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The Obama administration cleared the way for U.S. states to legalize Internet poker and certain other online betting in a switch that may help them reap billions in tax revenue and spur web-based gambling.
A Justice Department opinion dated September and made public on Friday reversed decades of previous policy that included civil and criminal charges against operators of some of the most popular online poker sites.
Until now, the department held that online gambling in all forms was illegal under the Wire Act of 1961, which bars wagers via telecommunications that cross state lines or international borders.
The new interpretation, by the department's Office of Legal Counsel, said the Wire Act applies only to bets on a "sporting event or contest," not to a state's use of the Internet to sell lottery tickets to adults within its borders or abroad.
"The United States Department of Justice has given the online gaming community a big, big present," said I. Nelson Rose, a gaming law expert at Whittier Law School who consults for governments and the industry.
The question at issue was whether proposals by Illinois and New York to use the Internet and out-of-state transaction processors to sell lottery tickets to in-state adults violated the Wire Act.
But the department's conclusion would eliminate "almost every federal anti-gambling law that could apply to gaming that is legal under state laws," Rose wrote on his blog at www.gamblingandthelaw.com
If a state legalized intra-state games such as poker, as Nevada and the District of Columbia have done, "there is simply no federal law that could apply" against their operators, he said.
The department's opinion, written by Assistant Attorney General Virginia Seitz, said the law's legislative history showed that Congress's overriding goal had been to halt wire communications for sports gambling, notably off-track betting on horse races.
Congress also had been concerned about rapid transmission of betting information on baseball, basketball, football and boxing among other sports-related events or contests, she summarized the legislative history as showing.
"The ordinary meaning of the phrase 'sporting event or contest' does not encompass lotteries," Seitz wrote. "Accordingly, we conclude that the proposed lotteries are not within the prohibitions of the Wire Act."
The department expressed no opinion about a provision in the law that lets prosecutors shut down phone lines where interstate or foreign gambling is taking place.
Many of the 50 U.S. states may be interested in creating online lotteries to boost tax revenues and help offset the ripple effect of a federal deficit-reduction push.
The global online gambling industry grew 12 percent last year to as much as $30 billion, according to a survey in March by Global Betting and Gaming Consultancy, based on the Isle of Man, where online gambling is legal.
Federal prosecutors in April charged three of the biggest Internet poker companies with fraud and money-laundering along with violations of another federal law, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006.
The government outlined an alleged scheme by owners of the three largest online poker companies - Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and PokerStars - to funnel gambling profits to online shell companies that would appear legitimate to banks processing payments. (Credit: Google News, Reuters)
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27 December 2011
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Boxing Day Movie Releases In Sydney, Australia - 26th December 2011
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Welcome to Boxing Day at the movies. We review blockbusters War Horse, The Iron Lady, Albert Nobbs and more.
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
Action/adventure; rated PG; opening December 26
Iconic filmmakers / producer / directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson bring Herge's beloved books to life in this 3D animated film. Made using performance capture, it follows Tintin (Jamie Bell), his dog Snowy, and Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) on an adventure to uncover the mystery surrounding a model ship - the Unicorn. Also starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Daniel Craig (from James Bond and Casino Royale fame).
HAPPY FEET TWO
Animated; rated PG; opening December 26
Tap-dancing penguin Mumble (Elijah Wood), has a problem - his tiny son Erik is choreo-phobic. Even worse, the world is shaken by powerful forces and Mumble has has to bring all creatures in the Antarctic together to put things right. Also featuring the voices of stars such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Robin Williams and Pink.
THE IRON LADY
Drama; rated M; opening December 26
Meryl Streep gives a brilliant performance as Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, who overcame gender and class barriers to be heard in a male-dominated world. When in her 80s, she decides to clear out the clothes of her late husband (Jim Broadbent), triggering memories of the key moments in her life and looking at the price she paid for power.
WAR HORSE
War/drama; rated M; opening December 26
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this follows the story of a young man in England named Albert and his horse, Joey, who are separated when Joey is sold to the British army and sent to the trenches of World War I. This follows the horse's journey through the war as he changes the lives of all those he meets, from the British cavalry, to a French farmer, to a German soldier.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Comedy/drama; rated PG; opening December 26
Writer/director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) makes a return to feature films after six years with this true story of a widowed father (Matt Damon) who moves to a home in the middle of a zoo with his two children. With the help of its devoted head zookeeper (Scarlett Johansson) and the local community, they try to return it to its once-glorious state.
TOWER HEIST
Action/comedy/crime; rated M; opening December 26
Ben Stiller stars as Josh Kovaks, the manager of a luxurious New York City condominium, who along with his co-workers had their retirement fund stolen by one of the billionaire residents (Alan Alda). To get revenge, they team up with petty crook Slide (Eddie Murphy) and plot the ultimate heist to reclaim what was taken from them.
ALBERT NOBBS
Drama; rated M; opening December 26
A period drama about the staff working at Dublin's most luxurious hotel, one of whom is Albert (Glenn Close), a butler with a secret - he is actually a woman, who has been acting as a man 'his' entire life to make money and survive. When a handsome painter arrives at the hotel, he inspires Albert to escape this false life. Also starring Aussie Mia Wasikowska.
THE SKIN I LIVE IN
Thriller; rated MA15+; opening December 26
In the latest film from renowned director Pedro Almodovar, Antonio Banderas stars as Dr Robert Ledgard, a plastic surgeon interested in creating a new skin that could have saved his wife, who burned in a car crash. On top of years of study, he needed: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. The first two requirements were easy, but as for the third...
THE SALT OF LIFE
Comedy; rated PG; opening December 22
Gianni di Gregorio wrote, directed and stars in this melancholy comedy as Gianni, a man pushing 60 who lives with his busy wife, student daughter and eccentric mother, and spends his days walking the streets of Rome alone. An old friend suggests he find a lover to spice up his life and he begins dreaming of potential affairs.
DON 2
Action; rating to be classified; opening December 23
This sequel to the 2006 blockbuster Don: The Chase Begins Again, is directed by Farhan Akhtar and stars Shahrukh Khan as Don, who having conquered the Asian underworld, now has his sights set on European domination. Also starring Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta.
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Welcome to Boxing Day at the movies. We review blockbusters War Horse, The Iron Lady, Albert Nobbs and more.
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
Action/adventure; rated PG; opening December 26
Iconic filmmakers / producer / directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson bring Herge's beloved books to life in this 3D animated film. Made using performance capture, it follows Tintin (Jamie Bell), his dog Snowy, and Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) on an adventure to uncover the mystery surrounding a model ship - the Unicorn. Also starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Daniel Craig (from James Bond and Casino Royale fame).
HAPPY FEET TWO
Animated; rated PG; opening December 26
Tap-dancing penguin Mumble (Elijah Wood), has a problem - his tiny son Erik is choreo-phobic. Even worse, the world is shaken by powerful forces and Mumble has has to bring all creatures in the Antarctic together to put things right. Also featuring the voices of stars such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Robin Williams and Pink.
THE IRON LADY
Drama; rated M; opening December 26
Meryl Streep gives a brilliant performance as Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, who overcame gender and class barriers to be heard in a male-dominated world. When in her 80s, she decides to clear out the clothes of her late husband (Jim Broadbent), triggering memories of the key moments in her life and looking at the price she paid for power.
WAR HORSE
War/drama; rated M; opening December 26
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this follows the story of a young man in England named Albert and his horse, Joey, who are separated when Joey is sold to the British army and sent to the trenches of World War I. This follows the horse's journey through the war as he changes the lives of all those he meets, from the British cavalry, to a French farmer, to a German soldier.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Comedy/drama; rated PG; opening December 26
Writer/director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) makes a return to feature films after six years with this true story of a widowed father (Matt Damon) who moves to a home in the middle of a zoo with his two children. With the help of its devoted head zookeeper (Scarlett Johansson) and the local community, they try to return it to its once-glorious state.
TOWER HEIST
Action/comedy/crime; rated M; opening December 26
Ben Stiller stars as Josh Kovaks, the manager of a luxurious New York City condominium, who along with his co-workers had their retirement fund stolen by one of the billionaire residents (Alan Alda). To get revenge, they team up with petty crook Slide (Eddie Murphy) and plot the ultimate heist to reclaim what was taken from them.
ALBERT NOBBS
Drama; rated M; opening December 26
A period drama about the staff working at Dublin's most luxurious hotel, one of whom is Albert (Glenn Close), a butler with a secret - he is actually a woman, who has been acting as a man 'his' entire life to make money and survive. When a handsome painter arrives at the hotel, he inspires Albert to escape this false life. Also starring Aussie Mia Wasikowska.
THE SKIN I LIVE IN
Thriller; rated MA15+; opening December 26
In the latest film from renowned director Pedro Almodovar, Antonio Banderas stars as Dr Robert Ledgard, a plastic surgeon interested in creating a new skin that could have saved his wife, who burned in a car crash. On top of years of study, he needed: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. The first two requirements were easy, but as for the third...
THE SALT OF LIFE
Comedy; rated PG; opening December 22
Gianni di Gregorio wrote, directed and stars in this melancholy comedy as Gianni, a man pushing 60 who lives with his busy wife, student daughter and eccentric mother, and spends his days walking the streets of Rome alone. An old friend suggests he find a lover to spice up his life and he begins dreaming of potential affairs.
DON 2
Action; rating to be classified; opening December 23
This sequel to the 2006 blockbuster Don: The Chase Begins Again, is directed by Farhan Akhtar and stars Shahrukh Khan as Don, who having conquered the Asian underworld, now has his sights set on European domination. Also starring Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta.
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26 December 2011
Robert De Niro welcomes baby girl; Best 5 Gangster Movies Of All Time
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Actor Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower became the proud parents of a baby girl born via a surrogate on Friday 24th the actor's spokesman confirmed.
The child is the second for De Niro, 68, and Hightower, 56, and has been named Helen Grace Hightower De Niro.
The Meet the Parents and The Godfather Part II star married actress Hightower in 1997, and the couple have a son, Elliot, born in 1998.
De Niro also has a son and adopted daughter with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott and two twin sons with former girlfriend Toukie Smith.
The actor can currently be seen in the star-studded, feel-good film New Year's Eve.
In 2001 De Niro stared in Killer Elite with Australian actor Firass Dirani.
De Niro is acknowledged as one of the greatest actors of all time.
Best 5 Gangster Movies Of All Time...
Gangster movies are as cool as ever. In Australia we have to settle for Underbelly, Underbelly Razor (now in an Uncut DVD set), and then there was Dirty Deeds (collecting money from pokie dens et al) from a few years back. Gangster movies serve as history, entertainment and commentary. With a combination of violence, betrayal, power and family, it is no surprise gangster movies are so popular. Here's our Top 5 Gangster Movies of all time.
5. Scarface
Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay and Brian De Palma directed this movie that reflected the violent chaos that cocaine brought to Miami in the late 70s and early 80s. Al Pacino gave an epic performance as Cuban immigrant turned drug lord, Tony Montana. Lots of violence, done in a way that makes the movie even better.
