Universal Orlando has secured rights to the phenomenally successful Harry Potter stories and will build a themed area of rides, shops and restaurants called “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Islands of Adventure. Universal, author J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Studios, which makes the Harry Potter movies, are making a worldwide announcement of the […]

Newsweek reports that the testosterone-pumped, muscle-bound Hollywood hero is rapidly deflating and taking his place is a new kind of leading man, the kind who’s just as happy following as leading, or never getting off the sofa; in other words, the beta male. It makes sense that our culture is embracing the mojo-free man right […]

I’m a huge fan of Judd Apatow. If you don’t know his name perhaps you know his work: “Freaks and Geeks”, “Undeclared”, “The 40 Year-Old Virgin”, and his new movie, “Knocked Up.”  For the last few years he’s been making great stuff but now, thankfully, more people are starting to pay attention and he’s able […]

When she was 9, Anna Paquin went with her sister to an audition for the part of Flora McGrath in a small film called The Piano in New Zealand. From 5,000 kids, she was chosen: Two years later, Paquin found herself shyly delivering an acceptance speech for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—it’s worth […]

India scored an ace at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival. Palador, has acquired the extra-special “60th anniversary prize” winner film Paranoid Park. The movie by Cannes Golden Palm and Best Director winner (Elephant) and Oscar Nominated (Good Will Hunting) director Gus Van Sant, had a special screening in the festival this year.
The last […]

 
There were many reasons that director/screenwriter Bruce Evans (”Stand By Me”) and his long-time writing partner Raynold Gideon imagined Kevin Costner as Mr. Brooks from the start. First and foremost was the chance to subvert his charm, looks and reputation, as an unassailable screen hero in a way they knew would ratchet up the […]

Flying under the radar is not in Harvey Weinstein’s DNA. He casts a giant shadow on the Croisette and in his dealings, attracting attention to himself, his stars and his movies. Weinstein, 55, is all about living large: throwing large parties and fundraisers (this year’s AMFAR benefit raised a record $7.5 million), announcing large prebuys, […]

 
Star Wars fans can connect with the Force in ways they’ve only imagined beginning Friday, May 25, when StarWars.com launches a completely redesigned website that empowers fans to “mash-up” their homemade videos with hundreds of scenes from Star Wars movies; watch hundreds of fan-made Star Wars videos; and interact with Star Wars enthusiasts from around […]

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” hardly marks an end. With the latest in Walt Disney Co.’s lucrative series reaping an unprecedented $401 million globally in its debut through the Memorial Day weekend, the question of whether there will be a fourth installment has effectively been answered. 
(Source: Los Angeles Times)

Good morning to all 14 of you who are not related in some way to one of the contestants or judges and yet are still watching On the Lot. Last Tuesday the show lost 60 percent of its lead-in audience from American Idol. Last Thursday the show lost half the viewers who had started out […]