Tag: HBO (Page 7 of 12)

Movie news notes…the “I’m burned out ” edition!

Oh, it’s really not so bad, but I’ve been working the big post below this all day and there’s still a bit more work ahead, so let’s get started and make it snappy.

* Domestic ticket sales for movies this year are expected to top a whopping $10 billion, I guess proving the old adage that the relatively cheap entertainment of movies is a good business to be in tough economic times. If a studio exec takes you to lunch, you have my permission to order an appetizer.

* The Wall Street Journal has anecdotal reports of kids asking Santa for items like socks, school shoes, and eyeglasses. The recession affects everyone. So, out goes the glitz, in comes the chic intimate soirees for Hollywood awards promotion which still sound bloody expensive to me. But, note the item above. Also, it’s not like all that money would go to charity if they weren’t having the parties. It keeps caterers and bartenders working.

* In a move that could impact both the cable TV and movie business in a fairly big way, highly lauded former HBO head Chris Albrecht is joining Starz TV and will oversee new original content there. Nikki Finke has the (self-confirmed) scoop. Albrecht, who had been at HBO for 22 years, lost his job in 2007 when he was arrested after a violent public incident with his girlfriend, which he blamed on a relapse in his recovery as an alcoholic. La Finke says his personal problems are behind him; I’m certain the Starz folks think that’s true.

* “X-Men” movie fans will want to check out this interview with Bryan Singer.  After seeing “Avatar,” he’s contemplating whether or not to do his “Jack, the Giant Killer” in 3-D.

* Anne Thompson has some interesting, if somewhat in-the-weeds, details on the fall out of the Dreamworks/Paramount divorce.

* There’s an old joke along that lines of “that movie wasn’t released, it escaped!” Well, apparently the new Kevin Costner supernatural thriller is being given a token release that’s practically a state secret. So says the Playlist. I’m not convinced he’s washed up, though I suppose his leading man days could be more or less behind him and his character actor days ahead of him — but another old joke, updated: the four stages of an actor’s career. “Who’s Kevin Costner?” “Get me Kevin Costner!” “Get me a young Kevin Costner! “Who’s Kevin Costner?”

For a contrasting, somewhat NSFW, point of view, see below.

HBO’s “The Life and Times of Tim” gets return date

Tim

The second season of “The Life and Times of Tim” will premiere on February 2. Fans can expect 10 new episodes of the endearing, yet little-discussed animated comedy.

In addition, cabler has given “Tim” an attractive Friday timeslot: At 10:30 p.m. immediately following the new half-hour animated series “The Ricky Gervais Show,” based on the comedian’s popular podcasts. Previously, “Tim” was paired with “Summer Heights High,” which lasted only one season.

Much like the cabler’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Tim’s” premise is that he finds himself in awkward situations and usually does an awful job of finding an easy way out.

Tim” was created by Steve Dildarian, who also exec produces along with Tom Werner, Jimmy Miller, Mike Clements and Leynete Cariapa. Media Rights Capital produces.

Nick Kroll is certainly busy, isn’t he? While contributing voice work to “Tim” and “Sit Down, Shut Up,” Kroll also co-stars in the hilarious comedy, “The League.”

“The Life and Times of Tim” is very similar to “Dr. Katz” and “Home Movies” in tone and humor. Much of the dialogue is improvised and and plots are simple, yet fun.

“Bored to Death” picked up for second season

HBO

After struggling through a meager premiere, HBO’s newest show, “Bored to Death,” is finally living up to the hype. The last two episodes have been more endearing than anything, ditching the flowery dialogue that plagued the opener. Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson have all done a great job realizing their characters, all the while creating a humorous and engaging atmosphere.

Thus, I’m pleased to report that the show has been renewed for a second season. The creators of “Bored to Death” owe the new seasons of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (in which the cast of “Seinfeld” reunites) and “Entourage” (which just aired their season finale) a huge thank you. Sunday nights on HBO have been a pure joy to watch these past three weeks. Hopefully, skeptical viewers will continue tuning in since “Entourage” just concluded. As “Bored to Death” continues to develop a following, HBO obviously has faith that the series will prosper.

HBO officially greenlights Martin Scorcese and Terrance Winter’s “Boardwalk Empire”

Boardwalk

“Boardwalk Empire” is a new series created by Terrance Winter, a very talented writer who blossomed on “The Sopranos.” Steve Buscemi stars as Nucky Thompson, an Atlantic City magnate wheeling and dealing during Prohibition. Not only does the show tout Martin Scorcese as an executive producer, but the Academy Award-winning filmmaker also directed the pilot. Obviously, HBO has decided to greenlight the show.

