Perfect Creature

Set during the 1960s in an alternate New Zealand known as Nuovo Zelandia, PERFECT CREATURE imagines a world where vampires and humans peacefully co-exist, with the bloodsuckers the next step in human evolution. This delicate balance looks to be destroyed when an influenza epidemic begins to sweep the human population and one vampire turns to preying on humans. The church sends out Silus (Scott) to catch the renegade vampire, Edgar. Silus joins forces with a human police captain (Burrows), and discovers that Edgar harbors dark secrets.

20th Century Fox is set to acquire Glenn Standring's edgy vampire film "Perfect Creature," which stars Dougray Scott ("Mission: Impossible II"), Saffron Burrows ("Troy"), Stuart Wilson, and Scott Wills. The horror film displays a retro-futuristic world in which humans and vampires coexist. The deal is the largest sale ever made of a New Zealand film and is first time a U.S. studio has acquired a film from the compact market. The film should be in wide release later this year.


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Dunedin vampire movie NZ's biggest film deal


15.05.05


By David Fisher


A horror film made in Dunedin and partly funded by taxpayers has been tipped as New Zealand's biggest movie deal.

The movie watchers' bible, Empire, says the film Perfect Creature is being bought by 20th Century Fox and is planned for wide release before the end of the year.

With a budget of $20 million, it could bring in huge money for the film's backers, including the NZ Film Fund.

"Forget The Lord of the Rings, forget King Kong, this is apparently the biggest sale ever made of a Kiwi film," Empire said.

The film is directed by New Zealander Glenn Standring and is being shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

Standring yesterday played down comparisons of success, but he did admit: "We've done pretty well."

Perfect Creature stars British actor Dougray Scott and Saffron Burrows. It is set in an alternate reality - a "retro-futuristic world" - in which humans and vampires coexist.

Standring's previous feature film The Irrefutable Truth About Demons sold strongly internationally.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the deal is "the largest sale ever made of a New Zealand film". It has already been sold in the United Kingdom, Japan, across Europe and in Southeast Asia.

HERALD ON SUNDAY

NZ's movie industry sure is going from strength to strength. Awesome stuff

I believe that King Kong is also being filmed in NZ - where in particular I don't know. There is also another fantasy film being shot - something about a witch and a cupboard ??? does anybody know about this film ?

I believe that King Kong is also being filmed in NZ - where in particular I don't know. There is also another fantasy film being shot - something about a witch and a cupboard ??? does anybody know about this film ?

King Kong is Peter Jackson's latest baby and is being filmed in Wellington in the same studios where LOTR was made. As with LOTR Jackson has recieved funding from New Line Cinema to make the film.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a foreign enterprise (as far as I know) where NZ is being used for locations only. Nicole Kidman has a leading role.

Yep I think The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is British. There was another NZ film called Boogyman which parts of were filmed in my uni building, and scenes from another film called Spooked were filmed right at the top of my street!

They seem to be following me around LOL.

Are you spooked tom? :D

King Kong


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Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Lobo Chan, Kyle Chandler, Evan Parke, Thomas Kretschmann, John Sumner, Colin Hanks, Stephen Hall, David Dengelo, Louis Sutherland

Director: Peter Jackson
Release Date: December 14th, 2005
Studio: Universal Pictures
Synopsis: Story of the gigantic gorilla captured in the wilds and brought to civilization, where he meets a tragic fate. Based on the original story by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace.

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Filmmaker Peter Jackson--assiduously disheveled, frequently barefoot and barely 5-and-a-half feet tall--is a giant in Hollywood. But in his native New Zealand he is something even bigger: its newest national hero. That much is clear from the moment you land at the airport in Wellington, where a red carpet is lined with giant golden replicas of the 11 Oscars awarded to Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and a massive model of the film's eerie Golum character peers over the roof of the main terminal. Weeks after the Academy Awards onslaught, articles about him still splash across the front pages of the local papers. Around town people breathlessly recount the true story of how a fully clothed Paris Hilton accidentally fell into a swimming pool at an Oscar party--only to be rescued by Jackson himself. "We're thinking of naming one of the islands after him," jokes Belinda Todd, a local television writer. "I mean, it's only fair."

Jackson, 42, suddenly is one of the richest and most powerful people in the movie business, having turned J.R.R. Tolkien's classic into a film franchise that has generated $4 billion in ticket sales, DVDs and merchandise. In all Jackson, as director and producer, has reaped more than $125 million from the three Rings films, an oeuvre that took eight years of his life to complete. In the past year he earned $35 million, ranking him 20th in pay and 12th overall on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list. He got a 7.5% cut of the gross profits from DVD sales of the second Rings film and from theater sales for the third.

And Jackson is receiving a beastly upfront fee of $20 million to direct and produce his next film and write the screenplay for it. Finished with Hobbits, Jackson is taking on a remake of King Kong, which will star Naomi Watts in the role first made famous by Fay Wray in 1933 (and reprised by an ingenue named Jessica Lange in the Dino De Laurentiis remake in 1976). He also will receive 20% of the gross profits. It is a record-breaking deal for a director. "It's a lot of money,'' he admits sheepishly, though he emphasizes that part of the loot will go to his co-writers. "Obviously, it's at the top end of what you can get paid."

Now New Zealand's favorite native son is betting it all on his homeland. He is plowing upwards of $50 million of his own money into building a studio empire here, complete with giant sound stages, special-effects workshops and futuristic editing operations. On a recent day bulldozers roar outside as Jackson sits inside the nearly completed Park Road Post, an old chemical factory that he is converting into a lavish postproduction site. It is filled with voice-dubbing stages and editing rooms and designed to evoke Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Prairie style. Cost: $35 million. "We just had this money coming in from Lord of the Rings," he says with an embarrassed laugh. "So we just turned it all around and put it into this."

Jackson is putting another $7 million into a new soundstage to complement the two stages he already owns. He also is part-owner of a digital-effects company--Weta Ltd., which handled the brilliant pixilated stunts in the Rings series--and a props design firm, Weta Workshop, which created the suits of armor and weaponry for Middle-earth.

Halo movie recruits Peter Jackson
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Halo has sold more than five million copies
Oscar-winning film director Peter Jackson and his team will produce the forthcoming film based on popular video game Halo.
The director, who is reported to be an avid fan of Halo, will use his Weta production facilities in Wellington, New Zealand where the film will also be shot.

Alex Garland, author of popular novel The Beach, has written the script.

A director and cast are expected to be named in coming weeks.

Alien race

Universal film studios, which will oversee the film's production and distribution, hinted that the movie will draw heavily on the game.

"The game is a good template," said Donna Langley, Universal's production president.

Halo has a complex mix of mythology, characters and worlds and follows the adventures of futuristic super-soldier Master Chief as he fights to save mankind from an alien race.

The game, originally released in 2001, has sold in excess of five million copies around the world. A sequel came out last year.

Peter Jackson is best known for his Lord of the Rings trilogy which was heralded as a movie triumph. On the Halo film Mr Jackson and his wife have been named as executive producers.

In a recorded clip shown at Microsoft's X05 Summit held in Amsterdam Mr Jackson said he had been playing Halo 2 in the evening while shooting King Kong and added that he "can't wait" to work on the film.

The Halo film is due to be released in mid-2007 by Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox film studios.

It joins a growing trend of video games turned movies.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Resident Evil and Doom have all already made it to the silver screen.

Microsoft has done well out of the Halo deal, receiving a reported payment of £2.8m plus 10% of movie ticket sales.

Bungie, the Microsoft-owned venture which developed Halo, said at the time it was looking for "someone who's as committed to the Halo universe as Peter Jackson was to Tolkien's Middle-Earth".

^^

Excellent news aye... Peter Jackson should be given some type of merit award... he has done an awesome job of getting movies done here and also spent millions on movie infrastructure here in NZ.

yeah I watched the Worlds Fastest Indian movie last weekend.... it had quite a good story line behind it... I’m not sure how well it has done overseas, but its definitely a movie that would mean more to New Zealanders than anyone else.

And I think Anthony Hopkins did a good job of having a NZ accent too

As fate would have it I've been working on a house that Alex Garland bought with the coin microsoft gave him for the script. Asked him about the film and if he was happy Jackson was EP, but seems that he has fallen out of the loop with the studio. He wasn't even sure that his script was going to be used for the film. Will post if he mentions anything else.

Wellington to roll out red carpet for King Kong
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24.11.05 1.00pm


Wellington will roll out the red carpet for more than 200 metres at the New Zealand premiere of Peter Jackson's film of King Kong.

Jackson, Weta Workshop's Richard Taylor and stars Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Andy Serkis and Thomas Kretschmann will attend the premiere on December 14.

Actor Jack Black is not expected to attend.

The capital's nightlife strip Courtenay Place will be the centre of the action, with the premiere screened at the Embassy Theatre, where Jackson's three The Lord of the Rings films had their world premieres.

The world premiere of the US$207 million ($298 million) movie will be in New York on December 5.

Even though the three-hour movie is set in New York, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast considers it to be a home-town film.

"It's a privilege to host another red carpet event for Peter Jackson.

"Peter is a home-town hero and we consider this a home-town film because so much filming was done locally," she said today.

While there will be no city centre parade as was the case for The Lord of the Rings, there will be red carpet entertainment, a Wellington City Council spokeswoman said.

The red carpet will run for 217m from Allen St to the Embassy Theatre.

Grandstands will be erected to cater for some of the thousands of spectators expected to pour into the city for the event.

There will be road closures, and public transport will be diverted.

- NZPA

apparently the people that have already seen King Kong (movie executives, big wigs and what not) are comparing it to Titanic and calling it a masterpiece, hard to tell if it will be that successful but i have the feeling it could be something special maybe more oscars for lord jackson

I wish he would just make a movie for the Hobbit! Although the trailers for King Kong look pretty good, as do the special effects.

ive seen a sneak preview and it was impressive.
aparently kong was made more "life like" and givern a squinty eye and greying hair!

dec14 opening day
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ESB and Kong seem to go hand in hand

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miss watts should be good.
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jessica lang in 77 movie
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Sneak preview gives King Kong a roar of approval
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29.11.05 1.00pm


American magazine Newsweek has given Peter Jackson's King Kong a roar of approval after a sneak preview of the director's $292 million epic.

In an otherwise dismal year for the North American box office, hopes are high King Kong will be a major hit.

Newsweek reporter Devin Gordon, who was flown from the United States to New Zealand by Jackson to see the nearly-finished product, said the director had honoured his favourite film in the best possible way -- by recapturing its heart-pounding, escapist glee.

He also said it was a "surprisingly tender, even heartbreaking film".

There were a few nerve-racking scenes, including one in which a Venture crew member had his head eaten by a 2.4m slug, Gordon said.

He also thought a scene on a frozen pond in New York's Central Park tilted "toward the corny".

"It must have made Jackson impatient, too. He ends it abruptly with a giddy blast of artillery fire."

Otherwise Gordon was impressed with the three-hour film. The 1933 original was just 100 minutes.

"Some critics will complain that the film's length is an act of Oscar-drunk hubris, but while Kong may be indulgent, it's not pretentious. And it's certainly never dull."

Gordon said the relationship between Kong and Ann Darrow, played by Naomi Watts, was "poignantly drawn" and Watts "is the soul of the film".

Andy Serkis, who was the model for the computer-generated Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, did the same for the computer-generated Kong.

"Once again, he puts a big, thumping heart inside a digital body."

Jackson, Weta Digital chief Richard Taylor and his crew, and most major cast members head for New York this week for the world premiere on December 5.

The world's media will see special advance screenings of King Kong this weekend in New York, where Jackson and the main cast and crew will also be interviewed.

After other premieres, including Berlin and London, Jackson will return to Wellington for the New Zealand premiere on December 14.

Perfect Creature sounds great! I really wanna see this! Even more appealing, it's actually set in NZ, not just using the country as a backdrop. I assume it's been released by now in NZ (and perhaps elsewhere?) - any reports?

King Kong opening in NY

Is it just me or has Jackson lost weight?

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Filming Locations for
King Kong (2005)
Beach Road, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
(Auckland Studio)


Camperdown Studios, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand
(studio; Venture Set)


Civic Theatre, Queen Street, Auckland Central Business District, Auckland, New Zealand
(New York theater; interior)


Cook Strait, New Zealand
(Venture Ocean Scenes)


Hutt Valley, Wellington, New Zealand
(New York City Settings)


Kapiti Island, Wellington Region, New Zealand
(Venture Ocean Scenes)


Los Angeles, California, USA
(post production shots)


Lyall Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
(Skull Island Wall)


Miramar Wharf, Cobham Drive, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand
(Venture pier scenes)


Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand
(various studio warehouses)


New Zealand


Opera House, Manners Street, Wellington Central Business District, Wellington, New Zealand
(theater rehearsals)


Seaview, Wellington, New Zealand
(New York Set)


Thailand
(Skull Island Jungle Footage)


WETA Studios, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand
(studio)

Filmmaker Scoops Doco Award:

08/12/2005
Christchurch filmmaker Aaron Keown has picked up the Best Director award for his documentary Pop, at the International Independent Film Festival in New York.

It is the second award for the film, which in October won Best International Documentary in Los Angeles.

Mr Keown hopes the latest accolade will open some doors for him. He admits his film is nowhere in the league of Peter Jackson or Andrew Adamson, but says it is a start.

Pop is now being looked at by a number of international distributors

I went to the premiere of Narnia at The Civic Theatre in Auckland .. I literally bumped into Don Brash and I was lucky to see a couple of other NZ celebrities but my feet were killing me waiting for the big stars to arrive, so I missed them :(

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Damn brash, you should have 'culled' him lol

Awesome pictures!

^^^ why thank you .. I thought that the str8 boys would like a pretty face ;)

@ flyin .... LOL - the thing that amazed me about him is the fact that he is such a small man. His wife is even smaller. I was waiting for Helen because I wanted to shout out to her ... I love you Girlfriend .. needless to say that my bf was very relieved that we didn't see her :)

Film-friendly Auckland City
3 February 2006

Auckland is strengthening its reputation as a film-friendly city, with a record number of films, television programmes, music videos and ads shot here in recent months. Auckland City issued 23 film permits during November and December, compared to a usual average of about eight permits during that time of year. Following the blockbuster hit The Chronicles of Narnia - which used Hillsborough's Monte Cecilia Park as a location - Walt Disney Pictures will start filming The Bridge to Terabithia at the Auckland Domain later this month, while the Disney Channel's Wendy Woo – Homecoming Warrior plans to recreate scenes from ancient China at Bastion Point.

