Focus Features' George Clooney starrer "The American" topped the domestic box office with an estimated $16.4 million during the summer-ending Labor Day weekend.
The assassin-themed thriller rang up $19.5 million in its first six days, after unspooling midweek to get a jump on the four-day frame. Two other wide openers bore the same R rating as "American" but seemed more restricted in audience appeal.
Fox's crime actioner "Machete" topped daily rankings with $3.9 million in its first day of release on Friday, but the Robert Rodriguez-shepherded splatterfest quickly ceded its lead to the more broadly appealing Clooney pic and fetched $14 million in second place through Monday. Warners' romantic comedy "Going the Distance" -- starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long -- proved the weakest of the weekend debutantes, wooing $8.6 million in fifth place during its first four days.
Elsewhere, Sony's heist actioner "Takers" took in $13.5 million in its sophomore session to finish third on the frame and pile cumulative coin to $40 million, while Lionsgate's horror pic "The Last Exorcism" conjured $8.8 million in fourth place for an 11-day cume of $33.6 million. Outside of the top rankings, Fox's special edition re-release of "Avatar" posted another $2.9 million in its second weekend to push record cume for the James Cameron epic to $758.2 million.
September 07, 2010
David Westin Resigns
ABC News President David Westin said on Monday he was resigning after 13 years, according to a memo he sent to employees that was released on the network's website.
"I've always admired those few who know when it's time to move on. This is the right time for me," said Westin, who added he would remain in his post through the end of the year.
The New York Times quoted an ABC staff member as saying the decision was tied partly to a long-standing conflict between Westin and ABC management, including parent Walt Disney Co, over the news division's financial situation.
The staff member was quoted as saying that managers at ABC and Disney had pressed Westin to increase profits at the news division and were unhappy with his efforts to reach that goal.
A senior ABC executive quoted by the Times said financial issues relating to news costs did not figure in Westin's resignation.
Earlier this year, ABC News revamped its operations and said it would offer voluntary separation packages to all full-time, U.S.-based, non-union, non-contract employees. A source familiar with the situation said ABC News hoped to reduce staff by 300 to 400 people, out of a total staff of about 1,500.
Competitors CBS Corp and General Electric's NBC have also cut their news divisions amid weak demand for advertising.
In his statement, Westin said, "Over the last nine months, we've put in place new anchors on all of our programs. At the same time, we went through a very difficult transformation made necessary by changes in our business and its economics.
"I am confident ABC News is better positioned for the future than it has been at any time since I came here in March of 1997."
"I've always admired those few who know when it's time to move on. This is the right time for me," said Westin, who added he would remain in his post through the end of the year.
The New York Times quoted an ABC staff member as saying the decision was tied partly to a long-standing conflict between Westin and ABC management, including parent Walt Disney Co, over the news division's financial situation.
The staff member was quoted as saying that managers at ABC and Disney had pressed Westin to increase profits at the news division and were unhappy with his efforts to reach that goal.
A senior ABC executive quoted by the Times said financial issues relating to news costs did not figure in Westin's resignation.
Earlier this year, ABC News revamped its operations and said it would offer voluntary separation packages to all full-time, U.S.-based, non-union, non-contract employees. A source familiar with the situation said ABC News hoped to reduce staff by 300 to 400 people, out of a total staff of about 1,500.
Competitors CBS Corp and General Electric's NBC have also cut their news divisions amid weak demand for advertising.
In his statement, Westin said, "Over the last nine months, we've put in place new anchors on all of our programs. At the same time, we went through a very difficult transformation made necessary by changes in our business and its economics.
"I am confident ABC News is better positioned for the future than it has been at any time since I came here in March of 1997."
Online Casino Reports
One of the top games on Facebook nowadays is the Texam Holdem Poker game. Many are enjoying it as a casual game while there are a number who are playing with real money in it.
However, the Texas Holdem Poker game on Facebook is not the only place where you can play poker online. In fact, there are many websites that offer the game for free and you can likewise play with real people around the world.
More than that, some websites also offer other casino games and casual board games like an online backgammon game. But how do you know these websites?
Let's say you want to play
online gin rummy now. Is there a place that can help tell you where to go?
Yes, there's Online Casino Reports. It's an online gambling guide and news magazine. In there, you can watch news and videos, read guides, tips and articles, read on
betting exchange articles and even participate in the community through the forums.
Here's a video that's just been recently uploaded. Enjoy and watch:
That's just one of the many rich-media videos available on the site, not to mention informative podcasts which you can listen too as well. They release a weekly edition gambling news video almost every week so there's always fresh content there to watch.
