Actor Vincent D'Onofrio Donates $1,000 to Katrina's Angels!

September 30, 2008 - We are pleased to announce that as part of the fundraising campaign currently being led by Advisory Board member Kija Brooks, actor Vincent D'Onofrio of Law & Order: Criminal Intent has just donated $1,000 to Katrina's Angels! Kija is working very hard trying to get donations to help us with supplies and a warehouse for disaster victims. So far, the donations total about $1,160 with more pledges to come.

Katrina's Angels gratefully acknowledges the support we are receiving from Kija and her fellow workers on the set of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. With their help and the help of any one else who would like to donate, our dreams are a step closer to reality.

Karen Iwicki
Program Director

Katrina's Angels in Action

Thanks Linda!

New CI episode "Folie A Deux"

LO:CI Season 8 Episode 3, titled "Folie A Deux", has been posted for casting. This Goren/Eames episode shoots October 9-21 in NYC.

Spoiler! Breakdown

Thanks Sam!

LO:CI ratings on CTV

sent in by Diane. Thanks!

CTV, 9.29.08

-excerpted-

CTV won every time-slot from 8-11 p.m. Sunday night in total viewers and A25-54 and 18-49 with the Top 3 most-watched programs on Canadian television.

A look at the night reveals that:

At 10 p.m., a stand-alone episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent on CTV attracted 1.2 million viewers nationally, 29% more than watched the season premiere of Brothers & Sisters (Global/ABC; 945,000)

SAG letter ....to restart negotiations

Deadline Hollywood, 9.29.08
by Nikki Finke

It was released to the SAG board today and sent to News Corp (Fox) No. 2 Peter Chernin, Walt Disney Co CEO Bob Iger and the Big Media cartel's negotiating clique AMPTP president Nick Counter. Both Chernin and Iger took personal roles in settling the writers strike. Read the letter.

Thanks Peachybc

SAG contract stalemate continues

Variety, 9.24.08
by Dave McNary

Despite last week's shift in control of the board, the SAG contract stalemate with the the majors shows no signs of any quick resolution -- and may drag on for the rest of the year.

SAG's leaders have continued to insist they won't budge from their stance that the guild must receive a sweeter deal than the DGA, WGA and AFTRA. And the newly empowered dissidents have stayed silent on whether they'll buck the holdout strategy.
Full article

Thanks Peachybc!



=====================================
Backstage.com, 9.25.08
"Hollywood Shuffle"
Will change at SAG and trouble on Wall Street lead to a deal?
By Lauren Horwitch

"Last week the entertainment industry was hit with two shocks for which reverberations may be felt for months, if not years, to come. On Sept. 15, troubling news from Wall Street — including the Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy filing, the largest in U.S. history — roiled the world economy and sent shares of major media companies such as Time Warner, Sony, and Disney tumbling. On Sept. 18, candidates from the Screen Actors Guild's upstart faction Unite for Strength unexpectedly won 18 seats on the guild's national and Hollywood boards — enough to take control away from the dominant faction Membership First, which won 14 seats. The addition of UFS members, who have criticized SAG president Alan Rosenberg and national executive director Doug Allen's hard bargaining stance against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, raises hopes that SAG and the studios might head back to the negotiating table sooner rather than later — and perhaps even hammer out a TV/theatrical deal by the end of the year.

Though the consequences of a national economic disaster don't compare with a game of musical chairs in one union, both events could have significant impact on actors' futures. Membership First and UFS board members may soon face their first major challenge together: the prospect of losing the only deal on the table. Full article

Thanks PeachyBC, majorcase-ci.com

"The Narrows" Review in Variety

Variety, 9.19.08
By JOHN ANDERSON

Where have we heard this before? A kid growing up among Brooklyn Italians has to choose between the mob and college, romances a bewildered Juliet from outside the 'hood, has a buddy who's unhinged and gets embroiled in matters of honor, guns and patriarchy. It's all part of "The Narrows," a seventh-generation copy, not just of "Mean Streets," but even of '30s-era James Cagney films. With its less-than-charismatic cast (except Vincent D'Onofrio), this drama, unlike its characters, should have trouble getting arrested.

