Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

Video: Six Flags Great Adventure Unveils ‘The Dark Knight’ Coaster

JACKSON, N.J., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Six Flags Great Adventure today unveiled the highly anticipated “THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster.” Based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming movie THE DARK KNIGHT, the indoor, dark coaster offers guests a one-of-kind ride experience.To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: More than just a ride, THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster features the most world renowned DC Comics characters in an adventure that utilizes storytelling, physical movement, video, sound and special effects to bring guests a one-of-a-kind dark ride thrill. As part of the experience, park guests will see, hear and feel the action of the movie the moment they enter the ride queue line, as they are transformed into citizens of Gotham City — caught in the middle of a city under siege and torn apart by The Joker.Guests board a Gotham City rail car and careen through six 180-degree hairpin turns, climb unseen hills, plunge into pitch darkness, dip into unforeseen danger and continue to be tormented by The Joker as they thrust onto the battlefield of good vs. evil. Will THE DARK KNIGHT save them in time?”THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster offers guests a one-of-a-kind ride experience that combines the action and excitement of THE DARK KNIGHT movie with the thrill of a roller coaster,” said Mark Kane, Six Flags Great Adventure’s Park President. “THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster offers a unique experience that will appeal to both family and teen audiences.”The attraction also introduces new, customized footage featuring District Attorney Harvey Dent (as portrayed by Aaron Eckhart), produced and shot specifically for THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster. The ride also incorporates audio and visual elements from the film which will debut July 18, 2008, offering guests a sneak peak.The $7.5 million coaster is located in the Movietown section at Six Flags Great Adventure adjacent to BATMAN The Ride. The height restriction is 42 inches to ride with an adult and 48 inches to ride alone. Guests can receive up-to-the-minute park news and purchase a 2008 season pass online at .About Six Flags, Inc.Six Flags, Inc. is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 21 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Founded in 1961, Six Flags has provided world class entertainment for millions of families with cutting-edge, record-shattering roller coasters and appointment programming with events like the popular Thursday and Sunday Night Concert Series. Now 47 years strong, Six Flags is recognized as the preeminent thrill innovator while reaching to all demographics — families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike — with themed attractions based on the Looney Tunes characters, the Justice League of America, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City.About THE DARK KNIGHT MovieTHE DARK KNIGHT reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in his continuing war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker (Heath Ledger), who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces The Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante. The Dark Knight releases in theaters July 18, 2008.About DC ComicsDC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at .SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. (r), TM and (c) 2008.BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. Six Flags, Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

RV Enthusiasts Are Responding to Rising Fuel Costs by Camping at Private Campgrounds Close to Home

