The former talk show queen’s self-named magazine is also suffering a significant sales drop, according to The New York Post:

Newsstand sales plunged to 413,363 copies — down 32 percent from the same period a year ago, when she was selling 608,212 copies.

Winfrey’s last syndicated talk show aired in May 2011, so while there has been some softness for the past two years, this marked the first six-month stretch with no broadcast TV exposure at all. The magazine’s total circulation was also down by 5 percent, to 2,380,782.

Combine that with the dismal ratings for OWN, Winfrey’s upstart network, and you have a picture of a media titan in trouble.

Winfrey voluntarily left her talk show perch last year, and not having a daily broadcast platform clearly doesn’t help her brand. But she left her show near the peak of her ratings powers and hasn’t committed any obvious public gaffes since then. No embarrassing TMZ videos, wardrobe malfunctions or inconvenient canoodlings.

That leaves Winfrey’s unwavering support for President Barack Obama, something that may have permanently changed the way the American people view her.

Sure, Obama-files probably love Winfrey even more for her stand. But other Americans, particularly those caught in the maelstrom of the president’s sluggish economic recovery, might not wish to be reminded of the Winfrey-Obama connection via her network or magazine.

Or, perhaps it’s time for Winfrey to step down as her magazine’s cover girl on every issue and give some new faces a chance.

The conservative talker spent a second straight broadcast mocking Eastwood’s now infamous “Halftime in America” Chrysler ad that aired on Super Bowl Sunday. Today, Limbaugh played a parody on his popular radio show to keep the story alive despite Eastwood’s protest that the commercial wasn’t meant to support President Obama’s auto bailout policies.

When somebody tells me Clint Eastwood did a halftime commercial for Chrysler, I expect it to be something like this,” Limbaugh told his 20 million listeners before audio of an Eastwood impersonator began:

Limbaugh’s is audio only, but video parodies from other sources were created for the Internet, including one from the Second City Network that appears to be a subtle attack on GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Now, the curvy star of “We Bought a Zoo” is carrying Obama’s water for his 2012 campaign.

Johansson announced she’s back on Team Obama, reading off the Celebrity Apology script while chatting to The Huffington Post about her return to the Hope and Change Express:

I think people are really in dire straits and they are very reasonably and understandably upset,” she said. “I mean Obama inherited a turkey, he really did, and he’s working to… he’s fighting a kind of uphill battle in a sense and he has these past four years. And he never ran his first term as that — he was always going to be a two-term election in that sense. And change doesn’t happen overnight, you know, we know that.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. He inherited a mess. Johansson doesn’t miss a beat, although she neglected to mention the phony, “those dern Republicans won’t let him get anything done” talking point.

There’s always take two, right?

Matt Damon’s first two “Bourne” adventures were a breath of fresh air for a stale action genre, even if they helped bring the Shaky Cam Era into the 21st century. But that third installment, 2007’s “The Bourne Ultimatum,” made it clear the franchise needed to end.

Nuthin’ doing. Hollywood simply found a new actor to take over.

Jeremy Renner,  the steely presence in “The Town” and “The Hurt Locker,” officially becomes the face of the franchise in this summer’s “The Bourne Legacy.”

No Damon, no worries if this clip is any indication. But we’re still looking for a reason to keep the franchise alive.

The new film finds another amnesia patient (Renner) who gets involved in a government program that reeks of inappropriate behavior. That’s being kind, and we’ll have to wait and see if the film offers up some sucker punches to conservative crowds.

For now, let’s enjoy the sublime supporting cast – franchise newbies Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz plus returnees Albert Finney, Joan Walsh, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn.

“Bourne” screenwriter Tony Gilroy takes over behind the camera, and while the trailer seems too pleased with its black bar visuals we don’t see as much hand-held camera works as in past installments.

That’s a relief. If you’re going to reboot a franchise, it’s high time to bring a new visual approach to the material.

OVER TWO MILLION WATCHED SUPER BOWL LIVE STREAM

This is the first time the NFL live-streamed the Super Bowl and the hook was what they called a “second screen” experience, which sounds like the idea was to convince those watching the game on television to also keep their computers on.

How many people, though, watched because they didn’t have access to a television? In the car, for instance? The NFL has to sell this as a “second screen” experience or else cable and satellite providers will howl. If this kind of programming starts streaming, people will cancel their cable packages.

Two million is less than 2% of those who watched the Super Bowl, but that’s still a lot of people.

Right now, the NFL and content providers make a fortune off of cable fees, but you have to wonder  if numbers like these won’t have them looking for a way to cut out the middle man.

WHY DENZEL WASHINGTON IS THE LAST OLD-FASHIONED MOVIE STAR

The author of this piece makes some good observations, but misses the big one. Denzel has never insulted, talked down to, or offended his audience. I’ve seen him hug Obama, I’ve seen him visiting our troops in the Middle East, but there’s nothing divisive about him — nothing anyone can hold against him. That used to be the norm in Hollywood — class — and now it’s an endangered species. Washington is also a family man and openly Christian. What’s not to like about him?

