Media Man News

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Gambling On Australian Vice: Casinos, Tobacco, Underbelly, Murdoch And More, by Greg Tingle - 9th July 2011

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Australian vice and the dark side is enjoying a red hot period with the pending return of Underbelly, sin tax, tobacco wars, casino attacks, and who can forget Murdoch's News Of The World - phone hacking scandal. Media Man with the Australian vice special...

Underbelly Razor: Dark Side Vice Cat Fight Fan's Dream Come True...

Move over Roberta Williams...these are the real femme fatales. The hit TV franchise takes a historical twist for the next series, following the story of Sydney's famed "vice queens" Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh. The sins and colourful histories of the two women will return them to the spotlight they fought over for more than four decades from the 1920s. Typically draped in furs and dripping in diamonds, Devine and Leigh wrestled for control of the mean streets of Sin City Sydney, with armies of tough men risking their necks for the vice queens. The show is set to make stars of the key female leads in the way it has for actors Gyton Grantley (as Carl Williams) and Firass Dirani (as John Ibrahim). Lased largely on the book Razor by Larry Writer, it will cover the razor gang feuds that boiled over in Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Surry Hills. The razor gangs got their name after pistol licensing laws brought jail terms for concealing a gun, so crims switched to carrying blades. Devine built her legend on a string of brothels in Palmer St, Darlinghurst, with standover man husband "Big Jim" working out of the Tradesman's Arms, a notorious "bloodhouse" now trading as the trendy East Village pub. Leigh, who lived out her years in a terrace in Devonshire St, Surry Hills, made her mark as the queen of sly grog. After local laws prohibited public drinking after 6pm, the Dubbo-born woman did a roaring trade in illegal liquor and drinking dens. Entry to her establishments could be gained by asking the question: "Oh, is Mum in?", earning Leigh the maternal nickname. But motherly types they weren't, with Devine arrested 204 times and Leigh ordering the murder of countless rivals. The small-screen drama will build towards their most violent clash - a frenzied riot that took over Kellett St, Kings Cross on August 9, 1929. The TV series is expected to spark a new interest in their underworld haunts, from the old to the new, like chic Darlinghurst wine bar Love, Tilly Devine.

Channel Nine And Murdoch's Daily Tele Team Up To Offer Reader Underbelly Role...

Want to be in Underbelly Razor? Here's your chance. Sin City Sydney's Channel 9 has put the recruitment call out for one lucky Daily Tele reader to be seen in the top rating vice themed show. In an effort to help ensure the production's historical authenticity, the winning extra must be willing to cut or colour their hair to suit a 1920s style and not have any obvious tattoos on their arms, face, hands, legs or chests. Readers over the age of 18 can enter via thetelegraph.com.au with the winner to be advised next Monday. Be ready for filming on set any day before August 1, with a wardrobe fitting prior to shooting. No, not that kind of shooting silly.


News Corp Kills News Of The World After Phone Hacking Scandal...

News Corporation has taken the most unusual step of killing its UK Sunday tabloid News of the World after the paper was boycotted by advertisers even including ones from the gambling and adult sector, following revelations that its phone-hacking victims included the families of UK soldiers and a murdered schoolgirl.

The decision to close the 168-year-old paper is seen as a push to put the scandal behind it and to end protestations about the legality of its conduct.

The closure comes as News Corp seeks to buy the 61% of British broadcaster BskyB that it does not already own and is seen as a way for News Corp to try gain British Government support for that deal.

Announcing the shock decision was James Murdoch – who chairs the British newspaper arm of News Corp – said that “wrongdoers turned a good newsroom bad”.

Murdoch said News of the World has been “sullied by behaviour that was wrong”.

“Indeed, if recent allegations are true it was inhuman and has no place in our company,” he said. “The News of the World is in the business of holding others to account. But it failed when it came to itself.”

Murdoch said this Sunday will see publication of the last edition of the News of the World, with revenue going to “good causes”.

The News of the World is the highest-selling newspaper in Britain, with 2.6 million copies sold each Sunday.

Media analyst Mark McDonnell of BBY advised the scandal will have wider repercussions for the News Corp brand and could be a game-changer for its £12 billion ($17.8 billion) BSkyB bid.

“Whether News Corp can successfully pursue UK ambitions is in doubt,” McDonnell said, citing questions about whether News Corp’s promises to get the BskyB deal across the line needed a fresh look. The Government has deferred its decision on the takeover.

“The idea that a company can treat this exercise like a parochial brand damage issue I think is going to be sorely tested,” McDonnell said.

“There’s quite clear intent for this matter to be prosecuted both through the official legal challenges as well as politically and through competitor media outlets.”

Police said roughly 4000 people may have been targeted by News of the World illegal telephone taps.

It's expected that The Sun daily newspaper would soon publish seven days a week.

Insiders say numerous Australians have also been tapped, and that its possible Australia's Daily Telegraph and even The Sydney Morning Herald may have some bad eggs who have tapped a number of well known Australians including Elle "The Body".


MP Nick "Mr X" Xenophon Happy With His Anti Gambling Efforts...

Independent South Australian Senator, Nick Xenophon is very happy with his anti gambling efforts to date. Last Thursday was his last day as the balance-of-power man.
On July 4, he officially made that journey. In the past three years, Senator Xenophon’s wide ranging political and persuasive powers have succeeded in giving greater prominence to a range of issues that may have otherwise been sidelined in a world of party dominated politics. Gambling reforms re poker machines have been his big thing. He was also instrumental in passing shield laws to better protect journalists and their sources and implemented a $5 million fund that was negotiated for taxi industry safety and security. After all that work, the Senator says he is now looking forward to spending less time trawling through hundreds of hours of legislation and estimates he will probably get an extra hours sleep each night. He says he will also be able to adopt a more concerted focus on community issues in his home State. As a friendly gesture, his Senate colleagues gave him a feather duster to mark the occasion of losing the balance of power; a tongue in cheek reference to his new role dusting shelves in the Green dominated Senate. Losing the balance of power will be a new challenge but Senator Xenophon says, “I’m still going to be a pesky persistent bastard”.


Casino Patron Dies After Incident With Crown Casino Security...

Melbourne police do not believe a man who died after a fight with security staff at Crown Casino provoked bouncers before they swooped on him. Anthony Dunning, 40, died at The Alfred hospital Thursday after four days on life support. At least four Crown security guards have been stood down and are helping a homicide squad investigation. Security footage has also been handed over to police. An autopsy of Dunning will be carried out to determine exactly how he died. Homicide Squad Detective Senior-Sergeant Ron Iddles said Crown Casino had a "moral obligation" to inform police of the incident. He said police had only become aware of the incident after friends of Anthony Dunning contacted police. He appealed for witnesses to the shocking incident, which occurred in the Velvet Room at Crown Casino at 10.30pm on Sunday. Det-Sen-Sgt Iddles said CCTV footage showed an intoxicated Dunning standing outside the Velvet Room when he is asked to leave by staff. As he and his two friends were being escorted out, his female friend slapped one of the security guards. She was pinned to the floor by security guards and when her partner came back to assist her, he was also dragged to the floor. "Anthony, unaware of this, has continued to walk out with security staff and he's turned around to see what's happening and before he's been able to do anything he's been put down and held on the floor by five to six security officers,'' Sgt Iddles said. Dunning's arms, legs and head were pinned and he was held face-down for five to six minutes and it was only when security guards prepared to handcuff him that they realised he was unconscious. "From what I can see on the video footage, I don't think he's done anything to provoke them,'' he said. Det-Sen-Sgt Iddles said police were keen to speak to witnesses as the video footage did not reveal what was said during the incident. "I'm particularly interested in what was said by security staff and what might have been said by Anthony and his friends,'' he said. Det-Sen-Sgt Iddles is concerned that police were not called by the casino on the night of the incident, even though Dunning was taken away by ambulance in a critical condition. But he said Crown Casino were co-operating fully with the investigation. Under the Crimes Act, security staff are allowed to use appropriate force to restrain somebody but it has to be proportional to the threat. A paramedic crew arrived at 10.03pm and for 40 minutes treated Mr Dunning for cardiac arrest. He was taken by ambulance to The Alfred where he remained on life support until yesterday. Police were notified of the incident on Monday after Dunning was admitted to hospital in a critical condition. Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill said an internal investigation had begun and the casino was co-operating fully with police. Crown said "The staff and management of Crown offer our most sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Anthony Dunning. Given the police investigation, Crown is not in a position to make any further comment." Friends of Dunning said he was a a "gentle" and "nice-natured man". A family friend, Tony Fenelon, said Dunning had been "wonderful to our grandkids". "He was just one of those people that didn't ever get into any trouble, he's just a very nice-natured person," he said. A work colleague who rang 3AW said Mr Dunning was a "very gentle person". "Everybody who works with him can vouch that he's just a funny, fantastic fellow. He would not have provoked this to any point ... I've been around him many times when he has had a drink and he's the most controlled person I've come across." "While the police investigation is underway, and it is underway now, we won't be making any further comment," said Crown's media spokesman Gary O'Neill. Previously Mr O'Neill had said the bouncers were no longer on their normal rostered duties, and after an internal investigation was finished they would not return to working on the gaming floor. Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the events on Sunday to contact them. Melbourne talkback radio on Friday morning received many calls from listeners recounting their own stories of heavy-handed treatment from Crown security staff. Earlier this year, a father and two sons accused Crown bouncers of unprovoked violence that left them with facial and arm injuries. Casino patrons are advised not to do anything to provoke security and to of course have fun.


