavropoulos (85,600), Sorel Mizzi (74,400), Michael
Egan (61,100), Kent Hunter (56,400), Jeff Lisandro
(55,000), Eric Assadourian (50,300), Scott Montgomery
(49,200), Chris Ferguson (45,400), Lee Nelson (30,200),
Neil Channing (28,800), Roland de Wolfe (26,100),
Aleks Brkovic (24,600), Jackie Glazier (21,900), Grant
Levy (18,300), Gary Benson (10,500) and Mel Judah
(7,200) amongst those who will return on Day 2. The
3rd and final flight of the 2011 Aussie Millions Main
will commence Tuesday with another strong field and
a few big names expected. Even Van Marcus will front
up. Van, is your Red Ferrari safe this time mate?
We're looking for more good fodder to write about.
How about do a publicity stunt and make world wide
headlines ago. Maybe someone at Crown Casino - Crown
Limited might be open to it. Stanger things have happened...
like Ferrari's getting stolen on site, casino fights
and a man getting stuck in the Crown Casino kitchen
grease vacuum.
Aussie
Millions Event #9 Day 1b: Rossiter In Front...
It
was down to business with players investing AUD$10,600
to buy in all with the goal of becoming the 2011 Aussie
Millions Champion. 7 seven levels of play, and the
209-player field went to 80. Jeff Rossiter is in front
with 154,900. Martin Drewe, 2011 Aussie Millions Event
#1 winner with 136,100 - now 3rd on the leaderboard.
Australian Jay Kinkade is on 128,700, and European
Poker Tour mainstay Jeff Sarwer sits 5th with 120,500.
Randy "nanonoko" Lew has 110,000 and Gavin
Griffin 101,700 in 9th ninth and 10th place. Sorel
Mizzi, Jeffrey Lisandro, Eric Assadourian, Team Full
Tilt's Chris Ferguson, Full Tilt Poker Red Pros Scott
Montgomery and Roland de Wolfe, Neil Channing, and
Lee Nelson have also all made it to Wednesday's Day
2, but it was touch and go for some of them, testing
the skill VS luck debate. Full Tilt Poker $25,000
Shootout Invitational winner David Oppenheim, Annette
Obrestad, Carlos Mortensen, Andy Bloch, David Benyamine,
Andrew Feldman, Gus Hansen, Joe Hachem, and David
Steicke all had to say goodnight nurse. PartyGaming's
- PartyPoker
Tyron Krost was eliminated in a hand VS Gavin Griffin
where his Ace-Queen couldn't best Griffin's Aces.
The 3rd and final Day 1 flight commences Tuesday in
Melbourne, Australia at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Getting
board of poker yet? If so, try your luck er skill
at Baccarat or Craps. If your more into luck, check
out the slots like Cleopatra, Sinatra, Rambo, Goanna
Gold and The Terminator. Rumour goes PartyGaming
also have, or will soon get, a World
Poker Tour themed online slot game. We recommend
punters open an account with PartyCasino,PartyGaming
and World
Poker Tour, just to have all based covered. Party
appears to still be the most popular online casino
brand in Australia despite big efforts by the likes
of 888. Marvel
slot games are forecast to be some of the most
popular of this year with Captain
America and Thor
tipped to hit Australia cinema's this year, with Spider-Man
also getting a remake. Whatever your casino game of
choice, good luck, and let us know how you go guys
and girls. Spin to win.
Take
the time to research and learn games before placing
down money
Media
Man,Casino
News Media and Gambling911
are website portals. Not casinos as such, however
are recognised as world leading websites that cover
the sector and act as central points to games, news,
reviews and more.
Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us
in the forum.
If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over
it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media
Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet
portal development company. Gaming is just one of
a dozen sectors covered
News
Aussie
Celeb News; James Bond Casino Icon Connection, by
Greg Tingle - 29th December 2010
Season's
Greetings punters, entertainment news junkies, one
and all. Today we have a look at the latest from Aussiewood
and Hollywood powerhouses James Bond, with a Bondi
Beach twist, Marvel Entertainment (go Wolverine)..we
love you Hugh, Spider-Man, Underbelly and more.. Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com
and Gambling911
with your celebrity and entertainment news fix, just
in time for the New Year. Ho Ho Ho!...
