NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' EVE CELEBRATES DICK CLARK

"NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' EVE CELEBRATES DICK CLARK" FEATURES CLASSIC PERFORMANCES BY THE BIGGEST NAMES IN MUSIC HISTORY, AS FERGIE AND JENNY MCCARTHY COUNT DOWN THE 30 GREATEST ARTISTS THAT DICK CLARK INFLUENCED

ABC's New Year's festivities kick off at 8:00 p.m., ET with "New Year's Rockin' Eve Celebrates Dick Clark," a two-hour countdown of key pop culture moments from the amazing life of Dick Clark, hosted by Fergie in Los Angeles and Jenny McCarthy from Times Square. The special celebrates, through clips from "American Bandstand" and reminiscences, the legendary television personality and producer who rang in the New Year for four decades and who was an instrumental force in launching and nurturing the careers of countless artists. Ryan Seacrest also joins the hosts for a special appearance in honor of Dick Clark.

In addition to the many memorable moments from years past, here is a partial list of performances in the tribute special, in alphabetical order:

ABBA "S.O.S." 1975
Bangles "Manic Monday" 1986
Toni Basil "Mickey" 1982
Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" 1980
Pat Benatar "Heartbreaker" 1980
Blondie "Heart of Glass" 1979
James Brown "Bring it On" 1983
Johnny Cash "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" 1959
John Cougar "Hurts So Good" 1981
Culture Club "Move Away" 1986
Neil Diamond "Solitary Man" 1966
The Doors "Light My Fire" 1967
Go-Go's "We Got the Beat" 1981
Bill Haley & His Comets "Rock Around the Clock" 1959
Billy Idol "White Wedding" 1982
INXS "Need You Tonight" 1987
The Jacksons "Shake Your Body" 1979
Janet Jackson "Young Love" 1982
Michael Jackson "Rockin' Robin" 1972
Jefferson Airplane "Somebody to Love" 1967
Cyndi Lauper "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" 1984
Madonna "Holiday" 1984
The Mamas & the Papas "California Dreamin'" 1966
The Miracles "Shop Around" 1965
Run-D.M.C. "Jam Master Jammin'" 1985
Sonny & Cher "I Got You Babe" 1965
Stevie Wonder "Fingertips Pt. 2" 1966
Donna Summer "Last Dance" 1978
The Supremes "Stop! In the Name of Love" 1965
John Travolta "Whenever I'm Away From You" 1976

The complete lineup beginning Monday night, December 31 on ABC is: 8:00-10:00 p.m., ET -- "New Year's Rockin' Eve Celebrates Dick Clark" 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET -- "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013" 11:30 p.m.-1:08 a.m., ET -- "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013, Part 1" 1:08-2:12 a.m., ET -- "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013, Part 2"

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013" is a presentation of dick clark productions, inc, with Ryan Seacrest, Allen Shapiro and Orly Adelson serving as executive producers. Larry Klein produces. These programs are broadcast in HD/5.1 and carry a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

Media Contacts:

ABC Media Relations:
Patrick Preblick (212) 456-7819, Patrick.K.Preblick@abc.com

dick clark productions:
Brian Rubin (310) 854-4836, brian.rubin@pmkbnc.com

"NYRE 2013":
Shannon Leigh Turbeville, (615) 254-9389, shannonleigh@triple7pr.com

Ryan Seacrest Productions:
Kelly Mullens Brown (323) 634-6910, kmbrown@seacrestproductions.com

AMC's Mad Men Star Jon Hamm to host 'We Hate Hurricanes' Sandy Benefit

12~1~2012 Press Release via PRNewswire
Jon Hamm to host 'We Hate Hurricanes' Sandy Benefit featuring Aziz Ansari, Sarah Silverman, Will Ferrell and other special guests TBA.

Jon Hamm will serve as Master of Ceremonies at We Hate Hurricanes, a night of comedy to benefit Sandy victims, on Monday, December 10th at Club Nokia at L.A. Live. 

Hamm will be joined by Aziz Ansari, Will Ferrell and Sarah Silverman with additional yet-to-be-announced performers. Music will be provided by Beck. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit disaster relief organization AmeriCares. Benefit posters also will be available for sale and donations will be accepted at the event.

Pre-sale tickets will be available Friday, November 30 at 10:00 AM PT. Tickets (details here) for the general public go on sale Saturday, December 1 at 10:00 AM PT via Ticketmaster. 

The LA benefit comes two days before 12.12.12 — a Hurricane Sandy benefit concert that will be held at New York’s Madison Square Garden. That event, featuring Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Kanye West, Billy Joel and The Who was organized by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company. HBO, AMC, Showtime and Sundance Channel are among the networks that will televise the show, Variety reports.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company—the same group that produced and sponsored the historic 9/11 benefit “The Concert for New York City”—have come together once again to present "12.12.12" the Concert For Sandy Relief.

This special one-night-only live music event —presented by Chase— will help provide assistance to people throughout the tri-state area who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. "12.12.12" the Concert For Sandy Relief will occur on December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Tickets will go on sale Monday, December 3 at 12:00 p.m. ET through Ticketmaster phones, outlets and www.ticketmaster.com, www.thegarden.com and www.radiocity.com. Tickets will be available at a variety of price levels. Ticketmaster has generously agreed to waive its ticket service charges.

Starting at 9 a.m. (ET) on December 3rd, Chase credit or debit card members will have first access to a limited number of tickets for purchase before they go on sale to the general public.

Review of Skyfall

Suspense. Beautiful Women. Handsome Men. Great Dialogue. Terrific acting. Fantastic directing. Breath-taking scenery of international locales. And action action and still more action.

If any or all of these key words are what you seek when choosing which movie to see, RUN, do not walk to see the newest James Bond movie, Skyfall. Fans have been waiting since 2008 for Skyfall to hit movie screens. Skyfall is the 23rd film of the James Bond franchise, and coincides with James Bond's 50th anniversary.

The thing i like most about the subliminal thread that runs throughout Skyfall is the blending of the modern with the traditional and how one should employ and have respect for both as it is essential to adaptation in a changing world.