4. Casino
“Casino” was written by Nicholas Pileggi and directed by Martin Scorcese. It is based on the real life story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, but the protagonist’s name was changed to Sam "Ace" Rothstein. Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone give excellent performances and Robbie Robertson did an excellent job providing the music for the movie. You don't have to be a fan of gambling to appreciate this classic movie.
3. The Godfather
Directed Francis Ford Coppola and written by Coppola and Mario Puzo, “The Godfather” is an epic tale of the fictitious Corleone mafia crime family and their struggles. Marlon Brando gives the performance of a lifetime and Al Pacino is amazing in his break out role.
2. Goodfellas
Nicholas Pillegi wrote and Martin Scorcese directed this real life story of mafia affiliate, Henry Hill. With its raw depiction of criminal life, “Goodfellas” takes away whatever romance and glamour that other movies have attributed to mob life.
1. The Godfather II
Again written by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, “Godfather II” expands on the original by both going forward and backward, covering the origins of the original Godfather, Vito Corleone. The epic tale shows how crime took down Cuba and features great performances by Pacino and DeNiro as well as Lee Srassberg who played the Meyer Lansky based character, Hyman Roth.
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Actor Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower became the proud parents of a baby girl born via a surrogate on Friday 24th the actor's spokesman confirmed.
The child is the second for De Niro, 68, and Hightower, 56, and has been named Helen Grace Hightower De Niro.
The Meet the Parents and The Godfather Part II star married actress Hightower in 1997, and the couple have a son, Elliot, born in 1998.
De Niro also has a son and adopted daughter with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott and two twin sons with former girlfriend Toukie Smith.
The actor can currently be seen in the star-studded, feel-good film New Year's Eve.
In 2001 De Niro stared in Killer Elite with Australian actor Firass Dirani.
De Niro is acknowledged as one of the greatest actors of all time.
Best 5 Gangster Movies Of All Time...
Gangster movies are as cool as ever. In Australia we have to settle for Underbelly, Underbelly Razor (now in an Uncut DVD set), and then there was Dirty Deeds (collecting money from pokie dens et al) from a few years back. Gangster movies serve as history, entertainment and commentary. With a combination of violence, betrayal, power and family, it is no surprise gangster movies are so popular. Here's our Top 5 Gangster Movies of all time.
5. Scarface
Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay and Brian De Palma directed this movie that reflected the violent chaos that cocaine brought to Miami in the late 70s and early 80s. Al Pacino gave an epic performance as Cuban immigrant turned drug lord, Tony Montana. Lots of violence, done in a way that makes the movie even better.
4. Casino
“Casino” was written by Nicholas Pileggi and directed by Martin Scorcese. It is based on the real life story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, but the protagonist’s name was changed to Sam "Ace" Rothstein. Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone give excellent performances and Robbie Robertson did an excellent job providing the music for the movie. You don't have to be a fan of gambling to appreciate this classic movie.
3. The Godfather
Directed Francis Ford Coppola and written by Coppola and Mario Puzo, “The Godfather” is an epic tale of the fictitious Corleone mafia crime family and their struggles. Marlon Brando gives the performance of a lifetime and Al Pacino is amazing in his break out role.
2. Goodfellas
Nicholas Pillegi wrote and Martin Scorcese directed this real life story of mafia affiliate, Henry Hill. With its raw depiction of criminal life, “Goodfellas” takes away whatever romance and glamour that other movies have attributed to mob life.
1. The Godfather II
Again written by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, “Godfather II” expands on the original by both going forward and backward, covering the origins of the original Godfather, Vito Corleone. The epic tale shows how crime took down Cuba and features great performances by Pacino and DeNiro as well as Lee Srassberg who played the Meyer Lansky based character, Hyman Roth.
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Robert De Niro welcomes baby girl - 24th December 2011
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Actor Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower have become the proud parents of a baby girl born via a surrogate, the actor's spokesman confirmed on Friday.
The child is the second for De Niro, 68, and Hightower, 56, and has been named Helen Grace Hightower De Niro.
The Meet the Parents star married actress Hightower in 1997, and the couple have a son, Elliot, born in 1998.
De Niro also has a son and adopted daughter with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott and two twin sons with former girlfriend Toukie Smith.
The actor can currently be seen in the star-studded, feel-good film New Year's Eve.
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Movies Hollywood Robert De Niro The Godfather Part II News News Entertainment News
Actor Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower have become the proud parents of a baby girl born via a surrogate, the actor's spokesman confirmed on Friday.
The child is the second for De Niro, 68, and Hightower, 56, and has been named Helen Grace Hightower De Niro.
The Meet the Parents star married actress Hightower in 1997, and the couple have a son, Elliot, born in 1998.
De Niro also has a son and adopted daughter with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott and two twin sons with former girlfriend Toukie Smith.
The actor can currently be seen in the star-studded, feel-good film New Year's Eve.
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23 December 2011
Casino To Be Built On Fiji's Denarau Island; American Multimillionaire Wins Development Contract, by Greg Tingle
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An American multimillionaire has won the development contract to build a massive land based casino on Fiji's Denarau Island, one of the nations prime tourist destinations for New Zealanders.
Military ruler Voreqe Bainimarama has over-ruled long standing chiefly and church objections to announce that Larry Claunch, who describes himself as an investor, will get an exclusive license to build a casino on the island that will be home to at least 500 slot machines and 54 tables, and they home - lots of happy punters and entertainment lovers.
The well-to-do entrepreneur will also be permitted to construct a smaller casino in Suva.
The regime advertised internationally for expressions of interest earlier this year. New Zealand's well known casino group, SkyCity, was in the mix of those interested.
The license will be held by Claunch's One Hundred Sands Ltd, which will operate the casino with the Snoqualmie Tribe from Washington state and Seventh Generation LLC, a Native American company.
The impressive deal includes a US$290 million ($378 million) five star, 190-room resort on the manmade Denarau Island, which already has several hotels on it and timeshares.
Bainimarama said they would protect the rights and interests of Fijian people. A casino "provides a malleable fusion between the Western ideals of casino gaming with the strong cultural virtues of tribal and community life", he said.
He also pointed out that the casino would provide 800 jobs.
"Fiji does not wish to imitate Las Vegas in the Pacific. Fiji already has a unique brand, one defined by its uniquely pristine environment, tranquillity and world class hospitality."
Claunch advised the casino was "a union of both economic and cultural endeavours".
He also owns Nukudrau, a 19 hectare island in Savusavu Bay.
Claunch is confident he will be able to continue to ride his wave of success into Fiji, despite the casino industry hitting a number of ripples in recent years - a flow on effect from the global economic downturn. Just don't tell Claunch it won't work - he's a winner, and needless to say- his house always wins. Might see you in Fiji.
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An American multimillionaire has won the development contract to build a massive land based casino on Fiji's Denarau Island, one of the nations prime tourist destinations for New Zealanders.
Military ruler Voreqe Bainimarama has over-ruled long standing chiefly and church objections to announce that Larry Claunch, who describes himself as an investor, will get an exclusive license to build a casino on the island that will be home to at least 500 slot machines and 54 tables, and they home - lots of happy punters and entertainment lovers.
The well-to-do entrepreneur will also be permitted to construct a smaller casino in Suva.
The regime advertised internationally for expressions of interest earlier this year. New Zealand's well known casino group, SkyCity, was in the mix of those interested.
The license will be held by Claunch's One Hundred Sands Ltd, which will operate the casino with the Snoqualmie Tribe from Washington state and Seventh Generation LLC, a Native American company.
The impressive deal includes a US$290 million ($378 million) five star, 190-room resort on the manmade Denarau Island, which already has several hotels on it and timeshares.
Bainimarama said they would protect the rights and interests of Fijian people. A casino "provides a malleable fusion between the Western ideals of casino gaming with the strong cultural virtues of tribal and community life", he said.
He also pointed out that the casino would provide 800 jobs.
"Fiji does not wish to imitate Las Vegas in the Pacific. Fiji already has a unique brand, one defined by its uniquely pristine environment, tranquillity and world class hospitality."
Claunch advised the casino was "a union of both economic and cultural endeavours".
He also owns Nukudrau, a 19 hectare island in Savusavu Bay.
Claunch is confident he will be able to continue to ride his wave of success into Fiji, despite the casino industry hitting a number of ripples in recent years - a flow on effect from the global economic downturn. Just don't tell Claunch it won't work - he's a winner, and needless to say- his house always wins. Might see you in Fiji.
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22 December 2011
21 December 2011
Daniel Craig may star in five more James Bond movies
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Daniel Craig's licence to kill is going to continue for some time yet, if the powers that be get their way.
Numerous press sources globally are now reporting that Bond producer Michael G Wilson wishes Craig, currently shooting the latest 007 flick, Skyfall, to star in at least five more Bond movies.
Craig, 43, has previously starred as 007 in 2006's Casino Royale, and the less popular Quantum of Solace - 2008.
Wilson is set to discuss a "multi-million pound deal to become the longest serving 007 of all time" with Craig once filming is completed on Skyfall.
Roger Moore is currently the actor who has starred in the majority of Bond films. He played the 007 role in seven of the super spy flicks between 1973 and 1985. Sean Connery has also played Bond seven times, however the Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again was made by an independent production company, not by Bond foundation Eon Productions.
"Daniel's been a terrific Bond, a superb actor and a terrific man. The fans love him and I don't think there's a better actor to play the part," Wilson, who co-produces the franchise with stepsister Barbara Broccoli, told the media.
"Filming has gone very well so far and I'd love Daniel to surpass Roger's record and do eight pictures," he said.
"Daniel's been an absolute pleasure to be around because he takes the role so seriously. There's really no one more passionate about making these films work than him - he's a filmmaker's dream."
He elaborated: "A lot of people have said Daniel's been their favourite Bond since Sean Connery and I can't argue with them. He's doing a great job."
Wilson also advised that the next Bond outing will take us back to the Connery era.
He said: "The director Sam Mendes and Daniel are taking it back to a 60s feel - more Sean.
"I think that's what the fans wanted," he added.
"There's a magical Goldfinger feel surrounding it all. It's all very exciting. I can't wait for people to see the movie because I think we're making a very special Bond."
We're also learned that "big plans" are on the way to mark the Bond films' 50th anniversary in 2012, including "an extravaganza" featuring former Bonds: Connery, George Lazenby, Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Craig.
Wilson teased: "We'd really like to get all six together. We're trying to find a way for fans to celebrate with us because they've been the reason the Bond films have been the success they have."
Craig was directly involved in getting Mendes on board as director.
"He's English, he's Cambridge-educated, he's smart," Craig told the magazine. "He's lived with Bond all his life, he grew up with Bond the way I did."
"I said to him, 'We have to do this together, we have exactly the same reference points, we both like the same Bond movies and we both like the same bits in the same Bond movies we like."
Craig added: "We sat down and we just rabbited for hours about Live and Let Die or From Russia with Love, and talked about little scenes that we knew from them.
"That's how we started talking about it. That's what we tried to instil in the script. He's been working his arse off to tie all these things together so they make sense - in a Bond way."
Skyfall is due for release in late 2012.
See you at the movies.
