Yah! 'Mad Men' has reached a deal

Source: NJ.com

Best news in a long time, 'Mad Men' and its creator Matthew Weiner have reached a deal with AMC/Lionsgate which will see the show carry on for a guaranteed two years, with the possibility for more.

As E!Online's Kristis Dos Santos reports, Weiner says in a statement: "I want to thank all of our wonderful fans for their support. I also want to thank AMC and Lionsgate for agreeing to support the artistic freedom of myself, the cast and the crew so that we can continue to make the show exactly as we have from the beginning. I'm excited to get started on the next chapter of our story." To read more click here E!Online.

So, so happy - doing jumpy-claps and the Snoopy happy dance :) Season 5 here we come. Hopefully, the show will pick-up where it left off and start in 1966, for personal reasons, that was a very important year for productions, ahem.

'Mad Men' to be honoured at 30th annual preservation awards

Source: WatchMojo.com

On a happier note via The Hollywood Reporter , 'Mad Men' has won the organization's media award, for sparking "an explosion of interest in all things 1960s, including architecture, bolstering efforts to save greater L.A.'s rich, yet highly vulnerable, legacy of sixties resources," the group noted Monday in its awards announcement. Congratulations!

'Mad Men's' Matthew Weiner Fires Back

'Mad Men' drama offscreen, unfortunately not onscreen.  Negotiations are often times fraught with complications, even the most clear-cut negotations have their own drama. A previous post indicated that Matthew Weiner, creator of 'Mad Men' and AMC, the network that broadcasts the show and Lionsgate which produces the show were close to a deal, reportedly where Matthew Weiner was set to get $30 million for the next two years. However, that may have been premature as the latest news is that negotiations have once again hit a roadblock. Namely three roadblocks - AMC/Lionsgate are asking the following, via Nikki Finke:

1. Integrating product placement into the program
2. Cutting 2 minutes from each episode to allow more advertising
3. Eliminating/reducing two regular cast members

Matthew Weiner has now spoken out about the state of these negotiations via Huffington Post. “First of all, the number ($30 million) that’s been published is not true," Weiner said. "Second of all, I offered to have less money, to save the cast, and to leave the show in the running time that it’s supposed to be. The harder that I’ve fought for the show, the more money that they’ve offered me.”

As a huge fan of this show, I can only hope that both sides can cross the great divide and resolve their differences as soon as possible. It was confirmed that season 5 of 'Mad Men' will be delayed until 2012.

How to save $ using discount codes and coupons

Source: Google Images

As we all know money does not grow on trees, unfortunate but true. With the increasing popularity of online shopping, many services have sprung up offering electronic discount codes and virtual coupons. I may be late to the party, however I would like to share some of the sources I have found to be very helpful in saving money.

Just this morning, I used a promotional code to receive 25% off per ticket for the Stratford Festival. I stumbled upon promotional codes a few years ago and have become a regular user. It is not as simple as it sounds, trying to track down a valid promo/discount code sometimes involves a lot of web searching. Persistence pays off, literally. Just like coupons, discount codes also have expiry dates. Some codes may be restricted for certain dates, etc. in my experience, I have always been successful in applying the codes for discounts for the specific dates, etc. that I selected.

Words I use to track down codes are: promo codes; promotional codes; discount codes and searching specifically for the code you seek -ie- specific concert, airline, etc. will yield a plethora of sites which offer discounts on a myriad of products and services. It is mind boggling actually as to the huge amount of savings available. Most all established retailers participate in offering these discounts.

Here are some of the promotional code sites I have successfully used:
- http://www.tmpresale.com/
- http://www.retailmenot.com/
- http://ca.promotionalcodes.com/

New Boss(es) on 'The Office'



Source: buzzsugar.com Amy Ryan and Steve Carrel

 *Spoiler alert*
Now that 'The Office's' Michael Scott (Steve Carrel) and Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) are engaged and moving to Colorado, the search is on for a new boss. Filling in for the rest of this season is Will Ferrell, who will be a hoot I'm sure.

My suggestion to NBC is to have a revolving-door boss, similar to the device used in 'Murphy Brown' where she had a new secretary every week. Remember the episode when JFK Jr. filled in, classic episode *sigh*. I think having a new boss every week on 'The Office' would breathe some life into the show, which will be going into its 8th season.