MGM
Emerging from Bankruptcy; Wants To Produce James Bond
23...
MGM
Studios is emerging from bankruptcy with a $500 million
line of credit, and its first Xmas wish is to produce
James Bond #23, rumoured to be directed by Sam Mendes
and starring Daniel Craig (again), despite many leaks
saying that means it will be a gay Bond (for real),
if you follow.
The
James Bond franchise has long been a fav of casino
and gambling lovers, with Casino Royale being the
top pick for most punters.
MGM
Studios has been going through the wars as of late,
with the filing of bankruptcy hanging around their
neck. Their massive financial troubles led to the
delay of not only The Hobbit, directed by New Zealander
Peter Jackson, but also James Bond 23 starring the
Daniel Craig.
The
studio just underwent a giant restructuring and was
able to acquire $500 million worth of credit from
financial powerhouse JP Morgan, a good lot of which
will likely be spent on the sequel to Quantum of Solace.
MGM is expected to partner with Sony for co-financing,
as it has done a few times previously with Casino
Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Bond
fans, did you know that 2012 marks the fiftieth anniversary
of Dr. No (1962), the very first James Bond movie
ever, which makes it bloody good timing to release
a new Bond movie. The studio will be attempting to
secure and shore up its cast, director, and screenplay
for the new movie in very short order.
The
studio had previously announced that Peter Morgan,
and frequent Bond collaborators Neal Purvis and Robert
Wade, would be penning a draft of Bond 23. Purvis
and Wade have worked on every James Bond flick since
The World Is Not Enough, and that includes Die Another
Day, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace - the last
two of which were rewritten, to some extent, by Paul
Haggis.
Rumors
have been flying for months have indicated that Sam
Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) is leading
the pack to direct the new movie. Now, Mendes is not
a filmmaker known for his action style skills. He
did however direct Road to Perdition, co-starring
none other than Daniel Craig.
As
of press, James Bond will not be film in 3D. Oh, did
we mention Media Man is the agent and manager for
John Seru who played bad guy Gabor in Bond's 'The
World Is Not Enough'. In Nine's 'Underbelly' Seru
placed Kiwi Steve in the following episodes: Alpha
and Omega, The Good Lieutenant, Hurt on Duty (2010),
Saving Face and Women in Uniform.
MGM
is still technically under bankruptcy protection for
a couple more months.
Marvel
Entertainment's The Avengers: New Mexico Connection...
Marvel
Entertainment's biggest film project of all time is
is now New Mexico’s biggest film production ever
as 'The Avengers' confirms its 2011 shooting locations.
Thor
not only hits off the summer movie season of 2011,
but it sets up events that will culminate in the Marvel
superhero team-up epic, The Avengers, the following
year. With story elements of Thor taking place in
New Mexico, and the production shooting in Santa Fe
and Galisteo, it’s of little surprise to see
Marvel Studios returning once again for their biggest
project ever.
New
Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Marvel Studios
officially announced the agreement making The Avengers
the single largest film production in the state’s
history. The current schedule has Joss Whedon’s
The Avengers shooting in New Mexico between April
and September of next year, using both Albuquerque
Studios and of course, the beautiful and vast surrounding
locations that so many other major Hollywood flicks
have used.
The
Avengers also is set to shoot action in Michigan and
New York but production will primarily take place
in New Mexico’s largest city Albuquerque.
Governor
Richardson talks to local economic benefits to New
Mexico: "In addition to being our biggest production
to date, The Avengers will be the most technologically
advanced and will provide cutting-edge training opportunities
for our crew… I’m announcing this as a Christmas
present of sorts to the people of New Mexico. This
is a perfect example of the incredible job creation,
economic impact and global visibility this industry
has brought our state over the past eight years, and
of the need to keep it moving forward."
So
Marvel heroes fans, be looking out for Chris Evans,
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo,
Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg and
Samuel L. Jackson.
