Observer » flight

Denzel’s In-Flight Boozing Leaves Busch Hopping Mad

Daniel D'Addario — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:06:57 -0400

Reuters reports that Anheuser-Busch, brewer of Budweiser and proprietor of a Tampa theme park, is upset over its brand's portrayal in the film Flight. The film depicts Denzel Washington as a heroic pilot who just happens to be an alcoholic who flies drunk--drunk on crisp, refreshing Budweiser.

Anheuser-Busch executives have written to Paramount and to director Robert Zemeckis's studio, noting that the company had “no knowledge of the use or portrayal of Budweiser” and had a history of working to prevent drunk driving and alcohol abuse.

The company is seeking to remove the Bud trademark from all future incarnations of the movie as well as current digital prints--rather akin to the blurring of clothing brands on old MTV reality shows, perhaps. Certainly the depiction of alcohol as intoxicating is one that Busch ought to avoid!

David Letterman And Jimmy Fallon: When a Lack of an Audience is a Good Thing (Video)

Drew Grant — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:34:12 -0400

Letterman and Fallon: Braving the storm (NBC, CBS)

While Anderson Cooper was learning about his afternoon talk show being cancelled--no, not just for Hurricane Sandy, but forever--two late night hosts made the brave decision to continue their shows at NBC and CBS as if a giant storm wasn't ranging outside.

The only problem? Neither Jimmy Fallon nor David Letterman had a live audience--a first, in both their histories--to laugh at their jokes. But what could have turned into that creepy David Lynch episode of Louie was actually an amazing bit of performance art as the two jokesters performed to the dead silence of a mostly-empty room. *Yanks collar* "Tough crowd!"

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (with Seth Meyers and Robert Zemeckis as guests):

The Late Show with David Letterman (with Denzel Washington):
http://youtu.be/Mq2UDYVjz8Y
http://youtu.be/8NPiYyssX7Y
http://youtu.be/Hab8YTGWOhg
http://youtu.be/AWRRSX6ihTg

Is it kind of weird that both shows were promoting the movie Flight? That movie's PR machine just won't quit!

To Do Sunday: First Class

Daniel D'Addario — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:00:16 -0400

And tonight brings one of those big movie premieres that bedeck the red carpet run-up to Oscar season. (Not that we’re complaining—seeing these things a month early makes the popcorn taste all the more savory!) It’s the world premiere of Flight, an increasingly rare live-action Robert Zemeckis film (the Forrest Gump guy has since largely committed himself to animated kiddie romps like The Polar Express), on the closing night of the New York Film Festival. Denzel Washington returns to the screen as a heroic airline pilot who may not be all he’s cracked up to be. Chesley Sullenberger, get your lawyer on the phone.

Lincoln Center, various screening times, standby tickets and information can be found at filmlinc.com/nyff2012.