If you look at the directory section, you can find not only a list but a comprehensive review as well of several gambling related products such as online casino, poker rooms, sports betting, online bingo, backgammon, gin rummy, lotteries, skill games, betting exchange and my personal favorite, mobile gaming.
There's also a services section where you can learn about best bonuses that require no deposits, bonuses for high rollers, jackpots trackers, top poker bonuses and more.
Online Casino Reports compiles these services so you won't have to waste time searching online and doing research. All you need to do is visit their site and discover the sites that offer the best online gambling experience.
Take a look and you'll see the most popular online casinos, poker rooms, bingo halls and sports books according to their promotions and progressive jackpot totals, no deposit bonuses and high roller bonuses, and much more.
Learn, discuss, play - that's what online casino reports is all about. Check them out and I'm sure you'll never have to look anywhere else again.
However, the Texas Holdem Poker game on Facebook is not the only place where you can play poker online. In fact, there are many websites that offer the game for free and you can likewise play with real people around the world.
More than that, some websites also offer other casino games and casual board games like an online backgammon game. But how do you know these websites?
Let's say you want to play
online gin rummy now. Is there a place that can help tell you where to go?
Yes, there's Online Casino Reports. It's an online gambling guide and news magazine. In there, you can watch news and videos, read guides, tips and articles, read on
betting exchange articles and even participate in the community through the forums.
Here's a video that's just been recently uploaded. Enjoy and watch:
That's just one of the many rich-media videos available on the site, not to mention informative podcasts which you can listen too as well. They release a weekly edition gambling news video almost every week so there's always fresh content there to watch.
If you look at the directory section, you can find not only a list but a comprehensive review as well of several gambling related products such as online casino, poker rooms, sports betting, online bingo, backgammon, gin rummy, lotteries, skill games, betting exchange and my personal favorite, mobile gaming.
There's also a services section where you can learn about best bonuses that require no deposits, bonuses for high rollers, jackpots trackers, top poker bonuses and more.
Online Casino Reports compiles these services so you won't have to waste time searching online and doing research. All you need to do is visit their site and discover the sites that offer the best online gambling experience.
Take a look and you'll see the most popular online casinos, poker rooms, bingo halls and sports books according to their promotions and progressive jackpot totals, no deposit bonuses and high roller bonuses, and much more.
Learn, discuss, play - that's what online casino reports is all about. Check them out and I'm sure you'll never have to look anywhere else again.
September 03, 2010
A Change In Beliefs
I used to think that there was no need for term life insurance if nobody needs your income. But perhaps I should amend this – You need to weigh the chances that someone will eventually need your income.
For example, if I fully plan on having kids within the next 2-5 years then my income will probably be needed at that time. And as someone else mentioned in a comment, life is a funny thing and you never know when my wife might just get pregnant unexpectedly.
So the question is, do I really gain anything by waiting until the last minute? The risk I take is that in the meantime my health deteriorates and I become uninsurable.
You might find out you have cancer, fight bank and end up in remission, and lead a long life. You develop a heart condition have it under control, and be perfectly functional. But in either case, nobody will be issuing you an affordable policy.
For example, if I fully plan on having kids within the next 2-5 years then my income will probably be needed at that time. And as someone else mentioned in a comment, life is a funny thing and you never know when my wife might just get pregnant unexpectedly.
So the question is, do I really gain anything by waiting until the last minute? The risk I take is that in the meantime my health deteriorates and I become uninsurable.
You might find out you have cancer, fight bank and end up in remission, and lead a long life. You develop a heart condition have it under control, and be perfectly functional. But in either case, nobody will be issuing you an affordable policy.
September 02, 2010
Amazon Will Soon Offer Movies and TV Shows
Amazon.com Inc. has approached media companies including Time Warner Inc. with plans to start an online video subscription service to rival Netflix Inc., said three people with knowledge of the talks.
The service, sold for a monthly fee by the Seattle-based Web retailer, would consist of older films and TV shows, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the conversations are private. They said talks are early and could still fall apart.
Time Warner, MTV owner Viacom Inc. and General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal have also been contacted, the people said. Amazon.com Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is broadening the retailer’s digital entertainment services to combat rivals such as Netflix, Hulu LLC and Apple Inc., which distributes a range of music, TV and film through its iTunes online bazaar.
Amazon would structure content deals in ways similar to Netflix, which pays media companies for rights to stream TV shows and films over the Web, said one of the people.
Keith Cocozza, a spokesman for New York-based Time Warner, declined to comment.
Amazon spokesman Craig Berman, Rebecca Marks, a spokeswoman for New York-based NBC, and Kelly McAndrew, a spokeswoman for New York-based Viacom, also declined to comment.
