Shutter Review

In this Japanese remake, photographer Ben (Jackson) and Jane (Taylor), newly weds head to Japan for a job assignment for Ben. While driving Jane incurs an accident in which she believes she has hit a Japanese girl, but there is no trace of a body. Strangely when the couple reviews pictures from their wedding and from Ben's photo shoot, there seems to be blurs that appear to be a ghost (the girl that Jane hit) in each picture. Jane enlists the help of a local group who specialize on the matter of spirit photography and finds there is a connection between Ben and the ghost. Soon anyone that was involved with Ben and his secret begin to mysteriously die.

Reel Talk:

If you've seen the Grudge or The Ring, you'll pretty much say this film is a mirror to them. Not much on originality, and very little in regards to the fear factor. Even though this is not even a good horror movie, it was a little bit better (not much) than the before mentioned films .

Starring: Joshua Jackson, Rachel Taylor, David Denman and Megumi Okina

Directed By: Masayuki Ochiai

Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 corndogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler

Spending on Alternative Media Jumps 22%

Marketers Follow as Consumers' Broadband Use Surges

By Jonathan Lemonnier

Published: March 26, 2008

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Spending on alternative media hit $73.43 billion in 2007, a 22% increase over the previous year, and will continue to grow, according to PQ Media's Alternative Media Forecast: 2008-2012, released today. The research firm tracked 18 digital and nontraditional segments, with a combined 16.1% of total advertising and marketing dollars in 2007, up from 7.9% in 2002, yielding a compound annual growth rate of 21.7%.

The forecast predicts a 20.2% increase over the next year, to a total of $88.24 billion, and a compounded annual growth rate of 17% for 2007-2012, reaching $160.82 billion. By then, alternative media will represent 26.6% of all advertising and marketing dollars.

'Where the money is going'
The upswing is as much a result of the effectiveness of new media in a fragmented market as it is from a lack of confidence in traditional media, said PQ Media President Patrick Quinn. "Traditional ad budgets have been going down, but spending has remained stable. This shows where the money is going," Mr. Quinn said.

"There is a lack of standards in these new areas," Mr. Quinn added. "Digital out-of-home advertising is getting recall rates as high as or higher than traditional mediums, but there are few studies on this. They're going to need more and deeper metrics: The bar is being raised across the board."

Alternative advertising, including online, mobile, entertainment and digital out-of-home advertising, saw spending rise at a compounded annual growth rate 25.8% to $39.22 billion in 2007, accounting for 17.7% of all ad spending that year (compared with 7% of all ad spending in 2002), and grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 26.2% from 2002 to 2007.

Online and mobile advertising spending --including search and lead generation, online classifieds and displays, e-media, online video and rich media, internet yellow pages, consumer-generated ads, and mobile advertising -- reached $29.94 billion in 2007 (up 29.1% compared with 2006), a compounded annual growth rate of 31.4% over the 2002-2007 period. The category received heavy infusions from brand marketers trying to reach key demographics that have migrated online and to wireless thanks to wider broadband adoption.

Entertainment technologies
Entertainment and digital out-of-home advertising -- including local pay TV, digital out-of-home media, video on demand, interactive TV, and digital video recorder, video game, home video and satellite radio advertising -- increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 15% from 2002-2007, and rose 16.2% over the previous year to $9.28 billion in 2007. The growth was driven by rising adoption of entertainment technologies, including ad insertion technologies and ad platforms to reach young audiences.

Alternative marketing -- including branded entertainment and interactive marketing -- hit $34.21 billion in 2007, a 17.9% rise over the previous year, and grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 17.5% from 2002-2007. This brings its share of total marketing expenditures up to 14.5% in 2007, compared with 8.7% of total spending in 2002.

Branded-entertainment marketing -- including event sponsorship and marketing, paid product placement, advergaming and webisodes -- also saw and increase of 14.7% to $22.30 billion last year, and climbed at a slower compounded annual growth rate of 13.4% from 2002-2007.

New-media strategies
The deployment of new-media strategies focusing on better interactivity, entertainment and engagement than traditional media was the driving factor.

Thanks to strong gains in segments that reach affluent and influential consumers, interactive marketing -- including e-direct marketing, word-of-mouth marketing, and e-custom publishing -- saw big increases in 2007 of 24.4%, reaching $11.9 billion, compared with the previous year, and a compounded annual growth rate of 28.6% over the 2002-07 period.

"The top-growing segments all share the same similarities," said Mr. Quinn. "They tend to be influential or youth demographics, the coveted 18- to 34-year-old, mostly male demographic with a strong digital component."

