KOAT 7 target investigation into 'Rust' western shooting

The RUST western story keeps unfolding. The film is produced and stars Alec Baldwin. The production moves to Montana (Spring 2023). The western was filmed outside of Santa Fe, NM until the cinematographer (Haylna Hutchins) was accidentally shot and killed (October 2021). 

Here is what we know coming out of New Mexico. Click links below.

1. Alec Baldwin pleaded "Not Guilty" against a manslaughter charge.
2. Judge grants "Rust" Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to carry a weapon after "threats."
3. Baldwin sued by former crew members from "Rust" movie set.

Click the photo below for target investigation on "Rust" by KOAT 7 News.

KOAT 7 is a Local ABC affiliate at Albuquerque.

PART THREE 'Dateline' podcast 'Letters From Sing-Sing'

LETTERS FROM SING-SING with NBC NEWS. The latest episode is called, "Eyewitnesses." The producer is from "Dateline."

I must say - as this story unfolds. This man might've been railroaded into prison. Incredible stuff... Check it out.

Top Box Office 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' holds number #1 with $32 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 26, 2023 / ESTIMATED

1. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania    ---> $32.2M
2. Cocaine Bear                                        ---> $23.1M
3. Jesus Revolution                                   ---> $15.5M
4. Avatar: The Way of Water                      ---> $4.7M
5. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish                 ---> $4.1M

via GIPHY

No TV Ratings for '48 Hours'

48 HOURS on CBS. There are no TV Ratings to report for Saturday night Feb. 25, 2023. 

Click the Logo below to watch THE BRIGHTON AX MURDER on CBS.

CBS

The 'Dateline' episode 'Before Daylight' grabs 2.26 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "Before Daylight" (2/24/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.26 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers with the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. 

You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch recent episode.

Click the photo below for DATELINE over at NBC.

NBC

Trailer 'Palm Trees and Power Lines' in movie theaters on March 3, 2023

Red Band Trailer 'Children of the Corn' in movie theaters on March 3, 2023

Trailer 'Creed III' in movie theaters on March 3, 2023

Trailer 'Hunt Her Kill Her' in movie theaters on March 3, 2023

Trailer 'Operation Fortune' in movie theaters on March 3, 2023

Documentary Trailer 'American Bolshevik' in movie theaters on March 1, 2023

An All New '48 Hours' on Feb. 25, 2023

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Brighton Ax Murder" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m.

CBS says, "A young mother is killed in her bed, her toddler unharmed. Unsolved for 40 years, how the unusual crime scene helped close the case. 48 Hours - correspondent Erin Moriarty reports."

TV preview will begin after Commercial Ad.

Podcast 'Unsolved Mysteries' new episode 'Dead by Dawn'

UM says, "On April 15, 2004, Ronli Ratliff’s body is discovered in a burning house in Mooresville, IN. Investigators quickly realize that the 24-year-old woman was brutally murdered before the fire was set. Eighteen years later Ronli’s killer remains at large, and the community is left to wonder if her killer was a cold-blooded stranger or one of their own."

Sunday Night 'Dateline' on Feb. 26, 2023 at 7/6 p.m.

Friday Night 'Dateline' on Feb. 24, 2023 at 9/8 p.m.

Western movie 'Rust' moves to Montana this Spring

The RUST western with Alec Baldwin will move from New Mexico to Montana (Spring 2023). The "Yellowstone" ranch location will be used.

The Santa Fe district attorney has dropped the second manslaughter charge involving "firearm enhancement." Baldwin will no longer face a 5-year jail sentence. He still faces the first involuntary manslaughter charge though.

Click KOAT 7 news photo for RUST information.

KOAT 7 is a Local ABC affiliate at Albuquerque. The western movie set of RUST outside of Santa Fe.