Thor
opens May 5, 2011; The First Avenger: Captain America
hits July 22, 2011 and The Avengers is scheduled to
debut May 4, 2012.
Spider-Man:
Broadway No Match For Movie; Spidy Fans Disappointed;
Would Rather Play Spider-Man Games And Play Dress
Up...
The
new and much talked about Spider-Man musical has another
problem stuck in its web. Sick to death of waiting
for the problematic Broadway show to officially open,
critics for two mainstream news companies released
early and negative reviews of the $65 million musical,
which won't officially open until February 7.
Writing
for Bloomberg News, the influential financial news
wire service, veteran critic John Simon slammed the
show as "an unfocused hodge-podge of story-telling,
myth-making and spectacle that comes up short in every
department. A few good songs would help, in which
department the show is sorely lacking," Simon
wrote in the review late Sunday night. Like most rock
stars, Bono and The Edge haven’t a clue about
writing for the theatre."
The
U2 legends wrote the score for the show, which was
directed by Lion King helmer Julie Taymor.
Both
Simon and Newsday's Linda Winer defended their premature
reviews on the grounds that the show was charging
full ticket prices in some cases more than $200 a
seat for the performances, and that the opening date
had been pushed back twice.
Winer
called the show's infamous high-flying acrobatics
"exciting and scary, in a circus way" but
dismissed the second act as "weak."
Simon
was also impressed with the flying scenes: "An
hour of anticipation for about 90 seconds of exhilaration,"
he wrote.
Would
you believe four actors have been injured during the
show's rehearsals, including a horrible injury to
lead aerialist Chris Tierney last week.
Critics
almost never publish their reviews of productions
before the official opening night. Spider-Man: Turn
Off the Dark has pushed back its debut twice.
The
New York Times said in a posting to its arts blog
that it would not review the show until the official
opening.
Media
Man loves Marvel Entertainment, Spider-Man and U2,
but this project does not sound good. Sorry guys.
Underbelly
TV Movie Legal Problems...
Network
Nine may be forced to shelve forever one of its Underbelly
telemovies because of legal action in the state of
New South Wales.
Tell
Them Lucifer Was Here, the first of 3vtelemovies being
made under the Underbelly Files title, tells the story
of the 1998 murders of Victoria cops Rod Miller and
Gary Silk.
After
a probing investigation by the Lorimer Task Force,
Bandali Debs and Jason Roberts were found guilty of
the double murder in 2003. Debs was sentenced to life
in prison, Roberts to 35 years.
The
subject seemed relatively safe... for true crime.
Reader may recall the first Underbelly could not be
screened in Victoria.
However,
anything that identifies "Debs" could be
a bit no go zone in NSW.
On
September 24, the Victorian Government Solicitor applied
to the Melbourne Magistrates Court to have Debs transferred
to a NSW prison for questioning over the death of
a Sydney prostitute 15 years ago.
Debs's
lawyer, Michael De Young, did not oppose the application,
saying his client maintained his innocence and was
confident of being acquitted and returned to Victoria.
New
South Wales Police have been trying for 2 years to
question Debs...also was convicted in 2007 of the
1997 murder of 18-year-old sex worker Kristy Harty...and
reckon they have enough evidence to link him to the
killing.
The
transfer order was granted by the court, but Debs
had 14 days to appeal the decision.
Channel
Nine has 3 options: rush the Silk-Miller telemovie
out before NSW police have laid any charges that might
arise from the interview; release the telemovie in
all states bar NSW if charges are laid; or hold off
for a national release until any case has been heard.
Nine
has has yet to comment on this matter.
Underbelly
#4 To Hit Aussie TV...
A
4th Underbelly series to screen in 2011 promises to
showcase the birth of organised crime in Australia.
Based
in Sydney in the roaring 1920s, Underbelly Razor tells
the story of the bloody battle between "vice
queens" Tilly Devine and her rival Kate Leigh.
The
Nine Network are calling it their most "ambitious
and daring" Underbelly series yet.