"It's possible for film-makers to produce anything here - we've had werewolves at the top of Mt Eden, kayaking in Myers Park and pyrotechnics in public spaces," says Annabel Lush, Auckland City's manager, events promotion. Auckland City was one of the first councils granted "film-friendly" status by Local Government New Zealand, as it provides a one-stop shop for quickly obtaining film permits, road closures and booking public venues. The council can also provide expert advice on traffic management, building temporary structures and liaising with key stakeholders.

Auckland City works closely with the other councils in the region and the industry to support filming activity through regular meetings of the Film Auckland local authorities and industry group. "We have a team dedicated to supporting the screen production industry as much as we can, because it brings significant economic benefits to the city," says Ms Lush.

About 48 per cent of New Zealand's screen production workforce is based in Auckland city, contributing about $491 million a year in GDP, and this is the city's fastest-growing creative sector (source: Snapshot: Auckland's creative industries report). Ms Lush says, "One of Auckland City's roles, is to provide operational and logistical support. On any day, we might get a call from Singapore saying they really want to get in touch with a great editing suite or they need some coastal shots, so we refer them to Film Auckland, but then we might help them with closing a road.

"Every time an international company comes here they grow the local industry by employing local crew and talent, and using local hotels, restaurants and other services, so it has a major economic impact." Auckland City's manager, creative industries and a Film Auckland board member, Tara Pradhan adds, "Auckland City is a long standing supporter of the screen production industry and recognises the contribution it makes to Auckland's economy. With the international recognition New Zealand's screen production industry has received, there has been increasing interest in filming in Auckland."

From shots of our sparkling harbour to leafy parks and volcanic cones, Auckland city's diverse locations have provided a backdrop for films such as Toa Fraser's No. 2 (shot in Mt Roskill, in cinemas from 16 February); which scooped an audience's choice award at the Sundance Film Festival. Other recent Kiwi-directed films include Stephen T. Kay's horror flick Boogeyman (filmed in Albert Park at night) and Peter Jackson's King Kong (which used the Civic Theatre on Queen Street).

thats good, cos auckland has some very versatile film locations all rolled into one, old building areas, harbour, new areas, surburbia etc

beautiful city

thats good, cos auckland has some very versatile film locations all rolled into one, old building areas, harbour, new areas, surburbia etc

beautiful city

Does Auckland have huge film studios ?

Hollywood and Miami are to return to Christchurch
13 February 2006

Auckland has had “North Country”, Wanganui “River Queen”, Wellington “Lord of the Rings” and now Christchurch is set to have its own movie premiere.The New Zealand red carpet charity gala premiere for “Meet me in Miami” has been confirmed for 22nd March this year.

Christchurch based producer, Lisa Abbott, says she is looking forward to the film opening in New Zealand and premiering in her hometown. “An illness and the subsequent death of my father last month meant we had to postpone the opening until March,” she says. VIP’s from central and local Government, the film and production industry as well as cast and crew will attend the gala premiere and the list is understood to include senior politicians and people prominent in the film industry.

The charity red carpet event will benefit the “John Britten Centre”, an initiative of the Cookie Munchers Charitable Trust, and which supports and helps dyslexic children throughout New Zealand. Kirsteen Britten will be the spokesperson on the night. Trust details available available at www.cookiemuncherstrust.org.nz

“Meet me in Miami” was one of the hits late last year at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, in which it was invited to show. The LALIFF board includes industry notables Andy Garcia and Angelica Houston. International media coverage was intense at the festival with reporters also interested in special taonga (greenstone pendants) from local iwi, Ngai Tahu, which were presented to members of the American MMIM cast. “Meet me in Miami” was shot in Christchurch and California with the majority of locations in the Garden City and local craftspeople in the cast and crew.

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Kong gong gives Weta boss entry to exclusive Oscar club
07.03.06


Weta Workshop boss Richard Taylor admitted he had "incredible butterflies" before being announced the Oscar winner for best visual effects in Los Angeles yesterday.

He now stands alongside Hollywood greats Clint Eastwood, Bob Hope and Francis Ford Coppola, as well as dozens of technicians with five Academy Awards.

"I had incredible butterflies in my stomach. Even as they read out the names it didn't sink in," Mr Taylor said from Los Angeles.

"It was a tough field this year - so many incredible movies. The quality of work was amazing. I'm just delighted we have been so honoured."

The Oscar went to Mr Taylor as well as Weta Digital's Joe Letteri, Brian Van't Hul and Christian Rivers for King Kong.

Actor Ben Stiller presented the effects award, dressed in a green jumpsuit to mimic those worn by set crews and actors working on sets with visual effects.

While Mr Taylor and his co-winners went to the Governor's Ball to celebrate, it was work as usual for Weta Workshop in Miramar.

Mr Taylor said the staff had enjoyed a special lunch yesterday, but then went back to work as there was a pressing deadline to meet.

His previous four Oscars have been for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Oscars were a mixed bag for all major movies at the Academy Awards this year, with New Zealand once again starring prominently.

Peter Jackson's King Kong, and Crash, Memoirs of a Geisha and Brokeback Mountain all snared three apiece.

Crash took the best picture award.

The other film made in New Zealand, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, directed by Andrew Adamson, scored one award for best makeup.

Sound mixers Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges and Hammon Peek accepted their Oscars for King Kong with Mr Peek commenting: "Go Kiwis!"

Mr Hedges said: "I'd like to thank our tremendously talented crew back at Park Road Post in Wellington, New Zealand. What a great job everyone."

Mr Boyes also thanked "the amazing film-maker Peter Jackson, Carol Cunningham, Jan Blenkin, Fran Walsh and my mom, Katherine".

The four men won in 2003 for The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King for sound mixing.

Sound editors Michael Hopkins and Ethan Ven der Ryn won King Kong's third Oscar. The pair won an Oscar for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2003.

They saluted Jackson for his vision in creating King Kong, and paid tribute to actor Andy Serkis who played Kong.

Jackson's US$207 million ($315 million) blockbuster earned four nominations - for best art direction, achievement in sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects.

Kong art director Grant Major lost to Memoirs of a Geisha's John Myhre.

Americans Howard Berger and Tami Lane won the Oscar for best makeup for the New Zealand-filmed Narnia. Berger and Lane have worked extensively in New Zealand, first with the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, starring Lucy Lawless, and later on The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Charlize Theron was nominated for best actress and Frances McDormand for best supporting actress for North Country, directed by New Zealander Niki Caro.


Top Oscar winners

26 Walt Disney
11 Cedric Gibbons
11 Iain Neil
10 Farciot Edouart
9 Dennis Muren
9 Alfred ******
9 Douglas Shearer
8 Edith Head
8 Alan Menken
8 Edward H. Reichard
8 Loren L. Ryder
8 Edwin B. Willis
7 Richard Day
7 Richard Edlund
7 Gordon Hollingshead
7 Fred Quimby
7 Gary Rydstrom
7 Billy Wilder
6 Rick Baker
6 Carl Hauge
6 Thomas Little
6 Manfred G. Michelson
6 Glen Robinson
6 Walter M. Scott
5 RICHARD TAYLOR
5 John Barry
5 Glenn M. Berggren
5 Daniel J. Bloomberg
5 Francis Ford Coppola
5 Charles R. Daily
5 David J. Degenkolb
5 Clint Eastwood
5 Bob Hope

- NZPA

Peter Jackson reportedly working on Dam Busters remake
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08.05.06 1.00pm


New Zealand film director Peter Jackson is set to film a remake of the World War 2 film The Dam Busters, with a budget of almost $300 million dollars, according to a British Sunday newspaper.

The Mail on Sunday yesterday reported Jackson would work on the estimated £100 million movie ($293.5 million) alongside Sir David Frost - who last year bought the rights to Paul Brickhill's 1951 book about 617 Squadron's daring low-level bombing of German dams.

The newspaper said Jackson was a self-confessed war buff who had a lifelong interest in British military history after being inspired by a childhood visit to London's Imperial War Museum.

Jackson owns replicas of two World War 1 fighters and a tank and spent £50,000 ($146,700) of his own money restoring the only film of Anzac troops at Gallipoli, the newspaper reported.

Jackson recently spent a day filming one of the last surviving Lancaster bombers in preparation for the remake of the much-loved 1954 black-and-white film, which starred Richard Todd as Wing Commander Guy Gibson and Michael Redgrave as Barnes Wallis, who invented the bouncing bomb.

A source quoted in the paper said Jackson, 44, had met a group of RAF veterans in New Zealand who restored the plane.

"It was clear just how much he knew about warplanes. We believe the footage is to help his special effects team.

"Peter has been in contact with the old crewmen, who are well into their 80s. I believe he is helping to create a memorial to the New Zealand airmen who flew bombers, including those who died in the Dam Busters mission," the unnamed source was quoted in the newspaper.

Codenamed Operation Chastise, the 1943 raid is one of the most famous military operations. Gibson hand-picked crews from other Lancaster squadrons to fly at low level to destroy three heavily protected dams in the industrial Ruhr Valley.

The Mohne and Eder dams were breached using Wallis's extraordinary bouncing bomb. To be effective, the revolving mine had to be released while flying at precisely 220mph, 60ft above the water and 425 yards from a dam.

Jackson was reported to be sending his assistant Matt Dravitski to the annual Dam Busters reunion this month at Petwood Hotel, near Lincoln, which had been 617 Squadron's wartime mess.

Of the 19 Lancasters that took off from nearby RAF Scampton on May 16, 1943, eight failed to return and 56 airmen were killed.

The newspaper said one question remained - What to call Gibson's beloved but now controversially-named dog, ******.

Sir David Frost said "The word ****** is not ideal for the modern world. But the real challenge is to make the film as good as, or better than, the original."

The famous theme music by Eric Coates would stay. Sir David said it would be crazy to change it.

- NZPA

what was the dog called lol

^^
******

N-I-G-G-E-R

lol.ssc's word censore got in there.

Does Auckland have huge film studios ?

Wow Tina - where have you been? - make sure you're on Kiwi Count!

There is serious talk of developing a film studio in the Heathcote Valley (one of the hill suburbs in Christchurch). With CHC having direct links to LA and Europe via Asia and America - and the SI landscape - movies are a real potential for the economy.

Mind you - Wellywood seems to have the upper hand for the country - perhaps it would be best to leave it to them.

Man - Peter Jacksons lost some serious weight!!!!! :eek2:

they should call the dog Nig, i know someone who used to have a dog called Nig and it didn't seem to mind lol

$70m vampire movie to be filmed in Auckland

11.05.06 1.00pm


Auckland is set to double for Alaska in yet another big-budget Hollywood film to be shot in New Zealand.

Filming for the vampire movie, 30 Days of Night, produced by Spiderman director Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (the husband of New Zealand actor Lucy Lawless), is expected to begin in July, The Dominion Post reported today.

Auditions were held in Wellington yesterday.

The movie, set in a small Alaskan town, where it is completely dark for one month a year, is reputed to have a budget of up to $70 million.

It is scheduled for release in October 2007.

Film New Zealand chairman David Madigan told the paper that the organisation had yet to receive "definitive information" but filming was expected to begin in Auckland this year.

Other films being made in New Zealand this year include Hard Drive and 10,000 BC (both to be filmed in Queenstown this month) and The Waterhorse, parts of which will be shot in Wellington.

they should call the dog Nig, i know someone who used to have a dog called Nig and it didn't seem to mind lol

No way! Ni-GG-ER was the name of the dog. If youre making a historical movie about a well documented event you cant go changing names. The dog N-gger was the squadron mascot and died the day before the mission. The death of N-gger was kept secret from the crews so as not to destroy moral.

'Strong' Interest in NZ from Film Companies

Government says 12.5 per cent rebate for large productions has been effective. There has been strong interest in New Zealand from international film companies according to Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard. "This winter has been one of the busiest for the New Zealand film industry since the filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy," Mr Mallard says.

The minister lists a number of films which have either recently completed production in the country or are about to start - including the Warner Bros. Film, '10,000 BC', directed by Roland Emmerich, which completed a six week shoot in the Wanaka region last month, and 'Thirty Days of Night', produced by Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi which will commence shooting at the end of this month in Auckland and later in Central Otago

Mr Mallard says that the government's large budget screen production grant is an important part of the package that makes New Zealand an attractive place to make both feature films and television, but he also lauded the "magnificent and diverse locations and highly skilled production crews" in New Zealand.

The grant provides a 12.5 per cent rebate on production expenditure of more than $15 million within New Zealand as long as total expenditure in the country is greater than 70 per cent of the total production budget. Where production expenditure in New Zealand exceeds $50 million, the 70 per cent threshold is waived.

Qualifying expenditure includes salaries, editing, music, sound, catering, construction and set design, travel and post-production and visual effects. Final grant payments were recently made to King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

In the case of King Kong, the production received $48.65 million based on qualifying expenditure of $389,221,032 and The Chronicles of Narnia received $16,728,465, based on qualifying expenditure of $133,827,724.

A recent independent economic evaluation of the impacts of large budget screen productions such as the Chronicles of Narnia and the Hercules mini-series over the last two years showed they had generated a $363 million direct cash injection into the New Zealand economy; additional economic activity of $119 to $227 million; and indirect benefits ranging from $10 million to $34 million.

There is serious talk of developing a film studio in the Heathcote Valley (one of the hill suburbs in Christchurch). With CHC having direct links to LA and Europe via Asia and America - and the SI landscape - movies are a real potential for the economy.

Mind you - Wellywood seems to have the upper hand for the country - perhaps it would be best to leave it to them.

Man - Peter Jacksons lost some serious weight!!!!! :eek2:

I actually heard dave that there was talk for the movie studios to be built out near orana park???

Anyway bout NZ films I watched the fastest indian a couple of nights ago that was a good one prob my fav nz film so far:)

I also heard that peter jackson could be directing the movie Halo???

I actually heard dave that there was talk for the movie studios to be built out near orana park???

Anyway bout NZ films I watched the fastest indian a couple of nights ago that was a good one prob my fav nz film so far:)

I also heard that peter jackson could be directing the movie Halo???

That type of commercial development out Orana Park way would be fantastic :)

Peter Jackson is executive producing Halo and weta workshop will be doing the visuals. Whislt not a huge fan of the game I am looking forward to the end result.

Peter Jackson is executive producing Halo and weta workshop will be doing the visuals. Whislt not a huge fan of the game I am looking forward to the end result.

yea the game aint my fav either or xbox lol but no should be an interesting watch none the less :)

What is everyones favourite and second favourite NZ film?

