Join me on Twitter for an #ebertchat

Posted on March 26, 2014 at 10:00 am

The filmmakers behind “Life Itself,” a documentary about Roger Ebert’s life and legacy, are giving guest hosts control of their @Ebertmovie Twitter account. The hosts will be sharing their memories of Roger Ebert, their favorite reviews, and much more! This morning is my turn. At 8:30pm Eastern/7:30 pm Central I’ll be on twitter as @ebertmovie, tweeting some of my thoughts about Roger and answering questions with the hashtag #ebertchat. Please join me!

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Media Appearances

Your Chance to Ask Paul McCartney a Question

Posted on October 2, 2013 at 3:59 pm

To mark the launch of his New album, Paul McCartney will to give his first-ever live Twitter Q&A tomorrow. NEW, his first studio album of brand new solo material in six years, will be released in the US on October 15. The title song is featured in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Paul will answer questions about his forthcoming release and the recording process on Thursday, starting at 2:40 pm UK time (9:40 am US Eastern time). Fans can send in questions now via Twitter by using the hashtag #AskMacca and see his answers at @paulmccartney.

Beatles fans will also enjoy Love Me Do: Behind the Scenes at the Recording of the Beatles’ First Single.

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Internet, Gaming, Podcasts, and Apps

Tweet Seats in Movie Theaters?

Posted on January 9, 2013 at 8:00 am

Before the movie begins we all sit through those clever reminders to turn off our phones. But of course people who are inconsiderate enough to use their phones in a movie theater are not going to to pay attention. Minnesota’s famous Guthrie Theater for live performance has a new idea, “tweet seats” for those who want to use social media while they watch the film.

The seats are located in the balcony-level of the theater so that the tweeting won’t be disruptive to other audience members.

“Tweet seats” are part of a growing trend in theaters across the country. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Palm Beach Opera in Florida and the Public Theater in New York have all experimented with designated sections for patrons who just must use their phones, The Daily Mail notes.

All of the theaters offering “tweet seats” feature live performances. The perk is meant to encourage audience interaction and to create a buzz about the production. But there is also the chance that introducing these seats legitimizes a behavior that is widely regarded as just plain rude.

The problem with tweeting, texting and other cell phone use in theaters has become so widespread, that an app has been created to offer rewards to theatergoers who switch their phones to vibrate during screenings.

Will this spread to movie theaters? Should it?

I like the idea of apps that let viewers of television shows interact with each other and get access to additional material via apps. But I’m with the folks at the Alamo Theater — no one should be allowed to create disruptions or distractions during performances, whether stage or film.

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Commentary

Gotta Share — Improv Everywhere Sings About Staying Connected

Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:24 pm

I was honored to be the kick-off speaker at the Gel Conference last month. Gel stands for “good experience live” and it is an enthralling event that brings together innovative thinkers in every area and then has them learn to juggle, doodle, explore, and generally expand their horizons and enlarge their spirits. I loved the presentation by the New Yorker cartoonists who gave us a peek at their Fisticuffs Show. Here’s one example of an event that turned out to be not quite what it appeared on the program agenda. (Sorry about the ad — trust me, it’s worth the wait.)

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Shorts

New Site for ‘Hoodwinked Too!’ — Exclusive!!

Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:38 pm

I’m really looking forward to “Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil,” opening on April 29. I loved the original Hoodwinked for its very clever four-part intersecting narrative from the point of view of the characters and for its excellent visuals and voices, including Anne Hathaway as Red Riding Hood and Glenn Close as Granny. It was irreverent without being snarky and one of the best animated films of 2005. As my friend and fellow critic Dustin Putman said:

Kids of all ages will be thrilled by the breakneck pace, the brightly developed and performed characters, and the lovely animation that mixes modern computer-generated technology with an old-fashioned style and feel that befits its fairy tale origins. This latter elements personifies the forested setting as a memorable character all its own, and makes the most of its set-pieces, including a rickety wild ride on a roller-coaster-like mountain track and a runaway cable car.

So I was thrilled to get a peek at the upcoming sequel with the new Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil website. Patrick Warburton and Glenn Close return as the Wolf and Granny and new voice talent includes “Heroes'” Hayden Panettiere as Red and “SNL’s” Bill Hader and Amy Poehler as Hansel and Gretel. The website just went live and so now you can check out Red & Granny and their friends in action, with clips from the film, the trailer, and goodies like wallpapers, icons, posters and more. And you can follow Twitchy all through the site. Coming soon — screensavers and, best of all, some of Granny’s very own recipes to try at home. And of course you can follow the movie on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check it out!