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Movies Hollywood James Bond Casino Royale News News Entertainment News
Daniel Craig's licence to kill is going to continue for some time yet, if the powers that be get their way.
Numerous press sources globally are now reporting that Bond producer Michael G Wilson wishes Craig, currently shooting the latest 007 flick, Skyfall, to star in at least five more Bond movies.
Craig, 43, has previously starred as 007 in 2006's Casino Royale, and the less popular Quantum of Solace - 2008.
Wilson is set to discuss a "multi-million pound deal to become the longest serving 007 of all time" with Craig once filming is completed on Skyfall.
Roger Moore is currently the actor who has starred in the majority of Bond films. He played the 007 role in seven of the super spy flicks between 1973 and 1985. Sean Connery has also played Bond seven times, however the Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again was made by an independent production company, not by Bond foundation Eon Productions.
"Daniel's been a terrific Bond, a superb actor and a terrific man. The fans love him and I don't think there's a better actor to play the part," Wilson, who co-produces the franchise with stepsister Barbara Broccoli, told the media.
"Filming has gone very well so far and I'd love Daniel to surpass Roger's record and do eight pictures," he said.
"Daniel's been an absolute pleasure to be around because he takes the role so seriously. There's really no one more passionate about making these films work than him - he's a filmmaker's dream."
He elaborated: "A lot of people have said Daniel's been their favourite Bond since Sean Connery and I can't argue with them. He's doing a great job."
Wilson also advised that the next Bond outing will take us back to the Connery era.
He said: "The director Sam Mendes and Daniel are taking it back to a 60s feel - more Sean.
"I think that's what the fans wanted," he added.
"There's a magical Goldfinger feel surrounding it all. It's all very exciting. I can't wait for people to see the movie because I think we're making a very special Bond."
We're also learned that "big plans" are on the way to mark the Bond films' 50th anniversary in 2012, including "an extravaganza" featuring former Bonds: Connery, George Lazenby, Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Craig.
Wilson teased: "We'd really like to get all six together. We're trying to find a way for fans to celebrate with us because they've been the reason the Bond films have been the success they have."
Craig was directly involved in getting Mendes on board as director.
"He's English, he's Cambridge-educated, he's smart," Craig told the magazine. "He's lived with Bond all his life, he grew up with Bond the way I did."
"I said to him, 'We have to do this together, we have exactly the same reference points, we both like the same Bond movies and we both like the same bits in the same Bond movies we like."
Craig added: "We sat down and we just rabbited for hours about Live and Let Die or From Russia with Love, and talked about little scenes that we knew from them.
"That's how we started talking about it. That's what we tried to instil in the script. He's been working his arse off to tie all these things together so they make sense - in a Bond way."
Skyfall is due for release in late 2012.
See you at the movies.
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Marvel Entertainment News: Thor 2 director Patty Jenkins Fired; Natalie Portman furious
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From Sydney, Australia to Tokyo, Japan, to Hollywood, California in the U.S, most of the world loves superheros, and Disney's Marvel Entertainment are widely regarded as the leaders of the pack, followed by DC Comics, with Frank Miller of 'Sin City' fame and a bush tucker bag of others following.
One of the things a studio always tries to do with big name actors who are starring in their big budget films is to keep them happy. But it looks like Marvel Studios will be working overtime in that department as Natalie Portman is reportedly furious at the studio over the firing of Patty Jenkins.
Last week, it was reported that Patty Jenkins was no longer directing ‘Thor 2’ due to “creative differences.” It seemed like it was an amicable split as it was suggested that Jenkins would probably have another chance to direct a superhero film for Marvel, it just wouldn’t be ‘Thor 2.’ Now a report from THR is indicating that Jenkins was actually fired without any warning and Natalie Portman is none too happy about it.
Portman was said to be instrumental in the hiring of Jenkins in the first place and strongly urged Marvel to employ her. Prior to this happening, she was considering taking a hiatus from acting to raise her baby boy who was just born last June. Portman decided to return in the role of Jane Foster for ‘Thor 2’ once she heard of Jenkins’ involvement. That and the idea of being part of a project that involved having the first female director at the helm of a big budget superhero movie appealed to her. So it was no wonder that Portman was livid at the studio when the firing occurred. Even though Portman is contractually obligated to film the movie, Marvel is said to be trying to smooth things over with the actress by including her in the discussions to find a replacement director.
What’s interesting to note, however, is the behind the scene details that THR was able to obtain as to why Jenkins was fired. According to a source near to the production, Marvel felt that Jenkins wasn’t moving assertively enough and didn’t think she could complete the film in time for its November 2013 release date. They felt that she displayed “a lack of overall clarity in her choices” which led them to believe that the filming process would be “difficult.” Keep in mind, however, that although Don Payne had written a script before Jenkins came onboard, Marvel wanted a rewrite so there was no official script in place for Jenkins to be decisive about.
This seems to coincide with what an insider from Jenkins’ side says. This person, however, blames the “lack of overall clarity” issue on Marvel’s part. Although initially excited about hiring Jenkins, mainly based on Portman’s enthusiasm, when the studio started to interview writers for a script rewrite, it was then that they began to second guess their decision and have misgivings about hiring Jenkins. “Marvel had certain things they needed to achieve,” says another source. “There were constraints on what she could do creatively.” Jenkins official statement of the situation is as follows: “I have had a great time working at Marvel. We parted on very good terms, and I look forward to working with them again.”
Rumor has it that Marvel is now considering hiring either Daniel Minahan (who has directed on ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘True Blood) or Alan Taylor (who has directed on ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Mad Men). Once a decision is made, we’ll let you know. But one thing is for certain, whatever the decision, it will still have to get the approval of Natalie Portman.
The Avengers full superhero line up revealed...
Marvel Studios have just released the first set of international posters for the highly anticipated superhero flick, The Avengers.
Although The Avengers isn't due until May 2012, its publicity campaign has already began.
Featuring an all star cast including Scarlett Johansson (as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow), Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark / Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steven Rogers / Captain America) and Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner)
The film also stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton / Hawkeye), Tom Hiddleston (Loki - Thor's brother), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury) and Stellan Skarsgard (Professor Erik Slevig). The Avengers, a superhero team that join forces to defeat an unexpected enemy that is threatening global safety and security.
Chris Hemsworth Sad To See ‘Thor’ Director Kenneth Brannagh Not Returning For 'Thor 2'...
In a recent L.A. Times interview actor Chris Hemsworth talked about ‘Thor 2′ and director Kenneth Brannagh’s exit from the film.
Regarding Brannagh not directing ‘Thor 2′ Hemsworth said, “I’m really disappointed. Ken built that character, and everything I know about the Thor world I learned while shoulder-to-shoulder with Ken. I learned so much from him. As long as he’s happy that’s the thing.
I learned so much from Ken while we built [Thor] so at least I had that time with someone like that. The start of anything creative is the most important period in a way. That’s when the most can go wrong and Ken made sure we got it right.”
By all accounts, Marvel was very happy with the results of ‘Thor’ at the box office. It has grossed $447 million worldwide. ‘Thor 2′ was immediately greenlit and given a July 2013 release date. So, it seems the acclaimed director was not ready to jump right back in with a visual effects heavy sequel. He is instead getting back to acting on the British television series ‘Wallander’.
As Marvel works on the script for ‘Thor 2′ as well as finding a director, Hemsworth is in New Mexico filming Marvel and director Joss Whedon’s ‘The Avengers’. The big ensemble film brings together many of Marvel’s biggest superheroes. ‘Avengers’ is set for a May 4, 2012 release date.
'Avengers' Movie Prelude Coming To Comics...
Marvel Studios has done a fantastic job building up to "The Avengers" with efforts like "Iron Man," "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" on the big-screen. And if you thought the House of Ideas would neglect a non-movie approach to what's surely their all-time biggest cinematic endeavor, think again.
Over at Marvel.com comes news that an official "Avengers" movie prelude is on its way in comic book form, courtesy of writers Chris Yost and Eric Pearson and artists Luke Ross, Daniel HDR and Geral Parel. Keep on reading for more details on the comic from the good folks at Marvel.
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
In addition to "Marvel's The Avengers," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Iron Man 3" on May 3, 2013; and “Thor 2” on November 15, 2013.
"Marvel's The Avengers Prelude" #1 and #2, which kicks off a four-issue limited series, launches in March 2012. Keep an eye out, true believers.
Joe Simon dies at 98; co-creator of Captain America...
Joe Simon and fellow comic book industry pioneer Jack Kirby created Captain America in 1941 and went on to become 'the first superstar creators of comics.'
Joe Simon, a comic book industry pioneer whose defining career moment came in the dark days of March 1941 when he delivered a star-spangled superhero named Captain America, has died. He was 98.
Simon died Wednesday night in New York City after a brief illness, according to a statement from his family, and his death adds a solemn final note to the 70th anniversary of his greatest creation, Captain America, who leaped across the big screen this summer with the Marvel Studios film "Captain America: The First Avenger." The film took $369 million in worldwide box office and earned strong reviews despite early skepticism about the 21st century pop culture potential of a Roosevelt-era character who looks like a walking American flag.
Simon created Captain America with Jack Kirby, a key figure in American comics, and they would work together for various publishers as comic books went from quirky confections to American mythology.
The American superhero concept began in 1938 with Superman, the creation of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but Simon and Kirby brought a different contribution to the genre, not unlike the way songwriter Chuck Berry would later add more ambition to the lyrics of the young form of rock 'n' roll. Mark Evanier, author of the 2008 Kirby biography "Kirby, King of Comics," said the signature duo became more of a brand than the masked men they put on the covers of their comics.
"Joe Simon and Jack Kirby were the first superstar creators of comics," Evanier said Thursday. "Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were hailed because of Superman, but Simon and Kirby were hailed because of Simon and Kirby. They didn't just have one or two great ideas. They were the go-to guys for the next thing in comics."
The pair had memorable creations such as the Newsboy Legion, the Fighting American, Blue Bolt, the Boy Commandos and the Challengers of the Unknown, but it was Captain America — a shield-carrying super-soldier created in a lab by American technology but defined by the country's earnest patriotism and integrity — that would resonate most.
"I was 24 when I first started creating Captain America, " Simon told the Philadelphia Daily News in 2005. "It's been a guardian angel hanging over me my whole life. Everywhere I went — in the service or wherever — I wasn't Joe Simon; I was Captain America. It was like a cloud hanging over me, but a good cloud. I loved it."
He was born Hymie Simon in Rochester, N.Y., in 1913, and as a youngster he was drawn to journalism. Instead, he ended up in the scruffy, deadline-driven comic book business that popped up in New York City in the 1930s. His first collaboration with Kirby came in 1940 with a hero called Blue Bolt, but they struck gold with Captain America — who was punching Adolf Hitler on newsstands months before Pearl Harbor. It turned out to be a quick hit for Timely Comics, which would later become Marvel Comics.
Simon, who was both a writer and artist, came up with the concept of the red, white and blue character, but it was Kirby — by most appraisals the most important comics artist ever — who created the dynamic artwork in the early issues.