AUSTIN, Texas, May 13 /PRNewswire/ — During the week, Roy Rector works as a cyberspace detective.But on weekends, Rector escapes the stresses of the workweek by cooking up gourmet meals in quiet, picturesque campgrounds just outside of town, while his wife, an elementary school principal, crochets.”It’s hard to unwind at home when you’re staring at so many things that have to be done,” said Rector, 52, adding, “You don’t stop and unwind.”And while rising fuel costs make it more expensive to travel long distances with their 34-foot fifth wheel, the Rectors find they can still have peaceful getaways by staying in private campgrounds close to home.”We spent 69 days in our fifth wheel last year,” Rector said, adding that many of those days were spent at campgrounds that were less than an hour’s drive from home.It’s a phenomenon that’s taking place throughout Texas, said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association of Campground Owners. “As fuel costs rise, RVers are camping it closer to home,” Schaeffer said, adding that travelers are increasingly visiting to find out where private campgrounds and RV resorts are located.”You don’t have to drive all day to get someplace where you can have a good time and unwind,” Schaeffer said. “There are literally hundreds of high quality campgrounds and RV resorts in Texas, and many of these parks are in scenic locations near the major cities. Many have lakes and access to hiking trails. Quite a few of them also offer cabins or park models for people who would like to camp but don’t have an RV.”Camping close to home is a strategy that makes sense to Larry and Carol Gray of Fort Worth. When they want to get away from it all, they simply load up their 30-foot fifth wheel and take a 25-minute drive to the Vineyards Campground in neighboring Grapevine.”It’s a great campground,” said Larry Gray, 48, a construction worker from North Richland Hills. “You get out of the city and camp by the lake. Sometimes we stay there all week.”And best of all, Gray said, the Vineyards Campground is close enough that the Grays can enjoy frequent getaways with their two children and extended family without having to worry about spending a lot of money on fuel.”That’s one of the reasons we go there,” Gray said. “We like the fact that the Vineyards is close to home.”Stewart Perlow, a construction worker from Katy, Texas, near Houston, drives a little further — about 90 minutes — to reach his favorite park, Caney Creek RV Park. But he said Caney Creek is a beautiful place to go fishing, and it’s a lot easier to reserve a site there than at a popular state or national park, which typically book up weeks or months in advance. Caney Creek also has a RV storage facility across the street from the campground, so Perlow can leave his travel trailer there and avoid having to tow it back and forth from home.Randy and Jan Borg of San Antonio also like to camp close to home. Last year, in fact, they leased a campsite for their 36-foot fifth wheel at Parkview Riverside RV Park in Concan, which is a 90-minute drive from their home.”The park is located along one of the most beautiful rivers in Texas,” said Randy Borg, 52, adding that the park often offers a slightly discounted rate for campers who lease their campsites. “We also save a little on fuel costs because we don’t have to tow it every time we want to use it,” he said.So while it’s a given that fuel prices will continue to escalate, Perlow, the Rectors, the Grays, the Borgs and other Texas RV enthusiasts say they will continue to camp.”So what if diesel is going up?” asked Rector. With proper planning, he said, RVers can still have affordable getaways as often as they want.”We go to Cottonwood Creek RV Park a lot,” Rector said. “It’s nestled back in the oaks and cedars in the Hill Country, and they have really big level sites. There’s no playground. No music. No hustle. I call it going nowhere and doing nothing. It’s quiet.”And the park, located in Dripping Springs, is affordable, too. Rector said he recently spent two nights at Cottonwood Creek and spent less than $100, including the campground fees and their cost of fuel. “For less than $100,” he said, “we had a weekend away from home.”For consumer sources, information on campgrounds and expert commentary involving the latest camping trends in Texas, please contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 and visit . The parks below have also identified several campers who are willing to do media interviews. They include: — Austin Lone Star RV Resort, Austin, (512) 444-6322 or . — Caney Creek RV Park, Sargent, (979) 245-4735 or . — Cottonwood Creek RV Park, Dripping Springs, (512) 858-0321 or . — Parkview Riverside RV Park, Concan, (830) 232-4006 or . — Shady Pines RV Park and Campground, Jacksonville, (903) 586-0059 or . — The Vineyards Campground and Cabins on Lake Grapevine, Grapevine, (817) 329-8993 or .Texas Association of Campground Owners

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

UEFA Cup Final on Special Pitch

DENDERMONDE, Belgium, May 8 /PRNewswire/ — - Technically Advanced football Possible Thanks to Desso’s Artificial Grass Fibres The UEFA Cup Final between FC Zenit St. Petersburg and RangersFC will be played on an ingenious pitch at the City of Manchester Stadium,the home base of Manchester City FC. More than 20 million artificial grass fibres will protect thenatural grass ensuring that Manchester City’s pitch is in perfect shape. Lee Jackson, Deputy Head Groundsman states: “The pitchsuffered with the bad weather during the busy winter period but thankslargely to the Desso Grassmaster has recovered quickly. As a Groundsman, itis an honour for the pitch to be used as the venue for the UEFA cup final andit is a chance to prepare a surface that will do justice to such aprestigious event.” The stadium too has been designed according to a uniqueconcept. It was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and was then convertedinto a football stadium. Every seat in the stadium is covered by the roof, which issupported by an innovative pre-stressed cable net. However, the design hadimplications on the pitch. The rounding out of the seating bowl and thecompletion of the roof created an environment which made it difficult for thegrass to grow. For this reason, the club opted to install the DessoGrassMaster system. Thanks to this system and the efforts of the dedicatedgroundstaff, led by Head Groundsman Roy Rigby, the UEFA Cup finalists will beable to play on a technically perfect pitch. Moreover, thanks to this system, events such as pop concertsare possible on the pitch, which also contributes to the stadium’ssustainability. Background info - The Desso GrassMaster system is a 100 % natural grass pitch in which 20million artificial grass fibres have been injected 20 cm deep into the soilby computer-controlled machines. The roots of the natural grass intertwine with the syntheticgrass fibres and anchor the turf into a stable and even pitch. - 13 out of the 20 English Premier League clubs play or train on a Dessofield. Eight of them play on a Desso GrassMaster field in their own stadiumincluding Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa. - 7 clubs from the Dutch Eredivisie (Premier League) play on a DessoGrassMaster pitch in their stadium, including AZ Alkmaar, FC Utrecht and NAC. - In the USA, NFL clubs such as Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers,Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers play on a Desso GrassMaster intheir stadium - Worldwide, more than 250 clubs play and train on a Desso GrassMastersystem. About Desso Sports Systems Desso Sports Systems is European market leader in sportssurfaces. The company annually produces over 3 million msquared of artificialgrass for football, tennis, hockey, rugby and American football pitches. Thepatented Desso GrassMaster system is internationally successful withprofessional and amateur football clubs. Desso Sports Systems has its headquarters in Dendermonde (Belgium) andsales offices throughout Europe. The company is part of Desso, a top Europeanmanufacturer of contract carpets and carpet tiles for the office, aviation,hotel, marine, hospital, school, and consumer markets. Clients include ABNAMRO, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts and the 1000 Desso employees are responsible for an annual turnover of 200 million Euro. http://www.dessosports.com http://www.desso.comDesso Sports Systems

