Trailers for the new film, United 93, have been playing in major cities for some time now, and from the outraged reaction of some, it’s clear that not all of America is ready for a fictionalized account of one of the darkest days in the country’s history. But for those who worked on the film, it was a tribute to bravery, and nothing like the callous exploitation some fear it will be. “If this is a horror movie, it is an edifying one, a history lesson with the pulse of a world-on-the-line suspense film.”
Tag: 04.09.06
The Movie’s The Message
Think there have been a lot of message movies lately? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet…
It’s Lang Lang V. Yundi Li
Two young Chinese pianists born in 1982 are locked in a rivalry. “The rivalry between two young pianists just out of protégé puberty has already gone too far. Nothing good — unless you think short-term record company profits are all that matter — can come from it.”
TV’s Rush To Web
TV producers are rushing to get shows to the web. “Analysts say networks have little choice but to try multiple strategies as viewers watch less TV in primetime and embrace technology that lets them watch shows whenever and wherever they want, including on computers and portable devices, such as an iPod. Studios also want to offer a legal alternative to the many file-swapping services that offer pirated copies of shows.”
YouTube – The Latest Web Phenom
“A year ago, co-founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen were in between jobs, a pair of twenty-something geeks running up big credit card debts as they tooled around a garage trying to develop an easy way for people to share homemade videos on the web. Now they’re flirting with fame and fortune, budding media moguls in a new entertainment era that relies on unconventional channels like YouTube — by some measures, the leading video-sharing site, one that has cultivated a huge audience while testing the bounds of creativity, monotony, copyrights and obscenity.”
The Rachel Corrie Problem
If New York Theatre Workshop’s decision to stage “My Name is Rachel Corrie” was controversial, its decision to postpone it was even more so…
Humana Harvest
This year’s Humana Festival of new plays in Louisville was one of the strongest ever, writes Tony Brown…
A Performing Arts Center Falls Short But Celebrates Anyway
California’s Orange County Performing Arts Center is $70 million short of its expansion costs. “Borrowing $180 million through a bond issue has ensured completion of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, which backers predict will carry the Costa Mesa center toward its goal of being recognized nationally as a peer of such cultural fulcrums as New York’s Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. But unless fresh donations pile up in time, leaders of the Orange County center face having to explain why the new jewel comes with a big mortgage attached — and why an organization proud of never having run a deficit in its 20-year history could have to confront unprecedented financial challenges.”
Edinburgh Fringers Protest Fee Hikes
Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival artists are complaining about hikes in the fees they have to pay to perform. “Edinburgh City Council has more than quadrupled the cost of the licence in some cases, but says it will phase the changes in over three years. All venues have to purchase a theatre licence before shows can perform.”
Indy Arts Groups Try Some New Things
Indianapolis’ music and dance groups are trying to avoid the fate of the Ballet Internationale, which closed last year due to financial problems. So they’ve started programs to try to make themselves more relevant with audiences…