After the success of "Captain America," Simon and Kirby followed opportunity over to DC Comics, the publisher of Superman and Batman, where they worked on titles such as "Boy Commandos" and "Sandman."
Both went into the military in 1943. On their return. they ended up at Harvey Comics and toiled on titles including "Boy Explorers" and "Stuntman." In 1954, the pair launched the creator-owned "Fighting American," a clear conceptual descendant of their most noted character — a hero with a shield and a costume Betsy Ross would love.
In the 1960s, Kirby began working with a new partner, Stan Lee, and they created the Fantastic Four, Thor, Hulk, the X-Men, Iron Man and others.
Simon founded and edited Sick magazine, a publication that took the model of MAD magazine and ran from 1960 to 1980. He also packaged educational and political comics for various agencies, mostly in New York, and occasionally dipped back into the comics world, with oddball efforts like 1968's hippie hero "Brother Power, the Geek" and 1974's "Prez," about a teenager who becomes president.
Those comics were strange, politically informed and commercial fizzles, but they were fascinating to readers such as Neil Gaiman, the Newbury Medal-winning author of "The Graveyard Book" and the writer behind the DC Comics epic "The Sandman."
"What attracted me to Simon's stories was how unlike anyone else's they were, how full of life," Gaiman wrote in 2010 in a foreword to "The Simon & Kirby Superheroes" collection from Titan Books. "He created strange villains, part cartoon, part caricature, part embodiment of whatever he wished to talk about. While the trends in comics were toward realism in writing, Joe Simon marched in the other direction, creating his own reality.... The oddness of Joe Simon's work is where it gets its power."
Earlier this year, Simon attended the premiere of the Captain America film and in the surge of media attention he spoke often about Kirby, who died in 1994. For a younger generation of creators — such as Ed Brubaker, who has been the award-winning writer for Captain America for the last seven years — Simon and Kirby are titan figures.
"Joe and Jack Kirby created Captain America at a time when the U.S. was not in World War II yet and had to contend with pro-fascist Americans giving them death threats," Brubaker said Thursday. "I always think about that when I work on the book, the origins of both the character and the comic. Those were two brave guys creating what would be a classic character, who has definitely stood the test of time while other 'flag-wearing' heroes haven't."
Simon is survived by two sons, three daughters and eight grandchildren.
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From Sydney, Australia to Tokyo, Japan, to Hollywood, California in the U.S, most of the world loves superheros, and Disney's Marvel Entertainment are widely regarded as the leaders of the pack, followed by DC Comics, with Frank Miller of 'Sin City' fame and a bush tucker bag of others following.
One of the things a studio always tries to do with big name actors who are starring in their big budget films is to keep them happy. But it looks like Marvel Studios will be working overtime in that department as Natalie Portman is reportedly furious at the studio over the firing of Patty Jenkins.
Last week, it was reported that Patty Jenkins was no longer directing ‘Thor 2’ due to “creative differences.” It seemed like it was an amicable split as it was suggested that Jenkins would probably have another chance to direct a superhero film for Marvel, it just wouldn’t be ‘Thor 2.’ Now a report from THR is indicating that Jenkins was actually fired without any warning and Natalie Portman is none too happy about it.
Portman was said to be instrumental in the hiring of Jenkins in the first place and strongly urged Marvel to employ her. Prior to this happening, she was considering taking a hiatus from acting to raise her baby boy who was just born last June. Portman decided to return in the role of Jane Foster for ‘Thor 2’ once she heard of Jenkins’ involvement. That and the idea of being part of a project that involved having the first female director at the helm of a big budget superhero movie appealed to her. So it was no wonder that Portman was livid at the studio when the firing occurred. Even though Portman is contractually obligated to film the movie, Marvel is said to be trying to smooth things over with the actress by including her in the discussions to find a replacement director.
What’s interesting to note, however, is the behind the scene details that THR was able to obtain as to why Jenkins was fired. According to a source near to the production, Marvel felt that Jenkins wasn’t moving assertively enough and didn’t think she could complete the film in time for its November 2013 release date. They felt that she displayed “a lack of overall clarity in her choices” which led them to believe that the filming process would be “difficult.” Keep in mind, however, that although Don Payne had written a script before Jenkins came onboard, Marvel wanted a rewrite so there was no official script in place for Jenkins to be decisive about.
This seems to coincide with what an insider from Jenkins’ side says. This person, however, blames the “lack of overall clarity” issue on Marvel’s part. Although initially excited about hiring Jenkins, mainly based on Portman’s enthusiasm, when the studio started to interview writers for a script rewrite, it was then that they began to second guess their decision and have misgivings about hiring Jenkins. “Marvel had certain things they needed to achieve,” says another source. “There were constraints on what she could do creatively.” Jenkins official statement of the situation is as follows: “I have had a great time working at Marvel. We parted on very good terms, and I look forward to working with them again.”
Rumor has it that Marvel is now considering hiring either Daniel Minahan (who has directed on ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘True Blood) or Alan Taylor (who has directed on ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Mad Men). Once a decision is made, we’ll let you know. But one thing is for certain, whatever the decision, it will still have to get the approval of Natalie Portman.
The Avengers full superhero line up revealed...
Marvel Studios have just released the first set of international posters for the highly anticipated superhero flick, The Avengers.
Although The Avengers isn't due until May 2012, its publicity campaign has already began.
Featuring an all star cast including Scarlett Johansson (as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow), Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark / Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steven Rogers / Captain America) and Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner)
The film also stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton / Hawkeye), Tom Hiddleston (Loki - Thor's brother), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury) and Stellan Skarsgard (Professor Erik Slevig). The Avengers, a superhero team that join forces to defeat an unexpected enemy that is threatening global safety and security.
Chris Hemsworth Sad To See ‘Thor’ Director Kenneth Brannagh Not Returning For 'Thor 2'...
In a recent L.A. Times interview actor Chris Hemsworth talked about ‘Thor 2′ and director Kenneth Brannagh’s exit from the film.
Regarding Brannagh not directing ‘Thor 2′ Hemsworth said, “I’m really disappointed. Ken built that character, and everything I know about the Thor world I learned while shoulder-to-shoulder with Ken. I learned so much from him. As long as he’s happy that’s the thing.
I learned so much from Ken while we built [Thor] so at least I had that time with someone like that. The start of anything creative is the most important period in a way. That’s when the most can go wrong and Ken made sure we got it right.”
By all accounts, Marvel was very happy with the results of ‘Thor’ at the box office. It has grossed $447 million worldwide. ‘Thor 2′ was immediately greenlit and given a July 2013 release date. So, it seems the acclaimed director was not ready to jump right back in with a visual effects heavy sequel. He is instead getting back to acting on the British television series ‘Wallander’.
As Marvel works on the script for ‘Thor 2′ as well as finding a director, Hemsworth is in New Mexico filming Marvel and director Joss Whedon’s ‘The Avengers’. The big ensemble film brings together many of Marvel’s biggest superheroes. ‘Avengers’ is set for a May 4, 2012 release date.
'Avengers' Movie Prelude Coming To Comics...
Marvel Studios has done a fantastic job building up to "The Avengers" with efforts like "Iron Man," "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" on the big-screen. And if you thought the House of Ideas would neglect a non-movie approach to what's surely their all-time biggest cinematic endeavor, think again.
Over at Marvel.com comes news that an official "Avengers" movie prelude is on its way in comic book form, courtesy of writers Chris Yost and Eric Pearson and artists Luke Ross, Daniel HDR and Geral Parel. Keep on reading for more details on the comic from the good folks at Marvel.
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
In addition to "Marvel's The Avengers," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Iron Man 3" on May 3, 2013; and “Thor 2” on November 15, 2013.
"Marvel's The Avengers Prelude" #1 and #2, which kicks off a four-issue limited series, launches in March 2012. Keep an eye out, true believers.
Joe Simon dies at 98; co-creator of Captain America...
Joe Simon and fellow comic book industry pioneer Jack Kirby created Captain America in 1941 and went on to become 'the first superstar creators of comics.'
Joe Simon, a comic book industry pioneer whose defining career moment came in the dark days of March 1941 when he delivered a star-spangled superhero named Captain America, has died. He was 98.
Simon died Wednesday night in New York City after a brief illness, according to a statement from his family, and his death adds a solemn final note to the 70th anniversary of his greatest creation, Captain America, who leaped across the big screen this summer with the Marvel Studios film "Captain America: The First Avenger." The film took $369 million in worldwide box office and earned strong reviews despite early skepticism about the 21st century pop culture potential of a Roosevelt-era character who looks like a walking American flag.
Simon created Captain America with Jack Kirby, a key figure in American comics, and they would work together for various publishers as comic books went from quirky confections to American mythology.
The American superhero concept began in 1938 with Superman, the creation of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but Simon and Kirby brought a different contribution to the genre, not unlike the way songwriter Chuck Berry would later add more ambition to the lyrics of the young form of rock 'n' roll. Mark Evanier, author of the 2008 Kirby biography "Kirby, King of Comics," said the signature duo became more of a brand than the masked men they put on the covers of their comics.
"Joe Simon and Jack Kirby were the first superstar creators of comics," Evanier said Thursday. "Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were hailed because of Superman, but Simon and Kirby were hailed because of Simon and Kirby. They didn't just have one or two great ideas. They were the go-to guys for the next thing in comics."
The pair had memorable creations such as the Newsboy Legion, the Fighting American, Blue Bolt, the Boy Commandos and the Challengers of the Unknown, but it was Captain America — a shield-carrying super-soldier created in a lab by American technology but defined by the country's earnest patriotism and integrity — that would resonate most.
"I was 24 when I first started creating Captain America, " Simon told the Philadelphia Daily News in 2005. "It's been a guardian angel hanging over me my whole life. Everywhere I went — in the service or wherever — I wasn't Joe Simon; I was Captain America. It was like a cloud hanging over me, but a good cloud. I loved it."
He was born Hymie Simon in Rochester, N.Y., in 1913, and as a youngster he was drawn to journalism. Instead, he ended up in the scruffy, deadline-driven comic book business that popped up in New York City in the 1930s. His first collaboration with Kirby came in 1940 with a hero called Blue Bolt, but they struck gold with Captain America — who was punching Adolf Hitler on newsstands months before Pearl Harbor. It turned out to be a quick hit for Timely Comics, which would later become Marvel Comics.
Simon, who was both a writer and artist, came up with the concept of the red, white and blue character, but it was Kirby — by most appraisals the most important comics artist ever — who created the dynamic artwork in the early issues.
After the success of "Captain America," Simon and Kirby followed opportunity over to DC Comics, the publisher of Superman and Batman, where they worked on titles such as "Boy Commandos" and "Sandman."
Both went into the military in 1943. On their return. they ended up at Harvey Comics and toiled on titles including "Boy Explorers" and "Stuntman." In 1954, the pair launched the creator-owned "Fighting American," a clear conceptual descendant of their most noted character — a hero with a shield and a costume Betsy Ross would love.
In the 1960s, Kirby began working with a new partner, Stan Lee, and they created the Fantastic Four, Thor, Hulk, the X-Men, Iron Man and others.