The Notorious Prison For Australian Schapelle Corby And Bali Nine...

With the recent news that Schapelle Corby may have been set up, we go inside the infamous "Hotel Kerobokan", Bali's most notorious prison. It earns its name from the fact inmates can pay off the guards to get services such as sex and drugs, but more so because international lawbreakers are constantly checking in and out. It is currently holding more than three times the maximum capacity it was designed for, and houses such Aussie "guests" as Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine.

Kathryn Bonella, author of Hotel Kerobokan and Schapelle Corby's autobiography My Story, unearthed the shocking inside story of Bali's notorious jail.

Life in 'Hotel K'

Bonella's research found that the harsh reality of life inside "Hotel K" is of widespread drug use, prostitution and violence. Many inmates were convicted of acts of extreme violence which they continued inside. And there was no segregation of inmates for their crimes, so a tourist caught with one ecstasy pill at a nightclub would be packed into a cement cell alongside murderers and drug lords.

Corruption

Bonella writes that corruption is rife, with prisoners able to pay guards to smuggle drugs, organise women for their entertainment, organise a cell upgrade to a private or less crowded cell and deliver to their cell door anything from McDonald's to a gourmet meal from their favourite restaurant. Many international inmates can bribe the right guard to slip outside and go to the beach.

Inmates

Hotel Kerobokan's filthy and disease-ridden cells include a "United Nations" of prisoners, including Australians, Americans, Germans, Brazilians, French, English and Italians crushed together in misery. Many were tourists who'd been enjoying life in tropical paradise until they got caught, usually for drugs. A Brazilian surfer told Bonella "I fell from heaven to earth in the blink of an eye."

Squalor

Each crammed stinky cell has a single squat toilet for inmates to share, Bonella says. They tend to block up and spew out sewerage and rats and mozzies are also a familiar yet unwelcome sight.

Notorious cells named tikus ("rat cells") are feared by inmates. As a form of punishment, Bonella writes they're stripped down to their undies and locked inside for months at a time. Several have died from AIDS and tuberculosis while imprisoned in the isolated, filthy area. Scott Rush spent a month inside one.

Hotel Kerobokan by Kathryn Bonella is published by Pan Macmillan and is on sale now at leading bookstores.


Western Australian Gang Members Charged Over Evidence...

Nine members and associates of the Coffin Cheaters outlaw motorcycle gang face charges of lying to Western Australia's corruption watchdog.

WA police say the nine will be summonsed to face 29 charges of giving false and misleading evidence to the Corruption and Crime Commission. Two of them face additional charges of disclosing a restricted matter.

The commission's private hearings resulted from an application by WA Police to use exceptional powers during continuing investigations into outlaw motorcycles gangs.

If convicted, the gang members face penalties of five years' jail and a $100,000 fine on the false and misleading Evidence charges and three years and $60,000 for the Disclosing Restricted Matter charges.

Three of those charged are due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on July 29 and the other six on August 5.

The charges follow the recent sentencing of five members of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang to two years' jail each for contempt of the CCC as a result of their appearances at private hearings.

Police said dozens of outlaw motorcycle gang members had been charged recently with about 60 offences involving seizures of illicit drugs, firearms and cash, and more than $1.3 million in assets had been frozen.


Australia Launches World-First Plain Cigarette Pack Laws...

Australia introduced world-first plain packaging laws for cigarettes into parliament Wednesday, vowing not to bow to big tobacco's "intimidation tactics" and legal threats. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the laws, which will have to be debated by MPs before being passed, would see Australia become the first country to go down this path. "Introducing this legislation today I think shows that the big tobacco's intimidation tactics have not worked. Our government won't be deterred from taking this action," Roxon told reporters. "And we believe that we are on very strong ground -- although this is a world first, taking this action -- and are determined to proceed with it." Canberra faces a bruising intellectual property row with global tobacco giants over the plan to remove all logos from cigarette packets and mandate they be drab colours with graphic health warnings in a bid to limit smoking. The Asian arm of Philip Morris launched legal action against the plan last month seeking "significant" compensation, and British American Tobacco has warned it stands ready to follow suit. But Roxon said Australia would press ahead with a plan being closely watched by countries mulling similar moves, saying she was determined to almost halve the proportion of Australians who smoke to 10 percent by 2018. About 19 percent of citizens are thought to be smokers, killing around 15,000 people and costing the economy more than Aus$30 billion (US$32 billion) every year in health and other expenses. "We're taking this action because tobacco is not like any other legal product. When used as intended it is lethal," said Roxon. "We will reduce the number of people that take up smoking to start with (and) we will take away any of the remaining glamour that might be attached to smoking." Although Australia would be the first country to mandate plain packaging, New Zealand, Canada and Britain have considered a similar approach and are watching developments.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies, gaming and casino wars.

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming. Media Man also publishes Media Man News

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Thursday, July 07, 2011

Media Man Entertainment News; Marvel Entertainment; Paramount Pictures, Casinos, James Bond, WWE..., by Greg Tingle - 7th July 2011

Profiles

Thor X-Men Wolverine Thor Green Lantern Batman Iron-Man Marvel Entertainment Marvel Comics Marvel Studios Marvel Slots DC Comics Warner Bros Paramount Pictures Hollywood Movies Media Man
Captain America The Avengers Spider-Man Fantastic Four The Hulk Comics Movies


Profiles

Thor X-Men Wolverine Thor Green Lantern Batman Iron-Man Marvel Entertainment Marvel Comics Marvel Studios Marvel Slots DC Comics Warner Bros Paramount Pictures Hollywood Movies Media Man
Captain America The Avengers Spider-Man Fantastic Four The Hulk Comics Movies


Marvel Movies Upcoming...

Movie Studio Date

Captain America: The First Avenger Paramount Pictures 7/22/11
Ghost Rider 2 (3D) Sony 2/17/12
The Avengers (2012) Buena Vista 5/4/12
The Amazing Spider-Man Sony 7/3/12
Iron Man 3 Buena Vista 5/3/13

Thor And X-Men First Class Tipped To Hammer Home Results...

Thor and X-Men: First Class got great reviews and we're awesome, and Captain America: The First Avenger seems set to hit the spot to, but big questions remain about Green Lantern, and the vibe is not particularly good. Green Lantern with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively is getting very reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes has a 23% approval among movie critics, according to the 153 reviews counters. But 72% of the 62,000 plus user reviewers say that they "liked it" with it just premiering in the U.S theaters Friday after a midnight release on late Thursday/early Friday. Comic Book Movie.com indicates are pretty negative on the flick. One reviewer called the movie "inert, artificial and dead on arrival." During the midnight release on Thursday, the film drew $3.35 million 0 the same region that alike movies that were recently released did; X-Men: First Class brought in $3.37 million on June 2nd, and Thor did $3.25 million on May 5th. X-Men: First Class and Thor both had a budget significantly less than Green Lantern; the former had a budget of $160 million while Thor had exactly half the budget of Green Lantern — $150 million. While the flick will likely end up eventually surpassing its budget, the fact the other comic book movies had much less budget isn’t a great result. Ultimately, X-Men: First Class raked in $55.1 million in its opening weekend while Thor did $65.7 million. With this being the third comic book-based movie released in a month-and-a-half and mixed reviews, will Green Lantern under perform this weekend, or will the hardcore - fanboy type audience that has been largely ripping on it, check it out at the cinema?