Speaking of breath-taking and handsome---2 words: Daniel Craig. OMG! Not only does the man have the most devastatingly blue eyes one may ever lay eyes upon---his physique is impressive to say the least. But it's not only about eye-candy. Mr. Craig is fully in the moment of every scene and bringing more layers than a filo dough pastry to his 007.

Dame Judi Dench as M has acting chops to spare. What she can do with just a look, speaks decibles in the highest ranges. Javier Bardem as Mr. Silva is the villain you will love to hate and with whom you can commiserate. Not an easy trick to pull off but Mr. Bardem does and quite skillfully. Naomie Harris as Eve may not be a crack markswoman but she is game for whatever M asks of her and matches Mr.Bond double entendre for double entendre and it is extremely satisfying to watch them play off each other.

Bérénice Marlohe as Severin is glamorous and fragile as a 'Bond girl' in the best tradition of the archetype. As i try to avoid spoilers whenever possible all i will say about Ralph Fiennes' Mallory, aside from a brilliant performance, is resist the impulse to judge this book by his cover. Ben Whishaw as Q is not only adorable, he is whip-smart. Albert Finney's performance as Kincade is rock solid.

There are an assortment of baddies & good guys that no Bond film would be complete without and audiences will be on the edges of their seats with every encounter between the opposing sides.

Skyfall's theme song performed by Adele [written by Adele and Paul Epworth] is the lovely twist of lemon on this perfectly dry and shaken cinematic martini.

Skyfall rated PG-13 is in movie theaters now.

publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com






Press Release: London, October 29th 2012 – Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment are delighted to announce that Skyfall made history this weekend as it opened to an incredible £20.1 million at the UK box office, making it the biggest Bond opening weekend of all time.

SKYFALL, the 23rd James Bond adventure, continuing the longest running and most successful franchise in film history, opened in 587 cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Friday 26th October. It will release in the US on November 9th.

It is now also the biggest Bond movie of all time in the UK exceeding the £55.6m achieved by Casino Royale in 2006.

In response to the #1 UK opening, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said "We are thrilled and proud to reach this box office landmark in record time and are delighted that UK audiences continue to enjoy Skyfall." "We are absolutely overwhelmed with the reaction to Skyfall this weekend. It is particularly thrilling as the UK is home to James Bond and it being the 50th anniversary year."

"We could not be more proud of this amazing achievement. Kudos again to all involved with this film, which clearly delivers on every level," said Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM.

"Skyfall continues to set records in the UK and all over the world and we could not be more proud of the film and its continued success," said Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution.

"This staggering box office result clearly demonstrates that the filmmakers behind SKYFALL, director Sam Mendes and producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, have delivered a film that the fans have been eagerly awaiting," said Gary Barber, Chairman and CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. "We are proud to be partners with EON and Sony on SKYFALL and look forward to sharing the movie with audiences across the globe."

"Sony Pictures is proud of its part in bringing this great film to audiences around the world and to have Skyfall embraced at such unprecedented levels is tremendously exciting," said Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALL™, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan

Skyfall Official Site

Review of AtlasShrugged Part II: The Strike

Eminent domain, intellectual property rights, class warfare. Alternative energy sources, government managed vs private enterprise. Political cronyism, corporate sabotage. 

These are some of the issues addressed in Atlas Shrugged Part II: The Strike, the film trilogy adaptation of Ayn Rand's prescient & polarizing novel Atlas Shrugged.

Viewers will be treated to strong lead performances by Samantha Mathis, Jason Beghe, Richard T. Jones, Esai Morales, John Rubenstein, Kim Rhodes, Ray Wise, and Ayre Gross. The supporting cast is equally entertaining. Even the extras command your attention. Their screen presence evokes both sides of OWS and imply and infer answers to the question 'who built this?'.

i haven't seen part I of the movie's trilogy, and i haven't read Ms Rand's book, but prior to seeing the movie i knew the plot's premise. But even if i hadn't been familiar with the subject, the movie's script, direction, and performances are so engaging and topical i never had the feeling that i'd missed something or couldn't follow the action.

The real strength of this movie, is that like the book from which it is adapted, it will most likely stand the test of time. And whether you take the side of those who question and challenge authority, or those who opt to disappear, or those who are authoritarian, this movie stimulates real-life dialogue.

Atlas Shrugged Part II: The Strike, now playing.Please check your local movie houses.

Review of Showtime's Dexter Season 7 Premiere "Are You? & S7EP2 "Sunshine and Frosty Swirl"

SHOWTIME®'s Dexter Season 7 Press Release October 2012:

With 3.04 million viewers for the night and 2.4 million viewers at 9 p.m., DEXTER delivered its highest-rated premiere ever.

· Dexter continues unprecedented growth in its premieres, up every year since its prior cycle for the sixth consecutive year.
· The premiere now ranks as the top telecast of the year for SHOWTIME®, outperforming the Shameless (1.6 million, 3/4/12) by 50 percent.
· With 3.04 million viewers for the night, the season seven premiere night was up 10 percent versus season six premiere (vs. 2.76 million) and up versus the S6 finale (vs. 2.71 million).
· At 9 p.m., the seventh season debut was up 10 percent versus the S6 premiere (3.04 million vs. 2.19 million) and up versus the S6 finale (vs. 2.23 million).
· Dexter is the No. 1 rated series on Showtime, watched by nearly 5.5 million weekly viewers across platforms in its sixth season, the series' highest rated season ever.
· Roughly 3.5 million viewers, or 65 percent of the series’ weekly audience, watched DEXTER S6 on a time-shifted basis (after its Sun 10 p.m. airing) — viewing replays, on their DVR, and On Demand.

Season 7 returns in explosive fashion, as Dexter (Michael C. Hall) is finally forced to confront his greatest fear, as Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) witnesses his insatiable, ritualistic slaying of a killer. Now Deb knows the secret of his Dark Passenger, his undeniable thirst for blood, and the Code that their father Harry ('James Remar') instilled in him as a young boy.

But as Deb tries to reconcile the unfathomable idea that her beloved, mild-mannered brother is Miami’s most notorious serial killer, Dexter is still pulled by his natural impulses to seek out the guilty and exact his brand of vigilante justice, which leads him on the trail of a brutal Ukrainian mobster (Ray Stevenson).