PART TWO 'Dateline' podcast 'Letters from Sing-Sing'

Dateline says, "JJ Velazquez claimed he had an alibi: a 74-minute phone call on a landline with his mother, Maria Velazquez, that overlapped with the time of the crime. So Dan visits Maria. She lives in a town in New York on the Hudson River directly across from Sing Sing, the maximum security prison where her son is incarcerated. Maria talks to Dan about JJ’s childhood. And she recounts in detail her memory of January 27th, 1998, the day of Al Ward’s murder...." 

"Meanwhile, Dan is still familiarizing himself with JJ’s case file. There are thousands of pages of documents that sit in a box by his desk. He starts to work his way through the trial transcript. Immediately, it’s clear to him that the trial was strange. As Dan unpacks what happened in the courtroom, he’s left with more questions than answers. Prosecutors say five people identified JJ as the man who killed Al Ward. Dan decides to find them."

PART ONE 'Dateline' podcast 'Letters From Sing-Sing'

Dateline says, 'In December of 2002, NBC News Producer Dan Slepian got a letter from a New York State maximum security prison. It was detailed and meticulous, almost like it had been written by a lawyer. It was from a man serving 25 years to life for murder. And it ended with a desperate plea: look into my case...."

"In 1998, Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez was arrested for killing a retired New York City police officer. A year later, he was convicted of second degree murder. But he insisted he didn’t do it. Dan was skeptical. Prosecutors said five eyewitnesses had sworn JJ was the killer. Could five people be wrong? So Dan pays JJ a visit. And at the end of it, JJ gives Dan a challenge: prove me guilty."

Top Box Office 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' flies to number #1 with $104 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 19, 2023 / ESTIMATED

1. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ---> $104.0M
2. Avatar: The Way of Water ---> $6.1M
3. Magic Mike's Last Dance ---> $5.4M
4. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ---> $5.3M
5. Knock at the Cabin ---> $3.9M

via GIPHY

Podcast 'Dateline' Classic Episode 'The Santa Stranger' from 2008

DATELINE on NBC. This classic episode was another segment I had missed. Thank God - for these Podcasts. 👍

NBC says, "In this Dateline classic, two women believe they have information on a decades-old cold case that has been virtually forgotten. And when the Los Angeles Police Department opens a new cold case unit, the stories the women tell would give detectives a chance to catch a serial killer. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on June 20. 2008."

Podcast 'Dateline' drops 'Letters from Sing Sing' on Feb. 20, 2023

NBC says, "Letters from Sing Sing tells the story of a man convicted of murder, his fight for justice, and how the letters he sent NBC News & Dateline producer Dan Slepian sparked a 20-year investigation that changed both of their lives. Follow now to get the first two episodes on Monday, February 20, 2023."

The 'Dateline' episode 'Footprints in the Snow' Hits 2.35 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "Footprints in the Snow" (2/17/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.35 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. 

You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch the latest episode.

Click the photo below for DATELINE on NBC.

NBC

Trailer 'Juniper' in theaters on Feb. 24, 2023

Trailer 'Cocaine Bear' in theaters on Feb. 24, 2023

Trailer 'Jesus Revolution' in theaters on Feb. 24, 2023

Trailer 'Bunker' in theaters on Feb. 24, 2023

Animation Trailer 'Mummies' in theaters on Feb. 24, 2023

Sunny Hostin 'The View' is loudly 'Booed' comparing Kim Kardashian to the late Raquel Welch

Brutal Political Comedy with 'Bill Maher'

48 HOURS pre-empted by 'Star Trek Beyond' on Saturday Feb. 18, 2023

48 HOURS on CBS. The crime show will return Feb. 25, 2023 with an all new episode. 

This weekend's episode will be pre-empted by "Star Trek Beyond" (2016) airing 9/8 to 11/10 p.m.

Friday Night 'Dateline' with Dennis Murphy on Feb. 17, 2023 at 9.8 p.m.

