Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse Discuss Life After ‘Lost’

Almost a year ago fans began watching the final season of Lost.

As the story of Jack, Sawyer, Hurley, Kate and the rest of the island’s infamous inhabitants came to an end, executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse not only had to come to grips with moving on from one of the most popular series in recent television history, but they also had to deal with the mixed response from fans to the Lost series finale.

For Lindelof, he is now focused on developing feature films – specifically Star Trek 2. But that doesn’t mean he’s finally come to terms with Lost being over and the numerous complaints from fans about how they ended the series.

“Even the people who absolutely hated how we ended it still have the need to tell me this in a variety of creative ways eight months after the fact. I used to lose sleep over this, but I’m actually starting to embrace the fact that while their assessment of my talent (or lack thereof) sometimes hurts, it’s nice to know that at least they cared enough about the show to reach out and tell me so. Repeatedly. OK, I’m still losing a little sleep over it.”

Fortunately, those sleepless nights have allowed Lindelof to catch up on the many television series that he’s missed while working on Lost – not to mention taking in a Harry Potter film and apologizing to Lost fans about the series finale. Here are Lindelof’s viewing suggestions:

“I’d advise starting with Battlestar Galactica, moving on to Breaking Bad and ending with The Wire. I’m convinced the best way to watch a series is to just binge.”

Considering Lost was known for its long, drawn out storylines and lengthy delays between seasons, it’s interesting that Lindelof suggests that “binging” is the best way to watch a television series. Perhaps all of this time has given the famed producer a new perspective on things.

As for Cuse, he recently published the experiences of his past year in The New York Times. While much of it revolves around Cuse trying to come to grips with Lost being over and trying to figure out what he’ll do next or if he’ll ever work in Hollywood again, he did provide an interesting anecdote about a fan interaction in Switzerland.

“Last summer I went hiking with my teenage daughter in the Swiss Alps… As I was drinking some water and taking in the awesome panorama, I noticed a hiker approaching… I thought he was going to warn us of some danger. Instead he walked up to me and in German-accented English asked, ‘Are you Carlton Cuse, from ‘Lost’?’ Startled, I answered, ‘Yes.’ Then he said, ‘Why did you not explain the polar bear?’ … Even here in this remote spot I could not escape the last six years of my life.”

We now know that Cuse has begun working on a Civil War project for ABC, Point of Honor. The genre transition was inspired by a visit Cuse paid to the Lincoln Memorial… plus the fact that there are no polar bears in the Civil War.

Even though Cuse’s introspective experiences rarely delve into any regrets he had with the series finale, it does provide a look into the mind of the man that captured our attention for six long years. Instead of focusing on the angry fans, he was more concerned with the prospect of going from an 80-hour work week on Lost to doing absolutely nothing.

Whether or not fans have finally come to terms with the finale that Lost presented to viewers around the world still remains to be seen. For Lindelof and Cuse, it appears that they’ve finally moved on – or are at least trying to do so.

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Source: TV Guide, The New York Times

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What can I expect from Gateway tech support after purchase of new computer? Heard bad reports.?

Question by jac91: What can I expect from Gateway tech support after purchase of new computer? Heard bad reports.?
I’m thinking of buying a new Gateway desktop computer but have gotten bad reports on tech support after the sale. Anyone with any advice?

Best answer:

Answer by Colanth
Better than HP, but so is asking a stranger on the street. I’ve called them – they’re no worse than any other level 1 support people, and a lot better than some.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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‘Aquaman’ Movie Happening… After ‘Wonder Woman’ & ‘The Flash’

For years DC Comics has teased fans about a possible Aquaman movie – but the most that loyal fans were given was a failed television pilot in 2007, a fake movie directed by James Cameron (Avatar) in the HBO series Entourage and a reoccurring character in the highly popular Warner Bros. TV series, Smallville.

Alan Ritchson, the actor who plays Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman in Smallville, recently did an interview with Comic Book Resources where he stated that he thought an Aquaman movie would start swimming soon – but that he hasn’t been approached to play the title role. Here’s an excerpt from that interview which you can find in its entirety HERE.