Along the way, Dexter meets Hannah McKay (Yvonne Strahovski), a strong, independent woman with a past that she's struggled to put behind her. As a turn of events leads Miami Metro Homicide to ask for her help in solving some old cases, Dexter works with her and begins to wonder if there's more to this woman than she's professed. [End of Press Release]

How can a serial killer be likeable? This is the question that has been in the back of my mind since i first became a fan of Showtime's Dexter. It took 7 seasons for the answer to make it's way from my subconscious to my conscious. But now that we the viewers are getting even more intimate with Dex' "dark passenger" we're seeing him not only through Dex' narrative but Debs's as well. Season 7 premiere episode "Are You?..." forces us to. The seventh season's villain is not a who but a what---Ukranian organized crime syndicate. Season 7 is also funny. The humor's a nice tension reliever. Face it, if it weren't for the humor, the title character would be grotesque. 

Sure we've always known what Dexter does is a crime, but like Deb, something in our "lizard brain" knows, as wrong as it is, we can't/won't turn Dexter in. Heck we barely morally condemn him for being a serial killer. And seeing him through Deb lets us understand and own up to being an accessory to his crime(s). He's the hybrid anti-hero/super-hero. As he says to Deb in S7EP3 "Buck The System": "I want to let you in on my process so you can understand that what I do is good." When Deb tells him the legal system works & makes his murders unnecessary he answers with "then why am i so busy?" It's that line and Deb's non-response to it that makes it o.k. for society to understand why Dexter murders. Even if we can't condone it.

Check out Showtime's Dexter Sundays at 9:00pm ET Please Check Your Local Listings.

"All hail 'The King.' " AMC's Breaking Bad: Dead Freight, Buy Out, etc, First Half Season 5 Still Keeping Fans Addicted

How much is enough? How much is too much? Be it money, drugs, lives [innocent and those not so much] lost. Secrets, regrets, betrayal. These are the questions season five's characters on AMC's 13 emmy nominated hit Breaking Bad have been struggling with to find answers.

Skyler, Jesse, & Mike have all reached an 'enough is enough' point with Walt. But Walt aka 'Heisenberg' aka 'the king' of meth makers is not trying to hear that from any of them.

Walt is determined to have it all his way all the time every day. No matter the fallout. Any resemblance to the cancer stricken man with the sympathetic 'a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do to provide for his loved ones' mind set has vanished.

Because Walt has beaten cancer, and he has more money than needed for several lifetimes to provide for his family. The desperate situation that got him involved in meth production, like his tumors, no longer exists.

But like a blue magic addicted tweaker, Walt is addicted the rush of power he holds.

Breaking Bad's 5th and final season consists of 16 episodes airing in 2 sections. The first 8 episodes airing during Summer 2012. The 7th and 8th episodes of Breaking Bad's 5th season will air Sunday August 26th and Sunday September 2nd 2012 on AMC at 10:00pm ET Please check your local listings.

Want a cool Heisenberg shirt of your own in a variety of styles and colors---just click the link to Zazzle Thanks

[Source: Wikipedia] The fifth and final season of the American television drama series Breaking Bad premiered on July 15, 2012. It will consist of 16 episodes, each running approximately 47 minutes in length. AMC will broadcast the fifth season on Sundays at 10:00 pm ET in the United States. The season will be split into two parts, each containing eight episodes, with the second half debuting in summer 2013.

*SPOILER ALERT!* For viewers who have not seen episodes 1-8, the first half of Breaking Bad's 5th season, the following synopsis contains spoilers. *SPOILERS IN AMC YOUTTUBE VIDEO AND THE 4 PARAGRAPHS BELOW*




[Sources: Wikipedia/wikia/AMC] Season 5 Story Arc: Walter White (Bryan Cranston) disposes of anything linking him to his successful plot against Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) — the pipe bomb materials, the Lily of the Valley plant that he used to poison Brock (Ian Posada) while duping Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) into thinking Gus did it, and Gus' office laptop via an industrial electromagnet.

Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) joins Walter and Jesse in their new cartel ownership, while not trusting Lydia Rodarte-Quayle (Laura Fraser), an executive with Madrigal Electromotive GmbH, the parent company of Gus' Los Pollos Hermanos. Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) suggests different sites for the cooking process, but none are satisfactory, save for one — a pest control company known as Vamonos Pest. Walter and Jesse use the business' fumigation tent on random houses as a mobile laboratory.

Skyler White (Anna Gunn), after realizing that Walter is not exactly "free" from his meth-making past, begins to fear for her and her children's lives, wondering if the danger will return. After attempting suicide in the pool, she tells Walter that she will just patiently wait for his cancer to come back.

Meanwhile, the methlyamine flow is disrupted forcing Walter, Jesse, and Mike to rob a train carrying a large shipment. The heist was nearly compromised when a kid spotted them, but he was shot by a new partner hire, Todd. As the DEA began to track Mike, and the recent death of the kid, both Jesse and Mike decide to leave Vamonos Pest.

*END SPOILER ALERT!*

[Source: AMC Press Release] New York - July 16, 2012, - Last night's season five debut of AMC's "Breaking Bad " was the most watched episode in the history of the series. From 10pm - 11pm, the network earned a 2.2 HH rating delivering 2.9 million viewers. This marks an increase of +22%/ +14% respectively. 

Even more impressive is the exceptional growth among the coveted 18-49 demo, which saw a +34% increase versus last season's premiere. Among the Adults 25-54 demo, "Breaking Bad " delivered 1.8 million marking an increase of +28%. For the night, "Breaking Bad's " season 5 premiere attracted 3.5 million viewers with the 10:00 pm EST premiere and the 11:30pm EST encore. 

In August, AMC announced the final 16 episodes to conclude the series. "Breaking Bad " airs on AMC Sunday nights at 10pm ET/PT.

"From day one, 'Breaking Bad' has been a passion project for all of us at AMC. This show has helped define what our brand stands for in terms of supporting quality storytelling and creative risk-taking. Working with these terrifically creative people on such outstanding material has been a joy-filled ride. I'm so pleased to share this success with the entire 'Breaking Bad' team," said Charlie Collier, AMC's president. "We look forward to sharing the final 16 episodes with 'Breaking Bad's' passionate fans. As our marketing campaign says, "All hail 'The King.' "

AMC is carried on every cable, satellite and TelCo provider except the Dish network.