Simon founded and edited Sick magazine, a publication that took the model of MAD magazine and ran from 1960 to 1980. He also packaged educational and political comics for various agencies, mostly in New York, and occasionally dipped back into the comics world, with oddball efforts like 1968's hippie hero "Brother Power, the Geek" and 1974's "Prez," about a teenager who becomes president.
Those comics were strange, politically informed and commercial fizzles, but they were fascinating to readers such as Neil Gaiman, the Newbury Medal-winning author of "The Graveyard Book" and the writer behind the DC Comics epic "The Sandman."
"What attracted me to Simon's stories was how unlike anyone else's they were, how full of life," Gaiman wrote in 2010 in a foreword to "The Simon & Kirby Superheroes" collection from Titan Books. "He created strange villains, part cartoon, part caricature, part embodiment of whatever he wished to talk about. While the trends in comics were toward realism in writing, Joe Simon marched in the other direction, creating his own reality.... The oddness of Joe Simon's work is where it gets its power."
Earlier this year, Simon attended the premiere of the Captain America film and in the surge of media attention he spoke often about Kirby, who died in 1994. For a younger generation of creators — such as Ed Brubaker, who has been the award-winning writer for Captain America for the last seven years — Simon and Kirby are titan figures.
"Joe and Jack Kirby created Captain America at a time when the U.S. was not in World War II yet and had to contend with pro-fascist Americans giving them death threats," Brubaker said Thursday. "I always think about that when I work on the book, the origins of both the character and the comic. Those were two brave guys creating what would be a classic character, who has definitely stood the test of time while other 'flag-wearing' heroes haven't."
Simon is survived by two sons, three daughters and eight grandchildren.
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Internet poker boss says he broke U.S. gambling law - 21st December 2011
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One of the owners of three of the world's biggest internet poker firms pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a criminal charge of deceiving U.S. banks over the processing of gambling proceeds.
Absolute Poker co-owner Brent Beckley, 31, admitted in Manhattan federal court to conspiring to break U.S. laws against gambling on the Internet. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.
Twelve people have been charged thus far in the high profile case, including 11 in April when the U.S. government seized the Internet domain names of the three largest Internet poker companies: Absolute Poker, Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars.
Full Tilt Poker owner Raymond Bitar, PokerStars owner Isai Scheinberg and Absolute Poker owners Beckley and Scott Tom were also charged with breaking the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and other laws.
Beckley told U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis that at Absolute Poker between 2006 and April 2011 he accepted credit cards from players so they could bet on the Internet. He said he disguised the purpose of the payments.
"I knew it was illegal to deceive the banks in this way," Beckley told the judge.
The bank fraud charge carries a possible maximum prison sentence of 30 years, but under a plea agreement in the court record, Beckley will likely serve a much lesser term of between 12 months and 18 months.
His lawyer, Robert Cleary, declined comment.
The indictment said that between 2008 and 2011 Beckley hired so-called "payment processor" Ira Rubin to help the company avoid U.S. gambling laws. Rubin would process e-checks for Absolute Poker disguised as payroll processing, affiliate marketing and online electronics merchants, according to the indictment.
Rubin, who lived in Central America for years in his attempt to avoid a telemarketing fraud charge, is nearing close to a plea agreement, according to his legal eagle.
Prosecutors said that of the billions of dollars the poker companies tricked U.S. banks into processing, approximately one-third or more of the money went directly to the companies as revenue through the "rake" charged to players on almost every poker hand played over the internet.
The government has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Full Tilt Poker website. They accused self-styled "Poker Professor" Howard Lederer and professional poker champion Christopher Ferguson and others of paying themselves more than $440 million while defrauding other players.
The case is USA v Tzvetkoff et al, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 10-00336.
Not only are online poker and online casino players watching closely, but also online gambling companies which are interested to offer their product to the lucrative U.S market. Just a few of those firms include Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment (owner of PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, World Poker Tour and others), Virgin Games and PKR.
In the meantime some land based U.S casinos are getting deals in place, with Bwin.Party recently getting a well publicised b2b agreement inked with MGM Resorts International.
Business entrepreneurs Donald Trump and Steve Wynn are just two high profile Americans who are supportive of 100% legal online gambling in the U.S. Online poker may become legal in the U.S in the coming year, followed by online casino games however... this prediction has proved wrong year after year on U.S soil, but then again - the subject matter has never been hotter, nor has the U.S government ever need a cash boost to their coffers as much as they currently do.
Some of the most popular games with online players include Cleopatra, Sinatra, Wheel of Fortune, poker, Texas Hold'Em, Blackjack, Video Poker and Roulette. Some online gambling companies offer new players a generous sign up bonus to encourage them to become money players.
In many parts of the world including Canada, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, online gambling is just as popular as gambling in traditional casinos, pubs and hotels.
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One of the owners of three of the world's biggest internet poker firms pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a criminal charge of deceiving U.S. banks over the processing of gambling proceeds.
Absolute Poker co-owner Brent Beckley, 31, admitted in Manhattan federal court to conspiring to break U.S. laws against gambling on the Internet. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.
Twelve people have been charged thus far in the high profile case, including 11 in April when the U.S. government seized the Internet domain names of the three largest Internet poker companies: Absolute Poker, Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars.
Full Tilt Poker owner Raymond Bitar, PokerStars owner Isai Scheinberg and Absolute Poker owners Beckley and Scott Tom were also charged with breaking the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and other laws.
Beckley told U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis that at Absolute Poker between 2006 and April 2011 he accepted credit cards from players so they could bet on the Internet. He said he disguised the purpose of the payments.
"I knew it was illegal to deceive the banks in this way," Beckley told the judge.
The bank fraud charge carries a possible maximum prison sentence of 30 years, but under a plea agreement in the court record, Beckley will likely serve a much lesser term of between 12 months and 18 months.
His lawyer, Robert Cleary, declined comment.
The indictment said that between 2008 and 2011 Beckley hired so-called "payment processor" Ira Rubin to help the company avoid U.S. gambling laws. Rubin would process e-checks for Absolute Poker disguised as payroll processing, affiliate marketing and online electronics merchants, according to the indictment.
Rubin, who lived in Central America for years in his attempt to avoid a telemarketing fraud charge, is nearing close to a plea agreement, according to his legal eagle.
Prosecutors said that of the billions of dollars the poker companies tricked U.S. banks into processing, approximately one-third or more of the money went directly to the companies as revenue through the "rake" charged to players on almost every poker hand played over the internet.
The government has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Full Tilt Poker website. They accused self-styled "Poker Professor" Howard Lederer and professional poker champion Christopher Ferguson and others of paying themselves more than $440 million while defrauding other players.
The case is USA v Tzvetkoff et al, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 10-00336.
Not only are online poker and online casino players watching closely, but also online gambling companies which are interested to offer their product to the lucrative U.S market. Just a few of those firms include Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment (owner of PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, World Poker Tour and others), Virgin Games and PKR.
In the meantime some land based U.S casinos are getting deals in place, with Bwin.Party recently getting a well publicised b2b agreement inked with MGM Resorts International.
Business entrepreneurs Donald Trump and Steve Wynn are just two high profile Americans who are supportive of 100% legal online gambling in the U.S. Online poker may become legal in the U.S in the coming year, followed by online casino games however... this prediction has proved wrong year after year on U.S soil, but then again - the subject matter has never been hotter, nor has the U.S government ever need a cash boost to their coffers as much as they currently do.
Some of the most popular games with online players include Cleopatra, Sinatra, Wheel of Fortune, poker, Texas Hold'Em, Blackjack, Video Poker and Roulette. Some online gambling companies offer new players a generous sign up bonus to encourage them to become money players.
In many parts of the world including Canada, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, online gambling is just as popular as gambling in traditional casinos, pubs and hotels.
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20 December 2011
Casinos Of The World: Land Based And Online, Casino Awards By Media Man And Casino News Media
Sin City Cleopatra Rambo The Godfather Sinatra The Terminator Thor Saturday Night Fever Unicorn Legend Palladium Slot
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Punters, here's 10 of the world's top land based casinos for you to mark down in your travel plans.
Monte Carlo, Monaco: Perched above the Mediterranean and bounded by the French
and Italian coastlines on either side, Monaco provides a spectacular and luxurious setting for the wealthy and the wannabees. Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the legendary Casino de Monte Carlo, this isn't the place for those on a tight budget. The magnificent Casino hosts the annual European Poker Tour and was also the scene of several James Bond Films, including the original "Casino Royale" and "Golden Eye".
Paradise Island, Bahamas: Located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, Paradise
Island is best known for its sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea' resort, Atlantis. The resort spans seven acres along a lagoon, where guests can soak up the Caribbean sun and choose from a variety of outdoor gaming areas. When in need of a break from the tables, guests can enjoy the private beach or one of the resorts 20 sunlit pools.
Melbourne, Australia: As Australia's sporting and entertainment capital, Melbourne
offers the perfect option for high rollers looking for a local break. Aussies need look no further than Crown Casino on the southern bank of the Yarra River, which is one of the largest casino complexes in the southern hemisphere. The main gambling floor stretches more than half a kilometre and the casino was the first to introduce the new game Rapid Roulette, which allows players to place bets on a personal electronic touch screen connected to a central roulette wheel.
Macau, China: Known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient,' and the gambling capital of Asia, Macau now rivals Monaco and Las Vegas as one of the premier gambling destinations in the world. With no less than 33 casinos, in addition to local horse and greyhound racing venues, Macau is perfect for the betting junkie. The Wynn Macau casino is a standout, highlighted by 24-carat gold 'Tree of Prosperity' at the entrance, extravagant water displays and Moon Jellyfish Aquarium at reception.
Baden-Baden, Germany: Situated on the western foothills of the Black Forest and on the banks of the Oos River, Baden-Baden is not your typical casino town. However, in addition to its hot springs and picturesque countryside, the town is also known for its 200-year-old 'Spielbank' casino - the oldest of its type in Germany. With French chateau-style salons rooms named after historical figures such as Madame Pompadour and Louis XV's mistress, the quirky casino provides visitors with a very unique gaming experience.
Las Vegas, United States: With over 1700 licensed casinos in operation, Las Vegas offers the ultimate package for travellers who fancy a flutter. A visit to the famous 'Strip' is a must for any player, whether they're looking for a spin on the roulette table or a game of blackjack - this city has it all. The iconic Caesar's Palace hotel and casino offers 129,000 square feet of casino space plus an endless smorgasbord of entertainment, shopping and fine dining options, including Cleopatra's barge, a floating lounge perfect for a relaxing drink after a jam-packed night on the casino floor.
Manila, The Philippines: With a favourable exchange rate, Manila provides great value for Aussies wanting to live the high-life overseas. The city offers a range of shopping and entertainment options, along with a world-class casino at the Hyatt Hotel. Spread across three levels, the sparkling casino offers the newest in gaming facilities for both hotel guests and visitors, and is just a short distance from Manila's tourist hub.
