The ads are always a major draw when the Super Bowl plays. Some of those advertisements rely entirely on a major celebrity appearance and the advertisement usually succeeds epically or fails disastrously based on that appearance. Let’s take a look at three advertisements from last night’s Super Bowl and which ones were winners and which ones were losers:

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The clear winner is easy. When I heard Clint Eastwood would appear in a car commercial and have a pep talk with America, I expected something a little more light. Maybe they’d use his “Dirty Harry” image in some satirical way. Who knows. But, when the advertisement started playing, the entire room (which was previously filled with talk and laughter and some yelling) went silent. Everyone was glued and listened to every word that slipped from Eastwood’s mouth. It was a pep talk alright. And I say we band together and start a petition to nominate Eastwood for an Oscar for his little pep talk. The second he starts walking towards the screen, he consumes you in his shadow. He speaks from experience and he speaks almost as a godfather to us all. By the end of it I wanted to stand up and salute the flag. It makes one more and more excited to see Eastwood return to the front of the cameras for his next flick.

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THE ARTIST STAR’S RACY ‘LES INFIDELES’ POSTERS DRAW COMPLAINTS

JoBlo’s Alex Riviello chimes in:

It’s always amazing to me how a few morally uptight individuals can ruin things for everyone else. Enjoy the posters.

Maybe I’m a prude or just old-fashioned, but men used to reflexively want to defend women, to protect their dignity and honor.

What a con that feminism has made it not only a virtue for women to behave in this fashion, but also for men to wag their fingers at the rest of us for wanting to speak out against women demeaning themselves.

THE UNDERRATED FILMS OF WOODY ALLEN

Other than “What’s up Tiger Lily,” which I’ve always felt was OVERrated — a 3 minute joke taken to feature-length excess, I am in full agreement. I would also add “Mighty Aphrodite,” “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” “Another Woman,” “Cassandra’s Dream,” and “Sweet and Lowdown.”

Other overrated titles would most definitely include “Midnight In Paris,” which was nominated for an Oscar this year.  But that probably says more about the state of movies today than anything else.

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HOLLYWOOD’S NEWEST CRYBABIES: LEPERS … AND INDIA

It doesn’t bother me when crybabies crybaby. That’s what crybabies do, especially GLAAD and CAIR — two of the biggest, fascist crybabies in the history of crybabying.

What bothers me is that the politically correct cowards that run Hollywood only listen to certain crybabies. Southerners, Christians, stay-at-home-moms, Republicans, and pro-lifers continue to take hellacious beatings in all things pop culture. Everyone else is hands off at the first sound of a crybaby.

Those of us on the right can take a joke better than anyone; it’s being singled out by Hollywood cowards who pose as “edgy” that’s galling — the double standard.  Take us back to the good old days of “Blazing Saddles,” and we’ll never complain again.

It’s not satire when you’re singled out. It’s bigotry.

AMAZON PONDERS NEW CHALLENGE TO NETFLIX IN STREAMING MARKET

There’s a bigger story here than just this:

Ever since Netflix first alienated its consumers last summer with a price hike – ruining a perfect record of consumer satisfaction – the market seemed to open for new challengers. That door swung a bit wider after Netflix and Starz failed to agree to terms, further limiting the service’s movie offerings.

At the moment, Amazon has deals with the likes of CBS, Fox, Disney and NBCUniversal.

Hollywood is fighting streaming harder than they would ever fight terrorists and yet you have two of the biggest entertainment retailers on the planet — Netflix and Amazon — expanding this service. It was only a matter of time before someone stepped in to challenge Netflix Streaming, and Amazon is the perfect choice.

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BOX OFFICE ANALYSIS

According to Box Office Mojo, this weekend’s box office is up 26% over last year, which is great news.

1. Underworld Awakening: $25.4m — No one’s ever accused me of being too highbrow to enjoy vampire/werewolf flicks, especially dumb ones, but this is a franchise I could never get into. All camera moves, hyper-editing, and atmosphere. This is a good opening weekend for the fourth in this franchise and for the return of star Kate Beckinsale, who took the last film off.