Our top picks: Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger looks like a safe bet.

Be it movies, comics or games, we think that Marvel Entertainment leads the pack, followed by DC Comics, with Dark Horse Comics getting a third, based on the positive news leaks and insider tip offs we've been getting.

As Marvel living legend Stan Lee would say, Excelsior!


After Conquering Silver Screen, Marvel Sets Sights on TV...


Comic-book giant Marvel is preparing to hit TV screens following announcements by several networks that they will launch superhero-centered shows, TV Guide reported Tuesday.

Networks' decisions to introduce superheroes came in response to the box office success of comic-book films "Thor," "X-Men: First Class" and "Green Lantern," which all recently hit No. 1.

Super-heroes will play a role in Syfy's new drama "Alphas", about five ordinary people brought together by their superhuman abilities; ABC Family's "The Nine Lives of Chloe King," about a teenage girl with newfound powers; and the FX pilot "Powers," a police procedural set in a world of superheroes.

Marvel was poised to join the trend as well. Disney bought the comic-book company for $4 billion in 2009 and hired writer/producer Jeph Loeb (Heroes, Smallville) to be executive VP and head of TV at Marvel Entertainment.

Since then, Loeb -- who is also a well-known comic-book writer -- has prepared several Marvel titles for TV adaptations. Among these are a new take on "The Incredible Hulk" and a new show titled "AKA Jessica Jones," both at ABC.

"What really distinguishes these are the A-list show runners," said ABC Entertainment president Paul Lee. "We would love to make a Marvel franchise work on the network. They probably won't be the only two Marvel things we do."

Executives at ABC and Marvel have slowed down the development process in hopes of creating a show to match the soaring success of shows like "Smallville," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Heroes."



Networks Still Interested In Superhero Shows...

The TV networks are still holding out for a superhero. While comic-book films Thor, X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern all hit #1 at the box office recently, television has been a bit slower to pick up the superhero themes.

Super-heroes play a role in Syfy's new drama Alphas, about a group of ordinary misfits with unusual abilities; ABC Family's recent entry The Nine Lives of Chloe King, about a teenage girl with heightened abilities; and the FX pilot Powers.

The biggest superhero torpedo is just around the corner, as Marvel preps a major entry into TV. Disney bought the comic-book tsar for $4 billion in 2009 and hired writer/producer Jeph Loeb (Heroes, Smallville) as executive VP and head of TV at Marvel Entertainment.

Since then, Loeb — who's also a well-known comic-book writer — has been combing through Marvel's library and prepping several titles for TV adaptations. At Disney-owned sibling ABC, that includes a new take on The Incredible Hulk, shepherded by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) and Battlestar Galactica's David Eick, plus Jessica Jones. It's about an ex superhero who opens her own detective agency and winds up assisting other heroes — adapted by Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg. (Marvel has also been developing a take on Cloak and Dagger, which follows two teens who become mutants after being drugged, at ABC Family.)

Marvel is not giving away much on its projects, but leaks confirm that ABC is still high on both Hulk and Jessica Jones. "What really distinguishes these are the A-list show runners," ABC Entertainment president Paul Lee told the press earlier this year. "We would love to make a Marvel franchise work on the network. They probably won't be the only two Marvel things we do."

The powers that be at ABC and Marvel are also trying to get the best result possible. No one's been able to match the longevity of The CW's now retired Smallville, the cult status of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the mega-phenomenon of Heroes in its white-hot first season. Last season's short-lived No Ordinary Family and The Cape, plus David E. Kelley's ill-advised Wonder Woman revival (the pilot was mercifully not picked up) proved that superheroes aren't easy to translate to TV.

"It's hard to launch a successful TV show or movie, no matter where it comes from," says Lost executive producer and comic-book fan Damon Lindelof. That goes double for superhero and comic-book adaptations. "A superhero is larger than life. You can go and sit in a theater and watch a superhero there, because the movie screen is also larger than life. When you invite them into your living room, they have to be accessible — and that's a very slippery slope, one that Smallville handled masterfully."

In fact, Smallville is often cited as the best example of how to take a superhero character and create a perfect entry point for viewers. "Smallville's one [leap of faith] was that Clark had arrived from another planet," one producer says. "Everything else was grounded in reality."

Several producers and execs suggest that TV superheroes can't be bogged down by costumes or too many powers. Not only does it overwhelm viewers, but the effects are too costly and look cheap on the small screen. That's one reason, according to insiders, Marvel avoided live-action TV takes on hot franchises like Iron Man or Spider-Man.

"Superhero comics and films are driven by the set piece, these gigantic battles and extraordinary visuals," says Peter Johnson, president of McG's Wonderland Sound & Vision, which produced Fox's now canceled Human Target adaptation. "That level of execution hasn't come over to TV yet."

That's why FX exec vice president of original programming Nick Grad doesn't even consider Powers a superhero show. "It's another way to do a cop show," he says. "For a network that did The Shield, how can you possibly top that? You do a different kind of cop show. As [Powers cocreator] Brian Michael Bendis would say, it 'stays on the ground,' both literally and figuratively."

Lindelof says he believes the comics that translate better to TV don't have superhero premises. He's a big fan of AMC's take on The Walking Dead. "There are a lot of great comic books being written right now that would make fantastic series," he says. "It requires a certain reimagining of what we think of as a comic-book series. When you think of comic books, you think of superheroes. But superheroes are very challenging to do on TV."

Nevertheless, networks are drawn to the marketability of superheroes. But to do it right, "it starts with character, not costume," one producer says. "A well-written show that has a compelling central character, who has had something extraordinary happen to them, will be relatable. And people will watch."

Australian fans are understood to be some of the most passionate superhero fans and it continues to show in the numbers generated at box office. Studios hope numbers also hold up when the heroes hit Australian television.


Captain America Teams Up With Dallas Cowboys; Disney’s Marvel Opens Apparel Line...


Captain America is going into business with America’s Team. Marvel Entertainment LLC, a unit of Walt Disney Co. (DIS), and the Dallas Cowboys are developing a co-branded apparel line featuring Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man and other characters wearing Cowboys’ team colors and logos, the Cowboys and Marvel said in a joint news release.

“We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to energize our fans, and what better way than to combine our brand with some of the all-time great superheroes that everyone has grown up with,” Jerry Jones Jr., chief sales and marketing office for the Cowboys, said in a statement.

While the characters will be clad in the Cowboys’ colors and logo, there are no plans to portray individual Dallas players as superheroes, Brett Daniels, a spokesman for the team, said in an e-mail.

Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

Captain America, one of more than 8,000 characters in Disney’s library, is featured in a film that will be released later this month. The Cowboys picked up the nickname “America’s Team” during the 1970s, when they won two of their five Super Bowl titles.
Earlier this year, Marvel offered similar apparel lines with the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Go Cowboys!


Casino Punter On Life Support After Scuffle With Crown Casino Security...

Coppers are investigating an incident at Crown Casino on Sunday night that has left a man in hospital on life support.

The 40-year old man from Melbourne's Ferntree Gully became involved in an altercation with a female at the famous casino about 11pm. As security staff restrained the man, he lost consciousness.

The man was taken to The Alfred hospital, but is believed to now be at the Royal Melbourne, where he remains on life support.

The incident was captured on CCTV and police are examining that footage as part of their investigation.

Crown spokesman Gary O’Neill told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell the incident happened on the gaming floor, close to one of the bars.

"We are co-operating with police and the CCTV footage has already been handed to them," he said.

"Security are co-operating with the police investigation."

He confirmed Crown security had asked the man to leave the casino, however "other people became involved".

Mr O'Neill advised the security staff involved had not been stood down, but they have not been rostered for normal duties on the gaming floor while the investigation is occuring.

Crown Casino has been beefed up considerably in recent years with overall excellent results.



Phone Hack Scandal Gets Much Bigger; Sir Richard Branson Also Nailed...

Sir Richard Branson says he has been caught up in phone hacking allegations plaguing the Rupert Murdoch-owned News of the World.

During a visit to Brisbane yesterday, the British entrepreneur was asked if he had been targeted by the British newspaper.

"Yes, the police contacted me a couple of days ago to say my ... phones have been accessed," he said.

"I wish I had lived a more exciting life," he joked. He said that even the phones of his neighbours had been hacked.

The newspaper is under investigation over several phone-hacking claims.

Is anyone listing to your boring phone calls?



Mickey Rourke Changes Apartments; Belt Tightens In Line With Economy - Rourke In 'Sin City' Online Game...

Mickey Rourke has moved to a cheaper apartment - which costs $13,500 a month.
The 'Wrestler' star had been renting a 5,000 square foot loft in New York's Meatpacking district at a cost of $19,800 a month, but has now relocated to the West Village area, where he is currently residing in a considerably cheaper three-bedroom, three-bathroom duplex with a garden, gossip website TMZ reports. While Mickey is said to be enjoying his new living space, the actor may struggle to cope in a property with two levels as he has previously revealed playing grappler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson left his body so damaged, he needed assistance in getting up and down stairs. The 58-year-old actor - who is a former professional boxer - said: "I had to try harder to get up in the morning. And because of my extra bulk a football knee from high school acted up again. Two hundred years later! And my woman had to get behind me and push me up the stairs. I was pathetic looking! "So my knees wouldn't hold up, because of all the extra weight and the exercise. And all the injuries you get from being thrown down, you know?" Rourke fans will likely get a kick and a punch out of the new 'Sin City' online slot game released by Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment. If you can't remember, it was Rourke who played Marv in 'The Hard Goodbye'.


Media, Technology And Community Entrepreneur To Speak At Bondi Beach Church on July 10th...

JULY 10: Dr. Geoffrey Sykes

Virtual Selves, Avatars and Life in the Spirit - Towards a Theology of Media

Geoffrey has taught media studies at the Universities of Western Sydney and Wollongong, and published and lectured widely in this country and in prominent overseas institutions in the areas of media, communication and semiotics. He has produced and directed several videos, which have been broadcast on SBC, ABC and Foxtel, and has wide educational distribution and sales. Currently, he has several works in progress, He is an established playwright, with over 20 professional productions. In recent years he has curated a successful program of arts and theatre at the Bushchapel Helensburgh, and is currently expanding this to include video classes and activities.

Paul Virilio, a French Catholic theologian, coined the term 'virtuality' as part of negative criticism of the illusion and false values of mass media. His work belongs in a late twentieth century tradition of critical theory about media - including Baudrillard and the Frankfurt School - that stresses the false consciousness or simulacrum of media effects. The word virtuality has found more positive, though vague, meanings in popular discussion about media - especially new media like games. The talk will seek to re-claim a richer, yet thoroughly positive and theological sense of the term 'virtuality'. While maintaining it as a media term, the paper will also begin to reclaim the rich religious sense of the term "avatar", a sense that has been lost in its bowdlerized, common use as computer jargon. The paper will distinctly link both terms to New Testament forms of spiritual identity, as well as using them to provide an explanation of some of the continuing and transformative effects of media in our society. Is the church equipped to meet the opportunities of new media? What are the implications of fast broadband and the NBN? Can we argue for a new society and spirituality, based on a theology of self and community? Can we re-evaluate Christian thinking while embracing the full potential of contemporary media? The presentation will have two parts - a talk or paper, followed by an open discussion about the paper and also about any issues to do with media, theology and the spirituality or the church. Geoffrey will also briefly mention plans for community media.


Hulk Hogan And Sting Fued In Works At TNA Wrestling...

Impact Wrestling is getting interesting again. As the saga between Hulk Hogan and Sting ramps up, it's the Stinger who is besting the Hulkster. Scott Steiner in getting into the mix of things which means its going to get dangerous, both in storyline and for real.


John Cena Mentions The Rock At WWE Live Event in Perth, Australia...

Cena grabbed the mic and asked where The Rock of Team Bring It was and why he wasn't in Australia to entertain the WWE Universe. "I don't care if I've got to play G.I. Joe, Fast Five, Fast Six, Godzilla, King Kong, and Julius Caesar all rolled into one, I want to be in the middle of this ring, defending this championship in front of all of you, because I am not an actor, I am a professional wrestler. That is what I do because of crowds like you," Cena said. Cena told the fans that if they were looking to see The Rock, they would have to wait until April 1st because that's the only time The People's Champ will say he loves the fans. Cena went on with what some fans are calling a "shoot" on The Rock. Cena then thanked the fans.


UFC 132 salaries: Tito Ortiz ($450K), Wanderlei Silva ($200K); Fighter Pay Days...

Main card fighters and MMA legends Tito Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva were the top earners at this past weekend's UFC 132 event.

Both fighters earned disclosed flat-rate paydays. Ortiz netted $450,000 for his upset victory over Ryan Bader, and Silva scored $200,000 in a disappointing first-round loss to Chris Leben. The two fighters combined to secure 50.9% of the $1,277,000 total disclosed payroll for the event.

The list of disclosed paydays from the Nevada State Athletic Commission have now been released into the public domain.

UFC 132 took place this past Saturday, July 2, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The night's main card aired on pay-per-view, and the preliminary card aired on Spike TV and streamed on Facebook.

The full payouts included:

Dominick Cruz: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
def. Urijah Faber: $32,000

Chris Leben: $92,000 ($46,000 win bonus)
def. Wanderlei Silva: $200,000

Dennis Siver: $50,000 ($25,000 win bonus)
def. Matt Wiman: $18,000

Tito Ortiz: $450,000 (no win bonus)
def. Ryan Bader: $20,000

Carlos Condit: $68,000 ($34,000 win bonus)
def. Dong Hyun Kim: $41,000

Melvin Guillard: $64,000 ($32,000 win bonus)
def. Shane Roller: $21,000

Rafael Dos Anjos: $28,000 ($14,000 win bonus)
def. George Sotiropoulos: $15,000

Brian Bowles: $34,000 ($17,000 win bonus)
def. Takeya Mizugaki: $12,000

Aaron Simpson: $34,000 ($17,000 win bonus)
def. Brad Tavares: $10,000

Anthony Njokuani: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Andre Winner: $14,000

Jeff Hougland: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Donny Walker: $6,000

Now, the usual disclaimer: The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income. They also do not include any other "locker room" or special bonuses the UFC oftentimes pays. They also do not include portions of the pay-per-view revenue that some top-level fighters receive.

For example, as previously reported, UFC officials handed out additional $75,000 UFC 132 bonuses to Condit ("KO of the Night"), Ortiz ("Submission of the Night"), and Cruz and Faber ("Fight of the Night").

What this means is that the figures are base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event. Got it?



Hugh Jackman: 'The Wolverine' Begins Shooting In October...

Over the last year, "The Wolverine” has had some bumps in its road to production, like the departure of director Darren Aronofsky and concerns about filming in Japan after the tragic earthquake. But it looks as if things might be smoothing out for the next solo film featuring the Marvel hero.

It was reported on Indie Wire via a CHFI radio interview that Hugh Jackman conducted in Toronto. Instead of describing any further problems for production, Jackman told the great news.

"We shoot ('The Wolverine') in October, so it will probably come out a year after that,” he said. “That’s usually around the timeline.”

While plans initially said that the movie would be out in 2012, the delays had caused some to wonder if the movie would actually come out in 2013.

It also makes one wonder if the issue of finding a new director is over. Earlier this month, word was circulating that "3:10 to Yuma" director James Mangold would most likely take the helm and replace Aronofsky.

Based on a story by Frank Miller and Chris Claremont, this movie will take Logan to Japan where he has to deal with the Japanese mafia and the problems that arise due to his own bestial nature.


Nicole Kidman To Meet Will And Kate...

Nicole Kidman will be among the celebrity guests to meet Prince William and his wife Catherine at a British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) party in Los Angeles, an online report says. Among the guests will be Tom Hanks and Jennifer Lopez, E! Online reports. Initial reports suggested the prince and the Duchess of Cambridge would only meet little-known, up-and-coming stars at the Brits to Watch bash on Saturday in Los Angeles. Latest news is that E! Online blogger Marc Malkin says movie heavyweights Kidman and Hanks will attend as will Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony. Kristin Chenoweth, dancer Derek Hough and actresses Ginnifer Goodwin and Dana Delany are also on the guest list for the soiree at the Belasco Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.


