New York Katrina Relief,
Universal-Dreamworks No-Go,
Future of Food Revealed
October 2005 Movie News
New Yorker Benefit For Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts: A wide mix of personalities from the entertainment culture all gathered in New York City for a benefit concert, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross. Among the blizzard of movie stars were Kevin Kline, William Dafoe, Woody Allen, and Mary-Louise Parker; other notables included Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, Walter Wolfman Washington and the Roadmasters, David Byrne, and Patricia Clarkson. Every performance celebrated New Orleans culture in some way or another, and for many it held a special resonance as their friends and relatives are still missing since the hurricane. Among the highlights: Woody Allen played with Eddy Davis and his New Orleans Jazz Band, actor Terrence Howard read a Mark Twain essay about New Orleans, and Patricia Clarkson read various Tennessee Williams' letters from the French Quarter.
No Dreams For NBC: It looks as though the deal is off. DreamWorks ended talks with NBC Universal amid disagreements on creative controls and price, the former the most important for all Hollywood egos involved. The reported $1 billion deal would have given Universal control of DreamWorks' live-action studio, but not the more famous animation unit. Universal had a strong reason to deal, as DreamWorks has provided more than a third of its domestic box office receipts and over half of Universal's international business this year.
Stay Natural!: So says director Deborah Koons Garcia, widow of Jerry Garcia of Greatful Dead fame, in her new documentary, The Future of Food. This powerful, Michael-Moore-like one-sided bash against the genetically modified food industry should give those who tout organic foods a boost, as well as allow vegans and other health-food lovers a chance to vent. While many of her points may very well be valid, she certainly doesn't give the other side a chance to respond or explain their side of the story.
Revenge Of The Feds: As Anakin found out the hard way, it doesn't pay to go against Obi-Wan. Or, in the case of eight people charged with several crimes related to theft, copying, and distribution of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, it doesn't pay to mess with the Feds.
And Lastly, Mel Brooks Vs. PC Equals No Movie Release: Mel Brooks may have to change the name of his new flick. Right now it is Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World, and apparently the folks at Sony didn't like the M-word in the title, at least according to Brooks. Sony replies that they just didn't find the movie funny. But all is well, for Warner Independent will release the film in January.