Sun City, South Africa: Known as 'Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure,' this luxury resort and casino complex, just two hours from Johannesburg, boasts two large casinos, two 18-hole golf courses and a wildlife reserve. At the extravagant yet picturesque Palace of the Lost City, guests are treated to stunning valley views from the guestrooms, along with exclusive access to the Grand Pool. The nearby Sun City Casino is the entertainment Mecca of the resort, featuring a myriad of gaming options as well as an indoor jungle of native foliage and water fountains.
Atlantic City, United States: Regarded as the US's 'Las Vegas of the East', Atlantic City in New Jersey is renowned for its gambling, shopping and fine dining. Towering above the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, the Trump Taj Mahal casino is an icon of the city, with an on-site shopping district and an abundance of restaurants and bars. The 157,000 square-foot casino is also hard to miss, with 3,500 slot machines and 200 table games. Unveiled in 1990 by a number of celebrities, including the late Michael Jackson, the casino is the second-largest in Atlantic City and well worth a visit.
Genting Highlands, Malaysia: Nestled on the Titiwangsa mountain range, just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur and 6,000 feet above sea level, the Resorts World Genting offers 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. This spectacular resort has first-class accommodation, dining and entertainment, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of a capital city. The on-site casino, which covers 200,000 square feet, is Malaysia's sole gaming venue and is divided into separate themed areas, such as Hollywood and Monte Carlo, for the ultimate gambling experience.
Online Casinos:
PartyCasino.com : The world's leading online casino brand and part of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment. Play for free or play for money at PartyCasino.com New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus via Media Man.
VirginCasino.com : Virgin Casino is part of Virgin Games. The parent company is Virgin Enterprises Limited, the creation of the world's most famous and celebrated entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Unfortunately the casino does not accept players from many countries due to what is known in legal circles as "grey areas". Most European players can play, but no Americans, Canadians, Australians or New Zealanders.
Captain Cooks Casino : Was once a very popular online casino with Australians and New Zealanders, however we understand these days they can only accept players from a few regions such as Europe, South Africa, Canada and South America.
PKR : Once only a 2D online poker room, they are now more 3D and offer online poker and a good range of online casino games, including classics, Marvel slots and table games.
Media Man's top online casino choice: PartyCasino.com PartyCasino is a multi-time Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' winner and have also won awards from EGR. Earlier this year PartyGaming merged with Bwin to create the worlds leading igaming company, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment.
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PartyCasino Gets New Games...
Aztec Gold, Atomic Fruit, Nag's To Riches and Fairies Forest. Check out the new games here.
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WWE RAW World Tour 2012 - Sydney, Australia
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Presented by: Dainty Group
WWE's unique brand of action packed entertainment is returning to Australia with WWE RAW. Fans will be able to see all their favourite WWE Superstars including John Cena®, Alberto Del Rio®, CM Punk®, The Miz® and many more*.
*Card subject to change
WHEN: In Brisbane from 19.30, Thursday, August 30th
In Sydney from 19.30, Friday, August 31st
In Melbourne from 19.30, Saturday September 1st
WHERE:
Live from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Live from the Sydney AllPhones Arena
Live from the Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, December 8th at 9am and can be purchased at:
Online: www.ticketek.com.au
Charge by Phone: 132 849
* Card subject to change
TOUR DATES
Thu 30 Aug - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fri 31 Aug - Allphones Arena, Sydney
Sat 1 Sep - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
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Presented by: Dainty Group
WWE's unique brand of action packed entertainment is returning to Australia with WWE RAW. Fans will be able to see all their favourite WWE Superstars including John Cena®, Alberto Del Rio®, CM Punk®, The Miz® and many more*.
*Card subject to change
WHEN: In Brisbane from 19.30, Thursday, August 30th
In Sydney from 19.30, Friday, August 31st
In Melbourne from 19.30, Saturday September 1st
WHERE:
Live from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Live from the Sydney AllPhones Arena
Live from the Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, December 8th at 9am and can be purchased at:
Online: www.ticketek.com.au
Charge by Phone: 132 849
* Card subject to change
TOUR DATES
Thu 30 Aug - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fri 31 Aug - Allphones Arena, Sydney
Sat 1 Sep - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows To Premiere At Bondi Junction, Sydney - Tuesday
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The Sydney premiere of this summer’s blockbuster SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, will take place at Event Cinemas, Bondi Junction on Tuesday night. Guests will attend a private cocktail reception in the Set Bar before the screening of Guy Ritchie’s sequel to his 2009 smash hit.
The special guests will start arriving at 6pm and the movie kicks off at 7pm.
Event Cinemas at Westfield Bondi Junction gets the bragging rights again.
Guest expected to do the red carpet include Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Jayson Brunsdon, Layne Beachley and Kirk Pengilly, Sophie Lowe, Salvatore Coco, Charli Robinson, Kate Waterhouse, Jonathon Coleman, Lizzy Lovette, Marc Fennell, Tammy MacIntosh and Andrew Lees.
The Movie Plot...
Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writers: Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney
Actors: Robert Downey, Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan
Producers: Gary Goetzman, Joel Silver
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The Sydney premiere of this summer’s blockbuster SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, will take place at Event Cinemas, Bondi Junction on Tuesday night. Guests will attend a private cocktail reception in the Set Bar before the screening of Guy Ritchie’s sequel to his 2009 smash hit.
The special guests will start arriving at 6pm and the movie kicks off at 7pm.
Event Cinemas at Westfield Bondi Junction gets the bragging rights again.
Guest expected to do the red carpet include Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Jayson Brunsdon, Layne Beachley and Kirk Pengilly, Sophie Lowe, Salvatore Coco, Charli Robinson, Kate Waterhouse, Jonathon Coleman, Lizzy Lovette, Marc Fennell, Tammy MacIntosh and Andrew Lees.
The Movie Plot...
Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writers: Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney
Actors: Robert Downey, Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan
Producers: Gary Goetzman, Joel Silver
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Sherlock Holmes 2 official website
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19 December 2011
Paramount Pictures Unveils New Logo in Celebration of the Studio's 100th Anniversary
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December 14, 2011
New Logo Will Be Seen With “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”
HOLLYWOOD, CA (December 14, 2011) – Paramount Pictures today unveiled a new company logo that commemorates the studio’s 100th Anniversary in show business. The new logo can be seen on the new Tom Cruise starrer, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL. The movie will open in IMAX and on other premium large format screens on Friday, December 16th and in theatres everywhere on December 21st.
The studio’s first logo, a symbol of a rugged, snow-covered peak from the Wasatch mountain range, was created in 1916. The 100th Anniversary logo was created by Devastudios, Inc.
Paramount will use the logo throughout its centennial year in 2012. Beginning in 2013, the wordingabout the 100th anniversary will be removed from the logo, with the rest of the design remaining in use.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Paramount Pictures 100th Anniversary The only major studio still located in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures celebrates its 100th year in show business in 2012. Adolph Zukor, Jesse L. Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille are credited as Paramount’s principle founders, with Queen Elizabeth being the studio’s first feature film in 1912. Through a century of excellence, Paramount has set the standard in cinema and continues to deliver the highest caliber of entertainment to audiences worldwide.
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Marvel Entertainment Marvel Comics Paramount Pictures DreamWorks Mission: Impossible Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Movies Hollywood
December 14, 2011
New Logo Will Be Seen With “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”
HOLLYWOOD, CA (December 14, 2011) – Paramount Pictures today unveiled a new company logo that commemorates the studio’s 100th Anniversary in show business. The new logo can be seen on the new Tom Cruise starrer, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL. The movie will open in IMAX and on other premium large format screens on Friday, December 16th and in theatres everywhere on December 21st.
The studio’s first logo, a symbol of a rugged, snow-covered peak from the Wasatch mountain range, was created in 1916. The 100th Anniversary logo was created by Devastudios, Inc.
Paramount will use the logo throughout its centennial year in 2012. Beginning in 2013, the wordingabout the 100th anniversary will be removed from the logo, with the rest of the design remaining in use.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Paramount Pictures 100th Anniversary The only major studio still located in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures celebrates its 100th year in show business in 2012. Adolph Zukor, Jesse L. Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille are credited as Paramount’s principle founders, with Queen Elizabeth being the studio’s first feature film in 1912. Through a century of excellence, Paramount has set the standard in cinema and continues to deliver the highest caliber of entertainment to audiences worldwide.
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bwin.party Awarded Danish Online Gaming Licences
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16 December 2011
bwin.party, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, is pleased to announce that it is in the first rank of operators to be awarded online gaming licences by the Danish Gambling Authority.
Having successfully passed all financial, legal and technical tests, the Group has been awarded two separate licences, allowing it to offer online sports betting, poker and casino in Denmark from 1 January 2012. The licenced brands include bwin, PartyPoker, PartyCasino, PartyBets and World Poker Tour.
The successful licence applications and early market entry is in line with Group’s strategy to be a leading operator in all regulated online gaming markets.
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16 December 2011
bwin.party, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, is pleased to announce that it is in the first rank of operators to be awarded online gaming licences by the Danish Gambling Authority.
Having successfully passed all financial, legal and technical tests, the Group has been awarded two separate licences, allowing it to offer online sports betting, poker and casino in Denmark from 1 January 2012. The licenced brands include bwin, PartyPoker, PartyCasino, PartyBets and World Poker Tour.
The successful licence applications and early market entry is in line with Group’s strategy to be a leading operator in all regulated online gaming markets.
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PKR's Caribbean Stud Poker Jackpot Approaches $150,000 - 13th December 2011
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PKR PKR Poker PKR Casino Caribbean Stud Poker
The progressive jackpot for PKR's Caribbean Stud Poker mini-game has today reached $149,000 and is expected to grow to a record size within the next few days.
The game is available directly through PKR's pioneering 3D room client, and invites poker fans to beat the dealer-s five card Texas Hold-em hand. Players can be eligible for the rapidly rising jackpot by placing a side bet of just $1, with jackpot payouts activated by hitting the highest ranked poker hands.
On 27 November, poker player GVincredible won 10% of the jackpot after hitting a straight flush, turning his $4 stake into $15,838. The Belgian, a regular at PKR's tables since July 2007 with a $1,833 tournament victory to his name, commented “I just couldn-t believe I-d won. I-d already planned to play more poker on PKR in 2012 and to buy a new car, but this makes it much easier!”
PKR's Caribbean Stud Poker mini-game forms part of the award winning operator-s suite of gaming products which includes a revolutionary 3D poker room, innovative 3D casino and sportsbook.
For more information on the Team PKR pro please visit PKR.com
About PKR
PKR.com is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that has changed the way the game is played. Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR.com brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker. Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR.com continues to be the most innovative poker room in the world.
Press Release
100 PKR Players Set for BAMMA Giveaway - 1st December 2011
Next-Gen Online Poker Room PKR Offers Up Free Fight Night Hospitality
More than 100 poker players will enjoy the explosive atmosphere at the BAMMA 8 mixed martial arts event in Nottingham on 10 December through a free prize draw at PKR.com In the fourth event of its kind this year, PKR is again offering players the opportunity to meet staff and other players, against the backdrop of one of sport's fastest growing events. The prize draw is open to all PKR members and concludes on Friday 02 December.