IMAX final trailer 'John Wick 4' in theaters on March 24, 2023

Podcast 'Unsolved Mysteries' episode 'Flirting with Death'

UM says, "On July 27, 2020, Diana Davis texts her boyfriend a photo of a tomato from her Tacoma community garden and says she’s bringing it home for dinner, but Diana is never heard from again...." 

"Two days later her car is torched in Tacoma and eight days after that, her body is located in a wooded area near Seattle. Diana’s killer, who she might have met on a dating site, is still at large, and police warn he could strike again."

The Beautiful Raquel Welch dies at 82

She was labeled a sex symbol throughout in the 1960's & 1970's. She turned to TV movies in the 1980's and there were just 6 of them. There were only 4 major TV networks back then (NBC-ABC-CBS-FOX).

Raquel Welch was 40-years-old by 1982. She followed Jane Fonda by jumping into the physical fitness trend on home video. Women at that age were considered beautiful and sexy.

TV critics laughed at Raquel's television movies and they were pretty bad too. She had a large male fan base though and those TV productions grabbed huge ratings. That doesn't count the VHS home rental market. 

The TV story didn't matter because Raquel Welch was a charismatic, sexy, older woman. There are no TV Ratings for the 1980 TV movie, "The Legend of Walks-Far-Woman." She portrays a Sioux Indian woman and it's a laugh riot. The publicity photos focused on her heaving "chest" too. 

The 1988 TV film, "Scandal in a Small Town" (NBC) grabbed 25.1 million TV viewers overall. It landed in the weekly top 10 TV ratings. Promos showed Raquel as a waitress saying, "Come to Mama." Men tuned in just for her and not the story line.

RIP Raquel Welch....

1980 TV movie on DVD. Starring Raquel Welch and it targeted the male audience.

Publicity Photo. 1980 TV movie, "The Legend of Walks-far-Woman." Raquel is a strong Indian woman, but who cares about that?

1988 Publicity photo for TV movie starring Raquel Welch as a sexy mom who is a waitress. 25 million viewers consisted mostly of a male audience.

1980's Publicity Photo for fitness video. Raquel joined the fitness craze after Jane Fonda made it popular in the 1980's. Women over 40 never looked more beautiful.

Podcast SAG-AFTRA 'Paul Fieg on the Rise of Interactive Entertainment'

SAG-AFTRA says, "Live from the CES in Las Vegas, this episode features a thoughtful conversation with Emmy-nominated actor and director Paul Feig and Co-President of Feigco Entertainment Laura Fischer...." 

"The two discuss their latest foray into interactive advertainment, their work championing diversity in Hollywood, and Paul’s lifelong relationship with Las Vegas."

New Hollywood trend 'With Holding' Box Office Numbers until Sunday

It all began with Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" from Warner Bros. (2020). Because of the pandemic COVID-19. It closed down movie theaters and forced the entertainment business to go dark. The studio didn't release box office numbers for "Tenet" while the pandemic was still going strong. Well.... It has become a new Hollywood trend. With-holding box office numbers to the press. 

Online streaming has become a choice of either and or.... HBO Max decided to release "Magic Mike's Last Dance" into movie theaters on Feb. 10, 2023. It reached number #1 for the weekend. The dance film will stream on HBO Max. Distribution decided not to release box office numbers for "Last Dance" until the end of the weekend (Sunday). 

The reason is that online platforms like "Netflix" don't share "streaming" TV Ratings. If they decide to release their movies into actual movie theaters. They hold back on box office reports because they want to see if film audiences will attend or not. "Last Dance" grabbed its' female audience with $8 million at the box office. The production budget climbed to $40 million which HBO Max hopes to recoup.

This new trend may continue by studio distributors. Online streaming platforms have the power if they release their films at the theatrical box office.

Movie Poster 2023.