Audiences also trust Denzel not to offend with his film choices. He not only chooses quality projects, but also sucker-punch free projects. We can relax during a Denzel Washington film. We can settle in and not worry about the cheap shot.

Most importantly, every once in a while he chooses a project that appeals to the conservative heartland. “Book of Eli” and “Man on Fire,” for instance.  That’s not to say he doesn’t also make left-of-center films. “John Q” and “The Siege” are both liberal fantasies. But a true movie star doesn’t choose films based on politics but rather story and script. If you look at Gene Hackman’s output, he did the same thing — which is why we miss him so much.

Of course, it also helps that Washington is a phenomenally talented and charismatic actor. But there are many phenomenally talented and charismatic actors — but only one Denzel Washington.

Will Smith, Sandra Bullock and Adam Sandler are in also in Denzel’s league, but that’s about it. Tom Hanks had it but blew it by starring in two openly anti-Catholic films and his trashing of WWII and the War on Terror as wars of terror and racism.

It all comes down to goodwill, doesn’t it?

NETFLIX LESS ABOUT FLICKS, MORE ABOUT TV

Two billion hours were streamed this last quarter, 60% of those hours were devoted to television. The article points out what I’ve said many times and that’s that people want to “dig in” to a show and watch one episode after another.

The article doesn’t reveal that most important truth, though, and that’s that the quality of television is ten-times better than 90% of the films produced today.

As a response to this unexpected demand, Netflix is bulking up its television content and worrying less about films.

And this is what I was talking about last week, as far as the studios having no muscle with their obnoxious 28 day waiting periods for their lousy film product.

Streaming is the perfect place for television shows old and new, television shows are more entertaining than today’s films, and so that’s where the customers are.

I know I drive you crazy covering this every day, but no one else is connecting the dots as the dots appear. Believe me, it would eat up much less of my time to simply link to someone else, but there is no one else and someone needs to tell this story.

Ahem. A-ah-ah-hem: Viacom Agrees To Stream TV Shows Through Amazon Prime

‘THE WOLVERINE’ SET FOR SUMMER 2013 RELEASE

The first “Wolverine” was a pleasant surprise, a simple story well told with plenty of action. Liev Schreiber might have been slumming but his presence added an unpredictability to his character (and therefore the film) few others could’ve pulled off.

FOX DELAYS ‘THIS MEANS WAR’ OPENING TO AVOID BOX OFFICE FACE-OFF WITH ‘THE VOW’

Reese Witherspoon looks astonishingly gorgeous in the “This Means War” trailer and poster, but the trailer is itself is exhausting. My biggest issue is how after you’ve watched those 150 seconds, you feel as though you’ve already seen the movie. All that remains is the question of who gets the girl, but the two guys are so unlikable and selfish, it’s hard to care.

DREW BARRYMORE TO SCALE BACK ON HOLLYWOOD CAREER

Yes, but will anyone notice.

CONSERVATIVE ANGER OVER M.I.A.’S FINGER GESTURE

Really? Only conservatives? Doesn’t say much about liberals, does it?

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COMING SOON TO HOME VIDEO

CLUELESS: Outrageously Funny Satire Makes an Entrance on Blu-ray™ May 1, 2012

Paramount Home Media Distribution invites you to revisit the halcyon days of high school in the ‘90s; a time filled with camaraderie, chaste dances and fervent study…AS IF.  Instead, kick off your designer shoes and enjoy the whip-smart comedy of the contemporary classic CLUELESS when it debuts May 1, 2012 on Blu-ray.  Written and directed by Amy Heckerling (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), CLUELESS stars Alicia Silverstone in a break-out performance as Cher, a beautiful and self-absorbed high school student who spends her days focused on assembling the ideal fashion ensemble, talking her way out of bad grades and searching for the perfect boyfriend.  What Cher discovers is that popularity only gets you so far, looks can be deceiving and love is sometimes found where you least expect it.  Whatever.

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LAST NIGHT’S SCREENING

Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) — One of those lovely, leisurely, classic MGM Dream Factory entries that replenishes your faith in human nature. The conflict doesn’t come from bad people, it comes from the humility and insecurity from the title character (Oscar-winner Robert Donat) over the course of his six decades as a teacher at a prep school for boys in England.

A nice movie, as well as also a genuine artistic achievement.

Can’t imagine life without DVD.

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SCOTTDS’ EPIC LINKTACULAR

OUR OWN MEIRA PENTERMANN’S ‘NINE-TENTHS’ HIT #1 IN POLITICAL FICTION AT AMAZON

TV PILOTS 2012: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

VAUGHN DISCUSSES HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH STEVE MCQUEEN

BRETT RATNER TO DIRECT AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCE FOX’ NEW SPY DRAMA PILOT

MORE PHOTOS FROM ‘ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER‘

CONCEPT ART FOR PIXAR’S UPCOMING FILM, ‘BRAVE’

EXCLUSIVE NEW ONE-MINUTE TV SPOT FOR ‘JOHN CARTER’!

DIRECTOR BRYAN SINGER AND TV WRITER/PRODUCER BRYAN FULLER WANT TO BRING ‘STAR TREK’ BACK TO TV

‘KARATE KID’ SEQUEL MOVING FORWARD

VINCE VAUGHN AND OWEN WILSON WILL REUNITE AS INTERNS

FIGHT OVER WHO OWNS ‘RAGING BULL’ CARRIED UP TO 9TH CIRCUIT APPEALS COURT

TWO WRITERS CONFIRMED FOR ‘DOCTOR WHO’ SERIES 7

10 UNFORGETTABLE OSCAR SPEECHES

GUIDE TO RONALD REAGAN MOVIES AVAILABLE FROM THE WARNER ARCHIVE

HOLLYWOOD’S LACK OF IDEAS

SIGOURNEY WEAVER SAYS JAMES CAMERON WANTS SPECIAL SUBMARINE FOR ‘AVATAR’ SEQUELS

9 MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT ‘GODZILLA’

CHARLTON HESTON AS A JEDI? A LOOK BACK AT ‘THE PHANTOM MENACE’ RUMOR MILL

COOL INFOGRAPHIC: MOVIE MONSTER SIZE CHART

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CLASSIC PICK FOR THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY 9

TCM:

4:30 AM  Boom Town (1940) –  Friends become rivals when they strike-it-rich in oil. Dir: Jack Conway Cast:  Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert. BW-119 mins, TV-PG, CC.

Oil men portrayed as pioneers and heroes.  Hollywood didn’t always suck.

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Please send comments, suggestions and tips to jnolte@breitbart.com or Twitter @NolteNC.

The film wasn’t a flop, but its $26 million haul hardly screamed “franchise.” Yet a sequel is on the way all the same, but this time it looks like we’ll see more of Machete the killing machine and less obtuse political content.

Deadline.com:

The new film finds Machete recruited by the U.S. Government for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man. Machete must battle his way through Mexico to take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space. Machete takes on an army in an effort to dismantle a plan for global anarchy.

“Machete” writer/producer Robert Rodriguez is one of the more pragmatic talents in Hollywood. His early claim to fame was making “El Mariachi” for a measly $7,000. Since then, he’s wisely concentrated on keeping his budgets relatively low and ensuring a decent return on investment for his projects. It’s clear he still has a grasp for the bottom line.

Genre fans love Danny Trejo’s Machete character, and who can blame them? But the first film’s ugly political content – painting politicians against illegal immigration to be nothing more than monsters – certainly turned away more than a few genre fans.

“Machete Kills,” the tentative title for the new film, could be both a reboot and a sign that Hollywood has the ability to listen when the audience speaks. It just doesn’t happen very often.

But there are several films worth revisiting that have gone largely unheralded. At a time when Reagan has earned high marks from historians and academics for his time in office, the caricature of him as just a B actor persists. But Reagan’s uncommon human touch and affable
personality are on full display in films that are worth revisiting.

Furthermore, his conversion from New Deal liberalism over to Goldwater conservatism is directly tied in with Reagan’s Hollywood years. And, as Gorbachev learned during their summit meetings, Reagan could be a tenacious, shrew negotiator; a skill that can be traced back to his time as head of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) union.

The steel behind the congenial smile was forged during some of the more intense altercations with Hollywood communists intent on taking over the union and organizing the film industry. “Thugs” attached to the “red-dominated” Conference of Studio Unions were significant players here, Kengor informs readers in his book. They went after Reagan personally and even threatened to throw acid on his face. Reagan began to carry a gun for his own personal safety and did not give any quarter.

Another forgotten film that captures some of the toughness that later found expression in the political arena is “Storm Warning” (1951). Here, Reagan plays the part of a district attorney investigating a murder involving the Klu Klux Klan in a small southern town called Rockpoint. The film co-stars Ginger Rogers and Doris Day as sisters. When the Rodgers character arrives in town, she observes hooded Klansmen break into a jail to apprehend and murder a journalist who was framed on trumped up charges after exposing the activities in town.

Rodgers later recognizes her sister’s husband as one of the Klansman. She is pressured to remain silent and declines to tell full truth in court. Eventually Rodgers decides to come clean and confess to Burt Rainey, the DA played by Reagan.

Rodgers and Day are both kidnapped by the Klan. The film ends with Reagan’s DA and the police breaking up a KKK rally. The culprits are arrested, but Day’s character dies after she is shot by her husband.