NBC is on the right track by using Will Ferrell in the interim, he is well-known, well-liked and a skilled comedian. It may be funnier still to have well-known actors take a turn on a per episode basis. My suggestions below (in alpha order), costs and copyright may prevent them from playing the characters that originated on other shows, but would be funny:

• George Clooney (as himself or Michael Clayton)
• Bradley Cooper (as the character he played in 'Wedding Crashers' or 'The Hangover')
• Ted Danson (as the character he plays in 'Bored to Death' or as Sam Malone)
• Jon Hamm as Don Draper
• Brad Pitt (as himself or the character he played on 'Friends')
• Michael Sheen (as the character he played on '30 Rock')
• Kevin Spacey (as himself)
• Zack Galifianakis (as himself or any of the characters he has played)
• Sandra Bullock (as the character she played in 'The Proposal')
• Carol Burnett (as herself or any of the characters she has played)
• Sally Field
• Randee Heller (as a combination of the character she played on 'Mad Men' Mrs. Blankenship and Mrs. Doubtfire)
• Mary Steenburgen
• Debra Winger

The real reason why ABC has asked Chris Brown back

Those who know me, know that I have very strong opinions on many subjects - some trivial and some substantial. The story regarding Chris Brown's outburst on ABC's Good Morning America has caused me to speak out. People who choose to behave out of anger and physically harm other human beings, should be dealt with accordingly. I believe that when a man hits a woman and vice versa, he/she will do it again regardless whether they attend anger management and/or counselling and they should be held accountable for their actions.

The ineffectiveness of anger management treatment was evident on Tuesday, when Mr. Brown hurled a chair through a plate glass window at ABC headquarters in New York. Shards of glass falling to the sidewalk below, which could have injured innocent pedestrians. In his own words "I just let off, like, steam in the back. I didn’t physically hurt anyone. I didn’t try to hurt anyone. I just released the anger that I had inside me.” Doesn't sound to me like he has seen the error of his ways yet. This is not an appropriate emotional response from an adult, regardless of whether he had agreed to the talking points proposed.

The other matter that is galling to me and that no one has addressed is why ABC would ask Mr. Brown to return to their network. Robin Roberts, who had interviewed Brown on Tuesday, said on Wednesday "we wish him the absolute best and...we've extended the invitation to him and I sure hope that he takes us up on it, because we'd love to have another chat with him." So let's see, you throw a chair through a window but 'we wish you the absolute best', things that make you go hmm?

So I did a bit of my own digging and it wasn't too difficult to figure out why ABC would ask Brown back on their show. Call me a cynic, or whatever, but what it boils down to is money (as always). His new album is released by Sony Music; ABC is owned by Disney; Sony struck a deal with Disney in fall of 2010 in support of Sony's development of 3D technology in home entertainment and offered a cross-promotion of Disney's DVD releases of 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Bolt' in 3D. I think this is a relevant piece of information to have included in reporting this story.

The powers-at-be at ABC/Disney most likely received a phone call on Tuesday morning from Sony demanding Mr. Brown get another shot at redeeming himself-day of his new album release. I'm sure these antics will not affect sales and in fact may even boost them, unfortunately. What lessons are we imparting on our children when they see this behaviour rewarded with no consequences from a network which is perceived to be family-friendly? This is probably most disturbing to me.

'Mad Men' Creator Nears Deal for Season 5-Delayed



Source:  AMCTV.com - Jon Hamm as Don Draper

For the past few weeks, I have been sending out messages into the universe regarding season 5 of my favourite drama 'Mad Men'. Today, finally an update as to the progress of negotiations between Lionsgate, AMC and creator Matthew Weiner.

It's a "good news-bad news" scenario. The good news is that the show will be back for a fifth season, the bad news is that it will probably not debut until spring 2012.

The Hollywood Reporter: "Mad Men usually begins shooting in late April or early May. And although sources say Weiner is close to a lucrative new pact with the Lionsgate, they will need at least several weeks to ramp up." To read the rest of the article, click here. At least we know that 'Mad Men' will be back for season five and that's all that matters.

On March 29, Mad Men: A Musical Companion (1960-1965) 2-disk CD and season 4 will be released on DVD. Pre-order at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca - Canadian fans seem to be getting the better end of the bargain at $14.99 for the CD set.

Supermoon, March 19, 2011



My picture, captured at 8:30pm. Canon PowerShot SX200 IS with
12x zoom-48x electronic zoom. Scene setting for nighttime with auto flash.

On Saturday night, March 19, a rare cosmic phenomenon called 'perigree moon' where the moon appears to be bigger and brighter took place.

