2009 |
2008
10 articles from 2009
Wait, Now Heath Ledger Has a DirecTV Commercial?
2 November 2009 1:02 PM, PST
| Cinematical
| See recent Cinematical news
»
If you've been watching playoff baseball these past few weeks, you've probably come across the Tommy Boy DirecTV commercial about, say, 176,000 times. About a week after it began airing, the satellite television company came under fire for a second time for airing parody commercials featuring actors or actresses who died tragically at a young age. The first was a commercial featuring Poltergeist actress Heather O'Rourke, and now folks are really pissed DirecTV is using Chris Farley in a commercial that stars David Spade (who reprises his character from Tommy Boy in a parody of the "Fat Guy in a Little Coat" scene).
If you want my personal opinion, I think DirecTV does this sort of stuff on purpose -- claiming to be "celebrating" the life of a dead celebrity, though what they're really hoping for is that people like us (and several other sites) will give them a bunch of
…
- Erik Davis
Permalink | Report a problem
Heath Ledger’s DirecTV Commercial
2 November 2009 11:48 AM, PST
| Slash Film
| See recent Slash Film news
»
Last week the online world threw a big fuss over DirecTV's newest television advertisement, which features David Spade pimping the satellite service in an altered scene from Tommy Boy, which of course includes his dead friend, comedian Chris Farley. And you may remember, this isn't the first time DirecTV has been accused of profiting off of the dead, as they came under fire last year for the same thing, with a similar ad altering Poltergeist, featuring Heather O'Rourke, an actress who died tragically in 1988 at age 12.
When is this disgusting trend going to end? LandlineTV have created a faux DirecTV commercial showing where these tasteless advertising stunts might lead if we don't put a stop to it now -- that's right... Heath Ledger plugs DirecTV in a digitally altered scene from The Dark Knight. And it doesn't end there... Landline has also produced a couple more DirecTV commercials featuring John
…
- Peter Sciretta
Permalink | Report a problem
Update: David Spade and Kevin Farley respond to DirecTV ad criticism
28 October 2009 4:02 PM, PDT
| AOL - TVSquad
| See recent AOL - TVSquad news
»
The other day I posted the DirecTV ad featuring footage of Chris Farley and new footage of David Spade, and I opined that it was a "worst commercial of the year" nominee. I also mentioned that it might be "too soon."
To clarify, when I said "too soon" I didn't mean that it was too soon after Farley's death (he died 12 years ago). I meant that it's odd seeing a young, contemporary celebrity in an ad (which DirecTV also did with Heather O'Rourke - that was worse), especially one where he is interacting with a costar who is doing the scene in the present day. My other point was "how the hell is this going to sell DirecTV to anyone?" (and "boy is this ad unfunny").
I'm not the only one who finds the DirecTV ad odd. Now Spade and Farley's brother Kevin have responded to the criticism.
Continue reading
…
- Bob Sassone
Permalink | Report a problem
Chris Farley Resurrected In DirecTV Commercial
26 October 2009 6:11 PM, PDT
| Slash Film
| See recent Slash Film news
»
What are the ethical boundaries when it comes to a celebrity or movie star after the person in question is dead? Obviously, Sony has no problem releasing an unfinished concert film for the recently departed king of pop Michael Jackson. And judging from the projected box office tracking, people are interested in paying for the chance to see Jackson dance and sing on the big screen, for one last time. But what about commercials? There is certainly a difference between releasing an unfinished performance of a dead star and altering a dead actor's performance for use in a television commercial.
FilmJunk points us towards this new DirecTV advertisement which features the late comedian Chris Farley's performance from Tommy Boy, with David Spade's performance digitally altered to promote satellite television. Some might recall that DirecTV went under fire last year for a similar ad altering Poltergeist, featuring Heather O'Rourke,
…
- Peter Sciretta
Permalink | Report a problem
CreepyFest 2009: Chris Farley in David Spade's DirecTV commercial
26 October 2009 11:00 AM, PDT
| EW.com - PopWatch
| See recent EW.com - PopWatch news
»
The new DirecTV commercial, in which David Spade watches Chris Farley's "Fat Guy in a Little Coat" scene from Tommy Boy while appearing to exist in the same room as Farley, is freaking me out. I loved that movie, but can't decide if this a sweet homage to a sexy moment or semi-disrespectful exploitation of the dead. Anyone remember last October's Poltergeist-spoofing ad featuring child star Heather O'Rourke, who passed away in 1988? You stay classy, DirecTV!
…
- Annie Barrett
Permalink | Report a problem
Why 'Poltergeist' Remake Put On Hold
15 October 2009 2:09 AM, PDT
| Aceshowbiz
| See recent Aceshowbiz news
»
What may be the ground behind the delay of "Poltergeist" release date has been laid bare. MGM, the studio producing the remake to Tobe Hooper's classic '80s haunted house, has provided clarification on the matter to Bloody-Disgusting (Bd), revealing that this remake movie will start the production in early 2010, which makes it impossible for the film to be "done in time for the November release."