Western movie 'Rust' will resume shooting in Spring of 2023

The criminal case against Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will have its' first court "hearing" on Feb. 24, 2023. Both have been charged with manslaughter after a prop gun went off killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (October 2021). Reed was in charge of handling prop-guns-on-the-movie-set. Baldwin held the gun that went off in his hand.

Here is what is happening with this still unfolding story. Click links below.

• Baldwin's lawyers want the special prosecutor thrown off the case.
• Santa Fe District Attorney appointed new prosecutor after movie-set negligence.
• SAG-AFTRA union defends Alec Baldwin who isn't responsible for prop-guns.
• "Rust" will continue filming this Spring. In the name of Halyna Hutchins.
• If found guilty. Baldwin and Reed could face 5 years in prison.

Screenshot KOAT 7 News TV Broadcast. "Rust" was filmed near Santa Fe, NM 2021.

Top Box Office 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' dances to number #1 with $8.2 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 12, 2023 / ESTIMATED

1. Magic Mike's Last Dance                  ---> $8.2M
2. Avatar: The Way of Water                ---> $6.9M
3. Titanic - 25 Year Anniversary           ---> $6.4M
4. 80 for Brady                                   ---> $6.0M
5. Knock at the Cabin                          --->$5.5M

via GIPHY

The '48 Hours' episode 'The Kidnapping of Michelle and Breea Renee' hits 2.38 TV Ratings Overall

48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The Kidnapping of Michelle and Breea Renee" (2/11/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.38 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers with the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.

Click the photo below for 48 HOURS on CBS.

CBS

Brutal Political Comedy with Bill Maher 'GOP White Trash on Display'

The 'Dateline' episode 'Who Killed Mindy Morgenstern?' Hits 2.53 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode "Who Killed Mindy Morgenstern?" (2/10/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.53 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.

You have to Sign-In to Sign-Up to watch the latest episode.

Click the photo below for DATELINE on NBC.

NBC

Trailer 'Devil's Peak' in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023

Trailer 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023

Trailer 'Marlowe' in theaters on Feb. 15, 2023

Horror Trailer 'Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey' in theaters on Feb. 15, 2023

Trailer 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' in theaters on Feb. 10, 2023

Saturday Night Mystery '48 Hours' on Feb. 11, 2023

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Kidnapping of Michelle and Breea Renee" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m.

48 HRS says, "A mother is forced to rob a bank to save her daughter’s life, then her abductor falsely claims the mother was in on the crime. 48 Hours - contributor Tracy Smith reports."

TV Preview begins after commercial ad.

Friday Night 'Dateline' with Keith Morrison on Feb. 10, 2023 at 9/8 p.m.

Deadline Hollywood report on 'Rust' shooting which reveals 'chaos' on the unsafe movie-set

DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD reports on the RUST western movie. It was filmed at Santa Fe, New Mexico (2021). The cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by a loaded prop gun. The film's director Joel Souza was also shot and wounded. He survived.

Manslaughter charges were filed against Alec Baldwin who served as producer and the lead actor on the western. The armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with man slaughter. She was hired to handle all prop guns on-the-set.

This report has complete information from the District Attorney's one-year-long investigation. There will be 44 defense witnesses. They were connected to the western who all had safety concerns that were completely ignored. Crew members quit before the fatal shooting. It was over pay and safety regulations. This investigation uncovered negligent practices involving guns and real bullets on-the-set.  

Click the KOAT-7 logo for the complete DEADLINE report.   

KOAT 7 News at Albuquerque. Alec Baldwin on western movie 2021.

New Mexico Film Day Feb. 15, 2023

SAG-AFTRA LOGO.

New Mexico Film Day

"It’s back live and in person for 2023! Please join your fellow SAG-AFTRA members at the state capitol for our annual celebration of the New Mexico film and media community."  

"It’s a great opportunity to catch up with friends, colleagues, other entertainment union members and our industry stakeholders. There also will be opportunities throughout the day to engage with your legislators in support of NM film and TV!"

