TV / Film News

Doors Documentary Revisits 'Strange' Days

Source: Billboard Magazine
December 19, 2008

As first tipped here in May, the Doors documentary “When You're Strange" will premiere Jan. 17 at the Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Tom DiCillo, “Strange" utilizes a wealth of previously unseen footage to chart the band's beginnings at UCLA's film school through to frontman Jim Morrison's mysterious death in 1971. Describing the movie to Billboard earlier this year, Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek said it was “the anti-Oliver Stone," in reference to the 1991 film “The Doors." “This ...

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Steven Spielberg's Nod to Big Bands in 1941

Source: All About Jazz
December 18, 2008

Happy Birthday to Steven Spielberg No director or producer has ever put together a more popular body of work. That's why the movies we're now seeing are made in his image.

Steven Spielberg born December 18, 1946, first films were made at a time when directors were the most important people in Hollywood, and his more recent ones at a time when marketing controls the industry. That he has remained the most powerful filmmaker in the world during ...

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The Jazz Video Guy Live at the Village Vanguard

Source: All About Jazz
December 15, 2008

"I finally got a chance to shoot at the Vanguard!" the Jazz Video Guy happily exclaimed. As part of his ongoing mission to keep Jazz from becoming invisible, Bret Primack has posted the latest installment of his Jazz Video Guy Blog, “Joe Lovano: In The Music," which features the saxman's new group, Us Five, live at the Village Vanguard last month. In town last month to document the group's subsequent recording session, which will be released next year on Blue ...

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How the Munchkins Came to Sing

Source: All About Jazz
December 14, 2008

“We slowed down 'D-i-n-g-d-o-n-g-t-h-e-w-i-t-c-h-i-s-d-e-a d. I had all these so-called Ken Darby singers there, (adult professional singers) and when we played them back at ninety feet per minute, it was what you hear in the picture. According to vocal director Ken Darby.

How the Munchkins Sang

Now as to the sound track-- Some of the little people could not sing on key. Others spoke English poorly and MGM wanted something unique for the sound ...

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Nick Longo Band Performs on Good Day Atlanta!

Source: All About Jazz
December 13, 2008

On Tuesday December 16, 2008 between 8:15 and 8:45am, Nick's band will perform and promote his CD (This Is) on FOX's Good Day Atlanta! The Atlanta-native musician Nick Longo (sax, vocals) has continued to have one of the most energetic and talented bands that exist today featuring an extensive song selection that exhibits an infusion of high energy jazz with R&B. The eclectic wide range of song styles they play, hits everyone's niche and gives Nick's band the very best ...

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Hollywood Steps Out

Source: All About Jazz
December 13, 2008

Near the end of his tenure at Warner Bros., Fred “Tex" Avery upped the ante on the Hollywood cameo picture with Hollywood Steps Out in 1941.

Practically the entire picture is set to a conga beat, and even the spotlights arcing over the streets of Hollywood get into the act as the fun begins on the floor of Ciro's, the famous L.A. nightspot. Cary Grant asks cigarette girl Greta Garbo for a light, which she strikes off of her enormous ...

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The Roots will serve as house band for Jimmy Fallon

Source: Billboard Magazine
December 10, 2008

The Roots will serve as the house band on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," which premieres March 2 on NBC. Fallon made the announcement yesterday (Dec. 8) on the show's newly launched Web site. Fallon is taking over “Late Night" for Conan O'Brien, who is in turn taking over “The Tonight Show" from Jay Leno. The Roots will get in a handful of live dates before taping begins on the show, including Dec. 30 in Atlantic City, N.J., and a ...

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Slumdog Millionaire Named Best Film of 2008

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

The National Board of Review has picked Slumdog Millionaire as the year's best film.

The board's picks are considered the first major indication of the Academy Awards. The win boosts the awards hopes for Slumdog, which is viewed as the independent film most likely to follow Juno and Little Miss Sunshine in Oscar contention. WALL-E was named the year's best animated feature.

Clint Eastwood was selected as best actor for his performance in the not-yet-released Gran Torino, and best actress ...

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