It
will be joined by 3 Underbelly telemovies - Tell Them
Lucifer was Here, Infiltration and The Man Who Got
Away...which were announced earlier in the year.
Aussie
Poker Celeb King Shane Warnie Tag Team With Wolverine
Hugh Jackman In Cricket Nets; Jackman Hit In Balls
(Almost) In Lead Up To Boxing Day Ashes Test...
The
tag team led the celebrity contingent to the Melbourne
Cricket Group for the prestigious Boxing Day Test.
'Our Hugh' got hit in the balls by a Warnie spinner,
so it seemed, but he had a cup on, perhaps taking
safeguards, after getting hit in the eye with a foreign
object at his Oprah Winfrey grand entrance via way
of flying fox a couple of weeks ago. Wolverine Jackman
joined other famous mugs in the crowd, including Opposition
Leader Tony 'The Bruiser' Abbott and veteran English
talk show king Sir Michael Parkinson aka 'Parkie'.
Premier Ted Baillieu and wife Robyn also tagged along,
as did Eddie "Everywhere" McGuire, Cathy
Freeman and Molly Meldrum. In a smart and rather cunning
move, just outside the MCG sports stars and entertainment
biz celebs tag teamed a game of cricket which raised
money for the McGrath Foundation. The foundation ambassador
Lee Furlong joined ex-cricketers Justin Langer and
Michael Slater, Glen Moriarty, Kris Smith and Guy
Sebastian at the friendly game. Earlier, Shane Warne
made one of his very first public appearances since
the "Hurley-burley", acting as host for
his fav Shane Warne Foundation's annual Boxing Day
breakfast at Crown. Warne mate, James Packer, attended,
along with wife Erica in a show of support. Singer
Leo Sayer also entertained to an appreciative crowd
that included Glenn Robbins, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy,
Aaron Hamill and Bill Brownless. A great day was had
by all, as best we can tell.
Aussie
Poker Celeb Shane Warne And UK Sort Liz Hurley: Come
Down Under And Come In Spinner?...
Is
Liz Hurley coming to Australia? Getting spotted at
Heathrow Airport sent press into a frenzy and created
munch speculation she will keep her date with Warnie.
Friends of Hurley told the Pommie press she had dumped
the cricket spin legend after learning he had sent
more than 100 sexy text messages to another woman
behind her back. Warnie is known for his ability to
sent sexy texts that can get the right response. Now
it appears Liz may have reconsidered after attempts
to stop an imminent divorce and rekindle her relationship
with husband Arun Nayar reportedly failed. During
her public flirtation with the spinner on Twitter,
Hurley wrote that she was keen to attend the January
3 "Pink Test," which supports the Jane McGrath
Foundation. Talk about a play on words "Pink
Test", got to love her form. Liz also told Warnie
she would "definitely" make an appearance
on his Channel Nine chat show if she made it to Sydney.
Sources close to the Aussie spinner have said the
cricketer was devastated after being apparently dropped
by Hurley, having previously confided his desire to
marry her. Both Hurley and Warne announced on Twitter
that they had split from their respective partners
shortly after spending 2 delightful, fun filled nights
together at a luxury London hotel earlier this month
and being papped kissing outside a restaurant. Warne
was last week caught in the outfield sending erotic
texts, including, "I want to see you riding me"
to middle-aged Melbourne mum Adele Angeleri. In an
apparent attempt to win Hurley back after the messages
were published in the British tabloids he logged back
on to Twitter to pen "No matter what anyone says
if you know in your heart… who cares what people
think / say !!!" Hurley was snatched in the airport
mess at Heathrow, where snowy conditions caused widespread
cancellations from Saturday, leaving over 100,000
punters stranded, having their patience tested. A
fellow traveler said the swimwear model and well loved
celeb babe "looked nervous" as she attempted
to blend in with the crowd, wearing large sunglasses
and dressing down. "She'd dressed down and it
was clear she wanted to be left alone," the witness
told The Sun. "She looked like a woman with a
lot on her mind." Liz’s office refused to
comment on her travel plans. Whatever the case, we
wish Liz (and Warnie) well on any of their upcoming
travel plans.