Prior to the contact made by the studio, Bd reported that MGM may have put the production of "Poltergeist" remake on hold. It claimed that the studio has pulled the project out of its original Thanksgiving 2010 release on November 24, and bumped it to an undetermined 2011. The report sparked speculation that the delay may be caused by financial woes the studio is experiencing.
This remake is set to relive the horror of the classic 1982 scary movie from producer Steven Spielberg. MGM has signed a pair of "Boogeyman" screenwriters,
…
- AceShowbiz.com
Permalink | Report a problem
Top 10 Classic Horror Movies for Halloween
7 October 2009 11:53 PM, PDT
| ScreenStar
| See recent ScreenStar news
»
In celebration of this ghoulish time of year, we've put together a list of our Top 10 horror movies to watch on Halloween. Forget about things that go bump in the night, these creatures are the night. So, sit back, grab your popcorn, curl up in that comfy blanket (you'll need it), and get ready for your blood to curdle and your hair to stand on end. In other words - watch at your own risk... Halloween Ah, Halloween - John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic. Just hearing the name Michael Myers can send chills up your spine, and his character has become synonymous with this witchy holiday. Having escaped the sanitarium he was locked up in for fifteen years for the murder of his older sister, Myers (Nick Castle and Tony Moran) unleash hell on the small town of Haddonfield, Ilinois on Halloween night. Among his prey is Jamie Lee Curtis,
…
- jschiecke@corp.popstar.com (Janelle Schiecke)
Permalink | Report a problem
Poltergeist Remake Hits Fast Track
13 August 2009 12:37 PM, PDT
| DreadCentral.com
| See recent Dread Central news
»
Word has broken from MGM about their proposed remake of the classic film Poltergeist. The studio has slated the film for release on November 24, 2010, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend. Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) is attached to direct.
The original classic from Spielberg and Tobe Hooper had a 5-year-old Heather O'Rourke playing Carol Anne, an innocent child who unconsciously stirs spirits and an evil entity from the forgotten graveyard below her house. She is a highly intuitive child and shares an eerie and unexplained psychic connection to the spirit world. Unfortunately for her, Carol Anne's life force has attracted the attention of the restless souls, who engage her in small talk and pleasant conversation - through the television!
How faithful will this remake be? Will the dreaded Poltergeist Curse rear its head? Guess we'll find out soon enough!
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?
…
- Uncle Creepy
Permalink | Report a problem
'Poltergeist' Remake Locks 2010 Date
13 August 2009 2:30 AM, PDT
| Aceshowbiz
| See recent Aceshowbiz news
»
"Poltergeist", a remake to '80s horror movie, is yet to cast its stars, but it has secured a release date. According to Shock Till You Drop, the remake film will be coming out in theaters during Thanksgiving weekend of 2010 as MGM picked November 24, 2010 as the day the studio will release the new horror film.
The locked date placed "Poltergeist" in competition with Screen Gems' drama musical starring Christina Aguilera, "Burlesque". Though when MGM plans to debut the film in U.S. theaters has been unraveled, no other detail on the possible cast ensemble and on when and where the filmmakers are planning to shoot the remake project is disclosed.
This remake is set to relive the horror of the classic 1982 scary movie from notable filmmaker Steven Spielberg. MGM has signed a pair of "Boogeyman" screenwriters, Juliet Snowden and Stiles White, to make some reworks on the reboot project's script.
…
- AceShowbiz.com
Permalink | Report a problem
'Poltergeist' Remake Gets Release Date
12 August 2009 9:25 PM, PDT
| CinemaSpy
| See recent CinemaSpy news
»
According to ShockTillYouDrop, MGM's forthcoming remake of 1982's Poltergeist has been scheduled to appear in theaters on November 24, 2010, the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend.
The new movie is directed by Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) and written by Juliet Snowden and Stiles White.
Casting has yet to be announced.
The original film was co-written by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper. It revolved around a young family being visited by ghosts in their home. At first the ghosts appear friendly, moving objects around the house to the amusement of everyone, but then they turn nasty and start to terrorize the family before finally kidnapping the youngest daughter.
Poltergeist was a box office success worldwide. The film grossed $76,606,280 in the United States, making it the 8th biggest release (regardless of genre) and highest grossing horror film of 1982.
Creepy stuff...
The franchise is often said to be cursed, because several people associated with it,
…
Permalink | Report a problem
2009 |
2008
10 articles from 2009
See all NewsDesk partners
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the
above news articles. News articles are published for the entertainment of our
users only. The news items do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we
guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the
site responsible for the article in question to report any concerns you may
have.