July 2012: Breaking Bad Lands 13 Emmy Nominations
This morning the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced their nominees for the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, and Breaking Bad was honored with a total of 13 nominations -- five of which spanned such categories as Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Supporting Actress.

The nominations are part of 34 garnered by AMC this year, with an additional 17 nominations going to Mad Men, 3 to The Walking Dead and one to Hell on Wheels.

Breaking Bad, in its third nomination for Outstanding Drama, will be up against Boardwalk Empire, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, and AMC's own Mad Men.

Bryan Cranston, going for his fourth consecutive win for Outstanding Actor (in years for which he was eligible), shares the category with Steve Buscemi of Boardwalk Empire, Michael C. Hall of Dexter, Hugh Bonneville of Downton Abbey, Damian Lewis of Homeland, and Mad Men's Jon Hamm.

Aaron Paul, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor for the third straight year and for his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman joins Giancarlo Esposito, who was nominated for his portrayal of Gustavo Fring. The two are up against Brendan Coyle and Jim Carter of Downton Abbey, Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones, and Jared Harris of Mad Men.

Anna Gunn, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Skyler White will compete with Maggie Smith and Joanne Froggatt of Downton Abbey, Archie Panjabi and Christine Baranski of The Good Wife, and Christina Hendricks of Mad Men

Mark Margolis, too, was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor for his portrayal of Tio Salamanca. He's up against Dylan Baker and Michael J. Fox of The Good Wife, Jeremy Davies of Justified, Ben Feldman of Mad Men, and Jason Ritter of Parenthood.

Breaking Bad also received eight other nominations: Michael Slovis was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for the third straight year, Vince Gilligan for Outstanding Directing for the second straight year, Skip MacDonald for Single-Camera Picture Editing for the second straight year, and Kelley Dixon for Single-Camera Picture Editing. The Season 4 Finale, "Face Off," also received nominations for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series and Outstanding Visual Effects in a Supporting Role.

The 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sun., Sep. 23 on ABC.

Air Force Week New York City Begins 8~19~2012

In Celebration Of Air Force Week: Fly-overs, Falconry, Music, Canine Security Demos And More At Pier 86 Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum In Manhattan And Throughout NYC's 5 Burroughs

U.S. Air Force Week New York City Begins 8~19~2012
Press Release Number: 040812
 
8/16/2012 - New York City, NY -- Numerous events showcasing America's Airmen

Air Force Week New York City will be held Aug. 19-21 with various displays, flyovers, band concerts and more throughout the city's five boroughs. 

Air Force Week brings Airmen to New York neighborhoods showcasing American's Airmen and telling their stories. It gives Airmen an opportunity to thank New Yorkers for their support of Airmen around the world. There are more than 32,000 New York natives serving in the Air Force today.

The week's events kick off with a proclamation ceremony announcing Air Force Week from the city presided by Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley. 

Participating in the ceremony will be Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, and NBC News Anchor Lester Holt. 

The event, open to media and invited guests, will be held at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in Manhattan Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. and will include a flyby of the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, The Thunderbirds.

Main Attractions:
-Interactive Air Force Displays will be set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 19-21 on Pier 86 of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan. Free to the public. A list of displays is included at the end of this release.

Sports Venues:
- Air Force night at the New York Yankees game Aug. 18 at 4 p.m. at Yankee Stadium will feature an aircraft flyover by The Thunderbirds, The USAF Honor Guard Color Team, USAF Ceremonial Brass, a vocal performance of the National Anthem and God Bless America, and an Air Force Hero Recognition Ceremony.

- Air Force night at the New York Jets versus New York Giants game Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at Met Life Stadium will feature The USAF Honor Guard Color Team presenting colors for the National Anthem.

- Air Force night at the New York Red Bulls match Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Red Bull arena in Harrison, N.J., will feature a performance by The USAF Honor Guard Color Team, and a vocal performance of the National Anthem.

- Air Force night at the New York Mets game Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at Citi Field will feature an aircraft flyover by The Thunderbirds, The USAF Honor Guard Color Team, USAF Ceremonial Brass, and a vocal performance of the National Anthem and God Bless America.

- Air Force night at the Brooklyn Cyclones game Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at MCU Park will feature an aircraft flyover by an F-22 "Raptor," a vocal performance of the National Anthem, The USAF Honor Guard Color Team, and a demonstration by The USAF Honor Guard Drill Team.

Activities:
- An HH-60 helicopter and a pararescue team from New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing on Long Island will conduct an open water rescue demonstration in the Hudson River at 2:45 p.m. following the proclamation ceremony Aug. 19 on Pier 86 of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan.

- The Air Force is hosting a FREE MOVIE NIGHT at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, featuring the movie Red Tails. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Free to the public.

- Airmen from the Tri-State area will ring the closing bell at the New York Mercantile Exchange Aug. 16.

- The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is the traveling component of The USAF Honor Guard and inspires Air Force awareness among military and civilian audiences through its complex drill routine. In all they do, the Drill Team personifies the integrity, discipline, teamwork, and professionalism of every Airman and every Air Force mission. During The USAF Honor Guard's more than 60-year history, the Drill Team has performed in every state of the union and many countries abroad. The following performances are scheduled:
- Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Pier 86 of the Intrepid
- Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at Back to the Beach at Midland Beach on Staten Island
- Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. on Pier 86 of the Intrepid
- Aug. 20 at 5:50 p.m. at the Brooklyn War Memorial, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn
- Aug. 21 at 3:50 p.m. at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan

Music Attractions:
- The United States Air Force Band "Max Impact" is the premier rock band of the United States Air Force, featuring the band's seven members perform exciting original music, rock, country, patriotic favorites as well as classic and current pop hits. Free for the public performances:
- Aug. 19 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Pier 86 of the Intrepid
- Aug. 20 at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Pier 86 of the Intrepid
- Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at the South Street Seaport

- The Blue Aces from the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band take great pride in their specialized, fast-paced performances and draw from a broad palette of musical and cultural backgrounds. Free for the public performances:
- Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Back to the Beach at Midland Beach
- Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. at the Brooklyn War Memorial, Cadman Plaza
- Aug. 21 at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Pier 86 of the Intrepid

Exhibits at Pier 86 of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum:
- Falcon & Falconer - Sports audiences across the country have been intrigued and delighted by the aerobatics of the falcon, flying mascot of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Trained and handled by cadet falconers, the birds soar and dive, sometimes zooming low over the heads of spectators. A falcon and its handler will be on hand at various venues throughout the city.

