Netflix to Exclusively Release Pee-Wee Herman Film
There's been a lot of chatter surrounding the upcoming Pee-wee Herman film. Back in October, Pee-wee Herman himself Paul Reubens re-iterated that an upcoming sequel was still in the works with Judd Apatow producing the film. While the idea of a Pee-wee Herman film sounds good on paper, there was no guarantee that it would be a success in today's box office and comedic climate. Sure, the nostalgia factor would have played a large role, and having somebody of Apatow's magnitude certainly helps, but modern audiences might not take to the film enough to justify the rigors of producing a film for a traditional film studio.
Enter Netflix. The service has become a go-to for independent filmmakers who want more creative freedom and control over their work. Considering the success of shows like Arrested Development and Orange is the New Black and Netflix's acquisitions of the upcoming Marvel TV series, as well as word that they will release the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel online with a same-day IMAX release, Netflix is the perfect venue for the Pee-wee Herman sequel to be released on.
[via The Verge]
Los Angeles is Mandating Body Cameras for Its Police Force
In a move that will hopefully set the precedent for other major American cities, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced earlier this week that he will be equipping body cameras on every single police officer in the city. While Garcetti's plan is to purchase 7,000 cameras, the first wave will consist of 800 cameras used in areas with high crime rates and police activity. $1.5 million in private funds has been raised for the initiative, with Garcetti's budget to include funding for the rest of the 7,000 cameras to be used citywide.
The initiative is the first step in assuring police are held accountable for their actions and to bring transparency to those who "serve the law." Garcetti elaborated further during his announcement, stating:
Out on the street, things aren’t always clear cut. These cameras will help law enforcement and the public alike find the truth — and truth is essential to the trust between the LAPD and the community, which has been a key factor in lowering crime to record lows.
It's unfortunate that it took the in flux of high-profile cases of police brutality this year to push the button, but the announcement is a step in the right direction for a safer future. There's the old adage "Who watches the watchmen?" If the initiative is successful and becomes the standard for all American cops, the answer will be everybody.
[via PetaPixel]
[Weekly Netflix Fix] Mid-December Update
While sizable, this week's Netflix Instant update doesn't offer much in terms of good selections. The entire run of Pee-wee's Playhouse was added, perhaps to further build up hype for the upcoming (and long-gestating) Pee-wee Herman film. The Breastmilk documentary, which you can read my review of here, was also added. Nick Offerman's latest stand-up special, American Ham, rounds out this week's highlights. Check out the full list of new Netflix Instant additions below.
Magi: The Kingdom of Magic
My Little Pony: Rainbow Rocks
Ragnarok
The Honourable Woman: Season 1
Pee-wee's Playhouse: Season 1
Pee-wee's Playhouse: Season 2
Pee-wee's Playhouse: Season 3
Pee-wee's Playhouse: Season 4
Pee-wee's Playhouse: Season 5
Star Trek: Generations
Timeline
What Now? Remind Me
At The Devil's Door
Beyond the Hills
Cam2Cam
The Dark Matter of Love
Dear Dumb Diary
Santa Claws
Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 11
Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case
Breastmilk
Could This Be Love
Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers
The Great War Diary
The Gruffalo's Child
The Gruffalo
Jake Squared
Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story
Playground
Ring the Bell
Room on the Broom
Roseanne Collection
The Great War Diary: Season 1
LEGO: Legends of Chima: Season 2
Littlest Pet Shop: Season 3
Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 10
Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 7
Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 8
Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 9
Total Drama All Stars
Two: The Story of Roman & Nyro
Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II
Chinese Puzzle
Don't Blink
How to Build a Better Boy
Mercenaries
Mystery Road
Broadchurch
Get Santa
In Your Eyes
Nick Offerman: American Ham
Broadchurch: Season 1
Marco Polo: Season 1
UK Journalists Show Support for Professional Photographers
In the always-evolving world of journalism, flexibility with multiple abilities and skills has become just as paramount as writing talents. In moves that promote both cost-cutting and finding multi-faceted workers, the world of journalism has become a realm for people with multimedia backgrounds to thrive and flourish. However, the growth towards this direction has left some of the old school behind, while others are put into uncomfortable situations where their duties happen to include aspects outside of their abilities.
Chicago served as one of the most prime examples of the changing landscape of journalism in 2013 when the Chicago Sun-Times laid off 28 full-time staff photographers to opt for journalists and reporters to handle photographic duties, oftentimes from their smartphones. The results were less than stellar, as you can see in the example below featuring the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win later that summer - on the left is a professional photograph published by the Chicago Tribune, on the right is the photograph published by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The National Union of Journalists in the United Kingdom and Ireland have banded together to protest against the growing change in journalism by refusing to take assignments that should be assigned to professional photographers. The show of solidarity further proves the importance of keeping professional photographers on staff, but also indicates how vital proper photographs can be in crafting the story being written.
The National Union of Journalists thusly ask the question:
Who will be there to do it when [photographers are] gone? An over-stretched reporter or an unpaid member of the public simply whipping out a smart-phone to take a quick snap smacks of exploitation.
The last thing we want happening in the world is mainstream news outlets running stories with TMZ-quality photos and videos. I just shudder at the thought.