Helmer Francois A. Velle and screenwriter Tatiana Blackington (adapting a Tim McLoughlin novel) have created the pulpiest of fictions about Mike Manadoro (Kevin Zegers), a would-be art photographer whose father (D'Onofrio) is a small-time numbers runner in Brooklyn. Needing cash for college, Mike takes a job making suspicious deliveries for the local mobsters, and reunites with Nicky (a woefully miscast Eddie Cahill), an Afghani war vet with a morphine problem. Sophia Bush plays the new girl in his life, and D'Onofrio has one great scene near the end of the film, but it's not enough to deliver all these sinners from banality. Production values are quite good.

SAG power shifts

Variety.com, 9.18.08
by Dave McNary

"Unite for Strength gains control of union board"

Dissidents have won control of SAG's national board in a surprise result that heightens the chances of an end to the guild's contract stalemate with the majors.
With Amy Brenneman and Adam Arkin leading the way as top vote-getters, the upstart Unite for Strength faction won six of the 11 Hollywood seats, with the more confrontational Membership First faction losing control for the first time in three years.

Unite for Strength -- which had contended that Membership First has bungled the negotiations -- now has a razor-thin majority on the 71-member board since the coalition's expected to ally with reps in New York and the regional branches.

In the wake of the stunning power shift, the wheels were already turning Thursday evening toward breaking the three-month logjam between SAG and the congloms. Hollywood heavyweights plan to start reaching out immediately to the new elected reps to figure out ways to tweak the congloms' offer enough to close a deal for a new SAG feature-primetime contract.
Full article.

Thanks Peachybc!
_________________________________________________

And Defamer's take on it --

9.19.08 "SAG Insurrection Introduces Brave New Levels of Seething Internecine Hatred"

In a savage coup of upstart infidels, the Unite for Strength ticket outlasted incumbent Alan Rosenberg's MembershipFirst slate in Thursday's SAG board election, thus opening a new era of moderation, peace and progress in Hollywood's rancorous labor wars. Or... not. Maybe? more

Thanks Amy!

Criminal Intent filming

Criminal Intent is filming at 473 West End Ave in NYC - from OLV

sent in by Christine - thanks!

TV Guide Fall 2008 season preview series

Part 12 of TV Guide's Fall 08 season preview series includes the cops and robbers section of the series and all three of the Law and Order programs are highlighted. The piece with CI begins about a minute and fifteen seconds in with a short blurb by Jeff Goldblum. There are glimpses of Kate, Julianne and Eric.

Thanks to StefanL, majorcase-ci.com

LO:CI guest star

TVGuide.com, 9.18.08
by Matt Mitovich

"Exclusive: Janel Moloney Raises Heck on L&O: CI"

Oh, Donna Moss, how far have you fallen?

"Janel Moloney, best known to TV fans from her wholesome run on The West Wing — but who also showed us a certain somethin'-somethin' on Showtime's saucy Brotherhood — has landed a plum gig on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, TVGuide.com has learned.

When the USA Network series launches its eighth season on Nov. 6, Moloney will guest-star as the manipulative wife of a preacher man (Leland Orser, aka ER's Dr. Dubenko), who is a "person of interest" in the death of a high-profile doctor.

For its new season, lest you need reminding, CI has Jeff Goldblum filling the void left by Chris Noth's departure."

Thanks Eileen!

SAG members back guild

Variety, 9.17.08
Poll finds support for negotiations strategy
By DAVE MCNARY

In a sign that the SAG stalemate with the majors will persist, an overwhelming number of SAG members responding to a guild survey have endorsed the current strategy of holding out for a better deal.
More than 87% of the 10,293 respondees backed SAG leaders, who have insisted that the guild must receive better terms than those in the final offer by the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers.

Wednesday’s announcement of the results hardened positions on both sides. Even though the poll generated less than 10% response from the 103,630 dues-current members, SAG leaders trumpeted the numbers as a clear demonstration of strong rank-and-file support for the guild’s stay-tough stance.

In response, the AMPTP ridiculed SAG’s poll as "a farce." The group insisted again that it’s not going to revise the final offer it made in June — and gave a strong hint that it may reduce the deal’s value should the economy continue to sour.

SAG national exec director Doug Allen said the response reflects the "resolve" that leaders have seen from members since negotiations started in April.
Full article

CI Filming

Law and Order: Criminal Intent is filming around W 82nd and Amsterdam. The exact location is Holy Trinity Church - 213 West 82nd St.- from OLV

Thanks Sam!

Season 8 Episode 2 -"The Glory That Was"

Law and Order: Criminal Intent Season 8, Episode 2 titled "The Glory That Was" has been posted for casting.

This Goldblum/Nicholson episode shoots September 25-October 6.

Spoiler!
Click on down arrow on right to enlarge

LO:CI Filming today

L&O:CI is filming today near Central Park North and St Nicholas Avenue in Upper West Side/Morningside Heights part of Manhattan.

Thanks Sam!

"Goren Survives"

TheImproper.com, Entertainment

Between the Lines by Winchester

Goren Survives

After Chris Noth's departure from “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” the very next episode featured Vincent D'Onofrio's character Bobby Goren on the chopping block, finishing off a slew of plot points that he and crack-producer Warren Leight had molded with care and love. The name of the episode, "Frame" says it all.

Happily, it all ended on a sound note and put to bed a widening arc of intrigue. I've said it before, D'Onofrio is just terrific. Why he hasn't yet been recognized with an Emmy nom and win is totally beyond me, but shows how the suits out there act. I promise you, he'll do a movie in a few years and get rave reviews and surely all the naysayers will recant. But, the time is now! Resistance is futile!

Full article

To Law & Order: Criminal Intent fans from Rene Balcer:

"Thanks to you, ground has broken in Cambodia for The Frances Goren Library. In about six months over 2,000 children will have books and a new library building in an area where families rely on subsistence farming and day laboring for their livelihood. The community is pitching in with land, labor, and materials. There is a growing sense of empowerment and ownership of this project as Room to Read works with these families toward completion. You too should feel proud. As this wonderful charity says “World change starts with educated children.” The library you helped to build will better many lives.

My friends at Room to Read have extended an invitation to all of you to visit The Frances Goren Library. Development Director Pam Joyce says she would be “delighted to arrange a day for you to experience firsthand the impact your contributions have made on these villages in Cambodia.” If your travels take you to Southeast Asia next spring you may want to attend the plaque dedication ceremony. You can contact Pam at http://roomtoread.org . There you can also find out more about Room to Read’s ultimate goal of providing a lifelong gift of education to 10 million children in impoverished areas of the world.

Again, on behalf of Room to Read and thousands of children and families in Cambodia's Kampong Cham province, thank you."


This is the existing library for the Phnum Dil Village Primary School. As you can see, it's thoroughly inadequate -- lacking books and furniture -- to serve the 1,000+ children who attend from kindergarten through grade 6. The village is in a very remote region between Kamphong Cham Town and Phnom Penh. Most of the families here make their living by working in the fields for less than $1 U.S. a day.


This is the future site of the Frances Goren Library, adjacent to the main building of the school: Phnum Dil Village, which is in proximity to the Mekong River, experiences heavy rains about half the year. Therefore the school will be built on a raised concrete platform and constructed of hollow bricks with a ceramic roof. There will be two ramps for disabled children. Once built, the Frances Goren Library will be furnished with books, chairs and reading tables.

Message and Photos forwarded by Annabelle Leigh

CI Filming

By dumbonnyc.com, 9.12.08


CI filming - at Front and Water Streets.

Goldblum's character

Courant.com
By Roger Catlin, 9.11.08

TV Eye

Can you please confirm that Jeff Goldblum's new character on Law & Order Criminal Intent is to be named James Pierce?

Actually, it will be Det. Zach Nichols.

Remembering 9/11....

-and those risking their lives-

Photo: www.usdamilitaryfamilies.org

Eating too much? ‘Law & Order’ may be guilty

sent in by Sarah P.- "So this explains that extra 20 pounds!" - LOL thanks!

By Diane Mapes, MSNBC, 9.8.08

Crime TV has become a staple of the typical American viewer’s diet. From “Law & Order” and “CSI” — both of which come in three separate flavors — to “Criminal Minds,” “Cold Case” and “The Closer,” it’s hard to avoid the banquet of brutality offered up each week, each day or even each hour if you happen to have cable.

But a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research may give viewers pause about all the death they’re routinely letting into their living rooms. Apparently, must-bleed-TV may just make you eat and shop more.
Full article

NBCU returns to the iTUNES store

From NBCU Media Village

"Top Rated NBC Comedies & Dramas Now Available on iTunes in Stunning HD
September 9, 2008 — Apple® and NBC Universal today announced the return of NBC programming to the iTunes® Store (www.iTunes.com) including NBC networks' top 10 series available immediately for purchase and download in both standard definition and stunning high definition. iTunes customers can choose programming from NBC, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo, Sleuth and NBC News including favorites such as the award-winning and critically acclaimed "Heroes,” and the Emmy award-winning programs "The Office,” "Battlestar Galactica” and "30 Rock.” NBCU standard definition television shows on the iTunes Store are $1.99 per episode and HD programs are available for just one dollar more at $2.99 per episode and select library content is available for $.99. Additional NBCU programming from Oxygen, Telemundo, Mun2 and NBC Sports will be available on iTunes soon.

"The return of our shows to iTunes is terrific news for everyone who loves television and the ease and convenience of Apple's iTunes,” said Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal. "And now, by offering consumers a variety of new options, our fans have even more ways to enjoy our content.” ...

Thanks PeachyBC, majorcase-ci.com

Reviews of "The Narrows"

Reviews of "The Narrows", currently screening at The Toronto Film Festival.

Photo: Kevin Zegers, Sophia Bush, Francois Velle



Thank you NLfan and Ammiratore for sharing your experience with us!

Screening on 9.8.08 --
From NLfan:
"I LOVED IT". Those three words best describe my reaction to "The Narrows". It is a wonderful movie. I was totally engrossed from beginning to end. I have not read the book so I was not at all expecting the "twist" from Vincent's character near the end. I wasn't the only one surprised because the audience broke into laughter and applause. LOCI/Bobby Goren fans will be happy to know that there is a scene where Vincent even does a little dance.

Vincent delivers his usual great performance but I was also very impressed with Kevin Zegers who played Vincent's son. I thought he did a fabulous job. I didn't know that he is a Canadian who lives right here in Toronto. I predict big things for him. There was prolonged applause from the audience at the end of the movie. IMHO this movie has big box office appeal. I hope they get a good distributor for it.

Bottom line: Two thumbs way up from me. I'm actually really looking forward to seeing it again tomorrow night (now tonight actually). There was so much going on in every scene that I know I didn't catch everything the first time around.

The Director Francois Velle was there tonight as was Kevin Zegers, Sophia Bush, screenwriter Tatiana Blackington and other members of the cast and crew. Mr. Velle was introduced and said a few words before the screening and again at the end at which time Kevin, Sophia, Tatiana and several others (whom I unfortunately can't recall) were also introduced and said a few words. It was heartbreaking to think that Vincent might also have been there. They then spent quite a while answering questions from the audience. The director read out an e-mail message from Vincent. He said he was sorry he couldn't be there and also explained why the did the role. He said there were three reasons: it was shot in Brooklyn where he grew up; the character he played was very much like the men he knew when he was growing up there; the quality of the others attached to the film. He didn't address his reason for not coming to Toronto.