• Wednesday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse) / 490 Old Santa Fe Trail / Santa Fe, NM 87501

"RSVP and Cost: No RSVP required. All events are free and open to industry members. Just show up when you can."

Here are a few key event times:

• 9am-5pm – Hair & Make-up and Virtual Reality Demonstrations throughout the day
• 10-11am – Press Conference (State Capitol Rotunda)
• 6-7:30pm – Legislator reception at La Fonda (space is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis) / 100 E San Francisco St. / Santa Fe, NM 87501

Top Box Office 'Knock at the Cabin' is number #1 with $14 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 5, 2023 / ESTIMATED 

1. Knock at the Cabin                     $14.2M
2. 80 for Brady                              $12.5M
3. Avatar: The Way of Water           $10.8M
4. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish $8.0M
5. BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas $6.3M

via GIPHY

25th Anniversary Re-Release Trailer 'Titanic' in movie theaters on Feb. 10, 2023

Horror Trailer 'Consecration' in movie trailers on Feb. 10, 2023

Horror trailer 'She Came From the Woods' in movie theaters on Feb. 10, 2023

Re-Release Trailer 'Lourdes' in movie theaters on Feb. 6, 2023

Trailer 'Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl' in one movie theater for one day Feb. 6, 2023

The 'Dateline' episode 'On a Dark Side, Deserted Highway' Hits 2.68 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "On a Dark, Deserted Highway" (2/3/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.68 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 demographic with adults.

You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch recent episode.

Click the photo below for DATELINE on NBC.

NBC

48 HOURS pre-empted by MMA fight night on Feb. 4, 2023 at 9/8 p.m.

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode will be pre-empted this Saturday from 9-11 p.m. "Bellator MMA" premiere's in prime-time.

Click the photo below for BELLATOR MMA on CBS.

CBS

Saturday Night 'Dateline' with Andrea Canning Feb. 4, 2023 at 9/8 p.m.

An all new 'Dateline' Friday with Keith Morrison Feb. 3, 2023 at 9/8 p.m.

Podcast 'Unsolved Mysteries' new episode 'Body in Cedar Creek'

UM says, "Tyler Smith is just weeks away from realizing his dream of becoming a police officer when he is found dead, face down in a drainage ditch in Galesburg, IL. Local police say the 23-year-old National Guardsman passed out and drowned, but his parents believe Tyler was murdered, and have spent hundreds of hours investigating the case themselves."

Nathan Chasing Horse 'Dances With Wolves' arrested for sexually assaulting under-age girl

DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990). The Western won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture & Director for Kevin Costner. The film was a box office smash grabbing $424 Million World-Wide. It shined a spotlight on the "good" Native Americans in the old west. It also made "stars" of native performers that included 14-year-old Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse (Smiles-A-Lot). He is also known as Nathan Chasing Horse. That was 32 years ago and today it is a different story for him.

Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan. 31, 2023.  A SWAT team entered Nathan's home with an arrest warrant of sexually assaulting teen girls. A tip was given to police back in October of 2022. Nathan was assaulting these Native girls plus trafficking them. He had lured them into his Native cult called, "The Circle." It is being reported that he has 6 wives. He used his native culture as a "spiritual" leader to entrap vulnerable girls. 

The 3-month-long investigation by police has revealed that this cult crosses into multiple states. Nathan may also have co-conspirators with trafficking these girls. He is charged with one count of sexual assault of an under-age female (16 yrs.). That includes child abuse. Plus, two counts of sexual assault and sex trafficking. 

Below is the Las Vegas News report on Nathan's arrest.

1990 "Dances With Wolves." On the Left is Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse as "Smiles-A-Lot." On the right is Kevin Costner.

2007 "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" TV movie. 17 years after Nathan's film debut. He portrayed "One Bull." It was his last appearance. 

The Review-Journal grabbed the mugshot of Nathan Chasing Horse. After his arrest on Jan. 31, 2023.