- Portraits in Courage Airmen - People will have a chance to directly interact with five Airmen the Air Force has recognized for showing exceptional valor in combat and exemplifying the warrior ethos. An official announcement of who is being recognized will occur at the opening ceremony.

- Air Force Global Strike Command - AFSGC will feature a display at the Intrepid showing their mission: Develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations...Safe, Secure, Effective...to support the President of the United States and combatant commanders.

- Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst - Airmen from nearby JBMDL will feature the following displays: Explosive Ordinance Disposal display with a high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV, or "Humvee"); bomb robot and bomb suit; Air Force firefighters and their fire truck.

- Security Forces Working Dogs - Military police and their working dogs from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will be on hand throughout Air Force Week showing how they work together to thwart security threats directed against military enterprises. Handlers will demonstrate the abilities of their military working dogs, including the dog's pursuit, attack and release of an assailant.

- Air Force Supercars - Built by seven highly-specialized Airmen with a world-renowned team of car mechanics and customizers from Galpin Auto Sports of MTV's "Pimp My Ride" fame, two supercars will showcase the Air Force ingenuity, state-of-the art-technology, and imagination. The X-1 is a fully-customized Ford Mustang and is all about power and speed with a central drive system with a real F-16 ejection seat. The Vapor is a fully-customized Dodge Challenger and is all about the cyberspace and technology aspect of the Air Force.

- Medical Technology - The Air Force Medical Service is a vital member of the Military Health Service and the AFSG's booth will showcase three features: Medical Theater Readiness with trauma and critical care displays; Aeromedical evacuation with Airmen and equipment used to transport patients from the battlefield to medical centers; and Wounded Warrior Resiliency, a focus on how the body and mind are treated post-return.

- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) booth with six interactive, multi-media displays and briefings throughout the day covering dozens of topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

- Reserve Officers' Training Corps - ROTC cadets and a U.S. Air Force Academy liaison officer will be on hand to answer questions about each commissioning source.

- Air Education and Training Command - AETC's tent with showcase how the Air Force educates and trains its Airmen.

- Command Center Alpha is a first-of-its-kind augmented reality experience that immerses visitors in the "Sci-Fi" world of the United States Air Force. Visitors explore areas of Air Force expertise via 3D computer graphics, videos, audio, and digital downloads. Along the way they discover the many roles the Air Force plays in today's
military, as well as several of the career opportunities they can pursue. By using cutting-edge technology like augmented reality and RFID in this tour, Command Center Alpha offers a rich educational experience that illustrates the high-tech nature of the Air Force. Each visitor is given an iPad where they can experience all of the amazing things the Air Force does through the cutting edge technology of Augmented Reality.

For up-to-date event information, check out the Air Force Week website, www.airforceweek.af.mil, visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AirForceNYC or follow us @AirForceNYC and #AFWeek on Twitter.

Media interested in covering events should contact 212-784-0147 or email Big.Apple-02@us.af.mil

Media needing photos can visit the following link:
Photos from 2010's New York Air Force Week:
http://www.airforceweek.af.mil/photos/mediagallery.asp?galleryID=8785

Air Force Week is a program endorsed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force that provides the opportunity to show and tell civic leaders, opinion leaders and the general public what we do, while at the same time, demonstrating our gratitude to the communities which support the Air Force by engaging in events what help give back to the community.

Air Force Weeks occur at select locations and showcase our Airmen and their amazing capabilities to many Americans who do not have day-to-day contact with the Air Force. As only the second Air Force Week held in New York City, this is a premier platform to help communicate our Airmen's heroic stories. The first Air Force Week in New York was in 2010.
- USAF -

Boss Season 2 EP1 "Louder Than Words" ~ On STARZ Friday 8~17~2012 9PM ET/PT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STARZ ORIGINAL SERIES “BOSS” TO LAUNCH SECOND SEASON FRIDAY, AUGUST 17TH AT 9PM ET/PT

JONATHAN GROFF, SANAA LATHAN AND SPECIAL GUEST STAR TIP (“T.I”) HARRIS JOIN CAST LED BY GOLDEN GLOBE® WINNER KELSEY GRAMMER

Beverly Hills, CA. – For Immediate Release — The STARZ Original Series “Boss” is set to premiere its second season on Friday, August 17th at 9pm ET/PT. Starring Kelsey Grammer in his Golden Globe®- winning role as fictional Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, the series also stars Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, Kathleen Robertson, Troy Garity and Rotimi. 

Produced by Lionsgate, “Boss” earned a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Drama Series for its debut season and is currently shooting season two in Chicago.
 
Joining the ensemble cast as series regulars this season are Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, “Glee”) as Ian Todd, a smart and ambitious young advisor to Kane, and Sanaa Lathan (“Nip/Tuck,” A Raisin in the Sun), as Alderman William Ross’ strong-willed and politically savvy Chief of Staff, Mona Fredricks. 

Special guest star Tip Harris, who is known internationally as rapper T.I. (“American Gangster,” “Takers”), will be featured as Trey Rogers, a former gangbanger with designs on a career in City Hall. Additional guest stars include Amy Morton (Up in the Air, “Private Practice”) as State Senator Catherine Walsh, who has been defeated in her bid for Governor three times, but is now determined win.
 
Dee Johnson (“The Good Wife,” “ER”) will serve as executive producer along with series creator Farhad Safinia, Kelsey Grammer, Gus Van Sant, Brian Sher and Stella Bulochnikov. The series is produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Grammnet NH Productions, Roya Productions and Small Wishes, Inc.
 
In season two of “Boss,” Kane ferociously beats back the physical symptoms of his illness with high doses of medication. But this comes at a cost -- experiencing heightened psychological manifestations of the disease. Without his longtime advisors Stone and Kitty, Kane is also forced to reconfigure his inner circle. Surrounded by strangers and without much time left, he acts quickly to protect and repair his legacy by cutting out the cancers within the political machine. 