Kilpatrick charged.

Rebecca Cook/Reuters

In 2001, at 31, Kwame M. Kilpatrick, 6-foot-4 and a former college football player, beat an opponent twice his age for mayor of Detroit, a job he once said he had dreamed of since he was a child.

He was dubbed the hip-hop mayor, in part for his age, his flashy suits, and the diamond stud in his ear.

Though he swiftly drew controversy, Detroiters looked past talk of partying with exotic dancers, cronyism and a red Lincoln Navigator leased for his family with taxpayers' money. In 2005, voters re-elected Mr. Kilpatrick, who had been among the youngest mayors to run a major American city and whose draw, in part, was his sway over young voters.

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In January 2008, a political crisis arose over the publication of racy text messages from the Mayor to a close female advisor, suggesting they had carried on a romantic affair. The messages also contradicted testimony that Mr. Kilpatrick and his advisor gave under oath last year during a civil trial in which several former police officers accused Mr. Kilpatrick of forcing them out of jobs, in part because their investigations might have uncovered his romance. In addition, documents revealed that Mr. Kilpatrick settled the case (and a second, similar lawsuit) for $8.4 million.

Mr. Kilpatrick, who is married and has three sons, has apologized to his wife, Carlita, and to the city, but has vowed, repeatedly, to stay in office. He has defiantly accused the news media of creating his woes, and blamed racism for his troubles.

On March 18, 2008, the City Council voted to ask Mr. Kilpatrick to step down, echoing similar calls from the local media and many prominent citizens. On March 23, 2008 Mr. Kilpatrick was charged by the Wayne County prosecutor with misconduct in office, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and perjury, felonies that could end his political career and send him to prison for as long as 80 years.

--March 24, 2008

KATT WILLIAMS - IT’S PIMPIN’ PIMPIN’ TOUR FRIDAY, APRIL 25 AT THE FOX THEATRE

By Popular Demand-Second Show Added-On Sale

DETROIT — By popular demand, a second show has been added to see the outrageous comedy star, Katt Williams, at the Fox Theatre! This newly added performance is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25.

Williams is consistently recognized as one of the hottest standup comedians on the scene today. In 2007, his Pimp Chronicles Tour was the second highest grossing comedy act in the country, selling out theatres in every major market across the country. He was also added to the very short list of comedians to earn the honor of performing at Radio City Music Hall; selling out two consecutive days at the venue.

Last winter, Code Black Entertainment released Williams’ HBO Special, “Katt Williams: Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1.” Taped live in Atlanta, the show featured guest appearances from Cam’Ron, Lil’ Jon, Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000, and Anthony Anderson. One of the highest rated comedy specials on the network in the past two years, the special garnered 3.6 million viewers and has since gone triple platinum in DVD sales. The highly-anticipated follow up – KATT WILLIAMS: AMERICAN HUSTLE – is now available on DVD. Katt was also featured as one of the cast players on the wildly popular MTV series “Nick Cannon’s Wild n’ Out.”

Given all of his success on the big and small screen, Williams’ first love is live performance. Inspired by greats like Richard Pryor, Donn Knotts, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin and Dave Chapelle, Katt’s greatest thrill is connecting with an audience. “It’s the best I ever feel,” he explains. “Applause is my drug of choice.”

Tickets ($48.50, $63.50, $68.50) go on sale at 5 p.m. Today, Feb. 27 and may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge) and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Macy’s and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (248) 433-1515. For additional information, call (313) 471-6611. Day of show ticket prices ($53.50, $68.50, 73.50)

MASON RADIO PRESENTS CONYA DOSS LIVE IN CONCERT AT PURE NIGHTCLUB MARCH 28

DETROIT - Mason Radio is presenting internationally acclaimed soul songstress Conya Doss live in concert. She is introduces her new album “Still” to the Detroit market. Conya has performed in Detroit several times to packed houses and rave reviews. Her next Detroit show, Friday, March 28, 2008 at Pure Nightclub is highly anticipated based on the street buzz. The new album is a rich blend of soul and jazz delivered in her familiar classy style.

Opening for Conya is Darnell Kendricks, a multi talented producer, vocalist and songwriter best known for his popular album “Strawberry Lemonade”. Darnell plans to perform the electric and engaging show his fans have come to expect while offering some samples of his upcoming album ”Smooth Soul”. Superstar comedian Mike Bonner is sure to keep the audience in stitches with his animated humor as he hosts this event. DJ Vernon English is spinning soul and rare grooves.

