I wonder what the protocol is for a movie taking the title of one that already exists.
For example, there's My Blue Heaven from the early 50s I think and the one from the 90s with Steve Martin. It's not a remake. Then I noticed that there's a Woody Harrellson movie from 2008 entitled The Messenger, but there's also one from 1999 with Milla Jovonovich and there completely different plots. I've noticed several others over the years. Does anybody know?
While songs, movies and books are protected as intellectual property under copyright laws, titles generally are not, and are free game. There are exceptions. Films that are part of a series like Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Friday the 13th can usually get trademark protection. Some have argued with little success that I know of that the more complicated or involved a title (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) the more likely it can be considered for protection. Titles that are common words or general phrases (Glory, Raging Bull, The Wedding Singer) remain safely in the public domain.
While titles may be reused, characters and specific depictions from specific works may not be. So, while you are free to create an original film, called The Graduate, you may want to stay clear of characters called Ben and Mrs. Robinson, who meet in hotel rooms.
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: klydon1]
#647565 05/17/1201:39 AM05/17/1201:39 AM
They are making a movie of the Broadway Musical of 80's rock groups, called "Rock Of Ages." The film stars of, all people, Tom Cruise as a rocker, Stacee Jaxx. I never saw the play but my daughter and SIL did while they were in NYC and loved it.
Anyway, they took a phone poll on the radio this morning and FWIW all the calls they got were positive on Cruise in the role. I'm not a huge Cruise fan but thought this role was an interesting choice for him.
ROA has been getting good buzz, with lots of hype particular on Cruise for the Supporting Actor Oscar.
Only took him what, 7 years to complete his comeback from his mental meltdown?
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: J Geoff]
#647728 05/18/1202:38 AM05/18/1202:38 AM
Original Blade Runner writer Hampton Fancher is in talks to pen an idea for an untitled sequel to the classic sci-fi film for director Ridley Scott and studio Alcon Entertainment.
Alcon and Scott are mum on plot details but they confirm that the story will be set “some years after the first film concluded,” according to a statement released Thursday.
I'm still waiting to see "The Grey." I see Time Warner is announcing it on Pay-per view. Hopefully it'll be on HBO.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: J Geoff]
#647925 05/19/1212:43 PM05/19/1212:43 PM
Disney has hired D.V. DeVincentis to script The Night Stalker as a vehicle for Johnny Depp.
The film is based on the classic TV series that starred Darren McGavin as the tabloid reporter who finds his way to a series of supernatural killers. The move follows Disney’s hiring of Edgar Wright to direct the film. Depp and his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski are producing and David Kennedy is exec producer. The studio bought The Night Stalker for Depp, Dombrowski and Kennedy last summer.
Disney has hired D.V. DeVincentis to script The Night Stalker as a vehicle for Johnny Depp.
The film is based on the classic TV series that starred Darren McGavin as the tabloid reporter who finds his way to a series of supernatural killers. The move follows Disney’s hiring of Edgar Wright to direct the film. Depp and his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski are producing and David Kennedy is exec producer. The studio bought The Night Stalker for Depp, Dombrowski and Kennedy last summer.
The cable PBS channel is now airing a documentary on Johnny Carson. It's pretty interesting. He was such an Icon for so many years. I didn't watch him all the time but geez, Johnny was always there. I miss his humor.
Just showed the famous Ed Ames Tomahaawk throw, with Carson commenting calmly with his famous smirk, "I didn't even know you were Jewish." I remember seeing that as it aired. It was hilarious.
TIS
Last edited by The Italian Stallionette; 05/19/1203:34 PM.
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: J Geoff]
#647971 05/19/1206:55 PM05/19/1206:55 PM
My dad loved the book and the movie. He took me to see it when I was about 13, and I was horrified. I think the scene with the nuns disturbed me the most, being a Catholic school girl.
President Emeritus of the Neal Pulcawer Fan Club
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: Sicilian Babe]
#647974 05/19/1209:07 PM05/19/1209:07 PM
I've typically (and very much) disliked SNL for the past, oh, 20 years or so... but tonight's episode (and I think season finale) with Mick Jagger was pretty damn awesome!
I studied Italian for 2 semesters. Not once was a "C" pronounced as a "G", and never was a trailing "I" ignored! And I'm from Jersey! lol
Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy?--Peter Griffin
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Winter is Coming Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: J Geoff]
#648013 05/20/1209:58 AM05/20/1209:58 AM
I've typically (and very much) disliked SNL for the past, oh, 20 years or so... but tonight's episode (and I think season finale) with Mick Jagger was pretty damn awesome!
I missed SNL. I would have loved to seen it. I will see if it's "On Demand" which should be available later today or tomorrow. Btw, did Mick "move like Jagger?"
TIS
Last edited by The Italian Stallionette; 05/20/1210:40 AM.
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: J Geoff]
#648032 05/20/1202:09 PM05/20/1202:09 PM
A while back tending bar on lower East Side across from the Public Theatre in Manhattan around midnight with about three customers sitting at tables eating Mick Jagger walked in with two associates and took small table. While mostly listening to them talk Mick enjoyed two white wine spritzers and after 30 minutes approached me alone and paid bill leaving $5 dollar tip. I remember the look in his eye saying i'm available for some fun if u would like but i rather thanked him and they left.
Last edited by kjk; 05/20/1202:14 PM.
Do your best, we only go around once
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: kjk]
#648099 05/21/1212:43 AM05/21/1212:43 AM
Watching SNL now on "On Demand". It's been so long since I've seen it, I only know a few of the cast. Anyway, pretty good so far.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
Geez, Robert DeNiro doing commercials for HBOs "On Demand?? Who would have thought?
Looked, but couldn't find link for it.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
Yep, that's the one. Dang, I went to you tube and didn't find it.
There was a time when you'd NEVER imagine someone of DeNiro's stature would ever do a commercial. Gotta say, he sounds just as intimidating in the ad as he can on screen.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: Movies/TV Random Post Whoring (2012)
[Re: J Geoff]
#648840 05/28/1212:50 AM05/28/1212:50 AM
Roger Ebert wrote a terrific short essay on John Wayne for his 105th birthday, and the times he had interviewed The Duke.
Quote:
Wayne sized him up as if to judge if he was one of those goddamned hippies. "I think the President is conducting himself with honor," Wayne said, "and there's only one thing better than honor"
Yep, that's the one. Dang, I went to you tube and didn't find it.
There was a time when you'd NEVER imagine someone of DeNiro's stature would ever do a commercial. Gotta say, he sounds just as intimidating in the ad as he can on screen.
TIS
Also, Joe Pesci doing Snickers commercials and Jackie Chang (who looks terrible) doing V8 commercials.
"Generosity. That was my first mistake." "Experience must be our only guide; reason may mislead us." "Instagram is Twitter for people who can't read."
I remember seeing that as it aired. It was hilarious. 
lol
I would have loved to seen it. I will see if it's "On Demand" which should be available later today or tomorrow. Btw, did Mick "move like Jagger?" 
Who would have thought?