Mine-

1. In My Fatrher's Den
2. No. 2

My favourite

1. No.2 - I really relate to this movie cos my gran moved from fiji to mt roskill too. this was a movie set in my suburb.

2. Once Were Warriors. sorry, predictable but a great, powerful movie. I saw it as a kid and was shocked in a good way

I would say LOTR - especially after seeing the LOTR exhibit at Te Papa. I haven't seen any of the others - sorry.

1. Goodbye Pork Pie
2. Brain dead
3. Once were warriors
4. Bad taste
5. Sleeping dogs
6. Savage honeymoon
7. Scarfies
8. Stickmen

And I'm looking forward to catching Siones Wedding when it comes out on DVD.

I would say LOTR - especially after seeing the LOTR exhibit at Te Papa. I haven't seen any of the others - sorry.

If you want to catch Peter Jackson at his bohemian best I most definately suggest Brain Dead - one of the funniest films ever, from a sick twisted perspective.

*** Warning *** definately nil by mouth up to 7 hours prior.

The Lawn Mower scene, just got to be seen to be believed!!!

Forgotten Silver

Had me sucked in for a while

BBC confirms Castaway to be filmed on NZ island

10.15am Wednesday October 25, 2006

The BBC has confirmed the second series of its reality TV show Castaway is to be filmed in New Zealand. The BBC said yesterday the location was chosen "to take the castaways even further from their current lives". No location was disclosed but last month London's Sunday Times reported several of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf were being considered by the series' producers.

It was reported in August that filmmakers had visited Great Barrier Island. The Sunday Times said filming was planned to start in February. In 2000, 36 people spent a year on a Scottish island fending for themselves. BBC One controller Peter Fincham said: "Fans of the previous series will recognise it, but we've got a few twists and surprises up our sleeve."

Castaway volunteers would build their own shelters. The BBC said the contestants on the second series would "reflect all aspects of British life" and they would use their skills to "develop the infrastructure of the island". In the original series seven people left during the course of the year.

Cool. Though I can think of one place on Earth further away from Britain - Antarctica! Specifically NZ's Ross Dependancy.

God I hope they do the filming in Summer. Best place will probably be Great Barrier Island.

mmm....it was a strange programme when they showed it here (UK). One of the guys of it - Ben Fogal - is now a regular TV presenter. BBC must be pulling at straws for reality tv shows.

Britains big heart throb from the first Castaway

http://www.tusk.org/images/photos/Ben%20Fogle%20web.JPG

http://www.wwf.org.uk/picturelibrary/jpeg200/be/benfogle.jpg

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41029000/jpg/_41029930_cracknell270.jpg

http://www.thespeakersagency.com/uploadedfiles/benfogletsa.jpg

Born in 1973, the son of actress Julia Foster and broadcast vet Bruce Fogle. After completing his A-levels at Bryanston School in Dorset, Ben went on to spend a gap year in Quito Ecuador where he helped in an orphanage and taught English. Ben went on to spend a second year on the Mosquito Coast of Honduras and Nicaragua where he worked alongside the American Peace Corps on a Turtle conservation project.

Ben eventually settled down to a degree in Latin American Studies at the University of Portsmouth where he also enrolled as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve, as a midshipman, Ben was deployed to Norway, Spain, Gibraltar and France and as Officer of the Watch aboard HMS Blazer, Fogle was responsible for escorting HMY Brittania into Portsmouth Harbour for the last time.

After a year at the University of Costa Rica, Ben found himself the picture editor for society glossy magazine, Tatler, for whom Ben worked for just over a year before he volunteered to be marooned on an uninhabited Scottish Island for a year as part of BBC 1's Castaway 2000.

Ben spent a year on the remote island of Taransay, where he and thirty five other men women and children became totally independent and self sufficient.

Ben returned to reality as the roving correspondent for a glossy magazine. Assignments took Ben to Japan, the Falklands, Nepal, Zambia, Bali, East Timor, the Arctic Circle and Barbados, and as a regular presenter alongside John Craven and Michaela Strachen on BBC 1's Countryfile.

He went on to co-present BBC 1's Animal Park with Kate Humble, which returns to our screens for a fourth series in the Autumn.

Ben has presented numerous other programmes including Big Screen Britain, One man and His Dog, Inside Out, Death By Pets, What Are We Like, the Abyss Interactive, Heaven and Earth, and Holiday and has made numerous TV appearances including So Graham Norton, Celebrity Ready Steady Cook, The Big Read - Battle of the Books, Restoration, The Kumars at No 42 and Rise.

He recently recorded his first talking book, Anna Sewell's, Black Beauty available from CSA Telltape at WH Smith's

Ben has also become a regular writer for numerous magazines and newspapers including The Times, The Guardian, The Sun, The Express, Glamour magazine and The Evening Standard, and he has recently published his first travel book, The Teatime Islands, Journeys to Britains Faraway Outposts, published by Penguin, Michael Joseph

Ben has been shortlisted as GQ personality of the year and nominated as best new talent at the RTS Midland awards, most recently his book has been shortlisted for a the WH Smith's peoples award.

Ben is a regular skier and a keen horseman .Ben also has his NAUI/PADI SCUBA diving certificate, his coastal skipper sailing certificate and is a qualified dingy sailor. Ben is fluent in Spanish and is currently undergoing his PPL - Private Pilots License, training.

Ben's travel writing & photography passions have recently culminated in a publication of his first book by Penguin entitled The Teatime Islands. Penguin have also commissioned Ben's next book about offshore Britain.

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/irc/350/2006bigv1.jpg

I'm sure every mummy would love their son or daughter to bring a nice Ben home with them one day......................:| :)

mmm....it was a strange programme when they showed it here (UK). One of the guys of it - Ben Fogal - is now a regular TV presenter. BBC must be pulling at straws for reality tv shows.

Na, I can't stand reality television. The worst thing to come out of the American entertainment beast suffocating our cultural identities. It's just so contrived.

Na, I can't stand reality television. The worst thing to come out of the American entertainment beast suffocating our cultural identities. It's just so contrived.

I kinda agree with you Kane.

Did you get much sleep last night??

I kinda agree with you Kane.

Did you get much sleep last night??

Actually ended up with about 7 hours - broken. 3 coffees down so far today and I'm just zinging bout the office.

It's 1am here and I'm trying to give birth to a f.....g essay. Wish I could have a head epidural or a huge dose of Pethidine..........

It's 1am here and I'm trying to give birth to a f.....g essay. Wish I could have a head epidural or a huge dose of Pethidine..........

Hmmm, I used to do that back in varsity. Lets just say that back in those days I used an electric typewriter - it did have a twink/white out function, and at 1am, it was used frequently.

Or you could just request an extension and go out with a couple mates drinking home brew and playing 500 until just before the first morning lecture.

How I miss 500!!! No one plays it over here. Those were the days, back at uni I remember.

I just can't believe I'm still doing this all over again now - I'm to old for all of this..............ahahahahahahahahahahahaha - bloody continuing education...

Help me Ben Fogel - you're my only hope.......

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/irc/350/2006bigv1.jpg

:doh:

How I miss 500!!! No one plays it over here. Those were the days, back at uni I remember.

I just can't believe I'm still doing this all over again now - I'm to old for all of this..............ahahahahahahahahahahahaha - bloody continuing education...

The heathens, don't know how to play 500! No wander their empire fizzelled away!

Feeling for you. I've got plans to go back to teachers college in '08. But alas, it'll only be for a year.

The heathens, don't know how to play 500! No wander their empire fizzelled away!

Feeling for you. I've got plans to go back to teachers college in '08. But alas, it'll only be for a year.


I wish I could say "don't do it!", but I can't.

Theres young minds out there that need to be bent and butchered by us over the hill know it alls.

Help me Ben Fogel - you're my only hope.......

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/irc/350/2006bigv1.jpg

:doh:

He is enough to make me STRAIGHT !

He is enough to make me STRAIGHT !

These are types that are attracted to Castaway and alike TV shows...........

Na, I can't stand reality television. The worst thing to come out of the American entertainment beast suffocating our cultural identities. It's just so contrived.

Actually it was the Dutch who pioneered the current run of reality shows with Big Brother in 1999. Someone made a bunch of money selling the rights.
In fact Holland is one of the most ''reality tv'' saturated countries.
In a nut shell. The yanks arent entirely to blame.

Actually it was the Dutch who pioneered the current run of reality shows with Big Brother in 1999. Someone made a bunch of money selling the rights.
In fact Holland is one of the most ''reality tv'' saturated countries.
In a nut shell. The yanks arent entirely to blame.

But its good fun blaming the americans for degenerating a good thing down to its lowest common denominator.

See what they did to Da Vinci's Mona Lisa...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/monalisa.jpg

Brilliant!

I wouldn't put it past the yanks to do something like that!!

Cool. Though I can think of one place on Earth further away from Britain - Antarctica! Specifically NZ's Ross Dependancy.

God I hope they do the filming in Summer. Best place will probably be Great Barrier Island.

Scary ^^. just heard on the radio news that its going to be Gt Barrier Island. Must be male pms giving me precognitive insights.

But its good fun blaming the americans for degenerating a good thing down to its lowest common denominator.

See what they did to Da Vinci's Mona Lisa...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/monalisa.jpg

Classic.

They could have done the nose beter.

But...

http://www.dancollinscartoons.com/HustlerToons1/implants_fs.jpg

:scouserd: :rofl: :hahaha:

DAMN ! what a pity :(

Jackson dumped from future Tolkien projects

11.30am Tuesday November 21, 2006
New Zealand director Peter Jackson will not be making The Hobbit or a second Lord of the Rings prequel, according a letter posted on LOTR website Theonering.com. The letter, from Jackson and partner Fran Walsh was posted this morning and states that New Line are actively seeking another director. A spokesperson from Wingnut Films confirmed to nzherald.co.nz this morning that the letter was genuine.

"Last week, Mark Ordesky called Ken [Kamins, Jackson's manager] and told him that New Line would no longer be requiring our services on The Hobbit and the LOTR 'prequel'. This was a courtesy call to let us know that the studio was now actively looking to hire another filmmaker for both projects," wrote Jackson. The announcement comes after an ongoing dispute between Jackson's Wingnut Films and New Line, regarding differing accounting practices, revealed during an audit of the income from The Fellowship of the Ring.

While New Line suggested Jackson agree to make The Hobbit in order to settle the lawsuit, the director refused. "We have always said that we do not want to discuss The Hobbit with New Line until the lawsuit over New Line's accounting practices is resolved," wrote Jackson. "In our minds this is not the right reason to make a film and if a film of The Hobbit went ahead on this basis, it would be doomed." Met with Jackson's firm resolve, New Line's Vice-president Mark Ordesky called the director last week and said that New Line had a limited time option on the film rights, something which Jackson says had never been mentioned before.

Clearly disappointed with the news, Jackson wrote: "This outcome is not what we anticipated or wanted, but neither do we see any positive value in bitterness and rancour."

P. Jackson thrown lifeline on the Hobbit project, after the ruckus thrown up by fans of his and Tolkien! ONE NEWS (http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/904418)

P. Jackson thrown lifeline on the Hobbit project, after the ruckus thrown up by fans of his and Tolkien! ONE NEWS (http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/904418)

Great News, also heard that The sequel of NARNIA will be filmed in our very own Godzone.

Studio nabs $37m film deal

5.00am Thursday November 30, 2006
Auckland's Huhu Studios computer animation workshop has signed a US$25 million ($37 million) deal for a six-part series of movies - animated and in 3D - based on Bible stories. Part of the money will come from iGlobe Treasury, a fund sponsored by the Government's Venture Investment Fund. The first of the six-part Wise Giant series, Ten Commandments, has just been announced in Cannes as the first 3D animated theatrical release produced in New Zealand.

Weta Studio and Wellington to get big slice of James Cameron's new $NZ294 million production

2007/01/10 - Entire Article (http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11964-6786750,00.html)

Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron believes Wellington company Weta Digital will create the fantasy worlds he needs for his first big film since Titanic, a science fiction blockbuster which will begin shooting in April.

Cameron will film Avatar using a blend of live-action photography and new virtual "photorealistic" production techniques, for release in new digital 3D cinemas expected to be introduced in time for the $US200 million ($NZ294 million) film's release in the winter of 2009.

The science fiction epic has been written by Cameron, about a soldier who is part of Earth's invasion of an alien planet but then joins the indigenous races' resistance fight after falling in love with a local inhabitant. He eventually leads the indigenous race in a battle for survival. The lead actor will be a young Australian Sam Worthington, (Somersault and Dirty Deeds) and the female lead will be Zoe Saldana (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl).

"Weta's artists will incorporate new intuitive CGI (computer-generated image) technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into the alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters," the Fox statement said.

Principal photography for Avatar will take place in Los Angeles and New Zealand.

Weta Studio and Wellington to get big slice of James Cameron's new $NZ294 million production

2007/01/10 - Entire Article (http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11964-6786750,00.html)

Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron believes Wellington company Weta Digital will create the fantasy worlds he needs for his first big film since Titanic, a science fiction blockbuster which will begin shooting in April.

Cameron will film Avatar using a blend of live-action photography and new virtual "photorealistic" production techniques, for release in new digital 3D cinemas expected to be introduced in time for the $US200 million ($NZ294 million) film's release in the winter of 2009.

The science fiction epic has been written by Cameron, about a soldier who is part of Earth's invasion of an alien planet but then joins the indigenous races' resistance fight after falling in love with a local inhabitant. He eventually leads the indigenous race in a battle for survival. The lead actor will be a young Australian Sam Worthington, (Somersault and Dirty Deeds) and the female lead will be Zoe Saldana (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl).

"Weta's artists will incorporate new intuitive CGI (computer-generated image) technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into the alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters," the Fox statement said.

Principal photography for Avatar will take place in Los Angeles and New Zealand.
That'll make up for Halo going on hold...

Black Sheep (http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0612/a058d7f54ec362e98364.jpeg) opening next week!

I love NZ's quirky splatter feasts! I gotta see this one!:)

http://www.blacksheep-themovie.com/Images/launch/launchBackground.jpg (http://www.blacksheep-themovie.com/)

can't wait to see that!

^^ Another Eight Legged Freaks embarassment?

Na :) looks like a good old fashion kiwi spatter feast ala Bad Taste and Brain Dead! :)

Can't see any American fingers anywhere in the production details!

Yea this should be good. Good ole Kiwi horror/comedy lol

2 greatest kiwi movies of all time - BRAIN DEAD & ONCE WERE WARRIORS!