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

2008 Mid-America Emmy(R) Awards Gala Presented by Lumiere Place to be Held at the Four Seasons St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, April 29 /PRNewswire/ — The Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced a new venue for the 2008 Emmy(R) Awards presented by Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels. The Gala will be held for the first time in the Grand Ballroom of the new Four Seasons hotel St. Louis.”Each year, the Emmy(R) Awards showcase outstanding achievement in the media industry from the entire region,” said NATAS Mid-America Chapter President and KETC Senior Producer Jim Kirchherr. “We are delighted to honor our recipients this year at the Four Seasons hotel St. Louis and Lumiere Place.”The 32nd Mid-America Emmy(R) Awards presented by Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels will be held Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel St. Louis. Cocktails will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the adjacent 6th floor terrace overlooking the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis. Dinner and the awards ceremony will follow in the ballroom.”We are excited to have one of the premiere media awards celebrations in the country at the newest luxury venue in St. Louis,” said Todd George, Lumiere Place Vice President and General Manager. “This is an exciting time for downtown St. Louis.”The black tie affair is open to the public. Tickets are available online at or by calling (314) 647-EMMY (3669).The Mid-America chapter was chartered in 1962 and began honoring outstanding achievement in this region with local Emmy(R) Awards in 1976. The Mid-America chapter includes the television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois and surrounding DMAs: St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Springfield (MO), St. Joseph, Columbia-Jefferson City, Joplin-Pittsburg, Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ottumwa-Kirksville, Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Paducah-Cape Girardeau-Harrisburg, Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Fort Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Jonesboro, Monroe-Eldorado and Shreveport (LA).About NATAS Mid-America Chapter:The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy(R) Award. For more information please visit . Media Inquiries: At NATAS Mid-America At The Vandiver Group Jim Kirchherr Andy Likes President Senior Team Leader (314) 512-9000 (314) 606-1878 (cell)NATAS Mid-America

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

Future NFL Star Keith Rivers Opens His Couch to Fans by Sharing His Draft Day Experience Online at Yardbarker.com

EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ — Keith Rivers, the top rated linebacker in the 2008 NFL draft, will become one of the first players ever to share his entire draft day experience online through his blog at Yardbarker.com, it was announced today.Running back Darren McFadden, another Yardbarker athlete blogger, will also be posting video blogs from New York during his draft experience beginning Thursday.Rivers, expected to be a top 15 pick, will be posting video clips, photos and written blogs live from his private draft party in Lake Mary, FL. He will also be responding to fans comments throughout the process.”Yardbarker has proven to be the place where fans can connect directly with their favorite athletes online, but USC linebacker Keith Rivers will be taking the connection to another level by creating space on his couch for football fans everywhere during his private NFL draft party,” Yardbarker CEO Pete Vlastelica said. “By going to Yardbarker.com fans will get to experience the phone calls and the emotion of this once-in-a-lifetime moment with one of the top players in the draft.”Rivers, a first team All American and three-year starter at USC, has been posting written and video blogs since the USC Pro Day on April 2. He solidified his status as a top 15 pick by running a 4.50 40 and recording a 42-inch vertical jump.”There is only so much you can control during the draft so I am just enjoying the process,” Rivers said. “I am excited to find out where I will be playing and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with the fans. It’s going to be a fun experience.”ABOUT YARDBARKERYardbarker is the web’s most interactive sports media network. Yardbarker.com, the hub of the network, pulls together original content from top athletes such as Donovan McNabb and Carmelo Anthony, along with articles, photos, links, and videos submitted by passionate fans, giving members more ways to interact with each other than any other major sports site. The Yardbarker Network, which includes 300 high-quality sports blogs and other independent sites, provides Yardbarker’s users with a broad array of content that fuels a never-ending discussion. Yardbarker.com