Betting
For Aussies On TV And Film Success: Not Yet...
Many
Australia's remain pissed that they are not able to
bet on financial outcomes of upcoming TV shows and
motion pictures. Passionate Aussies has been reading
reports filed by Media Man and Gambling911 on Box
Office betting exchanges, but none of the action has
come to Australia, so us Aussies can't be on it. We're
not sure any Yankees of Canooks got to bet on outcomes
either. Sly, Arnie and Wall Street - when you read
this, give us an update please. We want to bet on
movie and TV outcomes. PartyGaming and Virgin were
rumoured to have some interest in the concept, but
nothing has eventuated from our probe as yet. Oh,
if you want to see the way Hollywood used to work,
do yourself a favor and rent or buy 'The Last Mogul',
which told the career story of the late Lew Wasserman.
Oh, we heard you want a review, so here it is mates...
The
Last Mogul: The Life And Times Of Lew Wasserman...
For
the second half of the 20th century, Lew Wasserman
was without question the most powerful money man in
show business, even if most people had no idea who
he was. Born in Cleveland, OH, in 1913, Wasserman
started out booking music gigs for mob-controlled
clubs, and quickly became an agent for Music Corporation
of America, which became the most lucrative music
agency in America. Funny that. As Wasserman rose through
the ranks at MCA, he established such innovative business
practices as "packaging" talent i.e: booking
hot acts and artists only in a package deal with other
artists who were not as talented, to put it politely,
and took the company into managing acting talent in
Hollywood, where he re invented the film industry
forever by negotiating a ground-breaking deal for
James Stewart on the film Winchester '73, which reduced
the actor's up-front salary in favor of a cut of the
movie's profits, earning the actor a mint in the process.
Under Wasserman's lead at MCA, the company took over
Universal Pictures, established the studio's television
branch and made it the most important production outlet
in the business), created the hugely successful Universal
City studio tours, and expanded MCA's recording branch
into one of the biggest record companies in the world.
Wasserman was also politically well connected. Ronald
Reagan was one of his early clients when MCA want
Hollywood), and was reputed to have some handy connections
to organized crime. Wasserman was a secretive fellow
who did not give interviews or commit anything to
writing if it could be avoided, but he knew nearly
everyone in show business. The Last Mogul: The Life
and Times of Lew Wasserman is a documentary that through
interviews with his friends and business associates
beautifully showcases his remarkable career, from
his childhood in Ohio to his death in 2002. Yep, there's
mob ties and such, but hey, that's show business.
Wrap
Up...
Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? What films
and celebs take your liking? As Shane Warne says,
'How good was that?!". Have you been naughty
or nice? Did Santa give you what you had hoped for?
What have you got planned for New Year's Eve? Tell
us in the forum.
If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over
it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media
Manhttp://www.mediamanint.com
is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal
development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors
including gaming and offer political commentary and
analysis.
News
Aussiewood
- Hollywood Entertainment News, by Greg Tingle - 29th
November 2010
Sylvester
Stallone Sex Film 'The Party at Kitty and Stud's'
Sells For $400K on eBay...
Sly,
The Italian Stallion himself, is back in action…erotic
action, sort of... The rights to a soft-porn film
starring Sylvester Stallone four decades ago, was
sold on e-Bay for $412,100. The then strapped-for-cash
star made his on-screen debut in the 1970 film "The
Party at Kitty and Stud's." Stallone played Stud,
a young man who, along with his oversexed lover Kitty,
enjoys inviting various women into their bed. The
71-minute movie was eventually renamed "The Italian
Stallion" by Bryanston Distributors after the
actor became famous in "Rocky." Now that
the rights have been purchased (the owner has not
yet been identified), it's likely the film will be
re-released, The Sun reported. In an interview in
the 1970s, Stallone, now 64, told Playboy that he
was so poor that he had to take the role. "It
was either do that movie or rob someone because I
was at the end—at the very end—of my rope.
Instead of doing something desperate, I worked two
days for $200." After filming "Rocky,"
the erotic filmmakers tried to sell the movie back
to Stallone for $100,000, but the actor said he "wouldn't
pay two bucks for it," according to AOL's Moviefone.
Last year MGM unsuccessfully tried to buy the flick.
Sly, you've cum a long way since then.
U2
legend Bono Waits For Table At Australian Bondi Beaches'
Icebergs...
Bono
snuck into 'Sin City' Sydney on Saturday. He headed
for a eat and a drink as he often does when down under.
The renowned Irish rock singer, who spent two weeks
at Sydney's Bungan Beach with his family in 2006 completely
undetected, casually strolled into Rose Bay nosherie
Catalina on Sunday for a seafood feed with guitarist
The Edge (David Evans) and the eatery's owner, Michael
McMahon. On Saturday night he arrived unannounced
at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar at Bondi Beach and
like a normal person waited or a table at the "no
reservations" restaurant. "He was having
a red cocktail but didn't finish it because a table
became available," advised a deepthroat. No,
not a Stallone type of deepthroat you rascals. The
U2 360 tour begins in Melbourne this Wednesday night.
Avatar
Michelle Rodriguez Star Teams Up With Sea Shepherd
In Perth...
Hollywood
babe actress Michelle Rodriguez, star of Avatar, was
in Fremantle supporting anti-whaling activist group
Sea Shepherd. Rodriguez has been aboard Sea Shepherd’s
flagship vessel MY Steve Irwin. The crew are replenishing
supplies before heading to the Southern Ocean in December.
The trip, dubbed 'Operation No Compromise', will be
Sea Shepherd’s seventh mission into the frigid
waters of Antarctica to attempt to stop the slaughter
of whales by Japanese "scientific researchers".
Among the crew are three Perth residents including
former Labor Attorney General Jim McGinty’s brother
Kevin McGinty, Steven Bennett and Georgie Dicks. Captain
Locky MacLean said the crew are looking forward to
having Rodriguez on board. The group, which uses rather
militant art of war tactics in its fight against whaling,
made headlines early this year when their stealth
vessel the Ady Gill was "cut in half" by
Japanese whalers. This year, a new monohull fast vessel
called the Ocean Adventurer will replace the Ady Gill.
SS are currently seeking a large sponsor which would
give them the naming rights to use 'Godzilla'. Something
like that. Sea Shepherd’s Australian Director
Jeff Hansen said: "It is great to see high profile
people like Miss Rodriguez giving up their spare time
to help promote our fight to defend the whales being
illegally targeted in New Zealand and Australian waters".
Media Man lost good mate Peter Carrette this past
weekend, approximately 48 hours after doing photography
at the Bondi Beach 'No Compromise' gig at Bondi Beach
last Friday. R.I.P Peter. We miss you mate.
Darren
Aronofsky Explains 'The Wolverine' Aussie Hugh Jackman...
If
you're wondering why "Black Swan" director
Darren Aronofsky was hired to tackle "The Wolverine"
for 20th Century Fox, wonder no more. Aronofsky himself
has broken his silence on the "Wolverine"
front in an extensive interview with Movie City News.
According to the filmmaker, his reasons for choosing
the "Wolverine" non-sequel as his next project
are quite simple: in the end, he just wanted to have
a good time. "I'm just trying to have fun,"
he said. "I think, for the first time in my life,
you know, every single film that I've done so far
I've been the only person in the room who wants to
make the movie. And, I kind of am excited about doing
a film where actually everyone wants to make it just
to see what the experience is like and to see if I
can do what I do in that world." It's not like
I'm going to change my process," he added. "I'm
going to be working with the same team, and making,
you know, really trying to do something very, very
different and see what happens." During the interview,
Aronofsky said that he's received a large amount of
support both from franchise lead Hugh Jackman and
Fox Studios head Tom Rothman, joking that Rothman
"doesn't even know how gutsy it is" that
he hired the outside-the-box filmmaker for "The
Wolverine." "I've been looking for a situation
where everything lines up really well. This just makes
sense; I think I'm being hired because of who I am.
