Finally saw "The Dark Knight"

Yes, it is awesome.

You really know someone is a good actor and is entrenched in the character, when you cannot even tell that it is them.

Ever site in the world has a comment about this movie.

Enough said by me.

The Watchmen Trailer

 

This does look unbelievable!

Can't wait.

USA Network Taps Saab in Product Integration Deal

From BrandWeek

July 22, 2008

-By Steve Miller

USA Network has formed a deal with Saab USA to use multi-platform
integration of the Saab 9-3 Convertible in second season episodes
of Burn Notice. The car is driven by one of the show's
protagonists and is featured in an online game called "Covert Ops."

"Saab USA is another example of the many ways we're partnering with
our advertisers across multiple platforms," Chris McCumber,
evp-marketing, digital and brand strategy at USA Network, said in a
statement.

Nine episodes of the show will air this summer and another seven
starting in January. The deal also includes full Saab presence on
the Web site for Burn Notice, as well as ad buys during the
show.

"It's a relationship that hits some major platforms," said
Alexandra Shapiro, USA Network's svp-brand marketing and digital.
"On-air is the core component, integrated into the show. Then
through online, with 'Covert Ops,' as both the presenting sponsor
and through integration in the game."

"Covert Ops," at BurnNoticeOps.com, invites visitors to play a game
and become an operative by helping characters solve a case. The
Saab 9-3 is integrated into the game through branding experiences
tied to missions. Players receive interactive video hints, e-mails
and text messages from the cast as they are given instructions for
various challenges. Players who complete each challenge are
eligible to win the grand prize: a 2009 Saab 9-3 and a visit to the
set of Burn Notice in Miami. "Covert Ops" will run until the
end of September.

Through its affiliation with the series, Saab is addressing a key
demographic: 25- to 54-year-olds with a higher-than-average
income. This season's premier of Burn Notice (on July
10) delivered 2.7 million viewers in the 25-54 age group—the second
highest of any original cable series this year, per USA Network.

Saab seeks to follow in the footsteps of Volvo and Mercedes with a
smaller, more affordable entry-level car that is scheduled to debut
in the next few years.

General Motors has forged several placement deals with USA Network
shows over the years, including the integration of Buick into
Monk and its self-proclaimed "eco-friendly" vehicles into an
episode of Law & Order: CI.

Cadillacs were used in initial episodes of Burn Notice
before the deal with Saab was finalized. Saab spent $26 million
last year on advertising and $3 million through April, per Nielsen
Monitor-Plus.

Sci Fi - Press Release

SCI FI UNVEILS SCI FI VENTURES PORTFOLIO OF BUSINESSES ENCOMPASSING GAMING, PUBLISHING, MERCHANDISING, DIGITAL, WIRELESS AND YOUTH MARKET
Released by Sci Fi
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

SCI FI UNVEILS SCI FI VENTURES PORTFOLIO OF BUSINESSES ENCOMPASSING GAMING, PUBLISHING, MERCHANDISING, DIGITAL, WIRELESS AND YOUTH MARKET

Beverly Hills, CA - July 20, 2008 - SCI FI today announced the formation of SCI FI Ventures, a new portfolio of media and non-media businesses, which transcend the television screen and leverage the deep affinity the SCI FI audience has with the most main stream and profitable genre world-wide. The announcement was made today by Dave Howe, President, SCI FI.

"SCI FI Ventures is a major initiative that demonstrates our commitment to building businesses and driving maximum value around the unique relationship we have with our audience," said Mr. Howe in making the announcement. "The SCI FI brand's deep connection with its consumers - comprised chiefly of trend-setting innovators - proves that SCI FI has the power and the imagination to reach beyond the television screen to become a total global lifestyle brand."

The businesses in addition to SCI FI Channel include:

SCI FI MEDIA

A portfolio of media assets focused on dominating the sci-fi/fantasy genre as well as adjacent affinity-based experiences. In addition to the top-10 ranked SCI FI Channel, SCIFI Media also includes the category-killing SCIFI.com, the world's #1 genre Web destination. Recent digital expansions include DVICE, the Website for the technology obsessed, and Fidgit, the consumer entertainment general game site. SCI FI Media's portfolio will continue to grow and expand with a new stand-alone Website focused on the latest entertainment news and reviews, and the development of a theatrical film banner, SCI FI Films.

SCI FI GAMES

The popularity of sci-fi/fantasy genre based titles and passion SCI FI fans have for video games make SCI FI Games a natural component of the SCI FI Ventures portfolio. SCI FI recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with Trion Worldwide to co-develop and simultaneously launch a global TV and MMOG (Massively Multi-Player Online Game) experience. This effort represents the next evolution in deeply immersive dynamic MMOGs and will allow SCI FI's audience to actually "play out" the story they will be seeing on television inside a video game. Additionally, NBC Universal recently acquired an equity stake in BigPoint, market leader in browser based multiplayer online games, through its Peacock Equity Fund. BigPoint Games will be hosted on SCIFI.com along with a range of more casual games based on SCI FI Channel shows.

SCI FI GEAR

Working with licensing agency BrandSense, SCI FI Ventures will develop, produce and market licensed product lines for SCI FI's passionate consumer base in retail and on-line. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Brand Sense Partners, LLC was founded by Brian France, Chairman & CEO of NASCAR. Their high profile clients include Britney Spears, Halle Berry, and Magic Johnson Enterprises.

SCI FI PUBLISHING

With new comic book titles serving as the creative genesis, SCI FI/Virgin Comics are developing fresh properties that integrate the unique spirit and vitality of both brands. Delivering innovative, multi-platform projects, original concepts are being considered across all mediums from publishing, film and television to digital and gaming.

SCI FI KIDS

For many consumers, the passion for the science fiction and fantasy genre starts when they are very young. Accordingly, SCI FI plans to expand the brand by launching a kid's division to serve the all-important youth market of 2 - 17 year olds. This business will be analog and digital with physical product extensions to create an immersive world within which young consumers can stimulate their imaginations with fantastical worlds and stories.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

Movie Review: Space Chimps

The family and I went to see Space Chimps this weekend. We where four of the ten people in the theater. Tough for a second weekend of a film, but what do you expect with 5 screens of The Dark Knight next door? Once again, I must say, Patrick Warburton is the hardest working man in showbiz. Honestly, is he the only actor with a larger than life voice that can play jarhead type roles? I digress.

The Story

What you get in Space Chimps is a story of three chimps that get to go into space and make first contact. Of course there is a back-story where one of the chimps is a slacker whose grandfather was the first chimp in space and a hero. He of course wants nothing to do with being a hero and is more into the show business lifestyle. You have seen the story many times; I am not going into it further. That story line really gets old in this movie. The hero chimp constantly acts like a diva and it get annoying.


The Deal

It is a very good movie. It held my attention and the attention of a four year old until the end. It also had enough adult inside jokes to make it humorous for grown ups, while being corny enough to entertain the tots.

The Bottom Line

I would say, wait until the movie comes out on DVD. Great movie to rent, maybe own for the kids. Not really worth the price of theater admission when compared to other summer hits (Wall.e).

PS. Preview for Fly me to the Moon in 3D looks cool.

Chuck vs Hellboy II