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

‘Dan Rather Reports’ to Broadcast Videotapes From Behind the Curtain of Wal-Mart - Tuesday, April 22 at 8:00 P.M. ET

DALLAS, April 21 /PRNewswire/ — Wal-Mart is the largest corporation in the world, and this Tuesday’s episode of “Dan Rather Reports” on HDNet will present recently obtained videos of corporate executives soliciting money for their Political Action Committee.(Logo: )For the first time on television, “Dan Rather Reports: Wal-Mart Goes to Washington” will feature segments of these videotapes recently acquired from Flagler Productions. The production company was hired by Wal-Mart to film internal meetings for more than twenty years. They were suddenly dismissed in 2006.What the tapes reveal is how Wal-Mart used money to influence politicians in the company’s favor on pending legislation, like the Patients’ Bill of Rights. It is a stunning look inside a large company using money, lobbyists and Political Action Committees to gain valuable access to politicians in Washington.”How many times have we heard lawmakers deny that money given to my campaign [gets] you a meeting with me,” said Bill Hogan of the Center for Public Integrity in an interview with Rather about the tapes. “What we find in the videos, at least from Wal-Mart’s perspective, that’s exactly what the money does. It gets them a 90-minute meeting with a U.S. Senator.”Tuesday’s episode also presents a report from India, where 167 million people — the equivalent of half the population of the United States — are routinely being raped, abused even murdered.They are called the Dalits — or the “broken people” — and all across India they are born into a centuries old caste system that even today still assures a lifetime of poverty and discrimination.Dalit women especially experience oppression and brutality on an unimaginable scale.”Dan Rather Reports: Wal-Mart Goes To Washington” premieres on HDNet, Tuesday, April 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET with a re-air at 11:00 p.m. ET to accommodate West Coast Prime Time.About HDNetHDNet () provides viewers with the best in original comedy, drama, news, sports and music programming.HDNet is your exclusive, high definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report,”"Dan Rather Reports” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather and “NASA on HDNet” (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010). HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, the NASCAR Camping World Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup re-broadcasts, boxing and premiere Mixed Martial Arts from “HDNet Fights;” behind-the-scenes sports news with “Inside the NHL” and “Inside MMA;” groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series featuring leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas and more; entertaining and irreverent lifestyle programming including “Deadline!,”"Art Mann Presents,” and “Get Out!” HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to the critically acclaimed and award winning programs such as the Emmy Award winning “Arrested Development,”"The Black Donnellys,”"Star Trek: Enterprise,”"Dead Like Me,”"Smallville” and the hit BBC series “Torchwood.”HDNet Movies features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases — all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio so that HDNet Movies viewers get the best possible home theater experience.Only HDNet Movies’ exclusive “Sneak Previews” bring feature films to viewers before they premiere in theaters! Some of the HDNet Movies “Sneak Previews” have included the Academy Award nominated “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” Toronto Film Festival nominee “The War Within,” and “Bubble,” the first of six movies by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh and produced exclusively for HDNet Films. Other featured films include “Cashback,” written and produced by Sean Ellis, “Broken English,” from Zoe Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo and Griffin Dunne, the critically acclaimed “Redacted” directed by Brian De Palma and, most recently and “Flawless”, starring Michael Caine and Demi Moore. Upcoming “Sneak Previews” include “Quid Pro Quo,” starring Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga, and “Gonzo,” the story of the life and death of infamous gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson from director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter.Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit . HDNet

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

Lifetime Networks Announces The 2008 Every Woman’s Film Competition Presented by Lifetime Movie Network in Partnership With The Hollywood Reporter, New York Women In Film & Television, The Paley Center for Media, William Morris Agency and Women In Film Lo

NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — In the 80 years of the Academy Awards, only three women have ever been nominated for Best Director (Lena Wertmuller/1975, Jane Campion/1993, Sofia Coppola/2003) and no woman has ever won that award! To nurture the next generation of great women filmmakers who might one day finally walk away with an Oscar, Lifetime Movie Network, The Hollywood Reporter, New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), The Paley Center for Media, William Morris Agency and Women In Film Los Angeles are launching the second annual Every Woman’s Film Competition, presented by Lifetime Movie Network.After the strong response to last year’s Lifetime Movie Network Student Filmmaker Competition, the 2008 contest has been expanded to all women interested in film — not just students.In announcing the 2008 Competition, Louise Henry Bryson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Lifetime Movie Network, said “In 2006, women comprised 15 percent of all directors, executive producers, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors working on the top 250 domestic grossing films.* Lifetime Movie Network — the only basic cable movie channel dedicated to women and the #2 network for women, second only to Lifetime — is working to change those statistics by offering the next generation of female filmmakers the chance to be discovered.”The Every Woman’s Film Competition entrants will produce short films three to five minutes in length to be judged by a “who’s who” of women in Hollywood. Angela Bassett, Jennifer Lopez, Lauren Shuler Donner, Gale Anne Hurd and Mimi Leder were among last year’s judges.There will be a first place and second place winner, and three honorable mentions selected. In addition, the LMN.tv audience will have a chance to vote online for their favorite film which will determine the selection of a special LMN.tv Audience Winner. The judge-selected first place and second place winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively, to advance their film projects and exposure on Lifetime Movie Network and LMN.tv, as well as trips to both The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Breakfast and The Hamptons International Film Festival, where they will be featured guests. The three honorable mention recipients, as well as the favorite filmmaker chosen by the LMN.tv audience, will win $1000 each.”This is one more way in which Lifetime is at the forefront of inspiring women to express themselves and develop their talents,” said Elizabeth Guider, Editor, The Hollywood Reporter. “The Hollywood Reporter is proud to be associated with this initiative.”"New York Women in Film & Television is committed to the goal of equity for women in the film and television industries,” said Terry Lawler, Executive Director, NYWIFT. “Lifetime Movie Network’s Every Woman’s Film Competition will recognize the young great new talents of the next decade — the women who will finally break the glass ceiling! We are looking forward to working with Lifetime Movie Network on this wonderful project.”"Women In Film Los Angeles is thrilled to work with Lifetime Movie Network and our illustrious partners in this important effort to empower female directors,” said Jane Fleming, President, Women In Film Los Angeles. “It is through programs like the Every Woman’s Film Competition that we can improve the statistics and find the next creative leaders in entertainment.”"We are thrilled to further women filmmakers by showcasing the winning films of the Lifetime Movie Network’s Every Woman’s Film Contest for the second year in a row at the 16th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival,” said Karen Arikian, Executive Director of the Hamptons International Film Festival.Contest information is available online at , and an on-air spot encouraging women to enter the 2008 Every Woman’s Film Competition presented by Lifetime Movie Network ran during the record-setting premiere of “The Capture of the Green River Killer,” the most-watched program in Lifetime Movie Network’s 10-year history. Based on the true story of the 20-year search for the most prolific serial killer in United States history, “The Capture of the Green River Killer” stars Tom Cavanagh, Amy Davidson and Sharon Lawrence.The competition runs through June 15, 2008, and winners will be announced in October. For more information please go to . *Source: The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes Employment of Women on the Top 250 Films of 2006 By Martha M. Lauzen, Ph.D., School of Communication, San Diego State University, Copyright (C) 2007 — All rights reserved About LifetimeLIFETIME is the leader in women’s television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.About The Hollywood Reporter ()Now in its 77th year, The Hollywood Reporter covers the business of the entertainment industry via a network of media outlets. They include the print daily and weekly editions, the web site, various electronic-media offerings and high-profile events such as the Key Art Awards and Women in Entertainment. The Reporter’s team of reporters and news editors number more than 60, with representatives in most of the world’s major cities. The Reporter is published by Nielsen Business Media which is part of The Nielsen Co., a global information and media company whose trade publications include Billboard and Adweek. The Nielsen Co. also owns the media research firm ACNielsen. The first Hollywood-based daily trade newspaper covering the entertainment industry, The Hollywood Reporter began publishing Sept. 3, 1930.About New York Women in Film & Television ()New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) is the preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York City. Dedicated to helping women reach the highest levels of achievement in film, television and new media, and promoting equity for women in these industries, NYWIFT produces over fifty innovative programs and special events each year. NYWIFT’s 1,750 members are part of a network of forty international women in film organizations, representing more than 10,000 members worldwide.About The Paley Center for Media ()The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. At the center of its She Made It initiative is a unique collection of television and radio programming created by women. This landmark collection will provide a permanent record of the vital contributions female television and radio creators and executives have made to our culture. Over 1,500 hours of programming have been collected to date, compiled both from the Paley Center’s existing collection of more than 140,000 programs and from new acquisitions. The She Made It archives are available for viewing and listening at both Paley Center locations in New York and Los Angeles. Public events highlighting the work of leading women in the industry and an interactive website () support this valuable collection.About Women In Film Los Angeles ()Women In Film is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their highest potential within the global entertainment, communications and media industries and to preserving the legacy of women within those industries. Founded in 1973, Women In Film and its Women In Film Foundation provide for members an extensive network of contacts, educational programs, scholarships, film finishing funds and grants, access to employment opportunities, mentorships and numerous practical services in support of this mission.About William Morris Agency ()Founded in 1898, William Morris Agency (WMA) is the largest and most diversified talent and literary agency in the world, with principal offices in New York, Beverly Hills, Nashville, London, Miami Beach and Shanghai. The Agency represents clients in all segments of the entertainment industry, including Motion Pictures, Television, Music and Personal Appearances, Broadway Theatre and Theatrical Touring, Book Publishing, Commercial Endorsements, Sports Marketing, Corporate Consulting, Digital Media, and Video Games. Lifetime Networks

