Friday, February 25, 2011

OSCAR PREDICTIONS; CBS and Coyote Medicine

Hello World Family,
Falcon here. We have two big entertainment issues to tackle today: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and the CBS network karma of irony. Let's start with the latter.

There is someone in the upper eschelons of the CBS network right now that is wondering if maybe the network can get a do-over for the season. First, they cancel shows that are actually popular with heavy viewership (think 'Ghost Whisperer" and the NBC transfer "Medium"), and then the principle actor for one of their biggest cash cows "Two and a Half Men" does a meglomaniac self-implosion and they have to cancel taping for the rest of the season for 'reasons'.

This is what ya call ironic. CBS took two shows that had nearly 8 million viewers each and cancelled them with episodes still in the hopper. Why? Good question. I have a feeling someone doesn't necessarily like either show's subject matter, but you know what? Nothing speaks louder than ratings. What was Wednesday night's number three cable show in prime time? Syfy's "Ghost Hunters". Yeah, the plumbers from Rotor Rooter with an established hunt gone to television. They rock. The viewers certainly think so...so must the advertisers. I love that ghost hunting Turbo Tax commercial...hysterical.

And there lies the problem: it's about the money. CBS stayed quite vested in a sit-com that has Charlie Sheen playing....well, er.., um...himself. He's the highest paid actor on television (that's acting?). He has now tanked: addiction he believes he has conquered single handedly, a marriage eroding and Charlie's mouth on speed-spill about what he REALLY thinks about his bosses. Yikes...maybe the women centered murder shows with ghosts and psychics WERE alright after all:) Let's be honest here: when did 8 million viewers per show become a fail? 'Lost" had that many when they decided to renew for another season at ABC. Is it because they were shows were the protagonist was a woman? Now, before you dismiss that, name the other CBS shows with women at the center of the narrative plot...take your time....oh yeah, "The Good Wife". That's more ensemble, really, but you gotta love the title.

If I were an executive at CBS, and I was looking to May sweeps, I MIGHT consider bringing those "Medium" episodes out of the vault (or get them shot on the lot this late winter) and put that back in its usual slot. After all, what have you got to lose? Right now, on Fridays at 8pm, I am watching the Travel Channel...

One lesson may be learned from this: maybe a narrative program with 8 million viewers won't get cancelled again for awhile.

That's what you call karma, CBS...ain't that a b----?!
Hey, well, it's all good! You still have NCIS! Love that show!

Now, on to the Oscars! What will win, how many, and who may get passed by?
First of all, if you are nominated, you are awesome! Second, great hosts-Anne and James-how cool! So who do Falcon and Dove think will win?

Best Picture: The King's Speech
Best Director: probably Tom Hooper, but the Coen Brothers may pull off an upset for "True Grit"
Best Actress: Annette Benning, "The Kids are Alright" very tough category.
Best Actor:very, very tough category, but it's his time: Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
Best Supporting Actress: impossible category; would love Helena, but Melissa or Amy got this.
Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush...Christian Bale or Mark Ruffalo would be cool, too.
Best Animated Feature: "Toy Story 3", but we would love to see a tie with "How to Train Your Dragon"
Best Foreign Language Film: "Biutiful"
Best Original Screenplay: The Fighter or The King's Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay: "127 Hours" or True Grit"
Best Documentary Feature: Well, now here's a tough one. We hope "Gasland" wins, but we know what a hard category this will be. "Waste Land" and "Exit Through the Gift Shop" may compete.
Best Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, "The King's Speech"
Best Visual Effects: Go old school-"HP: DH 7" or "Inception"
Best Cinematography: "Black Swan" or "The King's Speech"
Best Sound Mixing: "Inception" magnificent job
Best Sound Editing: wow...this is tough. Pittsburgh's shot, "Unstoppable" was extremely well done. "True Grit" was incredible, and "Inception" was a masterpiece.
Best Costume Design: "The Tempest"
Best Art Direction: Can't we just give it to all of them?:)
Best Make Up: "The Wolfman" old school wins again

We didn't do every category...some are just too close to call, and some we didn't see enough films in the category to make a real assessment.

We wish all the nominees well, and are so glad there was such a strong group of films, actors, and performances in both skilled and technical areas this year.

Enjoy!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Charles Constantino Publishing Acquires Song Catalog

Charles Constantino Publishing acquires song catalog of Core808 record label


By Core Media House L.L.C.

Dated: Jan 12, 2011

Charles Constantino Publishing becomes exclusive administrator of catalog of original songs released onCore808 labelCharles Constantino Publishing has become the exclusive publisher of the catalog of original songs released on Core808, the California-based record label and multimedia-production company.