The 1951 trailer captures the overall storyline including a clip with the skeptical, hard-nosed DA Reagan played as he squares off against the Klan in a bowling alley.

Once again, Reagan turns in a strong performance as a supporting character that emerges in the middle of action and assumes a greater importance as the film moves toward its climax.

Day and Reagan would co-star together again in “The Winning Team” (1952). Reagan played the part of Grover Cleveland Alexander, a hall of fame major league pitcher who struggled against alcoholism, epilepsy and myopia (double-vision). Alexander pitched for the
Philadelphia Phillies, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs.

With the help and encouragement of his wife, played by Day, Reagan’s character perseveres through career setbacks and bouts of depression. There is a genuine chemistry between Reagan and Day on screen, and some important life lessons mixed in with the drama on the pitching mound.

The opening sequence of the film shows Reagan’s Alexander allowing his ambition for baseball to get the better of him when he had planned on meeting up with his future wife, Aimee. Despite their marital strains, Aimee develops an understanding for her husband’s condition and is instrumental in his recovery. In the end, Alexander leads the Cardinals to victory over the Yankees in the 1926 World Series.

Some of key themes explored in “The Winning Team” frequently find expression in the political arena. The most successful presidents are the ones who endured through great difficulty and absorbed political setbacks. The character’s namesake in the film, President Grover Cleveland Alexander is the only president who served two non-consecutive terms. Alexander lost his first re-election bid, despite winning the popular vote, but ran again and won.

Reagan lost the 1976 Republican nomination to incumbent President Gerald Ford, but came back four years later to the White House. Reagan also endured the “Iran-Contra” affair to bring closure to the Cold War. Like the pitcher he played on film, Reagan stepped out of public life in 1988 at the top his game. At the time he was first president since Dwight Eisenhower to successfully complete two terms.

The films provide insight into Reagan’s infectious personality that was key to his political success. They are worth revisiting as the Reagan Presidency passes into history with high marks from academics and scholars from across the political spectrum.

Some important Ronald Reagan links to consider his acting legacy:

Reagan’s Film Career

A Summary of his Finest Films

Reagan at PBS

Reagan and Hollywood

Stuart Katz, an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University’s Department of Strategic Communication, said all the finger pointing over the offending digit misses the target.

“It shouldn’t have happened, and it didn’t have to happen,” says Katz, who has been working on live broadcast sporting events like The Olympics since 1978.

“The reality is somebody has to operate the technology. No technology recognizes an obscene gesture,” Katz told Big Hollywood. “That halftime show was rehearsed repeatedly … that reinforces the concept that it didn’t have to happen that way.”

Katz says it was likely human error responsible for the gaffe, adding that it’s improbable the equipment tasked with blurring an offensive image suddenly malfunctioned during showtime.

“They were supposed to blur the picture or at least cut to the wide shot in time… they didn’t do it fast enough … or somebody wasn’t watching,” he says.

The imbroglio could impact future broadcasts and inspire another “layer of protection” to be added to live events, he says.

Not everyone watching the broadcast noticed M.I.A.’s defiant finger gesture. But Katz, a veteran sports broadcast professional, remembers the moment “vividly.”

“I said, ‘oh, there’s gonna be trouble after that,’” he says.

Rush Limbaugh, back behind the golden EIB microphone following a one-day vacation, addressed the Chrysler Super Bowl ad featuring Clint Eastwood. And the talk show titan didn’t like what he heard.

I think he got scammed. I think he got roped into doing something he thought was patriotic and ended up being played. I do,” the conservative radio host said on his show on Tuesday. “I’m just going to give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest he got suckered into this.”

Limbaugh … said “all of this talk of ‘working together’” is something people say when Democrats are “about to get shellacked.”

“When the Democrats are about to get creamed, when the Democrats are on the ropes, ‘Time-out! Time-out, time-out! We’ve got to stop the criticism. We’ve got to stop all the partisanship. Time-out, time-out! We’ve got to all start working together,’” he said, according to a transcript of his show. “Of course that means, ‘Republicans need to shut up. Conservatives need to shut up. Stop being critical! We’ve got to all come together now.’

Johnson is just as eager to share his love for the U.S. and talk about how he shows it now … and in the future. Turns out we might have another actor-turned-politician on our hands. Here’s Johnson taking about being one of the first few Americans to share the news of bin Laden’s death via social media and his future job plans:

I got friends in high places and low places. It was a very interesting day; I’m proud of our country and proud to be American….

Right now the best way that I can impact the world is through entertainment. One day, and that day will come, I can impact the world through politics. The great news is that I am American, therefore I can become President.

Johnson would be following in the footsteps of former action hero king Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as Ronald Reagan. Who knows how a foreign power might react to Johnson’s massive frame – or his signature eyebrow raise?

The actor’s latest action film, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” opens Friday.