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

Super-Resolution Technology Makes Film-Industry Debut

DALLAS, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Topaz Labs LLC announced today that it has joined in a partnership with independent feature film Sounds to demonstrate its Super-Resolution Technology previously unheard of in the film industry.This partnership means that Sounds, produced and directed by Ryan Humphries of Grass Valley, Calif., will make history as the first feature-length movie utilizing Super-Resolution Technology.The film will premiere the Super-Resolution Technology at the 2008 WorldFest International Film Festival () in Houston, Texas. Now in its 41st year, the WorldFest selection panel nominated Sounds for the prestigious Remi Award. Past recipients of this award include Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, The Coen Brothers and dozens of other Hollywood legends. Sounds screens at 9:30 p.m., April 14, at Houston’s AMC Studio 30 Dunvale Theater, the festival’s main venue.Until now, SRT has primarily been used by spy satellites, the military, the CIA, a few high-tech forensic labs and U.S. law enforcement agencies. Topaz Labs will be the first to develop and introduce Super-Resolution Technology (SRT) to the film industry.Humphries will be consulting with Topaz, lending his creative expertise in the development of this ground-breaking technology for use by video and film producers worldwide.”We are thrilled to be partnering with Ryan and his team to be the first to bring super-resolution video enhancement technology to the film market,” said Dr. Feng Yang, founder of Topaz Labs and holder of five U.S. patents in video and audio enhancement technology.Topaz Labs is a technology and software company that carefully researched and designed unique ways to improve video quality. The result is a series of proprietary video enhancement algorithms based on “Super-Resolution” technology. Radically more effective than typical scaling-based editing programs using so-called video enhancement features, this revolutionary technology carefully extracts image information from multiple adjacent video frames and combines them to re-synthesize video signals at much higher resolutions.With the sci-fi comedy Sounds, Topaz has developed sophisticated SRT software that gives producers of independent films the ability to enhance the resolution of any finished movie.The SRT software from Topaz empowers producers to bump-up their standard definition shot film to hi-def, or even hi-def to digital film of 4,000 pixels. SRT similarly parallels the difference in quality Blu-ray has achieved over standard DVD and compliments Blu-ray in a number of ways, providing greater marketing and revenue possibilities for film producers worldwide.”If you shot a movie in standard definition, which is generally 720 x 480, you can process it with our SRT software and the finished product is a high-definition quality 1920 x 1080 version of the movie,” Yang said. “There are a lot of TV shows that were shot in film and can now, with Super-Resolution Technology, be made to have much better image quality.”As an independent film producer, Humphries is very impressed with SRT’s quality.”The discovery of true SRT from Topaz is exactly what I and other filmmakers need,” Humphries said. “The term Super-Resolution Technology has been used before to describe the process of interpolating and smoothing pixels during image enlargement, which isn’t super-resolution at all. This technology uses a new approach to achieve super-resolution enhancement.”The new, super-resolution software is expected to become available to the film industry this summer (2008). However, an innovative before-and-after demonstration of this technology from the movie Sounds can be viewed at . For more information on SRT, visit .About Topaz LabsTopaz Labs LLC, a privately owned company in Dallas, Texas, focuses on developing advanced video and image enhancement technologies. Topaz Labs’ mission is to bring state-of-the-art image and video enhancement technologies to graphic and video professionals and consumers alike.About SoundsSounds is a fictional sci-fi thriller-comedy that pokes fun at cinematic drama. Writer/Director Ryan Humphries combines two entertaining elements: Sci-Fi eeriness and comedic timing in this spoof about FBI agents on their biggest case ever. Executive Producer Robert Lenney is preparing to seek distribution for Sounds as he gears up for the film festival circuit. Sounds

