Archive for January, 2010
‘Avatar’ wins China over as Chinese Government forces theatre owners to uphold domestic movie quota
China’s government has a quota system that only allows 1/3 of it’s movies in the country to be from foreign sources. Theatre owners were recently reminded of this after the movie “Avatar” became the highest grossing film in China’s history.
As of 12 Jan 2010, the film had grossed about $103 million compared to a domestic movie called Confucious which earned $5.6 million on opening weekend
Other movies such as 2012 have crushed it in China raking in $67.3 million in December.
Another big movie in China was Transformers in 2009 which was also very successful.
The Chinese government believes that their theatre owners should support the “expansion and development of the domestic film industry” over selling seats in movie theatres.
China is also violating long time World Trade Organization agreements by restricting music, movie and book imports from countries such as the US.
The 3D experience offered by Avatar has captivated Chinese audiences. The movie’s plot is also a familiar tone to Chinese free-thinkers.
China has it’s own propaganda machine, producing movies such as “The Founding of a Republic” that was the box office leader until the release of 2012 this year.
China recently asked that the 2D version of Avatar be removed from Chinese theatres.
The reason for 2D screenings being scrapped in China is a little unclear.
Movie theatre operators have said they were ordered to pull the version, though Zhang Hongsen, deputy head of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, denied that.
For information on movie theater design, check out www.franklindesigns.com
5 Red Flags That Can Delay or Kill a Home Sale
1. Underground oil tank or an old septic system.
Environmental issues can muck up a deal, especially in states with strict regulations. Underground oil tanks were popular in the Northeast at one time but are now considered a hazard because of potential leaks. Typically real estate agents suggest sellers remove tanks before putting the home on the market.
Septic regulations vary by municipality and some states such as Massachusetts require a system be inspected and meet strict standards before the home is sold. The repair or replacement can be expensive and time consuming so sellers should get the necessary approvals ahead of time. However, they should follow the timelines and dates required by their state and/or municipality.
2. A change in the terms of a mortgage.
Suddenly payments on a 15-year mortgage seem too high or high fees offset a low interest rate. Changing terms can restart the clock and delay a deal. By law, a lender is required to provide a good faith estimate of fees and rates within three days of receiving a mortgage application. Even if they are only being prequalified for a mortgage, potential buyers should ask for a good faith estimate so they understand fees and rates.
3. The lender is unknown to the real estate agents.
Delays in approvals, last minute changes in terms can snag a deal. Experienced agents at http://www.welcome2ky.com suggest having the buyers be pre-approved by a second lender, one both real estate agents work with and know can complete the work in a timely fashion. Then if a glitch comes up there will be a fall back.
4. Phone calls or e-mails are not returned.
Good communication speeds negotiations. When title companies don’t respond or when an agent dodges calls, it can slow down the process or be an indication of a brewing problem. Although there is no absolute solution, the best precaution is to be proactive.
If the seller is a bank, or the owner needs the bank’s approval (because the home is selling for less than the mortgage), the process can take much longer than a typical sale, and there is little real estate agents or buyers can do to hurry the process.
5. A property disclosure statement was left unsigned.
When buying Lexington real estate, The property disclosure informs buyers about any known problems or defects of the property and explains what sellers have done to repair or resolve them. The price offered by buyers should take the disclosure into account. Experienced real estate agents won’t allow sellers to agree to an offer until the buyer signs the statement.
Gran Turismo PSP New York Course Gameplay
New York Course Gameplay and Replay from Gran Turismo for PSP
Duration : 0:7:35
Gogol Bordello – “Boro Foro (Part 2)” – Webster Hall, New York, 12/29/09
Eugene Hutz, of Gogol Bordello, sings “Boro Foro” in the third (and last) night of the three 2009 Webster Hall shows, in New York.
Duration : 0:9:59
Guggenheim Museum New York
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened its doors on October 21, 1959 and is one of the best-known museums in New York City and one of the 20th century’s most important architectural landmarks. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum, which is often called simply The Guggenheim, is the permanent home to a renowned collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art, and also features special exhibitions throughout the year.
Duration : 0:3:33
Ouest Restaurant – New York, NY
Chef and owner Tom Valenti talks about his popular Upper West Side restaurant. Get more info on Ouest at Savory Cities: http://www.savorycities.com/newyork/restaurant/ouest/2315-broadway
Duration : 0:1:25
JOE BATAAN TRAILER MR NEW YORK IS BACK
TRAILER DEL DOCUMENTAL MR NEW YORK IS BACK, QUE CUENTA LA HISTORIA DE JOE BATAAN, CREADOR DEL FANTASTICO SALSOUL SOUND.VERSION INGLESA
MORE INFO:
WWW.LASTBANDITFILMS.COM
REALIZADO POR LAST BANDIT FILMS Y PRODUCIDO POR VAMPISOUL RECORDS.
Duration : 0:1:10
Gran Turismo 4, Driving Mission 11, 3LB:New York Reverse,PS2
From Gran Turismo 4 on the Sony PlayStation 2, Driving Mission 11: 3 Lap Battle – New York Reverse. Footage from myself going through unlocking items, completed here in 6:46.551.
Gran Turismo 4 playlist: http://uk.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=595E5593D46AA345
The original footage (including dead-air time, console boot up, etc.) from which this is taken will be submitted for verification by Twin Galaxies to sit on their scoreboard.
TG Scoreboard entry: http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=43&gi=6102&vi=34710
Duration : 0:7:23
Gogol Bordello – “Boro Foro” – Webster Hall, New York, 12/29/09
Eugene Hutz, of Gogol Bordello, sings “Boro Foro” in the third (and last) night of the three 2009 Webster Hall shows, in New York.
Duration : 0:9:53
Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo en el 2do Aniversario de la Piolinoche en el Museo de Barrio New York.
Un evento organzado por la 92.7 la que buena en donde Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo compartio con la gente a lo grande.lo grande.
Duration : 0:2:24