Nah^^ I'd add World's Fastest Indian to that.

Trailer for Black Sheep. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-l93gltkCc

2 greatest kiwi movies of all time - BRAIN DEAD & ONCE WERE WARRIORS!

Heavenly Creatures!

Kate Winslet was f-cking gorgeous!

The (Really) Big Picture
Wednesday, 28 March 2007, 2:12 pm

Waitakere's movie studios are already bustling with world famous productions and a massive new state-of-the-art studio sound stage will soon boost our capacity further. Mayor Bob Harvey, a former deputy chairman of the New Zealand Film Commission, believes there is something tremendously special and exciting about the film industry in Waitakere. More and more large scale productions are heading out west - Narnia, In My Father's Den, 30 Days of Night to name a few. Currently there are more than 300 people are working at the Henderson Valley Road movie studios in the new Narnia film - Prince Caspian.

The Henderson Valley Road site will soon house a new 20,000 sq foot studio will make it the second biggest in New Zealand and the technology it habours will make Waitakere even more sought after by large productions. "In a strategic sense the sound studio diversifies the film product capacity in that it provides facilities that would be suited to large film productions but it also increases capacity for television and commercial products," Mayor Harvey says. The studio - due to be opened in September - "is as gigantic as the impact the film industry has had in Waitakere," he says.

"Film is incredibly important to this city and this city's economy and I am delighted the new studio is underway because it's a real, commercial and tangible economic package with the Tay Group." After extensive liaising with the local industry Mayor Harvey says that film's financial contribution to Waitakere could be in the vicinity of $100 million annually - rivaling the tourism and wine industries. Mayor Harvey says there are also companies like Studio West in Glen Eden. "The privately owned Studio West in Glen Eden has been fully booked with Power Rangers for the past five years and turns away two requests a week which, if the requests pertained to 'movies of the week' would be worth approximately $40,000 to $50,000," the Mayor says. "Studio West says Glen Eden township has never been busier."

Geeze, I remember as a kid when Henderson valley was nothing but vineyards and chicken farms, actually spent one summer holiday working in one of those farms!:lol:

A movie / ad / porn shoot in progress

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76375485.jpg

ARC Produces “Excellent” Decision on Filming
SCOOP - Thursday, 20 September 2007, 10:06 am

Waitakere City Council has welcomed an ARC committee’s decision on filming in the region. Yesterday the Auckland Regional Council’s Parks and Heritage Committee ruled on a report which looked at possible restrictions on filming at key sites in the Waitakere Ranges. The report was part of a review of the ARC Regional Parks Management Plan. Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Councillor Penny Hulse, along with film and television industry representatives, made formal submissions on the proposed changes, which the committee has now decided against. “The Waitakere Ranges are a unique natural environment and must be protected for generations yet to come,” says Mayor Harvey. “But the management of the area must also be balanced with pragmatism. What the ARC has come up with is an excellent balance between the economy and the environment.” “The film industry knows how important the locations in the Ranges are to their survival and I am certain that film makers won’t do anything to jeopardise that.” The report and recommendations of the ARC Parks & Heritage sub-Committee will now go to a full Council vote on the 24th of September.

There was an advert being filmed in Newmarket down a back street when I was there on Monday. It involved a heck of a lot of orange balloons. Watch this space. ;)

SF is largely my favourite but there are or have been some great shows out there.

Many months ago I downloaded, and am still making my way through, that gem from 1966 Season One of The Rat Patrol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rat_Patrol) - 32 half hour episodes!

What makes this enjoyable is it's a window on a simpler time. When men were MEN, when not all Germans were actually bad, and special effects consisted of 2 jeeps going hell for leather across the sand dunes of North Africa blasting up the Axis supply lines :).

All good fun in a cavalier kind of way.

The frustrating thing is season 2 isn't available on line. So I gave up waiting and bought the 4 disc box set through Amazon.com. 1 week to get it here - though you need a multizone DVD player to watch it!

Anyways a little beginning to what I hope will be a worthwhile thread.

So come on lets yak about what YOU consider good television.

We've got good TV in the UK.:) The BBC is brilliant. I think its because we still have to pay a hefty TV licence. :okay: Thus we get quality programming.

It does not stop punter complaining though and they still can make some mistakes with schedules.

I like Channel 4 here too...lots of weird stuff and alternative shows.

My favorite TV is Documentary, Factual Stuff, History and Si Fi - and the BBC News programmes.

The UK has brilliant Radio as well.:banana: :banana:

Just watched a new program from the States last night - Chuck (http://www.tv.com/chuck/show/68724/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary).

About a nerdy but maybe good looking computer repairman who inadvertently downloads directly into his cerebellum all the top secrets from the CIA and NSA.

NBC calls this a comedy, and there were some funny moments, but it does have some dark undertones and good action sequences. Like how the incredibly hot CIA operative is about to become road kill to the big bad ass NSA black SUV, and she pulls a thowing knife from here ankle holster and triggers one of those anti car bombing barriers. The SUV is so annihilated!

Seems to be a trend from the States with nerdy/geeky/frumpty character leads - Ugly Betty and Greek (http://www.tv.com/greek/show/71239/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary).

Greek I'll cover later.

Heads up Enigma!

Was broadcast a couple of hours ago on NBC in the States!

Started downloading at work to my external hard-drive and will watch later tonight - after Hairspray :).

P.S. absolutely love my 120GB Western Digital Passport portable -

http://www.westerndigital.com/global/images/products/frnt/wdfPassport_Portable_2.jpghttp://www.westerndigital.com/global/images/products/lifestyle1/wdfPassport_Portable_2.jpg

Take home and just plug it into the front of my DVD player and watch away!

More summaries...
K-Ville (http://www.tv.com/k-ville/show/68692/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary) Watched last week. Not a bad cop post Hurricane Katrina New Orleans drama.
Well worth a watch.

Last night watched the 2 hour season finale of Burn Notice (http://www.tv.com/burn-notice/show/69107/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary), now I'm really going to miss this show until season 2 starts in about 6 months. Sort of an ex-CIA operative who gets dumped, turns into a part time McGyver-ish PI while tracking down why he was dumped and dealing with his family, ex girlfriend and FBI!

4 out of 5 stars.

Maybe tomorrow a summary of CALIFORNICATION!!!! about a 30ish man whore!

That is a very flash little device there! Puts even my video iPod to shame! :(

That is a very flash little device there! Puts even my video iPod to shame! :(

The video iPod does have it's particular uses. But 120 GB and it only cost me $180.00 = $1.5 a GB. I did look at the ipod, but didn't want to spend $500+ for only 80GB.

Better value for money would have been one of the 3.5 inch hard drives, but 2.5 inches are so small, sexy and power frugal!

Helps that my Philips DVD has a USB port in front and plays DivX 6 and MP3 files :).

The video iPod does have it's particular uses. But 120 GB and it only cost me $180.00 = $1.5 a GB. I did look at the ipod, but didn't want to spend $500+ for only 80GB.

Better value for money would have been one of the 3.5 inch hard drives, but 2.5 inches are so small, sexy and power frugal!

Helps that my Philips DVD has a USB port in front and plays DivX 6 and MP3 files :).

It is especially handy for not having to listen to other peoples music on the bus for example. ;)

Your little technological toy is certainly is better value for money for what you're using it for. But I wouldn't be without my MP3 player.

Oh, I too couldn't do without my MP3's.

I think I started using this tech fairly early. I have on my work PC MP3 files created as long ago as May 2000. Got a Mp3 CD player for my car about 4 years ago, and last year another MP3 Cd player with USB port - Ipods, flash drive - and an SD slot for my wife's car. Was running around in that with 2GB SD card, about 450 songs.

When I went running I used to hate having to carry my 500MB MP3 flash player, cellular, keys and cash. Why, would usually do 2 hour + runs on weekends.

So I went convergence - Sanyo 5600 - 1GB for MP3's (250 files) with phone. So that's 1 less item to lug around on my big runs! :)

I just started watching Jon Safron vs God on DVD. I'm not too sure if it played in NZ but I'm well impressed so far after 2 eps. It's basically some very sharp satire about religion, and has a go at pretty much every group out there, atheists included. So wrong but brilliant.

Also I've recently finished going through the Flight of the Choncords series. Apart from the odd flat spot its easily one of the smartest shows in a long time. They have hit cult status in the US and for good reason. They're already on series 2 and a movie later down the track wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. I think its showing on Prime.

Then you'll probably enjoy - "The Chasers War on Anything".

There the guys who violated Apec security 2 weeks ago.

I just started watching Jon Safron vs God on DVD. I'm not too sure if it played in NZ but I'm well impressed so far after 2 eps. It's basically some very sharp satire about religion, and has a go at pretty much every group out there, atheists included. So wrong but brilliant.

Also I've recently finished going through the Flight of the Choncords series. Apart from the odd flat spot its easily one of the smartest shows in a long time. They have hit cult status in the US and for good reason. They're already on series 2 and a movie later down the track wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. I think its showing on Prime.

It is showing on Prime - quite dry but I will get into it ;) ... SKY launches another channel on 01 October called VIBE ... they promise some interesting (and new) series' for NZ .... bring it on I say :cheers:

Then you'll probably enjoy - "The Chasers War on Anything".

There the guys who violated Apec security 2 weeks ago.

"The Chasers" is excellent. I often get their episodes off youtube because of ABC's non-copywrite policy. :)

"The Chasers" is excellent. I often get their episodes off youtube because of ABC's non-copywrite policy. :)

They also podcast them, just for the pod generation :).

Finished watching Heroes last night - double episode season 2 premier. Quite good.

Tonight just finished The Bionic Woman - it R.O.C.K.s.
David you'll be pleased to know 2 of the actors from Battlestar Galactica are in it. The Chief - Tyrol and Starbuck (who happens to be the bad ass nemesis and Bionic Woman mark 1).

Also watched another newby - REAPER (http://www.tv.com/reaper/show/68745/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary)- was ok, and I'll watch the next episode.

A New vampire series started in the weekend in the US = Moonlight (http://www.tv.com/moonlight/show/68684/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary). Oh definitely keep an eye out for this one if it comes to NZ TV. Great show, excellent production values and the acting wasn't to bad neither.

STARGATE ATLANTIS (http://www.tv.com/stargate-atlantis/show/11415/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary) season 4 has started again. So all SF nuts rejoice! :).

A New vampire series started in the weekend in the US = Moonlight (http://www.tv.com/moonlight/show/68684/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary). Oh definitely keep an eye out for this one if it comes to NZ TV. Great show, excellent production values and the acting wasn't to bad neither.

STARGATE ATLANTIS (http://www.tv.com/stargate-atlantis/show/11415/summary.html?tag=tabs;summary) season 4 has started again. So all SF nuts rejoice! :).

I believe that MOONLIGHT will be screening soon. I will keep an eye out for this one ;)

OooooOOooo... Heroes season 2. I watched the whole first season as a download. Was great to be able to pause it when i wanted, and skip all the advertisements.

I'm definitely looking to do the same with Season 2.

Season 2 ep 1 has been available for downloads the last 5 days. Episode 2 will be available Tuesday afternoon! :)

Where do you download them from? bitTorrent?

Where do you download them from? bitTorrent?

Used to use Azureus but now prefer uTorrent for my software. Faster opening.

Preferred Torrent search page is Isohunt (http://isohunt.com/). (way less annoying porn).

Tried for a while subscribing to a Usenet as they can be up to 5 times faster. But didn't work out that way as slingshot just could not provide those speeds.

Shoutout!!! Heroes S02E02 is available!

Try Heroes S02E02 HDTV XviD-LOL (http://www.torrentreactor.to/torrents/view_651484/Heroes_S02E02_HDTV_XviD_LOL)

What do you guys think about ABC remaking Outrageous Fortune for American audiences?

Survivor - China starts tonight and I think that Heroes Season 2 starts next week on tv ??

Survivor - China starts tonight and I think that Heroes Season 2 starts next week on tv ??

^^ Yes I can confirm for those of you who are really into Heroes and having repetitive advertisement interruptions of your viewing plesure, that TV3 airs episode ONE on 22 October @ 2030 (http://www.tv3.co.nz/Drama/Heroes/tabid/235/Default.aspx?showid=14625)!

Episode 3, yep that's what played in the US on Tuesday was great. I believe you boys (and girls) are really going to enjoy this season.

Not bad TV3, by Monday they'll only be 4.6 episodes behind :applause:

Tonight if I have time I'll be enjoying The Bionic Woman (http://www.nbc.com/Fall_Preview/Bionic_Woman/index.shtml) ep 3 (re-imagined of coarse), Big Shots (http://abc.go.com/primetime/bigshots/index) (3), and maybe Journeyman (http://www.nbc.com/Journeyman/)(3). No adds that should be about 135 minutes!

Excuse my shameless plug but - The new season of Eating Media Lunch kicks off tonight at 10pm tv 2. If anyone just happens to not be out at that time you'll no doubt enjoy the rousing satire on offer. You'll also see me playing a cop receiving a commendation. Brilliant.

Catch some times, but here's the reason to definitely watch TV2 tonight.

Anyways, I know it's naughty, especially while at work (:)), but just watched Dirty Sexy Money (http://abc.go.com/primetime/dirtysexymoney/index) and then Gossip Girl (http://cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl).:lol: :lol:

^^ Yes I can confirm for those of you who are really into Heroes and having repetitive advertisement interruptions of your viewing plesure, that TV3 airs episode ONE on 22 October @ 2030 (http://www.tv3.co.nz/Drama/Heroes/tabid/235/Default.aspx?showid=14625)!

Episode 3, yep that's what played in the US on Tuesday was great. I believe you boys (and girls) are really going to enjoy this season.

Not bad TV3, by Monday they'll only be 4.6 episodes behind :applause:

Tonight if I have time I'll be enjoying The Bionic Woman (http://www.nbc.com/Fall_Preview/Bionic_Woman/index.shtml) ep 3 (re-imagined of coarse), Big Shots (http://abc.go.com/primetime/bigshots/index) (3), and maybe Journeyman (http://www.nbc.com/Journeyman/)(3). No adds that should be about 135 minutes!

Thanks Kane ... must say that my new fave is The Tudors - F'ing love it.

X-Men prequel to be filmed in NZ (http://nz.news.yahoo.com/071018/3/23kf.html)

A Hollywood blockbuster starring Australian actor Hugh Jackman will be filmed in the Southern Lakes this summer, employing hundreds of people.