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

WrestleMania(R) XXIV Crushes Records, Careers

ORLANDO, Fla., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Champions were crowned, the legendary Ric Flair was forced to retire, boxer Floyd Mayweather prevailed, and Undertaker extended his undefeated streak as World Wrestling Entertainment(R) set both attendance and ticket sale records at WrestleMania XXIV last night at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.WWE(R) grossed more than $5.85 million in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing live event in WWE history and in the history of the Citrus Bowl. WWE set an attendance record for the Citrus Bowl with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries invading Orlando, pumping up to $30 million into the local economy. The WWE’s annual pay-per-view, pop culture extravaganza is televised to more than 100 countries.In the match billed as a showdown between the greatest fighter in the world and one of the largest athletes on Earth, undefeated WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather barely survived against 7-foot, 441-lb. Big Show, eventually knocking him out with brass knuckles. Flair, a 16-time World Champion and 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, lost to another legendary star, Shawn Michaels, in an emotion-filled match, forcing him into retirement as one of the greatest pro wrestling stars of all-time. Undertaker defeated Edge(R) to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, extending his undefeated streak at WrestleMania to 16-0. Randy Orton(R) retained the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat match against Triple H(R) and John Cena(R). Kane became the new ECW Champion, crushing Chavo Guerrero.Always a star-studded event, WrestleMania XXIV featured several celebrity participants in addition to Mayweather. John Legend performed “America The Beautiful” to open the event, Snoop Dogg served as Master of Ceremonies for the BunnyMania Lumberjack Match, Kim Kardashian was a special guest hostess, and Raven-Symone played host to 50 Make-A-Wish kids being honored by WWE in its largest wish granting event ever.Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to Images from WrestleMania XXIV are available on FTP: From Windows using Internet Explorer 7:Enter wm24press in the username field and wm24pres$ in the password field of the ensuing dialog box. From Windows using Internet Explorer 6: /WM24_Press/ Enter wm24pres$ in the password field of the ensuing dialog box. From a Mac using an FTP client: (such as Fetch or Transmit) Server name: ftp001.wwecorp.com User name: wm24press Password: wm24pres$ Directory: WM24_Press Media Contact: Gary Davis, 203-353-5066 Investor Contact: Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

Abu Dhabi’s Sorouh Strikes Strategic Alliance With MGM and Rubicon to Explore the Development of Unique Entertainment Opportunities