Dulcineadonna and I were a bit late leaving the theatre and found the Director and the screenwriter both in the lobby with very few others around. We approached them, congratulated them both, got our tickets autographed and then said we were both big fans of Vincent and asked him to pass on a message of "Congratulations" to Vincent for an excellent performance, a sentiment which both Mr. Velle and Ms. Blackington said they totally agreed with. Dulcineadonna then asked Mr. Velle what it was like to work with Vincent. Mr. Velle said that at first he was a bit anxious because he had heard that working with Vincent could be challenging. He said that nothing could be further from the truth. He said they worked together "with love and respect" (exact words). He said Vincent was a big help to him and others because of his knowledge of the area and its culture. He also said that he wished he could take credit, but how the "reveal" scene was done (where everybody laughed and applauded) was totally Vincent's idea. He said that at the end of filming Vincent gave him a big hug, told him he loved him and said to give him a call if he ever needed anything. Mr Velle said "Vincent is a great guy with a big heart" (exact quote). Dulcineadonna and I both agreed that speaking about Vincent with someone who actually knows him was the highlight of our night. Hopefully tomorrow night (tonight now)we will get a chance to talk to some of the other cast about working with Vincent.

In other news, Dulcineadonna and I actually met for the first time today. We have a lot in common and really got along great together. It was wonderful to share the experience with another Vincent fan.

Phillipo, with respect to your question, my home is 2987 kilometers (1851 miles) from Toronto. I flew here on Sunday and despite my disappointment in not seeing Vincent, I'm not sorry I came. I'll be leaving again on Wednesday. Dulcineadonna lives on the outskirts of Toronto, approximately one hour driving time from the area where the Film Festival events are taking place.

I'll post again with another update tomorrow night.
****************************************

From Ammiratore:
Tonight's presentation at TIFF was the world premiere for this movie.
The very first scene opens with a still shot of Vinnie Manadoro, aka VDO. This movie was harder, graphic and softer in places than I expected. The role of Vinnie, Mike Manadoro's(the main character) father is far more extensive in the movie than in the book, upon which this movie is based. He is also 'softer' as in not so rough and gruff. All the cast do well, especially Kevin Zegers as Mike and Vincent as Vinnie. And for the die hard LOCI fans, you will recognize a number of other NY actors in supporting roles. This is definately a tale for mature audiences, and I don't wanty to get into the story line for those who are yet to see it, but a lot of the language is colourful and hard and there are 3 very graphic (violent) scenes, one of which in particular my friend and I discussed should be seriously toned down for general release, but that's only our opinion based on our own sensibilities. We were pleasently surprised with the extended development of Vincent's character, and he 'plays' it beautifully...and considering he went into this just 2 weeks after the rap of Season 6, he looks/looked absolutely fabulous...lol. The main story is that of Mike, his struggles and his choices, but the other, strong undercurrent is the story of his and his father's relationship.....and this is where Vincent truely shines, he manages to portray the love and devotion to his son and his welfare without compromising the understanding of the harsh world in which they live and operate.......their last scene together is priceless and received bursts of applause and cheers from the audience......to be honest it was the character of Vinnie that garnered the most response from the audience.
There was a nice surprise at the end of the movie when the director, François A. Velle, Sophia Bush, Kevin Zegers and 2 of the producers came out from the audience for a Q&A on the stage. François acknowledged that he had received an email from Vincent and read it to the audience a little while later. No reason for not showing up just a shout out an Hi to his castmatres and an "eh" to everyone attending...( that's the canadian equivalent)

So that's my little report, hope you enjoyed it and YES I would definately recommend seeing this movie as and when you can, keeping in mind what I said earlier about it being a mature theme.

This is a movie all contributors can be proud of,especially Kevin, and with no bias I can honestly say a genuine BRAVA to Vincent as yet again, he really stole the show.

Spoiler -"The Faithful"

Spoiler!  Teaser for "The Faithful" has been added. Thanks Sam!