Rumoured to have a budget in excess of $100 million, pre-production is well underway in Sydney for X-Men prequel Wolverine -- a 20th Century Fox film, in conjunction with Jackman's own company, Seed. The majority of filming will take place at Fox Studios in Sydney.

The film's New Zealand production supervisor, Simon Ambridge, confirmed to The Press that locations around Queenstown and Central Otago would be used during a four-week shooting period in late December and early January.

The production office in Queenstown was opened last week by Woz Productions, a New Zealand offshoot of 20th Century Fox.

Mr Ambridge said there would be lots of New Zealanders working on the film. The final mix would include "hundreds" of industry professionals from New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including many Queenstown locals.

Wolverine has been scheduled for release next July.

A film based on the 1979 Maurice Gee novel Under the Mountain is set to be shot in Auckland next year after being granted funding assistance.

The film, which will have the same name as the book, will be directed by Jonathan King, who directed Black Sheep, with the script having been written by King and Matthew Grainger.

Wellington's Weta Workshop will contribute creature design and special effects.

Gee's novel has sold over 70,000 copies and was adapted into a television series in the early 1980s.

The film has been accepted for funding by the New Zealand Film Commission and the Film Fund and will include investment from New Zealand on Air and Capitol Films.

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/under.jpg

Oh it just has to be - cause the mountain in question is Rangitoto!

I remember being at school and watching a really crap 80's movie version of the novel....abosulte laugh material! hahaha

like 1975?

Kane! Kane! ya gotta see this one. Kay-ayn! Dave! you too. Day-ay-ayve! Utopia. You'll get ya rocks off here too


woOLEEu8RLI


Geez. And I thought it was cool then. and I still think it's cool!

OMG! Ohhhh Myyyyyyyyy Godssssssssssss!

My brother and I watched this religiously when it first aired.

We'd then go outside and pretend to run and fight in slow motion just like Stevey.

The jumping part was the hardest :) :nuts:.

BUT - the new BIONIC WOMAN is much much better, and ps she is SOOOOOO hot!

^^Yeah The Six Million Dollar man is C00L*....I remember when I was about 9 yrs old.My parents owned a fruit shop in a mall,and every Friday night I remember sitting on the floor watching it @ Farmers on one of there National T.V's.:okay:

Senior Citizens would like come over to me and ask If I liked the picture.And I'd say....yep! yep! It's great....then they would go find a salesman and buy it. lmfao!......must be my honest face:D

This is the new Bionic Woman...


3-QG78kHa5k

^^
Yeah jumping in slow motion was the hardest doing that WOOOoooo sound.
Or throwing a stick in slow motion doing that tchatchatchatcha sound haha!

National TV's COOOL!

This is the new Bionic Woman...


3-QG78kHa5k

Christ there's 2 of them!

Looks like the Matrix and Spiderman all rolled into one. Cool!

You'll notice that Bionic Woman mk1 is STARBUCK from BSG(II).

So she is. Fisty!

Here's another goody...

E06cNv55jTs

Stingray! Loved this show. Plus Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons! They had the COOLEST skybase.

bV8YbLvGrb0

But the best was UFO!!!:lol: Just adored the far out 70's fashions and tech!

Y8RfzkhqBLY

But the best was UFO!!!:lol: Just adored the far out 70's fashions and tech!



I bought both UFO boxed DVD sets from the UK a few years back. Real Groovy in Chch has it too. Not as good as I remembered it being watching it as a school kid in the 70s but still worth a watch.

My pick of the current shows would have to be Trailer Park Boys. I love that show. TVNZ must be due to air series 7 soon - I've already seen it and it is brilliant.

It's the Kenny Everett!....... video show!!:cheer::D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw68owhqNIY

^^
LOVE Kenny!

''and it's all in the BEST possible TASTE''

I went to see Hot Gossip on stage once

^^ Yeah...I miss Kenny.:(...he was well ahead of his time:)

Cupid Stunt
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Kc4_mAkgQ

Humm...Meh! wonders when Prison Break 3 will air on TV3?

It's already screened in the states starting Sept 17th

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prison_Break_episodes

Kane.....Is it available for download from your sources yet?

:)

Promo Pics: Season 3

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i29/blairboy_2006/prison_break_season_3_promo_1.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i29/blairboy_2006/season3promoshots_prison_break_1.jpg

Certainly is but the p2p file has been up for 6 weeks so the number of seeders will be dropping off - One of dozens of links (http://isohunt.com/download/26279692/prison+break+s03e01)if you have bit torrent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_torrent) software.

The most disgusting scene from last nights californication :)...

wy-zTgCW0es

ENJOY :)

Watched it back in mid August, and there are only 11 more episodes of this season to go. And they WILL UPSET MORE PEOPLE :lol:. Bonus, a 2nd season has been ordered :banana:.

Please note that these risqué American shows are restricted to cable TV in the US. I believe this is most definitely a sign of how our society is in fact more LIBERATED than the USA. NZ and AUSTRALIA broadcast it on public free to air television for anyone with a remote control and the power to activate the ON SWITCH!

^^
Well that sure beats confession

California + Forincation = Californication! LOL! LOL! LOL!

Can you get any wittier than combining the name of a state with a sexual term?

I wonder what other hi-brow shows we can expect to see? Texass? Penisylvania? New Humpshire? Oralaska? New Sexico? Breast Virginia? Washingtongue?

California + Forincation = Californication! LOL! LOL! LOL!


Ever heard of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Classic Man?

California + Forincation = Californication! LOL! LOL! LOL!

Can you get any wittier than combining the name of a state with a sexual term?

I wonder what other hi-brow shows we can expect to see? Texass? Penisylvania? New Humpshire? Oralaska? New Sexico? Breast Virginia? Washingtongue?


^^ :rofl::rofl:

If anyone cares, Joey is the Ferndale serial killer on Shortland Street.

Garsp... My Mother was ranting about that.

Its funny because when that storyline started it was like, "its so obvious its him...so it can't be" thus making people spend five months trying to figure out who besides Joey it could be.

We need VAGINA POWER in NZ:

JdGJxI6LrX4

It gets real good at 4:30.

^^ Funny in a 'roundabout' kind of way..... but the bottom line of human sexuality....is pretty basic.

The nerves in the penis run up through the spinal canal and connect to the pleasure center of the brain.When stimulated,the brain releases Dopamine,Seretonin,Endorphins,Oxytocin and Norepinephrine [Similar to Adrenaline] <==== ever noticed your heart beats 'much' faster?.It's really a "total" release of all the good proteins and chemicals in the brain.

A reward for procreation.

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro03/web2/csmiga.html

Thanks for the vid.....

More good shit from Alexyss K. Tylor if anyone likes that video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssOiYx0_e7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4-nIP3LHXM

...and see that woman is being seduced. She being seduced. He breakin' her down, man. He is screwin' her in-to sub-MISSION. He's screwin' her into slavery by using the penis as a weapon to break her ass DOWN. And her defences; I mean she wide open - with a penis all up in your vagina man, you don't have no defences.

If you wondered about her credentials:

...I don't have any PHDs and master degrees to put on my wall in academia, but I have a master degree in being played by men, used by men, told everything I want to hear to get me in the positions...

Jackson, New Line & MGM To Produce "The Hobbit"
SCOOP - Wednesday, 19 December 2007, 10:34 am

Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

*
MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

*
Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

*
Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.

Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.” “Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’” said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.”

Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, “We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy.” “Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with ‘The Lord of the Rings,’” notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. “We’re delighted he’s back for ‘The Hobbit’ films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord.” The two “Hobbit” films – “The Hobbit” and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of “The Hobbit” release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, “Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

For more information about “The Hobbit” films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.

^^^ Will it also be filmed in NZ ? the article doesn't say anything about that ...

^^^ Will it also be filmed in NZ ? the article doesn't say anything about that ...

One would hope so!

Side note since we're talking about films; keep your eyes out for the new Chronicals of Narnia film - it's got an impressive shot from Cathedral cove at the beginning!

^^^ Will it also be filmed in NZ ? the article doesn't say anything about that ...

Looks likely, according to today's Dom. Excellent news for Wellington!


Wellington prepares for Hobbit movie windfall
The Dominion Post (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4330037a23918.html) | Thursday, 20 December 2007

Wellington is set to reap a windfall to match all of Bilbo Baggins' riches, thanks to Peter Jackson's new Hobbit movie deal.

Budgets of US$150 million (NZ$198 million) are expected for each of the two films, and film studio executives say it is likely Wellington will again be home base for Middle-earth.

Based on JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, the movies will be made simultaneously and released in 2010 and 2011.

They will tell the story of hobbit Bilbo Baggins before the events of The Lord of the Rings.

Michael Lynne, co-chief executive officer of New Line Cinema, said most of the movies would be made in Wellington. It is understood sites in Queenstown and Te Anau are also being considered.

Preproduction begins next month, but no script-writing can begin till a strike by writers in Hollywood ends.

Jackson was in Wellington yesterday, back from filming The Lovely Bones in the United States, but he made no comment on the Hobbit movies.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive Charles Finny said the return to Middle-earth would be worth "many, many millions of dollars" to Wellington.

"Hopefully this will ensure continued buoyancy in the [film] industry for at least several years to come."

The movies will be also a bonanza for Jackson. The renewal of his relationship with New Line has also been lucrative, The New York Times reporting yesterday that his settlement with the company over Lord of the Rings profits was worth US$40 million.

News of the Hobbit films has sent fans into a frenzy.

Erica Challis, a founder of a popular Tolkien website, said anticipation was already growing. "We are all very excited ... It's absolutely buzzing, the e-mails are flying."

Jackson will produce the movies with his screenwriter wife Fran Walsh, but has not yet signed to direct them, citing scheduling difficulties with his other projects, including The Lovely Bones and TinTin.

However, Jackson and Walsh will have almost complete creative control over the films, with MGM chief executive Harry Sloan saying: "It's Peter's project."

:pepper: YAY ! They should use Hobbiton again (http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/hobbiton), most of the infrastructure is still there ..... wait until I till my sister, she is going to be sooooooo jealous ;)

Its funny because when that storyline started it was like, "its so obvious its him...so it can't be" thus making people spend five months trying to figure out who besides Joey it could be.

Worst. Storyline. Ever.
It makes me sad to think that this is our nations 'prime drama'. I could probably write better shit while blindfolded and on acid.

...

Ah yeah, House is back soon isn't it! I wonder whether or not they'll have managed to bring any new elements to this series. The first series was great, the second was mediocre it would be interesting to see how this series pans out.

I kinda rated Hugh Lawrie but now even more so since he's made something of himself in the US. I love (and have loved! :wink2:) Americans so much but I think its cute they probably think he is from the States. Bless them.

Haven't ever seen the show but. A mate is trying to get me to watch 'Boston Legal' because apparently it will change my life and how long has that been out, like 5 years!

I kinda rated Hugh Lawrie but now even more so since he's made something of himself in the US. I love (and have loved! :wink2:) Americans so much but I think its cute they probably think he is from the States. Bless them.

Haven't ever seen the show but. A mate is trying to get me to watch 'Boston Legal' because apparently it will change my life and how long has that been out, like 5 years!

Boston Legal I thought was substandard - I watched around 5-6 episodes and really couldn't get into it. I'm not a huge fan of American comedy-drama crossovers though.

Tom goes to the Mayor is easily the best thing on tv ever. As is my current opinion. No one knows it but I love it, really pissed off coz it wasn't on last night....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U91X6O5oVCE

Scene set for a big year in New Zealand film
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Monday January 07, 2008

This year promises to be a busy one for the Kiwi film business but there are some big decisions ahead about how taxpayers will underpin the industry's growth. And if there is a change to a National-led government it is likely to mean a review of the 1978 Film Commission Act that has been a foundation for the industry - at least the industry beyond director Peter Jackson - for 30 years. Jackson and his Camperdown Studio in Wellington have moved beyond the early successes of Lord of the Rings and King Kong. Part-owned special effects arm Weta Digital has become self-sufficient and Jackson's lavishly appointed post-production outfit Park Road Post is getting more work.

Jackson is working on the adaptation of The Lovely Bones and the remake of Dambusters with a budget of around $50 million. He is also set to make the first part of the planned Tintin trilogy. There will also be early pre-production for two Hobbit movies to be filmed in 2009 and 2010 with a combined budget of around $500 million, much of that to be spent in this country. That is just a part of the revenue earned through the special effects operation owned by Jackson and colleagues and the post-production house. Elsewhere, after a flat production slate in 2007, the rest of the film production sector faces a busy 2008. Whale Rider director Niki Caro starts filming here for her version of Elizabeth Knox's The Vintner's Luck next month, with rights already sold for Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Switzerland.

The producers are Robin Laing, Caro and Laurie Parker of Ascension Film and Pascal Judelewicz, Ludi Boeken and Jean-Francois Klein of Kortex Sarl. It is being financed by the Film Production Fund, the Film Commission, the Motion Investment Group of Belgium, Tokyo-based OLC Rights Entertainment and Kortex Cinema of France. Production starts in mid-2008 for Separation City directed by Australian-based New Zealander Paul Middleditch. Barrie Osborne (The Water Horse) is producing, with Tom Scott and Mark Overett. Rights have been sold to Belgium and the Netherlands. NZ On Air and TVNZ are minority investors in the film. Also set to film this year is Under the Mountain, based on a book by Maurice Gee. It will be funded by the Film Commission and the Film Fund and will be be the second feature by Black Sheep director Jonathan King alongside Matthew Grainger and Richard Fletcher.

International sales excluding Australia and New Zealand are to be handled by London-based Capitol Films. One downside of the high value of the New Zealand dollar has been that fewer US productions have been filming here. But the sector is perceived as growing and benefiting from increased taxpayer subsidies. Five years ago industry veterans worried that a rush of interest in filming here was a fashion. There were concerns that New Zealand would become a fashion victim when Hollywood discovered new countries with more incentives. Screen Council executive director Tim Thorpe believes we have moved past that issue with better infrastructure, such as all-weather soundproofed studio facilities at Jackson's Wellington complex and in Waitakere, Auckland.

Last year the Government followed its Australian counterparts and increased the grants paid to big budget Hollywood movies from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent. The increase is significant. For example, it would have given Peter Jackson's interests an additional $10 million on top of the $50 million he received for filming King Kong in this country. Benefits were also extended to cover spending on special effects and post production. But catching up with the Aussies' incentives may not be enough this time. Australia has made a fundamental change that could turn the film and TV industry Downunder on its head. After years of focusing on Hollywood, the Australians have turned their attention to their local industry and introduced a lavish 40 per cent rebate for Australian companies with overseas backing spending money at home.