The subscription service would be accessible on Web browsers and Internet-connected TV sets, Blu-ray players and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video-game console, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported Amazon’s plans yesterday.
Amazon currently sells film and TV show downloads and rents movies through its website and on Roku Inc., TiVo Inc. and Sony Corp., devices, among others. Warner Bros. is the biggest non- network producer of broadcast television shows.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, plans to announce a new set-top box that includes programming from Netflix, three people with knowledge of the plans said yesterday.
Amazon gained $1.04 to $124.83 yesterday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The shares have lost 7.2 percent this year.
The service, sold for a monthly fee by the Seattle-based Web retailer, would consist of older films and TV shows, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the conversations are private. They said talks are early and could still fall apart.
Time Warner, MTV owner Viacom Inc. and General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal have also been contacted, the people said. Amazon.com Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is broadening the retailer’s digital entertainment services to combat rivals such as Netflix, Hulu LLC and Apple Inc., which distributes a range of music, TV and film through its iTunes online bazaar.
Amazon would structure content deals in ways similar to Netflix, which pays media companies for rights to stream TV shows and films over the Web, said one of the people.
Keith Cocozza, a spokesman for New York-based Time Warner, declined to comment.
Amazon spokesman Craig Berman, Rebecca Marks, a spokeswoman for New York-based NBC, and Kelly McAndrew, a spokeswoman for New York-based Viacom, also declined to comment.
The subscription service would be accessible on Web browsers and Internet-connected TV sets, Blu-ray players and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video-game console, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported Amazon’s plans yesterday.
Amazon currently sells film and TV show downloads and rents movies through its website and on Roku Inc., TiVo Inc. and Sony Corp., devices, among others. Warner Bros. is the biggest non- network producer of broadcast television shows.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, plans to announce a new set-top box that includes programming from Netflix, three people with knowledge of the plans said yesterday.
Amazon gained $1.04 to $124.83 yesterday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The shares have lost 7.2 percent this year.
Thinking About Winter
I'm planning to go to Batanes to experience winter for the first time. It's going to be a far cry from the cool, mild Manila winter I've become accustomed to.
One of the things I've been thinking about is all the winter gear I'm going to need in order to stay nice and toasty.
In particular I've been searching for a pair of warm snow boots. Ideally I'd like to find a vintage pair. I'm dreaming that the thrift stores there will be overflowing with vintage snow boots.
I've already expressed my disdain for Uggs and I don't want anything that's going to make me look like I'm about to run the Iditarod. I'll buy used or vintage leather, but not new leather.
One of the things I've been thinking about is all the winter gear I'm going to need in order to stay nice and toasty.
In particular I've been searching for a pair of warm snow boots. Ideally I'd like to find a vintage pair. I'm dreaming that the thrift stores there will be overflowing with vintage snow boots.
I've already expressed my disdain for Uggs and I don't want anything that's going to make me look like I'm about to run the Iditarod. I'll buy used or vintage leather, but not new leather.
New iPod Touch Announced
Apple's new iPod touch has the same Retina Display, front facing camera, rear HD camera, and A4 processor as the iPhone 4, all in a size slimmer than last year's media player.
The new iPod touch, along with the rest of the new iPod lineup, will be available next week. All three models of the new iPod touch have the new features, starting at $229 for the 8GB model, $299 for the 32GB version, and $399 for 64GB of capacity.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the new iPod touch can run the same iMovie application that was previously only available for the iPhone 4. Using the rear-facing HD camera, users can shoot video and edit it right on the device.
The new iPod touch also has a forward-facing camera that allows users to do FaceTime with other iPod touch users, as well as iPhone 4 owners.
The fourth-generation iPod touch will also ship with iOS 4.1, which includes Game Center, Apple's social networking application for game players.
Jobs said he believes that the new lineup of iPods is the strongest that Apple has ever had.
The new iPod touch, along with the rest of the new iPod lineup, will be available next week. All three models of the new iPod touch have the new features, starting at $229 for the 8GB model, $299 for the 32GB version, and $399 for 64GB of capacity.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the new iPod touch can run the same iMovie application that was previously only available for the iPhone 4. Using the rear-facing HD camera, users can shoot video and edit it right on the device.
The new iPod touch also has a forward-facing camera that allows users to do FaceTime with other iPod touch users, as well as iPhone 4 owners.
The fourth-generation iPod touch will also ship with iOS 4.1, which includes Game Center, Apple's social networking application for game players.
Jobs said he believes that the new lineup of iPods is the strongest that Apple has ever had.
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