2. Red Tails: $19.1m – George Lucas should be very happy. If my twitter feed is any indication, people are enjoying this old-fashioned crowd-pleaser.

3. Contraband: $12.2m – After two weeks, Mark Wahlberg’s smuggling actioner has already pulled in $46 million. This is not high-concept driven, and it’s not even a very good movie (saw it last weekend). Maybe it’s time to add Wahlberg to the short-list of those who can actually open a film these days. Good for him.

4. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: $10.5m – Disaster. People are going to blame the reviews, but the film stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, which means it should be critic-proof. This is Hanks’ second flop after “Larry Crowne,” and I think it’s time for Mr. Hanks to start wondering if his indefensible comments about WWII might have come home to roost.

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SIGOURNEY WEAVER: ‘ALL FILMS WILL EVENTUALLY BE 3D’

Weaver believes 2D will go the way of black and white, and I don’t completely disagree. Hollywood is absolutely freaked out over piracy, so freaked out they’ve embraced their own Patriot Act with SOPA, and the real benefit of 3D is how it makes piracy that much more difficult. A lot of piracy is done via camcorder, someone sneaking a small camera into a theatre. You can’t do that with 3D.

The problem, and it’s a major one, is that many of us don’t like 3D. If we did, 3D televisions would be flying off the shelves, when just the opposite is happening.

Never in my life have I enjoyed a film more in 3D than 2D. I hate 3D and find it a distraction. Moreover, I think it’s become a crutch for filmmakers. CGI spectacle is much easier to create as opposed to doing the truly hard work of crafting the kind of story that draws you in much more powerfully than heavy glasses.

‘MONEYBALL’ IS ON THE MONEY ON DVD

Finally saw “Moneyball” last week and can’t recommend it enough. Brad Pitt’s performance is only outmatched by a brilliant screenplay written by Aaron Sorkin. Well, it’s co-written, but the feel and rhythm of the story and dialogue tells you it’s really Sorkin’s vision and imprint that guides the thing.

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NETFLIX SERIES ‘LILYHAMMER’ STREAMS FEBRUARY 6

Here’s part of the press release:

“Lilyhammer,” a gripping fish-out-of-water story set in Norway and starring “The Sopranos” mainstay and E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt, is a new Original Series premiering on Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) to watch instantly on February 6, 2012 in the USA, Canada and Latin America.

“Lilyhammer,” follows New York mobster Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano as he enters the federal witness protection program after ratting on his boss. A sports fan, Frank wants to make his new life in Lillehammer, the Norwegian town that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics – or as he calls it “Lilyhammer.” Frank has visions of a paradise of “clean air, fresh white snow and gorgeous broads” far away from the temptations of the Big Apple and from mob hit men. Reality, of course, turns out to be spectacularly different.

All eight first season episodes of “Lilyhammer” will be available on February 6 so Netflix members can enjoy the series by streaming over the Internet to connected TVs, tablets, game consoles, computers and mobile phones.

Netflix’ smartest move was not doling the first season’s episodes out one by one. Instead, if we like it, we get to feast on it.

I’m convinced this is the future of television and that nothing will ever be the same again.

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“30 Rock” actor Alec Baldwin is feeling nostalgic for Occupy Wall Street, a movement finally being forcibly removed from several major cities this week.

But Baldwin doesn’t want OWS to go away without learning a key lesson from it. So, he took to the cyber-pages of The Huffington Post to share what OWS has taught him.

And, wouldn’t you know it, he came away with one thoroughly conservative principle at the top of his list – let the market play out sans bailouts:

One important lesson, I believe, is that bailouts of major corporations in any and all industries are counterproductive to long term economic health. And not simply direct infusions of cash as loans, tossed like gargantuan life preservers, in moments of greatest perceived dread. I’m talking about the bailouts the US government gives major corporations every day. The excessive fees forced on customers by certain banks, not to mention the predatory lending practices of the mortgage industry (coupled with the remarkably stupid borrowing of certain homeowners).

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That chill wind Hollywood liberal Tim Robbins warned about is indeed blowing and every stand-up comic and performance artist should be worried. However, it isn’t coming from some frustrated, prudish Christian right winger. It’s coming from the open-minded, diversity embracing, tolerant other side of the aisle. Free speech is just a concept that was rejected at the pitch meeting. Artistic expression isn’t for the less enlightened. Tracy Morgan is now officially under reeducation by the Hollywood left.

In case you missed it, here is the back story: Tracy Morgan, stand-up comic and one of the stars of the NBC hit sit-com “30 Rock” was busted doing a stand-up routine at the Ryman Theater in Nashville. Unlike back when St. Lenny was being busted the cops didn’t rush the stage and drag Mr. Morgan off. No, a single audience member got offended and reported Mr. Morgan to “the authorities” through Facebook.

The verboten topic was lack of empathy for homosexuality. The “authorities” are the liberal media. A gay man in the audience, Kevin Rogers took offence and wound up on CNN chatting about how horrible the show was.

I wasn’t there and I doubt there is a recording or transcript but from reports the “bit” was pretty raw. What I have read and seen on the Internet is that Mr. Morgan was doing a rant where he imagined his son came home and announced he was gay. Mr. Morgan said if that happened he would stab him.

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Tracy Morgan has since apologized and this is likely the last we’ll about this story because Morgan didn’t direct “The Passion of the Christ” and has attacked Sarah Palin with sexual slurs.

The Wrap:

Tracy Morgan has apologized for a homophobic rant during a performance in Nashville in which he joked about stabbing his son to death if he were gay and talked to him in a sterotypically gay voice.

“I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville,” Morgan said in a statement to the Huffington Post.

“I’m not a hateful person and don’t condone any kind of violence against others,” he added. “While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context.”

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Of course my headline is a lie. No such thing happened. But imagine if it had. Thankfully for “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan, one benefit of being a twisted, sexually obsessed Hollywood Leftist is that you can go as full perv in public as frequently as you want on Governor Sarah Palin without facing the sort of criticism you would if my headline were true:

Days after TNT issued a statement apologizing for the comedian’s crass remark about the former vice presidential candidate during a live Inside the NBA broadcast, he took another swipe at her on E!’s SAG red carpet special.

After chatting with E! host Guliana Rancic, he shouted, “Sarah Palin, you’e (sic)  the hottest MILF in the world!”

Rancic looked confused, prompting Morgan to shout out again, “She’s a MILF!”

Where are the feministas? Isn’t Tina Fey, Morgan’s “30 Rock” co-star, something of a feminist? Asking questions like that is so funny.

But what we really have here is another NEW TONE victory, another crass, crude, unfunny attention-whore speaking his filthy mind truthfully so the rest of us know just what a sleazy creep he really is.

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With all of the talk of vitriolic rhetoric and images, the Left conveniently ignores so many vicious attacks–verbal and physical–on conservatives, Republicans, and anyone else who disagrees with them.  They attempt to bully their political opponents into submission and silence–with the MSM in lock step with them.  And if there was even a shred of hope that the MSM would get back in the game of reporting the news, we now have confirmation that it is gone.  Completely.

Obviously, this hatred of the Right and America is a long-term issue, but the torch continues to be passed.  Alec Baldwin, one of the Left’s darlings and possible seeker of public office, may want to hire a good strategist to develop a PR image plan to diffuse this one again, ’cause apologies and saying it was a “joke” is soooo yesterday. The reality is, Alec, you meant every word.  And it’s long-lost rants like this that make for great campaign ads.

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Just as Nina Totenberg meant it literally when she wished AIDS on Jesse Helms’ grandchildren as she giggled away, these are such good liberals, indeed, with their venom.  Such a hideous display of the inner dark soul of the Left.  I’m still confused by Totenberg’s comment–a child should suffer and die because of his or her grandfather’s political affiliation?