TV companies are being promised a 20 per cent rebate though, unlike in New Zealand, there are few cash subsidies. But for any up-and-coming film or TV company it will be tempting to be based in Sydney or Melbourne, not Auckland or Wellington. Now the Government and film industry have to decide how to react to the attractive new incentives. Having been convinced that the Hollywood subsidies create economic activity and tax revenue, the Government has accepted the value of subsidies. The question now is whether politicians will dig deeper for new subsidies and back the local industry. Some worry that the industry is delaying reacting and allowing Australian incentives to take hold and establish an advantage.

Others say you can react too fast and this country should wait to see how the Australian scheme works out. But 2008 is an election year here and there is a danger the future of the film industry could get lost in political wrangles. If there is a decision to give more money it will need extra funding and government departments are already jostling for cash. Tim Thorpe is executive director of the screen industry lobby group the Screen Council. He says the Ministry of Economic Development had handled film incentives in the past based on the premise that the screen industries were a favoured sector for developing the economy. But indications were that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage - which has tighter budgets and a less industrial focus - would take over handling film incentives, Thorpe said.

Meanwhile, the local industry will be considering an end to a Labour Administration that has strongly backed the film and TV production industry. National is keeping its options open but - ideologically at least - has baulked at subsidies. There will be interest in the view of its arts and culture spokesman, Chris Findlayson, who may well be arts and and culture minister in any National-led government. Findlayson has called for a review of the Film Commission Act. The commission, which has flourished under Labour, has a big role in the funding of the industry. The commission has a difficult role on limited cash, but Findlayson believes it is due for a shakeup. The Peter Jackson organisation is beyond the budgets financed by the Film Commission. But on the basis of its early and private lobbying of the Government, it is likely that it will be making its views known and that those views will carry weight.

Have just heard today that the latest XMen movie is to have scenes filmed in Queenstown. Will Halle Berry be coming? Is Anna Paquin signed up for this one as well?

Have just heard today that the latest XMen movie is to have scenes filmed in Queenstown. Will Halle Berry be coming? Is Anna Paquin signed up for this one as well?
I believe it's a prequel focussing mainly on Wolverine, so I think Hugh Jackman will hog the spotlight just this once.

Xmen coming to Nz aint exciting news for me other than the fact its bringing in dineros. Dont rate that Berry chick so no great loss there. And although its not my bag I cant imagine Jackman is much of a looker. Now if they had Julia Roberts or that German hottie...whats her name? Id be happy, and I think I got a bit of a mancrush on some bloke I saw on the Departed on SkyMovies last night. Dont know who he was.

Queenstown gets ready for X-Men
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Thursday January 24, 2008

Excitement is building in the Queenstown region as it prepares to play host to the filming of a major Hollywood blockbuster. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, featuring Australian-born star Hugh Jackman as the title character, follows on from the enormously successful X-Men film trilogy, which has grossed more than $1 billion at the box office worldwide. The Twentieth Century Fox feature is being partially filmed at locations around Queenstown, the wider southern lakes area and Dunedin, and sets have been spotted springing up in recent days.

"It's huge. And it will definitely be something that puts Queenstown's scenery on the map on a global scale," said Film Queenstown manager Kevin Jennings. The filming is veiled in secrecy, to prevent crucial parts of the plot being leaked to die-hard fans of the X-Men, brought to the silver screen from the popular Marvel comic. An Australian publicist for the film would provide only basic details of the film when approached by the Herald, but it is believed the film shoot is imminent. "I'm not at liberty to say when, but it's getting very close," Mr Jennings said.

About 250 people are being employed for the New Zealand leg of the shoot. The Herald understands it will take six to seven weeks. Hotels, bars and restaurants in the Queenstown area had been filled up in recent weeks with overseas visitors involved in planning the shoot. Local businesses were expecting to do well from the visiting moviemakers, Mr Jennings said. "They are all very accomplished people, and they spend money and they like good food and good drink."

Along with other features being shot in New Zealand this year, such as James Cameron's Avatar, the Wolverine feature showed the country was still very attractive to international moviemakers, said Film New Zealand chief executive Judith McCann. New Zealand had shown with the Lord of the Rings trilogy that as well as great locations, it had the talent and ability to "deliver for large budget productions". A large budget grant offered to films spending more than $15 million, and the low exchange rate were also appealing, Ms McCann said.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine, rumoured to cost in excess of $100m to make, is being directed by Gavin Hood, who directed Tsotsi - winner of the 2006 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Jackman joins the trio behind the X-Men trilogy in producing the Wolverine movie, along with Australian colleague John Palermo. Other parts of the film are being made in Australia and New Orleans. It is due for release in May next year.

Hollywood movie filming at Auckland manor
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Sunday January 27, 2008

A $60 million Hollywood movie starring teen sensation Ashley Tisdale begins filming in a restored West Auckland manor house tomorrow. The film, They Came From Upstairs and described as Home Alone meets Gremlins, is about a group of kids trying to protect their holiday home from invading aliens. In a notice to neighbours, Auckland-based production company New Upstairs Productions said filming would run for 30-40 days from tomorrow to April 18, with no filming in weekends.

Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale shot to fame in the High School Musical films. Director John Schultz directed 2005 film The Honeymooners. Writer Mark Burton's credits include Madagascar and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Yesterday, crew were putting the finishing touches to the set, a two-storey, 22-room manor that presides over 5.5ha of rolling fields. The property was valued at $3m last October. The Herald on Sunday understands film-makers spent $700,000 restoring the house, which was shifted from Remuera in 1997. Then known as Plumley Manor, it has been a backpackers and a brothel.

The owners, a couple with four children, will live in a cottage on site during filming. Cast will not stay on site.

Yay Ashley!!!!!!! HSM to NZ!! :D:D Great to hear!

UBI World TV Launches In New Zealand
SCOOP - Friday, 15 February 2008, 2:21 pm

Amidst a plethora of international ethnic channel providers here in New Zealand, a new Sydney based player has emerged in UBI World TV that promises to deliver over 100 channels from across the globe. It launched its Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite service in New Zealand. UBI World TV, the leading multicultural pay TV and radio broadcaster in the region, has its platform on the Optus D2 satellite that carries UBI’s more than 100 premium multi-lingual channels sourced from 30 different countries worldwide which are now available to the growing immigrant population of New Zealand, allowing them to stay connected to their countries of origin, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to Statistics NZ the Asian ethnic group was New Zealand's fourth largest major ethnic group after European, Māori, and Other Ethnicity, totalling 354,552 people (9.2 percent) in 2006. Of the major ethnic groups, the Asian ethnic group grew the fastest between 2001 and 2006, increasing from 238,176 people in 2001 to reach 354,552 people in 2006 (an increase of almost 50 percent). The ethnic group of Chinese, Japanese and Korean is 190,296 (Census 2006) accounting for 27% growth over last census result in 2001. The Middle Eastern, Latin American and African grouping with 34,743 people totalled 0.9 percent of New Zealand's usually resident population. Within the Middle Eastern, Latin American and African grouping, there were 17,514 people who identified with Middle Eastern ethnic groups, 6,657 people with Latin American groups, and 10,647 people with African groups.

The niche ethnic media market is mired in controversies of sorts that tend to pop up from time to time. The latest casualty of ONE B is a pointer in that direction. The channel has been embroiled in a series of controversies right from the start. The most common complaint that one hears from the disgruntled subscribers is the lack of ability of service providers to deliver on promised choice of channels and prompt service. “Many have come and promised the moon and gone. It’s the lack of honesty, transparency and underlying surreptitiousness that pervades in this market segment”, said a source speaking on condition of anonymity.

Jim Blackman, CEO Triangle TV and the satellite feed of Stratos, would not be drawn into making a comment on the new player but wished “good luck to them.” Interestingly, there’s World TV Ltd a namesake to UBI World TV here in New Zealand since June 2000 catering to Chinese, Korean and Japanese interests with 7 TV and 2 Radio channels. They did not know about the new entrant until this reporter got in touch with them. They expressed surprise at their namesake which is bound to confuse the ordinary customer. There are over 10,000 households subscribing WTV. The total number of viewers reaching 50,000 approximately 26 percent of the market.

UBI World TV commenced operations in Sydney, Australia in 2004, and since launching has attracted more than 200,000 viewers Australia-wide. In addition, UBI services subscribers in Asia and Africa, and has operations in Europe, North America and South America. It has also started offering advertising on its top-rating channels. UBI World TV New Zealand subscribers can enjoy a feast of entertainment, sport, information and news programs in a language package of their choice comprising: Arabic (29 TV and 10 radio channels), Turkish (10 TV and 7 radio channels), Spanish (11 TV and 1 radio channels), Greek (9 TV and 12 radio channels), Balkan (7 TV and 4 radio channels), Portuguese and Brazilian (3 TV and 1 radio channels), Persian (3 TV and 1 radio channels), including top-rating ‘best-of’ compilation channels in Turkish and Arabic produced in Australia, and a ‘best-of’ Macedonian channel produced in Macedonia.

UBI President and CEO Regina Boulos said, “We are delighted to finally bring UBI World TV to New Zealand. Our service has been widely embraced and enjoyed by the ethnic communities in Asia, Africa and Australia, and we are both pleased and excited to now be able to bring to New Zealand’s migrant communities our high-rating channels which we beam live from different parts of the world. New Zealand’s migrant communities can now re-establish ties with the native culture and heritage that they cherish.” “Through UBI World TV, these communities can watch live news and enjoy the best dramas, comedies, movies, music, sport and more, in their language, direct from their home countries, in the comfort of their homes.”

“The launch marks a first for many communities in New Zealand including the Iraqi, Persian, Greek, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Brazilian, Chilean, Lebanese, Turkish, Jordanian, Palestinian, Syrian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Mexican, Bosnian, Colombian, Montenegro, Argentinean, Portuguese and Cypriot communities, who for many years have not had access to the best TV and radio channels from their home countries”, Ms. Boulos said. When questioned what her firm’s subscriber numbers she answered “our viewer base continues to grow due to the excellent quality of our channels and the service we provide. Our subscriber numbers however are classified information.” Referring to courting prospective customers from a host of other regional players scattered across the country, she remarked “UBI World TV has wide experience in multicultural media and marketing. Our team of multicultural, multilingual staff knows the language, culture and what appeals strongly to the audiences we are targeting.

We employ a range and a mix of traditional and non-traditional media as well as innovative sales promotions activities which have worked very well for us.” Package prices start from NZ$29.95 per month for a minimum of 12 months. Installation costs and other terms and conditions apply. Elaborating she said “UBI World TV’s package prices and the channels available for each package vary. For instance, our Balkan Package comprising 7 of the best Macedonian, Bosnian, Montenegro and Bulgarian TV channels plus 4 radio stations is available for $29.95 per month. Our Arabic Package comprising the highest rating channels from Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Syria and Jordan offers 29 TV channels and 10 radio stations for $59.95 per month.”

Avoiding quoting a specific figure, she observed “new subscribers to UBI World TV incur an installation fee which includes: the cost of decoder box, satellite dish, cabling, technician labour/ servicing. Then they pay the monthly subscription fee. Our installation fees are competitive with the fees of other pay TV providers and vary according to the location of the customer.” She stated the company is currently setting up an office in New Zealand, and starting to build a network of agents and dealers to generate subscriptions across the country.

Well, time for an update on some cool (In my opinion) programmes that may or may not come to NZ.

1. Lost, saw ep 1 of new season last week and going to watch ep 2 tonight. Most suprissing is NZ is 1 week behind the states.

2. Jericho, season 2 also tonight - really looking forward to what happens when the 2 towns fight and those "federallies" show up!

3. Terminator: The Sarah Coccor Chronicles 3 eps. down, 4 and 5 this weekend - 10 stars! AWESOME!!!

4. Getting into Medium series 4.

5. Smallville series 7

6. Kyle XY serson 2 part II is good so far

7. Cashmere Mafia is great!

8. Hot Shots loved season 1 all 12 eps!

Men in Trees season 2 ep 9 is due end of Feb, hanging out. NZ still has 3 or 4 eps to go!

Flash Gordon the series such promise but a tad naff!

Lipstick Jungle looking forward to watching my ep 1 copy sometime.

Stargate Atlantis SEASON 4 is really enjoyable so far

MOONLIGHT This and Hot Shots and Gossip Girl have been the most excellent shows to come out of the US over the christmas period, and I really do hope you guys get to see them. Google to get a preview!

^^ Thanks for the info Kane :)

Like the idea of UBI World joining the local TV competition. I would definately contemplate buying a package just to keep my language upand keep abreast.

methinks Tv2 is going to have a problem with Lost once the 7th episode of this season is screened...we are only two weeks behind and Lost will be taking a month long break in the states to enable the last four episodes of the season to be produced. Originally there were going to be 16 episodes screened over 16 consecutive weeks in the states with no breaks, but the strike meant only 8 episodes were produced. Now that the strike is over, they are going to go on hiatus after the 7th episode in March and return with the 8th episode in April. Anyways, I wonder what Tv2 will do? obviously they decided to start playing Lost so close to Us episodes thinking there would be only 8 episodes.

Hahaha :) I just finished watching Knight Rider (2008) and... and it was much better than the original. Even the Hoff made a cameo at the end! The lead dude was an ex army ranger, the lead female a physics uni professor, the head FBI agent a lesbian... just so Modern :)

Pilot 2 hour tv movie - maybe a "re imagined" series.

PS. just found out NBC in the states is going to beginning putting up on line such retro shows as... Kojak, original Battlestar Galactica, even Miami Vice.

Looking forward to downloading Miami Vice - dadadadadadada....:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Just carrying this over from the irrelevant thread..... From what source do most of you get your tv news intake from?

Domestically I occasionally take TV1, although they seem very insular to us all (leading with a car accident or homicide, and I get so bored with their DHB's in crisis stories) believe me they have a much more international outlook than the Aust tv news networks. TV3 I find impossible to take seriously, I do like their lead ins always with the questions, "And after the break....This fiery train crash in Venezuela, but was anybody killed? Jessie Ryder abusing nurses over the weekend, so does he have a drinking problem? Britney Spears in trouble again, so will KFeds lawyers let her have access to her children?"

I like Stratos Channel 89, with all their international feeds. I tend to get all my news from overseas sources. Deutsche Welle, BBC World and like Al-Jazeera. And I also get a kick out of Fox, I like the heavy US focus and getting wrapped up in completely unimportant stories. They also have the best looking anchorwomen.