But as corrupt heads roll and his list of enemies grows, Kane's virtuous actions begin to erode the very foundation of power he's worked a lifetime to build. In order to maintain it, Kane must govern as he always has—ruthlessly.
 
About Starz Entertainment Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 17 premium channels including the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® brands with approximately 19.6 million and 33.2 million subscribers respectively. 

Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands. 

Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LMCA).


About Lionsgate: Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. 

The Company has built a strong television presence in production of primetime cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming and an array of channel assets. 

Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie," along with the powerful drama "Boss," the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," its spinoff "Meet the Browns," "The Wendy Williams Show," "Are We There Yet?" and the upcoming “Anger Management.” 

Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. 

The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

 ###

Contacts:
Paul Campbell STARZ 212-905-4230 

Dorothea Donnelly STARZ 424- 204-4135  

Shannon Buck STARZ 424-204-4173 

Leah Krantzler Lionsgate Television 323-965-1990

AMC's Hell On Wheels Season 2 Episode 1 "Viva La Mexico" Airs Sunday 8~12~2012 at 9:00pm ET/PT

Fans of AMC's "Hell On Wheels" your wait for season 2 is over. The second season for the drama that tells the story of post-civil war America and the construction of the trans-continental railroad airs Sunday 8~12~2012 at 9:00pm ET/PT

Missed the first season or just can't wait 'til 9pm to get your western on---no worries. AMC is having an encore airing of "Hell On Wheels" first season on 8~12~2012 Sunday morning starting at 11:00am, keeping you right on track up to the season 2 premiere at 9:00pm

AMC Press Release: "Hell On Wheels" Season 2

As part of it's summer programming slate AMC's "Hell on Wheels" Season 2 Returns Sunday, August 12 at 9pm

The second season of "Hell on Wheels" continues its epic story of post-Civil War America, focusing on Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount), a former Confederate soldier, and his dramatic journey west as he struggles to leave his past behind. 

Executive produced by John Shiban ("Breaking Bad," "The X-Files"), Joe and Tony Gayton (Faster, Uncommon Valor) and Endemol USA's Jeremy Gold, the show depicts the traveling town known as 'Hell on Wheels,' a dangerous, raucous, lawless melting pot that follows and services the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. 

"Hell on Wheels" also stars Common as Elam Ferguson; Colm Meaney as Thomas "Doc" Durant; Dominique McElligott as Lily Bell; Christopher Heyerdahl as The Swede; and Robin McLeavy as Eva; Tom Noonan as Reverend Cole; Ben Esler as Sean McGinnes; Philip Burke as Mickey McGinnes; and Eddie Spears as Joseph Black Moon. 

The series is executive produced by Endemol USA with Entertainment One (eOne) serving as the studio. Season two consists of 10, one-hour episodes.

About AMC   

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe(R) Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories.  

AMC's original stories include "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "The Killing" and "Hell on Wheels."  AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC's Can't Get Enough and AMC's Crazy About.     

Available in more than 97 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.      

Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell Produced by Chris Rock Premieres Thursday August 9 2012 at 11:00pm on FX

FX Press Release: Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell Gets A Premiere Date

It’s official! FX has finalized the schedule for its late-night comedy series executive produced by Chris Rock and starring comedian W. Kamau Bell. Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell will premiere on Thursday, Aug. 9 at 11 pm EST. 

The show, which Laughspin announced in March, will star Bell along with other contributors sharing commentary and sketch comedy that dissects the topics that have long been the cornerstone of the San Francisco native’s stand-up routine: politics, pop culture, race, religion and the media.

The show premieres on Thursday, August 9th, at 11:00pm. It’s shot in New York. The show will be live to tape the day they shoot it. So, when it premieres on August 9th, it will be shot on August 9th.

Six half-hour installments of the weekly show will be shot in Brooklyn and executive produced by Chris Rock, Chuck Sklar and Bell. The show has been slowly coming to fruition since Bell received an unexpected phone call from Rock back in 2010, two months after meeting the superstar at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. 

Bell and collaborators shot a pilot last November, and FX officially picked up the series earlier this spring. We’re excited now to finally have this date to look forward to!

“I’m going to do the best show I can,” Bell told Laughspin in March. “I have six episodes to make a mark on Hollywood— or a scar on Hollywood. We’ll see how it goes.”

Review of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee A New Web Series Starring Jerry Seinfeld

This is a spoiler free review

Network and cable television are not the only way to get your fix of Jerry Seinfeld's comedic gifts. Jerry's new on-line show made it's debut on July 19th and is titled "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee". Larry David, the show's first guest and long-time Seinfeld friend and collaborator tells Jerry, that with this show, he may have succeeded in what had been their goal with "Seinfeld"---to create "a show about nothing".

On the surface it may seem like "nothing", but besides being extremely funny, the show is also informative. We learn about different makes of automobiles and we learn things about the comedians. They and Jerry have philosophical discussions about the things in life that are at first glance about "nothing", but are in the larger scheme of life really quite interesting.

In the opener Jerry calls Larry to invite him to have coffee. Larry doesn't drink coffee, he drinks tea. But there's another reason for them to meet. Jerry wants to show Larry his azure blue 1952, 4 cylinder, 25 horsepower engine, split rear window, Volkswagen beetle. And man she is a honey. One of the car's charmingly eccentric attributes are the the retractable bright orange flippers that act as a turn signal. They pop out horizontally just behind the car's front door.

Compared to those in a more modern vehicle, the shock absorbers are not the friendliest to the kidneys. But the interior's upholstery & seats look to be cushioney soft. Of course this being Jerry Seinfeld's car the interior is also immaculate.

Scheduled guests on upcoming episodes of "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" are Alec Baldwin, Ricky Gervais, and Michael Richards.

New webisodes of Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee air on the website of the same name and on Crackle.com on Thursdays.

Review of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises

This is a spoiler-free review

The tragedy that occurred in Aurora Colorado during the July 20th opening weekend midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises is understandably in everyone's thoughts.

Had i not been gifted with tickets from Fandango via Swaylo prior to the actions of a real-life villain, i might have resisted seeing this film. And while i with the rest of the nation mourn for the wounded and the loss of life in Aurora, i'm glad i did not give in to fear or morbidity. 