However, what Alec does on Conan’s show in 1998 is even more horrifying.  I remember watching this as it went down and have never forgotten Alec’s violent call to kill an elected Republican Congressman. Is that what he learned in Africa–that they stone people to death there–as stoning appears to be very prevalent in Africa.  And where were the bills then against threats to lawmakers?

Here’s the transcript (emphasis mine): (more…)

From the Associated Press:

The world’s highest-grossing film and one of the most awarded TV shows are also some of the greenest productions around.

“Avatar” and “30 Rock” were among the winners of the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards on Saturday night, which recognized individuals, organizations and productions that help increase public awareness of environmental issues.

The awards were presented at an eco-friendly ceremony at Warner Bros. Studios that featured organic food and compostable dinnerware. Actors Olivia Munn and Jason Ritter hosted the event, which was sponsored by one of Hollywood’s favorite green-mobiles, Toyota Prius.

Other productions recognized for spreading a green message were the documentary “Gasland” and TV shows “Bones,” “Handy Manny,” “Living With Ed” and “Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage With Disney’s Friends for Change.” (more…)

This Sunday, the 62^nd Primetime Emmy Awards will be handed out to some of the best shows and actors from the past year. Although some shows and performances were snubbed, there are numerous nominees that are worth rooting for during the award show which will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon. In the midst of a lot of previously-nominated shows and performers, there are also some newcomers and previously-overlooked nominees that are worth getting excited about.

In the best drama category, the highly-acclaimed and perennial winner “Mad Men” will be facing some mildly tough competition. It will be up against HBO’s “True Blood,” Showtime’s “Dexter,” AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” ABC’s “Lost,” and CBS’ “The Good Wife.” Even though “Lost” just aired its final season, many expect that “Mad Men” will walk away with its third consecutive best drama award. Several of last year’s nominees for this category were snubbed this year (“House,” “Big Love,” and “Damages”) along with at least one departing show that had previously won this competition (“24”).    (more…)

Last night, GE-owned NBC pulled out all the propaganda stops on “3o Rock” to help Al Gore, the face of Global Warming Climate Change and all things red green, burnish his image as an appealing everyday guy with a sense of humor about himself.

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Don’t be fooled by the self-effacing humor or Gore’s willingness to engage in gentle self-mockery. As the leader and symbol of this socialist-wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing movement, GE/NBC understands that Gore’s popularity can only aid in the passing of legislation beneficial to GE. And Gore’s “30 Rock” enablers also understand that the more appealing he is, the more appealing his leftist ideas seem…

“Gee, why would such a nice guy want to hurt America?” (more…)

It’s time to take on the most important issue facing American conservatives today: Can a self-respecting right-winger be a fan of Alec Baldwin?

The answer is “yes.”  Allow me to demonstrate why:

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Now, that clip from 30 Rock is, without a doubt, one of the funniest damn things I’ve ever seen.  Bizarre, obnoxious and unbelievably politically incorrect, it’s a welcome reminder that television need not be a soul-sucking void of mindless time-killing.

Baldwin was awesomely amoral in Miami Blues.  He was awesomely arrogant in Malice.  He was just plain awesomely awesome in Glengarry Glen Ross.  And as NBC Vice-President of Television and Microwave Cookery Jack Donaghy, he continues his track record of awesomeness and fully deserves his multiple awards and nominations.  But does he deserve a conservative’s appreciation? (more…)

Just a Couple of Supply-Siders

Progressive liberal Democrat Alec Baldwin sent many heads spinning all over the blogosphere when he recently said this:

I’m telling you right now,” the actor warned, “if these tax breaks are not reinstated into the budget, film production in this town is going to collapse, and television production is going to collapse, and it’s all going to go to California.

Now the rich absurdity of a statement like that coming out of the mouth of Alec Baldwin has been chronicled many places all over the web (most notably in the Wall St. Journal), and the fascinating “why?” of it all is still being sorted out.  Has he had an economic spiritual awakening?  Has he gone insane?   Or is he simply a narcissistic hypocrite who only wants tax breaks for the industry that pays him exorbitant amounts of money for saying words other people write during the two or three grueling, catered days a week that he actually has to go to work?  (more…)