Batman's arrival ruffles HK politicians: report

HONG KONG (Reuters) - The arrival of Batman in Hong Kong this November for filming of the latest Hollywood sequel has ruffled local politicians who say the masked hero could disrupt traffic and cause noise pollution, reports said Friday.

In "The Dark Knight" due for release next July, the caped crusader will leave Gotham City for Hong Kong to fight his enemies, Hong Kong's Standard newspaper reported.

But local politicians who met the film's producers on Thursday reportedly expressed concerns at the inconvenience and "traffic chaos," Batman might cause during the nine-day shoot.

One district councilor warned residents in the normally teeming, high-decibel city to "prepare earplugs" as the movie-makers planned to use a helicopter for late night scenes, the report added.

"Of course, we are worried that the residents will be disturbed," Kam Nai-wai, a district councilor for the affected downtown district of Central was quoted as saying.

Hong Kong's stunning, modern cityscapes and harbor panoramas have proven a draw for Hollywood producers in the past, including a "Tomb Raider" movie starring Angelina Jolie.

"We welcome the movie but want to ensure arrangements are hassle free," said Kwok Ka-ki, a legislator who attended the meeting. "Just don't get it done in the middle of the night at 2 a.m.," he told Reuters, referring to the helicopter sequences.

The Batman flick will be directed by Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Michael Caine, with filming to also take place in Chicago and London according to reports.

 

Quoted from http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSHKG23201220070921:

Batman's arrival ruffles HK politicians: report | Oddly Enough | Reuters

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Michael Moore says he's been served

BURBANK, Calif., July 26 (UPI) -- Michael Thursday said the Bush administration has served him with a subpoena regarding his trip to Cuba during the making of his new film, "Sicko."
The Oscar-winning filmmaker, who appeared Thursday on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," said he was notified about the subpoena at the network's studios in Burbank, Calif.
"I haven't even told my own family yet," Moore said. "I was just informed when I was back there with Jay that the Bush administration has now issued a subpoena for me."
Moore filmed the trip as part of his film comparing the U.S. healthcare system with government healthcare systems in other countries.
He took three Sept. 11, 2001, emergency rescue workers to Guantanamo Bay "because I heard the al-Qaida terrorists we have in the camps there, detained, are receiving free dental, medical, eye care, the whole deal, and our own (Sept. 11) rescue workers can't get that in New York City."
Moore said the film's distributor, the Weinstein Co., will donate 11 percent of "Sicko's" box-office receipts Aug. 11 to "help these workers and the other workers who need help."

This was found at United Press International.

Technorati Tags: Celebrity, International, Movies, Politics, Sad

Pagans have a cow over Homer

Gods of war....Homer painted next to fertility legend

By ONLINE REPORTER
July 16, 2007

PAGANS have pledged to perform “rain magic” to wash away cartoon character Homer Simpson who was painted next to their famous fertility symbol - the Cerne Abbas giant.

The 17th century chalk outline of the naked, sexually aroused, club-wielding giant is believed by many to be a symbol of ancient spirituality.

Many couples also believe the 180ft giant, which is carved in the hillside above Cerne Abbas, Dorset, is an aid to fertility.

A giant 180ft Homer Simpson brandishing a doughnut was painted next to the well-endowed figure today in a publicity stunt to promote The Simpsons Movie released later this month.

It has been painted with water-based biodegradable paint which will wash away as soon as it rains.

Ann Bryn-Evans, joint Wessex district manager for The Pagan Federation, said: “It’s very disrespectful and not at all aesthetically pleasing.

“We were hoping for some dry weather but I think I have changed my mind. We’ll be doing some rain magic to bring the rain and wash it away.”

She added: “I’m amazed they got permission to do something so ridiculous. It’s an area of scientific interest.”

She also expressed fears that the painting of Homer, from the animated television series The Simpsons, would cause a mess as it washed away.

During the Second World War, he was disguised to prevent the Germans from using him as an aerial landmark.

Since then he has always been visible, receiving regular grass trimming and a full re-chalking every 25 years.

 

This was found at The Sun.

Technorati Tags: Cool, Funny, Movies, Weird

Star Wars turns 30

By Stephen Fenech
May 25, 2007 01:00am

FIRE up your light-sabre and prepare for hyperspace - Star Wars is 30.

And fans may be the ones getting the birthday present, with news of a "huge" announcement by creator George Lucas - rumoured to be a new Star Wars movie - expected in Los Angeles.

Australia's Star Wars appreciation society Star Walking Inc member Chris Brennan, in LA for the official convention celebration, said the rumour sweeping the venue is that Lucas will announce a new movie or movies set before the recent prequels at the time of Old Republic, when the Jedi regained control of the galaxy.

Brennan said: "He did make a slip in an interview a couple of weeks ago and say something about a forthcoming movie. The reporter went back to him and said, 'Did you say movie?'

"George said no, he didn't say that, and tried to cover it up."

Lucas has already confirmed a Star Wars live action TV series will be filmed in Australia from next year and will be set between the recent Episode III and the original 1977 Star Wars film, which is Episode IV.

Despite opening in just 32 theatres across the US on May 25, 1977, the original Star Wars is the second highest grossing film of all time behind Titanic.

This was found at The Daily Telegram.