PKR became the headline sponsor of BAMMA, Europe's premier mixed martial arts organisation, in January 2011. The online poker site has since welcomed hundreds of its members to BAMMA events in Manchester, London and Birmingham, having offered tickets in free prize draws through the site's busy forum and website.
PKR players who attend the upcoming BAMMA 8 event, which takes place in Nottingham's Capital FM Arena on Saturday 10 December, will enjoy 13 bouts featuring some of the world's top martial artists including light heavyweight champion Jimi 'Poster Boy' Manuwa, who makes his eagerly anticipated BAMMA debut. UFC legend Randy Couture is also rumoured to be making a promotional appearance.
Community Manager Dan Grant commented, "BAMMA events are a fantastic opportunity for our players to meet PKR and each other in a fun and social real-world setting. They'll get to put faces to names they've met at our online tables and meet new poker mates while enjoying the great atmosphere of a thrilling sporting event."
For more information on PKR's BAMMA 8 giveaway, please visit PKR.com
For interviews with top BAMMA fighters including UFC star Nate Marquardt and Tom 'Kong' Watson, please visit: www.pkr.tv
PKR Poker Media Man 'Online Poker Website Of The Month' Runner-Up For December 2011
PKR.com has been awarded the Media Man runner-up for 'Online Poker Website Of The Month'.
The popular online poker website has also been tipped to be a legitimate chance to place first in the coming months, should their excellent service and offerings continue.
Well done to PKR.com
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PKR PKR Poker PKR Casino Caribbean Stud Poker
The progressive jackpot for PKR's Caribbean Stud Poker mini-game has today reached $149,000 and is expected to grow to a record size within the next few days.
The game is available directly through PKR's pioneering 3D room client, and invites poker fans to beat the dealer-s five card Texas Hold-em hand. Players can be eligible for the rapidly rising jackpot by placing a side bet of just $1, with jackpot payouts activated by hitting the highest ranked poker hands.
On 27 November, poker player GVincredible won 10% of the jackpot after hitting a straight flush, turning his $4 stake into $15,838. The Belgian, a regular at PKR's tables since July 2007 with a $1,833 tournament victory to his name, commented “I just couldn-t believe I-d won. I-d already planned to play more poker on PKR in 2012 and to buy a new car, but this makes it much easier!”
PKR's Caribbean Stud Poker mini-game forms part of the award winning operator-s suite of gaming products which includes a revolutionary 3D poker room, innovative 3D casino and sportsbook.
For more information on the Team PKR pro please visit PKR.com
About PKR
PKR.com is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that has changed the way the game is played. Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR.com brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker. Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR.com continues to be the most innovative poker room in the world.
Press Release
100 PKR Players Set for BAMMA Giveaway - 1st December 2011
Next-Gen Online Poker Room PKR Offers Up Free Fight Night Hospitality
More than 100 poker players will enjoy the explosive atmosphere at the BAMMA 8 mixed martial arts event in Nottingham on 10 December through a free prize draw at PKR.com In the fourth event of its kind this year, PKR is again offering players the opportunity to meet staff and other players, against the backdrop of one of sport's fastest growing events. The prize draw is open to all PKR members and concludes on Friday 02 December.
PKR became the headline sponsor of BAMMA, Europe's premier mixed martial arts organisation, in January 2011. The online poker site has since welcomed hundreds of its members to BAMMA events in Manchester, London and Birmingham, having offered tickets in free prize draws through the site's busy forum and website.
PKR players who attend the upcoming BAMMA 8 event, which takes place in Nottingham's Capital FM Arena on Saturday 10 December, will enjoy 13 bouts featuring some of the world's top martial artists including light heavyweight champion Jimi 'Poster Boy' Manuwa, who makes his eagerly anticipated BAMMA debut. UFC legend Randy Couture is also rumoured to be making a promotional appearance.
Community Manager Dan Grant commented, "BAMMA events are a fantastic opportunity for our players to meet PKR and each other in a fun and social real-world setting. They'll get to put faces to names they've met at our online tables and meet new poker mates while enjoying the great atmosphere of a thrilling sporting event."
For more information on PKR's BAMMA 8 giveaway, please visit PKR.com
For interviews with top BAMMA fighters including UFC star Nate Marquardt and Tom 'Kong' Watson, please visit: www.pkr.tv
PKR Poker Media Man 'Online Poker Website Of The Month' Runner-Up For December 2011
PKR.com has been awarded the Media Man runner-up for 'Online Poker Website Of The Month'.
The popular online poker website has also been tipped to be a legitimate chance to place first in the coming months, should their excellent service and offerings continue.
Well done to PKR.com
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16 December 2011
Casino Celebrities Leonardo DiCaprio And George Clooney Do Sydney; Spider-Man Tobey Hides From Media; Melbourne Next?, by Greg Tingle
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The Great Gatsby Baz Luhrmann Leonardo Dicaprio George Clooney Tobey Maguire The Darling The Star Echo Entertainment Sydney News Financial News Casino News Poker News Entertainment News
Leonardo DiCaprio and mystery blonde
A number of the world's most famous and talented Hollywood movies stars (and social and community entrepreneurs) have recently been spotted on Australian soil, in 'Sin City' Sydney no less. Who are we talking about. Just Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney.
These boys are fast and hard to nail down, with both the ladies and news media we understand, so by the time you read this, Clooney might be back to Hollywood in the U.S and 'Our Leo' (affectionate) might have hopped a lear jet back to the States, or maybe he's hiding out back at The Star (ex Star City Casino), where 'Georgy Boy' (affectionate satire) has also been spotted.
Both DiCaprio and Clooney have a thing for casinos. DiCaprio has played quite a bit of Hollywood Poker in his time, getting some major headlines in media including TMZ, as well as did the Rounders poker movie back in 1998. Clooney of course played Danny Ocean Ocean's Eleven (and 12 and 13). Movie and history buffs will be interested to know that in the 1960's version of Ocean's Eleven Danny was played by Frank Sinatra, and he was joined by four other members of the original Rat Pack: Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop.
Ok, back to matters at hand in Sydney...
George Clooney and Sid Vaikunta
George Clooney
Clooney was in town last week doing his talk at Darling Habour Convention Centre (the one where people paid up to $1100 a ticket). His girlfriend, former WWE wrestling diva Stacy Keibler, did not come. It's not like they are married and have to be side by side 24/7. Keibler is understood to be more keen on a full time commitment type of thing than Clooney at this stage of the game.
Being a bit of casino fan, Clooney made time to meet with The Star’s managing director, Sid Vaikunta at The Darling hotel, where George Clooney was the hotel's virgin (first) customer to stay in the hotel’s new luxurious penthouse suite. The Darling is 'Sin City' Sydney’s latest and greatest five-star boutique hotel and is a paramount part of The Star’s $870 million master plan which is focussed on expansion, refurbishment and The Star being known as a premier Australian integrated hotel - casino - resort and entertainment hub, comparable to the best that Las Vegas and Macau have to offer. The Star and The Darling want their casino whales, but they are also happy to have dolphins and regular punters. Celeb, casino whale, food lover, poker professional or just passing by - The Star wants you!
Leo DiCaprio...
DiCaprio continues to enjoy Sydney. About a month ago he celebrated his birthday party at Kings Cross, followed by a fantastic afterparty.
For about a month Leo was hanging out with Blake Lively, but that particular blonde is currently in New York, so it wasn't her at the Vaucluse House park surroundings.
Yet another lucky blonde was caught walking around with Leo, this time in the grounds of the historic Vaucluse House in Sydney.
It's handy for Leo, since he's doing some of the Gatsby movie shoots at Fox Studios, Moore Park, and Leo's also hired out some private digs at Vaucluse.
For the record it was not Carey Mulligan who was spotted walking around the pack with Leo.
The blonde was not the bikini-wearing brunette who was paped with Leo back in October after a spot of paddle-boarding at the rented waterfront mansion.
A well connected source tells us that there's a certain group of models based in Sydney who all share a bit of time with Leo. Sort of a personal introduction kind of thing. Aussie models Alyce Crawford and Kendal Schuler are understood to be in the thick of the action. Lucky girls.
Tobey Maguire...
The star of the past couple of Spider-Man movies (and keen Hollywood Poker player) Maguire, has kept things very quite in recently weeks. He's been spotted driving and taxi-ing around Sydney, but is not talking or doing photographs with fans we hear. We haven't even seen him at The Star's gaming room. Maguire is understood to be enjoying time with his family when he's not busy on the set of The Great Gatsby.
The boys were all offered rooms at The Stars 'The Darling', and all accepted, but they are also understood to have also spent time elsewhere in Sydney.
In the meantime, we understand that James Packer owned Crown Melbourne aka Crown Casino, is also keen to see more Hollywood stars stay at their fancy Crown Towers. That's where the likes of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have also enjoyed the five star accommodation. The Melbourne venue will also see the Aussie Million Poker Championship come January 2011, and Packer's poker tourney men would be keen to see Leo and George in their celeb poker games. Packer is also overseeing the revamp of his Western Australian complex, formally known as Burswood Entertainment Complex, and now known as Crown Burswood. In any event, Crown is keen for more star power and world class attractions, plus of course casino whales aka "high rollers".
Jay Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald and maybe even the late J. Edgar would be proud of the cat and mouse games that Clooney, DiCaprio and Maguire are playing with the Australian media.
Websites
The Star
Leonardo DiCaprio official website
Fox Studios Australia
Echo Entertainment
Crown Melbourne
Crown Limited
Media Man News
Casino News Media
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Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
The Great Gatsby Baz Luhrmann Leonardo Dicaprio George Clooney Tobey Maguire The Darling The Star Echo Entertainment Sydney News Financial News Casino News Poker News Entertainment News
Leonardo DiCaprio and mystery blonde
A number of the world's most famous and talented Hollywood movies stars (and social and community entrepreneurs) have recently been spotted on Australian soil, in 'Sin City' Sydney no less. Who are we talking about. Just Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney.
These boys are fast and hard to nail down, with both the ladies and news media we understand, so by the time you read this, Clooney might be back to Hollywood in the U.S and 'Our Leo' (affectionate) might have hopped a lear jet back to the States, or maybe he's hiding out back at The Star (ex Star City Casino), where 'Georgy Boy' (affectionate satire) has also been spotted.
Both DiCaprio and Clooney have a thing for casinos. DiCaprio has played quite a bit of Hollywood Poker in his time, getting some major headlines in media including TMZ, as well as did the Rounders poker movie back in 1998. Clooney of course played Danny Ocean Ocean's Eleven (and 12 and 13). Movie and history buffs will be interested to know that in the 1960's version of Ocean's Eleven Danny was played by Frank Sinatra, and he was joined by four other members of the original Rat Pack: Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop.
Ok, back to matters at hand in Sydney...
George Clooney and Sid Vaikunta
George Clooney
Clooney was in town last week doing his talk at Darling Habour Convention Centre (the one where people paid up to $1100 a ticket). His girlfriend, former WWE wrestling diva Stacy Keibler, did not come. It's not like they are married and have to be side by side 24/7. Keibler is understood to be more keen on a full time commitment type of thing than Clooney at this stage of the game.