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, March 27 /PRNewswire/ — Sorouh Real Estate, one of the largest real estate developers listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market with a market cap close to AED 24 billion ($6.5 billion USD), today announced it has signed an agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Rubicon, Inc. (Rubicon) to explore the development of entertainment opportunities within Sorouh’s real estate portfolio.(Logo: )The first project, intended to be a large-scale entertainment destination, is to feature unique concepts and will establish new industry benchmarks, by presenting a blend of western and Middle Eastern cultures and traditions that are unique to the region.Sorouh Real Estate Vice Chairman and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei said: “Through our partnership with MGM and Rubicon, we hope to leverage the unique opportunities available within our real estate portfolio and, ultimately, raise the profile of the entertainment destinations offered by Sorouh for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Both MGM and Rubicon are well known and respected players in the entertainment industry and we are extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to be part of such a unique alliance.”This agreement marks a new phase in the location-based entertainment space for MGM announced in the past twelve months. In spring of 2007, MGM signed a licensing agreement for MGM Studio World, the studio’s first retail, dining and entertainment center in Shanghai with Tianhong Real Estate and Tengxun. MGM Studio World Shanghai is under construction and targeted to open in spring 2010 to coincide with The World’s Fair Expo in Shanghai.Sorouh Real Estate, committed to the development of tourism in Abu Dhabi, is currently developing several projects in the region including Shams Abu Dhabi; a completely new self-sustaining city for 55,000 residents — a city of canals and parks which integrates world-class master planning practices and extends the lush green of Abu Dhabi’s landscape; in addition to numerous mixed-use developments throughout Abu Dhabi.Working collaboratively, Sorouh, MGM and Rubicon will develop a broad and varied entertainment platform and creative content for a high quality themed entertainment and leisure facilities. The collaboration will take a phased approach to creating and implementing entertainment concepts and theme-related real estate developments. The strategic alliance will also explore other business opportunities, seeking to establish a long-term, multi-faceted relationship.Mr. Al Mazrouei said: “This partnership is a testament to Sorouh’s continuous commitment to providing added value to both customers and investors alike. It is our hope that this partnership will enhance Sorouh’s position to further cement Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a leading tourism and lifestyle destination.”"We are pleased to embark on this significant relationship with one of the premier land developers in the United Arab Emirates,” said Harry Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “MGM’s brand and myriad of successful entertainment franchises are recognized around the world and, in working with Rubicon on this project, we can develop and create unique entertainment destinations in the region.”Fawaz H. Zu’bi, Chairman of Rubicon, said: “Rubicon is truly proud to be a partner in this very important program. We see the clear vision of Abu Dhabi’s government and understand the underlying desire of Sorouh to create a balanced environment integrating relevant aspects of culture, media and entertainment in their developments to meet the needs and desires of coming generations in the United Arab Emirates as well as the region. Along with MGM, we will work to create such a balanced environment with a view to serve the long term objectives of our partners.”MGM, a worldwide producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and consumer products, signed an agreement with Jordan-based Rubicon to start a relationship that involves the establishment of a consumer products business throughout the Middle East and North Africa region as well as location-based entertainment initiatives. The pairing of MGM and Rubicon aims to further the growth of the entertainment industry throughout the region.About Sorouh Real Estate P.J.S.C.Abu-Dhabi based Sorouh was established on 26 June 2005, with a capital of AED 2.5 billion. Today, it is one of the largest real estate developers listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market with a market cap close to AED 24 billion. It is one of the most widely-held issues with approximately 40,000 shareholders. Sorouh employs in excess of 200 highly qualified professionals operating in the field of master-planning and master-development.Sorouh now has in excess of AED 45Bn of projects under development. These include:SHAMS Abu Dhabi, Sorouh’s flagship project — a AED 25Bn landmark development on Al Reem Island. A complete new city for 55,000 residents, SHAMS Abu Dhabi will be a self sustaining city of canals and parks which integrates world-class master planning practices and extends the lush green of Abu Dhabi’s landscape.The Gate District at SHAMS Abu Dhabi — a cluster of eight towers located at the entrance to SHAMS Abu Dhabi. Architecturally renowned worldwide, the AED 11Bn residential, office and retail development is designed as a gateway to the peninsula from Al Reem Island. The Gate District also includes the 74 storey Sky Tower which will be a pinnacle of luxury for its residential and commercial occupants when completed. Located next to the Sky Tower, the 65- storey Sun Tower is home to elegant residential spaces with captivating views of the Gulf and Abu Dhabi skyline.Alghadeer - a development located in Saih As Sidairah between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Expected to be home to over 18,000 people, the 3 million sq m site is a complete community offering easy access to the UAE’s commercial centers airports and ports.Sorouh is also developing the Golf Gardens close to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the Tala Tower on Al Reem Island, Saraya development on the Abu Dhabi Corniche as well as the Abu Dhabi Aviation Authority residential project and the Al-Shamkha national housing project.In addition to other achievements, Sorouh was awarded three prestigious accolades during 2007. It won the “Best New Business” category at the Middle East Business Achievements Awards, the “Cityscape Best Commercial Project” for the Gate District, and also won the “CNBC Arabian Property Award” for Best development for Central Park at Shams Abu Dhabi.In 2008, Sorouh was awarded the “Best Customer Service Company - Real Estate category” by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute. The award recognizes Sorouh for its unmatched customer care and for the innovative services provided to its customers.These awards are indications of the positive direction Sorouh has taken and will always continue to take forward.About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit .About RubiconRubicon is the MENA Region’s premier company in interactive multimedia e- education and 3D animation/ CGI. Since its inception, Rubicon has gone full thrust in the creation and development of innovative entertainment and edutainment solutions based on cutting edge technologies in the fields of multi-media programming and CGI. For more information, please contact: Jeff Pryor Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications MGM Tel: 1-310-449-3446 Email: Shaza Albein Assistant Marketing Manager Sorouh Real Estate P.J.S.C. Tel: 971-2-6978956 Mob: 971-50-3130130 Email: Farah Nami Junior Account Executive Hill & Knowlton Tel.: 971-4-3344930 Fax: 971-4-334-4923/33 Email: Yasmine Muna PR & Corporate Outreach Rubicon Tel.: 962-6-4655300 Fax: 962-6-4616800 Email: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.