If i had, to borrow a phrase that has become all too necessary to say "then the terrorists win". And even though there was as far as evidence indicates only one assailant and we don't know the motive, make no mistake, the actions that took 12 lives and wounded 58 others is, by the nature of it, an act of terror.

~

"Oh boy, you are in for a show tonight, son." ~ Gotham City veteran cop to a rookie cop in director/co-screenwriter Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises

With that line, Mr.Nolan could have easily been giving a wink to the movie going audience.

Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth is everything the fans expect of the character and then some. A gentleman's gentleman to the marrow, as well as a friend. The kind of friend who will tell you not just what you want to hear but what you need to be told.

Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox is also enjoyable. Doing as best he can to protect the assets of Wayne Enterprises while maintaining the secrecy of it's namesake's extra-curricular activities.

i really liked the shot of the back of Anne Hathaway's head when we first see her. i don't know if it was Mr.Nolan's intent but the angle from which we see her, Ms Hathaway's nape reminds me of Katie Holmes' and Maggie Gyllenhaal's nape & just for a split second i thought it might have been one or the other of them. A nice nod to the first two female leads of the trilogy.

Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman [although she is not referred by that alias in this film] for my taste does not generate as much heat as actresses who preceded in giving life to that character but her performance is a good one none the less. She is fun, clever, and does not shy away from danger or kicking ass. Also [as Elaine of Seinfeld said of one of her friends] Ms Hathaway has brows that most women covet.

If OWS had been lead by a buff charismatic sociopath Tom Hardy's Bane would be the prototype. A commanding screen presence.

Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, Matthew Modine as Deputy Commissioner Foley are good bookends. The former an honorable but troubled man, the latter a decorated police officer but paradoxically, not so much an honorable man.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as officer and subsequently detective Blake respects and admires Bruce Wayne and instinctively knows what manner of man Wayne truly is.

Christian Bale is easy on the eyes and does a great job as both the dark knight and Bruce Wayne. There is a subtle yet notable distinction between the philanthropist and the caped crusader embodied by the same man.

There are good cameos that got strong positive reactions from the crowd at the screening i attended. Except for a reveal given by one character [and to remain spoiler free i will not say which or what] the outcome in the final scenes did not come as a surprise to me as i was already speculating what they would be given the previous action and implications but i was not any less entertained. Even when i can figure something out before it happens it does not necessarily translate as a negative for me. Plus there is that reveal that did surprise so there is that. Good job Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan [co-screenwriter] and all involved in this action packed thrilling spectacular.

The Dark Knight Rises rated PG-13 is in theaters now.

Savages

The exquisite beauty of southern California's pacific coastline is a perfect contrast to the violent action in screenwriter/director Oliver Stone's Savages.

Savages, adapted from author Don Winslow's best selling book, tells the story of three friends: Ben played by Aaron Johnson, Ophelia aka O for short, played by Blake Lively, and Chon, played by Taylor Kitsch. Ben is a botanist of the genius calibre. Chon served in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq and also worked as a mercenary. O is the woman who is lover to both men.

Aside from their [by the standards of many] unconventional extended family, Chon and Ben are also business partners. Their business [again unconventional by the standards of many] is supplying the residents of the pacific coastline with some of the highest [no pun intended] quality marijuana in the U.S. Some would even categorize it as the best in the world given it's 30% THC level.

Salma Hayek as Elena, the head of a Baja Mexico drug cartel is a terrific, cold-blooded, pragmatic villainess. Elena proposes a partnership, but her timing could not be worse as the guys were intending to retire, and Ben and Chon want no part of her deal. Elena does not take kindly to refusal. Violence ensues and escalates to levels of horrific proportions. John Travolta as Dennis, a corrupt DEA agent, and Benicio Del Toro as a cartel henchman make for intriguing and entertaining casting choices.

Savages, Rated R, is in theaters now.

“Just ’cause I’m telling you this story doesn’t mean that I’m alive at the end of it. It’s that kind of a story where things got so out of control.” ~ O, from Universal Pictures' Savages

Universal Pictures' Savages Production Notes Excerpts:
 
Three-time Oscar®-winning filmmaker OLIVER STONE returns to the screen with the ferocious thriller Savages, featuring the all-star ensemble cast of TAYLOR KITSCH (Battleship), BLAKE LIVELY (The Town), AARON JOHNSON (Kick-Ass), JOHN TRAVOLTA (Pulp Fiction), BENICIO Del TORO (Traffic), SALMA HAYEK (Frida), EMILE HIRSCH (Into the Wild) and DEMIÁN BICHIR (A Better Life). The film is based on DON WINSLOW’s best-selling crime novel that was named one of The New York Times’ Top 10 Books of 2010.

Laguna Beach, that glittering seaside resort in Orange County, California, is home to the privileged and the bored: Teens with too much free time and disposable income, as well as men and women kept perpetually young by an ample supply of plastic surgeons—all making a weekly pilgrimage to that suburban mecca, the high-end shopping mall. The temperate climate and the sparkling Pacific Coast give it all a faux laid-back sheen. 

O (Lively) knows all about that. She’s a lovely local who is certainly familiar with her hometown’s homegrown foibles and charms.

O is short for Ophelia…she has her reasons. She’s a unique spirit, as are her housemates—Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson) and Chon (Kitsch)—an extraordinary trio who share a one-of-a-kind love. Ben, a peaceful, charitable botanist aspires to save the world. His closest friend, Chon, a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, isn’t sure the world is worth saving.

Ben, Chon and O keep to themselves and share a special bond…a postmodern family. They enjoy a quiet, well appointed, free and easy lifestyle, made possible by Ben and Chon’s lucrative business: raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. Independent, fairminded impresarios with a mind-blowing product, they are local heroes providing a product that people want.

Ben and Chon’s company, naturally, does not remain off the grid for long. Their legendary weed and innovative business model have attracted the keen interest of the Mexican Baja Cartel, headed by the merciless Elena “La Reina” (Hayek), her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), and her unscrupulous head attorney, Alex (Bichir). Elena demands a partnership with Ben and Chon, and nobody refuses La Reina without sacrificing something they hold dear.