Being a bit of casino fan, Clooney made time to meet with The Star’s managing director, Sid Vaikunta at The Darling hotel, where George Clooney was the hotel's virgin (first) customer to stay in the hotel’s new luxurious penthouse suite. The Darling is 'Sin City' Sydney’s latest and greatest five-star boutique hotel and is a paramount part of The Star’s $870 million master plan which is focussed on expansion, refurbishment and The Star being known as a premier Australian integrated hotel - casino - resort and entertainment hub, comparable to the best that Las Vegas and Macau have to offer. The Star and The Darling want their casino whales, but they are also happy to have dolphins and regular punters. Celeb, casino whale, food lover, poker professional or just passing by - The Star wants you!
Leo DiCaprio...
DiCaprio continues to enjoy Sydney. About a month ago he celebrated his birthday party at Kings Cross, followed by a fantastic afterparty.
For about a month Leo was hanging out with Blake Lively, but that particular blonde is currently in New York, so it wasn't her at the Vaucluse House park surroundings.
Yet another lucky blonde was caught walking around with Leo, this time in the grounds of the historic Vaucluse House in Sydney.
It's handy for Leo, since he's doing some of the Gatsby movie shoots at Fox Studios, Moore Park, and Leo's also hired out some private digs at Vaucluse.
For the record it was not Carey Mulligan who was spotted walking around the pack with Leo.
The blonde was not the bikini-wearing brunette who was paped with Leo back in October after a spot of paddle-boarding at the rented waterfront mansion.
A well connected source tells us that there's a certain group of models based in Sydney who all share a bit of time with Leo. Sort of a personal introduction kind of thing. Aussie models Alyce Crawford and Kendal Schuler are understood to be in the thick of the action. Lucky girls.
Tobey Maguire...
The star of the past couple of Spider-Man movies (and keen Hollywood Poker player) Maguire, has kept things very quite in recently weeks. He's been spotted driving and taxi-ing around Sydney, but is not talking or doing photographs with fans we hear. We haven't even seen him at The Star's gaming room. Maguire is understood to be enjoying time with his family when he's not busy on the set of The Great Gatsby.
The boys were all offered rooms at The Stars 'The Darling', and all accepted, but they are also understood to have also spent time elsewhere in Sydney.
In the meantime, we understand that James Packer owned Crown Melbourne aka Crown Casino, is also keen to see more Hollywood stars stay at their fancy Crown Towers. That's where the likes of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have also enjoyed the five star accommodation. The Melbourne venue will also see the Aussie Million Poker Championship come January 2011, and Packer's poker tourney men would be keen to see Leo and George in their celeb poker games. Packer is also overseeing the revamp of his Western Australian complex, formally known as Burswood Entertainment Complex, and now known as Crown Burswood. In any event, Crown is keen for more star power and world class attractions, plus of course casino whales aka "high rollers".
Jay Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald and maybe even the late J. Edgar would be proud of the cat and mouse games that Clooney, DiCaprio and Maguire are playing with the Australian media.
Websites
The Star
Leonardo DiCaprio official website
Fox Studios Australia
Echo Entertainment
Crown Melbourne
Crown Limited
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
15 December 2011
Bwin.Party anticipates Spain and Denmark licences - 14th December 2011
Profiles
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment PartyPoker.com PartyCasino.com Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment iGaming
The world’s largest listed online gambling operator, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, has released a pre-close trading update stating that its performance since the end of September has been ‘solid’ and ‘in-line with management’s expectations’.
Gibraltar-based Bwin.Party was born in late-March following the union of online betting and gaming provider Bwin Interactive Entertainment with PartyGaming and the operator revealed that it expects continuing clean earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the full year to be between 22 percent and 24 percent.
In addition, Bwin.Party declared that its integration ‘remains on-track’ and is expected to deliver around €40 million in annualised synergies next year before producing approximately €65 million in 2013 with the company already repurchasing 14 million shares at an average price of £1.26 each.
Bwin.Party also announced that the sale of its OnGame Network Limited business-to-business subsidiary is at an ‘advanced stage’ but is unlikely to be completed before the end of the year.
However, possibly the most interesting news from Bwin.Party was the revelation that it is anticipating approvals for its Spanish online sports, casino, poker and bingo products to be issued by authorities in the country as part of the ‘first wave of licences’ ahead of the market opening next year.
“The group’s licence applications for Spain were submitted on November 25 and it is expected that approvals for our sports, casino, poker and bingo products will be issued in the first wave of licences to be issued ahead of the market opening in 2012,” read a statement from Bwin.Party.
In Denmark, the firm revealed that it lodged licence applications on October 17 and also expects to be among the first group of operators to become authorised to offer online poker, casino and sports from the beginning of January.
“In Germany, the next meeting of the Minister Presidents is due to take place on December 15,” read the statement from Bwin.Party.
“Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s most northern land, has stated its intention to press ahead with its law to regulate and license all forms of online gaming with a 20 percent tax on gross gaming revenue. Schleswig Holstein’s law has already been approved by the European Commission.
“While we hope that the other 15 Lander will revise their proposal, they may choose to press ahead with it in its current form, one that we believe fails to comply with European Union law or meet the requirements set out by the Court of Justice of the European Union. While we welcome the move to regulate the online gaming market in Germany, this must be in a consistent and coherent manner in line with European Union law that also enables licensed operators to compete effectively with black market operators. Any other approach, if sustained, will create a commercially unviable market and result in consumers being driven outside the regulated framework.
“In the United States, there remain a number of initiatives seeking to regulate Internet poker at both a Federal and a state level. Which route will reach the statute book first and when remains unclear but we remain optimistic that regulation will take a step forward in 2012. Either way, through our agreements with MGM and Boyd, the group is well-positioned to take advantage of any such opportunity.”
Bwin.Party gets ready for new markets - 14th December 2011...
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment expects to be in the mix of the first group of firms who are issued with a licence for the Spanish market ahead of it opening next year.
In its pre-close trading update yesterday, the group stated that its licence applications for Spain were submitted on November 25 and it is expected that approvals for its sports, casino, poker and bingo products will be issued ahead of the market opening in 2012.
Bwin.Party also expects to be among the first group of operators to become licensed to offer online poker, casino and sports in Denmark at the beginning of January after its licence applications were lodged on October 17.
In Germany, the next meeting of the Minister Presidents is due to take place tomorrow and Bwin.Party hopes that the other 15 German states will revise their proposal in a consistent and coherent manner in line with European Union law, which also enables licensed operators to compete effectively with black market operators.
The group remains optimistic that US regulation will take a step forward in 2012. Via its agreements with MGM and Boyd, Bwin.Party believes it is well positioned to pounce on any such opportunity that may present.
The sale process of Ongame's B2B business is at an advanced stage, but although it has attracted a number of interested parties, the sale is unlikely to be finalised before the end of the year.
Bwin.Party is likely to retain its world leading position for the foreseeable future.
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Paramount Pictures Tops At Global Box Office, by Greg Tingle
Profiles
Marvel Entertainment Marvel Comics Paramount Pictures DreamWorks Mission: Impossible Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Movies Hollywood PartyCasino.com Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Marvel Slots
Paramount Pictures have enjoyed a fantastic year, both in Australia, as well as in the United States and other markets.
In the states they totally dominated the box office and is tipped to knock off the current global leader Warner Brothers. Paramount's studio has enjoyed more success distributing films via expiring partnerships with Marvel Entertainment / Marvel Studios and Stephen Spielberg's DreamWorks Animation than it has had creating its own in-house franchises.
Let's see... there was “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” and “Paranormal Activity 3,” and these contributed heavily to Paramount's bottom line.
In 2011, Paramount has fielded nine films that have crossed the $100 million barrier in U.S ticket sales, including 2010’s “True Grit,” which snatched the majority of its $250 million worldwide gross in this calendar year.
With $1.73 billion at the U.S box office thus far and two tentpoles in for the end of the year, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" and Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tintin," Paramount will surely end Warner Brothers' three-year reign at the U.S box office.
And with $2.84 billion in international revenue and $4.6 billion in global receipts to date, Paramount Pictures will also end Warner's international and worldwide leading streaks.
"Going into the summer, we certainly felt like we had a number of big tentpole movies, and on balance, they all delivered,” said Don Harris, Paramount's president of domestic (U.S) theatrical distribution. “They all opened at high numbers."
But get this. There's an imminent departure of partners Marvel and DreamWorks Animation, the team behind such recent winners as “Thor,” "Captain America: The First Avenger," “Kung Fu Panda 2” and "Puss in Boots."
Combined, those films comprised four of Paramount's top five grossing movies this year.
Paramount gets distribution fees from DreamWorks Animation and Marvel, but it doesn’t own the rights to the superhero and family films.
Paramount's deal to distribute Marvel films has ended, and its deal with DreamWorks Animation expires in 2012. Though Paramount received an 8 percent distribution fee for its efforts with the two studios, the departure of Marvel and DreamWorks Animation will take a big chunk out of the studio’s market share.
Emboldened by the average success of “Rango” ($245 million), Paramount recently launched its own animation division with an eye toward owning the family films it distributes outright. It expects to release its first film through via the new arm in 2014.
The DreamWorks deal was relatively low-risk and good money.
Paramount appears to believe hat after a number of years of serving as a distribution house for other companies, it has developed enough of its own intellectual property to move forward without the comic book based company and the animation studio.
It's hoping that Pixar whiz Brad Bird (“The Incredibles”) can reinvigorate its “Mission: Impossible” franchise after 2006’s disappointing third installment, and it already successfully rebooted the wilting “Star Trek” franchise. A sequel to its hit 2009 "Trek" film is due out in two years.
"Transformers” - "Dark of the Moon" grossed $1.1 billion worldwide and was more positively embraced than its predecessor.
Paramount Pictures has enjoyed a burst of lower budget successes, adding to their whale size film portfolio.
Created for a cost of a modest $13 million, the studio’s Justin Bieber concert film “Never Say Never,” took in nearly $100 million worldwide. Likewise, “Paranormal Activity 3” continued the ultra-low budget series’ knack for healthy profit margins. Produced for a tiny $5 million, the haunted house film clocked up $201.9 million worldwide.
Almost everything Paramount Pictures touched turned to gold. The big write-off would be "Hugo", with a budget of $170 million and grossing just $33 million globally. Let it be noted that Paramount only distributed the film and this means that the dip falls on the head of producer Graham King.
The remake of '80s dance film “Footloose” failed to bring in audiences. The $24 million film snatched a $62 million worldwide gross, which is well below par for Paramount.
What's in Paramount's future? Paramount appears unlikely to duplicate its record breaking success next year at the box office. The studio expects big things for its zombie flick "World War Z" with Brad Pitt and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” but appears that's not comic book films in the works to excel this years numbers.
Take note that in the coming year more of the films that Paramount Pictures releases are owned by them. This means that the studio will be able to keep more of the profits for themselves, but that appears to be a higher risk strategy than the one they employed this year.
Paramount will survive, no doubt, but it may be more of a stock market - roller-coaster type ride than the relatively smooth sailing they enjoyed over the past 12 months.
See you at the movies.
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