I'm not being hired to turn into someone. I'm being
hired to do what I do. I don't know if (Rothman) knows
exactly what he's bought, but we're definitely going
to make something great, you know, but it will be
very different, and that's what I do. We're going
to try and have a great time with it."
John
Travolta and Kelly Preston 'Overjoyed' With New Baby
Benjamin; Travolata Not Gay...
Living
legend and iconic star of Saturday Night Fever (the
movies and the online slot game), is delighted with
his new baby, but very unhappy about the gay rumours.
Actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston took to Travolta's
website earlier this week to announce the birth of
their 8-pound, 3-ounce son, Benjamin Travolta. "We
are overjoyed to announce the arrival of our son,
Ella's baby brother, Benjamin Travolta. Born November23,
2010 in Florida, Benjamin is healthy and doing beautifully.
Thank you for the congratulations messages and wishes...we
are beyond happy about the newest addition to our
family," the family said in the message. Travolta,
56, and Preston, 48, announced the pregnancy earlier
this year, celebrating with a dozen close friends
at a shower held at their Los Angeles-area home. "This
baby is such a healing baby," a family friend
told People magazine. The pregnancy was the first
bit of good news they had shared in a long time. "It's
impossible to keep a secret," they wrote in a
statement on Travolta's website in May, "especially
one as wonderful as this." We want to be the
first to share this great news with everyone that
we are expecting a new addition to our family,"
the online statement continued and like this week's
update, was signed "Love, John, Kelly and Ella."
John Travolta's family has been dealt another blow
as reports emerge that he has been allegedly cheating
on his wife...engaging in "lewd sex acts with
other men" as part of a "secret gay spa
subculture." Perez Hilton posted the story on
his website along with a cover of the National Enquirer,
carrying the headline "John Travolta Caught In
Cheating Scandal! "John Travolta has been cheating
on Kelly for years!" said Robert Randolph, author
of the memoir, You'll Never Spa in This Town Again.
"And when the details emerge, he's gonna make
Tiger Woods look like a boy scout." John has
been married to Kelly Preston for 19 years, with the
pair expecting their third child this year. They lost
their eldest son Jett in 2009 to an autism-related
seizure.
WWE
Studios Films Flop At Box Office; Perform Well In
DVD Rental Market...
Entertainment
trade publication Variety published a report today
on WWE Studios's new films strategy "flopping"
at the box office, but perhaps finding a market on
home video. Variety followed up on WWE's third quarter
earnings report last Thursday by noting WWE reported
$3.8 million in revenue related to "Legendary,"
despite the movie drawing a measly $200,000 at the
box office. WWE executive Jim Connelly told Variety
that WWE is banking on strong storefront marketing
at retail locations such as Walmart to help boost
DVD and Blu-ray sales of their movies. Variety also
reported on WWE pushing their slate of movies to theaters
simply for marketing purposes before pulling the movies
and releasing them on DVDs. That was apparent with
WWE Studios's theatrical release schedule for "Legendary"
and "Knucklehead." Related to the planned
launch of the WWE TV Network potentially in 2011,
Variety reports that WWE is looking to their slate
of movies to serve as "more high-profile programming"
on the new cable tele channel. Going forward, Jim
Connelly told Variety that WWE will be re-evaluating
their movie release schedule for 2011 as they begin
to roll out the next slate of low-budget movies in
theaters with an eye on home video. Variety concluded:
"For now, it appears as if the future of WWE
Studios will play out on the smallscreen."
Aussie's
Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban To Appear On Oprah Winfrey
Show Tomorrow; Australia Catches Oprah - Oprah House
Mania...