Sylvester Stallone Turned 65 Yesterday...

The living legend Sly made it to 65 years young. Rambo, Rocky, The Expendables and who can forget The Party at Kitty and Stud’s? Don't tell us! On ya Sly. He's still kicking ass in movies, casino ventures and all sorts of other stuff we hear.


Richard Branson Talks Tiger Airline Trouble...

The possible collapse of Tiger Airways was unlikely to result in a spike in ticket prices, Sir Richard Branson told a business summit yesterday. Sir Richard, the founder of Virgin Australia, said his airline planned to maintain ticket prices regardless of Tiger's date. "The lower we keep our air fares, the more people we can get to travel," he told the Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Brisbane. "So what happens to Tiger I don't think will affect air fares at all." In a broad speech, Sir Richard said the first flights on his commercial space flight venture, Virgin Galactic, would happen within about 15 months. Sir Richard said there was a chance an Australian base could be part of this galactic space trip network. "There are now immediate plans, but one day I can see a possibility of Virgin Galactic operating out of Australia," he said. Space, communications, games... Branson continues to be a world beater.


Marvel And Paramount Pictures May Change Name Of Captain America for Russia, Ukraine And South Korea...

Marvel and Paramount Pictures, which is distributing “Captain America: The First Avenger,” figured they would simply release the film as the truncated “The First Avenger” in foreign countries. But in a surprise, Paramount’s overseas operation objected, arguing that Captain America had too much brand value, even in spots like France that are leery of embracing Team America too readily.


Paramount Pictures Launching New Animation Arm...

Paramount Pictures is launching a new, in-house animation division, the studio announced Wednesday. It is aiming to release its first title in 2014.

Rango, the animated Western directed by Gore Verbinski wthat was released in March, was the studio's first full-owned CGI animated movie, and it grossed more than $240 million worldwide.

To date, however, Paramount, a unit of Viacom, has largely relied on Jeffrey Katzenberg's Dreamworks Animation, with which it has a distribution deal, to fill the animation slots on its release schedule. DWA's deal with Paramount expires at the end of 2012.

Sources say Paramount has offered Jeffrey Katzberg a one-year extension at the same terms. Beyond that, the studio wants to renegotiate the deal so as to make the terms better for Paramount. Katzenberg has yet to agree to the extension.

In announcing the new division, Paramount chairman & CEO Brad Grey said the initiative was part of the studio's long-term strategy for growth and that the new division, Paramount Animation, will focus on high quality animation with budgets of up to $100 million per picture.

It will develop a broad range of family CGI animated films, with some titles released under the Nickelodeon label.

The studio already has at least one project in development: It is currently developing an adaptation of the Penny Arcade web comic New Kid, about a lone earthling who is a new kid in a school full of intergalactic aliens. Gary Whitta is writing the screenplay for producer Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.

The division will be part of the Paramount Motion Picture Group, reporting to the group's president, Adam Goodman, and will initially target one release per year. Vice chair Rob Moore, COO Frederick Huntsberry and Goodman are now conducting a search for the leader of the division.

"The marketplace has never offered as many opportunities to create wonderfully imaginative pictures at very appealing budget levels, so we feel this is a perfect moment to launch this effort. We are now eager to expand in animation with appropriate and prudent overhead and production budgets in a way that will allow us to be nimble, creative and innovative," Grey said.

James Bond: Naomie Harris Finds Next Bond Movie Special...

Actress Naomie Harris thinks the 23rd installment of the James Bond movies will have a "very special" feeling to it. The British actress is apparently a top contender for a leading role in the forthcoming Sam Mendes directed "James Bond" movie, which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as the iconic British spy. "It would be great to be part of Bond but nothing is confirmed yet. Sam Mendes is an amazing director and a really, really lovely man as well. He's got brilliant ideas. From meeting them, I think it's going to be a very special Bond," contactmusic.com quoted the 34-year-old as saying. Harris is best known for her role as Selena in "28 Days Later" and Tia Dalma in the second and third series of " Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.

WWE Looking For Next Giant...

WWE top brass have been on the look out for future big time wrestlers in recent months. Enter Australian Josh Taylor, who stands at 6'10" and 385 pounds, and is the latest big man wrestler to be checked out by WWE as he showed his stuff to company officials prior to Friday's live WWE event in Sydney. He is billed as the largest wrestler in Australia. Professional Wrestling Alliance Queensland co-owner Andrew Venables said Taylor is Australia's best chance of success overseas. "He is the heart and soul of wrestling in Australia," Venables said. "If he shows them half the dedication as he has locally then he will make it."

Marvel ous News: Hugh Jackman Says The Wolverine Shoots In October...

The 42-year-old Australian actor recently revealed to Toronto radio station CHFI when the next Wolverine movie will begin filming "We shoot [The Wolverine] in October, so it will probably come out a year after that," Hugh said. "That’s usually around the timeline." The Wolverine follows the popular X-Men character as he travels to Japan to train with a samurai warrior. The film will also likely star Kelly Hu and Naturi Naughton. A Media Man insider was overheard "Wolverine with Hugh Jackman may potentially be even better than Thor. For the fans and for Marvel that would be excelsior news".


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Wednesday, July 06, 2011

James Packer - Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest Indigenous Employment Tag Team, by Greg Tingle - 6th July 2011

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Australian gambling news continues to run thick and fast. We've got the James Packer - Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest Indigenous employment tag team via Generation One, political fun and games, revamps, and more. Media Man with the latest and greatest from down under...

Packer Casino - Forrest Mining Indigenous Employment Tag Team...

James Packer, Australian casino king is employing hundreds of Indigenous Australians in his casinos, with plans to employ thousands, following the lead of his mate, mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest.

Packer continues to lay on the praise to Andrew Forrest for his considerable efforts and results in improving the lives of Indigenous Australians, namely via sustainable employment opportunities, education and training.

The word "hero" has even been used by JP when describing "Twiggy".

Melbourne was the sight for a Generation One get together and talk fest yesterday where it was formally announced that Packer's casinos would aim to employ 2000 indigenous Australians by 2021.

It's all part of Packer's backing for Forrest's Australian Employment Covenant. Forrest's vision, shared by mate Packer, is to create 50,000 indigenous jobs. Packer went on record that indigenous employees had "significantly strengthened" his Crown and Burswood casinos in Melbourne and Perth.

"We are committed to continuing our work in this area".

"Our recent experience with employing indigenous Australians at Crown and Burswood has shown they significantly strengthen our businesses."

Crown Limited was one of the very first signatories to Forrest's Employment Covenant. Forrest recently declared business had committed to employing 50,000 indigenous workers. It's understood that about 4000 people had scored jobs under the scheme thus far, so there's clearly more work to be done, and Forrest and Twiggy are focused on the goal, as are many of their business associates. Yes, our Media Man makes no secret of supporting Generation One either, with generous news media coverage and resources being generated on the initiative since their humble beginnings.

Forrest advised yesterday there needed to be greater effort put into training indigenous workers so they were job-ready.

"We know Australian employers want to employ indigenous Australians, but now we must ensure that the right training is available for indigenous people to be able to take up the amazing array of employment opportunities on offer through the 50,000 committed jobs," he said.

A Media Man spokesperson said "It's no secret that there's significant resources and lucrative profits in both the mining and gambling industry and its great that Mr Packer and Mr Forrest are putting their resources and unique positions of opportunity to good use. It would be easy for them to do nothing, but they are pro active in getting Indigenous Australians back to work. It makes business sense and it also comes from the right place. We think they are both heroes."


Fake Gaming Chips Spotted At Crown Casino...

Packer's Crown casino has snatched from the gaming floor its $500 gaming chips after more than $100,000 in counterfeit chips were seized at Melbourne airport. It is believed federal police are investigating whether an international counterfeiting ring is involved. Police found $103,500 in fake $500 Crown chips hidden in the luggage and clothing of an Australian bloke, aged 30, when his person was searched on June 23. The man, who arrived on a flight from Guangzhou, China, is yet to be charged with any offence as we go to press. Crown Casino powers that be are checking its stock of $500 chips to ensure the integrity of the tokens. Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill said the process of checking all the chips would take several days.
"We were alerted by the AFP. The man had the chips and when we checked them we confirmed they were counterfeit," he said.


NRL Joins In Pokies Fight...

The Australian government and National Rugby League traded insults Monday over the allocation of poker-machine profits to lift rugby league clubs. Families Minister Jenny Macklin accused NRL clubs of being funded by "family misery" and "pokie addicts" and called on parents to refuse to tolerate it any longer. The government has been forced to introduce a mandatory pre-commitment cap for poker-machine players, or independent MP Andrew Wilkie will pull his support and the minority government will collapse. The move has been met with strong opposition by clubs and pubs and the NRL has now joined the campaign to block the move, warning it will hurt teams funded by clubs. NRL chief executive David Gallop compared it yesterday with the Melbourne Cup being subject to pre-commitment bets or caps on drinking. Ms Macklin fired back, saying footy teams were being funded by problem gambling and it must stop immediately. "No parent would support having another family's misery pay for their footy team," she told The Daily Telegraph. "We don't stand at the sidelines and watch our kids tackle high. And we shouldn't stand by and let pokie addicts pay for NRL clubs. That's not fair play." Ms Macklin has formally written to Mr Gallop saying the government is "disappointed" by the move. Mr Gallop said the move could cause real damage to football, and there was no solid evidence it would stop problem gambling. "Our leagues clubs were set up to support our game and our clubs are genuinely concerned at the ramifications of these changes both for NRL and junior rugby league clubs," he said. "Kids get to play our game because of the subsidies provided by leagues clubs. "The comments reflect that this is a highly political issue for the government but that should not stop people looking at the potential damage this may cause and that there's real doubt about whether the changes will work." Anti-pokies campaigners, and one may argue, "haters", Nick Xenophon and Tim Costello accused the NRL of "perpetuating lies" by supporting a campaign against gambling caps. They accused the NRL of "shocking" behaviour. Media Man spot surveys conducted over the past few years have shown that 7 out of 10 Australians are "not against gambling" but are away that "a small amount of people develop gambling problems".

$700m Stadium To Be Built Next Door To Perth's Burswood Casino...

James Packer's Burswood casino in Perth will reap massive benefits from a final decision by the Barnett government to build the state's new football stadium on its doorstep. Premier Colin Barnett yesterday defied the recommendations of a taskforce to announce the $700 million multi-purpose stadium would be built at Burswood on the banks of the Swan River. He said another $300m would be spent upgrading infrastructure to improve access to the site, which is a brief walk from the casino. That includes a new pedestrian bridge over the Swan to link the CBD to the area so people can walk to the stadium, a new four-platform rail station, possible ferry access and road realignments. The Premier conceded the plan would benefit the casino, which is midway through a $500m upgrade, including installing hundreds more gaming machines after an agreement last year to pay the government a $20m fee and higher taxes in return for the expansion. Barnett said he had not discussed the stadium with Packer, except in a brief "casual" conversation when he told him it was the favoured site and likely to be built there. "He (Mr Packer) said, 'That will be good', and that was about it'," the Premier said. Construction of the new 60,000-seat football stadium will not begin for several years, and is not expected to be finished until early 2018. Barnett said the facility would be world-class and become the centrepiece of a new entertainment precinct. It would also cater for concerts and other sports. A spokesperson for Burswood said the group had not been asked for any financial investment in the relocation and construction of the stadium. Barnett pointed to the state's scandal-plagued WA Inc era as the reason for not asking Crown to contribute. "I . . . have a very long memory of the scandals in West Australian politics, and you don't mix business with public investment," he said. But Labor spokesman Roger Cook criticised the project, and said it was "a triumph for Colin Barnett's arrogance". "I think it would be extraordinary that the government would put a major piece of social infrastructure, upgrade all the road and rail infrastructure in the area, without approaching the casino for a contribution" towards the cost," he said.

Online Gambling Review Goes Ahead...

The last main link in the chain to online sports betting in Australia - betting during a match...could soon be lifted and deliver lucrative royalties to major sporting codes under changes being considered by the Australian government. Australia's major sports bodies, including the NRL, AFL, tennis and cricket, are lobbying hard to end the online in-play betting ban and the Gillard government has agreed to review the law. The move comes just 12 months after the government rejected a recommendation by the Productivity Commission to allow the "liberalisation of online gambling", and amid growing community concern about the link between gambling and sport. The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has been instructed to review Australia's online gambling laws and in-play betting is expected to be a key focus. Australia's major sports are calling for online gambling laws to be eased. ''Australia is the only jurisdiction in the world that allows online wagering on sport but at the same time prevents punters from using the internet to place in-play bets,'' a recent anti-corruption report adopted by major sports bosses said. ''The prohibition on in-play betting limits the funding opportunities available to Australia's sports. On international soccer markets … about 75 per cent of bets are made in-play, while for tennis about 90 per cent.''
The Australian Crime Commission has warned online gambling ''is an identified money laundering risk and increasingly is also acknowledged as a risk for revenue and taxation fraud''. In a submission released by a federal parliamentary committee also considering online gambling, the commission also warned ''Australia's criminal networks are able to identify and exploit opportunities for profit'' and ''this makes professional sport an attractive target''. ''It is well established that horse racing in Australia has been infiltrated by organised crime, with significant amounts of money being laundered through the horse racing industry,'' it found. ''This is occurring despite significant resources being devoted to monitoring the integrity of racing.'' The report found the integrity of professional sports had been compromised internationally, citing:

-Italian mafia and the fixing of soccer matches in Series A.

-Eastern European criminal groups fixing soccer matches.

-Russian organised criminal groups in soccer and ice hockey.

-Chinese organised crime or triads in large scale illegal gambling and match fixing of soccer throughout south-east Asia.

The commission said "the use of online gambling to facilitate criminal activity, predominantly money laundering, is a key vulnerability". A spokesman for Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, said Australia's interactive gambling laws had not been reviewed since 2005. "Given this and the rapid changes in technology, the government felt it was time for a comprehensive look at the effectiveness of the legislation."

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies, gaming and casino wars.

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming. Media Man also publishes Media Man News

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Media Man Entertainment News; Marvel Entertainment And More, by Greg Tingle - 5th July 2011

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Marvel Movies Upcoming...

Movie Studio Date

Captain America: The First Avenger Paramount Pictures 7/22/11
Ghost Rider 2 (3D) Sony 2/17/12
The Avengers (2012) Buena Vista 5/4/12
The Amazing Spider-Man Sony 7/3/12
Iron Man 3 Buena Vista 5/3/13

Thor And X-Men First Class Tipped To Hammer Home Results...

Thor and X-Men: First Class got great reviews and we're awesome, and Captain America: The First Avenger seems set to hit the spot to, but big questions remain about Green Lantern, and the vibe is not particularly good. Green Lantern with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively is getting very reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes has a 23% approval among movie critics, according to the 153 reviews counters. But 72% of the 62,000 plus user reviewers say that they "liked it" with it just premiering in the U.S theaters Friday after a midnight release on late Thursday/early Friday. Comic Book Movie.com indicates are pretty negative on the flick. One reviewer called the movie "inert, artificial and dead on arrival." During the midnight release on Thursday, the film drew $3.35 million 0 the same region that alike movies that were recently released did; X-Men: First Class brought in $3.37 million on June 2nd, and Thor did $3.25 million on May 5th. X-Men: First Class and Thor both had a budget significantly less than Green Lantern; the former had a budget of $160 million while Thor had exactly half the budget of Green Lantern — $150 million. While the flick will likely end up eventually surpassing its budget, the fact the other comic book movies had much less budget isn’t a great result. Ultimately, X-Men: First Class raked in $55.1 million in its opening weekend while Thor did $65.7 million. With this being the third comic book-based movie released in a month-and-a-half and mixed reviews, will Green Lantern under perform this weekend, or will the hardcore - fanboy type audience that has been largely ripping on it, check it out at the cinema?

Our top picks: Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger looks like a safe bet.

Be it movies, comics or games, we think that Marvel Entertainment leads the pack, followed by DC Comics, with Dark Horse Comics getting a third, based on the positive news leaks and insider tip offs we've been getting.

As Marvel living legend Stan Lee would say, Excelsior!

Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Eyes Chinese Fans With JV...