TIFF Update

We just received an email from Kelly with the PR firm handling the film "The Narrows" at the Toronto Film Festival.

Vincent was scheduled to be interviewed at CTV but she informed us that "Vincent won't be in Toronto this year. He had to back-out unfortunately."

We have already contacted Christi [Sevs_Girl72].

VDO films reviewed

sent in by Judy. Thank you!

From Buena Vista Entertainment - Here is a great site to see all the reviews from Siskel & Ebert, Roeper & Ebert, etc. Lots of "thumbs up" for Vincent...

Keep track of the Toronto Film Festival....

with Christi [Sevs_Girl72], who is in Toronto doing her best to cover the TIFF and hopefully meet Vincent and get his autograph and photo.

Check out her TIFF blog

Thanks for sharing it with us Christi!

Season 8 Episode 1 - "The Faithful"

Season 8 Episode 1 - "The Faithful" has been posted for casting. This Goren/Eames episode shoots September 15-24 in NYC.

Spoiler!! Breakdown

Note: This episode has been renamed "Faithfully" and airs November 8th on USA.

Is Nicole Really Dead?

TVGuide.com, 9.3.08
Senior editors Matt Mitovich and Mickey O'Connor answer your questions!

"Is Law & Order: CI's Nicole Wallace (Olivia d'Abo) really dead? I thought that the finale's twist — the bloody heart, Declan's involvement — was sort of ambiguous."
— Jose

Mickey: I'm hearing from at least one source that the initial plans for the Nicole Wallace storyline may be changed, in part due to this season's casting changes (to recap: Big out, Fly in). Whether that means she was once supposed to be dead and now isn't, your guess is as good as Goren's. A USA rep declined to comment on Wallace's fate.

Thanks Eileen!

SAG Update

Variety, 9.2.08
By DAVE MCNARY

After taking a 10-day break from the SAG contract stalemate, the guild and the majors have gone back to the barricades.
Hostilities have resumed with SAG's leaders sending the 120,000 members a newsletter with returnable postcard in order to increase support for its tactic of holding out for a better deal. The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers fired back Monday by accusing SAG of stalling to mask the lack of a coherent negotiating strategy.

SAG's contract expired June 30 and actors continue to work under its terms. The two sides -- which have not met since July 16 -- issued dueling press releases Tuesday with SAG continuing to insist it deserves a better deal than the WGA, DGA and AFTRA and blasting the majors for their refusal to modify the new-media terms of the pact.

Full article

Thanks Peachybc!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"SAG's letter to members raises ire"
AMPTP says 12 pages are 'filled with misrepresentations'
Hollywood Reporter, 9.2.08
By Leslie Simmons

SAG and the AMPTP are at it again -- though not at the bargaining table.

The AMPTP said Tuesday that SAG's 12-page missive sent to members this week outlining the faults the union has with the studios' final offer is nothing more than a one-sided mailing designed to tell the actors' negotiators the only answer they want to hear: that the deal is bad.

"The two questions on the postcard 'poll' are written in a completely one-sided way, characterizing the June 30 final offer as unfair," the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers said in a statement. "The 12 pages of material accompanying the postcard are just as one-sided and filled with misrepresentations." Full article

More updates on SAG at Deadline Hollywood.

CTV Interview

CNW Group, 9.2.08

-excerpted-
All the latest news from the Toronto International Film Festival.

MuchNews Minute - Sept. 8 to 12

Interviews from the biggest stars - including Jessica Biel, Michael Cera, Gerard Butler, Jeremy Piven, Colin Firth, Vincent D'Onofrio, Kevin Zegers, Scott Speedman, Timothy Hutton, Emma Roberts, Ludacris, Adrien Brody and Jeff Goldblum - attending TIFF; red carpet highlights will be broadcast every day during MuchonDemand*.
Full article

*MuchOnDemand - Fans get even more festival access at MuchMusic's acclaimed headquarters, where fans are within arms-length of the stars that arrive for daily live interviews at Queen and John Street.