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AFM Wrap Up

A total of 1,527 buyers representing 65 countries attended the American Film Market, which took place from November 5 to November 12.  Buyers from the Middle East grew 25% from last year (to 40 from 32).  Notable year-to-year buyer attendance from other territories include Russia (+14%), Germany (+7%), Hong...
The AFM, which boasts it's ability to connects an audience of determined buyers, sellers and  producers opened on Wednesday having sold out all exhibition spaces at the Loews Santa Monica Hotel and the Le Merigot Beach Hotel next door.  This year a total of 409 production and distribution companies...
Joaquin Phoenix has announced he will no longer act in films in order to focus on his music career. A spokeswoman for Phoenix confirmed that his new film Two Lovers, a romantic drama in which Phoenix stars opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, would be his last. The 34-year-old actor, younger brother of the...
Disney has set new standards in the creation and exploitation of it's franchises with the world-wide success of High School Musical 3. The film is critic proof and no-one knew it would become the phenomenon it is when the first High School Musical was launched in 2006. Like it or...
After nearly 40 years of engineering some of the most cutting-edge deals and transitions, running record labels and film companies, David Geffen is reportedly backing away from Hollywood.“  How the decision to withdraw came about, and what it means to an industry that has long regarded Geffen as one...

Cranky Beatle

Ringo Starr is tired of signing autographs. He doesn't want to hear from you. A cranky Richard Starkey posted a video on his website RingoStarr.com warning fans NOT to send him anything to be read, answered or signed, after Oct. 20. "It's going to be tossed," he says. "I'm warning you...
TV host Ellen DeGeneres has purchased $100,000 worth of television advertising time to encourage Californians to overturn Proposition 8 which would seeks to define marriage as between a man and a woman only under the state constitution.  Her TV commercials will be screened in the run-up to the state...

Is Content King?

The old cliche that "content is king" has been much bandied about in Hollywood the last few years. Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney pressed the point in a speech at MIPCOM last week. The fact remains however that the films that get the wides exposure are often lightweight...
There are admittedly a few crude laughs to be had in this predictable comedy from director Sean Anders who tries his best to "push the envelope" but ends up ripping off "Superbad," "American Pie," "Euro Trip" and the numerous Judd Apatow and John Hughes films that have gone before...

Movie Star Fatigue?

With the Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe film, "Body of Lies" coming in third this past weekend in the box-office derby, L.A. Times columnist Patrick Goldstein asks whether audiences are burning out on movie stars, especially ones that command those huge salaries. "Body of Lies" finished No. 3 -- behind "Beverly...