HONG KONG - Stan Lee wants to see the likes of Spider-Man and the X-Men weaving between skyscrapers in Shanghai and battling enemies on the Great Wall. The comic book legend has announced a joint venture with a Hong Kong investment company that aims to roll out a new superhero franchise targeted at Chinese and foreign audiences.
Lee's POW! Entertainment said in a statement issued on its website this week that the new company, Magic Storm Entertainment, will announce its first film project later this summer. "I have been eagerly awaiting this great opportunity — a chance to combine the best of American superhero epics with the best of Chinese and Asian classical filmmaking for a motion picture that would be excitedly received worldwide," Lee said in the statement. It did not say if the creator or co-creator of Marvel Comics characters such as Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, X-Men, The Fantastic Four and Iron Man will come up with new characters for the new movie or write a new story for his flagship characters, many of which have already been adapted for the big screen. It also wasn't clear if the film will be animation or feature real actors. Magic Storm Entertainment will be a partnership between Hong Kong investment company Ricco Capital Holdings and Panda Media Partners, a joint venture between POW! Entertainment and the media consulting company Fidelis Global Enterprises. Fidelis Managing Director Eric Mika, the former publisher of the trade publication The Hollywood Reporter, will serve as chief executive of Magic Storm, which will be based in Los Angeles. More than 2 million of Lee's comic books have been published in 75 nations and in 25 languages, but they do not appear to have a big following in mainland China. But recent movie adaptations of Lee's characters, like other American blockbusters, have done strong business in China, which is fast becoming one of Hollywood's key markets despite a quota that effectively limits the country to 20 major foreign productions a year. Lee's strategy is likely to capitalize on the popularity of those movies. The three "Spider-Man" movies starring Tobey Maguire have made a combined $30 million in China and the two "Iron Man" movies featuring Robert Downey Jr. made $23.2 million, according to the box office tracking website Box Office Mojo.

Local New Jersey Merchant Sees Increased Business Due to Comic Book Movies...

The Fourth of July and the big budget box office movie belong to the summer as much as a day at the shore or a trip to a Yankees game. With Marvel Comic's "Captain America: First Avenger" movie ready to hit theaters on July 22, fans get the best of both worlds. One merchant has seen an increase in business thanks not only to the Star Spangled Avenger's high action cinematic debut. Ben Lichenstein, a Glen Rock resident and owner of Zapp Comics with stores in Wayne and Manalapan, said that his stores have seen an increase in sales thanks to the patriotic comic book themed hero. "Before a movie based on a comic book concept is released, we will see more sales than in the previous months," said Lichenstein. "For instance, the Thor movie gave us a real shot in the arm, financially." He explains that the comic book movies raise the profile of the comic books, which in turn, draws people into comic book stores. Lichenstein said he is picking up both short term and long term customers thanks to the higher visibility. "We get new customers in and they may stay for a while or prove to be returning customers," said Lichenstein. He explained the comic books can sometimes prove to be even more popular than the movies. An example is the “Green Lantern” feature starring Ryan Reynolds. “I saw the ‘Green Lantern’ movie and I thought it was okay,” said Lichenstein. “But the comics have proven to be popular and growing over the last two and a half years with the company event series ‘Blackest Night’ and we will see a continue sales of the Green Lantern graphic novels. If anything, they sell well in spite of the movie.” Lichenstein said that Marvel Comics writer Ed Brubaker has been gaining fans and keeping “Captain America” going in a positive direction. He explained that adding to the popularity of the character is the fact he is the epitome of what is American. “I wish we shared a sense of patriotism the way that we did years ago,” said Lichenstein. “But we just do not have that same feeling that we do and I hope we can get some of that feeling back.” He said that a character like Captain America represents what is good in America today. Captain America is a comic book hero created in 1941 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby for Timely Comics and tells the story of a weak New Yorker named Steve Rogers who fails the physical exam to get into the United States military during World War II. Thanks to an experiment, he gains height and muscle mass and is given a patriotic-styled costume along with a shield. Rogers is then sent to Germany to battle Adolph Hitler’s right hand, the Red Skull, and help defeat the Third Reich. He was resurrected in the 1960s to join the Avengers with other Marvel Comic stalwarts that have become box office hits like the previously mentioned Thor, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk. Captain America has been the subject of a 1944 cliffhanger style series and a big budget feature starring Matt Salinger (the son of writer J.D. Salinger) done in the style of Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” film was made in 1990 but was only released on video and DVD in the United States. The current film stars Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving and is directed by Joe Johnston, director of “The Rocketeer” and “The Wolfman.” “I am surprised they are not releasing it this weekend,” said Lichenstein. “It makes sense that it being the Fourth of July, and it is a huge movie weekend, but who knows?” But until the movie comes out later in the month, he said Zapp Comics will always welcome fans and lovers of any comic book character. He said fans will stand around and talk about comic books, movies and television for hours. That is what makes a comic book store great, he said. What could be more American than shooting the breeze and debating about a common interest that is loved by millions of fans?

Marvel Comics Gets Virgin Singaporean Artist...

The first Singaporean artist will be joining the Marvel Comics bandwagon.

Benjamin Ang, 27, was shortlisted during Marvel's portfolio review at last year's Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC).

The American comic book company has produced well-known titles such as X-Men, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, The Avengers, and Thor.

Mr Ang is the first Singaporean to be signed to Marvel and was chosen from hundreds of artists from around the region.

"It is truly a dream come true to be able to work with Marvel and alongside some of the most renowned writers and artists in the industry," he said.

The freelance illustrator's art style has been described as an eclectic mix of East and West. He said: "I aim to add a signature touch to my work and hopefully inspire more Singaporean artists to chase their dreams."

Ang will be working on projects beginning later this year.

Mr C.B. Cebulski, Marvel's Senior Vice President of Creator and Content Development, who conducted the Portfolio Review at 2010's STGCC, is hoping to discover more new talent at this year's event.

Similarly, Yeow Hui Leng, Project Director of STGCC hopes that this year's convention will serve as a platform for other budding talents to be noticed at an international level.


Captain America: International Name Relations...

Paramount and Marvel offered foreign countries the choice of two titles, 'Captain America' or 'First Avenger.'

Marvel Studios and Paramount's Captain America: The First Avenger will keep its US title in all but three countries: Russia, Ukraine and South Korea. Though it is quite common for American blockbusters to feature less US-focused titles in foreign markets, Paramount Pictures largely decided against the alterations for Captain America, and instead gave foreign countries the choice of two titles, Captain America: The First Avenger or The First Avenger. Interestingly, most international distributors believed the franchise name was so identifiable that not using "Captain America" in the title could risk losing ticket sales. Spokespeople for Marvel and Paramount declined to comment on why Russia, Ukraine and South Korea opted for The First Avenger. Additionally, it is expected the film will likely not see release in China due to a policy that only allows the country to theatrically screen 20 foreign films each year. However, a decision has yet to be reached. An inside source speaking to the New York Times on the issue claimed that marketers changed the name in these countries for cultural and political reasons. Captain America is due to hit American theaters July 22.

Indian Spiderman on ‘Stan Lee’s Superhumans’...

For billions of years, evolution has been dictated by Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Today, the rules of evolution may get fundamentally altered. Co-hosted by Stan Lee, the legendary creator of the ‘X-Men’, Discovery Science’s ‘Stan Lee’s Superhumans’ features amazing stories of real people with unique genetic abilities that translates into remarkable powers. If you thought Spiderman lives only in Marvel comics and Hollywood movies, think again. Spiderman is real, his name is Jyothi Raj and he lives in India. Jyothi Raj is currently settled in Bangalore.
Known as India’s very own Spiderman, Jyothi draws his inspiration from monkeys as he climbs anything from a wall to a tree at an unbelievable speed. The 22-year-old ex builder spends most of his time entertaining tourists by acrobatically climbing Chitradurga Fort in Karnataka. He fearlessly and effortlessly goes up 300-feethigh walls without a safety harness and hundreds of eyes watching from down below. Raj says he developed his climbing skills by watching monkeys climb trees and trying to reproduce stunts from his favourite films. Experience the unthinkable in ‘Stan Lee’s Superhumans’ on July 4 at 8:30 pm, as the show premiers on Discovery Science.
Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager -South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “Discovery Science is about making science accessible, relevant and entertaining for its viewers. ‘Stan Lee’s Superhumans’ showcases an unprecedented global journey uncovering astonishing stories, as it explores the super powers of real life people.” ‘Stan Lee’s Superhumans’ features humans who possess unique powers such as Scott Flansburg — a human calculator who can add, subtract, multiply, divide and even calculate square and cube roots in his head to Dan Meyer who can swallow 15-inch razors, hedge clippers and even curved blades that nudge his heart out of the way as they pass by. Discovery Science is the network dedicated to making science programming accessible, relevant and entertaining. By examining the impact of science and technology on our everyday lives, Discovery Science searches for the answers to the questions that have eluded us for centuries and reveals life’s greatest mysteries and smallest wonders, from uncovering lost worlds to exploring the latest in scientific discoveries from today’s headlines.

Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment Targets Orientals...

Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment has entered into an agreement to create superhero properties for a Chinese audience. The former Marvel president's company has teamed up with a Hong Kong investment company to form Magic Storm Entertainment, The AP reports. Eric Mika, former publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, will serve as chief executive of Magic Storm, which will announce its first film project later this summer. "I have been eagerly awaiting this great opportunity - a chance to combine the best of American superhero epics with the best of Chinese and Asian classical filmmaking for a motion picture that would be excitedly received worldwide," said Lee. The report did not indicate whether Lee himself will create new characters and properties for the venture. It was also not confirmed whether the studio will produce live-action or animated features. Last month, Lee unveiled Blood Red Dragon in collaboration with Todd McFarlane and Japanese rock star Yoshiki ahead of its Comic-Con debut. Lee remains young and heart and full of good ideas and concepts.


European Box Office Driving Hot 3D Uptake Abroad...

LOS ANGELES - While the domestic box office is sputtering when it comes to 3D, the weekend performance of "Transformers 3" notwithstanding, uptake of the format is hot abroad, particularly in Europe.

According to data released by 3D technology services company RealD on Monday, about 70% of the international box office revenue for the Marvel/Paramount release of "Thor" came from 3D ticket sales.

In Europe, "Thor's" 3D revenue accounted for nearly 80% of total box office.

For Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," the breakdown is 67% of total foreign box office for 3D, with Europe at nearly 70 percent, according to RealD.

About 60% of total foreign box office revenue for DreamWorks Animation's "Kung Fu Panda 2" came from 3D, with Europe at 67 percent.

For Disney's "Cars 2," the breakdown was 53% for the total international market, but 68% for Europe.

The U.S. market for 3D has been much cooler, with each of the aforementioned films grossing less than 50% of its opening revenue through 3D engagements.

However, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" just came off a one-week opening with a 3D performance in the U.S. and Canada of nearly 60%.


Giving Credit for Comics (Credit: The New York Times)...

To the Editor:

Brent Staples’s Sunday Observer about Jack Kirby (“Marvel Superheroes and the Fathers of Invention,” June 26) quoted from an essay of mine in such a way that readers might think that I agree with those who contend that Stan Lee had little or nothing to do with the Marvel comic book stories of the 1960s, which is decidedly not true.

In my essay, after comparing Mr. Kirby’s work at Marvel to his closely following solo work at DC Comics, I concluded that the work at Marvel was indeed a collaboration between the writer-editor Stan Lee and the writer-artists Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and others, but that “if only one man can be the author of Marvel, [Stan Lee] has a greater claim to that title than anyone else.”

Mr. Kirby and all the creators at Marvel deserved much more credit and compensation than they ever got, so if Mr. Kirby’s heirs get more of both, more power to them. But any rebalancing of the scales of justice should not be done at the expense of Stan Lee.

EARL WELLS
Johnsonville, N.Y., June 26, 2011


MCN Online Developments In Australia...

Multi Channel Network (MCN) has boosted its online team with the additions of Nick Young as national online sales director and Spencer Rodgers as Victorian online sales manager. Sales are the order of the day - no surprise there.

We learnt that Young was previously head of strategy and development at Ignite Media Brands and sales manager for Sydney and Adelaide at Ninemsn. Young has also spent nine years within agencies and media sales in the UK, including at MediaCom and Men's Health magazine.

Rodgers joins MCN from Murdoch's Fox Interactive Media where he was group sales manager. Previously, he was national sales manager at Octopus Media, and has represented Zenith OptimediaOptimedia, OMD, and TMD Carat in the UK.

MCN national sales director Mark Frain said: "The new structure and arrival of both Nick and Spencer provides MCN the platform to fully capitalise on the power of the brands we represent, no matter which screen their content is being played out on."

MCN, a joint-venture between Foxtel, Austar, Premier Media Group and XYZ Networks, has also appointed three online channel executives to its Strategic Insights team in response to client demand for integrated content ideas. Carla Wainer, Ann Gruber and Tim Love will join the team with a fourth appointment to be announced shortly.

The company is confident of strong sales in the current period, despite an national and international downturn in the sector.


Sahara Casino In Vegas Donating Neon Sign To Neon Museum...

LAS VEGAS -- Owners of the closed Sahara hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip say they're donating one of the property's iconic signs to the Neon Museum, a collection of Sin City's historic markers.

SBE Entertainment officials tell The Associated Press that the donation is part of celebrating the cultural significance of the casino that closed last month after 59 years.

The sign faced Sahara Avenue at the back of the casino, near a porte-cochere.

Neon Museum Chairman Bill Marion says the sign is a classic example of Las Vegas' storied past and the historic art form of neon signs.

The museum, also known as the Neon Boneyard, is often referred to as the place where neon signs go to die.

The donation comes as SBE mulls what to do with the space.

Donald Trump and Steve Wynn - don't be trumped - let's see if you can top this, and the word is they may, given their strong track records in the publicity stunt scene.


Stanley Ho Donates MOP 3 Million To Macau School...

Gaming - gambling tycoon Stanley Ho Hung Sun on Tuesday donated MOP 3 million to Hou Kong Middle School for the extension project of its affiliated Hou Kong Premier School. According to a press statement, Ho was represented by one of his closest associates, Ambrose So, who presented the donation to Iao Tun Ieong, principle of Hou Kong Middle School. Hou Kong Premier School located in Taipa, provides education in both Chinese and English languages. As the permanent honorary president of the institution, Stanley Ho “has been supportive of the school’s guiding principle in nurturing future talent for society,” said the statement. Ho “always reminds young people of the importance of learning and urges them to make use of the knowledge acquired to contribute back to society,” they added.


Crown Casino Offering Real Indigenous Employment...

James Packer's Crown Casino is set to become one of the largest employers of indigenous people in Victoria under a plan helped along by mining tsar Andrew Forrest.

Crown Limited executive chairman James Packer spoke at a Melbourne University today covering how his casino and its Perth cousin Burswood Entertainment Complex plan to employ 2000 indigenous Aussies by 2021. Some say it can't happen soon enough.

The discussion, organised by Generation One, will focus on career training for indigenous Australians and also feature the charity's founder Forrest, who co-founded the Australian Employment Covenant with the federal government in 2008 in a bid to secure 50,000 sustainable jobs for indigenous Australians.

Crown Limited was one of the first entities to sign on and get behind the covenant and has employed about 115 indigenous Australians over the past couple of years in its Melbourne and Perth casinos.

Crown Casino's official website states it employs more than 8000 people while Burswood employs about 4400 but it is unknown how many of the employees are indigenous.

Mr Packer is expected to advise the audience that their experiences with employing indigenous Australians has strengthened the business.

While it is unknown how many of the new jobs for indigenous Australians will be in Melbourne, Generation One boss Tim Gartrell said Mr Packer's pledge will make Crown one of Victoria's greatest employers of indigenous people.

"It's great for a senior CEO to get involved," he said. "That's really important because it's about changing people's perspectives.

"One of the really exciting things is James operates in an urban metre area and this is where the vast majority of indigenous Australians are and this is where we need to increase their employment opportunities."

The NSW, Queensland and Northern Territory governments have also signed up to the covenant.

Mr Packer and Mr Forrest have got mixed reactions for their involvement in Generation One, but the vast majority of people believe it is a good thing.

A Media Man spokesperson said "It's great that a couple of Australia's leading business people are right behind Generation One. Tremendous leadership by Packer and Forrest, and they have the vast resources to support the dream. They did it for business reasons, but it also comes from the heart, with both gents enjoying close ties to Indigenous Australia."

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