The original songs released on the Core808 label include As Close as This, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Paul “LP” Yang, and Jason Zulueta; Childhood Games, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Travis Stine, and Paul “LP” Yang; and Easy, written by Brian Gallagher, Tony Anthony, Paul “LP” Yang, and Renee Hums. The original songs also include Know My Name, written by Jonathan Jury and Alex Taimanao, and Miss Us, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Paul “LP” Yang, and Jason Zulueta.


The recordings by Pure N8ive of As Close as This, Childhood Games, and Miss Us are available on the Internet at iTunes.com. Easy, performed by artist Core808, is available at Amazon.com. Know My Name, performed by Pure N8ive featuring J. Jury, Alex Taimanao, and Travis Stine, is available at iTunes.com. In addition, Pure N8ive has a merchandising deal with Lost Kingdom Klothing. Charles Constantino Publishing—a member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers—is also the exclusive publisher of the songs, Free Your Mind (Tara Na) and Today or Tomorrow. Charles Constantino, Chad Gontkovic, and William Rose wrote Free Your Mind (Tara Na), performed by Somerhill and available at Amazon.com. William Rose and Charles Constantino wrote Today or Tomorrow, also performed by Somerhill and available at Amazon.com.


The Recording Academy selected Free Your Mind (Tara Na) and Today or Tomorrow for inclusion on the 52nd Grammy Entry List in the categories of Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song. “The Core808 record label approached me with the idea that Charles Constantino Publishing administer he original songs released on the label,” says Charles Constantino of Charles Constantino Publishing. “I welcome the Core808 label to Charles Constantino Publishing.”


Visit Core808, the record label and multimedia-production company, at

http:// www.facebook.com/Core808?v=wall


Visit Charles Constantino Publishing at http://www.charlesconstantino.com/


Listen to clips of Pure N8ive at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pure-n8ive/id412034920

Listen to a clip of Easy at http://www.amazon.com/Easy/dp/B002CDCW8G/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294780602&sr=301-1

Listen to a low-fidelity clip of Free Your Mind (Tara Na) at

http://www.amazon.com/Free-Your-Mind-Tara-Na/dp/B001NS9D7E/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294781376&sr=301-1

Listen to a low-fidelity clip of Today or Tomorrow at http://www.amazon.com/Today-Or-Tomorrow/dp/B001OKJOJI/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=12947813


Tags charles constantino publishing, core808, pure n8ive, somerhill


Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Region of Champions

Hello Black and Gold Family,
Wherever in the world you are, this is a time of reflection for us all. I know, there's a Super Bowl to be played, and another championship to be won. Stairway to Seven. I suggest that the championship has already been won. How? We have a team that exemplifies all that we are in this region and beyond: Champions.

This region is the place where sacred rivers meet to form a third that feeds the soul waters of a hemisphere. This is the place where an entire revolution was forged and wars were won. I congratulate the Pittsburgh Steelers for their talent, versatility, humility, faith, and determination. I also congratulate Steelers Nation, no matter where you are on the earth. This team is you, my brothers and sisters. They are you.

Do we make mistakes? Yes, and we take responsibility for them, too. We don't always get a fair shake, but we don't let that stop us. We are like a phoenix, rising out if its own ashes to rebuild, reinvent, rediscover ourselves...so is our team. Our teams are a reflection of us.

We expect greatness, we get it because we expect it. We fight, kick, and scratch for every bit for as long as we have...so does our team. Those men reflect what we inspire, and in turn, they inspire us. It is a symbiotic relationship. The Steelers have a foundation of the Rooney family, a coaching staff of tireless warriors, and a team of steel giants. I have news for you: so are you.

You, Steelers Nation have sacrificed and fought and built and thrived in some of the worst conditions imaginable to build a global world that understands the meaning of sacrifice and solidarity. We built ships, barges, unions, and green initiatives. We helped win wars, and even stopped a few along the way. We fight to honor our elders and our children because we know every person makes a contribution. Black and gold is not just our team colors, it is a symbol of who we are.

Our hands are blackened with work and sweat, but we don't complain. We sacrifice and struggle, but we get up and keep fighting. We have mined coal, dug ditches, climbed poles, changed diapers, stocked gunpowder and raised our fists high. We may have been afraid, but we never ran. We have died for what we believe. We have stood proud when victorious. We have prayed for winners and strugglers. We let go of regrets.

Our hearts are pure gold. Yellow means illumination and enlightenment, hope and constancy. We are black and gold. We are introspective, hard-working, and hearts of pure delight. We are the embodiment of passion.

This is who WE are. This is who the Steelers are. We are all one family. We always have been.
Where we are, goes the walk of champions. We are strong, and our teams reflect that, from little league and high school to college and professional sports.

They are us, Champions. They are we. Celebrate today. Celebrate every day. We are living the dream.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove