TV / Film News

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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Buster Keaton Just Might Be the Silent Clown Best Suited to Modern Time

Source: Michael Ricci
March 9, 2009

Cinefamily screens Buster Keaton tribute. The bill includes 'Our Hospitality,' 'The Navigator' and 'Sherlock Jr.'

Buster Keaton just might be the silent clown best suited to modern times, the man we love to watch, as purely American a film genius as the motion pictures have produced. A master of both movement and stillness, Keaton developed a comedy style that was as intellectual as it was physical.

And, just when we need him most, Cinefamily is mounting a rare big- screen ...

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Watchmen Soundtrack Merges History, Money

Source: All About Jazz
March 6, 2009

Few comic books have knit together as many artistic, cultural and political strands as Watchmen, which has finally made the jump from graphic novel to popcorn blockbuster. That's perfect for studios searching for product tie-ins but perhaps not such a great thing for fans of the comic.

Take the music of Watchmen, for example. Like few that preceded it, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' comic sampled pop culture's musical history like skilled DJs. From Wagner, Billie Holiday and Elvis to ...

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"Martino Unstrung" New York Premier at the Rubin Museum on March 15

Source: All About Jazz
March 1, 2009

Martino Unstrung, the exciting film documentary about legendary guitarist Pat Martino, focusing on his brain aneurysm and heroic recovery will have its first New York public screening at the Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on Sunday, March 15, 4-6 pm. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at the door. This unique and exciting film has been extensively covered on All About Jazz in a review, interviews, and on Martino's AAJ ...

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Carrey, Gyllenhaal do Damn Yankees

Source: All About Jazz
February 28, 2009

New Line Cinema is playing ball with Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal on Damn Yankees, attaching both actors to star in a contemporized film transfer of the classic musical.

Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel are set to write the script. The musical is being produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the duo behind New Line's musical Hairspray; a sequel to that film is in the works.

Damn Yankees, which bowed on Broadway in 1955 and won seven Tony Awards, ...

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'American Idol': The Pile-Up

Source: Michael Ricci
February 26, 2009

Please, America, be sane. Don't listen to the obviously predetermined (or at least heavily biased) patter of the judges. Try to put aside your preconceptions about what makes an “Idol" worth supporting. Do the right thing, and instead of going for novelty, looks or even personality, go for voice.

Vote for Jesse Langseth.

I know -- you were expecting me to stump for Awesome Adam Lambert. But I'm not worried about him, after his dragon-slaying take on the Stones' “Satisfaction". ...

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Elvis Costello's 'Spectacle' Shares the Inside-the-Music Spotlight

Source: Michael Ricci
February 25, 2009

A&E / Bio's The Chris Isaak Hour is the second new hourlong music performance and interview series to show up on cable TV in recent months, coming on the heels of the Sundance Channel's Spectacle, hosted by the ever- provocative Elvis Costello.

Spectacle is really the brainchild of Elton John and his life-business partner, David Furnish, two of the show's executive producers. John also was Costello's first guest when Spectacle premiered last fall, and it was obvious from his impassioned ...

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