But the Cartel underestimates the unbreakable bond among these three remarkable friends. Ben, Chon and, in her own way, O, wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the drug empire with the reluctant assistance of a dirty DEA agent named Dennis (Travolta) and a crafty accountant called Spin (Hirsch). And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and high-stakes brinksmanship in a savage battle of wills.

Based on the novel by Don Winslow (“The Kings of Cool: Prequel to Savages,” “The Power of the Dog”) and from a screenplay by SHANE SALERNO (Armageddon, Shaft) & Don Winslow & Oliver Stone. Savages is produced by longtime Stone collaborators MORITZ BORMAN (W., Alexander, World Trade Center) & ERIC KOPELOFF (W., Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps).

The thriller is executive produced by FERNANDO SULICHIN (South of the Border, The Killer Inside Me), Shane Salerno and TODD ARNOW (Battleship, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

The Following clips from Universal Pictures'/Screenwriter/Director Oliver Stone's Savages contain violence and adult language

Viewer Discretion Advised

Review of: Perception Starring Eric McCormack on TNT

If you like Monk, Numb3rs, Columbo, Quincy M.E., Matlock, Body of Proof, Castle, and other shows similar to those, then you're sure to enjoy TNT's Perception.

Eric McCormack stars as Dr. Daniel Pierce, a neuro-science professor, well liked by students and faculty. LaVar Burton co-stars as his friend and dean Paul Haley. One thing that sets Dr.Pierce apart from his colleagues and charges: he's schizophrenic. Teacher's assistant Max Lewicki played by Arjay Smith helps keep the doc on an even keel, but sometimes, despite Lewicki's best efforts, things go awry. 

But this is not always a bad thing as the doctor's hallucinatory episodes tend to help him help a former student, now an FBI agent, played by Rachael Leigh Cook, solve crimes. One of the doc's quirks is a love of crossword puzzles and anagrams and his ability to quickly solve them is a useful tool in the solving of crimes.

For you FallingSkies fans Colin Cunningham is in Perception's pilot episode. 180 degrees different from Pope but no less entertaining.

The doctor eschews pharmacological treatment and has for the most part successfully managed his illness, primarily through maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and a consistency of routine. However, as the good doctor instructs during a lecture, the brain's synapses during a dream state i.e. hallucinatory, are virtually indistinguishable from those when one is wide awake and not hallucinating. So when he is having a schizophrenic episode, his perception is, sometimes frighteningly so, that he is not hallucinating.

Bravo to Perception's writers, directors and producers [one of whom is McCormack]. They do an excellent job of allowing the viewer to experience things through the doctor's mind. There were only two moments in the pilot ep, when i knew the doc was NOT hallucinating, and even then, i had to convince myself he wasn't before it was proven to him that he was not.

Perception premieres Monday July 9th at 10:00pm on TNT Please check your local listings.

Press Release: TNT Introduces Unusual Crime Solver in the New Summer Drama Series Perception, Starring Eric McCormack. This summer, it’s mind-over-murder as TNT introduces a unique view of crime-solving when Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?) stars in the all-new drama series Perception. This fascinating series also stars Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That), Arjay Smith (The Day After Tomorrow) and Kelly Rowan (The O.C.).

Perception is slated to premiere Monday, July 9, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT. Viewers can keep up to date on all the news about the series by following @PerceptionTNT or searching for hashtag #PerceptionTNT on Twitter.

In Perception, McCormack plays Dr. Daniel Pierce, an eccentric neuroscience professor with paranoid schizophrenia who is recruited by the FBI to help solve complex cases. Pierce has an intimate knowledge of human behavior and a masterful understanding of the way the mind works. He also has an uncanny ability to see patterns and look past people's conscious emotions to see what lies beneath.

Pierce's mind may be brilliant, but it's also damaged. He struggles with hallucinations and paranoid delusions brought on by his schizophrenia. Oddly, Daniel considers some of his hallucinations to be a gift. They occasionally allow him to make connections that his conscious mind can’t yet process. At other times, the hallucinations become Daniel's greatest curse, leading him to behave in irrational, potentially dangerous ways.

Daniel's mental condition and offbeat manner make it difficult for him to achieve the close friendships and intimate relationships he craves. He’s in his element when solving an intricate puzzle or a coded message. But in unfamiliar situations, he can quickly become overwhelmed, and only his favorite music and a crossword puzzle have the power to make things right again.

Cook co-stars as FBI agent Kate Moretti, Pierce’s former student who asks him to consult on certain cases. Unlike her colleagues, Kate is willing to look past Daniel's peculiarities. Also in Daniel's life is Max Lewicki (Smith), who serves as his teaching assistant. His primary job is to keep Pierce in line and on task, whether that means grading midterms or laying out Pierce's wardrobe for the day. And Natalie Vincent (Rowan) is Daniel's best friend and every bit his intellectual equal. In addition, award-winning actor LeVar Burton (Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation) will play a recurring role as Paul Haley, a dean at the university and Pierce’s friend.

Perception, which comes to TNT from ABC Studios, was created by executive producer Ken Biller (Star Trek: Voyager, Smallville) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Enterprise), with McCormack serving as producer. Alan Poul (Six Feet Under) directed and served as executive producer for the pilot.

About ABC Studios

ABC Studios, part of ABC Entertainment Group, develops and produces compelling programming for both broadcast network and cable television as well as digital platforms. ABC Studios has delivered some of the most successful, talked-about and evolutionary series on television such as Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Criminal Minds, Army Wives and Brothers & Sisters.

About TNT

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households, the network is home to such original series as The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick; Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Falling Skies, starring Noah Wyle; Franklin & Bash, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Southland, from Emmy-winning producer John Wells, as well as the upcoming series Major Crimes, Dallas, Perception and The Great Escape. TNT also is the cable home to powerful dramas like The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Cold Case and, starting this year, Castle; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world. CONTACTS: Carmen Davenporte-McNeal, Atlanta, 404/575-9709, carmen.davenporte-mcneal@turner.com Barrie Gruner, Los Angeles, 818/729-7312, barrie.gruner@turner.com

Visit our press site at http://tntnewsroom.com Follow TNT on Twitter @TNTweknowdrama and @TNTPR.