“But an [Aquaman] movie, on the other hand, I think is very much a reality. In fact, I think there’s one in the works. Some people in LA are starting to get the ball rolling on that. I don’t know what my involvement would ever be in that, but, yeah, I think it would be cool to see that happen. But it’s just so expensive to do. It’s hard to say if it’s really going to happen.”

While IMDb isn’t considered the end-all for accurate and up-to-date information (see the bio joke played on Cody Sousa) there does appear to be an Aquaman movie listed in production for 2013. I spoke with Ritchson’s publicist concerning his quote and while he has heard “rumblings” around town regarding an Aquaman movie, those appear to be nothing more than fleeting mentions in passing conversations.

So if the guy currently playing the King of Atlantis hasn’t heard anything definitive then what is the status of the Aquaman movie?

I spoke with a source at Warner Bros. and they are indeed planning an Aquaman film… but it’s certainly not going to be released in 2013. In fact, they are looking at a release date closer to 2015 or 2016 if everything goes according to plan. Warner Bros. will team up with Leo DiCaprio’s production studio Appian Way (Red Riding Hood, Shutter Island) to make the underwater film a reality.

Warner Bros. however, considers Aquaman to be a third tier superhero character and they aren’t in a hurry to invest heavily in him. Since 75% to 80% of an Aquaman film would most likely take place underwater, the movie would need a massive budget of close to an estimated $200 million to make that happen – and Warner Bros. probably doesn’t think they would recoup those costs just yet.

Before Aquaman fans can see the classic orange and green streaking through the ocean’s waves, they will have to wait for another Batman and Superman film, as well as The Flash, Wonder Woman and even Green Lantern 2 to be released first. That’s at least 5 to 7 years worth of films in the WB pipeline before Aquaman can even think about fighting underwater crime.

Warners could be introducing Aquaman to audiences in small doses in a series of cameos in his fellow Justice Leaguers’ films. If general audiences get a chance to know and love Aquaman the way fans do already, then maybe WB wouldn’t have as difficult a time considering investing in a $200 million dollar budget.

Picture Courtesy of Tommy Tejeda

DC will need to hurry though because as most comic book movie fans already know, DC is trailing behind Marvel where movies are concerned at this point – with the exception of the successfully rebooted Batman franchise. Things can easily change with Green Lantern and Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot debut, however.

Comic book fans know the two biggest comic book heavyweights, DC and Marvel, have been going head-to-head for years. DC struck first in the movie industry with Superman and Batman but the quality of the films began to suffer as they continually went back to those same characters for more movies instead of introducing other characters from their library.

Marvel has already made the effort to introduce other characters such as Iron Man, The Hulk, Fantastic Four and Daredevil to the movie-going public with successful big screen adaptations and even a couple of third tier characters: Elektra, Punisher and Ghost Rider – with mild success. Although these properties were scattered across several major studios (which helped them become a reality), all DC characters are owned by Warner Bros. and hence, all this was done while DC was once again retelling the same story of Batman and Superman – two stories that some say have been told to death.

Now, while Marvel is finishing up movies for more second tier characters like Thor and Captain America, DC is just now working on its first second tier character film: Green Lantern. Sure, they have talked for ages about putting out Green Arrow, Wonder Woman and Flash movies but progress has moved very slowly on each of those films as they devote precious resources to their flagship characters: Batman and Superman.

DC has some other great characters in its superhero coffer, and they need to get going with production on them before Marvel forever drowns them at the box office.

Follow us on Twitter for TV and Movie news @Walwus and @ScreenRant

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Showtime To Kill ‘Weeds’ After Season 7?

For over six years, viewers have been tuning into Showtime’s drug-inspired dramedy Weeds. Each season, audiences have become a proverbial family member to the Botwin’s and with it, witnessed all the crazy, impossible situations that Nancy gets herself (and her family) in. Unfortunately, even though Showtime has already renewed the series for a seventh season next year, it will most likely be its last.