Australian
actress Nicole Kidman and huby singer Keith Urban
will be on The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow. Urban
has earlier confirmed that he would be performing
in the shows Ultimate Australian Adventure episodes
to be filmed later this year. "Tomorrow, two
of the hottest Aussies are here! Nicole Kidman and
Keith Urban! The countdown to Oprah's Ultimate Australian
Adventure starts now!," says a post on the official
Facebook page for The Oprah Winfrey Show. Keith Urban
was in The Oprah Winfrey Show earlier this November
where he confirmed his performance at the much anticipated
episodes set to be shot in Sydney this December. Urban
promoted his sixth studio album Get Closer to in the
United States. However, the Australia singer did not
comment on rumours that his wife Nicole Kidman will
also be on Oprah's Australian show. Tomorrow's episode
might just confirm if Nicole Kidman will indeed be
a guest on December 14 and 15 at the Sydney Opera
"Oprah" House.
Mad
Max Revamped Movie #4 Will Happen Says Aussiewood
Insiders; Fury Road?!...
Remember
the Aussie cult film classic that went on to mainstream...Max
Max. They got to #3, always with Aussie tough guy
Mel Gibson in the lead as 'Max Rockatansky' aka 'The
Road Warrior'. Filming will take place near Broken
Hill, New South Wales. Gibson will not be reprising
his old role in Mad Max 4: Fury Road which will star
British actor Tom Hardy alongside Charlize Theron.
In November 2006, George Miller had stated that he
still had full intentions to make Fury Road, telling
the press that he was considering doing the film without
Mel Gibson, saying, “There's a real hope. The
last thing I wanted to do is another Mad Max, but
this script came along, and I'm completely carried
away with it." The film's screenplay was co-written
with cult British comic creator Brendan McCarthy,
who also designed many of the new characters and vehicles.
Miller again confirmed his desire to make another
Mad Max at the 2007 Aurora film maker initiative.
However, he did say he thought Mel Gibson would not
be interested in the film because he is too old (not
too nuts!)
Billionaire
Branson To Launch Apple iPad Lifestyle Mag...
Aussie's
live Branson and Virgin, so you'll love this...Word
of Sir Dick's plans to publish "Project"
for delivery on iPads came shortly after media mogul
Rupert Murdoch hinted that his News Corp empire will
soon publish a digital newspaper for the hot Apple
gadgets. News Corp, owner of The Australian, has been
tight-lipped about the project but 79-year-old mogul
Murdoch acknowledged in an interview last week that
"The Daily" is in the works. Sir Richard
said in invitations to the press that "Project"
themes will include entertainment, travel, business,
design, and international culture. The event in New
York City on Wednesday did not indicate whether "Project"
would be provided as passenger reading on flights.
Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard owns about half
of Virgin Atlantic airline with its aircraft that
boast internet-age amenities such as power outlets
at seats and wireless connections to the web. He recently
said that his Virgin Galactic enterprise is on track
to offer commercial space travel within 18 months,
and that space hotels are next on the drawing board.
Yeah, we know, Branson has appeared in films such
as Casino Royale, Around The World in 80 days, and
a good spread of other movies and TV specials. If
your going to be a media tart, you might as well be
very good at it.
Lachlan
Murdoch Acquires Ten Network Stake, Joins Shareholder
Aussie James Packer...
Lachlan
Murdoch, son of News Corp. Chairman Rupert, has recently
acquired a little over half of James Packer’s
stake in Ten Network Holdings Ltd. Packer bought a
17.88% stake, or 172.2 million shares, in the media
group last month through Cavalane Holdings Ltd. Murdoch,
through Illyria Nominees Television Pty Ltd. has agreed
to buy 93.4 million shares for A$128.2 million, according
to a regulatory filing to the ASX (Australian Stock
Exchange). The two gents will act in concert in relation
to the exercise of their votes, the statement said.
Packer and Murdoch agreed to join the board of Australia’s
third-ranked television broadcaster last month. Gina
Rinehart, Australia’s richest woman, lifted her
stake in the company to 10%. Packer also owns 49%
of Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd. which in turn
has 25% of Foxtel, down under's largest pay television
operator.
Media
Man Showcases Movies; Reviews...
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more? Check out Media Man Movies here
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Try
not to get square eyes. We're told PartyGaming still
has the best movie blockbuster themed slot games on
the planet, but you be the judge, jury and executioner.
The Media Man has left the building.