[via PetaPixel]
United States, Cuba to Renew Diplomatic Talks
Today, President Obama announced that the United States and Cuba will resume talks to better build diplomatic relations. The announcement comes on the heels of the release of American Alan Gross, who had been in captivity in Cuba for the past five years. The United States, in turn, released three Cuban spies who had been imprisoned since 2001. While the fifty-year-long embargo is still in place, the two nations will have discussions to either ease up on the restrictions or to lift the embargo entirely.
During his speech, President Obama discussed the history of the embargo and how the policy has hurt both nations, stating:
We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries [...] These 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked. It’s time for a new approach.
Cuban President Raul Castro made a joint-announcement, stating:
We have been able to advance the solutions of some themes of interest to both nations. This decision of President Obama deserves the respect and acknowledgment of our people. This does not mean the principal issue has been resolved. The blockade which causes much human and economic damage to our country should cease.
Presidents Obama and Castro spoke on the phone Tuesday, marking the first time leaders of both nations spoke directly with one another in more than 50 years. The rekindling of national relations was conducted in secret over the past 18 months with Canada hosting talks and Pope Francis personally requesting relations be healed, going so far as to hold the final meeting between the two nations in the Vatican.
You can watch President Obama's full speech below.
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[via New York Times]
Sony Hackers Threaten Attacks on Theaters that Screen The Interview
If you're as attentive to the news as I am, I'm sure you're familiar with the controversy over the Sony hackings that have taken place over the past few weeks that have resulted in Sony computers getting bricked, sensitive information being leaked, and even full films released online. I've made a conscious decision to not report on the various hackings due to the nature of how the information was gleaned, but when serious threats are made, it's hard to turn the other cheek.
Variety is reporting that the group that has taken claim to the hacks has issued a terrorist threat targeting theaters that will be screening the Seth Rogen and James Franco-led The Interview. The full message reads as follows:
Warning
We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places “The Interview” be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to.
Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made.
The world will be full of fear.
Remember the 11th of September 2001.
We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time.
(If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)
Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
All the world will denounce the SONY.
For those that may not remember, North Korea took major offense to the film when the first trailers were released earlier this summer, with the country's government denouncing the comedy as an "act of war." Indeed, the Sony hacks have been publicly seen as retaliation for the film, with even more damage teased and threatened upon the film's release on Christmas.
I'm not one to fall victim to online threats and rumors, but given the extensive threat level being made, and the fact that the group has already caused insurmountable damage across Sony Pictures Entertainment, this latest threat is hard to ignore. As somebody whose local theater is literally at the end of his block, I can honestly say I'm a tad bit concerned about the threats being made. Be careful, true believers.
[via Variety]
The Weekly Swarm: 12/8 - 12/14
It's the middle of December in Chicago, yet we just had a 50 degree weekend. Is this a sign of the end of days? Global warming? Aren't the two basically the same thing? Whatever the case, it was a great weekend in the Midwest's only city that actually matters, which served as the perfect end to a great week here at Ruby Hornet. If you missed out on any of the content we published, you can check the full list below, including Xander's thoughts on the CIA torture report, Bridjet's editorial on taking a heavy metal college discourse, my review of The Sheik, Hubert's analysis of Inherent Vice, and Elaine Constantine's 9 Kisses photos and short film series.
Kathryn Bigelow's Short Film Last Days Brings Awareness to Elephant Poaching
Running for Your Life from Shia LaBeouf
What The CIA Torture Report Says About Humanity
Where Foo Fighters Should Go Next with Sonic Highways
[The Friday Five] What to Know in Music This Week (12/8-12/12)
And on the 8th Day, God Created Heavy Metal
[Trailer] Terminator Genisys
Kathryn Bigelow's Short Film Last Days Brings Awareness to Elephant Poaching
Running for Your Life from Shia LaBeouf
[Review] The Sheik
[Video] Boyhood Making-Of Featurette
[Weekly Netflix Fix] I Am Ali, Anchorman 2 Highlight New Additions
72nd Golden Globe Awards Nominations
Inherent Vice is like Airplane? Surely You Can't Be Serious
Elaine Constantine's 9 Kisses Features Lip-Locked Actors
Flash Photography Can Detect Eye Cancer in Children
Elaine Constantine's 9 Kisses Features Lip-Locked Actors
Elaine Constantine's 9 Kisses Features Lip-Locked Actors
The New York Times has a long-standing tradition of gathering the year's best actors and actresses for a quick photo shoot and a short video take showing off their chops. However, the outlet changed the formula for this year, pairing them together for the warmest of embraces: the on-screen kiss. Tapped to capture the festivities is Elaine Constantine, and as you can see in the short and photo spread below, the pairings range from romantic to the rambunctious.
9 Kisses, as the collection is called, features Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Reese Witherspoon (Inherent Vice), Steve Carrell (Foxcatcher), Laura Dern (The Fault in Our Stars), Rosario Dawson (Cesar Chavez), Jenny Slate (Obvious Child), Chadwick Boseman (Captain America: Civil War), Kristen Stewart (Camp X-Ray), Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Jason Schwartzman (Listen Up, Philip), David Oyelowo (Selma), Timothy Spall (The Love Punch), Jack O'Connell (300: Rise of an Empire), Shailene Woodley (White Bird in a Blizzard), John Lithgow (Interstellar), Julianne Moore (Don Jon), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Jupiter Ascending), and Miles Teller (Whiplash).
[youtube id="XqAJEh6Tu-c"]
[via New York Times]