News1130 had asked that any viewers who wished to share their pictures, send them in which I did. My picture is #4 of 10 – click ‘next’ to see the others. Some really cool shots.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's 'Dark Knight' role revealed - Variety



Source: Cinema Blend - The Holiday Killer - J.Gordon-Levitt

Jeff Sneider, Variety, writes: "Now that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is set to reteam with his "Inception" director Christopher Nolan on "The Dark Knight Rises," insiders tell Variety that Gordon-Levitt will play Alberto Falcone, the son of Mafia chieftain Carmine Falcone, the character Tom Wilkinson played in "Batman Begins."

"Alberto Falcone, who is also known as the Holiday Killer, would bring Nolan's superhero trilogy full circle. The character fits with the helmer's stated desire for continuity and preference to pit Bruce Wayne against "realistic" villains, as opposed to cartoonish nemeses such as Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy, whom Batman battled in Joel Schumacher's 1997 misfire "Batman and Robin." Read the rest of the story in Gordon-Levitt's 'Dark Knight' role revealed - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

In July 2010, I wrote this blog entry about Joseph at that time, the rumblings were that he may play the Riddler. Looking forward to seeing him as The Holiday Killer. Christopher Nolan has said that this will be his last Batman film as director. Here's hoping that he will change his mind.

Colin Firth to star in 'Stoker' is he really 'Mr. Darcy, Vampyre'?

It is no secret that I have a penchant for vampires, always have from a very young age. Not sure why, I saw 'Dracula' with Bela Lugosi at 8 or 9 years of age and suppose that image of him - his piercing eyes over his folded arm with cape left a lasting impression. Even used to chase my little sister around the house imitating his voice "I vant to suck your blood" and she screeching and screaming hiding under the table. Good times.

Of course, with the popularity of a certain franchise, which shall remain nameless (rhymes with nightlight) vampires have saturated the media in recent years, much to my delight (rhymes with a certain vampire franchise).

In the summer of 2009, I bought the book 'Mr. Darcy, Vampyre'. It is a sequel of sorts to Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy are married when she finds out that Mr. Darcy is actually a vampire. How could I resist! 'Pride and Prejudice' is one of my favourite books and the 1995 BBC mini-series starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle certainly captured my attention. I think I saw it three times that year as A&E showed it multiple times and wore out the VHS tape that it was recorded on. I purchased the DVD box set a few years ago, and on a rainy day (of which there are a few here) I will pull it out and watch it. If you have not yet had the pleasure to see the 'P&P' mini-series, really you should.

Helen Fielding who wrote the 'Bridget Jones' novels based the character Mark Darcy on Colin Firth (she is close friends with Colin and Hugh Grant, both of whom starred in the 'Bridget Jones' movies). In fact, in the sequel 'Bridget Jones - Edge of Reason' Helen writes a hilarious scene where Bridget interviews the actor Colin Firth, of course in the movie this could not be incorporated as Colin Firth played Mark Darcy (confused yet) so they did it as a DVD extra scene which is very funny especially if you have seen 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Source: Google Images - Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth "Pride and Prejudice" 1995

Last week it was announced that Colin Firth, fresh off an Oscar Best Actor win for 'The King's Speech' (side note, Jennifer Ehle plays Lionel Logue's wife in the movie) will play a vampire in 'Stoker' also starring Nicole Kidman. Of course, this reminded me of the book 'Mr. Darcy, Vampyre'. Colin has recently said that he would be disappointed if people forgot that he played the characters Mr. Darcy and Mark Darcy so I get my ultimate wish, Colin Firth, aka the Darcy's, playing a vampire.

Breaking Dawn Filming

Late last week and this past weekend, I visited some Twilight filming sites. On Thursday, active filming was happening at Jacob's house - drove by the filming (no pictures though). It was very exciting to see all the trucks, the people and all the work that goes into setting up for filming.

Jacob Black's house (LaPush, WA) actually Minnekhada Park, Coquitlam

Then the big find was to try and locate the Cullen Cottage. This is the homestead of Edward and Bella after they are married. Gaining access to the information as to where these sites can be challenging. But we succeeded! Nestled, literrally, in the middle of the forest is this lovely facade of the Cullen Cottage. 

Cullen Cottage, Quarry Road, Port Coquitlam

    

Tall trees covered in moss, which surround the cottage - very 'Twilighty' :)

Cottage is located on private property, no access allowed. Plus the netting obscures it even further.

Bella's on March 3, 2011. Setting up for filming Christmas scene:

So pretty. The sun was shining right on it, perfect.

Adding another tree on side of house, side view of Bella's bedroom.



Proposal scene from New Moon (located beside the cottage).



Hoping to see the cottage and Bella's house one more time before they are taken down forever. However, if that is not to be I have been very lucky to have seen these sites.