Production is expected to begin in the fall in Gotham, with the preem targeted for next year.

“Boardwalk Empire” was created by “Sopranos” alum Terence Winter. The pilot seg was helmed by Scorsese, who will remain a hands-on exec producer on the series. Skein hails from Mark Wahlberg’s Closest to the Hole and Stephen Levinson’s Leverage production banners. Winter, Scorsese, Wahlberg, Levinson and Tim Van Patten are exec producers.

Co-stars include Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Dabney Coleman and Stephen Graham.

Along with David Simon’s “Treme,” season 2 of “Eastbound and Down,” and season 7 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” I plan on allowing HBO and “Boardwalk Empire” to renew my faith in scripted television. Hopefully the show succeeds as the heir apparent to “The Sopranos” and “The Wire.”

TCA Tour: “Hung”

It’s been several days since we were treated to HBO’s panel on their new series, “Hung,” but I just hadn’t been rushing to write it up, mostly because I still haven’t checked out the show yet. I didn’t get advance screeners for the first two episodes, then I did get screeners for the second two episodes, but by that point, I had too many other things in my pile that were more important for me to watch, and…well, here we are. But even without having watched the show, I still got several laughs out of some of the exchanges during the panel, so the least I can do is offer those bits up for your reading enjoyment.

Thomas Jane in Hung season 1

Colette Burson (series co-creator): I think we see what makes him special all the time in terms of dealing with the women.
Jane Adams: I know *I* do.

_ _ _ _ _

Colette Burson: Thomas actually is someone we had thought of long before this audition process happened, and he actually didn’t really go through the audition process in quite the same way. Itt happened afterwards, and we talked to him, and we met with him, and then he read some. But, again, none of these issues really came up. It was just all about he sort of captured the essence of Ray.
Thomas Jane: I did have to go into the next room to disrobe, so I wouldn’t hit anybody in the eye.

_ _ _ _ _

Critic: Even today, we’ve sort of been tripping over double entendres and things. But did you think maybe this was going to lead to a funny press tour session?
Thomas Jane: Or bigger things?
Critic: Extend your career?
Jane Adams: Like while you are holding that mic, too. Really, it’s become surreal.
Thomas Jane: Speak into the mic and tell me how you feel about my penis.

_ _ _ _ _

Thomas Jane: You know, the fact is that it’s all fucking fate and luck, man. This is fate and luck that we are all up here together talking to you about a show about a guy with a big dick. Right? Fate and luck. There is no reason this show should be good. The show should be bad. It’s about a guy with a big dick who fucks people for money. Fuck you.

_ _ _ _ _

Critic: Given that it seems like most women who would purchase those services are interested in the totality of the experience rather than the size issue, as this is about a heterosexual gigolo, how did you wind up focusing on “Hung”?
Colette Burson: We don’t really make the marketing decisions. But interestingly enough, I think that the marketing was designed to not focus on that, actually. Like, not to focus on his penis.
Thomas Jane: Are you asking, why is the show called “Hung” if we’re not showing how big this guy’s cock is?
Critic: Well, if it’s more about the totality of the gigolo experience rather than size, why the emphasis on size in the title?
Thomas Jane: Because it grabs you.
Jane Adams: It’s funny that you said “cock.” Isn’t it Mo’Nique that has a joke about, like, Black guys say “dick” and white people say “cock”?
Thomas Jane: “Cock.” Yeah. I wouldn’t say “dick.” I say “cock.”
Sue Naegle (President, HBO Entertainment):We have time for one more long, hard question…

Thomas Jane and Jane Adams in Hung season 1.jpg

Critic: I wanted to ask Mr. Jane if this has made you think about what women want, and…
Thomas Jane: Absolutely not. Don’t get the impression that I’m going to think about what women want.
Critic: …what women want, and also about what women go through. Say, for example, female prostitutes.
Thomas Jane: Right, those poor sullied creatures of the night. No. Absolutely not. I just don’t want to know what they go through after I give them my $300.
Jane Adams: Are you guys Twittering? Did anybody get that? Because I can’t wait to read that shit later.
Thomas Jane: There was a syntax in there. I have given them. In the distant past.
Jane Adams: Anyway…
Thomas Jane: I knew people who used to give $300 or $400 to people who I didn’t care about.
Sue Naegle: Is it safe to say we’re done…?

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