British TV Greats, Now Streaming!

Posted on November 18, 2012 at 3:59 pm

Starting tomorrow, Acorn TV, the first British TV streaming service in North America, will offer the first two series of Helen Mirren’s iconic, Emmy-winning role as Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect. Series 1 guest stars also include Tom Wilkinson and Ralph Fiennes. As always, the first episodes of each of the 18 series are available for free, while complete access to the 125 hours is $2.99 a month or $29.99 for a year.

Currently streaming: The complete series of Fortysomething starring Hugh Laurie (House) and Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s Sherlock); the “Outrageously Entertaining” (NPR) Slings & Arrows, featuring Paul Gross, Rachel McAdams, and Mark McKinney; the North American premiere of Midsomer Murders, Set 21; Fresh Fields starring Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers; the complete 40-episode Pie in the Sky series starring Harry Potter’s Richard Griffiths; as well as Keira Knightley and Sam Neill in Doctor Zhivago; Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky) and Oscar-nominee Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) in Fingersmith; David Suchet in Agatha Christie’s Poirot; Tom Wilkinson in First Among Equals; the final episodes of Lynda La Plante’s Trial & Retribution; among many others.

The Amazing Story of the Kids Who Re-Made “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Posted on November 18, 2012 at 8:00 am

In the 1980’s two boys remade the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” shot for shot, with no money, no resources, and no clue. And there was another problem — it took them seven years to make, so there was quite a continuity problem as they went through adolescence. By then, they had grown up – and almost burned down the family home, nearly killed one of them, and stopped speaking to each other. Twenty-nine years later, their film “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation“ has been praised by Steven Spielberg, Harry Knowles and Eli Roth. It has an obsessive and devoted following of millions and is considered the best and most successful fan film ever created.

Now this book tells the whole story of their odyssey – from two kids with nothing but a dream to recreate their most beloved movie to two seasoned filmmakers with an international cult phenomenon. It is a great treat for anyone who loves “Raiders,” movies, or stories of people who follow their dreams. I have one copy of the book to give away. Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Raiders” in the subject line and tell me your favorite scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to enter. Don’t forget your address (US addresses only). I’ll pick a winner at random on November 25. Good luck!

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Books Contests and Giveaways

Free “Lincoln” Book for iPad

Posted on November 17, 2012 at 3:59 pm

A beautiful new behind-the-scenes ebook about the movie Lincoln is available free for iPads. This exclusive interactive book is called “Lincoln: Discover the Story.” It shows how a crucial time in America’s history was recreated and brought to the screen and features beautiful photos, art, interviews, music, and more.

Troma’s Free Film School

Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:00 am

Troma Entertainment has launched a brand-new, free YouTube channel dedicated to sharing decades of filmmaking expertise with aspiring filmmakers, Troma president Lloyd Kaufman announced today. Troma will post free secrets to financing, producing, and selling movies which Lloyd Kaufman has gained over 40 years in the film industry, along with segments featuring the film industry’s leading producers, directors, and actors, such as, James Gunn, Trey Parker & Matt Stone, Eli Roth, Penelope Spheeris, Stan Lee, George Romero, Jenna Fisher, Roger Corman, David Cronenberg, and many more.

Based upon Kaufman’s hit Make Your Own Damn Movie! book and DVD series, a brand-new filmmaking lesson will be posted every Friday via Your Own Damn Channel. “This is film school on YouTube,” said Lloyd Kaufman. “We have thanked our fans for keeping us in business for 40 years by making 250 of our best movies available on YouTube for free, and we are keeping up with that tradition by offering this companion piece to my book and DVD series free of charge as well.”

Established in 1974 by Yale friends Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, Troma Entertainment is one of the longest-running independent movie studios in United States history, and one of the best-known names in the industry. World famous for movie classics like Kaufman’s The Toxic Avenger, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead, Class of Nuke’em High, Mother’s Day and Tromeo and Juliet, Troma‘s seminal films are now being remade as big budget mainstream productions by the likes of Brett Ratner, Richard Saperstein, Akiva Goldsman, and Steven Pink. Among today’s luminaries whose early work can be found in Troma’s 800+ film library are Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Jenna Fischer, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Costner, Fergie, Vincent D’Onofrio, Samuel L. Jackson, James Gunn and Eli Roth.

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Understanding Media and Pop Culture

Game Makers Push for Consistent Ratings on Multiple Platforms

Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:59 pm

Television has parental guidance ratings that go from TV-Y (all audiences) to TV-MA (mature audiences). Movies have the MPAA rating system, from G to NC-17. The recording industry has a parental advisory label. Games are rated EC (early childhood) to A (adults only). All of these ratings have problems — for one reason, they are all imposed by the industry itself, which creates conflicts of interest. The procedures and criteria should be more transparent. And it is confusing to have so many different standards.But there was good news this week when John Riccitiello, the head of Electronic Arts, made a presentation to top government officials calling for a significant improvement in game ratings — consistency across all platforms. When the ratings were developed, games were played on computers and stand-alone devices. Now they are played on a much wider range of options including smartphones and social media. “We must move beyond the alphabet soup of game ratings and consolidate behind a single standard that consumers will recognize and, ultimately, demand,” he said. A good step in the right direction.