Friday, December 8, 2023

The 'Dateline' episode 'Open Desert' Hit 3.31 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Thursday night's episode was called, "Open Desert" (12-8-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 3.31 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the 18 to 49 adult demographic.

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

Click NBC logo below for DATELINE.

TV screenshot of the episode opening.

Pierce Brosnan's stylish thriller 'Fast Charlie' in movie theaters now


Google Play Streams this Movie. Click on photos below.

Movie Poster 2023

Scene from Movie 2023. Pierce Brosnan.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Saturday Night 'Dateline' with Josh Mankiewicz on Dec. 9, 2023 at 9/8 p.m.

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

Thursday Night 'Dateline' with Josh Mankiewicz on Dec. 7, 2023 at 10/9 p.m.

1970's TV Mega-Creator Norman Lear Dies at 101

SAG-AFTRA members approve TV/Theatrical Contracts 2023

Dear SAG-AFTRA member, 

"Today we close out one of the most important chapters in recent entertainment industry history. The 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts have officially been ratified by SAG-AFTRA members by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%."

"This contract is an enormous victory for working performers, and it marks the dawning of a new era for the industry."

"Getting to this point was truly a collective effort." 

"With the ratification of this agreement, SAG-AFTRA members will receive unprecedented wage escalation, significantly improved streaming compensation, and the first-ever crucial protections around the use of artificial intelligence technology. In the coming weeks, there will be further member education materials released to get members up to speed on the finer points of the deal."

"A huge thank you is owed to each and every member for your sacrifice and solidarity throughout 2023. Whether you were a strike captain, phone-bank volunteer, picketer, social media warrior, a participant in the wages and working conditions process, or simply supportive of your union’s efforts, you were part of this moment."

"Let’s celebrate what we’ve accomplished together and continue to foster the bonds that have been forged throughout this season of solidarity."

"In 2024, our sibling unions IATSE, AFM and the Teamsters will be entering negotiations, and they will be able to use our groundbreaking gains as leverage in their own bargaining efforts."

"What we’ve achieved will have far-reaching and long-lasting positive effects for everyone working in our industry and around the world." 

In strength and unity, 

  • Fran Drescher / President
  • Duncan Crabtree-Ireland / National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator

SAG-AFTRA Logo.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Classic Movie Flashback 'Twilight Zone: The Movie' 1983

TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE from WARNER BROS. (1983). The production budget climbed to $10 million. It grossed $42 million at the world wide box office. (Movie ticket price $3.15). Steven Spielberg and John Landis both produced the film. It's based on the popular 1959 Black & White TV series.

There are four stories that were helmed by current 1980's directors.

  1. "Time Out" Directed by John Landis.
  2. "Kick The Can" Directed by Steven Spielberg.
  3. "It's A Good Life" Directed by Joe Dante.
  4. "Nightmare At 20,000 Feet" Directed by George Miller.
CBS Television executives green-lit "The Twilight Zone" for the Fall of 1985. It ran for 3 TV seasons.

During filming of the first segment "Time Out" that was written and directed by John Landis. An on-set helicopter crash killed actor Vic Morrow and two undocumented child performers. The film's casting director didn't know about the kids who were paid under-the-table. California's child labor laws prohibited children from working at night. The film shoot was at 2 a.m.

Criminal and Civil lawsuits were filed against John Landis (Director), John Folsey Jr. (Associate Producer), Dan Allingham (Production Manager), Dorcey Wingo (Helicopter Pilot) and Paul Stewart (Explosives Expert). They were all acquitted in 1986 after heavy news coverage of the accident.

The tragic deaths garnered interest among film-goers and fans of the classic TV-series. Plus, its' famous director Steven Spielberg. When "Twilight" was released. It received mixed reviews. (My favorite segment is "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" with John Lithgow).

1983 Movie Poster.

1983 original movie Lobby Cards.


Part 2: Podcast 'Dateline' with Josh Mankiewicz 'Mortal Sin'

Part 1: Podcast 'Dateline' with Josh Mankiewicz 'Mortal Sin'

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Fantastic 'Godzilla Minus One' in movie theaters now

GODZILLA MINUS ONE from TOHO Studios (2023). The production budget climbed to $15 million. It has grossed $34 million so far at the world wide box office. It grabbed $11 million in North America over the week-end (12/3/2023). It has become a box office smash in its' homeland of Japan.

Many critics are saying it is the best "Godzilla" film ever made after 37 films.

I'm not a "Godzilla" fan at all. But, I heard about all the rave reviews and walked into an Albuquerque Regal Cinemas. It was fantastic and when it was over. The audience burst into huge applause. Including me.

The story surrounds a World War II Japanese Kamikazi pilot. He didn't finish a job and froze during an attack by a young "Godzilla." Many men died and this pilot has survivors guilt. After the U.S. Atomic bomb obliterated Japan (1945). He lost his parents and tried to pick up the pieces of his ravaged home. He ends up taking care of a woman and her baby. Godzilla grows bigger after the Atomic bomb and returns to crush parts of Tokyo. Can this tormented pilot help fight the monster?

I can't remember if I saw the 1998 version. I have not seen any other "Godzilla" film that goes back to 1954. The English Sub-Titles didn't bother me at all. It had a great story, popping visuals and heart-pounding sound effects. Way, way cool.

2023 Movie Poster.

The '48 Hours' episode 'Death At The Front Door: Who Shot Heidi Fircus?' Hit 1.90 TV Ratings Overall

48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "Death At The Front Door: Who Shot Heidi Fircus?" (12/2/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 1.90 million TV ratings overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.

Note: I apologize for not putting up the TV preview. Busy.... 

Click CBS logo below for 48 HOURS.

CBS.

Top Box Office 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce' Hits Number #1 with $21 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / 12/3/2023 / ESTIMATED

$21.0M - Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
$14.5M - The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
$11.0M - Godzilla Minus One
$7.6M - Trolls Band Together
$7.4M - Wish

Saturday Night 'Dateline' Grabs Good TV Ratings

DATELINE on NBC. The "Siren Song" episode grabbed 2.07 TV ratings Overall. It reached 0.2 TV Ratings in the18 to 49 Adult demographic.

NBC TV screenshot of opening sequence.

DATELINE on NBC. "The Jacket" episode grabbed 2.41 TV ratings Overall. It reached 0.2 TV Ratings in the 18 to 49 Adult Demographic. 

NBC TV screenshot of opening sequence.

Trailer 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' in the theaters on April 12, 2024

Friday, December 1, 2023

John Woo returns with major action in 'Silent Night' in theaters Dec. 1, 2023

via GIPHY

The 'Dateline' episode 'The Ultimate Betrayal' Hit 2.05 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "The Ultimate Betrayal" (11-30-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 2.05 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 NBC logo below for DATELINE.

A TV screenshot of the opening segment.

Rave Reviews coming in for 'Godzilla Minus One' in theaters Dec. 1, 2023