TV / Film News

Obama to Appear on 'The Tonight Show'

Source: Michael Ricci
March 16, 2009

The TV chat show circuit is a rare stop for U.S. presidents while in office.

President Barack Obama will appear on Thursday as a guest on “ The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," NBC television said.

Obama will make an appearance on the late-night talk show hosted by comedian Jay Leno while on a visit to Southern California, a spokeswoman for the NBC show said on Monday.

“It is confirmed. He (President Obama) will be on the show on Thursday," ...

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Objectified Teaches Us 'You Are What You Own'

Source: All About Jazz
March 16, 2009

The hurricane is coming. You have 20 minutes to grab the objects in your house that are most important to you. What do you reach for first?

That's a question asked by Rob Walker, who writes the Consumed column for The New York Times, at the very end of Objectified, director Gary Hustwit's brilliant documentary about industrial design. The film, which premiered here at South by Southwest to a packed house Saturday, is an examination of the objects that surround ...

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When Bad Times Make Good Movies

Source: All About Jazz
March 16, 2009

Where are you, Fred and Ginger, now that we need you?

Back in the darkest days of the Great Depression, the brightest lights of the silver screen sang, danced, quipped and smooched to keep America's mind off its woes, if only for a couple of hours at a time. These days our economic prospects may not be as bleak -- at least that's the ardent hope. But there's plenty of grim stuff out there to be distracted from, and big-screen ...

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Depression Movies Redux

Source: Michael Ricci
March 15, 2009

Hey, brother, can you spare a remake?

The Great Depression: bad for the economy, good for movies. The 1930s proved to be a prosperous time for Hollywood, with several film genres — screwball comedies, gangster films, socially conscious dramas, epics and horror films — coming of age and resonating with audiences looking for any kind of escape. In today’s tough times, many films from that era seem ripe for recycling with just a little tweaking.

Here are a few remakes ...

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Tim Brantley on NBC-TV Weekend Today Show!

Source: Seth Cohen PR
March 13, 2009

Tune in tomorrow morning at 9am, as singer Tim Brantley performs live on NBC-TV4'S WEEKEND TODAY SHOW IN NEW YORK. Brantley will sing his hit single 'Damage'. Saturday, 3/14, check local listings. Critics have embraced his “room-filling vocals and epic storytelling sagas...” His debut CD 'Goldtop Heights' will be released 4/21. You “Wonder Why More Musicians Don’t Have the Balls to Make Good Old-Fashioned Rock Albums Like This Anymore” “Room-Filling Vocals and Epic Storytelling Sagas” Press, TV and Radio Embrace ...

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Prince to Play Four Nights On 'Leno'

Source: Billboard Magazine
March 12, 2009

Prince will perform on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno" three nights in a row, March 25-27, as he builds anticipation for the March 29 release of two new albums, “LOtUSFLOW3R" and “MPLSoUND." Prince will also perform a fourth night on the “Tonight Show," May 28th, in celebration of the end of Leno's run as host of the show. Both CDs, along with a third by new artist Bria Valente, will be available as a three disc set exclusively through ...

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Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense - Four-Part Documentary

Source: Sacks and Co.
March 10, 2009

Four-Part Jazz Documentary Explores Contemporary Jazz Luminaries Including Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Jason Moran, The Bad Plus

The Documentary Channel Exclusive Premiere Of All Four Episodes Begins April 20

Episode One Premieres April 15 at Jazz At Lincoln Center

Paradigm Studio partners with Don Q Rum in association with Rums of Puerto Rico to present Icons Among Us: jazz in the present tense. The four-part documentary film series examines the world of contemporary jazz looking at today's brightest talent. Featuring ...

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There Will Never Be Another Michael Brecker

Source: All About Jazz
March 9, 2009

The latest edition of Bret Jazz Video Guy Primack's video blog is There Will Never Be Another Michael Brecker.

Features a rare video performance of the Saxophone Summit live, from December 18, 1999 at Birdland. The video includes a brief interview with Michael and his solo on “There Will Never Be Another You." The rhythm section includes Phil Markowitz on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Billy Hart, on drums.

“That was a magic night," Primack remembers, “because the three ...

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