I think its best in all to get your news from lots of different sources. Remembering all the same people its all biased :)

^^ I used to watch NZ news, but now I am immensely bored of it! It is sooo boring...
Theres always pretty much the same type of news-about Helen Clark, some DHB in Crisis, Kiwis moving over to Ausssie, ocassional Treaty crap, and some person abusing their children, with more emphasis given on them being Maori....

I was surprised today cos both Mark Sainsbury (TV One) and John Campbell were covering their news from Christichurch...The occassion was that this was the city where Jesse Ryder apparently smashed his hand and got drunk!!
'
Whoah! That got evryone excited?? lol

Tonights TV3 news lead with a DHB story. Boring. I try to stay away from all news broadcasts, I know this will upset many of you but 'I dont care what happens in the world unless it affects me directly.'

I usually watch Breakfast on TV1 as I get ready for work. This involves eating burnt toast, spilling my coffee and making sure Ive got an ironed shirt. Pippa Wetzells smile gets me off to a good start.

http://images.tvnz.co.nz/tvnz_images/tvone/programmes/breakfast/2007/pippa_wetzell_d.jpg Pippa Wetzell says: "I want a beach picnic with Mr Minimum Chips!"

I like Pippa, much quicker witted than Kay.

Just digging up another classic
Anyone here over the age of 30 should remember this one

Probably along with the Crunchy ad NZs most memorable commercial

CD6S8DZHpG4

God I loved that add as a kid. I believe it also won some international advertisers awards :)

It was also aired on the Johnny Carson Show. At the time their was hardly a bigger compliment

TVNZ Launches Second Digital Channel
SCOOP - Friday, 29 February 2008, 12:13 pm

Six months after launching its first digital channel TVNZ 6, TVNZ is shortly to launch its second digital channel. Advertising-free digital channel TVNZ 7 will launch on Sunday 30 March 2008 with an event and live broadcast from Parliament. TVNZ 7 is New Zealand's first local free-to-air factual channel. It will screen a broad range of news, current affairs, documentary and commentary shows.

TVNZ CEO Rick Ellis says that TVNZ 7 will have a distinctive New Zealand flavour. Freed from the constraints of commercial scheduling, it will offer New Zealanders more access to fresh and engaging local content in prime time. "We want TVNZ 7 to be a place where New Zealanders come to be informed and to form their views on the issues of the day. We want TVNZ 7 to be a place that expresses the diversity of perspectives in New Zealand today.

"Around 70 percent of the channel's content will be locally-produced, and around 40 percent of that will be programming made specifically for TVNZ 7. News will make up 30 percent of the schedule." TVNZ 7 will launch live from Parliament with The Kingmaker Debate the first political debate this election year between the minor party leaders who will be crucial to the political landscape after the election later this year.

"As well as one-off TV events like The Kingmaker Debate, our commissioned local shows centre around providing New Zealanders with a forum to express their views and opinions on issues relevant to them. This is something that foreign news and factual channels cannot do," says Ellis. Two new programmes on TVNZ 7 will be Back Benches, a weekly political review show, hosted by Wallace Chapman, and Media7, a multi-media news and commentary series hosted by Russell Brown.

The significant news component of the TVNZ 7 schedule extends the TVNZ News and Current Affairs team's commitment to providing the best news to New Zealanders across multiple platforms, anywhere, anytime. Mr Ellis says that news on TVNZ 7 will be complementary to TVNZ's flagship news product ONE News at 6, and the late night news bulletin Tonight. "The news on TVNZ 7 will run at different times to the ONE News broadcasts to fit in with New Zealanders' busy lives. There will be ten minute bulletins called TVNZ News Now, which will go live on the hour, every hour, as well as a one hour news bulletin at 8pm, TVNZ News at 8."

TVNZ News Now will be fronted by the TVNZ 7 news team, which includes journalists new to TV, as well as some well-known ONE News reporters. TVNZ News at 8 will be hosted by Tonight's Greg Boyed and newcomer Geraline Knox. TVNZ launched its first digital channel, TVNZ 6, on 30 September 2007. TVNZ 7 will be available on Freeview from 12 noon on Sunday 30 March.

Guess who outhern Cross Pictures has announced will be returning to Shortland Street. Temuera Morrison otherwise known as Dr Ropata has signed a short tenure contract while he is back in the country to reappear in New Zealands favourite (and longest running?) soap.

I stopped watching the show years ago when it started to become a bit too teensexrompfesty for my tastes. I am a bit prudish you see. Now I think I will tune in again just to see how Tem will go.

Just finished all 7 episodes of the ITV "Primeval"! Good watch, now really hanging out for season 3, which according to Wikipedia wont be until January 2000 and bloody 9!

This is slightly off-topic, but is anyone watching King Kong on channel three right now?

And were any big fans of the film disgusted at the way they butchered the film?

Basically, due to the film's length, they've cut a whole bunch of scenes out of the film, namely character development during the scenes on the way to Skull Island. The whole thing feels rushed and choppy. I can't believe they would do that to such a brilliant film.

Also, and understandably, though, they cut out a few pieces of dialog due to censorship issues (the film having started at 7:30 and being prone to little kids) - for example, at the start, there is one bit where Jack Driscoll says "Goddammit!" and they've cut it down to "Dammit!".

Some of the cuts also screwed up continuity.

I can understand why they cut the bits out, but still.. it almost offends me! :ohno: lol.

This is slightly off-topic, but is anyone watching King Kong on channel three right now?

And were any big fans of the film disgusted at the way they butchered the film?

Basically, due to the film's length, they've cut a whole bunch of scenes out of the film, namely character development during the scenes on the way to Skull Island. The whole thing feels rushed and choppy. I can't believe they would do that to such a brilliant film.

Also, and understandably, though, they cut out a few pieces of dialog due to censorship issues (the film having started at 7:30 and being prone to little kids) - for example, at the start, there is one bit where Jack Driscoll says "Goddammit!" and they've cut it down to "Dammit!".

Some of the cuts also screwed up continuity.

I can understand why they cut the bits out, but still.. it almost offends me! :ohno: lol.

Totally not off topic - it is any television programming after all!
Pissssst broadcast television, Yuck! I have the DVD so one day I'll re watch the LESS butchered version :).

Now repeat after me - "I must not watch broadcast television anymore, I must download my needed content, and view it without ADDS, when I want and how I want". There, I'll learn you soon enough :)

Now repeat after me - "I must not watch broadcast television anymore, I must download my needed content, and view it without ADDS, when I want and how I want". There, I'll learn you soon enough :)

Hahaha. I have the EXTENDED edition of the DVD ;) And, being so "spiritually connected" with my favourite movies (lol :cheers:), I make it a point not to download them online. :nuts:

But had that been my first time ever watching King Kong, I would have been horrified! The editing was choppy and it felt extraordinarily rushed, and they left out huge chunks of character development. It didn't make sense with all the adbreaks, either. It was like, about 2 hours 15 minutes without all the ads. The whole thing went from 7:30 to 10:30.

Stupid. Incredibly stupid. If they want to show a 3 hour movie, then they should do it properly, instead of cutting out several bits just because they don't want people switching off. I know they had good reasons and everything... but Titanic was the exact same length, and in that they only cut out a ten second bit where someone said the F word.

There. My rant is over. :banana:

Just stayed up to watch episode 1 of season 4 of Battlestar Galactica - FRACKEN AWESOME. Damn worth the last 8 months wait!!!

A must see! Only played in the USA 6 hours ago :)

TVNZ 7 began broadcasting as planned last week. And Russell Brown's Media7 (http://tvnzondemand.co.nz/content/media7_2008_ep1/ondemand_video_skin) was a blast - the sort of stuff you can't get in the MSM.

TVNZ6, TVNZ7, glad to see that they're thinking of such interesting and distinctive names!

TV One-TV 2-TV3-TV4 (C4)....TV6-TV7

Funny thing is that there is no TV5...You have to give it to them for using their 'kiwi ingenuity'...Such clever Channel names!:lol:

Oh! Oh! Iguess Prime TV stands for channel 5...
but the thing is half of the country doesnt even recieve it-since our broadcasting infrastructure is so advanced and ''world class'',''the best in the southern Hemisphere'' :lol:

I have heard that the new TVNZ channels are actually pretty polished and make for some intelligent viewing. I'm glad someone mentioned Prime....

I dont think anybody who doesnt receive Prime TV is missing anything. My particular beef with them is regarding their news service. I believe it is so underfunded it seems they only take feeds from Australia and the UK. NZ coverage seems to be limited to a couple of roving reporters around Auckland. Each nights news show is usually full of any crappy story that is taking place in the Uk- say Madeline or the McCartney divorce, and then theres the pointless stories about the Cronulla Sharks front rowers talking about their upcoming game against the West Tigers. Or coverage about AFL players who I doubt most people in Australia have ever heard off taking drugs. What relevance does any of that have for New Zealand?

Suspect there will be more of the same when they start our first 24hour news only channel.

^^ Whereas I would argue that we simply don't get enough world news in NZ. It's incredibly insular news coverage. Far too much on trivial Kiwi news, not enough on the "big" stories and FAR FAR FAR too much emphasis on sports and weather.

^^ Whereas I would argue that we simply don't get enough world news in NZ. It's incredibly insular news coverage. Far too much on trivial Kiwi news, not enough on the "big" stories and FAR FAR FAR too much emphasis on sports and weather.

MY SAVIOUR! :master: Yes, yes, yes!

MY SAVIOUR! :master: Yes, yes, yes!

Thanks MA! We might not agree on that much but this we'll stand shoulder to shoulder on!

My saviour by the way is imported European beer, of which I am enjoying my third Krombacher right now. :D

Three beers and on the net. Be careful there man, you might post something you later regret!

At least our major networks evening news format is an hour long (incl. news sport and weather) on holidays in Sydney last year they have a half hour. I think in the space of that half hour they managed about 6 news stories. One of them was about a priest getting stabbed, something about Obama, a car accident somewhere in the burbs, a local politician abusing children, one on Nicole Kidman, and some rate payers protest or something like that.

Made me feel a tiny bit superior knowing at least the Kiwi news service is better than that.

Three beers and on the net. Be careful there man, you might post something you later regret!

At least our major networks evening news format is an hour long (incl. news sport and weather) on holidays in Sydney last year they have a half hour. I think in the space of that half hour they managed about 6 news stories. One of them was about a priest getting stabbed, something about Obama, a car accident somewhere in the burbs, a local politician abusing children, one on Nicole Kidman, and some rate payers protest or something like that.

Made me feel a tiny bit superior knowing at least the Kiwi news service is better than that.

Lets not judge by News Corp Australia. They're not exactly the most rigorous of news services... I agree though, Aussie TV is generally shocking to the point of tears. At least ABC puts on a decent show over there.

What in your (plural) opinion would be good 'exemplars' of news that New Zealand should emulate?

I am very fond of many European news services.

Some of my very favourites aren't necessarily broadcast - I actually prefer newspapers as a whole such as Der Spiegel and Le Monde. Those are the two I rate most highly on the continent. I also rate Al Jazeera very highly too as they seem to have poached a load of ex-BBC presenters which adds an interesting flavour to the news.

I still rate the domestic BBC news services as the best in the world. I've watched lots of international news programmes and I still say that domestic (not World Service) is the best news service you can possibly get.

Whatever you do NZ, just don't let your networks emulate Australian commercial TV. Wretched, disgraceful trash, undoubtedly the worst in the western world. It doesn't even have the saving grace of having lots of bad soft-core porn like Italian TV, its just boring, parochial, tacky and incompetent.

That said the ABC and SBS have a strong tradition (despite budget setbacks) of making good current affairs magazine format shows like Foreign Correspondent, 4 Corners, Lateline on the ABC and Dateline, World News Tonight on SBS.

BBC news is still pretty solid DW is sometimes credible, but the weird robotic pseudo American accents are a turn off.

Some of my very favourites aren't necessarily broadcast - I actually prefer newspapers as a whole such as Der Spiegel and Le Monde. Those are the two I rate most highly on the continent. I also rate Al Jazeera very highly too as they seem to have poached a load of ex-BBC presenters which adds an interesting flavour to the news.

I still rate the domestic BBC news services as the best in the world. I've watched lots of international news programmes and I still say that domestic (not World Service) is the best news service you can possibly get.

Al Jazeera is really good! Lots of current affairs

Fox News !!! :lol:

Anybody watch Stars in their Eyes the other night? Now we have our very own version its like NZ has grown up! Started watching it but me and the missus (nice to be able to say that now) had to leave home midshow as I was spending the night at her house. I liked the Sharika singalike, anybody know who won?

The Shreaka imitator won. She was the best of a not so good bunch. IMO:)

The Shreaka imitator won. She was the best of a not so good bunch. IMO:)

Actually, I was mildly impressed by everyone. They're not professionals, but they all tried hard and they're definitely a cut above what most of the population could do! Give them credit where credit is due!

Well yes you have to give them credit for getting up on national TV and having a go.
The actual standard of singing however was average.
The Dolly Parton imitator probably thought that because she had big breasts and blond hair etc that it would be a good idea.
It wasn't....

Anyone notice that last night Forrest Gump was in widescreen?

They're moving up in the world :D No more foolish full screen movies!

well I watched all of Stars in their Eyes last night and I was really impressed. I didnt expect Debbie Harry to win, I thought that might be too out there but glad she did. That girl, despite her lanky goofiness was just so hot. I was trying to keep my tongue from hanging out while we were eating our dinner. My girlfriend didnt like her. She wanted Celine Dion girl to win.

Tonight Gladiators is on Prime. Remember this when I was a kid, going to watch tonight to see if it was great as my memory recollects or just a load of noisy shouty trashy crap.

^^ I dont think I'll bother with Gladiolas. I"ll be watching Terminator 3 instead, never got to see it when it came out- plus the reruns of Amazing Race is about to start on Vibe. Love that show. Never get tired of it.

Is anyone using the freeview HD service? I'd be interested to hear how it's going and if it's worth setting up.

ta.

Not yet - my sky 12 month ends in June, and I think then I'll get a free vieqw box.

But then I'm still not really watching broadcast TV-
Season 4 Battlestar Galactica is absolutely awesome.

Boston Legal is such a great show

I'm quite disappointed with Stars In Their Eyes. Why are we recycling a tired, tacky British gameshow instead of encouraging original, interesting locally conceived television? IMO we can do a lot better :ohno:.

Really? I've quite liked showcasing talent. True it's old fashioned and should have been adapted better to Kiwi culture, but I quite like the fact that there are some really quite impressive people out there that need the chance to get seen!

In NZ form, it's the most embarassing thing on TV.