Detroit radio legend John Mason chose to partner on this project as the presenter with his radio show Mason Radio. Mason plans to launch the morning program into national syndication later this year. In addition to quenching your thirst for live soul music, this concert supports Homes for Black Children, a United Way agency dedicated to providing permanency for children in need and protecting youth at risk. Event promoters wanted to adopt a worthy cause—party with a purpose.

Event promoters designed this event for adults 30 years old and older. “We wanted to give the grown folks a night spot” said event coordinator Mark Morden. “Adults want quality live music, in a comfortable environment, at an affordable price” says Morden. Advance tickets are only $17.00; $37.00 for VIP which include hot food from Heavenly Chicken and Waffles in the private balcony. Tickets are available online at www.neptix.com or at local tickets outlets throughout Metro-Detroit.

For more information contact Broadband Promos at 248-569-8009 www.livesoulfridays.com.

Russell Simmons on Barrack Obama

I’ve seen something very spiritual come out of the Obama campaign, a transformative component. People who were not inspired are now inspired. However, I am just as inspired to see a competent woman be elected into office, as I am to see a person of color. The dramatic difference between McCain and Barrack and Hillary is what scares me the most. John McCain and the Republican Party have operated from fear on foreign policy and have promoted policies that include tremendous amounts of corporate welfare and disregard for the poor.

I do believe Obama is slightly more progressive on major issues like the environment, education, prison reform, fighting poverty and foreign policy. Barrack has adopted an attitude that is above race. He’s played the role of an American leader and not a black leader. When the people take to the streets for change, the politicians who represent them are forced to make change. We, the people, have to govern ourselves, and it helps create more interest in the political process. It would be nice for the American people to show a unique and evolved state of mind, where race and gender play only a small and subtle role in the choices we make, and the best example is the choice for the leader of this country. Yet, it’s impossible to make a lot of the major change we need without the people’s support. -Russell Simmons

Freestyle: Mos Def & Kanye West

Obama’s Hip-Hop Admirers

Will he still love them after the primary?

by Azi Paybarah | March 5, 2008

This article was published in the March 5, 2008, edition of The New York Observer.

Getty Images

Left to right: Mos Def, Common, Jay Z, Jadakiss and Russell Simmons.

If Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, it’s a pretty safe assumption that he’s going to have overwhelming support from the hip-hop community.

Vibe magazine crystallized his status as an icon in the rap community, remixing his first name into the hipper “B-Rock,” and shortly before the crucial primary and caucus in Ohio on March 4, Jay-Z recorded a robo-call saying that “it’s time for Barack Obama.” The Chicago-based rapper Common told CNN that there’s simply “a love for Obama” among fans and practitioners of the genre.

The question is, will Barack Obama return the embrace if and when he becomes the nominee?

Yes, the tidal wave of hip-hop support feeds into the notion that the Obama campaign really is a new and unprecedented movement. Previously unengaged surrogates rousing the young people surely must be a good thing. And it’s hard to resist the help of megastars who come attached to legions of fans and free media.

On the other hand, the Obama campaign would probably not be in terribly great danger, in a general election, of losing the hip-hop vote to John McCain. In fact, the temptation will doubtless be there at some point for them to appeal to socially-conservative-leaning white voters by visibly distancing the candidate from some of his less politically correct admirers.

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Java & Jazz at The Library

Java & Jazz at The Library Pathe Simon & Tava Simon - April 15, 2008, 6:00 p.m.

Pathe Jassi is one of Detroit's best-kept secrets. Before moving to the United States recently, Jassi spent half of his career playing and recording alongside legendary West African singers Youssou N'Dour of Senegal and Cheikh Lo of Burkina Faso. He is known among jazz musicians for his rare ability to combine hard bebop with a polyrhythmic African sound - a skill he says he learned from Detroit jazz legend Sam Sanders, who took him under his wing in Senegal.

Tava Simon comes to the Java & Jazz stage all the way from Louisiana, but now makes the Motor City her home. Simon has loved poetry all her life and in fall of 2007 began writing slam performance pieces to standing ovations. She has participated in every official Slam venue in the city of Detroit and is proud to be representing Detroit in the 2008 Women of the World Poetry Slam. She is passionate about her writing and shares her words in hopes to inspire, encourage and celebrate living.

The Comerica Java & Jazz Series at Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward, north of Warren, in Midtown Detroit. Concert begins at 6 PM, in the Old Browsing Area of Main Library. Refreshments available, free and open to the public. Infromation at 313-833-4042 or www.detroitpubliclibrary.org.