This, according to Weeds creator Jenji Kohan:

In my mind, it is [the last season]. Everyone’s contract is up next year, [including] the actors and mine. Seven years is a good run, and I’d rather leave while on top. I’d never say never, but I have a feeling this might be it.

For Showtime, Weeds has been a staple for the cable network over the years. While the first season ratings for the series were well below what other networks strive for (averaging 380,000 viewers per episode), Weeds ended it’s freshman year as the highest rated series for Showtime. With each subsequent season, the series continued to gain viewers and ultimately reach 1.3 million viewers for its fourth season premiere.

In television, the end of a series can come about in many ways. While cancelation is the most typical result, series that have been on the air for many years and proved successful typically wait for the right moment before exiting. In many cases, contracts ending are perceived as that moment.

Fortunately, with the knowledge of the upcoming completion of a series, the writers and producers are able to steer the story into a more natural situation in order to ultimately fulfill the creators vision for the show. Considering Kohan has stuck around with Weeds through the entire run, you can bet that she has something planned for the end of Weeds.

There are two versions of the end of the series that I’ve had in mind, and it would be figuring out which way to go.

As fans of the series can attest, Nancy Botwin has inserted herself in some of the most horrific, life-threatening situations and has always came out on top. So, it wouldn’t be hard to believe that one of the endings Kohan has in mind results in the death of Nancy. As Kohan said, she would go out “in a blaze of glory” because “she certainly does tempt fate, and fate has a way of catching up to you.”

The only question now is… which one of Nancy’s many, many rivals will bring upon the end of the Botwin matriarch.

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Weeds airs Mondays @10pm, on Showtime

Follow me on Twitter @anthonyocasio
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Source: TV Guide

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Mumbai Taximen’s Union Steps Up After Meter Jam – Starts Online Forum

Mid-day recently took the initiative by providing a number where commuters could call in and report the license plate number and the driver’s license number of an errant cabbie. Through this many cab drivers lost their licenses but the problem failed to cease. Now the Mumbai Taximen’s Union has finally taken notice and has decided to start an online forum where commuters can report arrogant and errant cabbies.

Why now? Mumbai Taximen’s Union speaks up

According to the Union, movements like Meter Jam have affected the “relationship” between cab drivers and commuters. According to them, the new website which will be launched in January next year, will help better communication between the two parties.

Will this work?

I may be extremely skeptical here but I highly doubt this is going to work. Cab drivers have, and always will, refuse commuters. At airports, commuters are not charged by the meter but rather an arbitrary amount that the cab driver feels right at the moment. Some have excuses like “I am getting late for lunch”, to “I am running out of gas”, or the more blatant “I can’t go there”. Will the forum really help change any of this?

Forums are a great way to put in complaints. Delhi police even resorted to Facebook to reach out to the community. Online forums and groups are a great way for the law and unions like the Mumbai Taximen’s Union to hear the grievances of the people. However, how much it will help the community is very much up for debate.

Do you think such forums are a boon or just a gimmick to let off some pressure?

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After BlackBerry, BuzzCity Launches In-App Advertising For Android

With the number of increasing applications of mobile phones, advertising had to enter applications as well. Now, Android developers have a software development kit (SDK) from BuzzCity which will help Android developers place advertisements in application and games developed by them.

SDK for Android

BuzzCity had earlier launched a SDK for BlackBerry which was a huge success and had the same functionalities as the new SDK for Android. Now Android developers can look at higher revenues on a CPC (cost per click) basis, and can also achieve global distribution of their games and applications which is currently unavailable.

Another boost for Android

Android has placed itself in prime position to power a large number and variety of connected devices in the near future. Google’s OS has been very popular amongst users and as a result many companies, like Skype,  are creating applications for Android. As a matter of fact, Android is set to be second only to Nokia by the end of this year. With such immense popularity, new advertisers will be lured onto the platform and developers, thanks to the new SDK from BuzzCity, will be able to cash in on this.

Android seems to be hitting all the right notes and now with in-app advertising, the popularity amongst developers will reach new levels.

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