Free “Life of Pi” Tickets for a DC Screening November 12

Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:30 pm

I’m thrilled to have 25 pairs of tickets to give away for a Washington DC screening of “The Life of Pi,” Ang Lee’s spectacularly beautiful film based on the best-selling book about a teenager and a tiger who survive a shipwreck and must find a way to survive. It is rated PG “for emotional thematic content throughout and some scary action sequences and peril,” and I am recommending it for middle schoolers and up. The tickets will go to the first 25 who respond, so log in right away. And REMEMBER: screening tickets do not guarantee that you will get in. Seating is first come, first served so get there early!

For your complimentary tickets log onto www.gofobo.com/rsvp and input the following code: BLFA49J to download your tickets.

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Contests and Giveaways

Celebrate Presidents on Election Day

Posted on November 6, 2012 at 8:00 am

After you vote, take a break from red and blue maps to enjoy some of the portrayals of real US Presidents on screen. This week, the second 2012 movie about our 16th President opens — Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” starring Daniel Day-Lewis. And we’ll see another movie about a real President later this month when Bill Murray plays Franklin Roosevelt in “Hyde Park on the Hudson.”

I’ve already written about some of the many other movie versions of Lincoln’s life. “Wilson” stars Oscar nominee Alexander Knox in a dignified tribute to the 29th President. Gary Sinese gave a powerful performance in the HBO movie, Truman. Rough Riders has Tom Berenger as Theodore Roosevelt, leading Cuban rebels against Spain.

Perhaps the most fanciful portrayal of a real US President is “The Remarkable Andrew,” with William Holden as an honorable accountant who discovers a discrepancy in the town books and is visited by the ghost of his favorite President, Andrew Jackson (Brian Donlevy), who provides guidance and support. According to TIME Magazine, Lincoln has been portrayed most frequently on screen but perhaps the President most memorable on film is Franklin Roosevelt, the only man to be elected four times, with Sunrise At Campobello, Eleanor and Franklin and its sequel, Warm Springs, and, of course, Annie! (TIME notes that the only US President never to show up as a character in a movie is Warren G. Harding.)

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For Your Netflix Queue

My Conversation with Nick DiGilio

Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Time always flies when I visit the Nick DiGilio show on WGN in Chicago. We talked about “Flight,” “Fun Size,” “Skyfall,” Cloud Atlas,” and lots more. Thanks a million for having me on.

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Media Appearances

Nicholas Sparks is Writing for Television

Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:00 am

Best-selling author Nicholas Sparks writes books that have been made into very successful movies like Nights in Rodanthe, The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, and A Walk to Remember. His next movie is “Safe Haven,” coming out for Valentine’s Day.

He is now working on three television shows A Bend in the Road at TNT, The Falls at ABC Family and Deliverance Creek at Lifetime. I’m guessing that we can expect to see an important letter and/or a sad death in all of them.

According to Huffington Post:

“Bend In The Road” centers on a sheriff managing life in a coastal Georgia town, while “The Falls” is a modern-day “Romeo And Juliet” tale. Meanwhile, Lifetime’s “Deliverance Creek” will follow a woman as she attempts to protect her family after the civil war.

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Television Writers

New “Wizard of Oz” Facebook Game

Posted on November 4, 2012 at 3:59 pm

Spooky Cool Labs and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced that The Wizard of Oz game for Facebook has launched to the public. Based on the beloved film, the game sets players on the adventure of a lifetime as they join the Wizard of Oz characters on their trip down the Yellow Brick Road.

The in-game experience includes music from the original soundtrack, video clips from the film and likenesses of its beloved characters, including Judy Garland as Dorothy and Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Players arrive in Munchkinland right after Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. With help from Glinda, players become familiar with Munchkinland and begin to build their very-own Munchkintown. They must construct buildings, interact with and protect the locals, and build the Yellow Brick Road in order to lead Dorothy and her friends to their ultimate destination, the Emerald City.

While on their journey through the Land of Oz, players will encounter the other characters from the film, whether on the Yellow Brick Road or fending off the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys from attacking the town. Players can share their experience with friends by visiting each others’ Munchkinlands and helping with quests, as well as sharing their favorite moments and experiences through various social features.

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Internet, Gaming, Podcasts, and Apps