No, I find American soaps to be the most embarassing thing on TV. :D

That too, I can't stand them.

Really? I've quite liked showcasing talent. True it's old fashioned and should have been adapted better to Kiwi culture, but I quite like the fact that there are some really quite impressive people out there that need the chance to get seen!

How many people from television talent shows (Stars In Their Eyes, American/New Zealand/Australian Idol etc) have done anything beyond the initial hype surrounding them immediately after winning? Aside from the Freddy Mercury impersonator (who is amazing) and a couple of American Idol winners I can't think of any. I understand where you're coming from with giving people exposure, but the format has proven that most fame tends to be short lived.

Anyway, I'm in love with Lost. Best show of the last ten years for me. Any other fans?

The thing with shows like Stars in their Eyes is that (the people who go onstage) it appeals to those who would like those 15 little minutes of fame. To me, it just comes across quite sad really. At least in the British version, they had scouted some good talent before popping them onstage and the background history of the people was also insightful and heartfelt. To me, it's TV1 lamentably stepping down to recycled shows for ratings. This is our state channel, we should do much better than this.

Not without much better funding we can't. British TV has a heck of a lot of funding for domestic programme production and of course it's rather an institution that we like to ship abroad, too. It's very difficult to compare the two. :(

In NZ form, it's the most embarassing thing on TV.

Perhaps you have never seen the pathetic show were people pick numbers and try to win money and a car. Cant remember the name of it. We have a version on TV3 and an offshore version on Prime. People get up to being offered like $65,700 but end up walking away with $125 instead.

Funny, yet sad. Yet funny.

And I dont get your comment about TVNZ in being our state broadcaster needing better things than Stars. It would easily meet the charter on account of showcasing Kiwis. In much the same way as Dancing Stars and Celebrity Treasure Island et al.

Its a fine balance though. TVNZ 1 + 2 are entertainment channels and charged with making a profit at the same time. If its insightful docs on poverty in Bangladesh or the rise of the right wing in Russia, or longwinded shows on the artistic merit of Gilbert and George there is always TVNZ 6 + 7 for that kind of thing.

Besides Im certain John Keys guys would cut funding to TVNZ by a huge amount should they win the next election. Then we will be watching more great Fox shows like 'More When Animals Attack' and 'Best of the Worst Police Car Chances Number 8'.

The show is Deal or No Deal.

Of course television needs to cater to a wide audience and it can't please all the time. And yes of course it is beholden to ratings. I just think NZ television is, on the whole, average. There have been some very good locally-made shows that I am pleased to have seen and I would encourage fully any further programming in that direction. This being said though, does it have to be 'kiwi-this, kiwi-that' all the time just to fulfill a charter's 'manifesto'? Why can't I have some in-depth or (funny haha) entertaining international shows on ONE, 2 or 3 every so often? I say this because they are basically the stalwart channels that form the basis of the country's television viewing. And yes, it does happen; but all too often I'm seeing imported shows (some very good) and tacky copies of international ones filling the screen.

As for funding - one must be very careful when thinking that a plethora of channels equals good quality. Sorry to keep going on about it, but I could probably inform and entertain myself far more with about 5 channels in France than I could with the 100 or so Sky Digital offers. But anyway, I am always supportive of good television. Culture through media is essential in my view but if little has changed in the last ten years, then I don't hold out much hope for drastic changes now. I've got the internet anyway, a world beyond NZ television at my fingertips - so I'm thankful for having access to that. :)

^^ Viva La Bittorrent! :)

p.s. actually had broadcast tv running a moment ago, yeah, I know, shocking. I must be regressing or something or maybe it was a hangover from just sitting my very stressful Language and Literacy exam? Anyway, I digress, saw the beginning to Lost. Well congrats TVNZ, I only watched that episode 2.5 weeks ago. See how close NZ is to getting the good American shows.

Though saw all 9 of the Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles back in February and March.

Come on NZ show Gossip Girls, I dare you. Ps its worth googling that show :). While your at it check up on Moonlight.

Ive decided to take a break from some work Im doing so thrown the tv on and have started surfing. Years ago I saw a few minutes of a TV1 show called Fair Go. Its on now in fact and Ive seen maybe the last 20 minutes of it.

I think it rates as the top show in the country but jesus i can not believe how much of a load of crap it is. I suppose it is meant to be funny and irreverant but its lost on me. It seems like it is aimed a 8 year old kids and nanas from Ashburton.

There is a hot Sri Lankan (?) chick on in. Maybe she only looks hot because every other host looks pig ugly.

There are a couple of new shows on Friday night on TV3. 1000 Apologies and Millen Baird Show. I know Kiwis cringe about their own sense of humor but these shows were un-self-conciously-good I thought.

Anyway, back to work. :goodbye:

^^ Oh a 1000 apologies is funny lol

Yay, Curb your Enthusiasm has just started on TV2. Im logging off now so I can go and watch it. Ive seen this episode before but its still such a great show.

Will anybody here admit to watching NZs Next Top Model?

Im watching the final right now. Damn those girls are gorgeous! I havent watched any of the other versions of this show so Im surprised and impressed with how "good" it is. Or at least its a better production than I thought it would be!

Christobelle won.

She's only 16!!!

http://www.imagesmagazine.co.nz/Christobelle%20-%20AFTER%20makeover%20LR.jpg

She...looks like she's about to snap in half

Her head seems a bit big..... but yeah, pretty nice. LOL.

(I have not watched this show btw)

Yep you guys are both correct. Her head does look a little big and definately on the malnourished side. I really hope this is a stepping stone for her, I think these shows just chew people up spit them out and in 2 years time they are back to selling shoes at St Lukes.

I am trying to analyse why I liked the show so much. I would like to say it was a fascinating study on the inter relationships between the girls and crew in a post feminist world.

The reality is probably more because there was some great eye candy on offer. Sad for me to say that as Im at least double the age of a couple of them!

And dont worry Jarbury, I'll PM you as soon as they make another series mate! :cheers:

I never even turn the TV on in my house unless it's for the following reasons

- Rugby
- Cricket
- ...um..maybe the odd thing on sky once a month

Public tv sucks ass....not a decent thing on at all. Sky TV isn't much better. The new comedy channel may as well be renamed the Frasier Channel since that's all it seems to play. That and Seinfeld. The History Channel is the Hitler Channel because all it plays is shit about WW2. Discovery sucks ass....they should rename it the Petrol Head Channel because it's just about cars (my infant son loves it....), and National Geographic just plays crap from the 1990's thats out of date.

Oh wait, sometimes Nat Geo play Megastructures which can be interesting....but they replay that about 5 times a week.

Christobelle won.

She's only 16!!!

http://www.imagesmagazine.co.nz/Christobelle%20-%20AFTER%20makeover%20LR.jpg

There's something not nice about the realisation that her parents are probably a similar age to me.....
oh God! :cry:

I'm with you there Blah. While I do like cars, discovery channel seems to have nothing on but american chopper and other petrol head shows. It used to be alot better, with a wide variety of engineering, science and technology.

Also, the internet is a much better source of information and entertainment. What I want, when I want. The only downside to the internet is the monthly data caps.

^^
you have data caps?

I stopped watching Discovery about 4 years ago. All the good programs were scrapped and replaced with pop crap

^^
you have data caps?

I stopped watching Discovery about 4 years ago. All the good programs were scrapped and replaced with pop crap

Everyone in NZ has data caps from what I can tell. I've not found a provider who charges a decent rate without data caps for internet use. :(

^^
hmmmm. That's not very nice of them

I have 20GB which is pretty difficult to exceed.

I have 20GB which is pretty difficult to exceed.

I normally get through 30GB quite easily. I'd download far more stuff if I could, but I don't like the charge per 10GB that I download.

^^ Data caps, yeh there everywhere in NZ..... except...


Slingshot has a couple of plans that include between the hours of 1am and 7am NO CAP!!!:banana::banana::banana::banana:.

So I schedule my vista to launch uTorrent and within uTorrent enable its scheduler to close downloads between 7am and 9am, giving me plenty of time to get out of bed and maybe turn it off!

Plus my plan has a 40GB cap!

PS. TV only has news for me and the rest of the time we watch downloaded stuff when, where and how we like... PLUS no ads!

Grand Designs is often interesting..... Wish I had 300 thousand pounds to spend on groundworks for my new single residential dwelling.

On the issue of data caps. I end up blowing my 20GB limit if I use XBOX live too much!

Shows what having imported TV makes. :)

This thread reminds me; does anyone else ever watch their local (if they have one) channel? I find myself watching CUE TV from time to time; although they are unfortunately prone to reruns of 'classic' shows. Their news and lifestyle shows are really quite professional for the most part though, far better than some local stations I've seen. SIT2LRN programmes are also excellent.

this thread needs some more action. Plenty happening in the local movie industry as always.

wezza has posted in the Ozscapers forums that Jeff Goldblum has just been killed while filming here in NZ, source being the BBC. Can anyone confirm? Im scouring the net trying to find news on this but its all about Jackos demise at the moment. Has even overshadowed Farrah Fawcetts death.

Goldblum is a legend. Fingers crossed its incorrect.

Just stumbled across that too.
Like you I can't find anything much about it as yet. Rumors running riot.

Love Jeff

this thread needs some more action. Plenty happening in the local movie industry as always.

wezza has posted in the Ozscapers forums that Jeff Goldblum has just been killed while filming here in NZ, source being the BBC. Can anyone confirm? Im scouring the net trying to find news on this but its all about Jackos demise at the moment. Has even overshadowed Farrah Fawcetts death.

Goldblum is a legend. Fingers crossed its incorrect.

It's been confirmed as a hoax.

Man, how many fucking times does "x falls off cliff at golf course while filming in NZ" pop up a year? I want to hunt down and kill whoever started that 'rumour template'.

^^ Thanks for the heads up. I wasnt aware that this rumor does the rounds every once in a while.

Just as well. Goldblum is a legend. One version last year said it was Hanks, wouldnt have worried if it that happened, maybe would have stopped Angels and Demons being produced.

^^ I dont get the signal for the local CTV. Have seen it in the staff room at work but it only seems to have local infomercials or farming talkback.

Anybody bother with Target? Ive seen it a couple of times but dont bother with the show however I did catch this episode. Going to the media is one thing but this business needs to take it much much further. Im feeling litigious.

Cafe ruined by Target's false slur
4:00AM Sunday Jun 28, 2009
By Rebecca Lewis
Cafe Cezanne owners Rod Williams and Jackie Wilkinson say they have lost business. The owners of a Ponsonby cafe falsely accused by TV3's Target show of serving contaminated food say the blunder has left them on the brink of bankruptcy.

The June 16 edition of the consumer show featured a hidden camera segment assessing the hygiene standards of eight Auckland cafes, and claimed chicken from Cafe Cezanne contained high levels of faecal coliforms.

This week TV3 released a statement on behalf of production company Top Shelf Productions admitting food samples from the cafes were incorrectly coded and they were unable to confirm which one had produced the contaminated food.

The statement said the employee in charge of labelling the samples had been sacked.

Cafe Cezanne owners Rod Williams and Jackie Wilkinson said the "unbelievable" mistake had ruined their once-thriving business and they had taken legal advice on their next step.

"If it carries on this way we are going to go bankrupt," Williams said.

"Our meals are quite reasonably priced and we go for volume in our cafe, but things have been so much quieter.

"We are pretty disappointed and our staff are very upset by everything."

The cafe received an A grade rating during a food and safety inspection by the Auckland City Council last month.

Both owners said the mistake was unforgivable and wanted to know more about how it had happened.

Wilkinson said they contacted Target before the show aired to say there was a mistake with the food sample.

"We knew there were a few errors in their facts but they went ahead anyway and we have noticed a serious downturn in clientele since then," she said. "Then they come out with an apology but it's too late. It's shocking.

"We're usually busy through the week, on weekends and in the evenings but now it's really quiet.

"Sometimes we hear people walking past and saying 'That was the dirty place on Target'. It's horrible."

Target executive producer Laurie Clarke said the mistake was "embarrassing" but was satisfied it was down to a single employee.

"We had followed basic procedure but fell down when it came to labelling the samples," he said. "Of course it is embarrassing for us. We are a programme that critiques the performances of other industries so we have to maintain a high standard ourselves."

Restaurant Association chief executive Alistair Rowe said the mistake was "irresponsible" and had destroyed the owners' livelihood.

"It should have been obvious it was falsely contaminated food because it came back with a very high number for contamination - it was almost pure poo," he said.

"In my opinion Target deserves to get sued, and I will personally stand there in court and clap if they do.

"To get something like this wrong is just plain irresponsible."

Bastards. Cezanne is a bloody wicked cafe. Best chocolate brownies in Auckland.

Former meat works could be movie studio
Last updated 05:00 23/05/2009

By DEBBIE JAMIESON - The Southland Times Last updated 05:00 23/05/2009


Plans to convert the former Ocean Beach meat works into a film studio could give the industry a boost in Southland with minimal investment, proponents say.

It is thought it would cost between $2 million and $3 million to convert two large buildings into useable studios, far less than the $100 million suggested for new studio buildings.

The idea has been proposed by one of New Zealand's leading film producers, Murray Francis, who spent several months in Invercargill as line producer of The World's Fastest Indian.

It was "an opportunity going begging", he said.

He discovered the site while doing some location work for a French film and said it would have been perfect for films being produced in the south.

The area had already missed out on millions of dollars because there was no proper studio space in the South Island, Francis said.

"When Wolverine were down there they didn't have any studio space and they went back to Sydney.

"I know I would have used it on 10,000BC (filmed in Wanaka), The World's Fastest Indian (Invercargill) and Mee-Shee: The Water Giant (Queenstown).

"The Hobbit is coming soon. It's a huge, huge thing. But where's it going to go for a studio? There's nowhere in the South Island.

"It's so huge it's going to overflow Peter Jackson's studios (in Wellington)."

Francis could not guarantee there would be work for the studio.

"You don't know until it's built but the studios up here haven't been empty yet. All I do know is there's lots of people saying there's no studios," he said.

Ocean Beach Properties Ltd director Alastair Stark said the company had already sought an engineering report on the project and it looked viable.

"It's up to Venture Southland to actually push the thing along but we will make the facility available."

Venture Southland chief executive Jeff Troon said there was great enthusiasm for the idea but no decisions would be made until an agreement between Invest South and the owners of the Ocean Beach site regarding aquaculture plans was made.

He thought there was a good chance the studio would proceed.

"There's demand for it and it's cost effective," he said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/2434856/Former-meat-works-could-be-movie-studio